BSA Troop 12 News:

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2003 events 2004 events

 

2004

        1/5/04 - new scout leadership was installed. The patrols elected Assistant Patrol Leaders and Patrol Quartermasters. Worked on advancements, scout games.

        1/10/04 - Under the leadership of Mr. Maniskas, our senior scouts and several leaders met in the church basement and CLEANED OUT AND ORGANIZED THE SCOUT CLOSET!!! A thing of beauty is a joy to behold. Old chuck boxes and other older but usable equipment were donated to the scout office. Junk was thrown out. Gear was organized and stowed in a logical fashion. And most unbelievable of all, you can now walk in the scout closet. And it is clean!!!

        1/12/04 - worked on advancements, meal planning for January camp out, talked about merit badge college! Inducted 2 new scouts into the troop!

        1/19/04 - no meeting MKL holiday!

        1/23-25/04 - COLD Cabin Camp at Cherokee! BRRRR! It was cold, hi teens to about 40. 18 scouts and 7 scoutmasters braved the frigid air to hold our first camp of the new year. The cabin was ... well ... drafty. The constant fire did little to change the temperature of the house but it warmed those near by and gave us a gathering point (outside of the kitchen) at night.

           We arrived after dark having feasted at Pizza Hut. A fire was lit and tended. The scouts dispersed. The older scouts took the back bedroom upstairs and the younger scouts seized the room in front of the fire. The scoutmasters had to settle for the large front bedroom. Uno and Scatergories were played. Stories were told. For some, merely tending the fire (and stoking it into a raging blaze) was entertainment enough. Some began work on their mammal studies merit badge by chasing mice around the house. The house contains many bed rolls, these were laid out. Air mattresses were inflated. Cots were set up. Off to bed, snug in our warm sleeping bags. The noise died down by midnight.

           I had the chance to engage in didactic training on proper fire management at 5 AM.

           The scoutmasters began to rise at 6 AM , the scouts arose somewhat later. The adults dined on Sausage omelets that more resembled tacos then omelets. These were prepared by Chef Anderson and Sou Chef Smith. The scouts prepare flapjacks (pancakes) and French bread with bacon. But Alas they had no syrup. But ASPL Chirs M came to the rescue. Combining brown sugar and water in equal parts, then boiling, then adding more sugar he made ... syrup. This was pronounced good by the scouts. Chris was heard to say "why do people buy syrup when they can just make it?" or something along those lines. For this feat of culinary heroism he was awarded the scout spatula of honor. Which, in its physical manifestation, is nicer then any thing in the adult chuck box!

         After clean up the scouts met out back of the house by the fire ring and divided into two teams. Each, armed only with magnesium striker bars, a knife, dryer lint, twigs, sticks and logs was tasked with producing fire. Yet that was not all, for they then had to boil water laced with soap to such a point that bubbles would burst forth from the pot, run down the sides of the pot and into the very fire that they had just made. This was accomplished by team one in just over 10 minutes! Mean while ASM Brooks and Springer laid out a demanding orienteering course. And ASM Smith studied the topo maps of Camp Cherokee.

        The fire event over, the scouts divided. One team went with ASM Brooks to run the orienteering course following exacting (though not always correct) instructions. They had to pace off compass bearings to find way points. These points were marked with tape that was often hidden from casual view  by leaves or other nefarious means. One had to navigate almost directly on top of a way point to find it. At the same time, another team under the guidance of ASM Smith had to use a topo map to find "the pond". Hidden in the forest the way to the pond is not for the faint of heart (unless you know where the road is). The scouts had to use the map, estimate distances to pace off, march along bearings that they chose, trun onto a new bearing as needed ... and find the pond. Then again, using the topo map and a compass, they had to navigate back to the cabin by a different rout. One the ASM Smith began by marching them down a gulley and depriving them of visual clues! And once each had completed their task they had to change leaders and face the trial just completed by the other group!

        By this time it was ... well ... time for lunch. The Scoutmasters feasted upon Bratwurst on a bun while the scouts consumed tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.

        Some time during lunch, the scoutmaster wandered off and got lost (in spite of that GPS). Remembering the principle of "STOP" he remained in place (down by the lake) one he realized that he was lost with no hope of finding his way back. The scouts, ever alert to the presence of their scout master and his whereabouts, conducted an emergency troop mobilization, added the remaining scout masters to their two teams and began a search and rescue operation (well it went something like that, what do I know, I was lost down at the lake. One team went east the other South. After extensive hiking (1(+) miles) the southern team found me by homing in on my 3 yells and whistles. (Well they stopped at the waters edge an threw rocks in the lake first, but they did find me eventually.) We discussed the principle of "STOP", things that a hiker should carry, and clothes to wear on a warm weather hike. After this, we trudged back up to the cabin. ASM Pitanello retrieved 2 turtle shells for the fire place mantle in the cabin, he and the boys inscribed TP12 on one of these.

        The younger scouts accompanied the bulk (bulky) of the scoutmasters on a hike over by the dam. We knocked down, threw, and carried ice that had previously clung to the rocks at the cliff like edge of the road. Rock specimens including sandstone with a metamorphosed core, iron nodules and sulfur bearing coal were collected. Trees and plants were discussed: juvenile tulip poplars, stag horn sumac, oak, and walnut to name a few. At the end of this hike we'd covered at least 5 miles for the day, meeting the 5 mile hike requirement. Thanks to ASM Anderson and Pitanello for sharing their geology and plant knowledge.

        Now it was back to prepare for dinner. A dinner so vast that an outdoor fire, indoor oven and gas grills were required to make it. The boys began making turtles, but as they cooked ground beef, carrots, onions and potatoes a new plan emerged ... stew ... stew finished in a Dutch oven! This was pronounced by the scouts to be good! And it was so good they planned to make it again. They spent time after dinner discussing how they could improve upon it. Sou chefs Blake and Smith fried potatoes and onions. Sou chef Brooks sliced and diced apples, onions and mushrooms and later sautéed the mushrooms. Sou chefs Roa and Pitanello and Brooks assisted chef Anderson in roasting Jackanape (aka pork tenderloin) in pans of apple juice outside on the frozen, wind swept hill top. This was served in two styles: Cajun and Apple/onion with or without mushrooms with sides of the fried potatoes and green beans. After dinner Greg and I washed all the dishes while the scouts either entertained themselves inside or played capture the flag outside. The other scoutmasters dropped from fatigue. Having collected the boys inside, Greg and I soon joined the other scout masters in slumber. Awakened at 12, 2, and 5 by cold, I stoked the fire from our ever dwindling supply.

