Troop185

It has been a few years, but I have backpacked at Sylvania, the Porkies, Picture Rock, and Isle Royale. Because of the 'bugs', the later in the summer you go, the better. Isle Royale is most crowded the last two weeks of July, and the 1st week of August (after that, everyone has to get back to school; and then, it is not so bad.) I do not care for the boat ride over (15' waves the last time I did it, 1999). Everyone was sea sick!

If you are willing to drive about 3 hours past Picture Rock, and wait through Customs, I would highly recommend the Coastal Trail in Lake Superior Provincial Park, about 2 hrs. north of Sault Ste. Marie. It is the hardest trail I have every backpacked. The views along Lake Superior are great, and it will not be crowded. Lots and lots of bolder beaches; you have to watch where you step on the rocks. A good change to see a moose or a bear; and you can swim in the lake every evening (a very quick swim).

Over Labor Day weekend, in 2011, I had two patrols on the coastal trail (I was on a easier trail, with some new scouts). One patrol started from the south, and one from the north. They did not see anyone else on the trail, except when they passed each other! The scouts loved it, the adults, not so much (blisters and not being in shape). All wish they had an extra day to slow down and enjoy the trail. They did 15 miles in 2 1/2 days; but it felt like 30 miles! When I did this trail before, we took 4 days to do the same, 15 miles. One scout had been to Philmont that summer. He said the trail was tougher than the trails at Philmont.

The entire trail is probably 40 miles. Some other parts of it are not as challenging, and you can hear the traffic from Hwy. 17, which I do not like. If the rocks get wet from rain, dew, or fog, the trail can become very slippery. The scouts did the part from Orphan Lake to Gargantua Harbor.

http://lakesuperiorpark.ca/index.php/activities/32-hiking-the-coastal-trail

One of our Assistant Scoutmaster, send out this "test", to remind the scouts and Webelos, of what to bring to a recreation outing, at the University of Toledo:

~~Test for Scouts going to Toledo

1. At 8:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, I should be:

a. Sleeping in my bed.

b. Eating my breakfast.

c. Walking the dog.

d. At Our Lady of the Lakes parking lot!

2. I should:

a. Wear my snow suit.

b. Wear my gym clothing.

c. Wear my swim suit.

d. Wear my uniform!

3. I should bring:

a. $9.00, plus money for dinner at the Golden Corral

b. Troop Permission Form, U of T Release Form.

c. Gym clothing, swimming suit & towel, sack lunch.

d. All of the above.

4. If I forget my lunch:

a. I will learn how to beg.

b. Run out of money.

c. It will be a long afternoon.

d. All of the above.

5. It is OK to throw a dodge ball at Mr. Smith:

a. Never

b. In my dreams.

c. As long as I miss.

d. Real soft, so he can catch it!

6. The best Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 185 is:

a. Mr. Smith

b. Mr. Smith

c. Mr. Smith

d. What do you mean, you want another choice?

My daughter and my grandson, participate in a indoor triathlon, at a local college, two or three times a year. They swim in a pool, ride a stationary bike, and then a treadmill for 20 minutes each. One of the activities I do, to keep myself in shape, is to swim a half mile, 3 times a week. So, I was very surprise two years ago, when my grandson, then 8 years old, and a Wolf Scout did his first triathlon. He swam more laps in 20 minutes in the pool, than I can do in the same time!

I invite the 1st yr. Boy Scouts up to my cabin every summer. The cabin is on 18 acres on the Pere Marquette River in Michigan. We kayak, canoe, tube the river, plus backpack out for a night, at the Sand Dunes next to Lake Michigan. I have a low ropes course, bb’s guns, and archery, at the cabin. We do a lot in three days.

We do a kayak practice, on a lake at home, before we leave for the trip. This summer, a new scout show up for kayak practice, with a boy they were babysitting. This boy had been in Webelos, but his mother did not want him to go on to Boy Scouts. She had been a swimmer, and wants him to concentrate on the swim team. The boy wanted to practice kayaking with us. One thing led to another, and I invited him to join us, for the trip to the cabin.

