11/25/2025
As we head into the holiday, I keep thinking back to how this month unfolded for our troop—and honestly, it’s hard not to feel grateful and inspired. We kicked things off at Jordan Lake, where the calm water and quiet shoreline made one of the most beautiful campouts we’ve had in a long time. But we didn’t just admire the scenery—we took responsibility for it. Under Daniel Sajan’s leadership, our scouts put in real work, cleaning roughly four miles of shoreline and hauling out four full bags of trash. Not bad for a “relaxing weekend,” right?
And while the scouts were hiking, hauling, and helping, the dads went full culinary commando back at camp—turning out a feast of butter chicken, paneer masala, and naan that made everyone wonder why we don’t assign gourmet night every campout.
Then came our Operation Christmas Child packing event, where we pulled together nearly 40 boxes of essential items for young people in underserved communities around the world. Fast, focused, and meaningful.
That spirit of giving kept rolling. Last weekend, our patrol-led Scouting for Food drive pulled in 212 pounds of donations for the local food bank—an impressive lift that’s going to make a real difference for families who need support during the holidays.
And also this past weekend, we wrapped up another major contribution: Daniel Sajan’s Eagle project. Scouts and adults teamed up to rebuild a set of steps at St. Andrews, tearing them down to the studs and rebuilding them from scratch. These steps link two busy parking areas used by parishioners attending five masses a day on weekends—so this improvement will be used constantly and appreciated immediately.
If anyone ever needs a reminder of what Scouting is really about, this month was the perfect example. A troop of 60+ scouts and their families is a powerful force for good, and the impact you’ve all made—quietly, consistently, without fanfare—is something to be truly proud of.
Wishing all our scouts, parents, and leaders a very Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you for the heart, the energy, and the service you bring to this troop. You’ve given a lot this month—and it shows.