BSA Troop 12 News:

2008

1/7/08 - First Meeting of the year. We worked on registration for Merit badge College. Planning began for the upcoming eagle ceremony and the cave trip to carter caves. Two new scouts accepted into troop - an induction ceremony was held for Levi and Chase. John and Patrick and Glenn were welcomed into the troop as well, transfers from a council in NW Penn.

1/14/08 - We continued to prepare for MBC and the upcoming eagle ceremonies, cave trip and visit to night court.

1/21/08 - final preparations for the trip to the "27th annual Crawlathon" at Carter caves SP in KY. Also final prep for night court.

1/24/08 - a small group attended the visit to night court. We watched judge Frasier in action after court was called into secession. We got to see what happens when you: speed, drive recklessly, or fight with the Police after being ejected from an event at the Civic Center. This was followed by a trip through the Police station. This was all done as prep for the Citizenship in the Community MB.

1/26/08 - The troop assembled before dawn at FPC and then headed out to the 27th Annual Crawlathon at Carter Caves SP in KY.  After registration we gathered gear and split up into two groups. The first group set out to the Bat Cave and entered by the rear entrance (to avoid hibernating endangered bats at the front of the cave). This was a level 2 (i.e. much crawling, narrow passages) with several tight spots.  This cave was wet so upon their return to the lodge - most changed clothes.

The second group listened to an "intro to caving" talk (which had good info and great slides). This was followed by several of the group entering the squeeze box competition- Scoutmaster Blake took 4th in the over 200 lbs division. This was followed by a trip through the Wilburn cave - this is a level2/3 cave with tight spots and a crawl over a crevasse - though this can be avoided (bypassed) to make it a 2 and not a 2/3 cave. Then we stood in the cold and waited for a van.

This was followed by lunch and trips through the cardboard cave - which all admitted was fun. The buffet was a good value and the selection, quality and quantity provided vastly exceeded our expectations. In the future this is the way to go. In the afternoon we toured Cascade cave which is a level 1/2 but pretty much a 1 though our guide tried to get some level 2 elements in for us.  In the parking lot the boys had a terrific snow ball fight. The adults learned the importance of having one another's cell phone numbers as we waited in the cold. Back at the lodge, it was total chaos as the boys changed into dry clothes (some for the second time in one day - two changes of clothes is a good idea - especially for the younger boys!!!!! As they cannot stay out of the water.). Finally all gear was collected and we loaded up into the Mays mobile for the trip home only to realize that we had lost the Vice Chief of Dance and Drum! After much searching - he was located in the gear tent.

The gear tent was well stocked and the vendor was happy to discuss any item sold - any. If you want to buy cave stuff and talk to someone first - this is a good place to do it. Knee pads were $10 and elbow pads were a little more. The knee pads were definitely worth it - the elbow pads were nice. A trip to Glenn's or Dicks might do the same for this. Reportedly - coveralls can be had at the flea market over in the West end by Redman Bingo on 60.

Next year, remember to look for missing scouts in the gear tent.

1/27/08 The troop held its first (in current memory) 4 way eagle ceremony at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. the 4 Catholic scouts were given the eagle charge by Father Jim Sobas in a ceremony conducted by AMS Robert Mays with assistance by ASM Jeff Jackson and Committee Member Michael Mayes. The ceremony was held at the 11:15 service before the mass. After the holily, this was begun be ASM Mayes who began by aking the members of BSA T-12 to rise and recite the scout law. Father spoke about scouting and what it means to be an eagle. Then the gave the scouts the eagle charge. The charge accepted, the scouts were pinned by their fathers (troop tradition is that the scout master pins the eagle medals unless the scout has a father who is an active leader - in that case - the father pins the medal - as we had 4 active fathers - each scout was given his eagle scout medal by his father who pinned it to is uniform). After this scoutmaster Blake awarded the eagle patches. Then the families were recognized. Then  we continued with the mass.

