What an event! This was my very first Klondike Derby and boy did I have a good time. I also learned a lot. Starting with dressing a little warmer, to learn those knots and lashings that are in the scout handbook. I really didn’t understand that we would have a wooden sled and the scouts would be pulling it from event to event. Our sled had all the items we would need to do at each event. I was asked which event I liked the most in the car on the way home. Well that’s easy I liked them all. I hope that everyone in my patrol was happy with me as I was learning as I went along. 

I really appreciated the leader who came and passed out hand warmers and toe warmers. These items made the day a little more comfortable. The cold wasn’t too bad when we were moving and doing the event. Waiting to do an event is when it was cold.  

I am looking forward to going again next year. I am hoping the weather is a little warmer.

After two years of planning and fundraising our trip to Disney World started at 2:30 AM on December 26, 2024 when those going met at the church to jump on our troop’s bus to head to the KCI Airport to take our flight at 5:35 AM

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Our flight landed at the Orlando International Airport at 9:35 AM. We picked up our luggage and loaded a bus to take us to All Star Resort at Walt Disney World.

We ate lunch, checked into our rooms, moved our luggage to our rooms and off we went to start our adventures. We went out front of our resort and caught the Disney Transportation Bus

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Our first stop was EPCOT where each scout  had to interview a cast member from Canada, Mexico, Germany and China and tasted food from the different countries for the American Cultures Merit Badge. I really didn’t think this was going to be very fun, some of the scouts said but it turned out to be one of the best things.

We now started our journey to enjoy the rides. First stop the Ratatouille Ride in French. It was a fun ride. We also saw the show The American Adventure.

We learned on the first day that Walt Disney is a very busy place and the lines for the rides are very long.

After the ride the group went and ate dinner at Connections Cafe’. Then we went back to our resort and went to bed.

Day 2 – Our day started at 6:25 AM when we met in the Food Court of the resort to eat breakfast with the group. At 7:00 AM we headed to the bus stop to make our way to the Magic Kingdom.

We rode the following rides:Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Mad Tea Party, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Space Mountain, Tron, Halls of Presidents and Haunted Mansion. On average the wait times were 65 minutes. We ate lunch at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe’.

After Dinner we took a trip back to Main Street to Town Square Theater where we were all thinking we were going to see a movie or show. To our surprise when we entered the theater we saw the star of Disney World Mickey Mouse.

We then went to the ice cream parlor for ice cream. Then it was time for the firework show at Magic Kingdom.

After the fireworks it was time to head back to the resort.

Day 3 – Our day started at 7:25 AM when we met in the Food Court of the resort to eat breakfast with the group. At 8:00 AM we headed to the bus stop to make our way to the Animal Kingdom.

When we arrived at Animal Kingdom we headed straight back to Avatar Flight of Passage where the line went on forever. It only took us 60 mins to get on the ride.

Then it was on to Na’vi River Journey and Festival of the Lion King.

While we waited for our lunch reservation at Tusker House Restaurant we walked around the Tree of Life and looked at all the animal carvings in the tree trunk. We also took in the show It’s Tough to be a Bug. Lunch was a buffet and it was great. We also met several of the characters Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy and Goofy.

After lunch it was off to Kilimanjaro Safaris where we rode in a safari truck just like you were in Africa. We saw all kinds of animals.

After our safari it was off to Kali River Rapids. This was a water ride. Some of us got wet and some stayed dry..

We headed back to our resort after this ride. Once back we changed into our swimming gear and took a dip in the pool. Then it was off to bed.

Day 4 – Our day started at 6:25 AM when we met in the Food Court of the resort to eat breakfast with the group.

At 7:00 AM we headed to the bus stop to make our way to the Hollywood Studios. Once inside we headed back to the Star Wars area. We got in line for Rise of the Resistance.

We also rode Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. On this ride we were broken up into six groups of six. Each had two pilots, two gunners and two engineers. This ride was very intense.

We headed over to Slinky Dog Dash once again we had a line that went on forever.

Then it was off to lunch at the ABC Commissary. After lunch we headed over to Sunset Boulevard to get in line for the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Where we had a rain storm move in. We stayed in line and rode the ride Then we were off to TheTwilight Zone Tower of Terror.

We grabbed dinner and headed over to the evening show Fantasmic.

After the show we headed back to our resort.

Day 5 – Our day started at 6:25 AM when we met in the Food Court of the resort to eat breakfast with the group. At 8:00 AM we headed to the bus stop to make our way back to EPCOT. Once inside we had straight to Soarin’ Around the World in a hang-glider. Then it was off Mission: Space. The Orange Mission was a journey to Mars and the Green Mission was a journey around earth. Once back on earth we headed to the Land Pavilion to eat lunch.

