Troop 123

About The Troop

Troop 3123 has been part of the Scouting community since the late 1950s, with the first Scout achieving the rank of Eagle Scout by the 1960s. Since then, more than 70 patrols and countless Scouts have passed through the troop, building friendships, learning leadership, and creating traditions that have been handed down through generations.

Today, Troop 3123 is an active, Scout-led troop with many activities taking place throughout the year. Scouts can take part in lock-ins, camping trips, airshow campouts, countless Minnesota adventures at regional parks and campgrounds, and much more. From April through October, we typically have a weekend campout each month, and every June we spend a memorable week together at our own summer camp.

High Adventures

For nearly two decades, Scouts have taken part in a High Adventure trip almost every year. These trips give Scouts the chance to challenge themselves, explore new places, and experience adventures that are hard to find anywhere else. Scouts have sailed at Sea Base in Florida, backpacked at Philmont Scout Ranch through the New Mexican Rockies, and gone on many other adventures. These trips are some of the highlights of the Scouting experience and create memories that Scouts carry with them long after they leave the troop.

Voyager Bay

One of the most unique parts of Troop 3123 is our summer camp, Voyager Bay. At many of our Eagle Boards of Review, Scouts are asked about their most memorable experiences in Scouting. Again and again, we always hear the same answer: their time at Voyager Bay. Voyager Bay was started by Norm Groth, a member of Shepherd of the Hills, Troop 3123's chartering organization, who also had three sons in the troop. What began as a special place for our Scouts has become one of our troop’s most cherished traditions. During the week at Voyager Bay, Scouts have the freedom to make the camp their own. They can spend time at the shooting range, sail around Lake Washburn, work on merit badges, or simply enjoy being outdoors. The Scouts also created many of the camp's best traditions. Camp-wide Capture the Bucket, bonfires and skits, Patrol Olympics, and countless other Scout-created activities make every summer at Voyager Bay unique. And, of course, Scouts return home with plenty of new skills, experiences, and merit badges.

More Than Camping

While camping and adventure are a huge part of Troop 3123, Scouting is about much more than just spending time outdoors. Scouts learn to lead, teach one another, take responsibility, solve problems, and try things they have never tried before. Older Scouts have the opportunity to lead younger Scouts, plan activities, run campouts, and help shape the future of the troop. Along the way, Scouts build confidence, independence, friendships, and memories that last far beyond their years in Scouting. From a first campout as a new Scout to High Adventure, from monthly campouts to a summer week at Voyager Bay, our goal is simple: give Scouts opportunities to lead, explore, challenge themselves, and have an incredible time doing it.

Troop 3123 expanded in 2019 to welcome girls into a parallel troop, troop 5123. They meet in the same spot and share meetings. We are proud of our integrated activities, and share our weekly meetings, summer camp, and merit badge sessions.