Our Local Jamboree troops was featured in the local newspaper and on our local TV station this past Sunday. Our council will be sending two troops with a total of 75 scouts to the Jamboree. The media was covering the jamboree troop as the packed up there gear and loaded the truck’s for Fort AP [...]]]>

Our Local Jamboree troops was featured in the local newspaper and on our local TV station this past Sunday. Our council will be sending two troops with a total of 75 scouts to the Jamboree. The media was covering the jamboree troop as the packed up there gear and loaded the truck’s for Fort AP Hill. They spoke with a number of scouts and the news station even interviewed my scoutmaster who is one of the Jambo troops assistant scoutmasters. Three of our scouts will be attending the Jamboree and they are leaving for the hill tomorrow morning bright and early. It is really great to see the news media taking an interest in scouting and great to let the public know about such a great event. Click the links below to view the newspaper article and the TV interview.

Click here to read the article on the Utica OD: http://www.uticaod.com/utica/x98872318/Scouts-head-to-Virginia-for-jamboree-adventure

Click here to watch the video on WKTV: http://www.wktv.com/news/local/Scouts-prep-for-National-Jamboree-98718954.html

So, as many of you probably know if you follow me on twitter @scoutdude I just returned from a week of summer camp at Cedarlands Scout Reservation with my troop (@troop50). Here is a recap of our week.

So Sunday morning we met bright and early at the local Methodist Church (our charter organization) and got all [...]]]>

So, as many of you probably know if you follow me on twitter @scoutdude I just returned from a week of summer camp at Cedarlands Scout Reservation with my troop (@troop50). Here is a recap of our week.

So Sunday morning we met bright and early at the local Methodist Church (our charter organization) and got all the personal gear loaded into the trailer, did a check of everyone’s med forms (to make the in-camp check run more quickly) and before we know it we we’re on the road. A quick stop for gas in Old Forge and we were already halfway (okay a third of the way) to summer camp. As we pull off the main road we know we are getting closer and as we near the camp we see the gate and the camp sign. As we pulled into the parking lot we knew it was going to be a fun week. We threw our packs on backs, tightened our boot laces and began our hike in to camp. Once in camp we unloaded the troop trailer and began setting up the canopy for the adult area and after that was done we set up the patrol areas and our tents. While we were setting up camp the camp’s health officer and the program director went through the health forms and the did the med checks and once all of that was done we got changed for our swim tests in beautiful Lake McRorie (we heard the waterfront staff say the had to chip the ice off that morning) just kidding, the lake was perfect on that hot Sunday afternoon and was just what we needed. Once everyone had thoroughly enjoyed the lake we met up with our camp guide for our camp tour. By the time we returned from our tour it was already time to get our class a’s on and get ready for the fire drill and the camp-wide barbeque and opening campfire. Sunday’s barbeque is always chicken and as always the camp cook did not disappoint us. After the barbeque the rest of the troop had some down-time while our scoutmaster, our committee chair (who was serving as acting scoutmaster for part of the week while our sm was not in camp) and myself left for a leaders meeting. During the meeting we got a chance to meet the area directors and talk with the camp staff about any concerns we had. Once the leaders meeting was done we headed down to the campfire area that overlooks the lake for the great staff campfire program. The staff was as always great and the staff changed up the program again with more new and hilarious skits. The trading post was calling us after the campfire because nothing hits the spot after a busy day better than an Arizona Arnold Palmer, Right? Once we returned to camp we got our bear bag items into the bear bag and headed off to bed, knowing we had a very big day ahead of us tomorrow.

