Skiing at Powder Ridge December 12, 2009

Saturday Dan V., Heidi and I took the Boy Scouts in our troop skiing at Powder Ridge’s Boy Scout Day.  Every December Powder Ridge picks a couple of weekends for the Boy Scouts to ski as a group with reduced rates. 

We left Trinity at a little after 8am and arrived in Kimball at 9:30.  It took us about 35-40 minutes to get the boys checked in, paid for, and equipment rented.  The boys were eager to hit the slopes right away but Heidi made them all wait until we could get a group picture.  As it was, a few slipped by us and headed for the hills anyway!

Even though the highest the temperature got was 22 degrees (with a windchill of 12) we hardly saw the boys all day.  They came in a few times but it wasn’t to warm up.  It was to…you guessed it EAT!  Dylon got a chili dog that he had to use a spoon to uncover from the mound of chili piled on top of it.  Some had cheeseburgers, packed lunches, soup or chili.  Some of us had also brought snacks from home since the food at the diner there was pretty spendy.

Heidi and I played ski police and made sure everyone kept their helmets on.  Nobody wanted to wear the helmets but it’s a Scout rule that we rigorously enforced.  We watched the boys come down the hill gracefully only to sprawl out on the ground at the very bottom.  We also watched the snowmobile bring down an unconscious man on a stretcher.  They had the oxygen on him and everything.  Word was he had been laying there by the trees for almost an hour before anyone saw him!

Luckily our crew stayed safe. 

Football Fever Patrol Night November 30, 2009

The Mighty Eagles Patrol met at my house Saturday night for a little football action.  The Doucettes showed up at 6:30 and Al, Josiah and Dar a little after that. 

The plan was to play football and have ourselves a little football food.  I had put the chili on earlier and it had been simmering all day.  The smell of it was making my stomach rumble.  Alvin brought the fixings for some pans of nachos and I fired up the grill for some wieners. We rounded that off with a cheese, cracker (with footballs on them), and salami tray, football shaped pretzels, and Twix cookie bars.

Our Scoutmaster Dan showed up just in time and we called everyone in for supper.  It didn’t take long for the boys to demolish the food and after a short rest for their stomachs they were out again playing football.  We had set up “stadium lights” so they boys would have no problem playing in the dark and the side of the yard was really lit up.

When the boys couldn’t talk any of their dads into being quarterback guess who stepped in to save the day?  That’s right…Supermom!  When Eric told me “I guess you can throw okay” I knew I had just received a huge compliment!

When their tired bodies couldn’t take any more of a beating they all came in to play a little Wii.  Alvin, Josiah, and Dar left around 10pm but the rest of us weren’t quite ready to end our evening.  We watched the end of the hockey game and then threw in a movie.

Mark, Eric, Andrew and Austin left at 1:15, I cleaned up and climbed into bed about 2am.  Our patrol gets along great which makes things much easier.  I don’t know what our December patrol activity is but I’m sure, like always, it will be fun.

 

Mighty Eagles Campout October 26, 2009

Back from our patrol campout this weekend.  Had a great time as usual!

Friday night arrived at the campground only to find that the only tent in the whole campground (the only one camping period) is right smack dab in the middle of where we set up every year.  That kind of threw me for a loop since we need such a big area for our stuff.  So, we drove around looking for other sites and waited for Mark to get there so we could decide on a spot.  We ended up setting up our tents in the dark and then got the fire roaring for heat and supper.  We had roasted wienies and baked beans as well as Oreos (double stuff and peanut butter) for dessert.  We sat up around the campfire until about 11:30 and then went to bed.

The night was a long one.  Even though it was a cool 28 degrees we were toasty in our sleeping bags.  About 3am I realized I needed to go to use the bathroom but I didn’t want to get out of the sleeping bag.  I had just made my mind up to make the move when the pack of coyotes we had heard earlier started barking and howling.  I heard them running closer to the tent then retreat a little.  Needless to say it was about 5:30 before I finally got the courage to get out of the tent!

