Mokena Boy Scout Troop 725
Past Troop Adventures....
High Adventures
Troop has gone on some of the most exciting scout trips, High Adventures...
Seabase
​
The troop went to Seabase in 2014 and will be going again in Dec 2017. Seabase is located in the Florida Keys and offers Scouting's most complete aquatic facility with a variety of water activities from scuba diving to sailing "Tall Ships". All participants have the opportunity to swim, snorkel, and fish among the most beautiful coral reefs in the northern hemisphere. Eagle Scout Kyle Lahucik kept this exciting journal from the 2014 adventure:
​
Philmont
​
Philmont Scout Ranch is the Boy Scouts of America's largest national High Adventure Base. Its 34 staffed camps and 55 trail camps provide an unforgettable adventure in the high country along hundreds of miles of rugged, rocky trails. In July 2016 3 scouts and 2 leaders made hiked over 65 miles on this incredible adventure.
Summer Camps
Troop has gone to a number of Summer Camps
Owasippe Scout Reservation
​
Every year the troop goes to Owasippe Scout Reservation in Whitehall Michigan, commonly referred to as “America’s Premier Scout Camp”. It is owned and operated by the Pathway To Adventure Council, Boy Scouts of America and began operations in 1911 making it one of the oldest scout camps in America. The troop visits Camp Blackhawk where they enjoy activities like hiking, biking, lake tubing, river tubing, swimming, archery, shotgun shooting, rifle shooting, camping, eating, malt cups, merit badges, climbing, COPE, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, campfires, and more.
Rainbow Scout Reservation
​
Another summer camp frequently attended by the troop is Rainbow Scout Reservation. Located in nearby Morris, Illinois it offers 4 week-long Boy Scout experiences that allow for flexibility in the schedule. Generally scouts attend RSR individually and are organized into the Waupecan Valley temporary troop.
The RSR summer camp program offers over 45 merit badges (including 9 Eagle merit badges) along with interactive afternoon and evening programs and a lot of the same activities as Owasippe.
Camp Outs, Hikes, Bike Rides and Canoing
Troop has gone to a ton of of Canpouts, Hikes and Bikerides
Starved Rock and Mathiesen SP
​
One of Troop 725's favorite camping and hiking locations is Starved Rock along with nearby Mathiesen SP. There are over 10 miles of hiking trails with waterfalls, canyons, caves, river views, forts, visitors center and more. In 2016 we held our first alumni campout which was attended by several alumni, former scoutmasters, committee members as well as the troop.
Camp Blackwell/Cantigny
​
Camp Blackwell is a fun camp that all of the boys enjoy going to. There are many hiking trails and nice camping grounds. However the real highlight of the trip is the Cantigny grounds and museum. Cantigny is a large garden with beautiful grounds and retired war tanks for the boys to climb on. As well as a war museum that helps the boys experience history and learn about American wars
Indiana Dunes SP
​
In addition to camping Indiana Dunes SP is also the location of the Pottawatomi Trail Hike, a 10 mile hike that the troop has traditionally participated in with other local troops. In addition it is the home of 3 Dunes Challenge which allows the scouts to hike up and down the 3 largest dunes in the SP (all above 1000 ft).​
Waterfall Glen
​
Another favorite camping and hiking destination is Waterfall Glen in nearby Lemont. The 10 mike hike boasts many small oddities including building foundations from long lost park buildings, the waterfall itself, and views of the Argonne National Laboratory.
20 Mile Lakeshore Hike
​
In 2015 Troop725 embarked on one of the more unusual adventures, a 20 mile Urban Hike along the Chicago Lakefront. Stops were made at Millenium Park, Navy Pier, North Avenue Beach and several of the police and firefighter memorials along the lakefront. A highlight was visiting Mr. Koch's office to see some of the architectural models and blueprints associated with his architecture firm. This helped the scouts in their quest for the architecture and landscape architecture merit badges.
I&M Canal and Maple Lake
​
n 2015 we did two backpacking hikes. The first one was a day hike and was 10 miles around Maple Lake and surrounding trails. This was followed by a 2 night 15 mile backpacking trip down the I&M Canal between Morris and Channahon, that included 12 miles in one day. The scouts used their backpacking stoves to eat hearty dehydrated meals (including delicious 20+ year old MRE's!)
Central Du Page County Rail - Trail Loop
​
In Aug 2015 we rode the Central Du Page County Rail - Trail Loop. It was a 25 mile ride and needless to say quite hot.
Fox River Canoeing
​
In June 2019 we took to the waters and canoed 12 miles down the Fox River. Got out of the water and to a restaurant just in time for a massive storm to blow through!
Garden of the Gods
​
In Oct 2020 we went down to Southern Illinois to camp at the Zoetvelt Farm. We visited Garden of the Gods SP, drove the ATV's and Motorcycle, hiked around camp, nightly campfires, ate great and topped it off with a 16 mile bike ride down the Tunnel Hill Trail