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Scouts BSA Troop 188 is a BSA Quality Unit is located in Lake Villa, Illinois and serves Northern Lake Country. The Troop is a member of the North Star District within the Northeast Illinois Council. The Troop was founded in 1965 and is currently comprised of nearly 120 Scouts and 60 Leaders. Our Troop is chartered by Lake Villa United Methodist and meets at the Lake Villa Township Center located at 37850 N. IL Hwy 59; Lake Villa, IL. 60046.   The Troop firmly advocates being a "Scout Run" troop. Our scouts develop, plan, and execute the program - meetings and outings. They are responsible for choosing the meeting topics and delivering the content. They are also responsible for selecting outing types and locations and then working through their planning and execution. We follow this approach because we find it provides the best learning experience possible. Many troops advocate this approach, but we believe we take it further than most. Our goal is to build leaders utilizing the Scout Oath and Scout Law as guidelines. Each scout has an opportunity to develop character, citizenship, and physical and mental fitness. Focusing on an outdoors-oriented environment, the members of Troop 188 are provided with opportunities for leadership development and the learning of skills in a variety of areas. We provide many opportunities to advance through the Scout ranks - we are proud of our many scouts that have made it to the Eagle Rank. The over-riding principals are that the scouts are provided a safe environment to grow and develop and in the process, have fun. We meet most Thursday nights at 7 pm in the main meeting room at the Lake Villa Township Center, located in Lake Villa, IL. Interested youth (both male and female), and parents are always welcome and invited to visit. For more information, please email scoutmaster@lakevilla188.mytroop.us

Troop 188 holiday fun - December 18!

Posted by jhertzke on Dec 14 2025 - 8:02pm

During our regular troop meeting this Thursday, we’ll be having our annual gift exchange; lots of laughs will be had by all!

IT'S SCOUT MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL TIME

Posted by jhertzke on Dec 14 2025 - 7:57pm

ALL scouts and adults should read and respond to the calendar event on the website with this link.
   

CLICK HERE TO RENEW 

2026 HIGH ADVENTURE PLANNED

Posted by jhertzke on Dec 14 2025 - 7:56pm

The high adventure trek for 2026 is coming, It will be at Mammoth Cave and the surrounding area. The Trek will be starting on June 13th and run through June 20th 2026. We will be doing various challenging activities like camping, guided cave explorations, hiking, rock climbing and repelling in the Red River Gorge, kayaking on the Green River and visiting  Abraham Lincoln's home. This High Adventure trek is open to all scouts that are 12 years of age and older and any registered adults. All participants must be able to pass the BSA Swim Test.

Additional informational meetings to be announced about training and other requirements will be messaged out soon. If anyone has any questions about this high adventure trek, please reach out to Mr. Grant and or Mr. Tom Behnke.

Scrip is a Gift Card Fundraiser-

Posted by jhertzke on Dec 14 2025 - 7:55pm

Scrip is a Gift Card Fundraiser, also known as scrip fundraising.

It has been the #1 fundraiser for nonprofit organizations
across the U.S. for more than 25 years.

Links to Merit Badge Opportunities

Posted by jhertzke on Feb 10 2025 - 10:17pm

 GO TO YOUR SCOUTMASTER TO REQUEST A MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR

Or 

Find an in-person class at a local organization 
a virtual class online, or
a Merit badge college
--BELOW ARE SOME GREAT RESOURCES to find Merit Badge Opportunities

Who Do I Contact?

Posted by mtcastiglia on Feb 5 2025 - 10:02pm

I need a Scoutmaster conference or blue card and I'm in Troop 188 boys.
Contact Mr. Kumpula at scoutmaster@lakevilla188.mytroop.us

I need a Scoutmaster conference or blue card and I'm in Troop 188 girls.
Contact Mr. Grant at scoutmaster188g@lakevilla188.mytroop.us

I have a question for the Committee Chair.
Contact Allen Bergst at committeechair@lakevilla188.mytroop.us

I have a question about my Scout account, payment, or invoice.
Contact Chris Plescia at treasurer@lakevilla188.mytroop.us

I have a question on communications or an event to be sent out.
Contact Jared Hertzke at webmaster@lakevilla188.mytroop.us

I have a question about the upcoming campout.
Contact the camp coordinator or Committee Chair
They are listed in the information for the event in the calendar on the Troop website.

I have a question about Makajawan.
Contact the Makajawan team at msr@lakevilla188.mytroop.us

I have a question about getting a Board of Review.
Contact Kim Johnson at 

I have a question about a fundraiser.
Contact Allen Bergst at fundraising@lakevilla188.mytroop.us

I have a question about an Arrow of Light crossover or inviting a new Scout to join.
Contact Amy Grant at algrant1973@gmail.com.

I have a question about Den Chiefs.
Contact Rory Baker at kamikazicamel@gmail.com

I have a question about getting uniform patches, books, neckerchiefs, or other "scout supplies".
Contact Becky Sweet or Laurie Bergst at bergstfive@gmail.com.

I have a question for a Life to Eagle Coach.
See the list on the left-hand side of the website that says "Life to Eagle" or use email lifetoeagle@lakevilla188.mytroop.us

I have a question about Troop 188 Merit Badge Days or finding a Merit Badge Counselor
Contact Amy Grant at algrant1973@gmail.com

I have a question about receiving my rank advancement or turning in my completed blue cards.
Contact Sharon Hammond at advancement@lakevilla188.mytroop.us

I have a question for the ELF Patrol.
Contact Holly Frederichs, Amy Grant at elf@lakevilla188.mytroop.us

I am interested in being an Adult leader/PLA/ASM.
Contact Matt Zuske at mugclub@lakevilla188.mytroop.us

I need to change my phone number, address, email, or other data.
Contact Kate Whitehead at records@lakevilla188.mytroop.us

I have a question about being grubmaster.
Contact your patrol leader, patrol leader advisor, or senior patrol leader.

I need to turn in my permission slip for camping.
Give it to your patrol leader or the camp coordinator.

I need to turn in updated medical forms.
Contact Michelle Trayne at medical@lakevilla188.mytroop.us

I have finished my Eagle Board of Review and need my dignitary letters.
Contact Corrie Carp at eaglehonorroll@lakevilla188.mytroop.us. There is a form to fill out in the Files section of the website.

I have a question about Recharter.
Contact Allen Bergst at committeechair@lakevilla188.mytroop.us