Camp Hale, 2017

Hale 2017

This is the patch from Hale Scout Reservation in 2017. The initials of the four stickmen, John Fournet (SPL), Eric Keilbarth (ASPL), David Fournet (LC Chair), and Aidan Pohl (HQM), can be found in the bushes. Ironically, the only stickman in attendance was SPL John Fournet. If you have any additional stories or information about this patch that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

(Killer) Clown | Troop 26 WOW 2016

Clown 2016

This is the patch for the 2016 Troop Webelos Hallo-Weekend. The theme, The Clown, is based on Bill’s childhood (and adulthood) fear of clowns. The clown was played by Eagle Scout Parker Plank, who convinced Bill to go through with the clown theme. Parker’s initials are ghosted in the bottom corner along with SPL Logan Yarroll’s. It is also rumored that the clown’s very large thumb was originally intended to be a very large knife, however it was modified after Bill heard about the coincidental and terrifying “clown attacks” of 2016 that started after the event had been planned but before the event took place. If you have any additional stories or information about this patch that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

Games of Indian Summer | District WOW 2016

Indian Summer 2016

These patches were given out at the 2016 Eagle District Webelos Outdoor Weekend in 2016. The theme was “The Games of Indian Summer.” The patch on the left was given to the Staff while the patch on the left was given to everyone who attended. Modeled after past District WOWs and Camporees, this event allowed Scouts and Webelos to participate in exciting Native American inspired games and activities. If you have any additional stories or information about this patch that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

Ray Yarroll | Troop 26 Pillars Award 2016

Yarroll 2016

Ray Yarroll is an important and joyful member of Troop 26. As organizer of the Eagle Scout Board of Review process, few jobs are more important than the one he has taken on. This patch was given out at the 2016 float trip when Mr. Yarroll was honored with the fifth Troop 26 Pillars Award. If you have any more information about Mr. Yarroll or this patch that you would like included here, please let us know.

Medicine Mountain | South Dakota 2016

Medicine Mountain 2016

Rather than skipping out on the opportunity to take a big trip in 2016, the troop decided not to return to Hale Scout Reservation in 2016 but rather to hop on a bus and visit Medicine Mountain in South Dakota. The trip featured visits to Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument that is under construction. Scouts were able to participate in unique activities such as spelunking. This is the patch for the trip. The “PP” in the bottom left corner stands for SPL Parker Plank. If you have any additional stories or information about this patch that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

Dennis Zvacek | Troop 26 Pillars Award 2015

Zvacek 2015

Dennis Zvacek is a key part of some of the most important aspects of Troop 26. He has served as webmaster, played a huge role in putting together Arrow of Light ceremonies, and has served as Adult Head Quartermaster for quite some time. Mr. Z is dependable, caring, and fun to be around (when he’s not yelling at scouts who leave before the trailers). This patch was given out at the 2015 float trip when Mr. Z was honored with the fourth Troop 26 Pillars Award. If you have any more information about Mr. Z or this patch that you would like included here, please let us know.

Camp Pupukea | Oahu, Hawaii 2015

Pupukea 2015

This is the patch from Troop 26’s 2015 Hawaiian summer camp adventure. The ghosted initials on the patch stand for the stickmen of the trip: Eagle Scouts Parker Plank (SPL), Eric Keilbarth (ASPL), Kyler Smith (HQM) and Josh Kroll (LC Chair). The troop visited Pearl Harbor, Camp Pupukea, Waimea Bay and Valley, the Polynesian Cultural Center, Shark’s Cove, the Dole Plantation, the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet, and the Punchbowl Military Cemetary where Bill was able to see his dad’s name on the wall that pays tribute to those missing in action during WWII. At the Punchbowl, attendees were also given a challenge coin. While it is not a patch, it might as well be included here.

Hawaii Challenge Coin

While at Camp Pupukea, the troop earned a special award known as the Hawaiiana Award. This award is exclusive to the Aloha Council, the council that owns and operates Camp Pupukea. The patches below are the Aloha Council patch and the Hawaiiana patch. (The patches below were not designed by Bill.) If you have any additional stories or information about the Hawaii trip that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

Aloha Council

Frankenstein | Troop 26 WOW 2014

Frankenstein 2014

The theme for the 2014 Troop Webelos Outdoor Weekend was “Electric,” with Dr. Frankenstein and his monster as the mascot characters. The Monster was played by Eagle Scout Nick Bieser, and Doctor Frankenstein (or was it Doc Brown?) was played by Jonny Fisher. Below is Eagle Scout Eli Smith’s video of the event, which is a good example of what most of our Troop 26 WOW events are like. If you have any additional stories or information about this patch that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

