By Connor Nielsen, Troop Scribe

The Troop 8 PLC met Monday, October 12.   The first thing we talked about was the October Backpacking trip at South Mountain State Park.  Only 15 scouts went so we divided it up into two treks.  The older scout patrol went on a 12-mile loop and the new scout patrol and troop guides went on a 7-mile loop, stopping at South Mountain’s beautiful waterfalls.   What made this trip different from other backpackers is that the two patrols camped at different campsites five miles from each other.   Overall, it was a fun trip.

In start, stop, and continue the SPL for the trip, Brian Mulholland, emphasized that communication of this kind of trips is vital.   He brought along walkie talkies and said that they would have been good to have.   It was also mentioned that the leaders of the troop needed to have more control of their group.   We needed to stay together more and work on hiking skills, but we did have good backpacking skills!

We talked about the November trip, too.   Some of the older scouts said that they remembered the Guilford Courthouse trip a couple years ago, and it was agreed that we should do another battlefield trip.   The two options that were brought up were Kings Mountain Battlefield or Cowpens Battlefield.   If that doesn’t work out, then we will go to Camp Grimes for basic camping and backpacking.

One of the major things we talked about at the PLC was the meeting plans and instruction. We have five meetings before the next campout so there were lots of ideas for instruction.   On October 19^th we will practice tent setup with buddies.   We might throw in some surprises like blindfolding, too, so be prepared.   We will also do cleaning water purifiers because that was an issue on the trip and cold weather first-aid because it’s getting chilly!   On October 26^th, the instruction will be cold-weather clothes and supplies for cold-weather camping. The next meeting (November 2^nd) will be bear bags and stuffing envelopes for Christmas tree sales.   Hopefully, we will have a fun game involving bear bags. For the 9^th and 16^th, we will have instruction on the history of the battlefield and Leave No Trace.   Additionally at the PLC, Mr. Spisak talked about the importance of leadership in the troop and how they should know their jobs well.

To all scouts,

Make sure to pack your pack completely as though you were going on a backpacking trip ( in preparation of our backpacking trip this October) and bring them to this Monday’s meeting (Sept. 28).  We will be weighing packs on scales and be talking about other backpacking topics important for you to succeed.

We will also have our annual dodge ball game, in which we did not do at our last election.  An undershirt would be helpful to avoid wearing your class A during the game.

Thanks again,

Alvin Nugroho

Troop 8 SPL

By Connor, Troop 8 Scribe

At the Patrol Leader’s Council for September, one of things we discussed was Troop 8’s previous campout, a skills trip to Belk Scout Camp. One of the highlights of the experience was the attendance: Only 19 boys came. That might not sound like fun, but many said that it was the best trip they had ever attended. The main reason why was the emphasis of the patrol method. The patrol method is when patrols have separate campsites, cook together, a full duty roster is posted, and other ways to have a better camping experience. It was mentioned at the PLC that we should continue doing this at other campouts.

We woke up on Saturday, cooked breakfast, and participated in scout skills activities in the morning, Then, the adults gave each patrol ingredients for Beanie Weenies, and each separate patrol cooked them. In the afternoon, the new scouts were instructed on knife and knife sharpening skills, the middle and older scouts just chilled out, and we all shot archery. Then, we cooked for the adults and ourselves. Also, on Saturday night, the entire troop played Capture the Flag in the big field!

We also discussed was the necessity for communication on the subject of meals, bringing important gear, like water bottles, and selecting a campsite. Troop 8 should continue good cooking, the method of adults providing (not cooking) the food for lunch, and the patrol method.

From October 9-11, the camping trip will be backpacking. Yay! At the PLC, the possible place that will be going was announced. It is a loop on the Appalachian Trail called Mt. Rogers. It seems like a good place to go except for the length: it’s 17 miles long. Given the spots of conveniently placed shelters there would be either a 7½-mile option for the younger scouts and a 10-mile trek for the older scouts or a 3½ mile option for the younger scouts and a 14-mile trek for the older scouts. It was also noted that this is all on easy terrain. Mr. Nelson said he could also look at other places. The PLC has not officially decided one place for the October camping trip. The Patrol leaders talked about the trip for a long time at the meeting. The main instruction for the next couple of weeks will be themed around backpacking.

Woodwork Merit Badge
Sessions will be offered at the Jackson Park Ministries Woodshop by Jim Emery of Troop 80 and the
Charlotte Woodworkers Association
Saturday November 10 & 24, 2009
8:30 until Noon, with open shop after that until 4:00 PM
4001 Sentry Post Drive
Charlotte, NC 28208
(Cross Street: West Blvd. & Billy Graham)
Map: http://www.jacksonpark.org/campus_map.htm
(If you hang around after Noon, BYOL. Microwave, refrigerator, and drinks available)
As with ANY merit badge, please read the merit badge pamphlet before coming to the session.
Cost for the session is Free.
Material costs (depending on your project) will be up to you.

Registration (limit 20):

Contact Jim Emery @ 704-504-1321
or
Email: jime@jacksonpark.org

Please bring the completed permission slip this coming Tuesday to be ready to go.

Get Permission slip
https://www.scouttrack.com/servlet/ScoutTrack/GetBBItem.html?bid=BB36842“>

(You need to log onto Scout Track first)

Hello Scouts,
Just a quick note as to the dates for the 2010 week of summer camp at Camp Raven Knob. Troop 8 will be at Raven Knob the week of June 27th to July 3rd.
This is a week earlier than normal.
Be Prepared

You can download it here:

Newsletter

Hi Troop 8!

My Eagle Scout Project includes collecting instruments, fixing them, and donating them to Sedgefield Middle School.  I could use your help passing out fliers in the Cameron Wood neighborhood and at all masses at St. Matthew on August 8th and 9th.  All scouts should come in class A uniform.

I could use both adults and scouts on:
August 8th:
8am – 11am = 1 or 2 adults and 12 scouts to walk around Cameron Wood and pass out fliers
* Breakfast will be provided *
adults – please bring a cell phone if you have one
scout and adults – please bring a day pack to carry water

I could use scouts on:
August 8th
5:10pm – 6:30 = 4 scouts to help pass out fliers at mass at St. Matthew

August 9th
7:10am – 8:30 = 3 scouts to help pass out fliers at mass
8:40am – 10am = 5 scouts to help pass out fliers
10:10am – 11:30 = 5 scouts to help pass out fliers
12:10pm – 1:30 = 5 scouts to help pass out fliers
5:10pm – 6:30 = 3 scouts to help pass out fliers

Please let me know if you would like to volunteer by e-mailing me at k.fabian@rocketmail.com or by calling 704-553-9848.

Thank you!
Kyle

And we are having a great time!