Recent Activities
We're a very active crew that enjoys a variety of activities and challenges. Scouting's an adventure! We're still working to update the event information and add photos to this page.
Worlds of Fun Scout Weekend
Members of the crew attended the Scout Weekend (Sept. 6-7) at Worlds of Fun.
Bodies Revealed at Union Station
The crew experienced the Bodies Revealed Exhibit at Union Station. The exhibit was informative and interesting. Crew members attending were Grace Clark, Helen Gent, Casey Hutchins, Elizabeth Love, Brianna Spence, Kelsey Taylor. Adult advisors were Jordana Arnold, Ralena McCurdy, and Audrey Taylor. We were also joined by family, friends, and members of girl scout troop 7704.
Irish International Jamboree 2008 (slideshow)
The members of Venturing crew 2052, from Lawrence Kansas, often find themselves explaining their unique membership. Venturing is part of the Boy Scouts of America program for boys and girls aged fourteen to twenty-one. What sets this crew apart is the fact that they are currently an all girl crew. While they are often confused for girl scouts, they do not let it hold them back from participating in scouting events. The crew has participated in many activities locally and with surrounding councils since the crew was established over five years ago. They've participated in two trips to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, two trips to Okpik winter adventure in Ely Minnesota as well as summer camps and other activities. This summer, they have gone even farther, traveling overseas to Ireland. More about Ireland...
Anchors Aweigh 2008
Grace Clark, Carmel Sivron, Amelia Wilson, JoAnna Male, and Hannah Smith earned their Venturing Bronze Sea Scout award at the Anchors Aweigh 5-day event at Quivira Scout Ranch, Wichita, Kansas. A special thank you to Mr. Jarbo and his wife, and to Sea Scout Eric of Eudora, for organizing and staffing the event. Adult advisor was Bob Gent.
Naish Bash Venturing Residence Camp
Members of Venturing Crew 2052 attended the annual Naish Bash Venturing residence camp in Bonner Springs June 1-7, 2008. Activities included scuba diving, mountain biking, welding, climbing, COPE course, swimming, kayaking, canoeing and horseback riding. Scouts attending were Grace Clark, Helen Gent, Casey Hutchins, JoAnna Male, Alycia Roberson, Hannah Smith, Brianna Spence and Kelsey Taylor. Adult advisors were Jordana Arnold, Barbara Pressgrove and Marie Wilson.
Rayodo at Philmont Scout Ranch
Helen Gent participated in the Rayodo experience. Here's her story:
Just over two years ago I hated camping. It just didn't appeal to me at all. So it's pretty obvious that I had no idea what was going on at my first Venture crew meeting. "And this summer we're going to Philmont!" That was literally the amount of information that I had upon signing up for my first trip to Philmont.
Imagine my shock then, when after months of thinking that I would have utterly no fun, I fell in love. There's just something about Philmont that gets into your blood. Even when you're tired and dirty and oh so very grateful to get back into base, you know that you'll be coming back.
On the bus ride leaving, I didn't look back at arrowhead rock like I should have. I was too busy filling out my Rayado application. Rayado is a three week long program that is designed to teach advanced backpacking and leadership skills, and that's about all it ever says anywhere information wise. If I had thought it through a bit more thoroughly before sending in my application, I don't think I would have done it. I've never been more proud to say that I jump into things without thinking. Rayado is an extraordinary and indescribable experiance. I suppose I'm going to try to explain, but you have to do it to truly understand. One thing that Rayado participants hear a lot is "expect the unexpected."; This is the very best possible advice, because there's really nothing else they can do. You never really know what's coming around the corner, and you do learn from the start that there are surprises in store, things that no one would predict. But, of course, all of these surprises are secret. My own personal advice would be to trust the staff with your life, but nothing more.
