Welcome to Elk Grove Boy Scout Troop 288
Elk Grove Boy Scout Troop 288 is chartered by the American Legion, Post 233.
Meeting Location
Troop 288 meets each Tuesday evening from 7:00 - 8:30 pm at the Elk Grove Veteran's Hall. The Veteran's Hall is located at 8230 Civic Center Drive, Elk Grove, CA 95757.
Troop Meeting Agenda - May 14, 2024
This week, Troop 288 scouts will be meeting to go over knots and lashings. Be ready to learn and participate, taking in all the knowledge that the leaders will be giving us.
Troop 288 News and Notes
Check the calendar for all of our events. Here are the highlights of what's coming up:
May 2024
5/7 7:00 pm Orienteering Course
5/14 7:00 pm Knots and Lashings
5/21 7:00 pm Uniform Check / Flag Folding
5/28 7:00 pm Patrol Leaders Council (PLC)
6/4 7:00 pm Court of Honor / Campout Prep
Check your Troop emails for more information.
Riley Esperanca becomes an Eagle Scout
Please join me in congratulating Riley Esperanca for successfully completing his Eagle Board of Review on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. He has now joined the long list of outstanding Eagle Scouts from Troop 288!
Riley joined scouting in second grade. After completing Cub Scouts with Pack 65, Riley began his Boy Scouting journey with Troop 288 in 2017. He has held several leadership positions in the troop including Patrol Leader, Historian, Troop Guide, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader. As one of the founding members of the Bacon Ninja Patrol, he has participated in many troop events including 95 nights of camping and over 170 hours of community service. He has earned several awards including the Cyber Chip, Firem’n Chit, National Outdoors Award – Camping, Totin’ Chip, and National Honor Patrol. He earned 45 merit badges throughout his scouting career.
In May 2023, he completed his Eagle Project for Laguna Creek High School in Elk Grove, CA. This project was the refurbishing and rebuilding of 13 planter boxes for the high school. These planter boxes are used by the Manufacturing Product Technology Academy (MPTA) and the Gardening Club. This project will be used by many for years to come.
In addition to being focused on his scouting career, he is also an excellent scholar. He is currently a senior at Laguna Creek High School in Elk Grove, where he is in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB) where he takes several Honor courses and carries a 3.87 GPA. At school, he is also a member of the Manufacturing Product Technology Academy (MPTA), California Scholarship Federation (CSF), and the National Honor Society (NHS). He is active in several clubs such as Science Olympiad and Dungeons & Dragons. He is currently applying to college, where he hopes to major in Aerospace Engineering.
Riley joins a long, proud tradition of Troop 288 scouts who have developed into fine young men and live the scout oath and scout law in their daily lives. Once again, please join me in congratulating Riley on earning the rank of Eagle. Congratulations!!
Wesley Flowers becomes an Eagle Scout!
Congratulations Wesley!! On December 28, 2023, he became Troop 288's newest Eagle Scout by passing his Eagle Board of Review, the culmination of a journey that began when he joined Troop 288 in 2017.
During his time with Troop 288, he was a member of the Phantom Patrol. He has held many leadership positions within the troop including Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader. He has participated in numerous troop events including 55 nights of camping and almost 200 hours of community service. He has earned several awards including the National Outdoors Award – Camping, World Conservation Award, and the National Honor Patrol.
This past June, Wesley completed his Eagle Project for the Nicolaus Dairy in Elk Grove, CA. The project included the renovation, building and repurposing of an animal enclosure on the property. This new enclosure will be used to house several goats and a mini donkey that students on field trips visiting the dairy will be able to learn about and interact with. He led both members of our troop and the public during this project and directed them using the leadership skills he has learned as a scout. This project will be used by many for years to come.
In addition to being focused on his scouting career, he is also an excellent scholar athlete. He is currently a senior at Consumnes Oaks High School in Elk Grove, where he takes several AP courses and carries a 4.02 GPA. He is also enrolled in the Medical Careers pathway. He is a two-sport athlete participating in Varsity Football and Basketball. After high school, he plans to attend Sacramento State and obtain a Kinesiology degree to become a physical therapist.
Wesley now joins a group of outstanding young men who have earned their Eagle Rank with Troop 288. Please join me again in congratulating Wesley on a job well done!
Allan Garcia becomes an Eagle Scout
Please join me in congratulating Allan Garcia for successfully completing his Eagle Board of Review on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. He has now joined the long list of outstanding Eagle Scouts from Troop 288!
After completing Cub Scouts with Pack 65, Allan began his Boy Scouting journey with Troop 288 in 2017. He has held several leadership positions in the troop including Patrol Leader, Chaplain’s Aide, Scribe, Librarian, Quartermaster, Historian, Troop Guide, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader. As a member of the Bacon Ninja Patrol, he has participated in many troop events over the years including 116 nights of camping and over 150 hours of community service. He has also earned several awards including the Cyber Chip, Firem’n Chit, National Outdoors Award – Camping, Totin’ Chip, World Conservation Award, BSA Complete Angler and National Honor Patrol. He earned 50 merit badges throughout his scouting career.
