Scouts of America Troop 344/9344 | Pemberville, Ohio
The Troops goals can best be summed up by a quote from Franklin D. Roosevelt, "We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future." Feel free to join us as we help develop skills in our Scouts that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Troop meetings are Tuesday evenings from 7:00pm - 8:30pm during the school year on the second floor of the old Pemberville Elementary School in Pemberville, Ohio. Enter through the back door. We have no regularly scheduled meetings during the summer. Click here to obtain a map and directions to our meeting location. You can contact our Troop Leaders at troop344leaders@gmail.com.
BSA Troop 344 and 9344 are sponsored by the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Pemberville, Ohio and are part of the Wood District in the Erie Shores Council. Our Troops emphasize a wide range of activities that appeal to both younger and older Scouts. If you're looking for a Troop to join, or just want more information about Scouting, we have a page just for you.
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Check the calendar for details on upcoming events.
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Since March 15, 2010
We never fail when we try to do our duty, we always fail when we neglect to do it.
Baden Powell
ScoutSite Search can help you find a Scout unit's website
Recent Updates:
May 7: The Backpacking Recipe Book
has received an update with
new recipes and some
corrections.
Mar 7: All Merit Badge presentations
have been moved to the Merit
Badge Help page. See The
Newsroom for further details.
Mar 7: Added Law, Personal Fitness,
and Personal Management
Merit Badge presentations to
the Merit Badge Help page
under the Leader Resources
tab above.
Feb 19: All merit badge presentations
on the Merit Badge Help page
now reflect the current 2024
requirements.
Note: Calendar additions and other minor updates and corrections occur frequently and are not listed above.
May 7: The Backpacking Recipe Book
has received an update with
new recipes and some
corrections.
Mar 7: All Merit Badge presentations
have been moved to the Merit
Badge Help page. See The
Newsroom for further details.
Mar 7: Added Law, Personal Fitness,
and Personal Management
Merit Badge presentations to
the Merit Badge Help page
under the Leader Resources
tab above.
Feb 19: All merit badge presentations
on the Merit Badge Help page
now reflect the current 2024
requirements.
Note: Calendar additions and other minor updates and corrections occur frequently and are not listed above.
© 2010-2024 BSA Troop 344/9344, Pemberville, Ohio. All rights reserved. Materials found on Troop 344's Website may be reproduced and used by all Scouting volunteers for training, entertainment, and program purposes consistent with Scouting and Guiding Organizations unless otherwise noted on the page. If you believe we are republishing your copyrighted material without permission, please contact the Webmaster including the link/url of said content to have it removed or your copyright information added. We welcome your comments and questions.
THIS WEBSITE IS CONTINUALLY BEING REVISED AND UPDATED.
Welcome to the Home Page of Troop 344 and 9344!
Troops 344 and 9344 are linked troops, one for boys and one for girls. We share a
chartered organization and some of the troop committee.
Troops 344 and 9344 developed and maintains this website in order to:
* Keep our Scouts and Scouting families informed.
* Share our adventures and knowledge with family, friends and the Scouting
community.
* To help bring in new Scouts to our Troops.
* Let our community know about our Troops, their activities, and objectives.
* Encourage community support for our Troops and projects. Scouting has much to
offer our community's youth. Our Troops give back to the community by developing
more responsible citizens and through numerous service projects.
Troops 344 and 9344 are linked troops, one for boys and one for girls. We share a
chartered organization and some of the troop committee.
Troops 344 and 9344 developed and maintains this website in order to:
* Keep our Scouts and Scouting families informed.
* Share our adventures and knowledge with family, friends and the Scouting
community.
* To help bring in new Scouts to our Troops.
* Let our community know about our Troops, their activities, and objectives.
* Encourage community support for our Troops and projects. Scouting has much to
offer our community's youth. Our Troops give back to the community by developing
more responsible citizens and through numerous service projects.
Message from Scoutmasters John Gibson & Doug Ruck
The Newsroom
Duct Tape Hacks for the Outdoors
Posted: January 16, 2023 - Duct tape is like The Force: There's a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together. Check out this great article from REI, 8 Duct Tape Hacks for the Outdoors, that shows some inventive and handy ways duct tape can come to your rescue. For more tips, check out the Five Unusual Things to Make with Duct Tape.
Posted: January 16, 2023 - Duct tape is like The Force: There's a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together. Check out this great article from REI, 8 Duct Tape Hacks for the Outdoors, that shows some inventive and handy ways duct tape can come to your rescue. For more tips, check out the Five Unusual Things to Make with Duct Tape.
