SCOUTMASTER’S MINUTE

by Bill N.

Legacy, 2001

On Saturday morning, August 21, over 30 adult leaders from Troop 373 met at St. Andrew United Methodist Church for a planning retreat. During the first part of the retreat, we heard remarks from the previous four Scoutmasters--Jim McCallen, Doak Jacoway, John Boyle and Tony Giardullo. Each one recalled the challenges and successes he faced with other adult leaders in building Troop 373 to the wonderful troop it is today. Indeed, we are blessed with the legacies which they have left us.

During the second part of the retreat, we focused on the question, "What legacy would we like to leave for those leaders who will inherit the troop in the year 2001? Here are some of the conclusions from that discussion:

1. Fundamentally, we are a sound troop. There is no need to reinvent what we do; rather, we should strive to fine tune our program and activities.

2. We need to do a better job of meeting the needs of the younger, middle and older scouts. Each group requires a different program and approach.

3. Our outings should be more varied and challenging. Find new places to go camping and plan activities which fit the different age groups.

4. Our evening troop meetings need more spice and variety. We should balance them with speakers, demonstrations, hands-on activities, patrol meetings, advancement and games.

5. Continually focus on achievement. Provide more opportunities for rank advancement, merit badges, mentoring, special awards and Eagle counseling.

6. Maintain the delicate balance of boy leadership and adult support. This will vary on a case-by-case basis.

7. Focus more on the patrol method. Improve patrol structure, meetings and pride.

In conclusion, as we move forward during the next two years, we need to keep these points at the forefront of our planning efforts. Of course, our retreat reinforced an important message:

It's a wonderful troop--with a wonderful past and a wonderful future!

Upcoming Events:

August 1999 – February 2000

by Ryan K.

Philmont Scout Ranch is located in northern New Mexico. Every summer thousands of scouts embark on a trek into the Philmont backcountry, carrying everything they will need for ten days on the trail. This summer our troop sent 11 scouts to Philmont to go on a one hundred mile backpacking trek. Everyone had a great time on the trail taking in the "Philmont Experience." Being able to go to such a beautiful place was amazing. Each day hiking past a camp where we were able to do various activities such as; spar pole climbing, burro packing, burro racing, branding, roping, shooting, and tomahawk throwing. Camping on a mountain pass enshrouded in a cool, damp cloud. Walking through the trees spotting deer that just stay still and gaze back, seeming not to be afraid of you and letting you get so close as to where you could reach out with a stick and tap them on their back. Picking your way across a rocky ridge in the midst of a cloud, not being able the see the valley below or fifty feet in front of you, only the sun’s reflection off a lake in the distance. Eating lunch and watching rain envelope the next ridge. Standing on the top of a ridge and seeing the sun’s rays streaming through the clouds onto the expansive green valley below. This is the beauty of Philmont, something you must experience for yourself, something you will never forget as long as you live. It is getting to spend this time with friends that makes it so memorable. Sharing all of these experiences with friends and learning more about each other and yourself as you traverse this land of endless beauty.

By Matt W.

Troop 373 went camping for one week at Camp Chris Dobbins right after school ended. Almost all the guys from the Pedro and Rattlesnake patrols were there. Some of the activities we did included: Horseback riding, leatherwork, swimming, hiking, canoeing, rifle-shooting, archery, and sleeping out under the stars. The worst thing about Chris Dobbins was that everything was very far apart and we had to do a lot of walking. The best part was the archery range.

Please Contact Bob P., Troop Committee Chairman, if you would be able to serve the troop in this capacity.

By Matt K.