Earlier this year, he completed his Eagle Project. The project was the creation of backpack cubbies for the students of Pleasant Grove Elementary in Elk Grove, CA. These cubbies will allow to students to store their backpacks in individual cubbies outside the classroom which will allow for more space for learning inside the classroom. He completed a class set for 2 teachers on this campus. He led both members of his troop and the public during this project and directed them using the leadership skills he had learned as a scout. Many students will use this project for years to come at this elementary school.
Allan joins a long, proud tradition of Troop 288 scouts who have developed into fine young men and live the scout oath and scout law in their daily lives. Once again, please join me in congratulating Allan on earning the rank of Eagle. Congratulations!!
Rajan Banwait becomes an Eagle Scout
Congratulations Rajan Banwait!! On May 17, 2023, he became Troop 288's newest Eagle Scout by passing his Eagle Board of Review, the culmination of a journey that began when he joined Troop 288 in 2017.
During his time with Troop 288, he was a member of the Bacon Ninja Patrol. He has held many leadership positions within the troop including Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Webmaster, Scribe and Troop Guide. He has participated in many troop events including 38 nights of camping and numerous hours of community service. He has also earned several awards including the National Outdoors Award – Camping and the National Honor Patrol.
Earlier this year, Rajan completed his Eagle Project for the Nicolaus Dairy in Elk Grove, CA. The project was the building of several picnic tables that school children visiting the dairy could sit upon while learning various lessons. These tables will also be used for the lunchtime portion of the field trip. He led both members of our troop and the public during this project and directed them using the leadership skills he has learned as a scout.
In addition to being focused on his scouting career, he is also an excellent scholar athlete. He is currently a junior at Monterey Trail High in Elk Grove, where he takes several AP courses and carries a 4.0 GPA. He is a three-sport athlete participating in Football in the fall, Soccer in the winter, and Track and Field in the spring. After high school, he plans to attend a 4-year college and pursue a career in the science field.
Rajan now joins a group of outstanding young men who have earned their Eagle Rank with Troop 288. Please join me again in congratulating Rajan on a job well done!
Arjan Banwait becomes an Eagle Scout
Please join me in congratulating Arjan Banwait for successfully completing his Eagle Board of Review on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. He has now joined the long list of outstanding Eagle Scouts from Troop 288!
After completing Cub Scouts with Pack 65, Arjan began his Boy Scouting journey with Troop 288 in 2017. He has held several leadership positions in the troop including Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Webmaster and Librarian. As a member of the Bacon Ninja Patrol, he has participated in many troop events including 38 nights of camping and numerous hours of community service. He has also earned several awards including the National Outdoors Award – Camping and the National Honor Patrol.
He recently completed his Eagle Project for the Nicolaus Dairy in Elk Grove, CA. The project was the building of six six-foot benches that school children visiting the dairy could sit upon. Previously, the students while learning about gardening, composting, dairy production, and other farming subjects would have to sit upon hay bales. He led both members of our troop and the public during this project and directed them using the leadership skills he has learned as a scout. This project will be used by many students for years to come at the Dairy.
In addition to be focused on his scouting career, he is also an excellent scholar athlete. He is currently a junior at Monterey Trail High in Elk Grove, where he takes several AP courses and carries a 4.1 GPA. He is a three-sport athlete participating in Varsity Football (kicker), Soccer (forward), and Track and Field (long jump and triple jump). After high school, he plans to work in the engineering field after attending a four -year university.
Arjan joins a long, proud tradition of Troop 288 scouts who develop into fine young men and live the scout oath and scout law in their daily lives. Once again, please join me in congratulating Arjan on earning the rank of Eagle. Congratulations!!
Ajeet Bains becomes an Eagle Scout
Congratulations Ajeet Bains!!! On November 16, 2022, he became Troop 288's newest Eagle Scout by passing his Eagle Board of Review.
After earning his Arrow of Light with Cub Scout Pack 65 of Elk Grove, Ajeet began his Boy Scout Journey with Troop 288 in 2019. Throughout his scouting career, he has held several leadership positions including Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Scribe and Historian. As a member of the Bacon Ninja Patrol, he has participated in many community service projects and troop events on his path towards the Eagle Rank. Some of the highlights include 21 nights of camping and over 81 hours of community service.
Ajeet completed his Eagle Project in the fall of 2022. This project was the building of backpack cubbies for students at Pleasant Grove Elementary in Elk Grove, CA. He led members of the troop during this project and directed them using many of the leadership skills he had learned as a scout. This project will be used by many students each school year. In addition to being focused on his scouting career, Ajeet is also an excellent scholar athlete. He is a sophomore at Cosumnes Oaks High in Elk Grove. He plays football each fall and is a member of his high school tennis team.
