tree sales

On behalf of Troop 466 we thank those who have provided time and financial support through our tree sales. This will help pay for   the big trip out west and other activities.

Christmas Tree Sales Are On!

Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 9pm

Monday thru Friday (Dec. 3 thru 14): 5pm to 9pm

Cash/Checks. No Credit Cards

Location: St. John the Evangelist Church 10103 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring MD -- near Medical Park Drive)

 

NCAC, Little Bennett, Troop 466

After our hike, as as it was getting on a bit, we ate lunch at the Hawk’s Reach Activity Center, where we were joined by a number of bees and a wasp or two.  As it was a nice morning, it was their last chance to store up for the winter.

We then registered, and headed over to the site (B Loop 21-24) to set up camp.  By the time we finished setting up, it was apx. 3:30/4pm.  We were informed by the Scout that dinner would         take apx. two hours to prepare, and so preparations began.     Dinner was Chicken Fiesta with Black Beans and a very e

  chris bakes a mountain man breakfast. way to go!

   

  the meal heats up

Devin and Johnny putting sticks in the fire

Little Bennett Campout – Oct 2012 (part 1)

Our first campout of the Scouting year was to Little Bennett Regional Park near Clarksburg, MD. This park is heavily used by Scout Troops.

On Saturday, Oct. 20th we arrived at Little Bennett at 10:30am and were told that check in would not be until 1pm. Therefore, we decided to hike around the park.  We used the trail map pictured below (a detailed pdf of this map is available here.)  The four mile hike we took is mapped in red.

We parked at the Hawk’s Reach Activity Center at approximately 11am, and proceeded around Loop E. From there, we picked up the Bennett Ridge Trail. When we reached Western Piedmont, we took a right and continued on it till crossing two streams. We got our feet wet a bit but no one fell in.

the scouts hiking on the Western  Piedmont trail

We continued till we reached Beaver Valley Trail. The Scouts had a choice on which trail to take back and decided to head back to Bennett Ridge Trail and then to Loop E, back down to the Activity Center. We arrived back at the center at approximately 1:30pm.

For the Scouts, the learning objectives were:

• Identify your location on a map and the next way-point. 
• Practice the buddy system 
• Did you have everything you needed in your day pack?

the scouts discuss the next waypoint late in the hike

Chris prepares the dutch oven as Johnny looks on.

Camping at Little Bennet State Park

It's a perfect fall day at Little Bennet. Four scouts and four adult leaders started the outing with a 4-5 mile hike through the park.

We just finished a great Fiesta Chicken Dinner that Chris Dohler baked in the Dutch oven, followed by an awesome peach Cobbler.  Yum. Not a scrap left over.

We're expecting light rains tonight, and plan to get on the road tomorrow before any heavy weather from hurricane Sandy.

Hiking the (AT) part 2

Three scouts and three leaders started the  50 mile hike along the Appalachian Trail (AT) in the Shenandoah National Forest on July 3rd, setting out from the Loft Mountain wayside parking area in the early evening.  

The first evening's hike was a good warm-up for what was ahead.  The first half-mile was a steep climb from 2,800 feet at the parking area to the AT at the peak of the 3,300 feet Rocky Top Mountain.  

Troop 466 hikers atop Rocky Top Mountain, July 3rd, 2012

The first day's hike was rugged, with several climbs and descents.  But due to the late start, the total distance hiked the first day was relatively short, a little over five miles.  Despite the short distance, there was plenty of bear scat on the trail.

There was also some human refuse at a construction site at the Ivy Creek parking area.  The picture below shows the scouts pitching in to clean up the refuse from the construction site.  

Troop 466 leaving no trace at Ivy Creek Overlook construction site.

The first night camp was at Pinefield shelter, shown below.  Three other hikers -  hiking from Tennessee - joined the troop at the shelter soon after the troop's arrival.   These Tennessee hikers had seen a  black bear on the trail just before reaching the shelter. The scouts were surprised, and a little relieved, that they had not seen the bear.  They could not have been far from it.

"Did you see that bear?"

Pinefield Shelter

This hike can be viewed on Google Maps via this link

Hiking The AT (Part 1)

Forest fires visible before the hike

This past summer a severe derecho storm wiped out Goshen Scout Reservation's power and water, as well as Troop 466's long-planned trip to Goshen's Camp Bowman.  Some of our leaders and Scouts organized a backup plan: a 50-mile hike along the Appalachian Trail in the Shenandoah National Park.  The next few blog posts will highlight this trip.

beginning of the 50 mile hike

Oct. 8th Meeting

Oct. 8th Meeting

Next meeting, October 8th, will be pioneering. First, we will have a skills instruction on square, diagonal, round, and shear lashings. Then, we will have the patrols begin building catapults.

Oct. 15th Meeting

The following meeting, October 15th, scouts will continue building their catapults. Once they finish we will have a mini war-like contest (maybe with water balloons.) Supplies:
 - printout instructions on how to build catapults for each patrol
 - staves (I think about 4 footers)
 - lots of rope and twine

Bring On the Fall!

Troop 466 Fall Activities begin:

      Note the updated event calendar to the right.

Troop Year Begins on Monday!

Kennedy Room  7pm - 9pm

See you then!

And now, 40 Things Scoutmasters Say...

 

 

 

Thanks to Scoutmaster CG: http://www.scoutmastercg.com/2012/09/what-scoutmasters-say/

May Court of Honor - Part 3

Certificate of Appreciation from the US Army for our shipment of goods to the troops!

Thanking Mr. Simons for his service to the troop.  Hoorah!

Note that all photos were provided to the blog by our Troop Historian.

May Court of Honor - Part 2

 Way to go!

 Walking the line.

May Court of Honor Photos (Part 1)

Our MCs for the evening.

