Boy Troop 259 Church of St. Therese March 2009 Volume 4, Issue 1

Raven Knob Scout

Reservation

We will again have a large contingent going to summer camp. This year we will have 30 scouts and 15 adults going to Ravenknob in the mountains of North Carolina near Mt. Airy. A link to the leaders guide has been posted to the website. Please take a look at the merit badges that will be provided and be thinking of which ones you want to take. The merit badge signup is due by May 1st, and the most popular selections will be first come first serve. This is a great way for new scouts to get a jump start towards rank, and for those older scouts to get merit badges that they may not see at other venues—Archeology, Orienteering, Cinema- tography, Mountain Biking, etc. The schedule will permit scouts to take as many as 8 merit badges (though this would be a lot of work with little downtime). For the adults going, the leaders can get Climbing Instruc- tor Certification, Climb-on Safely, CPR, New Leader Essentials or Safe Swim instruction. As usual, we will be working on the Scoutmaster Merit Badge while we are there. No rest for the weary.

On Saturday, February 7th between 8 and 10 am, our scouts served well over 250 pancakes and sau- sages at our Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser held at the Applebee's Restaurant on College Drive. Our final ticket sale total was 223 which meant that $810.16 went back into the individual accounts of the 22 scouts who sold tickets.

Thanks to the many adults - Mr. Goodman, Mr. Walker, Mr. and Mrs. Stutz, Mrs. Halman, Mr. Ball, Mr. Wright, Mr. Byrd, Mr. Collins and Mr. Greiling—for all of their help that day but the biggest thanks goes to the scouts who greeted, seated and served our community in a most pleasant and helpful manner!!! It was a quick 2 hours but the boys never stopped. Those who worked at the breakfast included: Will G., John B., James W., Joe G., Houston P., Jack C., Thomas W., Sheldon G., Chad O., Thomas B., Nate B., Mitchell H., Jimmy S., Joe Z., Garrett H. and Tyler P.

Thanks again to all who greeted or served at, ate at, sold tickets for, washed dishes during, or otherwise volunteered to make this fundraiser a grand success!! -by Kym Poole

ORIENTEERING MERIT BADGE WEEKEND

On Feb 20-22, 2009, the held an “Orienteering Merit Badge Weekend” at the Pipsico Scout Reservation in Surry County. The instructors for the badge were part of the James River Orienteering Club. Four scouts from Troop 259 attended the event along with two adult leaders. Austin Bosley, William Goodman, Zachary Shermer and James Walker set out on Friday, February 20 to earn the coveted Orienteering Merit Badge.

The scouts from Troop 259 joined another 50 scouts and their leaders for three days hard days of classroom work and field- work. The quest for the badge started immediately on Friday Night with orientation and class work lasting from 8:00 PM until 10:00 Friday Night. Frigid temperatures in the upper teens Friday night made for a cold night in the tents, but the scouts per- severed and were up before 7:00 AM the next morning.

After a quick breakfast, the scouts were back hard at work Saturday morning by 8:00 AM, with more class work. The class work covered topics ranging from topographical maps to compass reading. The topographical map studies included learning the symbols used on the maps, to using the maps to find clues and locations on an orienteering course. Compass work in- volved knowledge of the parts of the compass, to using it to orient a map to a detailed explanation how to compensate for Dec- lination differences between the compass and maps.

After lunch on Saturday, the Scouts were finally ready to take to the field to solve the riddles and puzzles of their first orien- teering course. This course had been specifically laid out for this class, one of three courses they would have to navigate over the course of the weekend. After dashing through the course, it was back to the classroom for more instruction which lasted past dinner and into the late hours of the night. The Saturday night air was crisp and cold as the tired scouts settled into their tents for a much needed rest Saturday night.

Sunday morning arose, overcast, but slightly warmer as the scouts assembled to complete the final two obstacle courses they needed to navigate to earn their merit badge. The first course they traversed wound its way through the forests at Camp Pipsico. The scouts found that their compasses provided little guidance in the dense forests. They had to use their newly learned knowledge of navigating with a topographical map combined with a special clue sheet to find the correct topographi- cal features where the hidden „controls „were located. An additional obstacle was presented when our scouts were separated from one another and grouped with other scouts from other troops.

