(July 28th, 2025) By 1st Lieutenant Reimer
The troop for the Spokane Diocese of Washington State is focusing their summer on two achievement courses; Fishing and Canoeing. On their various trips, the troop is making an effort to attend Mass at different parishes around the diocese to recruit more members and spread the word about the troop. Priests at smaller, rural parishes have voiced appreciation for the troop showing up and doubling attendance at Mass. The summer trips included several new members. Our troop continues to grow with 14-16 people showing up at events now.
In May, the troops headed to the Southern part of the Diocese for a hike around Palouse Falls, the official state waterfall. After the hike, they proceeded to the Snake River to camp and learn about canoeing. The boys did very well learning how to enter, exit, and handle a canoe. The trip ended with Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral in Spokane where the troops served coffee and doughnuts after Mass as a part of their ongoing service project.
In June, two of the troop leaders brought powerboats to Lake Coeur d’Alene and shuttled the troops to a remote campground for a three-day camping trip. The campground was only accessible by boat, so the troops had the place to themselves. For that trip, fishing was the focus. The troops learned how to tie knots for fishing and boating. They also learned about gear selection and technique. One troop member caught his first fish ever. The weekend also included a short hike around the camp, a big fire in the evening, a rosary around the campfire, and games. On Sunday, the troop broke camp early to attend Mass at St. Joseph Parish in Rockford, Washington.
In July, the troop traveled to the North part of the Diocese to spend three days camping at Kettle Falls Campground on Lake Roosevelt, a reservoir on the Columbia River. The trip included a tour of the historic St. Paul Mission where troops learned the history of Catholic missionaries in the Northwest. The focus of the trip was progression in both the Canoe and Fishing courses. Troops attended the Vigil Mass at Sacred Heart Parish in Kettle Falls.
Our next trip will be August 22nd-24th. We will be traveling to Big Creek, a tributary of the St. Joe River. There will be opportunity for hiking, orienteering, fishing, and more games. We may even spend an afternoon floating the Joe. We welcome prospective members to come along. Please reach out by emailing Troop19@tsghq.org. Learn more at www.spokanetsg.org.