        A few scouts had left early on Sunday, others had left on Saturday. Of the 13 scouts and 5 scoutmasters who were sleeping at 5AM, only 10 scouts and 4 scoutmasters remained by the time I crawled from my sleeping bag. Early risers. Of the 3 scouts who left, 2 of these scouts left with their own shoes. The other ... well. Aside from a shoeless scout (who awoke later), the rest of our time at camp was uneventful. Chef Anderson made sausage biscuits. The scouts made eggs, bacon , and ... sausage biscuits ... where did they find those? We cleaned the house, patrolled the yard, and packed our gear into the remaining cars. The shoeless scout discovered his spare pair of shoes. We dealt with a case of frost nip. And drove home just as the first flakes began to fall. We arrived at the church an hour early.

           So what did you do this weekend? Did I mention that it was cold? Did you eat as well as we did? Exercise?

        1/26/04 Leaders Meeting:

        We discussed the importance of attending summer camp for the teaching of scout skills and its importance for getting scouts to achieve first class rank. Attending summer camp helps our troop leadership greatly by teaching scout skills that allow the scouts to advance in rank. We learned that the pool at Arrowhead has been relined and that the low COPE course and climbing tower have been completed. The last week of summer camp at Arrowhead will feature every merit badge required for eagle scout rank. Scouts can attend camp that week as day campers if they wish in order to get those merit badges. District rep Chris Lyons advised scouts to attend the merit badge college and work on eagle badges and to take "fun" merit badges at summer camp and to have fun at summer camp! But they can take advantage of "week three" of summer camp to finish eagle requirements if they desire too.

            We learned that popcorn raises only 15% of the funds requires to operate the scout office and camps: Arrowhead, Cherokee, and Kiashuta. The funds raised through the Friends of scouting drive covers 32% of the operating expenses. This is why donations to the FOS fund are vitally important to maintaining the camps. If we don't give, they don't get maintained. I'll try to have FOS forms to hand out at the next meeting. Declines in funding from: the United Way, Ashland Oil  (now $0) and INCO (now $0)  make the FOS campaign even more important then before. The big donors and supporters of scouting are gone. It is up to parents and former scouts to carry the burden.

            Funds to do things like rebuild the walking bridge at Kiashuta, replace the pool at Arrowhead, build a high cope course, develop Cherokee come from the capital campaign fund which is a separate fund raising effort all together. I have asked for information on this.

                Mr. Lyons told us about the following upcoming council events and activities: (thanks to ASM Smith for these notes, any pointless additions or errors are mine.)

1.  The last week of summer camp at Arrowhead (last week of June - first week of July) will feature a "day-camp" opportunity to take any/all of the Eagle required merit badges.  The program will be open to campers in residence during that week, as well as any scout who wants to attend during the day from about 9 AM to about 4 PM.  Details to be developed.

2.  March 27, 2004:  Scout-o-rama at the Huntington Mall.  All district troops are invited to set up a booth to demonstrate scout skills, etc. to publicize scouting and the values we build.  Hours are 10 AM to 4 PM.  A great publicity event. This a way to advertise scouting in general and our troop in specific.

3.  First weekend in April:  District Camporee at Arrowhead.  A hiking, trapping, Indian lore expert will attend and be the featured speaker/presenter.  The guy is "awesome", and an example of "living history", according to past experiences at OA, etc.  Patrol scout-skill challenges.  Camp Friday, Saturday, break camp Sunday AM.

4.  July 2004:  Wilderness Ranger Program again this year.  High Adventure deal in Pocahontas County.  "Outdoor" merit badges, ex:  Nature, etc. This is a great opportunity for older scouts.

5.  Council considering development of our own "Coastal Experience" in Wilmington, N.C. or near-by.  A week-long program still in development stage.

6.  Troop leaders strongly urged to (a) have an "Advancement Coordinator" designated to monitor advancement and keep records, and (b) get the computer program "TroopMaster" on CD ROM, available through the scout office.  See the lovely and talented office staff.  Also, consider having Courts of Honor about every 3 months.

7.  A BSA "risk management" video is about to be delivered.  To be watched by all adult leaders, per BSA National Office. 

            2/3/04 - 6 scouts joined 4 leaders at the Cabell County School Board Meeting. Each scout was individually recognized by the school board.   Now these scouts will earn their citizenship in the community merit badge on Saturday! Way to go boys! A big TROOP 12 THANK YOU to CM Patrick Peyton for arranging this trip!

            2/7/04 - 13 scouts attended the Merit badge College and earned a total of  22 merit badges with 4 partials. This was a great event with many classes taught by MU professors. Art R took Public Speaking and had no one else in his class  and so had a one on one with a MU professor for 3-4hours! Not bad for $10! Kurt took Aviation and has an invite to go fly. Many Eagle requirements were knocked out. Lunch, lunch was held in the MU cafeteria and was all you can eat. This consisted of both lunch and breakfast selections and was a hit with many of the boys. CM Brooks and Peyton attended BSA basic leader training for scouts while SM Blake attended youth protection. Both CM Pitanello and SM Blake attended the "leave no trace" camping/hiking talk. BTW, each boy who attended both the School board meeting Monday and the Merit Badge College earned  his citizenship in the Community merit Badge!!!

            2/8/04 leaders meeting - Looks like we're going to camp at Buckskin council's summer camp. Details to follow if we can get a reservation. 2.5 hours away. Biggest camp in WV. Aquatics is big there as is high adventure. Tent decision has been deferred 8 lb EUREKA Tetragon 7 (7x7 size) $90 vs. COLEMAN (9x7 size) 12 lbs $60. Lighter tent = better for back packing. Eureka is better made (enough to justify cost?). We mostly just "car camp" anyway. Bigger tent holds 3 scout+ gear rather then 2+gear. Decision deferred. I want to order tents by April or May to have for Summer/Fall camping. Ski trip plan is leave Saturday ski and return on Sunday. Cost is $33, troop will pay $10, so Scout cost for meal and skiing on Sunday is $23. If we eat on the road Sat/Sun night this would add to the cost!

            2/9/04 scout meeting - made plans for the ski trip, worked on tenderfoot requirements with the newer scouts. Welcomed 2 new scouts into the troop.

