Troop 75

Posted By Scouter Dave on September 28, 2011

As to the event itself, it will be at Hocking SP this year which is about a 4 hour drive requiring us to arrive late and traverse some rough and twisty roads. For this reason, as well as the fact that very little time will be spent in camp, we try to travel light and we will NOT take the trailer. Further, it is important that we leave the Church as early as possible … be there at 5:15 and departure will be 6:00PM sharp! Usually, Mr. Sheehy & I may leave at a different time with the Junior Instructors as the advance group, so if you are interested in going down earlier, call us.

FEES are as follows: $60 for 1st time participants ($20 camp & food fee; $20 equip fee & $20 1st time equip acquisition) & $40 for repeat participants (same fees minus 1st time equipment acquisition for those that already have webbing).  As always, Campership money is available to offset any camp fees for those in need.  Just contact Mrs. Knight.

 Lunch will be carried in and eaten at the rock face, so we use this opportunity to start learning back packing style meals and hands outs were passed out for this purpose. I have always found that backing packing style lunches work best in pairs (one will bring the bagels and the other the tuna or pmj) and Mr. Sheehy will also demonstrate an AT type dinner meal as well.

Hand outs & retired webbing are given out covering all of the skills needed. Scouts should be practicing the knots & Swiss seat with this webbing and NOT trying to climb or rappel at home!  Keep the webbing clean, dry and hand it back in so we can use it again next year. This webbing will hold over 4,000 pounds and the rest of the equipment being used is even stronger than that … in fact, I have been told that the ropes we use could hold a suspended school bus full of kids. Suffice it to say, as with all of our events, we have very experienced and trained instructors and excellent equipment. Not only are MR. Sheehy & I certified instructors but both of have been past Council Climbing Directors and have, for many years now, run Council schools to train & certify other BSA instructors.

Rappels are available at Hocking from about 85′ to 125′ and climbs are about 65′.  It can be very intimidating but we have a lot of experience in building personal and Troop wide confidence and safety into these activities. All climbers and rappellers are “belayed”, a separate person and system to prevents falls … even if a participant to loose control, these belayers are there to “brake” the participant from an uncontrolled descent or fall.

All of the Handouts for this event, as with much of what we do, are on the Troop Web Site on the “Resources” page.  As always, if any parent has any concerns about this, or any other event, simply ask or, better yet, come with us and see for yourself.

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Posted By Scouter Dave on April 20, 2011

The New Scout Camp Out, and the three (3) meetings leading up to this weekend camp out, are meant to give new Scouts the basic skills and confidence to camp out with the Troop and attend Summer Camp.  The 1^st of the 3 meetings (4/26) will be in the woods behind my house (see calendar for meeting details & directions) to work on basic outdoor skills: Poison Ivy identification, fire building, use & care of a Dutch Oven, and axe yard skills & safety.  The meeting starts at 6:30PM, 30 minutes earlier than usual to take advantage of daylight and Scouts should wear Class B uniforms (jeans & troop or any Scout T-Shirt) with appropriate boots & outerwear to be in the woods.  This “outdoor” meeting is scheduled 1^st so that it can be rescheduled if the weather is lousy.  The next two meetings (5/3 & 5/10) are at St. Mary’s at our regular meeting time of 7:00PM, subject to the 1^st meeting being rescheduled for one of those dates at my house, and will cover other basic Scout Skills: Buddy System; Erecting, Using & Striking Tents; Checklists, Gear, Dressing & Packing for Camp Outs, etc.

Meeting details are on the Calendar … just roll over the event listing with cursor/mouse to review details.  Importantly, Parents & Scouts should go to the “Resources” page of the web site to find many useful handouts on skills, registration & event fees, check lists and other important stuff!  Further, links on the lower left side of the Home Page include links to all of the Scout Camps that we frequent with directions to camp and all sorts of information.  Parents are encouraged to come to any meeting or event, particularly until you gain confidence in our program, your sons, and our junior & adult leadership.

