Troop 21

On the weekend of Dec 7th-8th. our Troop had the privilege of camping within a few hundred feet of the Visitors entrance to the Palomar Observatory. Although the weather was beautiful with clear skies and warm afternoons, early Saturday evening and Sunday morning was quite brisk (Esther’s thermometer gave a reading of 33 degrees F on Sunday morning!). Scouts arrived just after lunchtime on Saturday and immediately were hard at work gathering mistletoe to provide for the upcoming fundraiser. It was then off to the more technical task of lashing poles together to form our Troop’s two gadgets that would carry our flags. Dinner prep began early at around 4, but thanks to ample lights from Esther’s large stockpile of technology, continued well after dusk. Scouts and parents cooked up delicious, elaborate meals including juicy burgers, fettucini in alfredo sauce, vegan chili, and a large korean dish based on squiggly noodles. On Sunday morning, parents and scouts embarked on a multi-guide led tour of the observatory at 10, learning a great deal about the mind boggling facts of the universe and the tremendous engineering feat of constructing the 200 ft telescope that has stood the test of time since the 1920’s.

To see more images of our experience, please visit the photo album at:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/5pbDMSuszALdSHH2A

On the evening of September 30, 2024, Troop 21 held its Court of Honor ceremony. That night we honored scouts earning Ranks and Merit Badges, as well as three fellow scouts who earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable. Such a rank requires leadership, giving back to your community, and advanced knowledge of scouting. Our three Eagle Scouts, Anton Potts, Daniel Shopbell and James Shopbell, were all required to complete an eagle project. Anton fixed up and built benches for the Arroyo Seco fly fishing pond. Daniel loves band and decided to clean up the Marshall Fundamental School band room that had become a dumping ground during covid. James had a passion for band, and also cleaned up the band room on August 9 and 10, 2024, following renovations. Many of our scouts ranked up, were awarded badges, and enjoyed the ice cream bar that followed the ceremony.

Appropriately enough, Daniel and James Shopbell became Eagle Scouts on the same evening, Sept. 25, following successful completion of their respective Boards of Review. This achievement culminates years of service to Troop 21 and the greater Pasadena community. Both Daniel and James served in multiple leadership positions, including SPL, and took part in T21’s high adventure program, completing a Philmont trek and the recent Sierra backpacking trip. For his Eagle project, Daniel renovated and reorganized band rooms at Marshall High School; meanwhile, James led a project benefiting AYSO involving a creative solution to helping volunteers set up the soccer fields more efficiently. Congratulations!

Following a stellar tenure that saw him complete NYLT, serve as SPL, be elected to Order of the Arrow, complete a Philmont trek and become the first member of the troop to serve on staff at Philmont, Anton Potts has capped his scouting career by becoming T21’s 186th Eagle on Sept. 18. For his project, Anton renovated the seating area surrounding the casting ponds adjacent to the Rose Bowl in the Arroyo Seco. Job well done, Anton!

Mammoth Lakes was the place for adventure this summer.

Some Scouts spent days exploring the area, camping, kayaking at Lake Mary, and mountain biking at Mammoth Mountain.

Other Scouts spent the days exploring the high Sierra near Thousand Island Lake.

T21 headed up to the Kern River for its annual river rafting adventure. The Scouts enjoyed a day on the river followed by a campfire and lots of stories

Cameron Lin capped his scouting journey by becoming Troop 21’s 185th Eagle Scout on May 16, 2024. One of the first members of the troop to complete NYLT, Cameron’s Eagle project involved renovating the lost and found and creating two portable storage units for Dana Middle School in Arcadia. Great work, Cameron!

Thor Pearson and Joe Cooper have been friends since preschool. They began their Scouting journey in Pack 110 and bridged to Troop 21 in 2018. On May 14, 2024, both Thor and Joe completed their Eagle Boards of Review, becoming T21’s 183rd and 184th Eagles.

For his project, Thor led a garden construction project at Pasadena High School, including building new raised beds and improving irrigation. Meanwhile, Joe, inspired by multiple visits to Camp Cherry Valley on Catalina, worked with the Catalina Conservancy to remove invasive plants from the island.

Congratulations!

Noah Gutierrez was one of three Eagle Scouts in all of the Greater Los Angeles Area Council to receive this year’s Belcher Foundation Eagle Scout Scholarship. This very special honor is given annually to Eagle Scouts who plan to attend a four-year college or university following high school graduation and “have demonstrated leadership ability in Scouting and a strong record of participation in activities outside of Scouting.” We’re proud of you, Noah!

Joining the legendary ranks of the Flaming Arrows and the long-dominant Flaming Phoenix, the Kraken Patrol edged fellow contenders in a closely contested culinary competition to claim the hallowed Golden Spatula with their intriguing interpretation of the street dog.

Troop 21 needs your help to make sure that we continue to promote proper and restful flag retirement. There’s a specific and respectful process for disposing of flags in a formal manner, and simply throwing them away can be considered disrespectful and unacceptable.

If you are in possession of a flag that is no longer a fitting emblem, please fill out this form and allow for Troop 21 help your family retire it. Any funds donated through flag retirements will support Troop 21 programs including camping, rank advancement and outdoor activities.

Thank you for your help,