            2/18/04 leader meeting - Kurt Anderson told us about summer camp and what we needed to do to get the boys ready for it. There are 3 programs: High adventure for older scouts, first year camper for new scouts and the merit badge program for "middle scouts". This camp is less structured then the one we went to before, so scouts are urged to take fewer merit badges and to have fun. We also talked about tents -  we are looking at the EUREKA Tetragon 7.  Ski trip update - leave church at noon on Saturday, scoutmasters will supply dinner on Saturday (Spaghetti and meatballs) new scouts will cook it, dry food for breakfast - scouts will provide, kids will need $ for a road meal on the return on Sunday! board of review - will try to advance first class to life on Monday after the ski trip. paint ball - we are reserved for 3/27, we need a list of who is going by 3/13. patrol challenge - weekend of 4/2-04, we need to work on scout skills at meetings Woody and Eric need to tell the scouts what to practice.

            2/23/04 scout meeting - Planned for the ski trip, made menus, assigned food to be brought, etc. Worked on Tenderfoot requirements with the new scouts. Worked on scout skills for upcoming patrol challenge.

            2/28-29 Scout ski trip - Wow! What an event. We met at the church. Drove up to camp Stub Toe (about 45min from Snow Shoe) under clear blue sky. After arriving the scouts split up. Some helped Mr. Lavalley set up his trailer. Others set up tents, others scouted out sleeping spots in the cabin. Then we set to gathering fire wood from the forest floor. After that, 14 scouts engaged in a snowball fight in the woods near the cabin. I set up the 10" scope and began observing the moon before the sun set. The sky was steady and we were rewarded with clear views of the Moon, Saturn and the Orion nebula. Three scouts learned how to operate and aim the telescope. Dr. Roa and Mr. Lavalley made and served our dinner. Spaghetti. How about those meatballs??? Meatballs ... where are the meatballs ??? After dinner Mr. Lavalley and I did KP before retiring to the out door fire ring and the telescope. The temperature fell to about 20 over night and we shivered in the cabin (after the heater went out), tents, and the trailer. We warmed up in the cabin the next morning and dined on various dried goods and the sausage biscuits provided by the Roa's (thanks!). Pack up was pandemonium. Two scouts demonstrated evidence of GI illness. Gear was scattered. Somehow we got going. if only I'd closed the door of the gear trailer before we started off. Thanks to Mr .Smith for catching this error and for allowing us to stay at his camp! We arrived at the mountain (Silver Creek) and went through the process of outfitting with ski and snow board gear. We just barely made it in time for lessons. The "Snowshoe" folks were great and waited for us to get ready (thanks!). In the morning the first time skiers and boarders took lessons while the other scouts explored the mountain on skis. We met at the lodge for lunch - giant sandwiches. After lunch the scouts hit the slopes. The beginning boarders returned to the bunny slope or arcade while the skiers explored the mountain. (I learned that you can learn to ski - in a manner of speaking - with only 1 lesson while snow boarding takes at least 3-4, an important lesson for future trips.) We skied all afternoon before regrouping at about 3:30PM. We returned our gear and headed home. All in all a most excellent trip. Thanks to Dr. Roa and Mr. Lavalley and Mr. Smith (Jeff's father in law) for the help! All this and only one scout broke a bone! And that was on the day before we skied!

            3/8/04 Scout meeting - About 6-8 scouts went to OLOF to attend and help run Pack 43's Blue and Gold Dinner. The rest on the scouts came to the meeting to work on scout skills for the upcoming patrol challenge (first aid and knots). We also worked on some tenderfoot requirements.

            3/20/04 Rocket launch - CM Father Frank Milanese met at Ritter Park with some scouts to launch rockets as part of the space exploration merit badge.

            3/22/04 scout meeting - we worked on scout skills and tenderfoot requirements. Nate gave a report on his Eagle project and thanked those who assisted him. Patrick gave an update on his eagle project and reminded us that we need to meet at Prindle field near the old stadium on Sunday 3/28 at 1:30PM to continue work on his eagle project. We discussed paintball safety and finalized the plans for the trip on Saturday. Mr. Anderson gave a presentation on the upcoming patrol challenge. The First Class scouts built a tent and later set up a rope course and ran the younger scouts through the blind rope course.

            3/27/04 Though not an official troop 12 event, on this date 13 boys and 4 adults joined 2 other boys interested in troop 12 at Scary Creek Paintball. We spent about 3 hours there playing paintball. We played at least 8 games and went through about 6000 paintballs (2000/hour or 300/person). Capturing houses. Fighting terrorists. It went on and on. Rick McComas won the award for being the most painted (pelted) player. Kurt Anderson won the "best Rambo" impersonation award. I took the most likely to be eliminated early award while Jeff Lavalley took the eliminated in the least amount of time award. Josh took awards for being most accurate and hardest to find. The flag team (aided by 5 Marines, 2 just back from Iraq) won the most games. Ryan won the award for "most likely to paint his leader's behind". Christian and Art took awards for being best dressed. While Christian, Art, and Kyle took awards for being best prepared. Justin took the best bluff award for continuing to fire while out of paintballs and scaring people off. Matt and Chris took awards for the muddiest boots.

                4/3-4/04 Troop 12 participated in the 2004 Patrol Challenge at Camp Arrowhead. The scouts practiced their land navigating and trail following skills and learned about tracking animals as well. Several younger scouts worked with wood tools towards their toten chip. We practiced our camping in the rain skills. The new tent building kept us warm and dry arround the cook stove. pictures from the event are on this page patrol challenge '04.\

               4/12/04 Scouts either played games, practiced skills or sat before a board of review. Several scouts were promoted on this night!

               4/19/04 Scouts planned for Summer camp and the WEBELOS camp. Scout games were played. menu for camp out was finalized.

                4/23-25 - WEBELOS camp out was cancelled - weather - flooding.

                4/26/04 - Leaders meeting at Church. Life scouts attended and helped polish off the 1 lbs shrimp, 4 lbs Kilbasa, that went into the Jumbalya made by Eric Maniskas and Kurt Anderson. We discussed relay for life. I droned on about future troop outings. Kurt talked about camp. We worked on filling out merit badge cards for the most recent merit badges.

                5/3/04 - We planned for the Relay for Life event - thanks to Eric Maniskas for this, the scouts communed in the "teen room" around the fooze ball and air hockey tables. At least one scout had a board of review.

