Monthly Archive for June, 2008

Webelos Weekend, Nobscot, December 8-9, 2007

Published on June 29, 2008 in Leadership and Outdoor Activity. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Alec: In the midst of some cold December weather in Massachusetts, members of Troop 63 in Sudbury traveled to the Nobscot Scout Reservation for the annual Webelos Weekend. Not only did the weekend serve as a great opportunity for some outdoor camping, but it also allowed the older scouts to reach out to the numerous fifth graders in attendance in an effort to recruit them to the troop.

After meeting up early on Saturday morning, approximately a dozen scouts and adults traveled to Nobscot, ready for the long day ahead. Upon arriving, they carried the gear, including stoves, tents, and other necessities, up to the campsite. As they began to set up, erecting tents and gathering fire wood, the sky gradually cleared up, bringing forth some sunny, yet chilly, weather which continued throughout the day. The morning was quite productive; not only were the scouts able to set up a suitable campsite in a short amount of time, but they also began to prepare accommodations for the Webelos Cub Scouts who would arrive in several hours. Strengthened in numbers by the arrival of some latecomers, the members of the troop set up games in the woods and field in the surrounding area, including the spider web and match lighting with a hatchet, and successfully built a monkey bridge extending several feet off the ground.

After a brief break for lunch, it was time for the Webelos to arrive. Some scouts prepared to greet them as they came up from the parking lot while others continued setting up activities. The first Webelos to arrive began to trickle in slowly in the early afternoon, but before long, many had arrived with their parents. After dropping off their gear, they were split into groups and led around through the various stations by the older scouts. For many, this was the highlight of the day, as the games and activities proved to be quite enjoyable. Meanwhile, some of the older scouts stayed back to help prepare dinner, which would be a full turkey dinner. Surrounding six turkeys in chicken wire, they proceeded to hang them over a pair of charcoal fires and left them to cook for several hours.

As the sun began to set, further preparations for dinner ensued. In addition to the turkeys, some of the older scouts began to cook mashed potatoes, vegetables, gravy, and stuffing, and a couple Webelos even got in on the action, helping to stir the food as it cooked. Everyone around waited anxiously for the upcoming dinner, and to help stave off their hunger a few scouts set up a cracker-barrel at a nearby table. Finally, it was time to eat. Everyone agreed that it was a very delicious meal, and the cooks received numerous compliments for their work. After dinner, a campfire was created and the scouts and leaders put on some skits to everyone’s enjoyment. Before long however, it was time to go to bed, and the troop members retired to their tents while the Webelos and their parents slept in a nearby cabin.

Overall, it was a very exciting weekend for everyone involved. The members of Troop 63 put on a first class campout, and as a result, the Webelos got the opportunity to learn the true nature of being a Boy Scout. In addition to being fun, the campout was also a great success in terms of recruiting, as many of the fifth graders in attendance ended up joining the troop.

Davis: On the Webelos Weekend we camped in Nobscot. This outing took place in winter, but it was still warm enough for snow balls. After carrying up the gear, setting up the tents, and getting a few small games and challenges set up, the scouts learned to tie a monkey bridge. When that was built everyone started their jobs. After the jobs were completed a snowball fight broke out.

After the camp calmed down, everyone took out their plates and utensils and sat down around the campfire and ate a great dinner of turkey, mashed potatoes, and buns. This was one of my favorite campouts because I had such a great time and I learned many new things.

Anthony: On the Webelos weekend, all the scouts hosted a campout for the Webelos. It was held at Nobscot. The boy scouts went early and set up the camp. Then the Webelos came later.

Dan, Davis, and I found some firewood and made a big fire in the cabin fireplace to heat it up for the Webelos. Then when the Webelos came they set up their beds, after, of course, fighting for the top bunks.

Then they got ready for the day. We then played a lot of games and built a monkey bridge, played w….., ahem, I mean responsibly, built a fire, cooked food.

And of course, with all the tempting snow, inevitably the snow wars broke out and went on all through the day and into the night.

At night, we had a contest to see which patrol was the best at performing, talents, and singing.

The food was great, too! We had a feast of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and bread, the best filling dinner for a good, cold, refreshing, lively night’s sleep.

Freezeout January 26-27, 2008

Published on June 29, 2008 in Outdoor Activity. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Alec: This past January, a group of brave scouts successfully tackled the challenges of winter by attending the annual Freezout at the Resolute Scout Camp, which attracted troops from around the surrounding area to participate in a weekend of camping and fun activities.  After arriving early in the morning, the scouts piled both their personal gear and the troop gear on to several sleds and proceeded to drag it through the woods to their camp site.  The evidence of winter was clear; both the ground and trees were heavily covered in snow and the air remained relatively cold for the duration of the weekend.  As a result, the scouts faced extra work in preparing the campsite.  Some went to work shoveling snow from the ground to make room for the tents while others cleared the fireplace of the snow which covered it.

When the campsite was suitably prepared, the group packed a dogsled full of gear for the day, grabbed their coats and gloves, and began pushing it towards the amphitheater.  There, they observed the raising of the flag, after which a scout leader gave all the troops present a briefing for the day.  By this point, everyone was eager to participate in the numerous activities planned for the day.  The members of the troop pushed the sled off toward their first activity: first aid.  For the next several hours, the troop traveled from station to station, participating in events such as an obstacle course, fire starting, and a sled race.

The stages were quite taxing on the scouts, and by the time they returned to the campsite, everyone was quite fatigued.  Some of the troop members built a small fire and hung out around the fire circle for the next couple hours.  Meanwhile, the younger scouts worked with a pair of older scouts on fulfilling advancement requirements and were able to locate traces of animal life, including deer tracks, feces, and a bird’s nest. Before long, everyone’s hunger became apparent.  Several scouts went to work preparing dinner.  Cutting potatoes, onions, carrots, and steak for tinfoil cooking, they made sure everyone got more than enough to fill their stomachs.

