Pack it in, pack it out

The troop gathered at the gate to the Cheaha Trailhead.

Troop 50 conducted its first backpacking expedition Nov. 23-24 on the Pinhoti Trail System in North Alabama. Eight Scouts and three leaders started at the Cheaha Trailhead adjacent to Cheaha State Park and snaked through portions of the Cheaha Wilderness and Talladega National Forest. Subscribing to the "pack-in, pack-out" philosophy, each Scout and leader carried his own personal gear and food, as well as a portion of tenting, cooking, water filtration, and other troop gear that had been divided among the 11 backpackers.

The birthday boy:
Scoutmaster Baird

In a year of firsts as a new troop, the outing was more than the first backpacking trip the troop took. It was also the first chance it had to celebrate its scoutmaster's birthday — which coincidentally was on the Saturday of the campout. While Mr. Baird was adorned in festive hat wear, the troop serenaded him with a quick round of "Happy Birthday" in the parking lot of First Presbyterian Church before departing.

With a mist still hanging in the air from overnight and morning rains, the group set out from the Cheaha Trailhead around 9:30 a.m. They connected with the Pinhoti Trail and, after passing McDill Point and the remaining wreckage of a 1972 plane crash, the group stopped at an overlook for lunch around 12:45 p.m. For lunch, everyone enjoyed a trail lunch of items that included crackers, peanut butter, trail mix, and other snacks that were sure to boost energy and fill bellies.

The troop at the transition point to Cave Creek Trail.

SPL Andrew leads efforts
to siphon, filter and
purify water for personal
use and cooking from
a creek along the trail.

About an hour and a half after returning to the trail, the troop transitioned to the Cave Creek Trail. At the creek, everyone stopped to refill water bottles with water filtered from the creek. With a little more than five miles and seven hours logged on the trail, the troop arrived at its campsite. With the sun setting, and wind gusts and colder temperatures settling in, fire and shelter seemed to be the highest priorities. Once tents were pitched and the fire blazing, Scouts unpacked cooking equipment and food to prepare the evening's dinner.

Scouts Louie and Mark, assisted by Scoutmaster Baird, prepared a chicken and rice meal using the backpacking stoves and pots that had been packed in with other troop gear. A variety of snacks and other trail food rounded out the meal, and when everyone realized they had eaten by 6 p.m. and were ready for bed, a number of Scouts joked about eating and going to bed early like "old people" (which, because it was the scoutmaster's birthday, was met with more than a raised eyebrow!). However, with the dropping temperatures, everyone being in their tents by 8:30 p.m. didn't seem like a joking matter.

Soaking up the last little bit of warmth before hitting the sack!

The contents of several
water bottles froze
overnight!

Waking up to temperatures in the low 30s — a little colder with the wind chill — Scouts went straight for warm oatmeal for breakfast. Once the troop finished breakfast and packed up the gear, it gathered around a stoked campfire for a devotional focused on service. Scouts discussed the troop's mission of servant leadership and Jesus' call in Matthew 20 to be a servant to others by seeking to serve and not to be served. In a small recognition of this idea, the Scouts gathered a pile of firewood to leave for the next campers who use the site. Shortly thereafter, the troop hit the trail for the homestretch, adding roughly another 90 minutes and two miles to their backpacking adventure.

In the troop's monthly Patrol Leaders' Council meeting the following Monday evening, the troop's youth leaders spoke enthusiastically about the experience. While the group included both first-time backpackers and Philmont veterans, it was noted that everyone did their part and worked well together. The veterans were able to teach new camping skills, such as filtering water, hanging a bear bag, digging a sump, and cooking with the Whisperlite stoves. The new Scouts absorbed their lessons well and are now ready for more backpacking adventures. In discussing the positive aspects of the campout, the PLC members even spoke fondly of the singing ability of the troop's own "Pandora" radio. In reflecting on lessons learned to improve future campouts, it was noted that having proper personal equipment is very important, especially in regard to the weather. The overall positive assessment of the trip came from the SPL, who noted that "the only bad thing is, it was cold."     

For more photos, check out the troop's online photo album.

Honoring the journey along the Trail to Eagle

On Sunday, Nov. 17, Troop 50 honored its third Eagle Scout of 2013 -- this one being Daniel Meadows, who was joined by family and friends for this singular Scouting honor.

Troop 50's newest Eagle Scout, Daniel Meadows, pictured with his
parents Bobby and Karla Meadows

Daniel's dad displays a walking stick
with decorations marking Daniel's
Scouting accomplishments and
activities.

