Local Boy Scout Troop 161 weathers impacts of COVID-19

Since the COVID-19 pandemic escalated in March, it has been a rollercoaster year for Niwot's Boy Scout Troop 161. Despite the challenges associated with running a troop during a pandemic, Head Scout Master Bill Dickens' group has adapted with ease.

After halting operations for over a month in the spring, Troop 161 shifted to remote mode with virtual meetings. Dickens said the troop was mostly quiet over the summer and missed its planned trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. When Boulder County Health regulations loosened in the fall, the troop was cleared for more in-person events.

Troop 161 was able to camp and canoe and scouts earned merit badges involving composite materials and signs, signals and codes, according to Advancement Chair Michelle Law. Following months of virtual meetings, Dickens said his group enjoyed finally getting to meet in person again. "The camaraderie and stuff is huge getting back together," he said.

Obviously Boy Scouts isn't quite the same over Zoom, but Dickens said Troop 161 has only lost a few members and is in the process of gaining a couple new scouts. The troop currently sits at 44 members, including Dickens' 12 and 13-year-old sons.

Three members of the troop have also achieved the prestigious Eagle rank. Niwot High School students Brandon Hult, Evan Law and Ben Jones have all reached the highest rank in Boy Scouts in the past few months. Normally, the trio would be given an Eagle court of honor recognition, but that has been postponed due to COVID-19.

Troop 161 has another four members nearing their Eagle rank and a few of them have been working on building a stage at the TLC Learning Center in Longmont. Becoming an Eagle Scout already comes with a slew of hard work and the pandemic has only made things more difficult for Troop 161 scouts.

"Doing that Eagle Scout project is for the scouts to overcome the challenges and adversity and I think with the pandemic, it's been a whole new level for the Eagle Scouts working through their projects at this time," Dickens said.

With the latest round of Boulder County health regulations, Troop 161 recently shifted back to virtual events. Dickens' has kept the meetings worthwhile, however, and brought in Jon Kedrowski, who has summited Mount Everest twice and is a motivational speaker and author. Kedrowski spoke to the troops about the value of overcoming adversity through his experiences climbing some of the most challenging mountains in the world.

"I think everyone enjoyed seeing his adventures and trips and how he related it back to what we're going through today," Dickens said.

Whilst navigating COVID-19, the current era of scouting has expanded far beyond building campfires and setting up tents, and continues to thrive in coping with the adversity of the pandemic.

For more information on Troop 161, their website can be found here.