Scouting is a youth-led organization where older scouts train the younger and where the boys are voted into leadership positions and placed in challenging situations where they must work together.
Scouts learn and demonstrate time management, being responsible with their finances, civic responsibilities, being respectful of nature, emergency preparedness, and teaching methods. The current purpose of Troop 270 is to encourage, educate, train, and inspire our youth to be physically active, conservation-minded, civic-minded, and to possess strong moral character. We want them to be leaders who serve within our troop, their homes, schools, and community.
As a small, tightly-knit troop, the scouts accept and encourage one another. They push themselves physically and mentally through a myriad of activities that range from rock climbing to mountain biking, swimming, hiking, and more. In May 2025, our troop traveled to northern Minnesota to canoe part of the French Voyageur route. The Voyageurs were fur traders who traversed the lakes and rivers on their way to Lake Superior each spring. We left balmy Carlsbad, and, on the first day at the camp, performed canoe rescue training in 34-degree water. It was snowing the first day of our trip as we launched into Gunflint Lake. That first night, we camped on a small island, and in the morning, all our socks and pants were frozen stiff. During the trip, we crossed portages of various lengths where we had to carry all our gear and canoes between bodies of water. At one portage, beavers had built a dam, so we had to climb through the maze of logs and wade in the pools of crisp spring runoff. An amazingly challenging trip, but in time the pain and difficulties fade from memory, and we are left with stunning images and bonds of camaraderie.
Troop 270 participates in the annual RiverBlitz, offloads pumpkins for the St. Peter Pumpkin Patch fundraiser, and supports flag retirement ceremonies. In addition, scouts support our community through their schools by seeking leadership positions within their student bodies and on the playing field. Our scouts know what actions to take to render first aid and how to respond to emergency situations when needed.
There are, also, several ways our scout troop shows patriotism. For example, scouts wear the American flag on their right shoulder. Each meeting is opened by the scouts saluting the American Flag and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Part of rank advancement includes flag etiquette. Scouts earn merit badges focusing on Citizenship in Community, Nation, and World, thus learning about their civic duties. Our scouts place American flags at the gravestones of our local veterans each Memorial Day.
Scouting is a holistic development program and a great asset to our community. For more information, scan the QR code!
Article written by John Kennedy and originally published in Focus on Carlsbad 2026 Summer edition.
