3/24/2025: March Campout Overview and Leadership Update
Author: Gabriel Gloria, Assistant Scoutmaster
March Campout:
The March Scout Skills I campout was a success! Due to inclement weather and ground conditions, the location was switched to the MCC-chartered Camp Gerber in Twin Lake.
A total of 9 Scouts and 4 adults attended. The boys enjoyed a quiet weekend of fire-building, adventurous hikes, rank advancement, and conservation projects!
Congratulations to Leo F. and Ben F. for completing the requirements and earning both their Firem’n Chit and Totin’ Chip!
A BIG thank you to Destin Pohl for organizing a fun-filled weekend.
Leadership Update and Looking Ahead:
Troop 354 has a lot of exciting events coming up soon. As the weather turns warmer and the opportunities arise, we are always looking foward to extand our hand to local community initiatives and exciting new adventures!
– April Campout
The April campout date is approaching, and it’s important to stay tuned for details. The primary wekeend activity will be Mountain Biking, location and time is still to be determined. If you have any questions or concerns, please bring them to the April Campout Coordinator, Troop Secretary, Arrow-of-Light Liason and Acting-Community Ambassador: Ben Flanders.
– Wood Badge CST9-780-25-2
Troop 354 is very proud to be represented at the 2025 GSR Wood Badge Training Session! Those registered as attending this advanced training include:
- Chartered Organization Representative Ron Gunter
- Committee Chair Chris Hill
- Assistant Scoutmaster Gabriel Gloria
- Committee Member Josh Deline
- Committee Member Matt Vandewater
Make sure to find these members at any troop meeting/activity and wish them luck! The troop thanks each and every one of them for their committment and dedication to further advancing the Scouting movement.
3/12/2025: NEW EAGLE ALERT!!
Author: Gabriel Gloria, Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 354 is proud to congratulate Tyler Cagle on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor in Scouting! This prestigious achievement represents years of dedication, leadership, and service to both his troop and the community.
Tyler began his journey as a Tiger in the Cub Scout program, where he first developed his love for the outdoors and adventure. After crossing over into Troop 354, he quickly immersed himself in the Scouting experience, earning merit badges, taking on leadership roles, and attending numerous camping trips and high-adventure outings.
Some of his most notable Scouting accomplishments include:
- Leadership: Served as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, and Troop Guide, helping guide younger Scouts and ensuring the troop’s success
- Service to Others: Volunteered countless hours in the community, including Adopt-a-Mile, Eagle Scout projects, and moving Christmas decorations at the Tiffany House (Jenison Museum)
- Friendships Made: Some of Tyler’s best friends and supporters in the troop include Draven Carney, Jason Orrell, Mr. Paul Flessner, and Gabe Gloria
For his Eagle Scout Service Project, Tyler built cabinets for the Godwin Heights High School Color Guard in order to facilitate storage for flags, rifles, and sabers. The cabinets also helped clear cluttered space and improved overall safety. His hard work and dedication made a lasting difference in the community, and his project will serve as a testament to his leadership and commitment to service.
We at Troop 354 are incredibly proud of Tyler and all that he has accomplished. His dedication to the values of Scouting—Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, and beyond—has made him a role model for younger Scouts and those near him. We look forward to seeing all the great things he will achieve in the future!
Congratulations again, Eagle Scout Tyler Cagle!
2/17/2025: February Campout – cold and adventurous!
Author: Gabriel Gloria (Assistant Scoutmaster)
Thank you to everyone who attended the February campout at Eben Ice Caves in Munising! With 14 youth and 10 adults in attendance, this campout was full of snowfall and good times! 23 people were recorded as hiking 4-5 miles over the below-30 degree weather!
The itinerary also included exploring the trails of Sugarloaf Mountain in Marquette, as well as plenty of board games and snow activities at the newest MCC-sponsored facility: Camp Hiawatha.
A BIG thank you to Committee Member Alison Freas for planning and organizing an amazing weekend!
Be on the lookout for details regarding the next March Campout, Scout Skills I. Location is TBD. Any questions should be directed to the March Campout Coordinator: Destin Pohl.
1/20/25: January Campout a success!
Authors: Gabriel Gloria (Assistant Scoutmaster) and Jackson F. (Webmaster)
Thank you to everyone who attended the Lowell Scout Cabin campout from 1/17 to 1/19! There were about 40 people in attendance for the weekend with activities consisting of sledding, a 5-mile hike, fire building/axeyard training, and cold weather camping!
Congratulations to the 5 Scouts and 9 adults who earned their Polar Bear Award! Temperatures were consistent, an average of 30 degrees throughout the weekend.
A HUGE thank you to Treasurer David Hop for organizing an amazing campout and to Hudsonville Pack 3149 leaders Bill and Alison Freas for inviting their AOLs to attend.
A friendly reminder that our next campout is February 7-9. For more details on activities and signing up, please find the Feburary campout coordinator, Alison Freas, at our next meeting. Or speak to a Scoutmaster/Troop Committee member for any other questions.
12/28/24: Troop Elections are right around the corner!
Author: Gabriel Gloria, Assistant Scoutmaster
(note: updated on 1/14/2025)
Howdy, Scouts! This is a reminder that the next official Troop 354 Election is set for our second meeting after winter break, January 13th. Election represenatives from the OA lodge will be present, so we will also be conducting our yearly OA candidate election. Keep an eye on your email for more details.
Your candidates for Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) are:
- Brooks H.
- Jonathan R.
- Blake G.
The winner will then select their 2 Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders (ASPLs) and will also be appointing their picks for the following 5 positions: Troop Instructor (TI), Troop Guide (TG), Den Chief (DC), Order of the Arrow Representative (OA), and Outdoor Ethics Guide (OG).
All positions will need to be applied for using the official Troop 354 Leadership Interest form found on the “Current Patrols” page of the website. The only positions that do not require an application are:
- Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)
- Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL)
- Patrol Leader (PL)
- Assistant Patrol Leader (APL).
We will need at least half of the troop in attendance to conduct this election at the next meeting.
As someone who has served in a lot of positions when I was a youth with the troop, my adivce to you is simple: don’t worry so much about not being the best fit for the position you want. Instead, think on and put together all the ways you can help your fellow youth and the troop as a whole in the position you are going for.
And always rememeber: Troop Elections happen every 6 months, so there is always time to build up your skillset and getting to know your fellow Scouts in order to get the position you want.
Good luck!
12/17/24: Introducing the “Trail Talks” Blog!
Author: Gabriel Gloria, Assistant Scoutmaster
Welcome to Trail Talks, the official blog of Troop 354! This is the place where we will share our troop’s latest adventures, upcoming events, and important updates with Scouts, families, and friends. Whether it’s a weekend campout, a high-adventure trek, or a service project, you’ll find stories, highlights, and lessons learned right here. Trail Talks is more than just a news page—it’s where we celebrate the achievements of our Scouts, keep everyone informed, and showcase the spirit of our troop.
This blog will be managed primarily by our troop Webmasters, with help from the Scribe and Historian. Together, they’ll keep the content fresh, fun, and engaging, while ensuring you never miss out on the action. Stay tuned for exciting recaps of recent outings, details about upcoming events, and tips to help Scouts continue their journey. Trail Talks is for everyone—whether you’re a Scout preparing for your next adventure, a parent looking for updates, or an alum reminiscing about your own Scouting days. We’re excited to share our stories, and we invite you to join us on this journey—because every trail has a story to tell.