It seemed only a little while from when I fell asleep in my tent that my alarm was going off on Monday morning to wake the patrols. Once the food runners were up we headed down to get the food from the commissary. The younger patrol, The Eagles was having French toast for breakfast, and my patrol, Da Bears, was having pancakes. Things really got cooking when we returned to camp with the ingredients for breakfast. As the patrol cooks got going on breakfast the adult leaders handled the task of handing out merit badge schedules and blue cards. Once breakfast was eaten and cleaned up it was time for us to head out to our first merit badge of the day. For me this badge took me to the nature area as I was taking the mammal study merit badge during my first time slot. After mammal study I headed down to the waterfront to take part in the kayaking award program. After a lovely paddle around one of the lakes islands I headed back over to the nature area for the soil and water conservation merit badge. After Soil and Water was done I headed up to the commissary with another member of our patrol to pick up our food for lunch which was Mac and cheese, but not boxed Mac and cheese, no these were ingredients for homemade Mac and cheese with shredded cheese and milk and everything. Oh and they gave us enough macaroni to feed both of the troops in camp. Fortunately one of the adult leaders was able to help with making a cheese sauce for the macaroni. After some delicious Mac and cheese we all headed back out of camp for our afternoon merit badges. For my afternoon I first headed back to nature for the weather merit badge. After weather I took a walk over to the scoutcraft area for back to back historic merit badge classes for pathfinding and signaler. After Pathfinding was done we all headed back to camp to get started on dinner which for our patrol was spaghetti and meat sauce. While dinner was cooking I headed over to the neighboring troop’s site with the scoutcraft director to do an OA election. Dinner was waiting for me upon my return and after dinner was done we began cleaning up and preparing to head down to the trading post but before we went to the trading post we had a great desert of Dr. Chocolate Death. After a great trip to the trading post we returned to camp for campfire and some relaxation before bed.

Tuesday morning came quickly and soon we we’re at it again, picking up food and making breakfast. Today our patrol was having a gourmet breakfast of French toast and sausage. After breakfast was done we headed out to our merit badges. During mammal study we built a bat house for the nature area that will hopefully keep the bugs away and after that we kayaked to another part of the lake during kayaking. Soon enough it was lunch time and we were having grilled cheese. After lunch I headed back down to weather we’re we discussed our rain gauges which had collected absolutely no rain. After weather was over instead of going to scoutcraft for pathfinding I headed up to the camp climbing tower with the rest of the guys for a troop climb. It was much hotter up at the tower but the new pavilion provided some good shade. The route up the wall was harder than last year but almost everyone made it to the top and once you made it to the top it was quick rappel back down to the ground off the other side of the wall. Everyone had a great time climbing and rappelling the tower, even if it was a little hot. After everyone had their turn on the wall we headed back to camp to make dinner which for our patrol was a beef stew that we had begun simmering the meat for shortly after lunch. While dinner was cooking we began to have some problems with our washstand which had begun to leak and within minutes a great shower had developed out of the leak and we were blessed with an in camp shower, luckily we were able to quickly find the shutoff valve so that water wouldn’t go everywhere. The camp director said someone would come up and take a look tonight but it wouldn’t be fixed until tomorrow. So while that was happening we had one of the best beef stews we’ve ever had at camp since we cooked the meat all afternoon. For dessert we had Cleary’s cast-iron cheesecake which was just as amazing as it was the last time I made it. After dinner was done we all headed up to the office for the beginning of the camp-wide volleyball tournament, tonight’s game was us versus Troop 33. We started off strong winning our first game but after the second game we knew we had to win the last game or else we would lose the chance to defend out title. Fortunately we won our last game and would be able to continue and play the staff on Thursday night. Soon enough we were back at camp and everyone headed off to bed because another busy day awaited us tomorrow.

Wednesday was here soon enough and within a short time breakfast was cooking. Breakfast for our patrol was scrambled eggs with ham, cheese, green peppers and onion.While we we’re enjoying our breakfast the camp ranger and camp commissioner showed up and told us they had come to fix our water problem, they had brought us a bar of soap for our in camp shower! All jokes aside though as we finished up breakfast they set to work removing the broken pipe and installing a plug so we could use the spigot until a new pipe was bought in town. After a great breakfast we headed out to our merit badges. Since I had finished mammal study the day before I spent that period and the next down at the docks doing some great fishing. After spending some time fishing I headed back over to nature for soil and water and then back to camp for lunch. Today’s lunch was a very important one as we were having tacos, everyone’s favorite meal. The tacos were great and the camaraderie was great too. After lunch some of the troop headed up to the showers since we planned to go into town this evening. I went up to the showers after weather and after a nice hot shower headed back to scoutcraft for signaler. After signaler we went back to camp to get ready to leave. Once everyone was ready we headed down to the parking lot and went in to town. While in town we visited Hoss’s because no trip to long lake is complete without visiting it. Many of our scouts also took some time to look in the general store, the hardware store and stop for some ice cream at Stewart’s. After a few hours in town we headed back to camp were we joined the staff hunt that was already in progress. Though we we’re unable to win we still caught a number of staff members earning us some more points in the race for the paddle cup.