What can I say about Tallships? I don't know where to start. I must say it was an experience of a lifetime, I mean, sailing on a 100ft sailboat all around the San Juan Islands is bound to be quite an experience. For those who do not know where the San Juan Islands are, they are located off the Washington coast, up north, by Canada. We all had quite an adventure. As a team, we nine scouts sailed the vessel Odyssey, which was a 100ft Tallship, under the direction of Captain Robert Goux, his first mate Jesse (which was a ten year old trapped in a thirty year old's body), and his two second mates. We carried out all jobs essential for a working ship, raising the sails, swabbing the decks, charting our course, stood watch, I mean we did everything, including one of the most favorite jobs, pumping heads! Yeah right. There is nothing like the pure exhilaration of seeing the three sails catch the wind and having the boat lean over to one side at a 15-20 degree angle. When everything was going well, it was just like you see in the movies, but you were living it. We got to anchor in some of the nicest parts of the country I have ever seen, each night we were at a different harbor or bay; Rosario, Roche, Friday Harbor, just to name a few. On the second day, we were awestruck as a submarine passed by us. As the huge vessel passed beside us all of the crew aboard our ship stood and saluted the huge nuclear vessel. We also learned about the international greetings and customs on the high seas. This was my first high-adventure Boy Scout outing I went on, but on the other hand it was my first Boy Scout outing, I had just started boy scouts about a month before this outing. I got to know every member on the ship, including the adults, and they got to get to know me. The entire crew was great, but I really must give all of the guys credit for working so hard, cooperating and working as a team, we really showed them what we were made of. On behalf of all the guys, I want to give great thanks to Mr. Mumford and Mr. Kelley, without them we would not have been able to do this. They were great leaders and brought us on an unforgettable adventure that we will never soon forget. Thank you!

FUTURE HIGH ADVENTURE

By Scott Leger

One of this year’s summer camps, Ben Delatour had it all. Hiking, beautiful scenery, a great aquatics program, rifle, shotgun and archery. And oh yes, there was walking, and a lot of it. If you were to ask each scout who went to Ben Delatour what the worst thing was, they would all say the walking. The camp was so spread out that it was forty minutes from our campsite to aquatics! Yet, Camp Ben Delatour was still a great experience for all the nineteen scouts who attended.

Camp Ben Delatour is located in the Red Feathers Lakes area. This could not be a more appropriate setting. The scenery was some of the most phenomenal in Colorado. We found lots of great spots to snap pictures, thanks to our troop guide, Mike. Mike did a great job of becoming every one’s friend. By the end of the week, we all felt like he was someone from our troop. We even invited him on a raft trip we took. This raft trip was one of the highlights of camp. We thank Mr. Edmiston for doing such a great job coordinating this event.

Over 35 Merit Badges were earned at camp. The most popular merit badge was Metalworks because of two key reasons: it only took one period, and coincidentally, it was right next to the trading post. Also, 6 scouts and 2 adults earned the S.O.A.R. patch, which stands for Save Our American Resources. To earn this award, they each had to complete three hours of service work. Our troop also earned the Scout Ranch Pride Award by completing specific requirements and participating in a variety of camp activities.

Friday was a day full of fun! It was the day both camps (Jefferies and Coffin) came together for a bit of competition: The Quadathalon! The quadathalon was a relay race where two scouts had to paddle their canoe around the lake, tag a runner who ran from aquatics to the archery range (about one fourth of a mile), then an archer shot 5 arrows (good shots taking off seconds from the final time), then tagged a runner who ran back to aquatics, then finally tagged a swimmer who had to swim halfway across a freezing lake to finish it. Think that was a lot? There was also an iron man competition where one person had to do all that! Our two troop teams came in fifth and sixth out of twenty five teams! Now that we were all tired, we were ready for a great closing campfire, and we got just that. The theme of the camp fire was the history of the United States, through song. This was a very moving, emotional recollection of memories that couldn’t have ended a great week of camp better, in any way possible.

We would especially like to thank Mr. S. for being insane enough to stay with us the entire week. For a parent to spend the whole week of summer camp with us is truly a challenge.

Congratulations to Matt A.!

From the annual Inner City Health Center Community Fair Steering Committee:

Matt A. organized efforts of several members of Troop 373 to assist in rebuilding and distributing bicycles for this event. Way to show community Service, Matt , and a huge thank you to all who participated from our Troop!