Boy Scout boot camp

Anyone driving by or roaming the halls of First Presbyterian Church last night may have thought Scouts were practicing drills for basic training, as our newest Scouts logged their first efforts toward completing requirements for the Tenderfoot rank through a variety of physical skill assessments. Requirement 10 of the Tenderfoot rank requires Scouts to record their best efforts, then in 30 days show improvement, in physical tests such as...

...the long jump...

...sit-ups....

...pushups...

...and pull-ups.

Scouts working toward the Scout and Tenderfoot ranks met with Scoutmaster Baird and Troop Guide Davis to review progress toward completing those requirements. The troop also discussed plans for the setting up a model campsite and reprising its trebuchet demonstration at ScoutFest, part of the City of Auburn CityFest, on Saturday, Apr. 26. Having burned a few calories at the start of the meeting, the troop gladly partook in birthday cake and ice cream at the end of the meeting to celebrate Davis' birthday.

Eagles Two

      This week's meeting of the Saugahatchee District Eagle Board saw the approval of two new Eagle Scouts from Troop 50. Vincent Chu and Ethan Smith sat for their boards of review and each equally impressed the Board with their Scouting knowledge, leadership skills, and accomplishment of their Eagle service projects.  Their names now take their place on the roster of Eagle Scouts in the Troop 50 Eagle's Nest, found on our website.

Vincent with his current scoutmaster and former Cub Scout den leader.

       For his project, Vincent completed a bee enclosure for the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve. Two honey bee hives are recent additions to the Preserve and the enclosure serves as a barrier, behind which visitors may observe the hives. In addition, the project also includes two benches for use when classes are held about the work of the bees. Photos from his project are found on the troop's Online Photo Gallery.
      Vincent has attended National Youth Leadership Training and also served on the NYLT staff in 2011. He previously served as a Senior Patrol Leader and has served Troop 50 as a Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. He recently transitioned to an adult leadership role and currently serves the troop as an assistant scoutmaster.

Ethan with his proud family.

       Ethan's Eagle service project involved the construction of a bridge in the outdoor activities area at Ogletree Elementary School. The 24-foot long bridge stretches across a wash where water collects during rainstorms. The bridge allows students to move between the outdoor classroom and other activity areas without walking through a potentially muddy area. Photos of the project may be found on the Online Photo Gallery.
      Ethan served as Troop 50's founding Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and has also served in Scouting as a Patrol Leader, Instructor, and Quartermaster. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow and attended National Youth Leadership Training. He will soon take on a new role as a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster in the troop.

      The troop now has two Eagle Court's of Honor to hold in the near future. In addition, with several other Eagle service projects in various stages of planning, the potential exists for other Scouts from the troop to also advance to Eagle this year. Please join me in congratulating Ethan and Vincent on their accomplishment while cheering on those who will soon follow them.
 

Spring camporee challenges Scouts' pioneering, team-building skills

Troop 50 returned to Chewacla State Park's Civilian Conservation Corps Campsite for the Saugahatchee District's annual Frank Horky Spring Camporee. The troop joined five other troops and more than 120 Scouts and leaders from both the Saugahatchee and Muskogee Districts.

Because the threat of rain kept most troops at home Friday night, Troop 50 spent a quiet evening in camp before getting up Saturday to welcome the arrival of its newest Boy Scouts, who recently joined from area Cub Scout packs, as well as to ready for the competitive events of the day.

Troop 50 Scouts recover one of the
"injured" during the emergency
preparedness drill.

Some Scouts participated in the morning's emergency preparedness drill, which included a mock troop mobilization and first aid exercise.

After lunch, the troop's two patrols competed in a variety of events testing Scouts' team-work skills while vying for the coveted Spring Camporee kudu horn.

Creighton tosses the tomahawk.

In addition to the Tomahawk Toss, which Troop 50 ran, other events included:

John competes in the Bow Saw Relay

Bow Saw Relay, where Scouts used a bow saw correctly to cut a given number of wood medallions in the shortest amount of time.

