A Year with a New Scout Patrol
http://www.scoutingmagazine.org/issues/0405/a-year.html
Sunday, October 03, 2004
Scouting in a World War II Refugee Troop
I found an article this morning in the current issue of Scouting magazine that may be interesting reading. It talks about a Scouting program in a WW II refugee camp in Oswego, NY which is right in our backyard.
http://scoutingmagazine.org/issues/current/d-wwas.html
Hope you enjoy it.
http://scoutingmagazine.org/issues/current/d-wwas.html
Hope you enjoy it.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Hike to Avalanche Lake - Short Version
My brother, son, and I recently completed a 2 night backpacking trip to the High Peaks of the Adirondacks in upstate NY. Our trip did not involve scaling one of the peaks, however, it did entail what the trail custodian considered one of the best non-peak hikes in the region. This trip was not a Scout outing per se but I thought it was worth mentioning here as inspiration for future trips.
Our hike started about 2100 Friday night at the Adirondack Loj after eating a quick round of rehydrated meals before heading out on the trail. The guidelines indicate that all cooking should be completed by 1700 and food returned to the designated bear bag locations. We hiked into Marcy Dam via the Van Hoevenberg trail (61, map D-8, blue disks) which is 2.3 miles. Doing this in the dark was a bit of a challenge but my brother has done this a number of times so my confidence level in him compensated for my lack in myself. By the time we stumbled around looking for a campsite and pitched my VE-25, it was about 0000 the next day.
The next morning the weather looked iffy but we ate breakfast and then headed toward Avalanche Lake (68, map D-9, yellow disks) which is about 2.2 miles from our campsite at Marcy Dam. We averaged a pace of about 1 mph through the fairly rocky but well maintained terrain. What makes this part of the hike exciting is the massive blow down within the Avalanche Pass from a rock slide many years ago over the trail. Workers literally had to carve out the trees with chain saws (typically a major no-no in the High Peaks) in order to make the trail navigable. We ate lunch at the lake , refilled the water bottles in the cool stream that feeds into Avalanche Lake, and then proceed back to our campsite for a leisurely dinner at the dam.
Our trip concluded with hiking back to the Loj from Marcy Dam. We probably averaged 1-1.5 mph on this hike as we knew that we were at the end of the hike and could expend all possible energy stores retained from previous activities.
All in all, its about 10 miles worth of hiking half of which is with full packs over easy terrain. One should note that in the High Peaks, bears are a real pain. Campsites are designated and have cables on trees nearby for bear bags. This year it is recommended that one use a bear canister, however, future years may require bear cansisters for food as they do in National parks. We did not experience any problems with bears so I was greatful.
Our hike started about 2100 Friday night at the Adirondack Loj after eating a quick round of rehydrated meals before heading out on the trail. The guidelines indicate that all cooking should be completed by 1700 and food returned to the designated bear bag locations. We hiked into Marcy Dam via the Van Hoevenberg trail (61, map D-8, blue disks) which is 2.3 miles. Doing this in the dark was a bit of a challenge but my brother has done this a number of times so my confidence level in him compensated for my lack in myself. By the time we stumbled around looking for a campsite and pitched my VE-25, it was about 0000 the next day.
The next morning the weather looked iffy but we ate breakfast and then headed toward Avalanche Lake (68, map D-9, yellow disks) which is about 2.2 miles from our campsite at Marcy Dam. We averaged a pace of about 1 mph through the fairly rocky but well maintained terrain. What makes this part of the hike exciting is the massive blow down within the Avalanche Pass from a rock slide many years ago over the trail. Workers literally had to carve out the trees with chain saws (typically a major no-no in the High Peaks) in order to make the trail navigable. We ate lunch at the lake , refilled the water bottles in the cool stream that feeds into Avalanche Lake, and then proceed back to our campsite for a leisurely dinner at the dam.
Our trip concluded with hiking back to the Loj from Marcy Dam. We probably averaged 1-1.5 mph on this hike as we knew that we were at the end of the hike and could expend all possible energy stores retained from previous activities.
All in all, its about 10 miles worth of hiking half of which is with full packs over easy terrain. One should note that in the High Peaks, bears are a real pain. Campsites are designated and have cables on trees nearby for bear bags. This year it is recommended that one use a bear canister, however, future years may require bear cansisters for food as they do in National parks. We did not experience any problems with bears so I was greatful.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Court of Honor Scheduled for 24 August 2004
Boy Scout Troop 177 will conduct a Court of Honor on Tuesday, 24 August 2004 at Living Word Camp. The troop and other attendees should muster at the flag pole outside the Candy Shack at 18:30. The event is open to all.
The boys will receive a number of awards based on their diligent work at Sabattis Scout Reservation in July. All Scouts should be in Class A uniforms with merit badge sashes; however, shorts are permitted for thisevent.
The boys will receive a number of awards based on their diligent work at Sabattis Scout Reservation in July. All Scouts should be in Class A uniforms with merit badge sashes; however, shorts are permitted for thisevent.
Thursday, July 29, 2004
Sabattis 2005 - Start Planning Now
From an email by Mark Weller:
I know that this may seem like I am getting way ahead of myself, but I feel that it is prudent to get this information out as soon as possible. I spoke with a few people at church tonight that would like the dates so that they could get their vacation times scheduled in.
So here it goes.
This e-mail pertains only to parents of boys that will be in the Troop by June of 2005. The week chosen is 07/17/2005 - 07/23/2005. As we did this year, we will be leaving on Saturday the 16th. Each boy will have to come up with $100 towards the trip for 2005. The balance again will be taken out of the many fund raisers that we will be having this coming year. Deposits will be due to me no later than November 16th, 2004. This gives us about 3-1/2 months to get your deposit into me.
Remember, the boys should be encouraged to go out and earn the money themselves. Give them some extra duties around the house. As I have witnessed first hand, they are completely capable of doing dish's, making diner, cleaning the table, even able to put a schedule together so that they know when things need to be done. Give them the opportunity to show you what they are able to do. I don't do things for them on the trips, well maybe some, so you can let them help around the house.
I know that this may seem like I am getting way ahead of myself, but I feel that it is prudent to get this information out as soon as possible. I spoke with a few people at church tonight that would like the dates so that they could get their vacation times scheduled in.
So here it goes.
This e-mail pertains only to parents of boys that will be in the Troop by June of 2005. The week chosen is 07/17/2005 - 07/23/2005. As we did this year, we will be leaving on Saturday the 16th. Each boy will have to come up with $100 towards the trip for 2005. The balance again will be taken out of the many fund raisers that we will be having this coming year. Deposits will be due to me no later than November 16th, 2004. This gives us about 3-1/2 months to get your deposit into me.
Remember, the boys should be encouraged to go out and earn the money themselves. Give them some extra duties around the house. As I have witnessed first hand, they are completely capable of doing dish's, making diner, cleaning the table, even able to put a schedule together so that they know when things need to be done. Give them the opportunity to show you what they are able to do. I don't do things for them on the trips, well maybe some, so you can let them help around the house.
