By Ian Lee on
1/12/2008
This weekend we joined up with a few scouts from Troop 142 and a future female Venturing scout to form a patrol and attend the Winter Camporee at Sugar Point in Sewanee, TN. The theme of the camporee was orienteering and there were many fun activities that we participated in.
We brought home a number of ribbons from the competitions: 2 third place, 2 second place, 1 first place. The most admirable though was the 2008 Elk River District Award of Honor and Merit for top Patrol.
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By Ian Lee on
12/1/2007
This weekend we took a great hike out to Hobbs Cabin in the Savage Gulf State Park near Altamont, TN. It was a long 17 mile trek, but the boys did great. We took a little time to learn about knife, axe, and saw sharpening. The weather was beautiful. The trail is fairly flat, but the distance makes it a real confidence builder for the boys.
Check out more pictures from the trip here.
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By Ian Lee on
11/25/2007
Today we took a trip to Franklin, TN to do some indoor rock climbing at the Cool Springs Climbing Center. Since we had some Scouts who needed to satisfy their swimming requirements for Second Class, we decided to also go to the Franklin YMCA for some swimming. The Webelos from Pack 142 joined us for both events.
We started the day off at 9:30AM by meeting at the First Methodist Church in Tullahoma and then driving to Franklin. We stopped at the Steak & Shake in Franklin and had some lunch then drove on over to the YMCA and swam for 1.5 hours. Our boys worked on their rescue techniques for Second Class and assisted the Webelos with some of their Aquanaut badge requirements. Many thanks go out to Paul at the Franklin YMCA for letting us have the time at the pool...
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By Ian Lee on
11/14/2007
This weekend we attended the Junior Leader Training Conference at the Fehrman Training Center at the Boxwell Reservation. This was a very fun weekend filled with activities and education.
The purpose of JLT is to teach Scouts more about the patrol method and how to successful lead a patrol of Scouts. We learned what is expected from us in our troop-elected positions and the importance of proper planning and execution.
We arrived Friday night and setup camp in a field next to the training center. Then we went to the training center and enjoyed chicken fingers, corndogs, sweet tea, and bug juice while we met other Scouts from other districts and watched the movie October Sky. All the cooking all weekend was done by the wonderful quartermaster staff. Mmmmmmmmmmm!!!!
Saturday we got up at the crack of dawn to go to flag raising and another wonderful meal. We were then formed into new...
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By Ian Lee on
8/17/2007
To escape the Sahara-like temperatures we've had this summer, today we went indoor rock climbing at the Cool Springs Climbing Center. The boys really love this place and are always asking to go again. Next time, I think we'll do the real thing in the outdoors. Leave a comment if you know some great places to go or might be willing to teach rock climbing to the boys. Check out our blog entries about earlier visits to the center for more information and coupons.
View more pictures from the event here.
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By Ian Lee on
6/10/2007
This week the Troop went on our annual super trip. This year's destinations were Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, PA. It was a well planned and executed trip and most impressive was that the whole 7 days only cost the boys about $100!!! Where else can you get a week long vacation in our nations capital for that price? The following journal entries were recorded by the various attendees.
View the trip route here.
Sunday, June 3:
Entry by Frank Steinle
Tom Bentley has done a terrific job of planning options for the trip and getting a consensus as to what all to see. Getting closure was like herding cats – impossible. However, we were in good shape for all but the Washington DC area (including return). There was just too much to choose from. A certain amount of spur of the moment is just fine since the trip is for them. ...
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By Ian Lee on
4/28/2007
This weekend the boys worked on their cycling merit badge by taking a bike trek. The trek started with a 15.1 mile ride from First United Methodist Church in Tullahoma to Old Stone Fort State Park in Manchester. We stopped to setup camp and then took another 8.8 mile loop ride.
We camped at the primitive campsite at Old Stone Fort. If you've never stayed at this campsite, put it on your list of places to go. It is a hidden jewel at the park. It is located next to the dam waterfall along the Duck River. The sounds of the waterfall's roar can be heard well from the campsite area and makes for a very good night's sleep. The campsite is also equipped with a large picnic table and permanant fire ring (which is equipped with a fold-over grill top). A couple hundred yards up the trail in the camper campgrounds are shower facilities!
After cooking a good breakfast...
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By Ian Lee on
3/31/2007
This weekend the Troop went backpacking at Walls of Jericho. What a great trip! We had a new group of Scouts who recently crossed over from Webelos and for several this was their first backpacking experience. The hike is about 3.5 miles in/out with the hike in being mostly downhill and of course the hike out being mostly torture uphill :( A lot of sweat was lost but everyone made it out just fine.
This was also a first time at outdoor cooking for many of the boys. They had a good time... :)
Walls of Jericho is an absolutely beautiful place and we all highly recommend it and will return again as soon as possible.
For more photos from the weekend, go here.
Map to the Walls of Jericho parking lot is here.
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By Ian Lee on
3/10/2007
This weekend the Troop took a trip to Maggie Valley, NC to the Cataloochie Ski Resort to enjoy the slopes. The weather was a beautiful and nearly 70° F at times. But, there was plenty of snow and fun to be found. The inexperienced Scouts started with a short ski course taught by the qualified instructors from the resort and then it was off to the slopes.
There were a wipeouts and alot of people eating the snow, but there were no injuries (except to pride) and everyone had a blast. This is an annual trip for the Troop and everyone is fired up to go again next year!
More photos from the event can be seen here.
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By Ian Lee on
8/26/2006
Today we took several 2nd year Webelos from Pack 142 on a rock climbing trip. What a blast! The boys learned some basic rock climbing skills including climbing, belaying, rapelling, and some good safety practices. The Webelos also had a priceless into the life of a Boy Scout. We hope that we'll see them all next year!
I want to give out a thanks to the great people at the Cool Springs Climbing Center for letting us use their fabulous facilities. Attached is a copy of their flyer with group rates. Overnight parties are also available. Also attached is a coupon that can be printed that is good for 3 FREE Climbs per person.
Download the Rates & Coupon.
Click here to see more pictures of the event.
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