                5/7/04 - 5 leaders and 16 scouts participated in the Relay for Life cancer fund raiser. We raised $600. The scouts set up 1000 luminaries about the track and in the stands spelling out the word "hope". Many scouts had fun placing others in jail and then bailing then out (arrest warrants $1 donation, bail $1 donation). The scouts walked. Then assisted with other walk activities as directed by Mr. Maniskas. A big thanks to Eric for organizing this event! We got to get a tripod - Patrick is never in the picture!

                    5/10/04 15 scouts and 7 leaders met at Camp Arrowhead (2 others met me at the church to help get ready but were unable to attend). We started a fire and roasted weenies. While the coals were heating up, the tenderfoot candidates worked on flag raising practice. After dinner we broke up to fish. Thanks to Jeff for getting the bait and supervising the fishing. Thanks to Mark for teaching Justin and others knots. Thanks to Tom for his roasting skills. I think that Eric S caught the most fish (4). JR caught 2 - enough to complete him and earn him his fishing merit badge. Connor caught one that we dissected to check out its stomach as part of the fish and wild life merit badge requirements. Frisbee was played. Where is my red Frisbee by the way? A dog visited camp. We left before the rain. All in all a nice night at camp.

                5/15/04 Eric and "N" scouts met at the YMCA pool to work on water/swimming requirements for the second class rank advancement! Way to go boys! Thanks Eric!

                5/17/04 On this day 18 scouts and 11 leaders, a non registered parent, 2 siblings, and two dogs met at Beach Fork Lake at the shelter to the left of the marina and canoed and fished for 2-3 hours. Canoes were flipped. The inflatable canoes served as platforms for games of "king of the kayak". Fish were caught. hot dogs and hamburgers were roasted. Thanks to those who brought the cookies and brownies! Thanks to Kurt A who brought the food and then left. It was a warm (86 degree) blue sky evening and the lake water was warm like a bath tub. Max wins the award for best solo kayaker based on distance traveled in the least amount of time. Welcome to Scouts Jacob, Jacob and Ethan who joined our troop as well as to our new leaders Beth, Carmen, and Jim!!! Scouts practiced canoeing on the still waters of the lake. Jeff Smith served as the safety boater! Spencer taught me how to roll the canoe over. A feat he taught to Max. Many other scouts Ryan, Justin, etc also practiced the important art of swamping and flipping the canoe. Then they practiced getting back in or swimming to shore.

                5/24/04 16 scouts and 11 leaders and grandparents went out to the rifle/shotgun range at Camp Arrowhead. We discussed gun safety and the importance of ear/hearing protection ... What? Eh? ... Then we broke up into two shooting and one eating/cooking station. Father Milanese ran the two 22 rifle stations. The Maniskas'es ran  the shot gun shoot (skeet). Mr. Anderson supervised the scouts at the grill. Dr. Roa, Mr. Lavalley, and Mr. Brooks removed the tree that blocked the road to the range (just before I returned with the camp ranger and the camp's chain saw. I managed to run around without doing any actual work per se. The boys worked on tightening their rifle groupings and on tracking the skeet. One scout commented that he preferred the rifles as they did not kick and the target did not move. Hmmm. Might have a point. I was 1 for 7 at the skeet. This after following two scouts who went 5 for 5. We all ate well on hot dogs and hamburgers. We had everything packed up and under way before the rain started. All in all a nice evening at camp.

                6/7/04 - the troop met at the church and multiple boards of review were held for tenderfoot, second class, first class and Star rank. We got to see the completed video that Nate and several members of this troop worked on as Nate's eagle scout project. This is an instructional video for patient's families who stay at the Ronald McDonald house.

                6/14/04 - 19 scouts and their families attended the Court of honor. Woody was chosen as the scout of the year for 2003. There was a special award given to Father Frank Milanese for his service to the troop. We said goodbye to the Milaneses. Rank advancements were carried out and merit badges were awarded. A fine evening!

                6/20-26/04 - 18 scouts and 5 full time and 2 part time scout masters attended camp at the Buckskin Council's "scout reservation" at Dillie's Mill. What can I say? Two scouts rank advanced. Most merit badges were completed. 4 scout masters were awarded the scout master merit badge. The troop was awarded the "scout spirit" award - not bad for an out of council troop (actually for an out of council troop to win this award is almost unheard of - the fact that we received it says a lot). The troop won the water carnival. We cooked and camped and fished and hiked. Two scouts participated in the high adventure program facing tight spaces in a muddy cave as well as class V white water! A great week at summer camp! pictures from summer camp 2004.

                   I will always remember Scoutmaster Anderson's gumbo and jambalaya dinners served in the evenings. The quiet shelter of the scoutmaster pavilion on a rainy night. The fire and its circle of surrounding camp chairs. Hammocks. The walk to the dining hall. The walk any where. The long mile to camp. The clear water of the lake - seeing fish 5-8 feet under water. Fishing. Astronomy. Archery. Walking on the dam. Hiking the nature trail. getting lost while hiking the nature trail. Camp announcements in the evening. "Shower and Powder". Polar bear swims. The closing ceremony. Fellowship.

                7/10/04 - 11 scouts met to help Kurt work on his eagle project at beech Fork lake - building a bridge over part of a hiking trail - thanks to all of those scouts and leaders who helped out!!!

                7/12/04 - About 12 scouts met at the church and helped Mr. Anderson and the scoutmasters to organize and clean the gear from camp. After that we practiced setting up our 10 new Eureka tetragon 8 tents! Oh boy - after nearly 2 years of debating we have new tents!

                7/26/04 - About 9 scouts met in the church basement ( canoeing was cancelled by rain). We roasted weenies in the church basement kitchen, welcomed 2 new boys who we hope will join the troop, practiced our rescue rope throws, and played scout games.

                8/2/04 - 9 scouts met at beech Fork lake to practice Canoe rescue. We started by paddling canoes to the site and paddling aroung in the inflatable kayaks. Then ...we  swamped canoes and then practiced "T" rescues as outlined in the current BSA "Fieldbook". After all scouts participated in this strenuous drill, we broke for dinner. After eats we held "the rescue rope relay". Teams of 4 competed to see who could rescue  3 scouts from the water the fastest. Then we changed the teams up and raced again. Eric S emerged as the "rescue rope champion" being the most accurate and fastest rescuer. Way to go! It was a hot day and this provided many with an opportunity and an excuse to get into the water. Thanks to Rick Wilson who grilled the dogs and brats! Thanks to all the leaders who did all the work, allowing me to play in the water with the canoes.