After Mass we retired to the Parish Hall. Here we were greeted by the work of the eagle parents (save me) and Pam Mayes who put together a wonderful repast of cake, sandwiches, chips, veggies, cake and punch. I am deeply indebted for what they have done. It was a wonderful reception. Father Jim said grace and then ASM Mayes began the pinning ceremony for the mothers and the fathers. Two mentor pins were awarded as well. During the ceremony a slide show played on repeat showcasing the eagles, their projects, and events that they have attended while members of the troop. The good was great and the mood was festive. All enjoyed a chance to eat, socialize and congratulate the scouts. Jeff Lavalley surprised the scouts with books containing  letters of congratulations from Senators, Presidents, Governors, etc. What a pleasant surprise. All of the scouts were honored. All in all a wonderful event held by some wonderful people for a group of boys who have achieved much and of whom we are proud.

The eagle scout class of 2007:

Christian Roa

Ryan Lavalley

Justin Blake

Spencer Smith

WWW

2/2/08 - Troop 12 attended Merit badge college. The new format where we met in the Gym was a vast improvement over the method used in previous years. Daniel Green, Robert Mays, Jeff Jackson and Bill Keck taught merit badges. Selfless service - yes indeed. this marks the first time that i am aware of that a t 12 scout has taught a merit badge at MBC - way 2 go Daniel!

2/4/08 - we had our PLC meeting and began to set the schedule for the rest of the year. We agreed to move the ski trip date to 2/28/08 - WV youth ski free day at Snowshow.

2/11/08 - we met at the church to register for and to plan the ski trip. Mr. Mays suggested that we go to Greenbank to see the radio telescopes of the NRAO on Saturday 2/27.

2/17/08 - We met at the Sunday service at FPC for our 4 way eagle ceremony at our host church. Rev. Rabey introduced the scouts. Mr. Mayes conducted the ceremony and MUGUYOH District Advancement committee chairman Dick Smarr gave the eagle charge. Chris Lyons (MUGUYOH District executive) and H. Ray Franks (TASC Council executive) were in attendance and presented our scoutmaster with the "Scoutmaster Award of Merit".  The scouts recited the scout oath. It was a moving event. After the church service a reception was held in the fellowship hall. The Eagle Scouts and their families left for a brief lunch break and then were reunited at the Huntington Museum of Art at the TASC's council eagle ceremony. At the eagle ceremony all 39 of the council's eagles were recognized. In addition 11 members of BSA Troop 12 (10 of them eagle scouts) were awarded the "James E. West Award".

2/18/08 - we worked on planning for the ski trip and the March event - the Carter caves clean up project - new scouts worked on basic scout skills

2/23-24/08 - Ski trip 2008 - We took 39 people (35 of whom skied - ok 2 boarded and 33 skied but you get the picture) on the trip so this was our largest group ever. We met at the church and drove to the AFC where we enjoyed a "sack" lunch. We assigned rooms and dropped gear in our rooms. Then we drove to Greenbank to the national radio astronomical observatory (NRAO). Half the group did a planetarium show while the other half did the exhibits in the science center. Then we met to take the telescope tour. We saw Jansky's antenna with which he discovered that radio waves were being emitted by the milky way. And we saw Grote Reber's radio telescope - a device built in his back yard in Wheaton, Illinois - the first radio astronomer was an amateur - working with a home built parabolic radio antenna. We visited other 'scopes including ones that supported the lunar landings and the one that discovered the presence of organic molecules in clouds of interstellar gas. The tour ended at the Greenbank radio telescope, which is BTW the larges structure on land that moves. After the tour, one group left for mass while the second group had the planetarium show. After this we went back to the AFC retreat so make dinner and enjoy an evening of fellowship. In spite of having to play "drive down the mountain in the dense fog" the church goers made it back just in time for dinner.