After dinner and some time by the fire, all the scouts and adults headed off to their tents, tired from the long day.  When the morning rolled around, the scouts ate a quick breakfast and cleaned up the campsite before heading off to the amphitheater for the closing ceremony.  The troop won several awards including the fastest time in the sled race.  All in all, it was a very eventful and successful weekend, as the scouts survived the cold winter weather and had lots of fun in doing so.

Remington: The Freeze Out of ’07 was amazing!  My friend and I pulled the bobsled.  To me, the Freeze-Out wasn’t really “freezing.”  It was actually pretty warm, or was that all the warm clothes we were wearing?

There were many games and awards to be won.  In sled racing our sled got in front of the first group and we got 1st place (overall) in sled racing!

Rick: The Freeze Out was by far the best outing I had this year.  We covered many scouting activities like first aid and hurry cases, fire making, and much, much more.

One of my favorites was the use of sleds.  We used sleds to transport our supplies to and from camp.  I also found a hill and attempted to sled down it. (That was painful.)  It was also the one single outing I got more than three different requirements done.

Framingham Civic League Service

Published on June 29, 2008 in Community Service. 0 Comments Tags: .

by Eli

Roughly five times a year, our troop sends a group of six to ten scouts, and two to three adults to the Framingham Civic League. The Framingham Civic League is run by Dee Swan, and her husband. This Civic League was established to supply people with a hot meal, a bagged meal, and seconds. These people are usually fed by the Salvation Army Monday through Friday.

The service project starts with the usual meeting in the parking lot of Our Lady of Fatima, at around 8:30 in the morning. We then car pool into two cars and drive to the Civic League. The drive is short and we’re there in fifteen minutes.

We arrive early, in order to set up chairs and assist Dee in preparing food. Preparing the food usually consists of such tasks as chopping onions, slicing bread, wrapping napkins around silver ware, and tossing salad. The other scouts set up the chairs and tables for the people to dine at.

Once people begin to arrive, usually one scout or a group of two walk around with the sign in book. This book is required in order for the Civic League to obtain government funding. This part of the service project, you may encounter some colorful characters. Some of the people who dine here are either mentally challenged, or socially troubled. You may encounter some people signing in under such pen names as Bugs Bunny, or Daffy Duck.

Once everyone is signed in the serving begins. Half of the scouts at this point act as waiters and walk around with a menu, and take peoples’ order. The scouts then bring the orders back to the kitchen, where a buffet style serving system is set up. The other half the scouts are within the kitchen taking the orders and transferring the food from the serving dishes to the people’s plates. Then the food is brought back out to the guests and is served to them.

Once the guests have finished eating we offer them a bag lunch which usually consists of a sandwich, chips, a fruit, a drink and other small snacks to hopefully hold the guests over until Salvation Army resumes their program again on Monday. There is also an option for seconds for the guests who may still be hungry.

Some guests mingle and the scouts interact with them. We have been surprised with some guests, one being an amazing pianist who performed for us, and another being a Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School graduate. Once all the guests have cleared out, we begin to clean up. In the hall where the guests eat, the tables are broken down, and the chairs are stacked. One scout sweeps up, and another may take out the trash. Other Scouts and are enlisted to clean up duty in the kitchen washing dishes, or wiping counters.

Overall the Framingham Civic League is a great experience and you will leave with a great feeling of accomplish and fell good about yourself. It is a heart warming time, and it unique from many other service projects. You get to see up close and personal the people you are dealing with, and get to see the impact you have on them. You will often see a standing ovation from the guests when you are finished serving them the food. You are appreciated so much, and are making a difference.

June Outing to Shawme-Crowell State Park in Sandwich on Cape Cod

Published on June 22, 2008 in Outdoor Activity. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

2008 june outing 300x224 June Outing to Shawme Crowell State Park in Sandwich on Cape CodTroop 63′s June outing was at Shawme-Crowell State Park in Sandwich on Cape Cod right next to the Sagamore Bridge. The campground is in a forest not far from the Cape Cod canal and just a few miles from the long beach of Sandy Neck.

TOTN’ CHIP and FIREM’N CHIT classes were presented. Ian was a masterful chef, presenting an outstanding Indian dish for dinner and a very good apple pie dessert. In the morning we enjoyed delicious French Toast with fresh fruit and maple syrup.

Ben says the skits were very creative and funny. “One was about the Vindow Viper. It is basically a funny story about misunderstanding: a window wiper but he has an accent. ‘I am the Vindow Viper and I be there in Von Year.’”

“In the day time, we went on a canal trip (from HYLINE Cruises at Onset Town Pier) on a boat accompanied by a guide detailing the canal’s construction, and educating all aboard about the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, construction of the Bourne and Sagamore bridges (and the celebration thereof), and numerous other points of historical and/or nautical interest. We viewed the bike paths running along either side of the canal populated by fishermen, cyclists, and a lone rollerblader. We saw a bridge for trains, some remote islands, and the split rock. One half moves one inch closer to the water every year. If we go back next year, it will be a bit closer.”

“We also did some hiking but the bugs defeated us.”

The troop visited and explored the Sandwich Fish Hatchery featuring Brook, Brown, Tiger, and Rainbow Trout from fingerlings to enormous breeding stock. Scouts delighted in feeding the fish (food dispensed from coin operated containers).

june outing1 300x180 June Outing to Shawme Crowell State Park in Sandwich on Cape Cod