                8/10/04 - Under the watchful eye of sheriff's lieutenant Bill Keck, the scouts trained with the 22's at the rifle range at Camp Arrowhead. I'm also told that the rifles got "sighted in" as well! The Maniskas clan  (Eric and eagles Stephen and  Michael) helped out with the rifles and ran the shotgun range as well. Thanks to Tom B and all of the other adult leaders who helped make this a fun and safe activity.

                8/17/04 - The scouts and leaders met met at the church to plan for the pig roast. Scouts and leaders planned the dinner to sustain them through a night of cooking.  The necessary cooking gear was cleaned and laid out for pack up.

                8/20-21/04 - 11 scouts stayed the night as did 5 leaders, but over the course of the two days a total of 11 adult leaders were in attendance. Way to go team. Eagle scout and current ASM Stephen Maniskas dug the pit and along with eagle scout Michael M did the site prep work and pig procurement. Chefs Rick Wilson and Kurt Anderson started out meal while chefs Eric Maniskas and Kurt Anderson handled the preparations for the pig. Eric Springer, Tom Brooks, and Patrick Peyton also helped with fire and fire pit prep. We enjoyed a dinner of jambalaya that was seconded only by the birthday cake served in honor of Connor Mc in honor of his big day - an event that we were glad that he was able to share with us. Patrick P also was very helpful in counseling a scout! When the pig was brought down by Patrick and Eric all the scouts gathered to watch the dressing of the pig which was later lifted into the fire pit on its bed of a grill and set to roast under aluminum foil and a tarp. Using only 120 lbs of charcoal all night Kurt, Patrick, Eric, Tom and first class scout "JR" cooked the pig. The rain was so heavy that they had to dig a trench to keep the rain from extinguishing out fire! Our new tents kept the snoring scouts dry as the scoutmasters and JR toiled. Kurt, Eric and I sliced the pig. Tom Jung arrived with coffee in the AM. We were glad to see him and Rick McCommas - they really helped us to clean up and break down camp. As this was going on chicken was cooked by our crew. This and the pig were delivered to feed the council's "kick off event" (about 125 leaders) before 11:30 AM. While this was going on, senior scouts Eric S and Ryan L took the younger scouts on an orienteering course set up by Eric S! We did so much it was enough to make your head spin!

                8/23/04 - Scouts and leaders met at the church to prepare for Aquatics Camp. Last minute details were discussed. Bins were packed with troop supplies that would be taken on the camp out. Francesca stepped out as a leader and went through the whole library of scout books to discover that about 80% were out of date! We need to update the library. A few scout games were played. Plans were made to go caving in September.

                8/27-30/04 - Council Aquatics camp - 10 scouts and 5 leaders (Jeff L, Rick Mc, Rick W, Kurt, Art) and I attended camp. We left the church after loading Rick's trailer (thanks Rick!) and headed out. We stopped at Pizza Hut for a pleasant dinner of pizza prior to camp. We arrived, registered and descended the hill. We set up in the left field and as it became dark had erected the scout tents, the "scout master pavilion" (aka SMP) and all but 2 leader tents, which the scouts pitched for them in the dark. I went to visit the SMP and found it filled with about 25 scouts - of whom I recognized about a third. I guess it was some kind of scout fellowship meeting between the members of three troops. The scout masters had to settle under Rick's sun shade. I set up a few scopes (80mm "short tube" and a 6" Discovery dob) and we observed the moon. It was very humid and the eyepieces quickly dewed over - but still many scouts and leaders had a look. Several scouts practiced operating the dob. We took a break at 10 Pm to ascend the hill for the "cracker barrel" - that's boy scout for a gathering with food - this time slim pickins - unlike the rest of the weekend. We checked our merit badge assignments so we knew where to go and when.

                Kurt was up by 4;30 to trek up the hill to go to work cooking out breakfast - our hero. Jeff was up by 6:30 for am AM dip in the lake. The scouts ... hmm ... they were rousted out of the sac at about 7 ... cause breakfast was at 7:30 and we did not want to be late. We ate like kings (there is no question in my mind that we are fed better at aquatics camp then at any other scout council activity) thanks to Kurt and company. After breakfast the scouts were hustled off to merit badges. Many of troop 12 fell into KP duty and helped to clean up after breakfast. I discovered that the "small boat sailing" instructor had no showed and was drafted for that job with the able assistance of Mark Chappell. Anything to get out of clean up. I had 3 classes Saturday and was surprised to see Ryan L in all 3! He did get a lot of experience sailing the "SNARK".  I was as surprised to see Justin: "I didn't know that you were taking sailing" "I didn't know that you were teaching it" "I didn't either" and so it went. Justin also did quite well with the SNARK. Justin said it was windy at the canoe site which was bad. It was not windy at the sailing site - though each class did get a little sailing in. We practiced water rescue - a combination of important training and a chance to cool off in the lake! I was exhausted when we arrived at camp after the third class to see Kurt back at the fire. it was almost time for dinner! At this time I was informed of our casualty. Connor had a bad fall and muscle pull during water skiing and had to be evacuated to home. He is reported to be on the mend and his dad Rick rejoined us for the balance of the weekend. What a scoutmaster!!!

                The troop 12 leaders served dinner - as they had served lunch - only this time I was able to join them (we sailors nearly missed lunch) in the line. Fried steak - you never had it so good! After dinner the scouts and scout masters retired to the SMP to work on troop activities, plans and start discussing the upcoming troop elections. From 8-10PM the sailors toiled away in front of the cabin tying knots under the tutelage of Mark Chappell and Jeff Lavalley - I helped with types of ships and sailing history. By the time I met the others at the SMP, I was beat. But we still got a few good looks in at the moon before lights out. Curiously the scout tents were silent - Friday night there was much chatter until after midnight. Through the fog of sleep I heard the wind and voices. Kurt and Jeff talking ... "its not staked" ... hmm we staked all the tents ... what could they be discussing??? The SMP! I arose in a flash and met Jeff and Kurt at the SMP. We were quickly joined by Rick and Art and Rick. Three staked were screwed into the rock hard ground (my that Jeff is strong) and the tent was rope down. Good thing. The wind had moved the tent and Rick Mc discovered that one of the 8 supports had fallen. We watched some ominous clods past and then settled into our tents. It rained but we were all dry in our new troop tents and thank God, nothing blew away! I really like our dry new tents!