Ajeet joins a long, proud tradition of Troop 288 scouts who develop into fine young men and live the scout oath and scout law in their daily lives. Once again, please join me in congratulating Ajeet on earning the rank of Eagle. Congratulations Ajeet!
Manraj Bains becomes an Eagle Scout
Please join me in congratulating Manraj Bains for successfully completing his Eagle Board of Review on Wednesday, September 21, 2022. He has now joined the long list of outstanding Eagle Scouts from Troop 288!
After completing Cub Scouts with Pack 65, Manraj began his Boy Scouting journey with Troop 288 in 2017. He has held several leadership positions in the troop including Scribe, Webmaster, Historian, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader. As a member of the Bacon Ninja Patrol, he has participated in many troop events including 36 nights of camping and numerous hours of community service. He has also earned several awards including National Outdoors Award – Camping and the National Honor Patrol.
Earlier this year, he completed his Eagle Project for Pleasant Grove Elementary School in Elk Grove, CA. The project was restoring a sitting area for teachers to use to read to their students. He removed and replaced stones on a brick wall, leveled a garden area and built a stone walkway to a new bench for the teachers. He led both members of our troop and the public during this project and directed them using the leadership skills he has learned as a scout. This project will be used by many for years to come.
In addition to be focused on his scouting career, he is also an excellent scholar athlete. He is currently a junior at Cosumnes Oaks High in Elk Grove, where he takes several AP courses and carries a 4.28 GPA. At school, he has been a member of the Varsity tennis team. In his free time, he likes to travel with his family and explore different cultures.
Manraj joins a long, proud tradition of Troop 288 scouts who develop into fine young men and live the scout oath and scout law in their daily lives. Once again, please join me in congratulating Manraj on earning the rank of Eagle. Congratulations!!
Garrett Winuk becomes an Eagle Scout
Congratulations Garrett Winuk!!! On June 3, 2022, he became Troop 288's newest Eagle Scout by passing his Eagle Board of Review.
After earning his Arrow of Light with Cub Scout Pack 179, Garrett began his Boy Scout Journey with Troop 288 in 2016. Throughout his scouting career, he held several leadership positions including Assistant Patrol Leader (twice), Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, and Troop Guide. As a member of the Spartan Patrol, he has participated in many community service projects and troop events on his path towards the Eagle Rank. Some of the highlights include 55 nights of camping, 31 miles of hiking and over 65 hours of community service.
Garrett completed his Eagle Project in late 2020. This project included the building of a picket fence and brick pathway at the Foulks House for the Elk Grove Historical Society. He led members of the troop during this project and directed them using the leadership skills he had learned as a scout. This project will be viewed by many for years to come when they visit this historic location. In addition to being focused on his scouting career, he is also an excellent scholar. He will be a senior at Pleasant Grove High in Elk Grove in the fall where he takes several AP courses and is a member of the band. This June, he will be attending a summer program at West Point.
Garrett joins a long, proud tradition of Troop 288 scouts who develop into fine young men and live the scout oath and scout law in their daily lives. Once again, please join me in congratulating Garrett on earning the rank of Eagle. Congratulations Garrett!
Jake Tolman becomes an Eagle Scout
Please join me in congratulating Jake Tolman for successfully completing his Eagle Board of Review on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. He has now joined the long list of outstanding Eagle Scouts from Troop 288!
After completing Cub Scouts, Jake began his Boy Scouting journey with Troop 288 in 2015. He has held several leadership positions in the troop including Scribe, Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, and Quartermaster. As a member of the Spartan Patrol, he has participated in many troop events including 49 nights of camping, 47 miles of hiking and 115 hours of community service. He has also earned several awards including National Outdoors Award – Camping, Paul Bunyan Woodsman Award, and the World Conservation Award.
In February 2022, he completed his Eagle Project for the Elk Grove Historical Society. The project was at the Rhodes School House, which is located within Elk Grove Regional Park. The project included rebuilding a gate, updating several picnic tables, replacing and repairing a wooden fence and rebuilding part of an outdoor outhouse. This outstanding project highlighted all of the leadership skills that he has learned over the years as a Boy Scout.
In addition to being focused on his scouting career, he is Senior at Laguna Creek High School where he is an excellent scholar/athlete. He is in the International Baccalaureate program. He hopes to have a career in the Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine field. While maintaining a 4.15 GPA, he is a member of the Laguna Creek HOSA Club, California Scholarship Federation, Leadership and ASB. Other extracurricular activities include Wind Ensemble Band and Marching Band (4 years), Winter Percussion (3 years) and Jazz Band. He has also played several sports including Cross Country Varsity team, Boys Track & Field team (4 years), and Golf.