We arose early and thanks to the efforts of tom Dougherty and his scouts, we enjoyed biscuits for breakfast. We cleaned out our rooms and loaded the trailer. Having driven the 50 min to Snowshoe we ascended the hill and drove to "the top of the world". Enduring the check in procedure we drove to Silver creek to get our rentals. This went smoothly because of the large number of adults who pitched in to make it work. The older scouts header over to snowshoe while the less adventurous stayed at Silver creek. Some took lessons. It was sunny in the morning which made for a pleasant day. We met back at the lodge for lunch and then went out to tackle the slopes again. I think that all had a good time. We returned the rentals and divided up into vehicles for the ride home. i think that we were only 30-45min behind schedule which is great. Thanks to Mike, Tom, Elisha, Mary, Kurt, Robert, Jeff, Monica and all those who helped make this work.

3/3/08 - we cleaned troop gear from the trip and worked on getting ready for the march trip. Younger scouts worked on scout skills

3/10/08 -  we cleaned troop gear from the trip and worked on getting ready for the march trip. Younger scouts worked on scout skills

3/1708 - we pulled the gear and set it aside for the march trip. We finalized menu plans and assigned duties.

3/24/08 - Robert Mays completed his "Wood Badge" ticket by giving us a presentation on troop 12's history. We discovered that the troop dates to at least March 1919 (and not 1920 as we had previously thought). The troop was active in the 20's and 30's with fading in size in the war years from the 40's to the 50's with a resurgence from the 60's to now. We have 56 eagle scouts (including 10 in the past 4 years). We were able to determine from award pennants from the "cousin It" pole what activities were popular with the troop. this was a great meeting.

3/28-29/08 - The Carter Caves Clean Up as told by Jeff Jackson:

Troop 12, Troop 762 and Crew 762 had a very successful outing this weekend helping out at Carter Caves!  While many of 762’s members were unable to attend and only 12 of the 24 members of Troop 12 who signed up attended, we were able to make a significant contribution to this event.  Jonathan Lewis and the staff of Carter Caves were excellent hosts!

Troop 12 managed to set up camp before dark and 10 of the group attended the very informative tour of Cascade Cave.  We managed to turn in by 11 and spent the very chilly night trying to stay warm.

We were joined Saturday morning by the 5 members of 762 for a hearty mountain man breakfast cooked in Dutch ovens.  Fortunately, Mr. Jackson had the foresight to bring plenty of raisin bread since the lesson in Dutch oven cooking only took 3 times longer than intended J  Will full bellies, our groups headed to the welcome center and a morning of strenuous work.  We accomplished a significant amount of work in these almost four hours– 16 steps were built on the previously treacherous slope leading out of Horn Hollow Cave and “at least a ton” of tree stumps and debris were cleared out of the surrounding creek beds. 

After a filling lunch of sandwiches, chips, fruit and cookies, the older scouts headed out under the direction of Mr. Mayes and Mr. Enders to Cascade Cave to use buckets to carry gravel in and discarded bricks out.  Mr. Dzierzak, ably assisted by Mr. Carlton, Ms. Bird and Mr. Heil, taught the five younger scouts in attendance how to use a compass, how to read a map and then follow a mile long orienteering course (that I heard may have covered more like two miles)!

After breaking camp and cleaning up both ourselves and the campsite, we were treated to one of the best cookouts I have ever had the pleasure to eat my way thru!  I would be hard pressed to pick the best smoked meat – the pork loin, rubbed chicken and mustard venison were all outstanding.  The baked beans and red slaw were both top notch and the deserts capped a perfect meal!  No one left hungry!

The test of any working camp is to leave tired, well-fed and a little smarter – I think we achieved that.

Special thanks to our older scouts who provided leadership on this trip – Beth Thacker, Chase Thacker, Max Wilson, Daniel Green and Michael Mayes.  This was the first time many of the scouts in troop 12 worked side by side with a female scout and I doubt we could ever find a better one to work with than Beth! 

Congrats to our 5 younger scouts – Bobby Jackson, Eathan Carlton, Michael Bird, Joe Enders and Nathaniel Heil, who achieved many of the requirements of the Second class and First Class rank!  Also, as a result of this event, Joe Enders and Nathaniel Heil have now completed their Arrow of Light and I will be filing the paperwork which will allow them to officially crossover into Troop 12.