With plenty of coals left from the night before, starting a fire was easy.  As the rest trickled out of their tents we made Breakfast Burritos, cleaned up and the older boys spent the morning biking the campground while the two new scouts worked on their Scout and Tenderfoot ranks.

After a lunch of ramen soup and sandwiches the boys and their assistant Scoutmaster took off on their 15 mile bike ride.  I was the pace car.  I counted off the miles, kept the bike pump and tools in the car as well as the drinks.  I wanted to attempt the 15 mile myself but I was afraid my old knees wouldn’t take it.  They all did awesome!

Resting up their jelly legs was a necessity before starting supper.  Alvin, one of the dads, gave each boy their own P-38 can opener and they each had to give it a try.  We made Cabin Casserole (not hotdish, Eric!) in the dutch oven as well as caramel sticky buns in the dutch oven for dessert.  Our cooks did a fantastic job because it was all very yummy!

The rain started while we were making supper but it was light so we got through supper and sat around the campfire for a while getting wetter.  At about 8pm we decided the rain wasn’t going to give up so we did.  Two of us took our radios into our tents to listen to the Wild game before falling asleep.

The rain pelted our tents all night.  Most of us woke up wet.  We decided to tear down early, skip breakfast and head for home.  Because one of the 12 points of the scout law is a scout is “reverent” we had a short worship service before we left.  Even though the rain cut our weekend short I think all will agree we had a great time.  Thanks Austin for getting in and cooking at least part of every meal.  Thanks Josiah for trying and completing the 15 mile bike ride.  Thank you Mark for keeping us in wood and the fire roaring and to Alvin for having everything we needed and forgot in your vehicle.  Eric, Andrew, and Zach- you guys always supply the fun.  Can’t wait for our next campout!

 

Tin Can Cook-Off October 21, 2009

I’m not worried that our boys won’t get enough to eat on a campout.  They had the opportunity tonight to cook for themselves on a stick, over a fire, or using their tin can stoves they made last week.  Scoutmaster Dan was the taste tester and even though an official winner in the Cook-Off wasn’t declared he proclaimed that everyone’s food was great.

Most of the boys decided to use their tin can stoves for cooking.  Zach made Pita Pocket Pizzas and Pineapple Upside Down “Cake”.(click on favorite recipes tab at top of page for recipes)  Other dishes I saw prepared were: Breakfast Burritos, Apple Pie Burritos, Orange Shell Cake, Venison Sausage Patty, Scrambled Eggs, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Cheesy Alfredo, Tacos, & Popcorn.

Bob, one of our leaders wound some bacon around on a forked stick and cooked that over the fire.  When it was almost done he set some bread on top of the bacon to toast.  It smelled wonderful!  I love the “survival” aspect of some of the things they learn in Boy Scouts.  And the excitement of the boys as they cook their scrambled eggs on top of a hot tin can is contagious!  I love being with this fine group of young men and I will certainly miss them as they grow up, attain Eagle and move on.

** Point to picture for captions**

Muzzleloader Cabin Weekend October 18, 2009

     Over MEA break last weekend the Boy Scouts decided to spend a night at the Muzzleloader Cabin.  Jeff took off Friday and Saturday so he could go with Zach.  In preparation for the weekend event the Scouts made tin can stoves at their last meeting that they were going to use for cooking.  Jeff and Zach bought the food they wanted to cook for the weekend, packed their sleeping bags and guns and headed out.

     Supper Friday night was burgers and chips.  Jeff went to bed at 8pm and Zach at midnight.  The next morning they got a fire going under their tin can stoves and Jeff started cracking eggs to go on top of the can.  There being not too much of a lip on the top of the can he promptly had 4 eggs slide off onto the ground.  At least they had the Little Smokies I had bought to fall back on.  Those at least you can cook on a stick!

     When I arrived for a visit Saturday after lunch they were taking a break from shooting to kick around the football.  After Lonnie & Jennifer took some time to throw together an apple crisp for dessert they headed back to the rifle range.  It looked like everyone had a great time and we thank Lonnie and the Muzzleloader Club for sharing this special spot with us! 