To make a long story, short: this boy was my favorite on the trip. A very nice kid, and he loved everything we were doing. (He was building a fire, when the Boy Scouts were inside playing cards.) He wants to be in Boy Scouts, but cannot talk his parents into it. Hopefully, his parents will come to their senses. But if not, I enjoyed spending the three days with him.

~~What are some other reccomendation for games that can be fun for both boy scouts, and webelos to play.

Our scouts and Webelos love Capture the Flag. You can play it with any age scouts.

I can tell you what we do:

We have a large troop, and have Tenderfoot Weekend around the 1st weekend in May every year. It is at a local park, and we had 16 new scouts, and about 25 older scouts attend this year.

About 5 years ago, we started invited the Webelos to join us, Saturday afternoon until 9:30 a.m. the next morning. One or two older scouts, some Eagle Rank, are assign to work with each Webelos Den. They go over the Outdoorsman Requirements with the Webelos, plus prepare a skit with them, for the evening campfire. The fringe benefits for the troop, is that the Webelos (and their parents) get to see our older scouts, working with the new scouts, and signing off their requirements. Also, at the campfire, the new scouts are all given the troop's neckerchief. Their parents are invited out for the campfire. We might have as many as 130 people at the campfire, and 12 Dutch Ovens going.

The Webelos sleep in the troop's scouts tents. Their adult partner sleep in platform tents that the park has, or bring their own tent. The older scouts that are working with the Webelos, sleep in tents by the Webelos - just in case, the Webelos have a problem in the night.

I spend the winters in Florida, but got a Michigan BSA license plate last winter. They send me 3 plates, before they got it right, with 185 on it. I put the other two plates on my wife's golf cart.

Last Friday, I was crossing the border, from Ontario into Michigan with the scouts. I was pulling a canoe trailer, and the security guard ask me what my van license plate was. He got out of his booth, to go look at my plate!

~~Hey T-185, we do the Bruce Peninsula every other Memorial Day, beautiful. Do you make the trip in one evening? We usually stop at Camp Atawandaron on Friday.

Hoping not to steal this threat: Years ago, Camp Atawandaron had a Can/Am Campout. My son (who is 38 now) attended for two years, and really enjoy the scouts from Ontario. One year, they would give the troop a nice campsite, the next, a poor one (low area with lots of bugs). Our troop was due to get the poor campsite, the year I finally talked them into going to the Bruce. We have been going to the Bruce since then.

The 1st yr. we drove up to the Bruce, on Friday evening. We stayed in a group site at Stable Fall Provincial Park, at the base of the Peninsula. This was a mistake, since it was only another hour drive to the Bruce National Park. Since then, we drive straight to the park, and set up for 3 nights.

Now days, most of our schools system, give the scouts, Friday and Monday off. So we leave on Friday morning, and set up the tents, for anyone coming up after work. I marked the empty tents, with white cloths, so when the late group arrive (around midnight), they do not have to wake everyone up! The early group, has time to get out to the Bruce Trail, and see the grotto, etc. that Friday evening.

We look for 3 day weekend, so we have time to go into Ontario. We are going to the Bruce Peninsula this weekend, and it is 300 miles for us (from Michigan). It is not a holiday in Canada, and the campgrounds are not crowded there. Our main problem is going through customs, when we return on Monday - it takes a least an hour.

Even though everyone can not go, we always find, that Ontario is worth the trip! We try to go, every two - three years.

~~a rock concert! Another reason to hate Camporee.

I have never understood Boy Scout Camp. Taps at 11:00 p.m, up at 7:00 a.m. Many years ago, when my son was a 1st yr. scout, he went to Boy Scout Camp for 6 days. I picked him up at camp on Saturday, and he talked my ear off for about 10 minutes. He slept the rest of the way back home. He was exhausted! Scouts, especially young scouts, need a lot more sleep than 8 hours.

Our troop decided about 10 years ago, that taps would be at 10, not at 11:00. Scouts are not dumb; they know they need their sleep.