While all of our adults contributed much to the success of this trip, I need to give special thanks to Mr. Mayes and Mr. Dzierzak!  Ed is the best I have ever met at teaching young boys the skills associated with Scouting!  Without Mike Mayes, this trip would have been impossible due to my disability.  He ran an excellent campout and was tireless in both his work and patience in dealing with all of the little irritants that pop up on every trip!

3/31/08 - 14 scouts and 5 leaders met - troop tents were dried and troop cook gear was cleaned. Younger scouts worked on knots. Adults planned for the Aviation merit badge and the fishing trip in May.

4/7/08 - no meeting Spring Break

4/14/08 - I  was absent - what happened?

4/21/08 - 17 scouts gathered to prepare for the fishing trip. We held 5 BOR and SMC - 3 advanced to first class, 1 to tenderfoot and 1 to scout. Troop tents were checked out. The menu for the fishing trip was discussed.

4/25-27/08 - OA Spring fellowship. 5 scouts and 1 adult attended. Friday evening we took the benches out from the shelter and carried them over to the amphitheater and arranged them in an aesthetically pleasing manner. In the morning, we cleaned out the boat house (next year lets bring wasp spray and trash bags) where Patrick W and Zach D competed to earn the title "dances with wasps". From there we went up the hill to equipment storage. There Ranger Frank Geer had us load old toilets and sinks into the dump truck. These he drove down to sump as river fill. We walked back down the hill. There we were issued sledge hammers and safety goggles. We had to smash the porcelain into tiny bits. We recovered the metal and piping for trash and left the crushed ceramic debris as fill. Then  we broke for lunch. After a lunch break we joined Frank at the equipment house. We moved for small platforms and used them to great one big platform. Then we removed debris and wood from the front porch of the equipment building. The good wood and shingles (rook material) were toted down hill to the platform and covered with a tarp. The trash was disposed of and the leaves swept away. As the APO frat tore down the old mattress shed, we collected all of the piping that had been stored around that and moved it to our new storage area. AT 3:30 we were done - yet tired. In the evening there was a big bonfire and a time to gather in fellowship. Some corn hole was played. Thanks to Daniel, Zach, Patrick, Jacob and Christian. By the way, it was great tent sleeping weather - we camped down by the "big" lake.

4/28/08 - We held a COH. In addition to the scouts being awarded their merit badges and rank advancements, two of our adult leaders earned their Wood Badge - this is Scouting's highest level of adult leader training.

5/12/08 - We had a meeting at Riverbend at Camp Arrowhead - we made fire in spite of the wet conditions. Silver turtles were made on a coal fire. This was a fairly well attended event and produced some of the tastiest silver turtles that I have had in quite some time. Of note, the cook fire was Kingsford match lite. We learned from last year not to count on the new boys making a cook fire right away. After enough boys got there, we divided them into two competing groups to make fire. Fires were made, extinguished, and restarted. We discussed how to put out a fire.

5/19/08 - A smaller group met at Riverbend at Camp Arrowhead and we practices skills for the toten chit and then roasted hot dogs and Brats on a fire under the shelter while the rain fell. Thanks to Mrs Washington for the charcoal that we used to ignite the pine wood to make the cook fire with. The SMORES were made and eaten. Not a bad evening. Dr. Cornell talked to us about his upcoming deployment to Iraq. The boys worked with axes, hatchets, and saws. We learned what types of sticks were good to use to roast hot dogs over an open fire. Ihe ranger had dropped a pine tree near by so we had soft wood to practice chopping and nice sappy pine to burn as well. We killed our fire and talked about a Philmont fire kill stick. We also discussed the time that we nearly set the roog on fire when we were cooking a pig in a pit under the shelter and flipped it over sending grease onto the hot coals below ... ah the memories. "You see that singed wood on the undersurface of the shelter roof ..."

5/21/08 - Adam Smith passed his eagle BOR and has become troop 12's first eagle scout for 2008 - way to go Adam!

5/30-/01 was conclave - I had to work so I need an update from some one who went.

