Boy Scout Troop 259. Church of St. Therese. By Doug Hankins, Summer Camp Coordinator

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1 Boy Scout Troop 259 Church of St. Therese September 2008 Volume 3, Issue 3 The end of June, Troop 259 took its largest group ever to Summer Camp. We made the long journey to the lower Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation, also known as the Philmont of the East, near Pulaski, Virginia. With the Troop s big red bus and a host of other vehicles, we made the long trip across the state to spend the week at two separate camps and programs. By Doug Hankins, Summer Camp Coordinator The main body of the Troop spent the week at the Base Camp at Camp Ottari. This included 29 Scouts and a great total of 17 adults. The camp was beautifully located in the mountains with a nice lake and excellent facilities. Our campsite was nice, but was the furthest site in the camp from the dining hall. This meant a half mile walk each way, up a very steep hill, for every meal. By the time we got there, we had definitely worked up an appetite. Our Scouts worked extremely hard all week on merit badges, and completed over 120 with several more that were mostly finished. This included quite a few Eagle-required badges, including a special session of the Communications Merit Badge that Mr. Martin conducted each day after the camp decided not to do it. Even with all the hard work, the Scouts and adults found plenty of time to enjoy themselves with activities like riding the zip line or hiking the mountain trails. Once again, the adults kept themselves busy with training opportunities, carving neckerchief slides for the first-year campers, and a lot of sitting around. While the large group was at Ottari, six of our older Scouts were at Camp Powhatan participating in the New River Adventure program where they had a great time in high adventure activities like COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience), whitewater rafting, whitewater canoeing, and rock climbing in the New River Gorge. In addition to all of the wonderful activities, our Scouts really enjoyed their excellent accommodations (instead of wall tents). I think they also enjoyed a week of camp without any adults from the Troop. Instead, they were supervised and taken care of by the New River Adventure staff, and apparently handled the independence quite well. If you would like to see more pictures of the events at camp, please check out the Troop web site ( My biggest thanks to the Scout leaders (Thomas W. and Joe E.) who ably led the Troop while at camp, and to the wonderful group of adults (Scout leaders and parents) who made it all possible and shared the load at camp. Special thanks go to Mr. Leber for driving the bus and handling the medical registration and medicines at camp, and to Dr. and Mrs. Iiams for doing the physicals. We are already making plans for Summer Camp 2009 the week of 28 June to 4 July. We will try to get into either Camp Raven Knob or Camp Shenandoah, or possibly both. Please make your plans to go to camp next year and work hard on the upcoming fundraising opportunities to pay your way.

2 By Warren Goodman, Scoutmaster Well, what started out as being a disappointing weekend actually turned out to be a great weekend in the end. The troop was scheduled to canoe on the James River this weekend. However, due to very high water, which made the river dangerous, we could not canoe the river. So some quick thinking and many s later we decided to try a new campground Westmoreland State Park. The park is located just north of Montross, Virginia on the Potomac River. This is the first time the troop had ever been to the park. We arrived late Friday and after some looking in the dark we found our very large camp site. The site was very nice and had a fire pit, flag pole, grills, and place to set up tents. We started Saturday by driving to George Washington s birth place. This national park was very well maintained. We viewed a short film about the homestead. We then got a guided tour by a park ranger. The ranger showed us the actual outline were George Washington s birth home was located. We toured several re-created buildings to include the kitchen. The park had a re-creation of the stables were they had a horse, pigs, and sheep. Before leaving we stop to see the George Washington s family burial site. After returning from the national park we ate lunch and then headed to the shore line on the Potomac. We were able to hunt for prehistoric shark teeth. Many scouts found shark teeth and were able to take them home. We finish the day with some great food and a large bonfire where we were entertained by some interesting scout skits. Thanks to all the parents who brought food and cooked. EAGLE SCOUT COURT OF HONOR By Daniel G., Eagle Scout It is a great honor to write in this news bulletin about my Eagle Scout Court of Honor. First of all I would like to thank everyone that came out to my court of honor and all the support I got. I would also like to thank everyone who gave cards and gifts. I have enjoyed every day in Scouts, and all the great camping trips. During my court of honor I had just recently received my braces a week before, so I couldn t eat any of the great food my mom prepared, but I still had a great time seeing all my friends and seeing all my old friends. Once again, thank you all for coming to my Eagle Court of Honor.