Do not buy a bunch of camping equipment!  All your son needs is a Scout Book (with cover & in zip lock bag!); his Webelos or Scout Uniform; a small gym bag to pack in; a small flashlight; appropriate clothing with a rain jacket or poncho with hood; an assortment of bags (leaf, tall kitchen, zip locks in various sizes); some kind of water bottle (do NOT buy a canteen!) which can be a rinsed out pop bottle; a mess kit (do NOT buy one!) that he either already owns or a washed out margarine tub (bowl), plastic for & spoon (I like the ones Wendy’s gives out) and a plastic cup; a sleeping bag & a closed cell pad to put under the bag .. a camp pillow is nice too, but not necessary.

If you need, we can loan out sleeping bags.  If you have a light weight sleeping bag that you are concerned may not be warm enough, do not run out and buy a sleeping bag.  Instead, consider buying an inexpensive fleece liner (usually under $25) that can be put in the bag you have.  Liners are great as they can be used in any bag later to add warmth or make it easy to keep the bag clean (just throw liner in wash) so you don’t have to wash entire sleeping bag.  Do NOT buy expensive ThermaRest style sleeping pads or air mattresses, as only adults with 40+ year old backs require this expense.  A piece of plastic cut to the footprint of the bag will do, however, and inexpensive “closed cell” pad to put under the bag is great to keep the Scout comfortable, dry & warm.  Get one that is easy to roll up and go.

The Scouts will see, and learn a lot about, gear selections as they attend Troop events.  Most of the things they want now, or you may even think are appropriate, are actually very poor equipment selections, such as military style flashlights, canteens, compasses & mess kits. By Christmas time, you and your Scout son will have a much better idea of appropriate gear selections & Priorities.  Feel free to ask older Scouts or Leaders about camping gear … it is one of our favorite things to talk about … the only problem you will have is getting us to stop talking!

The camp out itself is a weekend of learning all of these basic camping, cooking, team building and safety skills.  Where we really need parental help is reinforcing that your son, not parents, do a thorough & immediate job of cleaning and/or drying out of any gear assigned to them to take home and returning it the very next meeting.  Our $500 tents, for instance, can be reduced to trash quickly if they are left damp and/or dirty in the bag and thrown in a closet or the garage for a few days … mildew & mold attacks the nylon that fast!  Please see the pdf handout on “Care of Troop Equipment” under the “Resources” page & “Camp Forms & Checklists” heading of our website.

For even more detail about the event, go to the “Resources” page and the heading “Event Flyers & Handouts” and look at last year’s “New Scout Camp Itinerary” as the event is, basically, the same from year to year.  We usually break camp Sunday morning by 9:00AM and are back in the Church parking lot before 10:00AM.  Adult drivers usually pass their cell phone to the Scouts in their vehicle so they can call parents to tell them we are on our way home.

Please review the “New Scout Check List” under the heading “Camp Forms & Checklists” on the “Resources” page of our website.  Please pay particular attention to the list of things “Not To Bring” on a camp out.  Again, as with your son’s timely care & return of Troop Gear, we need your help on this issue.  Finally, if your son has medication, health, or allergy issues please talk to the adult leaders ASAP.

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Posted By Scouter Dave on April 6, 2011

In follow up of last month’s camp out which included a tour of the Tower, Approach Control and MAP at Akron Canton Airport, the Troop will camp out in my hanger at Ashtabula County Airport.  We will leave St. Mary’s  between 6:30-7:00PM Friday night.  No tents will be required, however, in addition to the usual camp gear, everyone should bring a camp chair.  After we arrive and set up on Friday, I will give an Aviation Merit Badge powerpoint presentation covering most of the MB requirements.  The evening will end with some historically appropriate aviation movies (“Spirit of St. Louis” & “Memphis Bell”) that Scouts can watch or drift off to bed.

Weather permitting, I will take the Scouts up for “Orientation Flights” Saturday morning.  I expect every Scout to have read my passenger briefing and orientation booklet.  Parents may also wish to read this if they want to know more about the pilot & plane their son will be flying with and it can be found online at: http://www.themcgees.net/airplane.pdf  The three or four Scouts that present themselves Friday evening as best dressed in Class A’s will be given the election of riding up front with me at the copilot’s controls, during these orientation flights.