After lunch we went over to the World Nature Pavilion with the Land ride. Here we learned about growing plants in different ways. Everything grown here is used in the Garden Grill Restaurant.

Then it was once again off to another ride. Spaceship Earth.

This ride was inside the big ball you see in the photo above. Here we learned the history of communication. At the end of the ride there were some games that were in the future when the ride opened in 1971 but are now in use in 2024.

Then we headed to World Nature Pavilion where we rode The Sea with Nemo & Friends, toured the Sea Base and Turtle Talk with Crush.

Then it was time to go back to the Countries once again before the night show where everyone ate dinner.

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fter the night show it was back to the resort ending another night.

Day 6 – Our last day started at 6:25 AM when we met in the Food Court of the resort to eat breakfast with the group. At 8:00 AM we headed to the bus stop to make our way back to the Magic Kingdom by way of Hollywood Studios to allow us to spend New Years Eve in the Magic Kingdom. Once at Hollywood Studios we boarded the Skyliner to EPCOT. Once at EPCOT we crossed the park and got on the Monorail to the Transportation Center where we changed to the Monorail to the Magic Kingdom. Once there we headed to Princess Fairytale Hall. Here we met some of the Princesses.

Then it was off to Peter Pan’s Flight. Then we headed through the rain to Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room to get out of the rain. Then we rode The Magic Carpet of Aladdin.

Then we took a break some got Dole Whip and Mr. Howell purchased ice cream for others.

We headed to Pirates of the Caribbean and then to lunch at Pecos Bill Tall Inn and Cafe’.

Then we boarded the Walt Disney World Railroad and took a trip around the park. When we reached Fantasyland we disembarked. We headed to The Barnstormer.

Then we headed to Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid. Then we headed to Liberty Square to pick our spot for the 6:30 PM fireworks.

After the fireworks we picked up the following rides before the midnight fireworks show. Jungle Cruise, Country Bear Jamboree, Mickey’s PhilharMagic and It’s a Small World. Then it was time for fireworks. This show was even bigger than the 6:30 PM show.. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025. We got back to our rooms at 2:00 AM. Going to be a short night

Day 7 – January 1, 2025. Our last day started at 3:30 AM when we met in the lobby of our resort. Then it was out to the bus spot to catch our bus to the Orlando International Airport.

Our scouts don’t have the same energy they had when they left for Walt Disney World.

I would like to say THANK YOU to Stacy Howell for all the time she spent planning and talking to Disney and the Southwest Airline to get this trip set up.

Just to show everyone how well known our Kansas City Chiefs are known. This wreath was in the lobby of the ALL STAR RESORT where we stayed.

We had a great trip and it is now time to start planning the troops’ next High Adventure Trip.

What a great lock-in the troop had. The scouts turned the church’s parish hall into game central. We played games from 7:00 PM till midnight. We also had pizza for dinner. It was great. I would like to thank our Troops Patrol Leaders Council for planning this event. Can’t wait to do it again in 2025.

“There is no religious side to the movement. The whole of it is based on religion, that is, on the
realization and service of God.”
-Robert Baden-Powell, Scouting Founder

The scouts of Troop 282 gathered together Sunday morning after breakfast to hold church
during our October overnight.
They learned about obedience, and sang about God’s amazing grace. It was great to see the
whole group listening, singing along, and responding to the questions asked during the sermon.
Holding a church service is an important part of our overnights in Troop 282.
Scouts BSA does not promote any specific religious denomination, but has always
recognized that spiritual faith is important in the development of good citizens. This principle is
embedded in our “Declaration of Religious Principle,” which says each member should
recognize their obligation to God as part of becoming a good citizen.
We encourage Scouts to follow the religious teachings of their families and faith groups, and
to respect religious diversity. Scouts & scouters come from all walks of life, with various
backgrounds, beliefs, and faith experiences.
However, Scouts USA upholds a belief in God as a core value of the program.
Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, made it clear that Scouting is built on
religious principles. He believed that Scouting should help boys realize their duty to God by
encouraging service to others and making the best of the life God has given them.
Over half of all Scout troops are affiliated with religious organizations, reflecting the strong
connection between Scouting and faith communities. The organization’s focus on core values
like responsibility, integrity, and respect ensures that Scouts develop a strong moral character
while learning to appreciate the diversity of their fellow Scouts.
“Church” isn’t a building, it’s a collection of people moving toward our Heavenly Father. That
can happened in a big climate-controlled building, in the middle of the woods, on a street corner,
or even on the side of a bluff overlooking a lake.
Scouting emphasizes a duty to God, teaching these young leaders to live out their faith
through service, responsibility, and respect for others- making Scouting a platform for personal
and spiritual growth.
Those church gatherings out in the middle of God’s creation are especially meaningful, as
we get to see His handiwork in the colorful fall trees and the bright blue sky, a fresh blanket of
snow, or whatever scenery He sees fit to bless us with. It’s also a blessing to be able to see
these young men & women connecting with God and each other.