3 By Jim Martin Our Eastern Shore campout was a great success. This primary objective of this year s campout was for a vacation after Summer Camp. The scouts work very hard at summer camp, so this outing had no planned agenda. The scouts were allowed to bring electronics and they had as much free time as they wanted. Well, the scouts did have to cook and clean, so there was a small amount of structure. Troop 215 was invited to attend this outing. This has been a yearly joint outing that has been enjoyed by both troops. There were 50 scouts between the troops, and with a few last minute dropouts, we had 26 adults. Once again, one of the highlights of the trip was a boat ride to a barrier island that all scouts and adults enjoyed. Many of the scouts and adults enjoyed fishing and crabbing. Quite a few scouts experienced picking and eating fresh figs for the first time. I think one of the reasons so many adults enjoy this particular outing is the food. Yes, the food. Doug Hankins out did himself yet again. Breakfast included sausage, eggs, pancakes and fresh biscuits with sausage gravy. Lunch was fresh smoked barbeque and brisket. For dinner we enjoyed smoked turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, and for dessert apple or blackberry pies. The skits performed around the campfire are always an enjoyable event. The scouts had great fun performing in front of the troop. A big thanks goes to Warren Goodman for the flag retirement ceremony. The event inspired memories that will last for a long while to come. Once again the Turners were especially happy with the fine dinning and they always have a smile on their faces when they know the Scouts are on the Shore. A NIGHT OF SECURITY & ROPE BRIDGE FUN N FOOD FEST At the Fun n Food Fest, Troop 259 once again was front and center. Our rope bridge was busy all day as people of all ages tried their balancing skills. Thanks to Ted Miller for arranging the manpower. It was a great opportunity for the Troop to work closely with Pack 259. Several of our scouts also spent Friday night as security.

4 By Mark Wilson, ASM While most scouts were cooking and enjoying their breakfast on the first morning of of the Eastern Shore campout an intrepid few set out on a milestone bicycle ride. A little background helps set the stage. As most of us know, one of the required merit badges on the path to Eagle is the swimming merit badge. For scouts who do not swim, BSA allows them to earn either the hiking or the cycling merit badge as an alternative option. Mike P. has been working on the cycling merit badge as one of the last remaining requirements for his Eagle award. The final cycling merit badge requirement states: Lay out on a road map a 50-mile trip. Stay away from main highways. Using your map, make this ride in eight hours. The Eastern Shore campout offered a great opportunity to map out a 50-mile round trip ride on flat back roads. Five additional scouts decided they wanted to make this trip. In addition to Mike, the following scouts made up our road crew: Joe G., Thomas W., Thomas B., Zach A., and Jackson L. Dr. Goldman and Mr. Wilson were the ASMs who rode along with the scouts. Our trip started at the campsite outside of Accomac, Virginia (Point A on the map). We rode along Custis Neck Road, turned right on Drummondtown Road and then turned left on Seaside Drive (an old stagecoach trail that runs along 80 miles of the Eastern Shore). Due to a street sign that was turned 90 degrees, we made a side trip into the small town of Quinby (Point B). After realizing that Seaside Drive did not actually turn left and taking a much need pit stop at the Quinby post office, we back-tracked and were able to pick up our southerly trail on Seaside Drive. As we entered the town of Nassawadox we turned right onto a short street that crossed Rt. 13 and brought us to our 27-mile turning point, the Eastern Shore s attempt at a 7-11, the Nassawadox Shore Stop (Point C). After taking a break, drinking a couple of blue slush puppies, regaining some energy and buying a 2 liter bottle of tea (don t ask!) we turned around and headed back. A brisk headwind and tired muscles added about 30 minutes to our return time but at 1 PM we rolled back into the campsite as the odometer on Dr. Goldman s biked turned over 50.0 miles with 2-1/2 hours to spare. We all had a great time learning and practicing the rules of safe highway cycling and Mike is 1 step closer to making Eagle. Good job Scouts!