Saturday morning and afternoon will also consist of a number of static aircraft displays and pilot presentations  of a wide variety of aircraft and pilots.  The Scouts will be cooking lunch for themselves ant the pilots participating in the program.  Following dinner, Saturday evening will be devoted to other worthwhile aviation movies (“October Sky”, “The Right Stuff” &”Apollo 13”).

If foul weather makes the orientation flight unadvisable, we may attempt them Sunday morning or as a separate half day event some other weekend in the near future.  Although my aircraft is equipped, and I am trained and certified, for foul weather flying, such weather is not consistent with the purpose of such BSA described orientation flights and, further, may not be conducive to a fun first time flight experience.

Finally, I must remind everyone that no one will simply be given the Aviation MB for just attending these events.  If a Scout wishes to receive the MB, it is up to him to make arrangements with me, or another Counselor, to review all of the materials, meet with a Counselor, and demonstrate the requisite depth of knowledge upon all of the required subjects.  In fact, a Scout not attending this event can still earn the MB as well, although additional effort will certainly be required.  As always, call or email me with any questions or concerns.

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Posted By Scouter Dave on November 2, 2010

This Event is held at Camp Manatoc in Peninsula off of SR303 near Blossom & Cuyahoga Valley NP. Camp fees are $35 per F&S pair and they are due to Mr. Barnard on or before 11/9, however, sooner would help us out a great deal in planning for this event. A Flyer with a schedule of events, directions to camp and all of the details of the event is on the “Resources” page under “Event Flyers” of this web site.

This event is put on for area 1^st & 2^nd Year Webelos and their dads and it is an opportunity for them to see what Scouting has to offer beyond the Cub program. Basic “Tenderfoot” skills and activities will be taught to the Webelos by or newest Scouts who were, themselves, Webelos, last year. Regardless of if, or where, Webelos might be crossing, this is a great opportunity to see what potential Scouting offers them since the Event Instructors are only 6 mos ahead of 2^nd Year Webelos. For our new Scouts, it is an important opportunity for them to learn to “teach” the skills they have been learning over the past 6 mos. These skills will include, Axe Yard, Knots, Orienteering, 1^st Aid & Fire Building.  New this year, we hope to have an optional Archery activity! 

And, of course, you will have the opportunity to mingle with our Scouts & Scout Families to learn about what Scouting has to offer beyond the Cub program. Meals are a consistent highlight of this event and they are prepared by our older Scouts. Dads are encouraged to bring dull knives that our Scouts will sharpen for them and there has been a traditional Scout Dad Apple Pie Bake Off Saturday evening as well. Moms and siblings are invited out for the Saturday Evening Vespers, Camp Fire & Social … a dish to share is requested and car pooling is encouraged.

Webelos can come out Friday evening or early Saturday morning and may leave Saturday evening or Sunday morning (see Flyer) HOWEVER we ask that Saturday AM arrivals be there BEFORE 9:00 AM so as not to disrupt the presentations. All of the event details are on the Flyer and the only question that typically arises is what about Scouts or Cubs whose fathers can not attend. Of course, fathers are encouraged to attend but if that is not possible, an adult brother or uncle or grandfather (any adult male relative) can attend and, if that is not possible, as long as an adult male cub leader is willing to assume responsibility for the cub that will be OK as well. BSA rules pertaining to Boy Scouts do not permit us to mix genders in overnight cabin facilities.  

These are restrictions imposed upon us by BSA and the limited facilities available to us for this event. As always, call or email me with any questions you might have.

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Posted By Scouter Dave on March 4, 2010

This will be a good 1^st camp for new Scouts, and a laid back event for our older Scouts, as tenting issues will not be in play and the main event will be structured at an outside vendor: Kendall Cliffs Rock Gym. In addition to our usual camp fee of $15.00 for food, there is a separate $15.00 fee to climb and, in order to climb, you must also have a signed waiver … see their web site to download this waiver at http://www.kendallcliffs.com/kc/forms.html

Camp Manatoc is a terrific facility, with several trails and quick access to Cuyahoga Nat’l Park where we do our AT shake down hikes, Kendall Cliffs Rock Gym where we will climb on Saturday from 11:00AM to 2:00PM, and Appalachian Outfitters (next door) is one of the last local outfitting stores, and which we always visit on this outing. I am sure that Mr. Sheehy & I can be talked into giving a walking tour of gear options and recommendations for new parents & Scouts before or after our rock climbing session. Let us know if there is any interest and we will set a time to meet at Appalachian Outfitters.

