Creeping down the Creeper

This past weekend our troop spent time on the Virgina Creeper Trail in Damascus, Virginia. Four boys, five adults, and the daughter of one of our leaders set out from Whitetop mountain and traveled the 17 miles to Damascus. It took us four hours but we really had a great time. There were several spills and and a few mechanical problems but we all made it. Saturday night was rather ruff as far as the weather but we enjoyed our time getting to know the folks from the Cub pack that invited us.
I would recommend this trip to anyone. The ride was easy and the area is beautiful.

New Flag Pole

While at Camp Daniel Boone this past weekend for Coldspot we spent a little time constructing a new flagpole for our campsite. We used round lashing to connect two Frasier fir tree trunks to make an 18 foot tall flagpole. Assistant Scoutmaster, Rob Hawk, instructed the scouts on proper lashing and then showed them how to properly install the hardware for the pole. The hardest part of the entire process was digging the hole!

Thanks Rob for your hard work!

Coldspot a huge success!

This past week we participated in the Coldspot event at Camp Daniel Boone. While we didn't win a single event, we competed well. I saw our scouts work together and grow as a patrol and troop. I was especially pleased to see how well the scouts did on the service project. While it was difficult for them to drive a wheelbarrow, they worked well and I didn't hear any complaints. I also heard several comments from leaders who were running the events that our boys were doing a great job for a young group.

Great job guys!

Getting Ready for ColdSpot

Tonight we worked on several events for the upcoming coldspot. Scouts took turns attempting the remote bowline around a tree in a nearby parking lot. Even our newest scout got involved in the action. Coldspot will be held at Camp Daniel Boone on March 26-28th. I look forward to an exciting event.

Happy Birthday BSA

Tonight we celebrated the birth of scouting in the USA. Along with a cake and pizza we had a visit from Lord Baden-Powell! Our assistant scoutmaster, Rob Hawk, dressed the part and did an excellent monologue describing the life of Powell and what led him to start the scouting program. We also discussed how the "good turn" of an unknown scout was instrumental in the advent of scouting in the US.

Map and compass work is a second class requirement. Tonight we worked on understanding contour maps and map symbols. Next week we will learn to use a map and compass together. The scouts are eager to learn how to use a compass and map to find their way in the outdoors. Eventually, we will be taking a 5 mile hike using the skills being learned.

Troop 326 - Calendar of Events

Board of Review - 1/11/2010
Campout @ CDB - 1/23-24/2010
Cold Spot @ CDB - 2/19-21/2010
Campout @ church - 3/19-20/2010
Campout @ Virginia Creeper Trail - 4/23-24/2010
Campout @ CDB - 5/21-22/2010