Smartphone Adventure Photography:
Posted: November 21, 2021 - Most people are walking around with a smartphone in their pocket. These powerful and compact devices come in handy in a number of ways in the wild, from letting you check your location on a topo map to identifying stars in the night sky. And, of course, you can use them to snap high-quality photos of your journey. Taking a photo with a phone is quick and intuitive: You open the camera app, point and tap. But, when you swipe through your pics from your last big adventure, you might wish more of them were worthy of sharing or being hung up on your wall. Click on the following link to download Smartphone Adventure Photography PowerPoint or PDF to learn how to take better outdoor photos on your phone.
Posted: November 21, 2021 - Most people are walking around with a smartphone in their pocket. These powerful and compact devices come in handy in a number of ways in the wild, from letting you check your location on a topo map to identifying stars in the night sky. And, of course, you can use them to snap high-quality photos of your journey. Taking a photo with a phone is quick and intuitive: You open the camera app, point and tap. But, when you swipe through your pics from your last big adventure, you might wish more of them were worthy of sharing or being hung up on your wall. Click on the following link to download Smartphone Adventure Photography PowerPoint or PDF to learn how to take better outdoor photos on your phone.
AnyPlaceAmerica:
Posted: Nov 14, 2021 - AnyPlaceAmerica.com offers over 1 million free topographic maps for points of interest in the United States. Hikers and campers can search for nearby water, land and man made points of interests to explore. Anyone can also search these points of interest by name or geo-location in addition to viewing images and maps. You can check it out here: www.AnyPlaceAmerica.com
Posted: Nov 14, 2021 - AnyPlaceAmerica.com offers over 1 million free topographic maps for points of interest in the United States. Hikers and campers can search for nearby water, land and man made points of interests to explore. Anyone can also search these points of interest by name or geo-location in addition to viewing images and maps. You can check it out here: www.AnyPlaceAmerica.com
New Scout Information:
Posted: March 8, 2020 - Welcome to scouting and your interest in Troop 344/9344. We hope that you will join us for your
scouting experience. Please check out the New Scout Parent Newsletter and the New Scout Information page for a wealth of information about our Troop. To officially begin your scouting adventure with us, you will need to complete the following items:
Complete the Troop Online Registration
Complete a BSA application and pay BSA dues.
Start attending weekly meetings.
Posted: March 8, 2020 - Welcome to scouting and your interest in Troop 344/9344. We hope that you will join us for your
scouting experience. Please check out the New Scout Parent Newsletter and the New Scout Information page for a wealth of information about our Troop. To officially begin your scouting adventure with us, you will need to complete the following items:
Complete the Troop Online Registration
Complete a BSA application and pay BSA dues.
Start attending weekly meetings.
Merit Badge PowerPoint Presentations:
Posted: March 7, 2024 - Extensive merit badge help for Troop Leaders is available on the Merit Badge Help page under the Leader Resources tab above. We have 73 merit badge PowerPoint presentations ready for unit leaders or merit badge counselors to use with their Scouts. The most recent merit badge presentations to be added are Family Life, Electronics, Law, Personal Fitness, and Personal Management. All merit badge presentations now reflect the current 2024 requirements. Clicking on the Meeting Activities link in this update will take you directly to the page. Check back often as we anticipate that more will be added in the future.
Posted: March 7, 2024 - Extensive merit badge help for Troop Leaders is available on the Merit Badge Help page under the Leader Resources tab above. We have 73 merit badge PowerPoint presentations ready for unit leaders or merit badge counselors to use with their Scouts. The most recent merit badge presentations to be added are Family Life, Electronics, Law, Personal Fitness, and Personal Management. All merit badge presentations now reflect the current 2024 requirements. Clicking on the Meeting Activities link in this update will take you directly to the page. Check back often as we anticipate that more will be added in the future.
Planning Your Own High Adventure PowerPoint Presentation:
Posted: November 10, 2021 - BSA National High Adventure Bases provide amazing experiences at a price. Part of this price is paying someone to do the planning and logistics for the trip. Planning your own High adventure can provide many benefits, including substantial cost savings. Click on the following link to download the Planning Your Own High Adventure PowerPoint or PDF to learn how easy it can be. The High Adventure Trips tab above will show you several examples of Troop planned high adventure trips.
Posted: November 10, 2021 - BSA National High Adventure Bases provide amazing experiences at a price. Part of this price is paying someone to do the planning and logistics for the trip. Planning your own High adventure can provide many benefits, including substantial cost savings. Click on the following link to download the Planning Your Own High Adventure PowerPoint or PDF to learn how easy it can be. The High Adventure Trips tab above will show you several examples of Troop planned high adventure trips.