Sunday afternoon brought forth a misting rain as the scouts embarked on their last obstacle course. This cross country course covering over 2000 meters provide an hour long challenge to the scouts but once again they passed the test with flying colors. Once back at the dining hall, they gathered around their instructors and received their signed „blue cards‟ and each also re- ceived a special neckerchief slide to signify a job well done. Even, our two leaders in attendance, Warren Goodman and John Walker came away with a slide and a much greater understanding of orienteering.

As the tired scouts headed for home late Sunday afternoon, the sky was grey and threatening. A driving rain and a scattering of snowflakes ushered out a very long weekend. The scouts had earned their merit badges and in the process had doubled to eight, the number of scouts from Troop 259 who have now earned this difficult merit badge. - by John Walker, ASM

Troop 259 Feeds the Homeless

On February 5th, the Scouts again hosted the area homeless, serving Chili, Corn Bread, and Salad on a very cold night. Ap- proximately 90 guests were served, and all were very impressed with the warmth of both the food and the greeting provided by the Scouts. We had great participation with 31 scouts and 18 adults in attendance. Special thanks go out to Warren Goodman who ran the kitchen, Maryview Hospital which provided the food, and Ted Miller who stayed all night long as a monitor. Additionally, the Girl Scouts of Troop 503 provided lots of cookies for dessert that evening. We also had participa- tion of Felicia S. and Thomas B. who represented Venture Crew 259. This is the third year that the Scouts have served the homeless and we look forward to doing it for many years to come. -by George Ball, Scoutmaster 21 scouts and 10 adults, including four from Troop 206 in Portsmouth, made the journey to Timberline Four Season Resort over the Martin Luther King weekend (January 19-21) for two and a half days of great skiing. The trip up was less eventful this year than last (though there was one minor mishap – note to parents, supply your scouts with Dramamine or some other anti-nausea medicine if they are vertigo-impaired).

Despite this minor problem, we all made it up safely. The weather was fantastic again, though a little brisk with single digits to below zero temperature readings at night and early in the morning. We quickly found out who the morning people were, since the assigned breakfast slot was at O dark thirty. The wait for equipment the next day was painful, and the short staffing resulted in hours of delay. Ex- cept, of course, for Bob and Toby, who slept through breakfast and woke up just in time to take advan- tage of the diminished equipment line.

Once on the slopes, though, it was smooth skiing. Well almost. Only one slight injury when one scout fell on another getting off the lift. The weather cooperated through the weekend, with light snow and winds. The new scout skiers took their lessons and proceeded to have a great time. Otto Stutz and Bill Leber did a great job with the Snow Sports merit badge, and 11 scouts earned a badge that weekend. What the heck is a Stem Christie, anyway? The ―veterans‖ were hard to pry off the slopes, except at meal times and the occasional detour to the lodge to catch some of the playoff action. Many lasted un- til the slopes closed down for the night. -by Dave Byrd

Tidewaters Council University

Each year the BSA Tidewater Council has their annual scouting university. This is a day long event in which scout leaders can take a myriad of scouting classes. This year’s university took place at Grassfield High School. 3 leaders from 259 attended and said they all learned a lot and had a good time doing it. I would strongly recom- mend going to this event. -Warren Goodman

The weekend of February 13-15, Troop 259 held its annual “Back to Basics” camping trip at Johnson‟s Farm in Suffolk. This camping trip traditionally focuses on refreshing all of the necessary Boy Scout knowledge. This year, we focused on basic cooking and knot skills.

This year it was a requirement for the scouts to cook their meals without using propane. (Yes the adults did too, just to prove that we could.) This meant no stoves. They had to use wood fires, Dutch ovens, cardboard box ovens, and other primitive means to cook their meals. Although most of the scouts had never done this before, they lasted through the weekend and actually made some decent meals. Also one of the main events of the weekend was the first ever Troop 259 cooking competition, Iron Chef style. Each patrol was responsible for cooking a dish that incorporated the secret ingredient, onions. The older “more experienced” scouts made some tasty onion rings, while the rest of the patrols made various kinds of chili‟s (one was very spicy) and a salad. Overall, the boys tackled the cooking challenge.

The rest of the weekend was focused on basic knot skills. Thanks go out to Mr. Wright and Mr. Stutz for or- ganizing this activity. The boys learned skills such as how to whip and fuse rope, how to tie basic knots such as the square knot, bowline, and clove hitch, among others. The boys also were instructed on how to lash and make basic pioneering structures. Some scouts even made some pretty sturdy tripods.