Senior Patrol Leader Andrew called the ceremony to order, and Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford offered an invocation. Daniel's father, Bobby, who also serves as the Saugahatchee District's advancement chair, narrated the "Voice of the Eagle," which outlined the steps along the Trail to Eagle that Daniel completed during his Scouting journey. He then brought out a walking stick that had accompanied Daniel, Karla, and him on many of the camping experiences they had shared over the years. It was adorned with decorations marking his advancement milestones and camping experiences. His father noted that, while a new emblem denoting the achievement of earning the rank of Eagle appeared on the staff, there was much more room for Daniel to document his continued Scouting journey and adventures.

Daniel takes the Eagle Scout Promise.

Scoutmaster Andrew Baird explained the significance of a Scout earning the rank of Eagle and; after having Daniel, his dad, and his mother Karla escorted to the place of honor; administered the Eagle Scout Promise to Daniel -- with other Eagle Scouts in attendance joining in the recitation. Next, Daniel's mother presented him with his Eagle Scout medal and his father presented him with his Eagle Scout neckerchief slide. In turn, Daniel presented Eagle Scout Mom and Eagle Scout Dad pins to each of his parents.

Michael Tullier, chartered organization representative, presented Daniel with a membership in the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) on behalf of the troop, as well as a Chattahoochee Council Eagle Scout council strip. He also announced Daniel's "promotion" to junior assistant scoutmaster in recognition of obtaining the rank of Eagle and presented to him a position patch for his uniform.

Daniel presents an Eagle Scout Mentor
pin to his father.

Daniel then expressed his appreciation to everyone attending the ceremony. He summarized his Eagle Scout project, which was cleaning and staining a tower at Opelika High School where he is a student and band member. The tower is used by the marching band's director during band practice. He also constructed a table to be used by the band director at the top level of the tower. He then thanked those who had helped him achieve this milestone -- with special appreciation, and the presentation of an Eagle Scout Mentor pin, to his dad.


After the ceremony's conclusion, those in attendance enjoyed refreshments and took the opportunity to congratulate Daniel personally.

For all the pictures from Daniel's Eagle Scout Court of Honor, visit the troop's online photo album.

From the time the Eagle Scout rank was first presented in 1912 through its centennial year in 2012, more than two million Boy Scouts have earned the rank. Last year, 57,976 Scouts earned the Eagle Scout rank — more than in any previous year and around 7 percent of all Boy Scouts who were members in 2012. The average age of boys earning the Eagle Scout rank last year was 17 years of age.

A hiking we will go

In preparation of the troop's upcoming backpacking trip on November 23-24, the troop is focusing its next few meeting programs on backpacking tips.

Philmont veterans (left to right) Will, Davis (back) and Andrew
discuss the various gear Scouts should consider for the
troop's upcoming backpacking trip.

This past meeting, Assistant Scoutmaster Davis Baird, Senior Patrol Leader Andrew, and troop Quartermaster William shared tips they acquired during their summer Philmont expedition. The trio offered suggestions regarding footwear, clothing, sleeping bags, and gear -- and the best methods for packing your gear. Other Scouts in attendance offered their own suggestions based on their camping experience as well.

Making service to the community a 'blast'

Troop 50 Scouts and leaders fulfilled the troop's mission of servant leadership and community service by volunteering to staff two events at the Kevin Bell Memorial Scholarship Fund Blast and Cast. The event memorializes Kevin Bell, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 29 from Friedreich’s Ataxia, a neurological disorder which robbed him of the ability to walk and to write by the age 11. Kevin loved education and after pursuing his own education at Auburn University, he taught as his condition allowed as a substitute teacher in Auburn City Schools.

His mother, Debbie Allen, along with friends Andy and Pam LaMar, created the annual event at the LaMar's property in Waverly to fund a scholarship at Auburn University to support deserving Auburn High School students attending Auburn in pursuit of education degrees. With the scholarship fully endowed after the 2012 event, this year's Blast and Cast focused on funding scholarships to support local veterans who wished to return to college to earn a degree.

Troop 50 ran two events -- tomahawk throwing and slingshot shooting -- amid the other events that scored four-man teams numbering nearly 60 competitors on their accuracy with these projectiles and clay shooting,  as well as throwing knives, pistols and rifles. Slingshot shooting was a new, "surprise" event added this year and was left a mystery until teams arrived today for the event.

The Tomahawk Toss crew included (left to right) Troop Committee Chair
Rob Stanford, Scouts Kyle, William and Davis, and Assistant Scoutmaster
J.P. Pendleton.

The Slingshot Shooting crew included (left to right) Scouts John and Mark,
and Assistant Scoutmasters Wade Daniel and Jim Perry.

For more information about the annual Blast and Cast, visit the Kevin Bell Memorial Scholarship Fund page on Facebook, and see more photos from the event in our online photo album.