Backpacking Meals Made Simple PowerPoint Presentation:
Posted: November 10, 2021 - You can eat delicious meals in the backcountry without too much effort and can usually do it in ONE PAN! Making your own backpacking meals is a great option compared to buying expensive freeze-dried or dehydrated meals. Download the Backpacking Meals Made Simple PowerPoint or PDF for ideas on how to do this.
Posted: November 10, 2021 - You can eat delicious meals in the backcountry without too much effort and can usually do it in ONE PAN! Making your own backpacking meals is a great option compared to buying expensive freeze-dried or dehydrated meals. Download the Backpacking Meals Made Simple PowerPoint or PDF for ideas on how to do this.
Hammock Camping PowerPoint Presentation:
Posted: November 18, 2021 - For years, campers and backpackers defaulted to the tent as their overnight shelter. The humble hammock, though, is an alluring alternative—and an increasingly popular one. If you’ve enjoyed relaxing in a hammock, then it might be time to give camping in one a try. Hammock camping simply means you're swapping out your typical tent in favor of a hammock and a few helpful accessories where you can comfortably sleep outdoors overnight. Many backpackers enjoy camping with hammocks because they are so lightweight and take up little space in a pack. Hammock campers also are spared the discomfort of sleeping on sloped or rocky ground. A couple of sturdy trees are all you need. Click on the following link to download Hammock Camping PowerPoint or PDF to learn how easy it can be.
Posted: November 18, 2021 - For years, campers and backpackers defaulted to the tent as their overnight shelter. The humble hammock, though, is an alluring alternative—and an increasingly popular one. If you’ve enjoyed relaxing in a hammock, then it might be time to give camping in one a try. Hammock camping simply means you're swapping out your typical tent in favor of a hammock and a few helpful accessories where you can comfortably sleep outdoors overnight. Many backpackers enjoy camping with hammocks because they are so lightweight and take up little space in a pack. Hammock campers also are spared the discomfort of sleeping on sloped or rocky ground. A couple of sturdy trees are all you need. Click on the following link to download Hammock Camping PowerPoint or PDF to learn how easy it can be.
A Parents' Guide to Internet Safety for Kids:
Posted: February 3, 2022 - As a resource, the internet is a wonderful place for children to learn, explore ideas, and express themselves creatively. The internet is also key in a child’s social development, helping to strengthen communication skills, for example when playing games or chatting with friends.
However, parents should be aware that all these activities often come with risks. Kids online can be exposed to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and even predators.
While keeping an eye on what your children see and do online helps protect them against these risks, it’s not easy monitoring your kids without feeling like you’re invading their privacy. Just asking what websites they visit may give the impression that you don’t trust your child.
The key to combatting any big risk is education. It’s important for you and your children to be aware of the dangers, how to protect against them, and how to identify the warning signs. A Parents' Guide to Internet Safety for Kids is an excellent web resource to help both you and your kids understand how to navigate the internet safely.
Posted: February 3, 2022 - As a resource, the internet is a wonderful place for children to learn, explore ideas, and express themselves creatively. The internet is also key in a child’s social development, helping to strengthen communication skills, for example when playing games or chatting with friends.
However, parents should be aware that all these activities often come with risks. Kids online can be exposed to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and even predators.
While keeping an eye on what your children see and do online helps protect them against these risks, it’s not easy monitoring your kids without feeling like you’re invading their privacy. Just asking what websites they visit may give the impression that you don’t trust your child.
The key to combatting any big risk is education. It’s important for you and your children to be aware of the dangers, how to protect against them, and how to identify the warning signs. A Parents' Guide to Internet Safety for Kids is an excellent web resource to help both you and your kids understand how to navigate the internet safely.
Backpacking Recipe Book Upgrade:
Posted: May 7, 2024 - Troop 344/9344's Backpacking Recipe Book V9.2 has received an upgrade with several new recipes. There have also been some adjustments, corrections, and improved directions.
Posted: May 7, 2024 - Troop 344/9344's Backpacking Recipe Book V9.2 has received an upgrade with several new recipes. There have also been some adjustments, corrections, and improved directions.
Security and Your Phone - What Are the Risks and How to Stay Safe:
Posted: January 16, 2023 - Our digital world has opened up so many possibilities. We have pretty much all the information we could ever hope to have right at our fingertips, thanks to our phones. However, they also expose us to risks. Many people think cybersecurity doesn't apply to phones, but this is outdated logic. To make sure you are properly protected, read this article, Security and Your Phone, that outlines some of the risks you face and how to keep you and your phone safe and secure.
Posted: January 16, 2023 - Our digital world has opened up so many possibilities. We have pretty much all the information we could ever hope to have right at our fingertips, thanks to our phones. However, they also expose us to risks. Many people think cybersecurity doesn't apply to phones, but this is outdated logic. To make sure you are properly protected, read this article, Security and Your Phone, that outlines some of the risks you face and how to keep you and your phone safe and secure.