6/2/08 - about 14 scouts met at the church. We worked on getting ready for summer camp. The scouts signed up for merit badges. We planned the canoe trip: what to do at the USAF museum, what to eat.

6/9/08 - about 10 scouts showed up, we finalized plans for the canoe trip, adults were assigned to get: the food, the LATP, drive. The scouts set out the equipment that we would need to cook with. Tents, lanterns, coking shelter, table, coolers, drink coolers, plates, silverware, etc. were all set aside.

6/14-15/08 - trip to canoe the Little Miami River or visit Ft. Ancient, camp, and visit the USAF museum at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH. 8 scouts and 8 adults went on what has to have been one of the best scout trips that I have ever participated in.

We arrived after a 3.5 hour drive to find overcast skys and the river running high. We went to the camp ground which was flat, grassy (well cut), shaded by tall shade trees and adjacent to the river. We made camp and ate lunch watching the river level fall. After about an hour and a brief discussion with a nervous groom we set out for the canoe base. Four of us split off to visit Ft. Ancient. After a safety briefing, the rest of us headed out to the river with 3 canoes and 4 kayaks.

We got settled into our boats and had a pleasant trip down river. We stopped periodically to switch boats or position within the boat. The flow was strong and even in the "still sections" the river was moving.  We has the chance to brave a few riffles - not no canoe was ever upset. Quite a nice afternoon.

6/30/08 - We met at Camp Arrowhead at the rifle range. I met with life scouts to show them, what they need - merit badge wise - to make eagle scout and tried to motivate them to think of an Eagle  project. Eric, Greg, Adam, Mark, Robert, etc helped out at the range. Jeff J was in charge of cooking.

7/19/08 - a good number of scouts and adults showed up to work on Max Wilson's Eagle project - he is building a handicapped access ramp at the Hope House on Charleston Ave. Mark Springer saved the day by showing up with his dump truck to haul stuff away in - a big thanks to all who helped. We set the posts in concrete and did excavation work and moved gravel.

7/20-26/08 - We had a big group in camp - up to 19 scouts with 2 day campers and 2 high adventure scouts. We built a new Axe-yard in Riverbend and also worked with the Ranger to improve the road leading down into the camp site. The scouts filled the drainage ditch with stones - singing while they worked - it was an audio visual treat. The volley ball court (on loan from the Dougherty's - thanks) defined out week. We trash talked the staff and challenged them to a game. The boys participated in a excavating project to celebrate the expected outcome of the game with the staff. Other troops came to our site to use the court. Dr. Cornell had the boys build a monkey bridge - this was a focus of camp life on Friday when endless games of "king of the bridge" were played. This was the second year in a row that John Cornell has had the boys make a major pioneering project during summer camp - we may be the only troop in the council to do this - thanks John. Merit badges were taken. Riddles were solved. We took one of the largest young scout contingents that we had ever taken and did so without any home sickness (ok, a little). Three scouts and 2 adults were tapped out at the OA ceremony. Our skit was well received at the closing camp fire - Zachs friend Connor gave a memorable performance playing his part in "Camp Arrowhead Idol". All in all, an excellent summer camp. WWW. I continue to confuse Mark Enders with Joe Heil much to the consternation of both. Nathaniel Heil gave the troop a demonstration of what a well equipped scout has in his First Aid kit - It kind of put the troop FA kit to shame. Robert taught the climbing MB, and Jeff supervised the scouts taking MB - no small feat as many boys MB schedules had to be rearranged - Jeff thanks for doing this thankless task - you make us organized. Adam Camp sat along with others. I hid, goofed off, and lolly gagged when not working on the sail boats or teaching astronomy or "trash talking" to the staff or going to Lowes with Mr Van Horn "for one more thing". A big thanks to Mr. Vanhorn for his work on our Axe Yard cross piece - he mortised the joints by hand. The boys learned how to line up quickly. We marched in circles (literally). We said  Hazzah and Ni a lot. Many flag ceremonies were held. Volley ball games were played. Only once was there any underwear flying from the flag pole. There were no known fire "incidents". See the pictures here: new scout pictures. WWW.