I can tell you, though, that we didn't know day to day, or camp to camp, where we were going. At first it was frustrating, we would hike into Pueblano and the staff would ask "are you camping here tonight?" and we wouldn't know at all until finally our rangers would say "nope we're heading for French Henry, get going!" and we'd finally end up camping at Copper Park Camp, one mile and one thousand vertical feet from French. But eventually it stopped mattering where we were staying because it was simply so fun. We accomplished things each day that I never would have thought possible two years, or even two months ago. I never would have thought that I could hike eighteen miles in one day, or climb three peaks in the same amount of time. But I really learned what I was capable of and by now you may have guessed that I'm shamelessly recruiting you. Do Rayado! It's incredibly fun, and a great chance for personal growth. You come back with some awesome stories too. I saw three bears, a mama and two cubs. Then the next day a different bear shredded my pack cover and chewed through the ground cloth for my tent. A crew of boys decided one night that they were too lazy to set up tents so they slept under a rock overhang. In the middle of the night they heard snarling. The mountain lion wanted its bed back. Another perk is that one of the objectives of Rayado is "advanced cooking" in other words, while normal crews ate trail meals for their whole trek, we were only subjected to a few trail dinners. For most meals we had bulk food. We had macaroni and cheese, cous cous pilaf, and even thai food! By the end of my trek my feet were in terrible condition, I was mentally and physically exausted and I slept nearly all day after returning home but now I have insomnia. My knees and arches of my feet still ache when I walk and my favorite camp shoes smell like bear pee. Does it sound to you like I'm done with Philmont? I'm not. I was even telling myself I was and that I wasn't coming back next summer. I lasted eight days, then I found myself frantically downloading my R.O.C.S. application.
Family Canoe Trip with Troop 59
Crew members Erica Hernly, Elizabeth Love, Brianna Spence and Kelsey Taylor joined Troop 59 for their family canoe trip on the Niangua River near Lebanon, Missouri. The river was up so the group rafted down the river. The swift current and high river made for an enjoyable, leisure float trip with time to swim and splash other rafters. The scouts participated in an evening campfire and were honorable mention for the the camping competition. Advisors present were Ralena McCurdy, Brian Spence and Audrey Taylor.
Fall Camporee 2007
Venture Crew 2052 attended the annual Pelathe District Camporee at Camp Bromelsick on October 27, 2008. They assisted with the Webelos visitation by setting up a lashing station and helping to assemble a wooden bridge. The Crew also took first place in the dutch over Birthday Cake competition celebrating 100 years of scouting worldwide. Crew members present were Kelsey Taylor, Casey Hutchins and Grace Clark with adult advisers Ralena McCurdy, Jordana Arnold, Lena Scruggs and Audrey Taylor.
Philmont Scout Ranch 2007
Venturing Crew 2052 departed July 26, 2007 for Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. The crew, which consists of students from Lawrence, Baldwin City and Eudora, was the only all-girls group at Philmont this year. Crew members hiked over 62 miles during 10 days and crossed one mesa and two mountains.
During the trek, they carried all their gear, including shelter, food, water and clothing, resulting in packs weighing 30-60 pounds. They hiked from campsite to campsite each day, learning a new skills that included horseback riding, rock climbing and the importance of teamwork.
Helen Gent won her weight division in the Gibson, or caber, toss. The group met Boy Scouts from Troop 37 in Rockford, Ill., who offered flowers, letters and food, and visited for dinner even though their campsite was a mile away uphill.
On the morning of the last day, the crews hiked up Philmont’s most recognized challenge, the Tooth of Time, to see the sunrise. About halfway to the Tooth, the trail becomes a cascade of boulders the size of car hoods and larger, which must be clambered over to reach the top.
Students who made the trip included JoAnna Male, Amelia Wilson, Helen Gent, Maisie Hotvedt, Kelsey Taylor, Casey Hutchins, Courtney Zinn, Carol Fittel, Erica Hernly, Hannah Bain, Caitleen Desetti, Grace Clark, Kayla Chilcoat and Nadia Scruggs.
Adult advisers included Audrey Taylor, Kim Zinn, Bob Gent, Frank Male, Ralena McCurdy, Jordana Arnold and Carolyn Church.