5 by Thomas Wright The Order of the Arrow Ordeal Campout, Aug , was an interesting weekend for the four inductees. The four inductees are as follows: Thomas B., Joe Z., Derrek W., and me, Thomas W.. The ordeal began with a bit of rain on Friday evening; that s all I can tell you. Saturday certainly was a LOT of fun. What I can tell you about Saturday is that we had FOUR meals! All that food was so we could do simple tasks all day Saturday around Pipsico, that s all I can tell you. The Ceremony was the most fun, and it was very cool to be a part of it. I know that Thomas, Joe Z, Derrek and me, will be active members of the OA and the Blue Heron Lodge. That s all I can tell you. Between June 13-15, the troop went on a camping trip to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore where we were graciously allowed to stay at the Coast Guard Station at Hatteras Inlet near the Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry. This is the By Matt Gerrek, Eagle Scout first time the troop camped at this particular Coast Guard Station in Hatteras (the troop stayed at the Coast Guard Station in Buxton, NC in 2000). We started the weekend off by eating at the Station's Galley, and I personally must say, the food was extremely delicious! In showing gratitude to the U.S. Coast Guard for allowing us to stay on the Station for free, we performed a service project for the National Park Service by aiding an excavation project of 300 or so year old Spanish Merchant Ship. It was a hot 4 hours of service, however everyone was astonished and amazed at what we helped excavate. We even landed a spot on the local newspapers! Following the project, half the troop toured the Hatteras Lighthouse, and the other half hit the beach and enjoyed the cool water and the relaxing feel of the Outer Banks beaches. Following the beach, we ate dinner at the Chow Hall and toured one of the station's PT boats. At that same time, I and a few other scouts realized the big importance of sunscreen lotion. I went through a whole night of misery and pain looking like a Flaming Hot Cheeto. This is also my first camping trip that I put together. After the success of this camping trip, I would like to thank all the scoutmasters for aiding me during and before the camping trip. I would also like to thank the scouts for a great attendance for this trip.

6 By George Ball, Scoutmaster For those of you who do not know, the Boy Scouts of America has three high adventure bases, each with a different opportunity for scouts to learn new skills and to demonstrate leadership. These bases, Philmont Scout Ranch, Sea Base, and Northern Tier, are open to all scouts aged 14 and up. This summer, Thomas and I had the opportunity to go to Philmont for an 11 day backpacking trip, covering more than 80 miles. The Philmont Scout Ranch was founded in 1938, through a donation of 36 thousand acres by Waite Phillips. Since that time, the property has grown to 214 square miles and serves thousands of scouts every year. Our crew was part of the Tidewater Council contingent. We had 6 scouts and three adults from Norfolk and Chesapeake (A second crew of 9 scouts and three adults, all from Virginia Beach was with us for the same week, but on a different trek). Thomas was the crew leader. We decided that we wanted to climb both of the signature geologic formations at the ranch, the Tooth of Time and Mount Baldy (12,400 ft), so we chose a trek that started us in the north country and finished with us hiking in over the Tooth to base camp on the last day. We were joined for the first two days by a ranger, who taught us proper bear safety, weather safety, and leave no trace procedures. After the third day, he left us to continue the journey on our own. Along the way, we were able to participate in many staffed camp activities, including homesteading, gold mining, rock climbing, burro racing, shotgun shooting, horseback riding, branding and crew challenges. We also saw mule dear, turkey, rattlesnake and chipmunks (minibears). The rattlesnake made his appearance on the trail as Thomas was in mid-stride. I have never seen someone jump so high with a 50 pound pack. Though there was plenty of evidence we never saw any bear or mountain lions. While we were a little footsore coming off the trail, we were ready to go again after a good nights rest. I will be putting in for a crew for Troop 259 in 2010 (they are given out by lottery, and results will be announced in January 2009). This is an incredible trip that everyone should consider. By Thomas B. Florida Sea base is the most tropical of BSA s high adventure camps. Set in the Florida Keys it offers programs including sailing, fishing and SCUBA diving. In the upcoming year, I will be putting together a crew of 12 people (9 scouts and 3 leaders) to go and participate in a week of diving. My project involves fundraising, getting the people who need it certified and a week long excursion including 15 dives and 3 night dives. In the upcoming weeks, I will bring a signup sheet for those who are interested. No limit to those interested, however, older scouts will have priority for 9 slots. Those who don t make the initial 9 slots will be placed on a waiting list incase of dropouts. If enough adults are interested maybe we can send 2 crews this will mean more fundraising but we can do it.

