Morrow Mountain

What an exciting trip we had to Morrow Mountain. Nearly 60 Scouts and leaders filled "Big Brown" and the church van so personal vehicles were needed to get everybody to the park. The trailer was filled to the top with Troop gear, food and personal gear. Mr Smith and I were the Trip leaders and we agreed it was a great Scout weekend.The instructor patrol worked with the Ravens to setup their tents on Friday night and then taught the new Scouts how to cook using the Coleman Camp Stoves on Saturday and Sunday morning.

Things I thought were great:

• The Ravens getting to ride in "Big Brown" for the first time. It is a rite of passage for all Troop 934 members.
• The Ravens setting their tents up for the first of many times in the dark.
• Watching the oldest Scouts working with the newest Scouts to get breakfast on the table.
• Scouts teaching other Scouts during the Fishing Merit Badge session.
• After losing their hooks while fishing I watched a couple of Ravens used their new skill of the improved cinch knot to tie a fishing hook to their fishing line.
  
• Boys handling a wiggling worm for the first time.
• Scouts scaling, cleaning, gutting and fileting the fish they were going to eat that night.
• The new boys being taught knife and axe safety so they could earn their Totin' Chip before summer camp.

Like I told the Ravens: Think of all the things you did this weekend that most of your friends at school have never done. How many have slept in a tent that they set up without their parents being there? How many have prepared a fish so they could eat it that night? How many have ever used an axe to cut up firewood or made their own breakfast and cleaned up afterwards?

This is the start of a great journey for these Ravens.

Mr. Vickers has posted some pictures from the trip.

Morrow Mountain March 09 click to go to web album

Tenderfoot Requirement #2

Tenderfoot Requirement #2

Spend at least one night on a patrol or troop campout. Sleep in a tent you have helped pitch.

On Monday night we had the Ravens practice with 3 boy leaders who showed them how to put up our Troop tents. On Friday night they will have their chance to do it themselves outside and it will be their home for the weekend. We have some older boys lined up to help with the pitching of the tents as needed.

Tenderfoot Requirement #3

Tenderfoot Requirement #3

On the campout, assist in preparing and cooking one of your patrol's meals. Tell why it is important for each patrol member to share in meal preparation and cleanup, and explain the importance of eating together.

On the trip the Ravens will prepare 2 breakfasts (,pancakes and bacon, and eggs and sausage ). They will work on setting up a sandwich lunch and for supper they will clean a fish, prepare it and then help cook it. They will also help with cleanup after the meals--the older Scouts will assist them with these chores.

I don’t think any meal taste as good as one that you prepare for yourself and your buddies.