Troop Lock-In
January 14 & 15, 2012
St. Simon Cafeteria and Gym
Green Park, MO

17 scouts attended the troop overnight lock-in. Scouts were dropped off Saturday night after 7:00pm. Scouts played basketball and dodge ball in the gym. Scouts also played board games such as Risk and Chrononauts in the cafeteria. We enjoyed snacks and soft drinks throughout the evening and also ate pizza at 10:00pm. Lights were turned off at 2:00am and scouts were encouraged to sleep until 8:00am Sunday. Scouts were picked up at 9:00am.

Thanks to the adults who participated. Thanks to Mr. Rich Kinkade and the Holy Name Society for donating soft drinks and hot chocolate for the lock-in. Thanks also to our scouts Chris, Michael, David, Jacob and Rafael who helped later Sunday afternoon with the Cub Scouts’ pinewood derby. (Click on "Read More" below to see more photos.)

New Year’s Hike
January 1, 2012
Rock Hollow Trail
Wildwood, Mo.



The first day of 2012 was very blustery, as an approaching cold front brought winds gusting to 40-50mph. We still had a great time on the hike as Rock Hollow provided some protection from the wind and the 41 degree temperature was warmer than some of the New Year’s hikes in recent memory.

After meeting at Michael’s parking lot at 10:00am we drove to the Al Foster trailhead in Glencoe, Mo. From there we hiked the Al Foster Trail 1 mile east along the Meramec River to the Rock Hollow Trail following it 2.3 miles north to the trailhead on Ridge Road. We then returned by the same route for a total of approximately 6.6 miles. While we saw a few other small groups, we felt secluded for the most part.

The recently opened Rock Hollow Trail is among the most scenic of Great Rivers Greenway Trails. The paved 2.3 mile trail leads hikers and bikers through a wooded valley that crisscrosses a wet weather creek utilizing 13 masterly crafted wooden bridges. (Click on “Read More” below to see more photos.)

November 19, 2011
Mehlville Firehouse #5
Green Park, Mo

18 scouts and 8 adults from Troop 161 assisted in packing 1427 boxes of donated food this year at the Mehlville Firehouse #5. Area scouts collected approximately 1.8 million cans of food at the 27th annual Scouting for Food campaign. Overall donations were down about 15% from 2.1 millions cans compared to recent years. Thanks to all who donated food this year for those less fortunate. Thanks to all our scouts who participated and thanks to our adults John DiMercurio, Don Schnurbusch, Marc Menteer, Andy Sandroni, Angel Poucher, Darran and Karen Strebler, and Amy Cain. (Click on "Read More" below for more photos.)

November Pack Meeting
St. Simon's Church Hall
Green Park, MO

Troop 161’s Order of the Arrow members presented a camp promotion program at the Pack 161 November meeting. The program included camp skits, sampling camp style donuts, a camp equipment presentation, trying on backpacks and practice pitching a tent. The pack meeting started with the Arrow of Light presentation to the Webelos II scouts. During this part of the program we started preparing 100 donuts. After the Arrow of Light presentation our scouts helped serve cake and lemonade. We started the camp promotion after the pack concluded their den awards. (Click on read more below for more photos and text.)

Bike Outing
November 12, 2011
Forest Park Bike Path


Five scouts and 4 adults enjoyed a morning of biking on the 7.5 mile bike path in Forest Park. (Click on read more below for more photographs.)

Fall Backpack Campout
October 29 & 30, 2011
Blackberry Hollow
Beaumont Reservation
High Ridge, MO

11 scouts and 5 adult scouters backpacked the 5.2 mile "Shippey Red Trail". The weather was wonderful for backpacking, with high temperatures in the 60s and overnight low temperatures in the 40s. On Saturday we hiked the trail a little over 3 miles from the trailhead in Camp May, past Mud Cave to the top of the ridge and then downhill to Blackberry Hollow. Blackberry Hollow is remotely located in the Northern margin of the scout property and forested in tall pine trees. We set up camp and prepared our dinner. I think that most everyone who brought dehydrated food enjoyed it. Everyone turned in early after sitting around the campfire. Some of the scouts slept in a small shelter there. After preparing breakfast Sunday morning and breaking camp, we continued on the Red Trail clockwise back to the top of the ridge and then downhill to the trailhead. A good time was had by all. (Click on "Read More" below to see more photos.)

Troop 161 Great Pumpkin Sale
October 22 & 23, 2011
St. Simon's Church and School
Green Park, MO

Troop 161 held its annual Pumpkin Sale the weekend of October 22 and 23. The weather was perfect for the event. We had a lot of visitors from Trunk or Treat since the 2 events were coincident Saturday evening. Our scouts also assisted the Madonna Guild's Trunk or Treat program by collecting donated food and by picking up candy wrappers. Thanks to all the scouts and parents who helped with the pumpkin sales. Thanks to all the leaders for all their extra time and effort. Thanks to Jim R. and the St. Simon’s Soccer program for donating the straw bales. Thanks to Mrs. Amy Cain for organizing the event.

This fundraiser made nearly $700 profit. $100 will go into the troop general fund. Each of the scouts who participated in the fundraiser will receive $25 in their personal scouting expense account.

We would also like to thank our costumers that stopped by our "Pumpkin Patch". We really appreciate all the help and support we receive from our church community. (To view more photos, click on read more below.)

October 7-9, 2011
Lane Field
Beaumont Reservation
High Ridge, MO


12 scouts and 4 adults attended the 2011 Gravois Trail District Fall Pacao at Beaumont Reservation. The weekend was gorgeous with clear skies and fall colors near peak. The day temperatures were in the mid 80s and night lows in the mid 50s. Congratulations to all the scouts for their outstanding participation and to Chris and Thomas for leading their teams to receiving Honor awards. (Click on read more below for more text and photos.)

SPL Chris demonstrates how to tie a One Handed Bowline. Click on read more below for photos and text.