We’ll be headed to Enchanted Rock this weekend for some climbing and rappelling. Mother Nature looks like she’ll be providing the perfect weekend, middle 70’s during the day and middle 50″s at night. I’ll have my favorite troop leaders there with me and a couple others that are unable to join will be missed. We’ll also have about a dozen boys along with two of our crew members helping with the climb. Their reward? Eating with the adults and having our 5 star dutch oven cooking!
Climb On!
Posted in Camping, Climbing & Rappelling | Leave a Comment »
Thank a Veteran today, give them a hug, shake their hand, buy them a drink. Show your appreciation for their sacrifice to our country.
Posted in 1 | Leave a Comment »
Political correctness has been killing truth, and common sence. It now looks like it has killed soldiers. As of today I am declaring war on Policital Correctness! I encourage all my friends to join me in this war. When you hear or see anyone with PC speech, stop them, and demand plain truth.
Our prayers go out to the families of the 13 who died at Ft. Hood this week. We hope for a speedy recovery for all that were wounded and the brave woman police officer that shot down the shooter. Thank you to all of you who have and are defending our Great country.
Posted in Scoutmaster Minute | 1 Comment »
What exactly do Webelos base their decision on when deciding which Boy Scout troop to join. I guess it depends. If the young scout lives in an area where there is only one troop, well I guess the decision is easy. What if they live in an urban area where there is a Scout troop on almost every corner. Do they decide on the activities the troop likes to do, is their decision based on where siblings or relatives are at, follow their friends to the troop of their choice, or do some parents make the decision for them? All of the above. I have watched this happen year after year.
I believe that decision should be left up to the scout. When I hear parents and leaders tell me the boys will go to a troop as a group because they believe they should stay together, it makes me cringe. Thats great, but that troop may not be THE right troop for all of the boys. Ok, look at it this way, when they graduate high school, are they all going to go to the same college? After college, are they all going into the same careers and work for the same company’s? Or better yet will they all join the same branch of the service and stay in the same patrol to fight for our country? If thats the case lets change their scout uniforms to sheep costumes, retire the scoutmaster and get a sheep dog to heard them instead of leading them.
What is important is that they make their own choice to which troop they join and be encouraged by their parents to be in scouting. By letting them make an independent choice we will end up with stronger leaders and better citizens in the future. You never know, they just might one day become an Eagle Scout and do some incredible things in their life.
Posted in Scoutmaster Minute | 2 Comments »
I’m always looking out for new way’s to go lighter when backpacking, camping, or just hiking. I have found something new. Colgate Wisp. A very small lightweight toothbrush with toothpaste built in with a toothpick at the other end. I take 3 to 6 these in my pack now depending on how long I’ll be gone. Six together weigh and take up less room in my pack as opposed to a traditional tooth brush and toothpaste. After eating just brush, no water, no mess, then pack out and dispose of later.
Posted in Backpacking, Gear Review | Leave a Comment »
It’s only a lump on a length of line,
A snarl in a place of string.
But properly tied, by a practised hand,
It becomes such a beautiful thing.
It is square. It is round. It can slip or hold fast.
That depends on the job that’s required.
But when it’s complete, all tucked in and neat,
It is really a sight to admire.
We splice it or hitch it. Make becket or bend,
Tie a gromet, an eye or chain,
Make a sling or a sinnet, a noose or a net, And none of them looks quite the same.
Be it useful or fancy, for work or display,
If it’s used once or twice or a lot. There’s nothing quite like it to make you feel proud,
Than knowing that you tied a knot.
The knots that I learned under canvis and pine,
At Scout camps in days long ago,
Are as handy today as they were in my youth,
But back then I just didn’t know …
That those lumps on a line and those snarls in a string,
Would linger and not be forgot,
And foster a love for more knowledge and skill,
As I struggle to learn one more knot.
Posted in Scoutmaster Minute | Leave a Comment »
Let the climbing begin! Tonight, our three climbing instructors (self included) started our course to re-certify for another two years as climbing instructors. Sadly, what was to become our fourth won’t be able to join us. We’ll miss him!
Posted in Climbing & Rappelling | Leave a Comment »
As always, when October rolls around, Troop 483 finds itself very busy. Each year, on one crazy Saturday, the troop splits between volunteering at the Webelos To Scout Expo and the church festival at the Christ United Church of Cypress. In addition, you’ll find our scouts working on their orientation skills at Bastrop State Park. Of course, we can’t forget it’s time for the climbing instructors to re-certify at CIMA and Enchanted Rock. This year, we have yet another leader joining the climbing team; welcome Scott! Possibly most important of all is all the visiting scouts we will have. YAY!
Last but not least, we get to move back home to the church for our meetings. We’re so very appreciative to the Volunteer Fire Department at Perry Road but as I said before, there’s no place like home. Our Scoutmaster visited the church and is amazed at how great the renovations look. We’re really excited about this month.
Posted in Charter Organization Sponsor of Troop 483, Troop 483 | Leave a Comment »
We see it all the time on campouts; especially when they cover Wilderness Survival. We teach the boys to be resourceful. Be Prepared. Think things through and be ready to think on their feet.
I have a bragging moment on my oldest son that made me proud to be his mom, and one of his scout leaders. This doesn’t even tie directly to scouting, but it was a great story to hear told to me and one I want to share with you.
My son, and one of our other scouts are good friends; so much so, that the other boy is at my home almost daily. It was no surprise that when he wanted to return to his seasonal job at a local ‘haunted house’ that my kid was eager to go with him.
His friend had no problem getting hired because he was a return worker and they knew his abilities and enthusiasm. But when it came to my son, the manager apologized as he told him that unfortunately, his staff was full, and he wouldn’t be able to hire him. My son thanked him and turned to walk away, while disappointed, with his head held high. After walking twenty or so feet, he turned around and marched right back to the manager. “OK, then I’ll volunteer.”
The manager took a hard look at my son and asked him, “So you want to work here bad enough that you’d volunteer?”
“Yes”, he replied. The manager smiled broadly at him before telling him he was hired.
Since then, both boys have been at my husband’s shop tearing through scraps and welding (under supervision of course) together their costumes to better scare the guests with.
See! They do learn something. Granted, it isn’t community service, but he realizes he can obtain his goals without rewards. All the work we put into these scouts is worth it when they face the real world and use the resourceful tendencies that we teach them.
Posted in Ramblings, Scouting in Life | Leave a Comment »
Today, Troop 483’s largest supporter, the Houston Cy-Fair Lions presented the 10th Annual Lions Biking for Sight Century Bike Ride. The ride began at 8 AM at the Montgomery Athletic Complex. The riders cycled through some of the most beautiful Texas landscape in Montgomery and Grimes counties. The 24-mile route took them past an exotic animal farm, while the 40, 62 and 100-mile routes took them through the Sam Houston National Forest. The 62 and 100-mile routes had hills, which made for perfect training for the Bike to the Beach Bike Ride that many of the riders are working hard to achieve.
Every year our scouts man one of the rest stops, as well as aid in setting it up and tearing it down. It is not only community service, it is just another opportunity to remind the boys that there is more to the world than video games.
Posted in Community Service | Leave a Comment »
Get your petition below!
|