Scottish Games | District Camporee 2014

Scottish Games 2014

These patches were given out at the Scottish Games “A Scout is Brave” District Camporee. The patch on the left features a scout riding on the back of Nessie while the patch on the right features Lord Baden-Powell wearing Scottish war paint. This event was modeled after the 2012 District WOW, however this campout took the depth of the theme to a new level. Every troop in attendance wore a kilt of a different tartan. Each Troop 26 patrol constructed a unique Scottish battle flag. Bagpipers played through the fittingly rainy weekend as scouts participated in Scottish-inspired games and activities. Boys’ Life even sent a reporter and later ran an article on the event. Below is Eagle Scout Eli Smith’s video highlighting the event. If you have any additional stories or information about this patch that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

Randy McGuire | Troop 26 Pillars Award 2014

McGuire 2014

Randy McGuire is a devoted member of Troop 26 who has devoted much of his life to Troop 26. A Troop 26 SPL and Eagle Scout himself, Randy has since served in the somewhat stressful job of troop treasurer as well as instructor of one of the infamous Death Badges: Personal Management. This patch was given out at the 2014 float trip when Randy was honored with the third Troop 26 Pillars Award. If you have any more information about Randy or this patch that you would like included here, please let us know.

Camp Hale, 2014

Hale 2014

These were the patches for Camp Hale in 2014. The bottom patch is the Troop 26 patch, and the one above it is the Council Shoulder Patch for Camp Hale that year which was also designed by Bill to match our troop’s patch. The “JP” on the troop patch stands for ASM John Points. “He was a woodbadge antelope,” says Bill, “he’s as bad about antelopes as I am about turtles.” If you have any additional stories or information about these patches that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

Dracula | Troop 26 WOW 2013

Dracula 2013

This is the patch from the third annual Troop 26 Webelos Outdoor Weekend at Dog Iron Ranch. Dracula was played by Eagle Scout Fletcher Lowe. This was one of the first WOW events where participants of the newly developed White Stag Leadership Program were able to help teach the Webelos valuable camping and leadership skills. If you have any additional stories or information about this patch that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

Rick Hayes | Troop 26 Pillars Award 2013

Hayes 2013

Rick Hayes is a critical member of the Assistant Scoutmaster team as head advancement coordinator and a friend to all. A Troop 26 Eagle Scout himself, he has been around to see his two sons make Eagle and now has two grandsons in the troop. This patch was given out at the 2013 float trip when Rick Hayes was honored with the second Troop 26 Pillars Award. If you have any more information about Rick or this patch that you would like included here, please let us know.

Civil War | 2013 National Jamboree

Jambo 2013

This is the Troop 26 patch from the 2013 National Jamboree, the first at the Summit Bechtel Reserve. The theme of the trip’s itinerary was “Civil War,” as it roughly coincided with the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Troop 26 scouts who attended this Jamboree were able to participate in a very rainy pledge coin ceremony at Gettysburg National Cemetary at the end of a very rainy trip. Many videos and pictures from this trip can be found on the Troop A229 and Troop C117 pages. If you have any additional stories or information about this patch that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

Camp Hale, 2013

Hale 2013

These are the patches from Hale Scout Reservation in 2013. The bottom patch is the Troop 26 patch, the first summer camp arch patch. The patch on top is the Council strip for Hale for the year, also designed by Bill to match our troop patch and shirt. If you have any additional stories or information about these patches that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

Zombie Apocalypse Campout, 2013

Zombies 2013

The Zombie Apocalypse Campout was an exciting survival experience featuring lots of first aid and survivalist opportunities after a zombie raid of the campsite. Under SPL Austin Hinds, the troop faced the challenges of a true zombie apocalypse by building shelters and utilizing the survivalist techniques they had learned so far in scouts to help them fend off the undead army. In all, it was a pretty exciting campout. If you have any additional stories or information about this patch that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

The Mummy | Troop 26 WOW 2012

Mummy 2012

The Mummy was the theme of the second annual Troop 26 Halloween WOW. The mummy was played by Eagle Scout Eli Smith, who was carried in that morning in a sarcophagus. The sarcophagus still sits in our troop garage and is occasionally used for events such as our Fall Festival archaeology booth. If you have any additional stories or information about this patch that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

Clash of the Titans | District WOW 2012

Clash of Titans 2012

This patch is from the 2012 District WOW. There was a matching patch with a red border for Staff of the event. Pictured on the patch is Perseus, who was played by Eagle Scout Braden Wajda. The Clash of the Titans theme carried over into all activites such as games and patrol spirit. Each patrol in the troop created a special flag for the event themed around a creature from Greek Mythology such as the Eskimo Patrol’s Hydra themed flag seen below. A giant trojan horse was also constructed in the Troop 26 campsite. This event was a smashing success and paved the way for future events such as the Scottish Games in 2014 and the Games of Indian Summer in 2015. If you have any additional stories or information about this patch that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

Hydramos Ho! (Goo Goo G'Joob)