                We arose at 7 (Kurt and Jeff were gone by then and Rick and Rick were up too) by we I mean me and the boys. Art and Christian tried to get the other scouts up. We staggered up the hill to morning formation and flag raising. We ate like kings on eggs, pancakes, and bacon. The scouts and I dispersed to class while the troop leaders supervised the break up of camp and prepared lunch. After another day on the water we returned to camp. I finished teaching the "incomplete" scouts, did paper work and took my place in line as a lunch server. We ate roast beef, salad, and pudding, mmm, some even had seconds. There was a brief closing ceremony as a storm closed in. Jeff and I went to help pack up the sail boat. kurt and the Ricks cleaned up the chow area. And then we headed home. And that's how it was. Hot, humid, wet, fun, tastey, challenging, dry, windy, still, stormy, fair - just another weekend at scout camp.

                8/30/04 - 12 scouts and 10 adult leaders met at the church. We checked the tents from camp to ensure that they were dry. The two broken tents were "pooled" to make one broken tent. Gear was cleaned. We made plans for parking at the MU game. The October "camp out" was selected as a camp and hike trip. This will be a car camp/day hike trip. Scouts are encouraged to help locate a site for this event - Arrowhead? The Gorge in KY? Where to go? We decided to make the Carter Caves trip as a "day trip" rather then as a camp out.

                9/4/04 - 10 Scouts and 9 Adult leaders - worked parking cars at the MU game vs. Troy State. We raised  $300 for the troop and $3100 for the United Way (not counting $510 worth of pre sold parking which brings the total yield for the United Way to $3610 for the day). This is close to a record! Way to go guys! That's what I call community service.

                    9/7/04 - 6 leaders (including me) met and worked on preparing merit badge cards and other awards for the upcoming court of honor. We worked for about 2 hours on this. I'd like to thank my parents who each put in a good 8 hours each in helping me to prepare for the meeting. I'd like to thanks Francesca for purchasing the file folders. They came in handy. The amount of paper work entailed in running a troop is staggering. Thanks for all of the help, I could not do this with out you!

                9/9/04 - Troop 12 Popcorn kernel Jeff Lavalley attends the popcorn kickoff and picks up the popcorn packet.

                9/13/04 - 15 scouts and 13 leaders met at the church for our summer court of honor. Two scouts advanced in ranks and all present were awarded merit badges earned at summer camp and aquatics camp. Over 45 Merit badges were handed out! Good Job guys! Christian and Art have done well by earning 8 merit badges each (2 U of scouting, 4 summer camp, 2 aquatics camp) and making 2 rank advancements after joining the troop in November of '03. Amazing what a motivated scout can do! The leaders who have spent a week at summer camp over the past 2 years were recognized. These 4 men have accompanied the troop to summer camp for the past 2 years. Gerg Pitanello was also recognized for his service at summer camp. We talked about memories of Summer camp and aquatics camp. We talked about upcoming events. The highlight of the evening was when we awarded Woody the 2003 troop 12 scout of the year award! We also assembled and viewed one of the new troop tents bought with the proceeds from last year's fund raiser. We handed out sales forms for this years popcorn sale.

                9/15/04 - results of troop elections are posted. A big round of thanks to ASM Jeff Lavalley who tabulated the election results and put then into an excel spread sheet. Jeff worked for several hours on this and deserves out thanks.

                9/17/04 - Troop 12 receives a letter of commendation from local BSA council head Ray Franks for service to the council over the past 2 years at the fall kickoff for our annual pig roast. The troop was credited for increasing attendance at the annual program kickoff because of this effort. Apparently we are not the only scouts and scouters who like a good pig roast. Way to go troop 12!

                    9/20/04 - The new scout patrol leaders Council met with the adult leadership to discuss their new roles within the troop and to plan the fall camp and hike.

                9/27/04 - the patrols met and the meeting was lead by Ryan the new SPL.  Parking, popcorn, and the fall camp and hike were discussed. The patrols worked on patrol names, yells, and flags. Mr Pitanello did a presentation on poison Ivy. 14couts and 7 leaders were in attendance.

                    9/29/04 - scouts and leaders met at the ACF lot and parked about 300 cars making about $2700 for the United Way. Good effort guys! I'd like to note that $260 of that was made because the Maniskas clan stayed in the lot during the first quarter and kept collecting fees. In a town that bleeds green that is an impressive service! We need to stay in the lot during the first quarter as this can mean $200-400 for the united Way.

                10/3/04 - While six adult leaders met in the dining room, 5 members of the Patrol leaders council met on the deck of my house and discussed the meal plan for the upcoming hike as well as other matters. This is the first step towards the scouts being more active in the running of the troop.

                10/4/04 - 12 scouts met to discuss and pack troop supplies for the upcoming fall camp and hike. We also discussed the upcoming Wayne County Disaster drill - participation in such a drill is required for the Emergency Prepardness drill and is appreciated by those planning this event. We also talked about the popcorn sale.

                10/9/04-10/10/04 - Fall camp and hike - members of all three patrols and a patrol leader from each patrol met at the church and left for the hike! We had 3 scouts so each patrol was of size 2. And with 4 leaders we had a 1.5:1 ratio of scouts to adults so they were able to keep a close eye on the adult leadership and kept us from getting to far out of line. We arrived at the primitive camp area and set up camp. The SMP went up with out a hitch. Tents were erected; supplies were layed out. Then we split into two groups (2 leaders, 3 scouts and one radio per group) and began a navigation exercise where we took different routs (4.5-5 miles) to converge on a set point (abandoned airfield). The fact that this weekend was the annual Arabian horesathon (100 horses and riders) meant that the trails were shall we say more fragrant then usual. And as luck would have it the groups met at the appointed place arriving within a few minutes of one another. We are most thankful to mark Springer who planned this event and chose out route. We walked back by a 7 mile ridge top trail. Several scouts gained a better understanding of the significance of carrying 1.0 liters of water for every 5 miles of a hike. At the end of the hike we again split into parties of 5 and Mr. Anderson led one group while Mr. Springer led the other and we raced back to camp. I was with Mr. Springer's group and was amazed that the other group beat us back. The weather was overcast but the temperature was pleasant all day.

                    The boys practiced patrol cooking with one patrol cooking for the others. They made spaghetti and meat balls (ok, Sam's Club made and froze the meat balls) as well as a mix of canned corn and beans livened up with fresh onion and spices. The adults enjoyed Shish-Ke-Bobs featuring sirloin, onion, red pepper, green pepper, tomato, and mushrooms. MMMmmm. We also dined on baked potato cooked in the fire in foil. Mr. Anderson made peach cobble in the Dutch Oven, thank goodness he put the peaches in on the bottom this time! The Boys spent the evening playing capture the flag with glo-sticks in the field near the camp.

