Almost time for camp!

Scout Parents,

Troop 212, Red Cloud, 2011

Camp is just one week from tomorrow! I'm looking forward to a great week with your boys in a beautiful spot.  I'm also looking forward to a really fun hike. This will be my third scout camp as Scoutmaster and I have seen the experience bless all of the boys who have been involved. I didn't always "get" this but I see now how Scouting can truly produce young men who are "Prepared for Life." Scout camp is a big part of that.

I've updated the patrol leadership for camp - see the column on the right.

We will meet at 7:00 AM Monday morning (July 23) near the scout trailer for prayer, troop scripture and departure.

Please review the equipment list and remember that we will not provide paper plates, cups, or plastic knives, forks, or spoons this year. The scouts will need to bring a washable set for themselves.

Please review the standards here.

If you have any concerns, unfinished business or just plain questions, please let me know at your first convenience.

Remember, without the health form and the $45 check, we can't get your boy into camp.

Looking forward to a great camp,

Scoutmaster Steve

Mike Harris & Moose Creek

I hope that this doesn't contradict what your boy told you but I think that we had a great camp and hike this past Friday and Saturday.  We camped Friday night at Mike Harris campground and hiked Moose Trail on Saturday.  Your boys got along and cooperated so well.  They even got up at 5:00 AM Saturday morning!  They are great young men.  Here are a few pictures.

Scoutmaster Steve

Lighting the all-important fire.

Bro Snedaker, Rhys, and Cameron check out the moose.

Cameron and Rhys take a break.

The new kid on the trail.

Kyle and Henry have it all figured out.

So does Blake Snedaker.

The new Senior Patrol Leader

Calendar Items

Parents,

There are a few calendar items that I want to highlight.  

1. We are meeting tomorrow at 7:00 AM to put out flags for Flag Day.  Please make sure that your boy is at the Hunsaker Home (549 Taurus) on time and with a big smile on his face.  We will meet at 6:00 PM to take the flags down.
2. We have a camp and hike this weekend.  We will meet at 4:30 PM Friday at the scout trailer.  We will camp at the Mike Harris or Trail Creek campground.  The hike will be the Moose Creek trail.  (Click here for photos form the 2010 hike of this trail).  Please send your boy with the standard overnight equipment (bedding, warmer clothes than he thinks he needs, etc.), comfortable walking shoes, a compass if he has one, extra socks, and water for the hike.  He will also need to bring a plate, cup, and utensils.  We're moving away from the paper products and this camp is a good time to start.  Dinner Friday evening will be tin foil dinners - everyone brings his own and eats it on his own plate!
3. For the Parents' Meeting on the 19th, some of your boys have assignments. If your boy has an assignment, please help him to prepare.
• Peyton will conduct the meeting
• Henry will take 2 minutes to describe a typical day at camp.
• Rhys will take 2 minutes to talk about special events (Honor Trail, hike, programs at Chief's Rock) at camp.
• Kyle will take 2 minutes to discuss the merit badge opportunities at camp.
• Cameron will take 2 minutes to answer the question, "How do I have a successful camp experience?"
4. One other thing.  Given the departure of Kyle and Brandon, we reorganized the troop leadership last night.  The new organization is available on the right.

I think that is it for now,

Scoutmaster Steve

Scout Camp Business

Scouts and Scout Families,

I have some business items regarding Scout Camp.  You all know the basics:

• Treasure Mountain
• "Spotted Elk" campsite
• July 23-28
• We are going to have a productive and very enjoyable week.  You can count on that.

There is more information available in the right sidebar.  Please consult it.  Several other needful things follow:

Darby Canyon Wind Cave

• We need the dates of the days (and nights) when the Dads can be at camp.  I would like to have three men at camp throughout the week.  I will be there from Monday through Saturday.  I think you'll enjoy being there for whatever time you can arrange.
• Dads, when you come to camp, please don't take over for the boys.  They need to cook, wash dishes, and pitch tents.  Our role as adults is to sit back and watch - and to help out minimally when help is requested.  We need to restrain the impulse to take over for the boys - even if we think they are doing things all wrong.
• We are moving to a bring-your-own policy on plates, cups, and utensils.  Please see that your Scout has an inexpensive set for camp.  It doesn't have to be a matching set and it really doesn't need to be expensive.  A mesh bag would be nice way to keep it all together.
• I propose the Darby Canyon Wind Cave as our hike destination this year.  It's shorter and MUCH easier than Table Mountain.  I need one more year to recover from last year.  Please let me know what you think of that idea.
• We will have a Parents' Night June 26 at 7:10 (we'll find a room that night).  We will have the 2nd-year Scouts provide information on what camp involves for our newest Scout and report on what they plan to accomplish this year.  The Scouts will also favor us that night with a few patrol cheers and a troop song or two.
• Please bring two things to that meeting.  (1)  A completed and signed physical form.  (2)  A check for $45 made out to the 12th Ward with a donation form indicating that the $45 is for Scout camp.  $45 may seem like a lot until you remember that the 12th Ward covers the remaining $145 of the $190 charge.
• Please note!  Without the check we will assume that your Scout isn't coming to camp; without the health form we can't get him into camp.

I'll have further information as it comes up.  For now, please take careful note of the items above.

Scoutmaster Steve

Palisades Creek Trail

Camp this Friday, hike on Saturday.  Let's meet at the trailer Friday at 4:30 pm.

Be sure to complete 2 copies of the hike plan (leave one at home, take the other)

Hiking Merit Badge

• Our route is the Palisades Creek Trail to Lower Palisades Lake and back
• List clothing and equipment
• Describe your trail lunch and your water plan

Have the patrols purchased food for Friday's supper?  

Parents, please reply with a firm Yes or No on your boy's participation by Thursday afternoon.

Scoutmaster Steve

May 15, 18 & 19

Two or three items for this week.

1. No regular Scout meeting on Tuesday the 15th.
2. There is a city council meeting this Wednesday evening (May 16th) at 7:00.  Several of the boys need to attend one of those meetings for one of their merit badge requirements.  I would normally take the boys but there are too many family things happening this week.  If your Scout can make it that would be great.  If not, there will another opportunity in two weeks.
3. We have a camp and hike scheduled for Friday and Saturday.  Our plan is to camp at the Palisades Creek trailhead Friday night and to hike the Palisades Creek trail Saturday morning.  The patrols are in charge of getting their own food for Friday night.  The boys decided on hot dogs for that meal so the youth leaders will need to make some decisions about making that happen (buns, condiments, drinks, who buys what).  We will bring oatmeal and hot chocolate for breakfast.  
4. As you can see below, the good weather turns a little iffy just in time for this outing so please make sure that your Scout brings rain gear.
5. In addition to rain gear, your Scout will need overnight things (sleeping bag, warm clothes, snacks) and hiking gear (good shoes, water, energy snacks, big smile, good attitude).

Photos from the last time we hiked this trail (June 2010).

And two quick summer camp items.

1. Please get your annual Scout physical form to me by June 19.
2. We will have a Parents' Night regarding Scout camp on the following Tuesday - May 26.  We'll meet at the church building at 7:00.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns,

Scoutmaster Steve

May 8

Friends,


We will have a Scout meeting on May 8th.  Items on the agenda include

• planning a camp and hike for the 18th and 19th of May
• finishing up merit badges
• skills practice

Peyton, could you bring the tents with you?

Thanks,

Scoutmaster Steve