On November 16, 2013, the troop celebrated 75 years since its founding in 1938.

The scout-led ceremony was held at Camp Steen in Abbeville, a camp that the troop has frequented for almost 70 years.  Camp Steen was founded in 1944 on property donated to the scouts by the Steen family.

The ceremony began with an introduction of current and former leaders of the troop by Life Scout Emile Hebert, the Master of Ceremonies and third generation member of Troop 85.  He then recounted the early days of the troop.  The troop was founded by Catholic priest Father Joseph Verbis Lafleur in May of 1938 at St Mary Magdalen, with the help of the Knights of Columbus.  The Knights still sponsor the troop today.  Hebert recounted the short life of Father Lafleur.  “Father spent much of his time as associate pastor helping youth by coaching boxing, baseball, football, and basketball, as well as helping the Boy Scouts.  He then chose to serve as a military chaplain, and volunteered for the US Army in 1941.”  Hebert explained that the young chaplain first displayed heroism beyond the call of duty when he completely disregarded his own safety while tending to soldiers needs during a Japanese attack on the Phillipene Islands, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross for that service.  Hebert also explained that as a prisioner of war from 1942-1944, Father Lafleur’s acts of charity multiplied as he always fought for the needs of soldiers and chose to stay with the men even when given the chance to escape.  Hebert concluded the story of Father Lafleur’s life.  “He ended up on a Japanese prison ship in 1944, bound for Japan.  As food became scarce, Father Lafleur continued to show charity by giving away what little rice and water he received.  At the end of his life, he calmly led the men in prayer as an American submarine torpedoed their unmarked ship.  He was last seen helping soldiers out of the hold of the sinking ship”.

Several “Life in the Troop” stories followed.  The first speaker was Jessie Bourque, the troop’s first Eagle Scout (1953).  He was followed by Eagle Scouts Claude Ledet, Jr (1964), and Marty Hebert (1992).  These former scouts all gave encouragement to the troop to continue grow in scouting and serve their communities. 

The celebration also included the presentation of a framed copy of the original 1938 troop charter from family members of Father Lafleur.

Lieutenant Father Joseph Verbis Lafleur:

YOU CAN ALSO DOWNLOAD WORD DOCUMENT AT BOTTOM OF PAGE


Troop 85

INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT LIST

Winter Camp 2011

All items should be marked with the Scout’s name and Troop 85.

____ Complete Class A Dress Scout Uniform

____ Comfortable Shoes (no open toe shoes/sandals)

____ Raincoat /Poncho

____ Troop 85 Class B T-shirt

____ Extra red t-shirts

____ Underwear

____ Extra Pants or Jeans

____ Socks

____ Winter Sleeping Gear

 ___   Pillow

____ Notebook and Pencil

Toiletry items:

____ Toilet paper (1 roll)

____ Insect Repellent

____ Medications (if required)

____ Deodorant

____ Soap

____ Towel/Washcloth

____Toothbrush/Toothpaste

____ Comb or brush

____ Scout Handbook

____ Drinking Cup

____ Personal First Aid Kit

____ Pocket Knife

____ Watch

____ Camera (optional)

____ Sunglasses (optional)

____ Compass

____ Sunscreen

____ Baby Powder

____ Fishing Gear (optional)

____ Flashlight with extra batteries

____ Long Johns or long-sleeve t-shirts

____ Jacket

____ Knit Cap

TROOP 85 WINTER CAMPING TIPS:

Fail to Plan = Plan to Fail

• Always bring a bit more clothes than what you think you'll need.
• Make sure that you have a good knowledge of the signs of hypothermia. You should be able to recognize it in others and in yourself. Tell someone right away if you or another scout is showing signs of cold-related problems.
• Stay hydrated. It’s easy to get dehydrated in the winter. You aren’t visibly sweating, so you don’t think to drink water, but since the air is so dry, you lose a LOT of water through breathing.  Dehydration can seriously impair the body's ability to produce heat. Drink fluids as often as possible during the day and keep a water bottle or canteen with you at night.
• Keep out of the wind if you can. A rain fly for a tent can be pitched to serve as a wind break. The wind chill factor can often be considerable and can result in effective temperatures being much lower than nominal. 
• Keep a pot of hot water available for cocoa or Cup-a-Soup – these warm from the inside.
• Always eat hot meals (breakfast, lunch, & dinner.) Dutch ovens are the best – they keep the food hot longer.
• Remember C O L D:
   C     Clean - dirty clothes lose their loft and get you cold.
   O       Overheat - never get sweaty, strip off layers to stay warm but not too hot.
   L           Layers - Dress in synthetic layers for easy temperature control.
   D            Dry - wet clothes (and sleeping bags) also lose their insulation.
• Bring 2 changes of socks per day.
• Everyone must be dry by sundown. No wet (sweaty) bodies or wet inner clothing.
• Keep your hands and feet warm. Your body will always protect the core, so if your hands and feet are warm, your core will also likely be warm. If your hands or feet are cold, put on more layers, and put on a hat!
• Dress right while sleeping. Change into clean, dry clothes before bed. Your body makes moisture and your clothes hold it in - by changing into dry clothes you will stay warmer and it will help keep the inside of your sleeping bag dry. Wearing wool socks and long underwear (tops and bottoms) in the sleeping bag is OK.
• Put on tomorrow's t- shirt and underwear at bedtime. That way you won't be starting with everything cold next to your skin in the morning.
• Wear a knit cap to bed, even if you have a mummy bag.
• Put tomorrow's clothes in your bag with you-they’ll be warm in the morning!
• Use a sleeping bag that is appropriate for the conditions.
• If you sleeping bag is not rated for low temperatures, use an inexpensive fleece throw or blanket and wrap yourself in it inside the sleeping bag.
• Don't burrow in - keep your mouth and nose outside the bag. Moisture from your breath collecting in your bag is a quick way to get real cold. Keep the inside of the bag dry.
• Don't sleep directly on the ground. Get a closed cell foam pad to provide insulation between your sleeping bag and the ground. A foam pad cushions and insulates. The air pockets are excellent in providing good insulation properties. Use more than one insulating layer below you – it’s easy to slide off the first one. In cold weather camping you never want to sleep on an air mattress or off the ground in a cot. The air under you will cool you off in no time and this would create a threatening situation.
• Drain your bladder before you go to bed. Having to go in the middle of the night when it is 5 degrees out chills your entire body. Drink all day, but stop one hour before bed.
• Whenever possible, place your tent in a location that will catch the sunrise in the morning. This will aid in melting off any ice and evaporating any frost or dew that may have formed during the night. This will also warm your tent as you awaken in the morning.  Cold air sinks. Try to place your campsite on slightly higher ground than the rest of your surroundings.