**If you point at the picture on the slideshow it will stop and provide a caption!**

Boy Scout Canoe Trip June 9, 2009

Saturday morning we woke up to a sunshiny but cool morning.  We finished packing, picked Lonnie up at the state park and headed to the Pillager dam to start the canoe trip.  The boys dragged their canoes down to the water, donned their sweatshirts and life jackets and slathered sunscreen on.  That’s when the sun went down and the clouds moved in.

We had heard it was supposed to rain later in the afternoon so Jennifer was eager to get going before the rain moved in.  They pushed off on the first leg of their journey to the Crow Wing State Park.  I was excited for them and disappointed I would be missing out on this adventure.  Not only did I have way too much work to do to prepare for next week’s meetings, but I was the gear hauler to the state park for the troop.

The troop expected to get to the park by 4pm.  They were going to stop once for lunch and once more to stretch their legs.  When I got the call at 2pm that they were about an hour away, I grabbed the rest of the gear we would need and headed to the park to meet them.  By this time it had been raining quite steadily for a couple of hours.  When I got to the park they were all soaking wet and very cold!  My son was very happy to get into warm dry clothes! 

Some set up their tents in the drizzle that was now coming down, others decided to sleep in the picnic shelter.  We were sharing the group camp with the club that was there for the Fur Trade Encampment, so some of our group set up next to a more authentic looking tent.

The next morning after a breakfast that they each cooked theirselves with their mess kits they headed out for the next leg of their journey.  They were going to travel another 7 miles and stop at one of the scout leader’s homes along the river for a potluck picnic lunch.

When we got to Bob’s house we found quite a spread.  Bob had hotdogs on the cooking grate and others had brought hotdishes, BBQ sandwiches, lasagna, baked beans, bars and brownies.  The scouts sat around the fire telling their version of the trip and laughing about how the girls got stuck on a sandbar.

They had a great time during the canoe trip.  Some fished along the way and some just enjoyed the scenery  (you know, the deer and the military personel from Camp Ripley…).  I am so happy that Zachary is a part of the Boy Scouts of America.  What adventures he’s had and what adventures are still left to come.  He will definitely have things to tell his children and I’m hoping some day he will be joining his little boy on adventures just like this one.

 

Spring Yard Cleanup May 5, 2009

Tonight I did some yard work…but not in my yard.  Our Boy Scout Troop decided to help out Don,one of our Scout leaders that has been sick with cancer and unable to get his yard work done.  When Bob called Don to see what night would be best to work on his yard, Don was amazed that we would think to help him.  Why would we not?  Don has done many things for the Scouts.  He has been our Committee Chair and our Sponsor liason.  He has been to summer camp with the boys and cooked them up his famous macaroni and cheese.  He has also taught them the Citizenship, Communications, and Reading merit badges.  So it was a real pleasure to give back to Don tonight.

We had current and former Scouts there as well as current and former Scout leaders.  In just  1  1/2 hours we raked his yard, cleaned out his flower beds, dug up his garden, cleaned his gutters, blew the pine needles into the driveway so they could be swept up, took down storm windows, sawed off some dead branches from his trees and swept out his garage.  I was very proud of the hard work the boys put in tonight.

After treating us to cookies and soda, Don and his wife joined the circle for Scout Vespers.  It was a very emotional evening.  I’m glad we were able to help out.

 

Airport Day April 20, 2009

Last Sunday the Mighty Eagles Patrol of Troop 43 got the opportunity to visit the St Cloud Regional Airport for an event hosted by the St Cloud State Aviation Department.  This was a super fun day that the department did a great job of putting together.  From noon until 3pm the Airport was open for the youth of the area to get some hands on experience in.

Our patrol got to go to Ground School where we learned the difference between piston, turbojet and turboprop engines.  We learned about lift, thrust and drag, airfoils, ailerons, elevators and rudders.  We learned about the different pilot certificates and some career opportunities in aviation.