Several years ago, I was a Provisional Scoutmaster for 40 scouts in a Boy Scout Camp. Taps was at 11:00, but my group went to bed at 10:00. I never had a problems with the scouts. After the 1 night, they were glad to get the extra sleep.

today, I do a lot of wilderness camping with small group of scouts. Going to bed is never a problem; the bugs usually drive everyone in by 9:30. Also, everyone is so tired after the 1st night (especially me), that we have not stay up to see the stars in about 5 years (one of my favorite things). Some days we are up at 6:00 a.m. if we have somewhere to go to. Some days we take it easy, and the scouts sleep in to 9:00 a.m. I have had several adults tell me, that the only time they get any sleep, is when they go camping with us!

When my son became a Boy Scout (1985), I had a lump in my throat. I thought "He is no longer a little guy!"

When I first got involved with our troop (about 30 years ago), they never went to any place they could not drive into. They had a large hot water heater, that rode on the tongue of the troop trailer. Two men had to carry it empty. They would keep a fire going under it all day. When you needed hot water, you pore cold water in the top, and hot water would come out on the side. If was really, kind of neat.

The first campout I went on with the troop, all they did was eat and wash dishes. They would get the last scout done washing his mess kit, and then, start cooking the next meal. After dinner, they got the dutch ovens out to cook some cobbler. "How about we use paper plates", I suggested. "Oh no, we can not do that!"

Even back then, as far as I know, no one sleep on cots. At Camporee, there were some RVs from other troops. They said that was the only way they could get the adults to come!

Now days, our scouts (and adults) still do not sleep on cots (except at one summer camp we go to). About the only time we use the troop trailer, is for Tenderfoot Weekend, and summer camps. When we are not backpacking or canoeing into a campsite, we do use paper plates. Scouts that do not have KP, have to wash their own silverware and mug. The emphasis is on getting out of the campsite and seeing the sites. We usually take a trail lunch with us, and eat on the trail. I cannot remember when we ate lunch at our campsite.

They have some spoof patches here: I do not know if they have anything for a Cub Master wife?

http://www.boyscoutstore.com/patches/spoof-patches/

I had a lump in my throat when my son (my youngest) cross over to Boy Scouts. I thought, "Well he is not a little guy anymore!"

Three years later, when he had his Eagle Ceremony, I was happy but not emotional. His grandfather had come up from Florida to talk at the ceremony. His wife, my mother had died, and listening to my dad, I felt like she was still there with us. But Eagle was just another step into my son development as a fine, young man.

I am still trying to get over a pack campout at Fort Wilderness! Wow! I wish I was in your pack.

While I agree that open water courses are the best for the award, it has been acceptable to do it in a pool for decades. Also agree that the spotter and/or observer should add lengths or disqualify if stops are made with feet down, it is not easier necessarily in a pool. I have done 25 official swims in lakes, the ocean, or pools, and frankly, the constant losing of momentum with the turns is tiring; and often you also have to contend with other swimmers either doing laps or just fooling around, which can cause collisions and unexpected water in your mouth. Most camps at which I have done it require a quarter early in the week, and sometimes a half too, before doing the total distance. It has always been a personal thing with me that I have done a few extra lengths to be sure I made the distance and did not miscount or have my observer miscount; and I have felt annoyed at times when they allow kids to stop and start. Ultimately, you always know if you actually did the real thing; and you live with your self judgments.

 

I do not agree with the occasional camp that has allowed a cumulative swim, giving credit for a quarter one day, then another the next and so on.

 

Had one older scout who only made it to first class due to swimming issues, go with me to count in a pool. He decided he wanted to try it. But the only stroke he did well was the elementary back stroke. So, he did it, on his back almost the entire way. He is now a Lt. Colonel in the army and was a Ranger. He jokes that if the gear in the water test was any longer, he would likely be a grunt forever. His daughter already has had extensive lessons, and he will soon put his son in them as well, and he is only 3 I think.

We would count any activity offer by the troop, or a patrol; beside the regular troop meeting. Both examples given would be acceptable.

Qwazse wrote in another forums:

" But, any boy with an opportunity to camp with another troop is in a win-win situation. He gets to learn how other patrols do things and maybe that will inform on what he expects from his patrol (whichever one that winds up being)."

Two years ago, one of my favorite Webelos, Matthew join another troop. He had moved into our Feeder Pack in 4th grade, and had been on a couple of trips with me. His best friend had two brothers in the other troop, and he decided to join them. His buddy and him were the only two new scouts in the other troop, that year. We have a large troop, and had 23 new scouts that year.