Robert leads the knot-tying portion of the Log Lift.

Log Lift, where Scouts created a rope-and-pulley system to lift a log off the ground a certain height and hold for a given amount of time.

The Turn Up Patrol attempts to help Louie "walk" the A-Frame.

A-Frame Walk, where Scouts used a lashed-together “A-Frame” and a system of ropes to "walk" a given distance in the shortest amount of time.

The Turn Ups safely deliver the hot isotope to the safe zone.

Hot Isotope, requiring Scouts to move an item from point A to point B in the shortest amount of time using ropes, bungee cords, and coordinated teamwork.

The patrol discusses strategy before beginning the Portage Race.

Portage Race, through which Scouts toted a canoe and other given equipment through a pre-established course in the shortest amount of time.

Senior Patrol Leader William helps ready a lashed-together tripod
before the start of the campsite inspection.

Campsite Inspection, where organization, cleanliness, and camping best-practices were evaluated and scored.

Dutch Oven Cookoff, where Scouts' cast-iron culinary skills were put to the (taste) test.

Animal Tracking, where Scouts tried to identify as many animal tracks as possible.

While some of the troop departed to participate in the Pack 29 Arrow of Light Crossover Ceremony, others remained at the camporee to attend the awards campfire. The troop was recognized for a third-place finish in the Campsite Inspection, and the Turn Up Patrol placed first in the Bow Saw Relay and second in the Hot Isotope event.

The troop reassembled after the campfire and crossover ceremony, settled in for the evening, and then the rain set in! Scouts and leaders awoke Sunday morning after several hours of rain, which continued through the time the troop departed camp. While rain marked the end to the second campout in a row, Scouts and leaders noted during the Patrol Leaders Council the following Monday evening that challenges such as those help the troop better prepare for future events. The PLC members also praised how everyone worked together as a team in the events, especially in welcoming our newest Scouts. To better prepare the newer Scouts and sharpen skills for seasoned Scouts, the next several troop meetings will focus on camping equipment, menu planning and food preparation, and other camping-related Scout skills.

Find more photos and video from the Spring Camporee in the troop's online photo album.

Webelos 'take aim' at troop during Arrow of Light ceremonies

The Troop 50 family is growing as a result of two recent Arrow of Light crossover ceremonies. We're delighted these Scouts have chosen to continue their Scouting journey into Boy Scouts, and that their Trail to Eagle will include Troop 50. Many of our new Boy Scouts have already been attending meetings and activities while Webelos Scouts, and we're excited to make them official Boy Scouts in our troop.

Liam accepts an arrow keepsake from
Pack 811 as part of the pack's
Arrow of Light and Crossover
Ceremony.

The first of these ceremonies was Pack 811's, conducted on March 16 at Auburn University's Ag Heritage Park. At that ceremony, Liam became Troop 50's first new Scout of 2014 as he crossed the bridge into Boy Scouting.

The second ceremony was Pack 29's, conducted on April 5 at Auburn United Methodist Church. The ceremony included nearly 20 Webelos Scouts from two dens, and 10 of those chose to join Troop 50.

In addition to being represented by the Webelos joining the troop, the ceremony also included two founding Scouts of Troop 50 — Andrew and Davis — who appeared as two of the four Native American principals who each represented one of the four winds — North, South, East and West. At the end of the ceremony, Webelos were escorted to different areas where each of the troops receiving their new Scouts were stationed. Both Andrew and Davis earned the Arrow of Light as Webelos themselves and are alumni of Pack 29. For more photos from the Pack 29 Arrow of Light Ceremony, view the troop's online photo album.

New Boy Scouts from Pack 29 include  (left to right), front row:
Everett, Ethan, Clayton, Jason, and Joe; middle row: Aiden, Creighton,
and Jack; back row: Scoutmaster Andrew Baird, Rusty, senior Troop 50
Scouts Davis and Andrew, and Ryan.

We're excited about the addition of our newest Scouts and wish them all much success on their Trail to Eagle!