Thursday was a normal day as we made pancakes yet again except today we were competing with the other patrol for the best pancake award. Needless to say, we won hands down. With breakfast we also got to dine on some of the steak that the other two guys in my patrol had bought in town the night before After breakfast I headed down to the fishing docks for another hour of fishing during which I was able to catch a very nice small-mouth bass. The rest of the day was like normal and soon enough we we’re preparing our food for the foil dinners and the Dutch oven desserts I was making. For dessert tonight I decided to make a fruit cobbler and a pineapple upside down cake. Both Turned out great and the troop loved them. After everything was cleaned up we headed up to the trading post for the volleyball game vs the staff. We won the first game easily but again we fell back in the second game but that game and the third had to be called due to the approaching thunderstorms. So we all gathered under the porch of the trading post and had a great jam session since a number of scouts and leaders had brought there guitars to camp. After some great music we headed back to camp were we had another great campfire.

Friday morning was an easy morning as we were only having donuts for breakfast so we could get an early start with merit badges only being held in the morning today. After breakfast everyone headed out to their merit badges while one of our scouts headed out for the climbing merit badge trip. For my morning I did some fishing, went out in the kayaks again and after that I finished up soil and water conservation by repairing a couple of the bog bridges on the nature trail. I also took some time this morning to finish up environmental conservation. After that I headed back to camp for a quick lunch of cold cut sandwiches since soon enough it was time to head out for High-Adventure Friday. I decided to go out on the kayak trip around the lake but unfortunately we we’re limited in where we could go because of what we thought was bad weather approaching. Fortunately the storms that were going to collide over the camp passed without striking and we enjoyed a dry afternoon. After some time on the lake we headed back to camp and I headed down to the commissary to prepare for the callout ceremonies. Lucky for us the camp director was nearby and he was able to help us move the drum and torches in the mule so we didn’t have to carry them. Once we got all the stuff moved it was time for the camp wide barbeque. After the barbeque  we got the torches set up and after that we headed back to the office to perform an OA election for my own troop in which one scout was elected. Once the election was completed the final game of troop 50 versus CSR staff was played and of course we won again making it 15 years in a row. While the volleyball game was happening those helping with the callout headed down to get changed and finish setting up. The callout went great and after that the closing campfire began. Some great skits by our troop and the other troops were given during the campfire. The best ones by our troop included the useless superhero skit and a skit about a guy who wanted more music in his life. After the campfire we all headed up to the trading post one last time and enjoyed some more great music. Upon returning to camp most of the adults took over our patrol site to do board of reviews while we sat in the adult area playing Uno and bs. After all the bor’s were done we all headed off to bed, knowing a lot of work was to be done tomorrow morning.

Saturday morning we were all up bright and early and quickly we began packing our gear and preparing to load the troop trailer. Al the gear was ready to be loaded by the time we headed down to the closing ceremony. During the closing a number of awards were handed out and myself and another scout both received awards, one being the nature award for me and the other scout received and emergency preparedness award. After all the area directors had a chance to give out there awards it was time for the presentation of the camp commissioners award and the paddle cup. To earn the paddle cup a troop had to take part in camp activates, each activity was worth a different amount of points. The score was close but in the end we were victorious in winning the cup. Also both troops received the camp commissioner’s award. After the closing ceremony we headed back to camp and loaded the trailer and headed for home. This year we packed up much faster and we left at the same time as the other troop in camp. of course no ride home is complete without a quick stop in town and a stop at the pied piper in Old Forge. All in all it was a great week and we all can’t wait to go back next year.

Below is a slideshow of my photos from the week.

