Alaska Centennial Jamboree Recap

The troop had a very successful weekend of scouting at the Alaska Centennial Jamboree in Seward.  We were blessed with great weather with sun and no rain.  The wind was brisk at times but was refreshing.  I am proud of every one of our scouts who went as the troop looked sharp and was an fine example of an active scout troop in Alaska.  I praise our hard-working Junior Leaders attending for making the troop look and act like the Boy Scouts that they are and making this weekend such a success!  Adult supervision, organization, and work made the troop pull the logistics of this busy weekend off as well.  Hats off to all who had a hand in helping out this weekend!

Our scouts rode the train to Seward (both to and from) and all seemed to enjoy and thrive on the experience!  I am proud of how our scouts looked and acted in this very public way of travel as most of the train’s passengers were “civilians” (most likely tourists).  Our scouts wore their Class A uniforms with pride and it showed.  The train crew was so impressed with the behavior and actions of our scouts that the conductor asked for several of our scouts to distribute railroad fliers to every passenger on the train from front to back  on behalf of the railroad!  What a great way to show people the best of scouting!  Troop 230 also got a big complement from the conductor on how we acted on the train returning home.  There was another troop on the train a few cars in front of ours and this troop had to be asked to control is scouts several times.  There were only compliments from the crew about our scouts.  Once again, credit goes to the roving Junior Leaders, Patrol Leaders, and every scout in the troop with the desire to maintain the high standards that we expect in Troop 230!

Scouts had a busy weekend but Troop 230 scouts made the most of the Jamboree.  Troop 230 scouts rode the Alaska Railroad, walked all over Seward, set up an impressive troop campsite, cooked meals for the troop, made an awesome gateway from scratch (and scored 90 out of 100 points in the judging), traded Jamboree trading cards, went to a rock concert, met scouts from all over Alaska, saw a historic scout camp, took part in the opening ceremony with over 1000 other scouts, did geocaching all over Seward, participated in a trail maintenance service project, did a mini-Mt Marathon 4K race (where all scouts started and finished the race!; 5 speedy scouts “Beat the Scoutmaster” and earned an ice cream prize for that effort!), sea kayaked Resurrection Bay, took an wildlife cruise, toured the Coast Guard Cutter Mustang, took part in the traditional campfire, did a polar bear plunge in the ocean, did more service picking up trash in Seward, saw the very impressive, temporary scout museum, took Oceanography merit badge classes at the SeaLife Center, worked on Oceanography, Railroading, and Scouting Heritage merit badges, did an ice cream eating contest, enjoyed their time in the beauty of Alaska with the companionship of their brother scouts, and slept a little too!

Now on future T230 events!

Troop Meeting, Tues, May 25, 7-8:30pm, Lion’ Club.  CLASS B UNIFORM!!  First meeting to wear Class B uniform (troop t-shirt, scout pants).  Troop T-shirts are available for purchase. 

Meeting starts with a quick presentation on the historical merit badges available for scouts to earn only in the centennial year of 2010.  These merit badges must be completed before December 31, 2010.  My goal is for every scout in the troop to earn at least one of these special gold-bordered merit badges: Carpentry, Pathfinding, Tracking, or Signaling.  We will have a signup for each of these badges so we can identify interest groups on these.  Easiest one is Pathfinding (knowing your neighborhood and town) and probably most difficult will be Signaling (must know morse code and semaphore flags).   Some of these badges will take will take about 6 months to complete and the goal is to complete work on these historical merit badges by the troop merit badge lockin in mid November 2010.

After this presentation, scouts First Class and below will be dismissed to play a game of “Capture the Flag” outside in the woods near the Lion’s Club.

Star, and especially Life Scouts, are asked to stay inside for a special presentation just for those scouts and their parents to learn more about the final stages of becoming an Eagle Scout.  There will be a few guest speakers to talk about different aspects of the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project including our district advancement chair, Mr. Paul Daggett, members of our troop committee, and Eagle Scouts who have “been there and done that”.  This is intended to be a motivational and informative session for those scouts who will be working on their projects in the busy Alaska summer! 

Also signups, payment, and permission slips continue for Swan Lakes Canoe Expedition on July 11-15.  Please signup at this meeting!

Patrol Leader’s Council, Tues, Jun 1, 7-8:30pm, Lion’ Club. Class B.

Philmont Scout Ranch Information Meeting, Wed, May 26, 7-8:30pm, Lion’s Club.  Class A uniform.  First informational meeting for the upcoming Philmont Expedition in 2011.  Mr. John Deiffenderfer recently became the Great Alaska Council Contingent Leader for this expedition.  Dates of the trip are from June20 – July 5, 2011.  Any scout or adult wishing to attend this highly selective contingent will need to attend this meeting!  Contingent will be limited to 24 total persons including adults; expect 18 scout slots to be available among the two 12 person crews.  Scouts must be 14 years old to go to Philmont, no exceptions!  This is a strenuous hike but the experience is one-in-a-lifetime for a scout.  Most scouts to go to Philmont go on to earn their Eagle Scout!  Contingent leader will be handing out applications to scouts and adults.  Scouts and adults must be selected from a pool of eligible people in the Great Alaska Council.  Troop 230 usually has a very good turnout and showing on past Philmont Expeditions.  Let’s continue the tradition with this one in 2011.

Patrol Leader’s Council, Tues, Jun 1, 7-8:30pm, Lion’s Club.  Class B uniform.  Monthly meeting of junior leaders to plan the following month of activities.

Scout Physicals Due, Tues, Jun 15.  All scouts and scouters who camp with the troop must turn in their scout physical by this date.  Scouts and scouters will not be able to attend summer camp the following week if these physicals are not turned in!  All scouts and scouters need to turn in the annual physical whether or not they attend summer camp!  Mrs. Tabatha Bensel will be collecting these physicals at the troop meeting this evening.   Please see the troop website for the form and information on a clinic that offers scout physicals at a reduced price.

Swan Lakes Canoe Expedition, Sun, Jul 11 – Thurs, Jul 15, Swan Lakes Canoe System, Kenai Peninsula.  This highly popular canoe trip is on again this summer!   There are only 24 spots open including scouts and adults, so sign up as soon as possible so we can get ready.  Designed for scouts 13 and older but younger scouts may go with Scoutmaster approval.  Must be able to portage a canoe and gear over 1 mile between lakes!  Cost is $150. Please bring check and permission slip and sign up tomorrow night!  We will be also be taking scouts and adults on the alternate list as we must be sure we have 24 who attend.  Don’t miss this outing!

Sea Kayak Expedition.  Despite an outstanding plan, this expedition has been cancelled due to low participation…

CPR Training.  The troop has an opportunity to have a CPR course held for our adults.  There would be no cost for this training but would take up to 8 hours to complete the course on an upcoming Saturday in June.  More details to follow…