Overall I think it was a great weekend. The boys had a lot of fun cooking over open fires. I look forward to next year. - by ASM Michael Qualls

From July 26-August 4, 2010, the Tidewater Council of the will be filling a contingent for the National . This will be a celebration of the 100 year of scouting, and promises to be an exciting time. Scouts will enjoy competitive events, an Arts and Science Fair, a Merit Badge Midway, Challenging Trails, High Adventure Activities and more! The council has 108 slots and it is filling up fast. Scouts must be 12 years old by July 1, 2010 and must have been ac- tive in their troop for 6 months. The cost of the trip will be $1,200-$1,400. This is a Council spon- sored trip so you will be placed with a contingent of 108 other scouts from other units. For more information, please go to www.bsajamboree.org, or www.tidewaterbsa.org. - by George Ball, Scoutmaster

We are fully subscribed for our trip to Philmont during the summer of 2010. We have 17 scouts and 7 adults signed up. This will give us two full crews of 12 each. There will be a meeting on March 25 for all participants and parents that are scheduled to go to discuss the calendar, projected costs, required training, work-up activities and gear. Please make every effort to attend this meeting, and, if you have any questions, please make sure that you bring them to the meeting. If I cannot answer them, I will find out the answer. I will be presenting a slide show from Thomas‟ and my trip this past summer as well. Congratulations to all who signed up. You will not be disappointed. Finally, if you were considering the trip, but did not commit in time, please let me know so I can start a waiting list. I will likely have 1 or 2 that will decide not to go for whatever reason.

- by George Ball, Scoutmaster

Dear Parents and Scouts, Scout Night with the Norfolk Tides One of the goals of our Troop is to insure that every Scout, who is a registered and On Friday, June 19, the Norfolk Tides active member, has the opportunity to will play the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. Tickets are $9.50 each and are available participate in each and every scheduled th event for which they qualify (re. rank and through the Scout Shop until June 16 . age requirements). This applies especially The Tidewater Council is looking for a to Summer Camp. special youth to throw out the first pitch. To be considered, submit one or two If ever a Scout encounters a resource paragraphs on why you want to throw issue; be it equipment, transportation, out the first pitch. Application should be financial budget, etc., which may impact provided to Jennifer Mapstone by June on his ability to participate in any activity, 14, 2009. You may email it to her at please feel free to contact me in the [email protected], or send it via snail strictest confidence in order to find a mail to her attention at the council of- solution. fices. Notification will be made only to the selected individual by June 16, 2009. Yours in Scouting, As a patrol activity, consider camping Bill Leber out on the field after the game. Camping vouchers can be obtained from the Scout Shop. RANK ADVANCEMENTS UPCOMING EVENTS The following 10 scouts advanced since the

last newsletter in December. MARCH 21-22 BACKPACKING TRIP

MARCH 28

APRIL 4 MERIT BADGE DAY Zachary S. APRIL 17-19 WASHINGTON, DC TRIP

Marc A., Houston P. MAY 1-3 DISTRICT & OA TAP OUT

MAY 9 MERIT BADGE DAY Austin P.

MAY 15-17 CANOE TRIP William G., Samuel M., James W., Jacob W. MAY 30 SPAGHETTI DINNER

JUNE 6 SAVE THE BAY Joseph G.

JUNE 12-14 CAPE HATTERAS Dan Gerrek JULY 26-AUGUST 6 SUMMER CAMP

MERIT BADGES EARNED * Merit badges in red are Eagle Required.

25 Merit Badges were earned in the past three months.

Camping Austin B. Fish and Wildlife Management Austin B. Orienteering Austn B., William G., Zachary S., James W. Personal Fitness Tristan Kuhn Personal Management George B., Austin B., Sheldon G., Tyler P., James W., Benjamin W., Daniel W. Snow Sports Nathanial B., Thomas B., John C., Tristan K., Houston P., Samuel M., Chad O., Benjamin W., Daniel W., James S., Joseph Z. Other Awards

Intrepreter—Español Thomas B. Totin’ Chip Garrett H., Zachary S.

World Conservation Award Benjamin B., Samuel M., Matthew Petersen., Justin S., Derek W.