WinterCamp 2010

Oh the peaceful setting of a winter wonderland with the boys (without gloves) enjoying the frigid temperatures and companionship of their fellow troop members................STOP! Let me tell you about frigid temps! How about 15 degrees at night, in a tent, so cold your water bottle freezes solid.....in your tent. So cold that within 5 minutes of puttin' your boots on in the morning........your toes are froze. Sounds like fun....doesn't it - well it really was. 10 hardy souls braved the elements and took the Wintercamp Challenge. After meeting in the parking lot of Crowders at 10:00am and a short shakedown of gear requirements, the group hiked in to the campsite. After setting up tents and putting pads and bags inside - it was time for lunch and some hot drink to warm the soul. The boys took off for a serious mission of hide-n-seek while the dads stoked up a fire. Darkness comes early this time of year, so dinner was started around 5:00pm. Lots of hot water was in line as "mountain house" dinners we're prepared and cooked. Once darkness set in, the temps began to drop. Hour by hour the cold settled in as we all gathered close to the fire. The boys scarfed a snickers bar for dessert, quickly did a few jumping jacks, and they headed to the comfort of their tents by.......6:30! Well....don't let the early to bed part fool you - because they all chit-chatted for the next 3 hours. One of them even seemed to have broke the troop rule about "electronic devices." Well the worst wasn't here yet as the REAL cold temps didn't settle in till around 3:00am. It was tough getting up - but all had to get the blood flowing and eat some fuel to stoke the furnace. Problem was......the well froze overnight and water was in short supply. leave to our OC to diligently work on heating the problem up to a point of success? After some warm drinks and a short hike out - this Wintercamp takes the prize for the coldest...........

New River 2009

Troop 21 Scouts and dads get ready to take to the river on day two of a great weekend on the New River. A special thanks to all the weather forecasters that scared away everyone else so we could have the river to ourselves. The "washout" amounted to 10 minutes of drizzle after we had our lunch in the "tube" shed at New River Outfitters prior to launch. Although the clouds kept the day overcast, the moderate temps were just right. 10 miles to camp was reason enough to keep paddling. Several of the boys decided to step up to kayaks - and they did a great job "keepin' the balance". After a brief "rescue" we stopped for a snack and a stretch of the ol' legs. A few rapids later, and a pass under the low water bridge and we could see the sign to camp. The last stretch of rapids just before camp capped off day one's adventure. After a warm dinner and campfire, many turned in early to rest the weary bones. Day 2 we awoke to the high 50's - what! another forecast fiasco? Many were prepared for the promised 40's? After a good warm breakfast, the dads assembled an assembly line to prepare Sundays lunch. After a few hours on the river, we stopped at the Allegheny access to enjoy lunch and the sunshine. The leaves were great and the sky was blue - what more could you ask. 5 more miles of wilderness and we rounded the bend to the 93 pullout point. After a shuttle ride back to camp, we snacked and stoked the fire in order to prepare for dinner. I've put the rest of the pictures on a slideshow on the lower right. Once again, these boys step up and continue to grow and enjoy the outdoors. Thanks for Scouting?

Summer Camp 2009

 

Well, here they are - the long awaited pictures from Summer Camp. With so much going on with school starting, and scouts starting back strong it's fun to go back and watch the pictures from this groups summer of "Keeping the campfires burning". This group of boys did a great job of going to class, managing their free time, and just having some good ol' fashioned summer camp fun. The week started as usual for Troop 21 - an early start with the bike rally, followed up with a hot 1st day of camp. The boys set up camp, enjoyed a little free time, and then got ready for the opening ceremony. The week was great, the boys earned collectivey 36 merit badges, and they all took another step toward there own personal journey through scouting.

Duke Encampment

The weather held for the 21st Duke Encampment at the McGuire Nuclear Power Station on Lake Norman. Friday night was fast and furious as the boys unpacked and set-up tents in a large grasssy field on the shore of lake Norman. After a dinner of "big "N" tasties, the boys earned the Energy merit badge at the Energy Explorium. The boys slept under the shadow of the containment buildings eagerly awaiting their 7am wake-up call. After a hardy breakfast of eggs, sausage, and bacon it was off to the flag raising, and then on to classes. While the boys studied, the dads packed up tents and gear then napped under the shade of an oak tree. Lunch of hot dogs, chips, and cookies then more classes till 3:00. Everyone had a great time and LOTS!! of merit badges were earned by all in attendance. This was the first merit badges for some of the boys - good job. Thanks to Johnny Norton and all the counselors and volunteers that put on this event.

  The evenings campfire, hosted by M.A. started out with a few songs along with a discussion of disability awareness from T.B. After some popcorn, the crowd began to rumble as the much anticipated arrival of TSG's was clearly going to happen. Once onstage, the Truck Stop Girls gyrated, flailed, and flung themselves around to a barely audible version of "Silly and Nerdy"?
This critic gave the performance an "E" for effort - but more work is needed before this group can show its stuff again.

Troop Flag Dedication

  The Spring Camp out was a great time to dedicate our new Troop flag. After a brief ceremony and a few words from our Troop Chaplain, the boys started in for the day. The weather was great, and the time was well used as the boys continued to study "knots". After a hot lunch they went on to study an intricate compass course set up by our activity committee. The boys continued to work on their cooking skills with a 1-pot meal late in the day. The night was filled with excitement as the rumor spread of a surprise performance by the "Truck Stop Girls". More to come.......

Webelos - Boy Scout Hike

From Webelos Hike Dec. 2008

The webelos and boy scouts enjoyed a warm winter day to have a joint hike at Crowders Mountain. Fun was had by all as we hiked to the group camping sites, enjoyed an impromtu hot snack, then hiked back.