We will be camping in Adirondacks, a generic term for three sided shelters with roof and sleeping platform. Parents, as always are welcome to attend or, as above, just meet us at Appalachian Outfitters or even visit the camp site. The link out on the Calendar (click on event on calendar) and Links to the camp on our Home Page (left side of Home Page), as always, should give you all the info you need.

Please see our “RESOURCES” page (tool bar at top & links on left from Home Page) and read at least: “Packing for Camp: How & What”. In this same list, our “Permission Slip” needs to be signed and given to Mrs. Knight with camp fees and “New Scout Checklist” is worth reading as well. Finally, we need to have at least the Health History (Section A) of the Scout Health Form filled out and turned into Mrs. Knight before the Camp Out. The form can be found at http://www.bsa-gwrc.org/forms/  and it is the same form that we will need the Doctor physical portion completed by Summer Camp.

Any decent sleeping bag should do and an inexpensive fleece liner or blanket can be added for additional warmth if need be … as always, we have gear to loan, just let us know. Please do NOT buy camping equipment until your son has been on a number of Camp Outs so he can make intelligent choices. Just remember, a rinsed out 24 oz pop bottle makes a fine canteen and a washed out large margarine tub, plastic cup and plastic utensils (all in a zip lock bag) makes a perfectly adequate mess kit. Gear should be packed in a SMALL gym bag and sleeping bag & pillow can be packed in a plastic garbage bag. A small folding camp chair is allowed but not necessary. New Scouts are NOT allowed to carry knives until they have earned their “Totin Chip” and any flashlights should be SMALL as well.

Finally, please remember that we travel to and from camp in Class A’s … again, Webelos uniforms are OK, but they should be in uniform. They will change out of Class A’s as soon as we get to camp and we will try to encourage them to pack, or hang up, their uniform so it is clean and wrinkle free for the trip home. If you need uniform parts, just call Mr. & Mrs. Ponikvar and they will be happy to bring the uniform bank to a meeting. As always, if you have questions, do not hesitate to ask!

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Posted By Scouter Dave on December 7, 2009

We will depart St. Mary’s at 6:00PM, return approximately 11:00AM for Seven Ranges Scout Reservation, Kensington, OH (east of Canton) Directions & Map: http://www.buckeyecouncil.org/seven%20ranges.htm

Cabin Camp Out w/ 1^st aid kits, map drawing, 5+ mile hike, orienteering, etc. for all Scouts who do not have all orienting, 1^st aid kit & hiking rank requirements already signed off … & game fest

The “Orienteering Camp Out”, fna the “Movie Camp Out”, has, thankfully, returned to its roots when, before the advent of modern electronics, it was originally know as the “No-brainer Camp Out”. Once again, and as in days gone past, movies and all electronics will be absolutely banned beyond a boom box the cooks will be permitted to use while the rest of the Troop is hiking. We will return to the past practice of tournament style playoffs of old fashion games, most notably Risk, Monopoly & Life. This event is at “Seven Ranges” BSA camp east of Canton in a heated cabin with kitchen and flush toilet. The roof extends beyond the cabin itself forming a open sided pavilion where most of the adults set up their sleeping bags while the guys are next door in bunks in the cabin.

