Backpacking Ward Pound Ridge

Wow, Troop 4 scouts are awesome.  We managed to backpack around the remote areas of Ward Pound Ridge Reservion this weekend with full packs.  We covered over 7 miles and made camp in two separate campsites.

I think all the scouts continued to get better at planning, packing, and working as a team.  While we had a few hiccups and had to repack a few packs to more optimally carry the load I believe that each scout has a better feel for what he really needs to bring and how best to prepare his gear and pack.  We also learned it's important to empty your pack after each trip so you don't end up with two of everything on the next trip and doubling your weight with unecissary stuff.

The new scouts were fantastic and are getting better at the rhythms of camping and supporting each other on group activities so the Patrols can enjoy themselves.  Setting up camp, cooking, cleaning, and camp breakdown required far less prodding from the Patrol leaders than earlier trips.  A shared burden on the required work makes the trip much more fun for the entire group.

I also hope the new scouts came away with a sense of accomplishment for completing something big. Most would not have been able to do this even a few months ago and some even doubted their capabilities before the hike, yet they all finished and finished strongly.  They are ready for bigger and more interesting activities and challenges.

Cards were played during downtime and skits written and practiced for the Troop's evening entertainment.  During our final campfire of the year the scouts performed two of their most important responsibilities, electing a new Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) and starting their outing planning for our next Scouting year.  More on both at our Court of Honor next week.

We also had a visitor who fascinated the Troop.

A huge Black Rat Snake visited our campsite.  More info on this and other snakes of NY can be found here: http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/snakes.pdf

For a complete look into our campout the full photographic record of the weekend can be found on our Troop photo page:

https://picasaweb.google.com/114081196567743974684/WardPoundRidgeBackpackingTripJune2014?noredirect=1

Looking forward to seeing everyone tonight.  Remember we are doing our Board of Reviews and every Scout needs to be in uniform and have their handbooks.

Memorial Day Parade

Had a great turnout for the parade yesterday.  We had a beautiful day and all our scouts marched well and were appropriately reverent during the ceremony.  Thanks to all of the scouts and other marchers who helped our town remember. 

For all our photos please check out our Troop album at:

https://picasaweb.google.com/114081196567743974684/MemorialDayParade2014?noredirect=1

Just one more reminder on summer camp checks.  I am heading down to the council office tomorrow and if your scout is going to camp I need your check.  After this week the cost goes up from $385 to $425.

Hudson Valley Orienteering

Ran two courses today at the Hudaon Valley Orienteering meet at the Tackonic Outdoor Education Center.  Getting some practice in for the big Orienteering competition in North Salem in October.  That event is also sponsored by the Hudaon Valley Club and is a nationally sanctioned competition.

Chris and Henry made a couple of wrong turns and struggled through the Yellow course allowing Marcus, Tony and Donato to beat them by a few minutes, but they redeemed themselves on the White course setting the course record for the day's competition.