                    We arose in the morning. The Boys made pancakes and bacon. Kurt fixed up Sausage and cheese omelets as well as hash browns with onions and spices. The Boys divided up the extra omelets. Much OJ was consumed.  We polished off the left over cobbler. After clean up we bid Mr. Springer Adieu and set out on a three mile hike within the park passing the fire tower, several radio towers, and a fine view. Arriving back in camp we made and ate lunch (burgers on the grill for the boys and ham and cheese in tortilla rolls for the adults. We broke camp, packed up and left only 10 min behind schedule. We arrived at the church only 8 min behind!

                    The fall colors were just beginning to appear. Many more reds then here. Especially the poison ivy which was a pretty shade of red. A very fine camp out. And a big troop 12 thank you to Mr. McComas for the loan of the trailer!

                           10/11/04 - the scouts met at the church and took time to clean and dry the scout gear. The leaders discussed the plans for a high adventure trip to camp this summer.

                      10/18/04 - We held a meeting where I submitted a plan and the scouts executed it. After the opening and announcements, the boys took off. The first part of the meeting was dedicated to bowline (knot) practice. The second part was dedicated to a rescue relay. The boys had to toss a line to the scout to be rescued. He had to tie himself to it with a bowline, Then the other scouts had to rescue him. Two teams raced in this challenge. The the scouts broke up into small groups to discuss elements related to caving. Next week we will find out how well they did with this task. I hope that the boys will learn a thing or two before we take our cave trip. We had two guests at this meeting, they may join the troop.

                       10/23/04 - We parked cars in the ACF lot on Third Ave. to raise money for the United Way and our troop. Wow, I asked for help and you answered! Thanks to  the Springers, Wilsons,  Liebel-Perezes,  Maniskases,  Roas,  Millers and  Lavalleys who came to help out with parking. I think that we parked a few cars.

                             10/24/04 - The scouts met and ran their own meeting. After the opening they met as a troop to discuss facts about caving: safety info, gear to use, etc. This was followed by a first aid drill on treating injuries and splinting. The meeting ended with a short presentation on: bees, beekeeping and honey by our chief naturalist MR. Pitanello. He brought in part of a box hive, a comb and some honey as props. But he did leave the bees at home. We had three guests at this meeting.

                       10/30/04 - braving the rain, troop 12 parks cars before the MU game. Good show team!

                       10/31/04 - scouts and leaders gathered at Beach Fork lake on the state park side to work on Kurt Jung's eagle project which had been put in danger on account of heavy rain. The team dragged the bridge back to its location and shored it up with over 40 wheelbarrow loads of dirt and rocks. Pass the Ben Gay! Ouch!

                        10/31/04 - popcorn sale goes to bed. 15 scouts sold $5826 of popcorn, over double what we sold last year. Now we most deliver the goods and collect the cash and turn it in on time to avoid penalties. If we do we expect to make over $1500 for the troop. Keep up the good work!

                        11/1/04 - Scouts met to prep gear for the Thanksgiving in the Woods camp out. Reports on Cave safety were given. Scout games run by scouts. Announcements. Adults met and planned menus and planned for summer high adventure trip.

                        11/4/04 - ASM Kurt Anderson, scout leader draftee Morris Jefferies and I met to ready the scout and troop gear for the Camp/Cook out. We also stowed the food the Kurt purchased - thanks Kurt.

                        11/5/04 - 4 adults, 6 scouts, and one family guest met at the church to lug the gear to Camp. We stopped at Pizza hut where we were treated to dinner by CM Rick McComas who also provided the troop with his trailer! Thank you Rick! We set up camp. After this Rick left. The scouts played capture the flag with glow sticks. The leaders viewed with the telescope, occasionally joined by scouts. Joe and Spencer drove the Short tube 80 (80mm refractor) for a while (boy it is nice to see that they remember some things from astronomy merit badge). Then it was off to bed. It was chilly. We had a frost.

                        11/6/04 As per ASM Anderson's plan, we started on the pit at 8 AM. About this time CM Brooks arrived to assist. We rotated turns enlarging it. We breakfasted on French toast and bacon made by the scouts. The fire started at 9 AM. About this time scout Springer and CM Springer arrived to assist. I took time to observe the sun. There was a large X class x solar flare in a sun spot grouping in the middle of the sun pointed straight at earth. This was to produce aurora from 11/7-11/9. Perhaps the largest solar flare of the past 1-2 years that was pointed at earth. I think that CM Brooks and Smith got to see this too, but my memory is fuzzy - it was the bright "C" shaped orange glow at the middle of the sun. Cooking began at 10 AM. Food prep continued all day. I was with the potato group washing and wrapping in foil. To avoid peeling potatoes I ducked out with CM Brooks to replenish our water supply. We were back in time to slice potatoes though. CM Springer and Chef Anderson produced the most amazingly delicious and perfect consistency cranberries by cooking them that I have ever had. CM Wilson joined us and cooked the gravy and then made a ham glaze. Jeff Smith and Kurt and Tom cooked 2 turkeys in the deep fryer and one in the ground. Fire management was by CM's Springer and Brooks. I mostly stood around or hid in the out house. The scouts were ... running around all over camp ... in the woods ... by the lake ... in the field ... at the caves I really have no idea what they did. I did see some flying footballs and a game of football was played for some time. Dinner was planned for 2 and happened at about 3. The meal was great. We had about 25 in attendance including parents and guests. Thanks to all who brought dessert. It complemented the peach cobbler nicely. If only Kurt had put the peaches in last! All of the adults (thanks - thank you - thank you) did a good turn and pitched in to help clean up. We left the church at about 8 PM after cleaning up the gear, thanks to Rick Mc, Rick W, Kurt, Jeff S, Tom and all those who helped with this phase.

                        11/8/04 - met at church 7-8PM to prepare for the cave trip. Had 3 new scouts join the troop. Will need to formally welcome them into the troop. Cleaned some gear. Scout games run by scouts. Kurt J had his eagle scout scoutmaster conference with ASM Jeff L, myself and eagle scouts ASM Michael and ASM Stephen Maniskas. I saw ropes in use. Hmmm.

                            11/13/04 - A big thanks to Stephen and Michael Maniskas who picked up the troops popcorn order. Thanks to Art Roa for the loan of the vehicle to pick it up in!!