The older guys will kick back and socialize over board games, cooking and setting up an orienteering course while a select few of the older guys accompany the rest of the Troop on what usually turns into an all day hike. Together with a few Junior Instructors, any and all Scouts who do not have all of the hiking/orienteering rank requirements signed off will spend Friday night going over the personal 1^st aid kits they will carry on the hike and working on drawing personal maps traced from a generic camp map to be used to find their way on the hike. Legends, landmarks, contours, scales, bearings and such will be added both before and during the hike to see if the Scouts can navigate through a 5 mile hike while working together to do three things:

1. Improve their maps

2. Hike a pre-determined route, and

3. Not get lost … or at least find their way back

Although, eventually, we always find our way back, we have always gotten lost. In fact, we choose this forum because of how easy, but safe, it is to get lost. Those Scouts who have, in the past, persistently clung to the belief that the adult leaders would not actually let them get lost … or have fixated upon conflict in lieu of team work as the solution to their dilemma … have even turned this event into a night hike on a couple of occasions (just ask you SPL about his first try)! This event is also used for rank advancement (hiking & orienteering) for the younger Scouts. Any Scout can get any of requirement nos. 1~9 toward Tenderfoot signed off at this event, however, this event is specifically geared toward completing the following requirements: Tenderfoot requirement no. 5 (safe hike rules); 2nd Class requirement nos. 1 & 6b (orienteering/hike with map & make 1st aid kit/take on hike); and 1st Class requirement nos. 1 & 2 (direction w/o a compass & orienteering course). Any Scout who does not have all of those requirements already signed off should be on this hike. Prepare to get lost!

On Friday night and Saturday morning Scouts w/o these requirements completed will work on drawing up maps for Saturday’s hike and going over the contents of their 1st Aid Kits that they have made up in advance of the event. While on the Saturday hike, older Scouts will set up an orienteering course to cover the remaining requirements. As to the first aid kits, there are three important issues to be aware of: 1. They must be prepared in advance of the outing & of a style and content appropriate to carry on a hike; 2. 1st Aid supplies are expensive, so families should team up to buy them (for example, one box of band-aids can be split at least 4 ways); and 3. Scouts will be given a written list at the event of how to improve their 1st aid kits – and – the requirement will not be signed off until they show their new and improved kit to an adult leader.

As this event approaches, look for 1st Aid Kit & orienteering hand outs on the Troop Resources Page of this web site. As always, post any questions or concerns that you have about this event on the Troop Web Bulletin Board.

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Posted By Scouter Dave on October 28, 2009

A lot of new and useful content has been added to our web site over the last few weeks, particularly on these “Pages”.  Our adult leaders are gathering handouts, skill programs and other resources and we will continue to update this site.  If you have anything worth contributing, please get to me to do so.  We are very close to getting internet access at our meetings whereafter more exciting and useful updates will occur … check it out and stay tuned!

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Posted By Scouter Dave on October 28, 2009

This Event is held (for the 1st time) at Camp Manatoc in Peninsula off of SR303 near Blossom & Cuyahoga Valley NP. Camp fees are $30 per F&S pair and they are due to Mr. Barnard on or before 11/17, however, sooner would help us out a great deal in planning for this event. A Flyer with a schedule of events, directions to camp and all of the details of the event is on the “Resources” page under “Event Flyers” of this web site.

This event is put on for area 1^st & 2^nd Year Webelos and their dads and it is an opportunity for them to see what Scouting has to offer beyond the Cub program. Basic “Tenderfoot” skills and activities will be taught to the Webelos by or newest Scouts who were, themselves, Webelos, last year. Regardless of if, or where, Webelos might be crossing, this is a great opportunity to see what potential Scouting offers them since the Event Instructors are only 6 mos ahead of 2^nd Year Webelos. For our new Scouts, it is an important opportunity for them to learn to “teach” the skills they have been learning over the past 6 mos. These skills will include, Axe Yard, Knots, Orienteering, 1^st Aid & Fire Building.

And, of course, you will have the opportunity to mingle with our Scouts & Scout Families to learn about what Scouting has to offer beyond the Cub program. Meals are a consistent highlight of this event and they are prepared by our older Scouts. Dads are encouraged to bring dull knives that our Scouts will sharpen for them and there has been a traditional Scout Dad Apple Pie Bake Off Saturday evening as well. Moms and siblings are invited out for the Saturday Evening Vespers, Camp Fire & Social … a dish to share is requested and car pooling is encouraged.