This weeks merit badge corner is a merit badge I earned last week at Summer Camp and is also one of the historic merit badges. It’s the pathfinding merit badge!  The pathfinding merit badge is very interesting and easy merit badge to earn and really only takes at most an hour to complete. So here are the requirements:

So it’s been a while since I’ve had any gear to review but this week that changes. So way back in January I won the Coleman gift card contest that Scoutmaster Steve or @stevejb68 on twitter was having over on A Scoutmaster’s Blog. After I won the contest I had no idea [...]]]>

So it’s been a while since I’ve had any gear to review but this week that changes. So way back in January I won the Coleman gift card contest that Scoutmaster Steve or @stevejb68 on twitter was having over on A Scoutmaster’s Blog. After I won the contest I had no idea what to buy until I finally settled on a Coleman Woodsman II Chair. My hope was to use it for camping because it is not very heavy, can be easily attached to my pack and has a back which is something I want very much in a chair. So does this chair live up to my expectations? Yes, yes it does. The Coleman woodsman II is a great lightweight chair for the money and is quite comfortable. The chair packs away very easily and makes it very simple to attach it to a pack. All in all the Coleman woodsman II is well worth it for the price and I would definitely consider getting another in the future. This chair is available for $19.99 from Coleman.com here http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=2000003743&categoryid=10010&brand= although at the moment the chair is out of stock. So, as Forest Gump would say,”That’s all I have to say about that.” So do you have a favorite camp chair? Let me know in the comments.

With memorial day having just passed a couple of weeks ago and this being one of the badges I am working on I thought that this would be a good badge for this week’s corner. The citizenship in the nation merit badge is required to earn the eagle scout rank and gives scouts a chance to [...]]]>

With memorial day having just passed a couple of weeks ago and this being one of the badges I am working on I thought that this would be a good badge for this week’s corner. The citizenship in the nation merit badge is required to earn the eagle scout rank and gives scouts a chance to learn valuable information about this great nation we live in. So here are the requirements:

1. Explain what citizenship in the nation means and what it takes to be a good citizen of this country. Discuss the rights, duties, and obligations of a responsible and active American citizen.
2. Do TWO of the following:
   1. Visit a place that is listed as a National Historic Landmark or that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Tell your counselor what you learned about the landmark or site and what you found interesting about it.
   2. Tour your state capitol building or the U.S. Capitol. Tell your counselor what you learned about the capitol, its function, and the history.
   3. Tour a federal facility. Explain to your counselor what you saw there and what you learned about its function in the local community and how it serves this nation.
   4. Choose a national monument that interests you. Using books, brochures, the Internet (with your parent’s permission), and other resources, find out more about the monument. Tell your counselor what you learned, and explain why the monument is important to this country’s citizens.
3. Watch the national evening news five days in a row OR read the front page of a major daily newspaper five days in a row. Discuss the national issues you learned about with your counselor. Choose one of the issues and explain how it affects you and your family.
4. Discuss each of the following documents with your counselor. Tell your counselor how you feel life in the United States might be different without each one.
   1. Declaration of Independence
   2. Preamble to the Constitution
   3. The Constitution
   4. Bill of Rights
   5. Amendments to the Constitution
5. List the six functions of government as noted in the preamble to the Constitution. Discuss with your counselor how these functions affect your family and local community.
6. With your counselor’s approval, choose a speech of national historical importance. Find out about the author, and tell your counselor about the person who gave the speech. Explain the importance of the speech at the time it was given, and tell how it applies to American citizens today. Choose a sentence or two from the speech that has significant meaning to you, and tell your counselor why.
7. Name the three branches of our federal government and explain to your counselor their functions. Explain how citizens are involved in each branch. For each branch of government, explain the importance of the system of checks and balances.
8. Name your two senators and the member of Congress from your congressional district. Write a letter about a national issue and send it to one of these elected officials, sharing your view with him or her. Show your letter and any response you receive to your counselor.

Finding a councilor for this badge is usually not to difficult and most troops have a councilor for this and other eagle badges in the troop. Contact your scoutmaster or your council service center for information on how to find a councilor.

Resources:

Merit Badge.org Links:

Requirement Page – http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Citizenship_in_the_Nation

Workbook (pdf) – http://meritbadge.org/wiki/images/2/20/Citizenship_in_the_Nation.pdf

US Scouting Service Project Links:

Requirement Page – http://www.usscouts.org/mb/mb003.asp

Workbook (pdf) – http://www.usscouts.org/mb/worksheets/Citizenship-in-the-Nation.pdf

Workbook (doc) – http://www.usscouts.org/mb/worksheets/Citizenship-in-the-Nation.doc

Official BSA Requirements Page – http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/MeritBadges/mb-CITC.aspx