Jake joins a long, proud tradition of Troop 288 scouts who develop into fine young men and live the scout oath and scout law in their daily lives. Once again, please join me in congratulating Jake on earning the rank of Eagle. Congratulations!!
Austin Lopes becomes an Eagle Scout
Please join me in congratulating Austin Lopes for successfully completing his Eagle Board of Review on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. He has now joined the long list of outstanding Eagle Scouts from Troop 288!
After completing Cub Scouts, Austin began his Boy Scouting journey with Troop 288 in 2016. Throughout his scouting career, he has held several leadership positions in the troop including Scribe, Quartermaster, Patrol Leader, Historian, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader. He was also a Den Chief for Pack 65 while earning the Star Rank. As a member of the Spartan Patrol, he has participated in many troop events on his Eagle path. Some of the highlights include over 113 nights of camping, 35 miles of hiking and almost 250 hours of community service. He has also earned several awards including the Den Chief Service Award, National Outdoors Award – Camping & Conservation, World Conservation Award, and the Paul Bunyan Woodsman Award. He is also a Brotherhood Member in the Order of the Arrow.
In the winter of 2022, he completed his Eagle Project. The project was building of two Chicken Coop Nesting boxes for the Nicolaus Dairy. The Nicolaus Dairy is an interactive field trip opportunity for elementary students in the Elk Grove area where they can visit and explore. He led both members of our troop and family/friends during this project and directed them using the leadership skills he had learned as a scout. In addition to being focused on his scouting career, he is also a Junior at Franklin High School. He is part of the STEAM Academy with a focus on Computer Science and is planning to have a career in Video Game Development after college. He is a member of the Franklin High School National Honor Society and currently has a 3.5 GPA.
Austin joins a long, proud tradition of Troop 288 scouts who develop into fine young men and live the scout oath and scout law in their daily lives. Once again, please join me in congratulating Austin on earning the rank of Eagle. Congratulations!!
Benjamin Laflen becomes an Eagle Scout
Congratulations Benjamin Laflen!! On April 20, 2022, he became Troop 288's newest Eagle Scout by passing his Eagle Board of Review, the culmination of a journey that began when he joined Troop 288 in 2018.
During his time with Troop 288, he was a member of the Spartan Patrol where he participated in many camping trips and community service events for the local Elk Grove community. He has held many leadership positions within the troop including Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Webmaster and Troop Guide.
This past fall, Benjamin completed his Eagle Project for Bradshaw Christian High School. This project included the construction of a Chicken Coop for the High School. He was able to use the leadership skills that he had learned during scouting to help guide his fellow scouts during this project. In addition to being focused on his scouting career, he is also an excellent scholar at his high school.
Benjamin now joins a group of outstanding young men who have earned their Eagle Rank with Troop 288. Please join me again in congratulating Benjamin on a job well done!
Dylan Lopes becomes an Eagle Scout
Please join me in congratulating Dylan Lopes for successfully completing his Eagle Board of Review on Wednesday, February 16, 2022. He has now joined the long list of outstanding Eagle Scouts from Troop 288!
After completing Cub Scouts, Dylan began his Boy Scouting journey with Troop 288 in 2017. Throughout his scouting career, he has held several leadership positions in the troop including Scribe, Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and Senior Patrol Leader. He was also a Den Chief for Pack 65 while earning the Star Rank. As a member of the Bacon Ninja Patrol, he has participated in many troop events on his Eagle path. Some of the highlights include over 78 nights of camping, 26 miles of hiking and almost 200 hours of community service. He has also earned several awards including Den Chief Service Award, National Outdoors Award – Camping, and the World Conservation Award.
In the fall of 2021, he completed his Eagle Project. The project was building of three picnic tables for Carroll Elementary in Elk Grove. The school needed picnic tables for their quad area that students could use to eat their lunch outside. He led both members of our troop and family/friends during this project and directed them using the leadership skills he had learned as a scout. This project will be used by many students for years to come. In addition to being focused on his scouting career, he is also a scholar/athlete at Franklin High School. He has maintained a 3.9 GPA while also participating on the baseball team. He is a member of the STEAM Academy with a focus on Engineering Technology.
Dylan joins a long, proud tradition of Troop 288 scouts who develop into fine young men and live the scout oath and scout law in their daily lives. Once again, please join me in congratulating Dylan on earning the rank of Eagle. Congratulations!!
Troop 288 Vision and Goals
Vision
- Troop 288 will be known throughout the community as the most successful boy led boy run troop
Goals
- Patrol method will be more strongly used, to the point of 288's first honor patrols
- 288 will perform more activities and projects in the community
- 288 will have a functional honor guard to demonstrate proper flag ceremonies at any necessary event
- Communication shall be much better, with messages being not only sent, but confirmed by the receiver