Mr. Carelli accepting his Thank You Certificate from the Archdiocese.

Congratulations Alastair!

Alastair has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.  Congratulations!

Goshen - The Year That Wasn't

Late Friday night, June 29th a land hurricane or derecho ripped through Goshen Scout Camp and the Washington DC area.

The storm left most of us without power in our homes (and it would be for several days) in the very high heat of the summer (most days over 90 degrees).  

Although power was knocked out, many of us arrived at the Goshen bus loading area Saturday morning, only to find out that the storm knocked out power to Goshen Scout Camp.  No power means no refrigeration and no water (it needs to be pumped into camp).

The leaders met on Sunday morning in the Kennedy Room to discuss the various plans.  One option, was to go to Goshen another week but since we did not have any adults (or parents) 

One leader was with power, and came up with a plan to go to head to Shenandoah National Park.  The Lenhoksin Crew would do the AT and the Bowman Troop would do camp at Big Meadow.  

On Monday, July 2nd we met with the parents to review the plan and gave them the option of going to Shenandoah or not.  Most opted to go with one Scout shifting from the Bowman troop to Lenhoksin (he would have to drop out about a third of the way due to a physical issue).

We left on Tuesday, July 3rd for Shenandoah - Big Meadow Campground.  Shortly after we set up our tents and one dining fly, the sky opened up and the rain came down, cooling the place.   Deer have no problem roaming through the campsite

On Wednesday, July 4th, we took a hike  along the Dark Hallows Falls Trail and Rose River Trail.  We encountered two black bears: one crossed the road as we drove to the trail head, and the other (probably one year old or so) along the trail.  For many, this was the longest hike they have taken in a while, and some realized that they were not prepared for this.

Friday, July 6th saw us off once again on another hike, but a bit shorter.  As our Scouts were hiking along the trail to Hawksbill Mountain, a rattle snake crossed the trail ahead of them and coiled up at the edge of the trail.  We made a bit of a detour around him/her and reminded everyone of (1) to always look ahead and not just right in front of you and (2) to keep in mind the old adage "All snakes are poisonous."  Now, I know that all snakes are not poisonous but if you are not able to identify one from another, it is best to steer clear.

Saturday, July 7th -- Return Home.

60 Years Strong!

April Campout at Camp Snyder

Our April (27 – 29, 2012) Campout was at Camp Snyder in Haymarket, VA.  This weekend was also the Bridging Ceremony for our Webloes.  Even with the rain, our three new Scouts had a wonderful time.  

 

March Campout at Little Bennett

Our March Campout, the first in months, was to Little Bennett Regional Park.  This time, two of our Scouts planned the meals and purchased the food.  As in previous campouts, we ate the fantastic Chicken Tortilla cooked via Dutch Oven.

Our Newest Eagle Scouts!

Congratulations to Nate I. and Nathaniel R. who passed their Eagle Boards earlier this month. They are the first Eagle Scouts of 2012 for our Troop.

Remember, give back to Scouting what it has given to you.

Now, go and enjoy the limelight a bit!

Scout Sunday 2012

Here are a couple of photos from Scout Sunday. Mass was said by Msgr. Pennington and afterwards, refreshments were served in the Kennedy Room.

Report to the Nation

In 2011 Boy Scouts of America Report to the Nation, here are a couple of facts you might find interesting:

• There are 2.7 million youth members. Over 1.5 million Cub scouts, over 900,000 Boy Scouts and over 230,000 in Venturing.
• There are over 1 million adult volunteers
• Collectively, Scouts have conducted over 25 million hours of volunteer service to our communities.
• There were over 51,000 Scouts who achieved the Eagle Rank in 2011. This is the 6th consecutive year of over 50,000.

Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout

Irving, TEXAS (Jan. 17, 2012) — Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout? It’s the question being asked by a new unscripted series from Original Productions (Deadliest Catch, Ice Road Truckers) set to air this fall on the National Geographic Channel.

Those who have been involved with the Boy Scouts of America know how tough Scouts can be. They master hundreds of unique skills, learn what it takes to survive in a variety of circumstances, and focus on teamwork to accomplish goals that otherwise would be insurmountable. Now, as part of Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout?, teams of adults from different backgrounds will have an opportunity to test their mettle against some of those Scouts in challenges based on theBoy Scout Handbook.

For more information, please click here.

State of the Troop Report 2012

Here is part of the State of the Troop Report sent by the Scoutmaster (Joseph Barone) to Msgr. John Pennington, the Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church (Sponsor)...

Since 1952, Boy Scout Troop 466 has been serving the young men of this parish and the larger community. During all of those years, St. John the Evangelist has been our sponsor. Because of this, we felt that it was important for you to provide you with a "State of the Troop" update.

During 2011, our Scouts earned the following ranks:

· Seven (7) earned the Scout Rank

· Five (5) earned the Tenderfoot Rank

· One (1) earned the rank of Second Class

· Two (2) earned the rank of First Class

· Two (2) earned the rank of Star

· Two (2) earned the rank of Eagle Scout

Our Scouts also earned a total of thirty (30) Merit Badges, ranging from Art to camping to Wilderness Survival.

One Scout completed the Blessed Carlos Rodriguez Activity (Footsteps of American saints), sponsored by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS). Joseph Barone (Scoutmaster) has awarded the Archdiocese of Washington Patch, for providing service of more than 100 hours to Catholic Scouting Programs.

Our Troop has also participated in the following activities:

· Scout Sunday (February)

· Goshen Scout Camp (July)

· Scouting for Food with Cub =cout Pack 466 (November)

· Parish Bazaar (November)

This was the year in which our Troop completed our two week Big Trip Out West to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. There were almost 40 Scouts, =eaders and parents who completed the first week, and apx. 33 the second week.