Troop 344 Dutch Oven Cookbook:
Posted: December 1, 2023 - Check out and download the latest Troop 344/9344 Dutch Oven Cookbook V8.2. It includes several new recipes and a few corrections.
Posted: December 1, 2023 - Check out and download the latest Troop 344/9344 Dutch Oven Cookbook V8.2. It includes several new recipes and a few corrections.
Everything You Need to Know About Bear Canisters:
Posted: April 17, 2023 - If you’re backpacking overnight in an area where bears are known to inhabit, you definitely should consider using a bear canister to store your food. Using a bear container is the simplest and most effective way to prevent bears from accessing your food. In doing so, you not only keep your backpacking food safe, but you also help keep bears safe as well. Everything You Need to Know About Bear Canisters will help you use this essential piece of backpacking equipment more effectively.
Posted: April 17, 2023 - If you’re backpacking overnight in an area where bears are known to inhabit, you definitely should consider using a bear canister to store your food. Using a bear container is the simplest and most effective way to prevent bears from accessing your food. In doing so, you not only keep your backpacking food safe, but you also help keep bears safe as well. Everything You Need to Know About Bear Canisters will help you use this essential piece of backpacking equipment more effectively.
How to Make an Insulated Cozy for Backpacking:
Posted: June 26, 2023 - Save fuel, streamline your cooking process, and keep your food warmer, longer with a DIY Insulated Cozy for Backpacking. This simple and inexpensive backpacking hack is a great way to improve the performance of your backpacking pots, cups, and even just-add-water meal pouches.
Posted: June 26, 2023 - Save fuel, streamline your cooking process, and keep your food warmer, longer with a DIY Insulated Cozy for Backpacking. This simple and inexpensive backpacking hack is a great way to improve the performance of your backpacking pots, cups, and even just-add-water meal pouches.
Popcorn Recipes for Camping:
Posted: June 26, 2023 - Cooking popcorn over a campfire never seems to turn out right. It seems as if you end up with 1/3 popped popcorn, 1/3 burnt, and the last 1/3 unpopped. You don’t have to leave behind your favorite snack when heading outdoors! Cooking your popcorn on a camp stove allows kernels to be evenly heated prior to popping. This results in practically every kernel popping at the same time. No burnt pieces. Hardly any waste. Just perfectly crisp, delicious popcorn. These Popcorn Recipes for Camping provide several flavor combos to try!
Posted: June 26, 2023 - Cooking popcorn over a campfire never seems to turn out right. It seems as if you end up with 1/3 popped popcorn, 1/3 burnt, and the last 1/3 unpopped. You don’t have to leave behind your favorite snack when heading outdoors! Cooking your popcorn on a camp stove allows kernels to be evenly heated prior to popping. This results in practically every kernel popping at the same time. No burnt pieces. Hardly any waste. Just perfectly crisp, delicious popcorn. These Popcorn Recipes for Camping provide several flavor combos to try!
High Adventure 2023:
Posted: October 30, 2023 - Photos from Troop 344/9344's high adventure trip to the Sawtooth Range in Idaho have been posted to the Sawtooths 2023 page under the High Adventure Trips tab above.
Posted: October 30, 2023 - Photos from Troop 344/9344's high adventure trip to the Sawtooth Range in Idaho have been posted to the Sawtooths 2023 page under the High Adventure Trips tab above.
High Adventure 2024:
Posted: December 1, 2023 - Troop 344/9344 will be travelling to Crystal River Florida to get scuba certified. In addition, we will be doing a river drift dive, snorkeling with manatees, and kayaking on the Chassahowitzka River. Information about the trip can be found on the Crystal River 2024 high adventure page.
Posted: December 1, 2023 - Troop 344/9344 will be travelling to Crystal River Florida to get scuba certified. In addition, we will be doing a river drift dive, snorkeling with manatees, and kayaking on the Chassahowitzka River. Information about the trip can be found on the Crystal River 2024 high adventure page.
Merit Badge PowerPoint Presentations:
Posted: March 7, 2024 - Due to the extensive number of Merit Badge PowerPoint Presentations and help sheets that have been created, they have been separated from the Meeting Activities page and moved to their own Merit Badge Help page. Both pages are still located under the Leader Resources tab above. The Merit Badge Help page has its own tab above as well.
Posted: March 7, 2024 - Due to the extensive number of Merit Badge PowerPoint Presentations and help sheets that have been created, they have been separated from the Meeting Activities page and moved to their own Merit Badge Help page. Both pages are still located under the Leader Resources tab above. The Merit Badge Help page has its own tab above as well.