7 MERIT BADGES EARNED * Merit badges in red are Eagle Required. 145 Merit Badges were earned in the past four months. Archeology Sheldon G. Archery Joe Z. Art Nate B., Jack C., Sheldon G., Jacob M., Tyler P., Justin S. Basketry Marc A., Will G., Matt P. Camping John B., Sheldon G., Mitchell H., Tom K., Sam M., James W. Canoeing Joe E., Tristan K., Tyler P., James W. Citizenship in the Community Bryan G. Citizenship in the Nation James W. Citizenship in the World Chad O. Climbing Nate B., Tom K., Justin S. Communications Marc A., John B., Joe G., Will G., Bryan G., Sheldon G., Tristan K., Joe Z. Cycling Mike P. Drafting Thomas W., Joe Z. Emergency Preparedness Will G., Sheldon G., Tom K., James W. Environmental Science Marc A., John B., Joe E., Mitchell H., Sam M., James W., Joe Z. Family Life Nate B., Bryan G., Sheldon G., Greg L. First Aid Garrett H., Jacob M., Sean M., Houston P. Fishing Tyler P. Fish and Wildlife Nate B., Jacob M., Houston P., Cody S., Justin S., Jimmy S. Geology Will G., Joe Z. Indian Lore Bryan G., Matt P., Joe Z. Leatherwork Jack C. Mammal Study Nate. B., Jack C., Joe G., Bryan G., Chad O., Justin S., Jimmy S., James W. Model Design & Build Austin B., Sheldon G., Tristan K., Tyler P. Nature Will G., Chad O., Matt P., Cody S.. Nuclear Science Nate B., Jack C., Justin S., Joe Z.. Orientering Tom K., Jacob M. Pet Care James W. Personal Fitness John B., Ben B., Nate B., Joe G., Sheldon G., Matt P., Tyler P., Justin S., Derek W., Ben W., Dan W. Pioneering Joe E., James W. Reptiles & Amphibians Justin S. Rifle Shooting Austin B., Garrett H., Sam M., Sean M., Mike P., Jimmy S., James W. Rowing Tom K. Shotgun Shooting Mitchell H., Cody S., Thomas W. Small Boat Sailing Thomas W. Swimming Austin B., Jack C., Garrett H., Jacob M., Sean M., Houston P., Jimmy S., James W. Truck Transportation Sheldon G., Tyler P. Weather Jack C., Bryan G., Houston P., Matt P., Tyler P., Cody S., Wilderness Survival Tristan K. Wood Carving John B., Jack C., Joe G., Tristan K., Jacob M., Sean M., Chad O., Houston P., Mike P., Jimmy S.

8 RANK ADVANCEMENTS The following 16 scouts advanced since the last Newsletter in May. SCOUT Garrett H., Sean M. TENDERFOOT Jimmy S., Kevin V. SECOND CLASS Cody S., James W. FIRST CLASS Mitchell H., Robert M., Sam M., Tyler P., James W. STAR John B., Joe G. LIFE Nate B., Joe E., Tom K. September Service Project Campout September Catholic Retreatoree September 28 Life Eagle Seminar October 4-5 October October St. Thérèse Pipsico 50th Anniversary Campout Whitewater Rafting Trip November 1 BBQ Dinner November 7-9 Methodist Encampment November 22 Pancake Breakfast Postponed until after Jan. 1 December 5-7 December 18 January February 5 District Camporee Holiday Party Ski Trip Host the Homelesss