What a great weekend the troop had on the October overnight. It all started when we left the church parking lot at 8:00 AM. Once we reached the campsite we unloaded our patrol camping gear and set up our patrol camping site. Yes, in our troop each patrol has their own tents, dining fly, equipment boxes, kitchen, table and chairs. It’s great as we get to work as a patrol all weekend. We had to have our patrol sites set up before lunch.

After lunch we had some patrol competition on some scouting skills (using a bow saw, shaping an hand ax and building a fire).

Once done with the patrol competition the patrols had some free time for working on our patrol sites and collecting firewood for cooking dinner. We started our patrol fires around two hours ahead of dinner to allow us to have lots of coals for cooking with.

Then we started dinner. Each patrol was cooking their own meals. This is my favorite part of overnight cooking. 

Of course the part of the overnight no one likes is cleaning up after dinner. Yes we must wash our dishes.

Once we were done we started thinking about the Troop Campfire. Each patrol is to have a skit and song. Our patrol leader had us practice our patrol skit and song.

After the campfire our adult leaders prepared cobblers for the troop to eat. This is always a great treat.

When the patrol was done with their cobbler it was off to bed.

What a day. It went by so fast.

On Sunday morning we got up and got our patrol fire going so we could cook breakfast.

It’s nice to have a hot breakfast when it is cool out is great.

Once we were done with breakfast the patrols cleaned up their breakfast dishes and broke down their tents and loaded everything back on our troop’s trailer.

Before we left to go back to the church to meet our parents our troop has a church service.

Its time to make our Leave No Trace line to walk through our camp to make sure we leave the site better than we found it.

I am ready to go camping again.

What a fun time we had cleaning up the stream at Mildred Keeney Park in Claycomo, Missouri on September 28, 2024. The Troop met at 9:00 AM at the church and headed out to Claycomo. When we arrived at the park we met up with David Jet, an Alderman for the City of Claycomo and an Eagle Scout from our Scout Troop. Mr. Jett explained what the task was going to be for this morning. Then it was off to the stream. We split up into two groups to clean up both ends of the stream. This is where the fun began. We got to get wet and wade through the stream to pick up the trash. This went much faster than I thought it would take. We filled up several bags of trash. We found a steel wheel, a metal basket, a plastic pipe and lots of trash.

When we finished with the stream clean up they fed us hot dogs, chips, cookies and a drink. It was great. Then we got to play in the park.

Before we left the park we made one final sweep through the park as we always do before we leave an area to make sure we left it better than we found it.

I am looking forward to doing this project again. It was a great time.

What a great Labor Day Weekend for parking cars at Santa-Cali-Gon. The weather was great for those going to the festival on Independence Square. We had a great turn out from our scouts, leaders and families on supporting this fundraiser. It could not be done without your support.

Our scouts are very important to this fundraiser to be present to wave in those cars to park.

The best part about working for me was the food that was served to our volunteers. It was great.

What a great event. I had never been canoeing before until today. Even carrying the canoes to the lake and back up to the trailer. I can not wait till the Troop does it again.

Canoes are a little heavy

Canoeing is a buddy activity

What a great way to cool off

We stopped and could some ice cream. Thanks Mr. Dudley.

What a way to finish up the 2023-2024 Scouting year and to start the 2024-2025 Scouting with the annual Troop Court of Honor. All the scouts and their families present to honor all the scouts with the Awards, Rank Advancement and Merit badges that they have earned.

This year’s Court of Honor was a little more special than in past years for two reasons.

The first was honoring our Troop for turning 75 years old on November 8, 2024.

The second was honoring Mr. Leabo for receiving the Council God and Country Award. It was the first time this award had been earned in the Heart of America Council.

I hope everyone had as nice a time as I did.

Our head table

Parents and Scouts enjoying the Court of Honor

Mr. Leabo received the  Council God and Country Award.

Our Scouts lining up to be honored

The Council Duty to God Award was created to recognize registered Scouters who have demonstrated an exemplary history of transformational leadership in supporting and promoting the spiritual foundation of Scouting at the local Council level. It acknowledges the unswerving dedication to faith, fellowship, and service of those whose character embodies the moral principles and shared ideals of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The award distinguishes Scouters who selflessly work to prepare youth for life by perpetuating the merit and legacy of a Scout’s duty to their Creator.

Gary Leabo is the first to be awarded the Council Duty to God Award in the Heart of America Council.

Congratulation  Gary

Troop 1282

Troop Court of Honor

August 11, 2024