8/11/08 - this was our second annual card board regatta - we had two scout teams each build a boat. We also learned how to put a SNARK together. Both of this years boats out lasted any of the three made last year. One went through 7 scouts worth of voyages before sinking. Thanks to Jeff Jackson and the cooking crew for feeding us.

8/16/08 - This was the second work day for Max's eagle project - this was the ramp construction day - a great effort - thanks to all who helped.

8/19/08 - At this meeting at the church, we preped gear for aquatics camp and completed registraion related issues. I spent much of the week moving boats.

8/22-24/08 - This was the smallest group that we had taken to aquatics camp in quite some time. We had several younger scouts - a big thanks to Adam Franks for his help at camp. Jeff was taken by council to be a bus driver. All others (Ed D from VC762, Michael, Robert, Glen, Nat (out of council from MD)) were pressed into service as sailing MB instructors and boat builders. They did all the hard work of getting the boats rigged and into the water while I goofed off by going through the requirements of the small boat sailing MB with the 10-12 scouts who took the MB class.

We had great meals made by the team who stepped in to take Joe's place. Sailing went well. We were plagued by lack of wind, but we got a little sailing in. We did get a lot of practice righting a capsized SNARK. The boys got a little time in to swim.

I missed the water carnival so I cannot report on that - that was a new feature that was planned to be bigger then what they tried last year.

8/25/08 - this was another fun filled troop meeting at the church.

9/8/08 - I spent this meeting with Mr. Jackson, Max and his parents working on paperwork related issues related to Max's Eagle Scout paper work. Everyone else did meal planning and got the troop gear ready for the upcoming sailing weekend.

9/12/08 - Max Wilson turns his eagle paperwork into the scout office, before his 18th birthday.

9/13/08 - The troop under Eric Maniskas parked cars for the MU Game - This is a big fund raiser for the United Way and the troop - thanks to all of those who make this happen.

9/14/08 - At a Ceremony at Our Lady Of Fatima Catholic Church, troop 12 awarded Adam Smith his Eagle Scout Rank. Father Jim Sobas and the Assistant Scout MAsters of BSA T 12 presented the award. Unable to secure the parish hall, we held a reception outside the front of the church. WWW.

9/15/08 - At a meeting at the church, the scouts and leaders preped troop gear for the up coming sailing weekend.

9/17/08 - Max Wilson passed his Eagle Board of Review and became the troops second and the councils 13 th Eagle Scout for 2008 - WTG Max! (SO WE ARE LIKE 2% OF THE COUNCIL BY NUMBER OF TROOPS, BUT HAVE PRODUCED 15% OF THE COUNCILS EAGLE SCOUTS FOR 2008 YTD).

10/20/08 - 2008 Troop Elections:

11/02/08 - trip to the ANG base in Charleston and C130 flight.

11/03/08 - Meeting report as per Nathaniel Heil Assistant Scribe "We talked about a stove cook off [as a possible event to hold at TGIW to see how various backpacking stoves compare to one another]. We also talked about setting up the bridge [rope monkey bridge] a week before [TGIW]." "November 21 [is the date for] thanksgiving in the woods." "11/16 [Sunday at 2 PM in the river bend camp site at Camp Arrowhead] build bridge [so it will be ready for the crossover to be held on 11/22]." "11/15 park cars [as part of the troop fundraiser at the ACF lot]."

11/09/808 - The troop presented Max Wilson with his Eagle Scout Award.  Pastor Rabey gave him  the charge. Robert Mays conducted the ceremoney. Rick Wilson awarded him his eagle medal. I presented his eagle patch, and Pastor Rabey presented him with his eagle certificate. This was followed by a large reception in the fellowship hall. A big thanks to Sylvia for the decoration and event planning. We pinned the parents at this ceremony. I received a mentor pin and two boxes of Kleenex. Here are some interesting Eagle facts: Max is eagle scout #59 for the troop and #68 for the church (the other eagles came from troops 2, 44, and 88 which were sponsored by the church in the past but are no longer active.)