AT Segment #3

Last Saturday we had a spectacular autumn day for a hike and completed our third AT segment. 

Our Troop goal is to hike the entire length of the AT in NY State.  We completed 19 miles and have 65 miles to go.

Completed Segment Map

Still to be Completed

For a complete photo record of the trip check out our Troop album here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WDJELRraQ2MHyUEB7

Backpacking in the Adirondack Mountains

Henry Balch and Chris James returned from college to accompany the older scouts on our annual Mini Venture.  This year's trip took us to the West Canada Wilderness Area in the Adirondack Mountains for a backpacking trip.  The Troop ended up hiking 27.7 miles through breathtaking scenery and some ferocious downpours over our 3 days and four nights on the trail.

The lean-tos along the trail were in relatively good shape and placed in convenient and scenic spots.  After hiking for over an hour in the rain we were extremely happy to stumble across one where we could wait out the worst of the day 2 storm.

We carried everything we needed into the wilderness and in true Leave No Trace fashion packed all our garbage out.

For a view of all the picture from this awesome trip please check out the Troop picture folder here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/YhD34fZRdDESWwJz8

Summer Camp 2018

Waubeeka

Camp Read 2018

Summer Camp is in the books.  Ten Troop 4 Scouts attended Scout Camp up at the Curtis S Reade Scout Reservation.  Once again the Troop participated in the Patrol cooking camp at Waubeeka where they were responsible for their meals during the week as well as the upkeep of the campsite.

The Troop stayed at our traditional site above the waterfront in Haystack.

Days spent working on merit badges and relaxing in Haystack are a great way to wrap up the summer.

I would like to thank all the fathers and leaders who gave some time and were onsite this week, but I wanted to specifically call out John Vilkelis for a very special thank you.  John spent the entire week onsite and without John camp this year would not have happened.

For all the photos from this year's Camp Read experience please check out the Troop photo album here: 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/yb4KJk9NAP9XDVMYA

Phantom Island Campout -2018

No Troop 4 outing is ever complete without a little rain, and we got that in spades.  The ride over and camp set up was wet and cold, but fortunately the sun came out on Saturday and dried us out.

Fishing seemed to be the order of the day Saturday morning and Troop 4 killed it.  Over 40 fish caught and released.  Unfortunately, bass season does not open until 3rd weekend in June or this guy would have been dinner.

Besides fishing, canoeing and kayaking were high on everyone's list of must do's with trips across the channel to the Island General Store for ice cream a must do for everyone.

Some cliff jumping to round out the day and then on to the serious business of electing our new SPL.  Congrats to Philly, we are looking forward to seeing how he tops this year.

A special Troop thanks to Captain Michael for piloting the boat and shuttling the troops back and forth to the dock and on their adventures around the Lake.

For all the picture from the weekend please check out our Troop Album:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/prz1HnHtEttj8vgM2

First Spring Campout + Ziplining

Last weekend we had a great first outing of the Spring.  The Troop went to the Bridgeport Adventure Park for their ropes course and then to Camp Wah Wah Taysee in CT for an overnight.  The new Scouts were awesome and managed to seamlessly join the Troop 4 campout rhythms, setting up their tents, joining in the cooking, cleaning, and general camp chores like they have been doing it forever. 

A special thanks to John K. and Andy S. for joining in on the campout.

For a complete photo record of the campout please check out the album link here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/bn8w42nFRTbZbolh2

Our First Eagle Scout! - Congrats to William O'Leary

Last night Troop 4 reached an important milestone when William O'Leary passed his Eagle Board of Review and became Troop 4's 1st Eagle Scout.  I am so proud of William for his effort and determination, but I am even prouder thinking back to 5 years ago when William was still 12 and he took a leap of faith and helped start this brand new Troop.  Many of the traits of the Troop that we take for granted were forged by William and his peers and have left a stamp on the culture of the Troop that many who will never know William will benefit from.

William graduates this June from North Salem and will attend Connecticut College this fall as part of their Class of 2022.

On Saturday, May 19th we will hold a public Eagle Ceremony to celebrate William's achievement and I hope you all can join us to celebrate this milestone.  An invitation with details will be available soon.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/T68tE2fB4tVzJTJt2

Gore Mountain Ski Trip - 2018

In what may be our last visit to Gore we had the good fortune to hit the mountain after two significant snowfalls in the previous seven days.  By 8:30am Saturday morning, 100% of the mountain was open for skiing.

We stayed in the Log Cabin at Read, where we slept, ate, and rested between ski days.  This year we had to take care of our own cooking which was a step up in quality but required a little more effort from the Scouts which they handled admirably.

The Westchester/Putnam Council has canceled all Winter Activities at Read due to budget problems so we will begin to look for other ideas for next year's Ski Adventure.

For a full photo record of our trip please check out our photo album here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/T7N6vdrQ32JOsLwx2