One thing he was really feeling bad about joining the other troop, was he was going to miss a backpacking / climbing trip to the Red River Gorge in Ky., with us. I ask him, "Why don't you come along as a visiting scout?" Well he did, and had a great time. Since then, he went to Hocking Hills in OH. with us this Spring, and spend a week with us in Northern Ontario in August.

Several years ago, I had a similar situation. Brian, a scout that had been on several trip with us, moved about 30 miles away, and join another troop. We invited him to check our troop calendar, and join us on any trip he was interested in. Over the years he took us up that, and went on several hi adventure trips with our troop. Everyone was always glad to see Brian, as he was a excellent worker. He made Eagle with the other troop.

It seems like a win-win situation. I enjoy seeing Matthew and Brian every once in a while, and they get some great experiences with a different troop.

I use to take small groups of scouts (up to 8 people) to the Porcupine Mountains years ago. We would rent the few 8 person cabins they had (most were 6 or 4 person), and backpack from one to another, over two or three days. It was nice. You did not have to carry any tents, cooking pots, etc. I stop going because I liked Ontario better.

I think 4 people limit is too small for scout groups. Most place I been, have a limit of 8 or 9 in the interior. Two years ago, I took a scout group backpacking over Labor Day Weekend, to the Coastal Trail in Lake Superior Provincial Park, in Northern Ontario. I drop one patrol off on the south end, and one on the north. Even thought it was Labor Day Weekend, they did not see anyone over the 15 miles, except when they pass each other. (I stay with the younger scouts patrol - that Coastal Trail is too tough for me!)

Several years ago, I had a small group of 10 years old Webelos, up at Pukaskwa National Park, in Northern Ontario. Very, very demanding terrain. We day hiked into the interior, and back to the campground in one day. [Now days, we backpack in about 2 1/2 miles to a super wilderness campsite on Lake Superior, day hike the next day, and backpack out the 3rd day.] The day hike with the Webelos was probably about 15 miles. I was so tired, I could hardly move when we got back to the campsite. After we cooked dinner, the other dad and I sat down for the rest of the evening. The Webelos played tag for 2 hours! They were tired, but recover from the hike in about 10 minutes.

You do not have to worry about the government shutting down. The President and the Congressmen are still going to get their salary!

Yes, our Troop and Pack require it (plus Youth Protection Training). I feel bad for the leaders, especially the ones that our not Catholic, but the diocese require it. And a lot of us, enjoy being sponsor by a Catholic Church / School. I just hope they do not decide that after 10 years of so, we all have to take it again!

I agree with two, no more than three in a tent. Everyone will sleep better!

However, several years ago, I had a large group of scouts (about 50) up at the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario. We were short of tents, but had a 6 man, adult tent available. We had a real good group of 2nd year Webelos with us. I was not their Den Leader, but had camp with all of them before. I did not think I would have any trouble with any of them. After threating them with death, if they were not quiet, I put 5 of them in the one large tent.

They spend 3 nights together, and had a great time. They were also, very good about being quiet at night. They are all going into11 the grader now, and still talk about the good time they had together, when they were Webelos.

We use heavy duty, 4 ML plastic sheeting, both inside and outside the tent. You can buy it at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. It does not weight much, once it is cut.

We use black for the outside, and cut it to the size of the tent, so it does not stick out. It help protect the tent floor from rocks, roots, etc. Since it is about the same size as the tent floor, it give you a good idea of how level the ground is going to be under the tent, and if you have room there for the tent.

I am also a believer in what Cliff Jacobson says. We use clear plastic sheeting for the inside, and it is cut larger than the tent floor (about a foot on all sides). This is what protect you from the rain! The bottom will get wet, but not the top.

In 1990, I was on a canoeing trip in Northern Ontario for six days. It rained for 5 straight days. Each day, we took the tents down wet, and set them back up wet. The only thing that save us, was the plastic sheeting inside the tent. We folded up the dry side, after waterproofing our sleeping bags, each morning. During the day, everyone knew the only time they would be dry and warm, was when they were in their sleeping bag that night.