From the Seminole Branch History 2012

The Scout program in the Branch continued to gain momentum in 2012. The troop enjoyed a weekend campout at Monahan’s State Park on February 10 and 11. It was much colder and windier than anybody expected. (Although it wasn’t cold enough for anybody to sample the

hot chocolate that had been in Brother Tonini’s chuck box for five years.) The Scouts enjoyed playing on the dunes but also enjoyed their time in the visitor’s center learning about the geography of the area. Ricky Cardenas, a non-member friend of the Becker’s, came on the campout and would later join the troop.



The troop’s next campout would be a three day, two night campout to Caprock Canyon State Park March 12 – 14 over Spring Break. They camped at the South Prong Primitive Camping Area which meant they had to haul their gear, including water, 1.25 miles from the parking lot to their campsite.

The highlight of the trip was hiking the Canyon Trails on the second day. Dustin Lira, although not a Scout, participated in the activity and his youth leadership was greatly appreciated. For a troop of mostly inexperienced campers, it was a challenging activity!

The Spring Break campout was a tune-up for the LDS Encampment held at Camp Post June 18-23. Joining Nathanael Becker, Corban Presley, and Carson Tonini were Brother Greg Tonini’s brother and nephew from Pearland, Texas. The Scouts enjoyed seeing Brother Tonini jump when he was startled by a rattlesnake, spending time in the pool, conquering their fears at the climbing tower, and working on merit badges. The only bump in the road occurred when the water was deemed undrinkable so the entire camp drank bottled water the rest of the week. The highlight of the week was when President Whiz Davis came and enjoyed the closing campfire program with the Troop. At the stake Court of Honor held in August, Troop 780 was recognized as the top troop in the Lubbock Stake, with 5.25 awards earned per Scout at camp. 

The troop has been very active working on advancements as well this year. Thanks to two merit badge fairs, summer camp, and work during weekly troop meetings, the Scouts earned 32 merit badges, five rank advancements, a Tot’n Chip and two Mile Swim awards. Aside from summer camp, the most memorable merit badge experience was working on the Aviation Merit Badge. Started on November 3 at the Stake Merit Badge Fair, Nathanael and Carson left that day with a partial. The only remaining requirement was to visit an airport. When Brother Tonini called the Gaines County Airport to arrange the visit, the airport manager asked if they wouldn’t also want to go flying? He put us in contact with Gordan Seaman, a flight instructor out of Hobbs who often takes the Hobbs Scouts flying. When we met him November 30 at the airport, we quickly found out that he is a member of the church! His response when he found out was, “I thought those Scouts looked too clean!” Carson, Nathanael, and Elijah Becker each were able to spend twenty minutes piloting a small plane over Gaines County.