.
DeKALB – Boy Scout Troop 33, chartered by First Lutheran Church in DeKalb, traveled to Camp Lowden near Oregon, Illinois, for summer camp July 20-26.
The 21 Scouts completed a total of 87 merit badges, including badges such as cinematography, chess, geocaching, golf, oceanography and robotics. Other activities included swimming, rifle shooting, archery, wilderness survival, climbing, rappelling, bouldering, kayaking and riding all-terrain vehicles.
Parents and siblings came out for Family Night, which featured a picnic dinner followed by a variety of fun camp-wide games and contests. Later that evening, a special campfire program recognized eight Scouts and one adult Scout leader for their election into the Order of the Arrow.
Some younger Scouts took part in the First Class Express program, which included basic outdoor skills fulfilling selected requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class ranks.
The week ended with a celebration of Christmas in July. On July 25, Scouts enjoyed Christmas cookies, a large decorated tree, a day filled with skits, holiday songs, and even a warm weather visit from Santa.