Month: January 2024

In December our troop practiced archery and BB gun shooting on a large piece of undeveloped property next to Holy Trinity Parish in El Dorado Hills. In additional, the cadets learned about the Rorate Mass which was celebrated early that morning at St. Stephen’s.

After shooting practice, we drove down the road to Prairie City Landing in Folsom to sing Christmas Carols at a senior center. Lt. Pratt arranged 10 traditional Christmas Carols for the cadets to sing, accompanied by instrumentals that were played in the background on a blue tooth speaker to help keep us in rhythm. Once caroling was finished, we grabbed an early dinner and then took a tour of the Christmas light decorations on Pebble Creek Drive in Rocklin.

Here was the schedule:

1:30PM:  Meet at Holy Trinity Parish (3111 Tierra de Dios Dr, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762).

1:40PM: Opening Prayer; discussion re: the Rorate Mass at St. Stephen’s that morning and its significance.

1:45PM: Archery / BB Guns

3:30PM: Drive to Prarie City Landing Senior Center (645 Willard Dr, Folsom, CA 95630)

4:00PM: Christmas Carols 

5:00PM (Optional): Dinner at Taco Bell (702 E Bidwell St, Folsom, CA 95630); Christmas Light decoration tour of Pebble Creek Drive in Rocklin.

Once again, the troop started their year with their first membership meeting with a hike up Quarry Trail located near the confluence of the Middle and North Forks of the American River.  We hiked this trail last November and the dads taught the cadets a knife safety training class.

This year Lt. McCain gave the boys a small talk about how to use their compasses. In addition,  Lt. Watts gave a talk about radio communication along with a live demonstration using his radio while at Mammoth Bar.  

The itinerary for the event was as follows:

9:00AM – Meet at parking area/trailhead

9:15AM – Opening prayer; Compass review and project.

10:15 AM – Arrive at Mammoth Bar; brief membership meeting.

10:30AM: Radio communication demonstration.

11:00AM: Hike back to parking lot.  Recitation of the rosary on the way.

12 Noon: Estimated arrival at parking lot

The troop hosted their first fundraiser for the 2023-2024 school year at the end of October. We sold pastries and coffee after all the morning masses, and hot dogs, chips, and drinks (the “St. George Combo”) after all the late morning and afternoon masses. The raised funds will go towards future events for the troop (camp outs), as well as supplies (arrows and targets).

The troop hosted an activity tent at our parish’s annual All Hallow’s Eve party where kids could slay a dragon using toy boys and arrows in order to win candy. Fun was had by all.