Webelos can come out Friday evening or early Saturday morning and may leave Saturday evening or Sunday morning (see Flyer) HOWEVER we ask that Saturday AM arrivals be there BEFORE 9:00 AM so as not to disrupt the presentations. All of the event details are on the Flyer and the only question that typically arises is what about Scouts or Cubs whose fathers can not attend. Of course, fathers are encouraged to attend but if that is not possible, an adult brother or uncle or grandfather (any adult male relative) can attend and, if that is not possible, as long as an adult male cub leader is willing to assume responsibility for the cub that will be OK as well. BSA rules pertaining to Boy Scouts do not permit us to mix genders in overnight cabin facilities.   These are restrictions imposed upon us by BSA and the limited facilities available to us for this event. As always, call or email me with any questions you might have.

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Posted By Scouter Dave on October 7, 2009

As to the event itself, it will be at Hocking SP this year which is about a 4 hour drive requiring us to arrive late and traverse some rough and twisty roads. For this reason, as well as the fact that very little time will be spent in camp, we try to travel light and we will NOT take the trailer. Further, it is important that we leave the Church as early as possible … be there at 5:15 and departure will be 6:00PM sharp! Usually, Mr. Sheehy & I will leave earlier with the Junior Instructors as the advance group, so if you are interested in going down earlier, call us.

FEES are as follows: $60 for 1st time participants ($20 camp & food fee; $20 equip fee & $20 1st time equip acquisition) & $40 for repeat participants (same fees minus 1st time equipment acquisition for those that already have webbing).  As always, Campership money is available to offset any camp fees for those in need.  Just contact Mrs. Knight.

 Lunch will be carried in and eaten at the rock face, so we use this opportunity to start learning back packing style meals and hands outs were passed out for this purpose. I have always found that backing packing style lunches work best in pairs (one will bring the bagels and the other the tuna or pmj) and Mr. Sheehy will also demonstrate an AT type dinner meal as well.

Hand outs & retired webbing are given out covering all of the skills needed. Scouts should be practicing the knots & Swiss seat with this webbing and NOT trying to climb or rappel at home!  Keep the webbing clean, dry and hand it back in so we can use it again next year. This webbing will hold over 4,000 pounds and the rest of the equipment being used is even stronger than that … in fact, I have been told that the ropes we use could hold a suspended school bus full of kids. Suffice it to say, as with all of our events, we have very experienced and trained instructors and excellent equipment. Not only are Bill & I certified instructors but Bill is responsible for training & certifying other BSA instructors.

Rappels are available at Hocking from about 85′ to 125′ and climbs are about 65′.  It can be very intimidating but we have a lot of experience in building personal and Troop wide confidence and safety into these activities. All climbers and rappellers are “belayed”, a separate person and system to prevents falls … even if a participant to loose control, these belayers are there to “brake” the participant from an uncontrolled descent or fall.

As always, if any parent has any concerns about this, or any other event, simply ask or, better yet, come with us and see for yourself.

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Posted By Scouter Dave on July 30, 2009

In folow up of my email, thigs will be hectic in the next couple of months as the guys will hold their Annual PLC to plan next year’s Calndar (8/4), elect new Junior Leaders (8/18) and have our semi-annual Court of Honor (8/28). In the next few weeks we also need to decide if we are going to return to Haliburton, Ontario for Summer Camp in 2010 as the Troop has been doing every other year for more years than anyone can remember.  Traffic, both at the border & all the way from west to far north of Toronto, has become VERY heavy, fuel prices, unfavorable exchange rates and the expense & aggravation of everyone needing a passport .. etc., has us all wondering if we need to find somewhere else to go to Summer Camp!  Every-one’s thoughts, opinions & suggestions are desperately needed.

So stand by, things will be hectic over the next couple of months … now, more than ever, it is important that you keep checking the Troop Calendar as events are re-scheduled and locations and even dates change as plans and facility availabilities firm up.

Finally, we will have an ANNUAL ADULT MTG on 9/1 at 6:30 to coincide with the regualr mtg so we can brief all families on next year’s schedule, get your input, answer your questions and go over reocurring issues.  We need to have ALL Parents at this Mtg … so mark your calendar now!

Check Out the Calendar for further, and changing, details!

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