These notes are taken from recent correspondence with Gordon Gross. I never have

asked him, but I guess he found us via the ILS website link to our homepage here...

"Chaplain Consultation"

I am a former pastor at Immanuel. Scouting began at the church as Troop 12 in the '60s under the leadership of Herb Schmid and others. I am also Protestant Chaplain at Philmont Scout Ranch, the premier High  Adventure Base of Scouting. In 1967 Troop 12 took the Philmont Challenge and did the 12-day trek there. Last summer, during the very  week that we went to Philmont 40 years ago, we had a reunion in New Mexico. I have the pictures of that event and am willing to share them with you. I know that the immediate history of scouting at Immanuel is  10 years old, but the ROOTS of scouting there might be of interest. I can easily send the pictures of the reunion. Maybe some day your troop  can make it to Philmont. It is a life-changing event for the boys - and the girls of the Venture unit. Because of my start in Scouting at Immanuel I am now in my 13th year as Chaplain at Philmont. Thank you, Immanuel, for your interest in our youth! Joy in Christ, Gordon Gross

OK, Mike, here it comes.  You will have the 40th reunion of Immanuel's Troop 12.  By the way, we even had a professional scouter come out of the troop, serving the Chickasaw Council:  Rick Schmid.  He went to school at Concordia University in Seward.  Eventually Rick left scouting and now has a business in the Atlanta area.  His dad, Herb, got the Lamb Award from the church for his work and the Silver Beaver from the Chickasaw Council.  At Old Kia Kima he and Lynn, his wife, have a cabin dedicated in their honor.  They live in Bella Vista, AR.  Anyway, here come the pictures.  Gordon

Here is one picture from our anniversary party at Philmont last summer.  The people are:  Gordon Gross, Billy Paschal, Phil Wiedmeyer, Rick Schmid, Mike Beckler, Arno Christopher, Herb Schmid.  Herb, Arno, and I were adult leaders.  The rest were teenage campers. 

This is 7 of the 12 that went on the trek. Two are dead, and 2 were members of Trinity Lutheran.  David Christopher had illness in his family and couldn't make it.  701A1967 is Philmont language to identify our expedition:  We arrived 7/01, were the A crew that week in 1967. 

The table cloth was made by Lynn Schmid 40 years ago.  I hope that this is of interest for your website.  More to come, as we retraced our steps at Philmont last summer.  Best wishes to you in the new generation! 

Blessings... Gordon Gross

Some time later, Gordon sent these as well...

Billy Paschal & Phil at Clarks Fork	Up Close and Personal
Tooth of Time from Carson	Inspecting totem poles at Cito
Hunting Lodge 5-Some