Grim Reaper | Troop 26 WOW 2011

Grim Reaper 2011

The Grim Reaper patch, sometimes known as “Skeletor,” was the second of Bill’s iconic funky-shaped arch patches. This patch was given out at the first Troop 26 Webelos Outdoor Weekend at Dog Iron Ranch way back in 2011. The Reaper was played by Colin Everett and his mini-me was played by Eagle Scout David Fournet who was 11 at the time. This campout was crucial in creating the traditions that would eventually become expected at a Halloween Troop 26 WOW. If you have any additional stories or information about this patch that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

JJ Jorishie | Troop 26 Pillars Award 2011

Jorishie 2011

Mr. Jorishie plays an important role in our Eagle Scout Project review process, trip planning (such as Hawaii and Northern Tier), waking up to The Beatles every morning at Hale, and many other aspects of our troop including our tradition of annual canoe trips. This patch, corresponding with JJ Jorishie being the first ASM honored with the Troop 26 Pillars Award, was given out at the 2011 float trip. If you have any more information about JJ or this patch that you would like included here, please let us know.

The Heidorn: Brotherhood of the Wolf

Heidorn Award

This patch is awarded to the truest members of our troop: those who attend winter campouts. During the winter term, as the school year sets in and conflicts, harsh, cold weather, and other lame excuses pop up left and right, campout attendance often thins dramatically. Those who continue to attend these campouts regularly are the true backbone of our troop. The Heidorn Award is given only to those who attend every winter campout in a single fall/winter term: September, October, November, December, January, and February consecutively. This award was named after Joel Heidorn. If you have any additional information about this patch that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

Headless Horseman | District WOW 2010

Headless Horseman 2010

These patches are from the 2010 Eagle District Webelos Outdoor Weekend. The Headless Horseman’s Head was played by Josh Vanderveen while his body was played by Eagle Scout Alex Rao. The patch on the right was the Troop 26 patch for the event while the patch on the right was given out to all attendees. These patches are the second of the Halloween WOW patches, but more importantly the patch on the right is the first patch that meets Bill’s famous “arch with stuff hanging off the edges” criteria. This was a district WOW, however the Halloween theme was later adopted as a tradition for our Troop 26 WOW events. If you have any additional stories or information about this patch that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

The Three Kings Set | Camp Alexander, Camp Hale, Philmont 2011

2011 Patch Set

These three zig-zaggy patches are all from the summer of 2011. The one on the left is from the troop’s 2011 trip to Camp Alexander near Colorado Springs. The one in the middle is from Camp Hale that year, and the shoulder patch above it is the Camp Hale shoulder patch for 2011, designed by Bill to match our troop patch. The patch on the right is for the Philmont crew that same year. These patches are full of religious and symbolic significance, so it may be worth giving them a closer look. If you have more info on this patch set that you would like included here, please let us know.

The Silver Eagle

Silver Eagle Award

This patch is for the best of the best. The Silver Eagle is awarded to members of the troop who obtain the rank of Eagle Scout and participate in a trek to at least one of the three main High Adventure bases: Philmont, Northern Teir, or Seabase. This patch is worn on the right shoulder of the green Crew 26 Venturing uniform. The Silver Eagle is also featured on the tan high adventure hats, blue high adventure tech shirts, and red Eagle Scout hats. If you have any additional information about this patch that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

Shipwrecked Campout, 2008

Shipwrecked 2008

This is the patch from the infamous “Shipwrecked” campout, which was another survival-based campout in the style of the “Lost” campout from a few years earlier. “The Shipwrecked campout was the themed campout during the term of SPL Andrew Parks,” says Bill. “Again, survival was the objective in a winter setting. The Scouts were attacked by natives in grass skirts and bone necklaces. Map reading and survival cooking were key to survival after the scouts built shelters. Great campout.” This campout later inspired Doug Fournet’s 2012 “Endurance” campout. If you have any additional stories or information about this patch that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

LOST Campout, 2005

LOST 2005

This is the patch from the first major themed campout in the troop, based around an airplane crash and building the skills necessary to survive on an island. “It was the brain child of SPL Reid Spears,” says Bill. “One of our Assistant Scoutmasters, Weldon Levacy, got us a tail section of a plane for the debris field. When the troop arrived at the field on Saturday morning, they were met with suitcases and other debris. It was a survival campout. The scouts had to survive Saturday night using only what they found in the suitcases and what they could use from the debris. First aid opportunities were everywhere including an injured Randy McGuire with an aircraft bolt in his back. The first themed campout was a roaring success.” If you have any additional stories or information about this patch that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know.

2001 National Jamboree Troop 26 Indian Nations Council Set

This patch set is from Troop 26’s visit to the 2001 National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. Each of the 16 patches in the set represents a different Native American tribe, and each came with a sheet of paper with stories about each tribe. If you have any additional stories or information about this patch set that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know. I’ll let the patches do the talking. And yes, these are actual size.