The boys also got the opportunity to perform a preflight inspection of a Cessna 152 airplane.  They learned how to check the fuel that’s stored in the wings.  They learned how to sump the plane and check the oil.  They got to check the aileron hinges and see if the altimeter was working and many more things.

Then the patrol got to try out the flight simulator.  They learned that there is more to steering the plane then just turning the yoke.  They got to try their hand at takeoff, flying (a few tried barrel rolls!), and landing the plane.  Eric even got to try landing the plane on the runway at night.

We got to tour the airport as well.  There were many different planes out in the general aviation area of the airport for us to take a look at.  We got to sit in a Blackhawk helicopter and the boys did parachute jumps without the parachute.  We got to take a look inside some of the hangers at the shiny $15 million corporate jets parked there.  We also got a chance to hang out in the pilot’s lounge and watch some of the Twins game on the big screen TV while we warmed up. 

All in all it was a quality program put on by SCSU which allowed our Boy Scouts to really get a feel for the opportunities available in aviation and for them to earn their Aviation Merit Badge.

Master Web Designer Extraordinaire April 16, 2009

For the last two weeks I have been working on setting up a new website for our Boy Scout Troop.  Our old free website was bought out by another scout data entity and suddenly they wanted to charge us $89 a year for using it.  Although the website had many wonderful options, as a non-profit organization that uses all it’s fundraising dollars to help the boys get to campouts and summer camp at as little cost to them as possible, this price was a little to steep.  I began the search to find another free website.  I searched for days and could come up with nothing.

I considered buying software and designing my own, but I guess you still need to find someone to host it and the price for that at $49 was still too much.  One day on Facebook I noticed an advertisement at the side of the screen for a FREE Scout website.  I clicked on it to see if I could find the catch and there wasn’t one so I immediately signed up.

I have had so much fun putting this together and I have learned SO much.  I actually know very little about computers but I was able to get this website up and running because this site is so easy to work with.  It allows our Scouts to sign in and see different information then what the general public sees, I am able to post notes and blogs, add pictures of our events, send out automatic e-mail reminders about events the day before they happen, and send an automatic text message out 2 hours before if there is an unexpected change of plans or venues.

My son Tyler  just shook his head when I told him he could add web designer to my list of talents, but I’m quite proud I was able to give this a try and succeed.  Thanks My Scout Link for a fun experience!  Check out our Troop website by clicking here.

A Visit to the Fire Station March 30, 2009

Last Friday the Boy Scouts in our troop got the opportunity to visit the Fire Station to work on our Fire Safety Merit Badge.  What a great experience that was.  First off I would like to thank Mark and Kevin for being our instructors that night.  I learned so many things I did not know and I’m sure the boys did too because they were very quiet and attentive for the 2 1/2 hours we were there.  Some things I learned:

**1 in 4 homes do not have a working smoke detector  (change batteries twice a year and blow the dust out of it with compressed air or a vaccuum cleaner monthly)

**Fire is very hot (I knew this part!) and the temperature can be as high as 2000 degrees near the ceiling of your room while only 300-400 degrees near the floor.  Always stay low.

**Fire doubles in size every 30-60 seconds.  This doesn’t give you much time to get out safely.

**Keep all interior doors shut.  There is a huge difference between a room left open and a room with a shut door.  Get in the habit of closing doors when you leave.

**Smoke from a fire is not like what you see in the movies.  Smoke from a fire will make your room blacker then night in just a few minutes.  Even though you know your home this utter blackness can be very confusing.  NEVER go back into the burning building once you have left it.

After the class we got to go out to the garage and look at the different types of fire trucks, the hovercraft, and watch one of the fire fighters slide down the pole.  Soo cool.  I must be a kid at heart because I found some of this to be as exciting as some of the kids did!  When we were done for the evening I gathered their merit badge worksheets and gave them all an atomic fireball to suck on on the way out (I couldn’t resist that one!).  Thank you Brainerd Fire Department for a super fun evening.