                        11/13/04 - Cave guide and cave rescue expert Don Davis took 13 scouts and 6 leaders on an underground tour of the caves of Carter County, KY. We began at the welcome center where Don took us to the classroom in the back of the welcome center and discusses the 3:1:3 rule of caving - Have 3 sources of light (and spare fuel or batteries), tell one person not caving where you are going (contact person), cave with at least a group of 3 (if one is injured and immobilized, one can stay and administer aid while the other goes for help). We also registered our tour with the ranger at the welcome center. Don also showed us his caving gear and demonstrated how to fill and operate a carbide lamp.

        After a brief walk down the road, we entered Laurel Cave. At first it was a big cave and the going was easy. The first highlight was the bats both brown bats and Indiana brown bats. These small critters were hibernating for the winter. They were seen hanging alone or clustered in groups of 20 to well over 100! In some areas there were little bat flowers. In other areas there were sheets of bats. They were cute and say about 1 and 1/2 inches long.

        We came to a side branch below a waterfall and Don guided us in. There was a crevice that you had to go through or over (adult route), this widened into a passage which ended about 15 later after it narrowed some - at the base of another waterfall. That was our route up. Above the falls there was a medium size tube followed by a tight squeeze. I for one did not think that I would make it. Above this was a round room with a steep conical roof and many stalactites and much flow stone. Up from that was a wide room with a low roof accessed via a tight (top to bottom crawl). This overlooked the waterfall we'd seen prior to entering the crevice. Getting up the waterfall in the crevice was a challenge. It was easier for adults with their longer limbs. For the scouts it was more of a challenge. Using COPE teamwork skills, scouts and leaders acted as ladders to get the scouts up. Adults and scouts spotted for one another when traversing the tight spots. This was critical on the way down. I went a long way towards conquering some fear here.

        Back in the main passage we proceeded along and the cave narrowed. We had to climb a 4' rock wall to enter a tube leading to the exit. This rose for a while then dove down and then took an abrupt 100 degree turn to the left. We'd been told that we'd have to crawl. But the amount of sticky mud at the bottom of the cave had not been discussed in detail. We tried to stretch, like in a game of twister, to remain above the mud. First the scout in front of me fell, then the leader behind me. Finally after laughing so hard that I almost couldn't stop, I just gave up trying to stay above the mud, I just fell down in it an slogged on  just trying not lose my boots in the mud which made a slurping sound as it tried to wrench your boots off with each step.

        We crawled out into day light and reflected on the experience. In that cave Don talked about the relationship of water level to cave shape and discussed speliotherms (?sp)  (stalagmites and the like). He led us to the Horn hollow cave. This cave was more of a straight through cave. But as we walked through it it became harder and harder to walk without walking through the water. Finally we had to slog through the water, all being soaked up at least to our knees. This cave was higher and there was less stooping.  At the end of the cave we discussed mud plugs, how they form and such as well as a little bit about digging in a cave (to open a plug). We exited the cave at a crawl. here we spotted a garter snake sunning on a rock. He hissed at us. I guess he didn't want company.

        It was time to hike to the next cave, box dam cave or some such thing. I may be confusing caves at this point (this might have been at the entrance to Horn Hollow), but I believe that this was the cave that we entered by slogging through water 1.5-2.5 feet deep. By this time we were all wet and muddy so we did not care. We got to a point where we had to go past a tight vertical opening past a huge 4-5' thick column of flow stone to enter the chamber of the low roof and the large head thwacking stalactites. Past this was a low roofed crawl to a room with a pool of water at its floor. Past this was a room with a jumble of rocks that one went up. This led to a long flat (tight top to bottom) crawl. We stopped at an area where the roof rose to about 3 feet. Then is was back on your belly, pushing your pack in front of you. The we entered a slanted room with a taller roof to the left that led to pools of water with rock dam edges. Don discussed how these form for a while. Some where in this cave we did the lights out in the cave trick. Then we had to crawl back out past all of the tight spots, but it was easier then going in.

        After we exited this cave and hiked back to the road and then to the welcome center. We thanked Don heartily.  It was time to visit the bathrooms for a clothes change. Fitted out in new clothes and shoes we went down to the picnic area for sandwiches and chips. A big thanks to Beth Johnson for providing the cookies. We like cookies. Don joined us for lunch.

        After lunch Don left and CM Pitaniello suggested that we hike the red trail as this would take us past 3 natural arch stone bridges and keep us inside the confines of the park and away from the deer hunters. We all agreed that this was sensible and struck out up the hill. It was steep going at first but later it leveled out and the hike became easier. One of our new scouts , Daniel, was our troop leader for the hike. He was paired with SPL Ryan at the head of the column. We stopped to rest periodically. At the first rock bridge, Smokey bridge (which is very large - so big that it is easy to miss if you hike over it), I had to point out (ok, if I hadn't been there before, I'd have walked past it too) the location of a valley accessed via a trail that branched off of the one that we were on. This leads to the bottom of the bridge. Some scouts took this trail (better views) the others raced over top of the bridge and came down the steps on the other side. We explored around under this bridge for a while. this is the most impressive of the three formations.

        CM Pitanello kept me from taking a wrong turn. And we headed back on the red trail (3 bridges trail) past the lodge along the edge of the lake after a long up hill climb. We reached the Raven bridge which is a curved arc of rock. this is the smallest of the three bridges. Again I walked past the trail but the scouts spotted it and we took the stairs to the top of the bridge. By this time there had been much up and down hill hiking and many began to doubt that this was a 3.5 mile loop trail.

           We hiked on, up hill for a long time and then wound around the cliff face high above the road and the entrances to the major caves. The path snaked back and forth. After an eternity of walking along the edge of a cliff (ok, 20-30' from the edge in dense woods) we reached the Fern bridge. This is a large bridge that formed when part of the roof of a large hemisphere shaped cave collapsed. There was less exploring done here and we once again began to climb up. Eventually the trail leveled out and we hiked along the cliff edge well above the road and the cave entrances. In time we spied the welcome center and the trail began to descend. We arrived at the cars at about the time that we were to arrive at the church parking lot. We hurried the boys into the cars and headed out on our hour drive arriving at the church only one hour late! Opps. A great trip ... if only I hadn't lost the keys to the scout closet. I wonder which cave they are in.  CAVE TRIP PICS: pictures from the cave trip on 11-13-04.

                11/15/04 - meeting cancelled. Did I mention that I lost the keys to the church in Carter Caves?

            11/18/04 - Saint Mary's Hospital donates 8 blue camping chairs with the "SMH logo" to Boy Scout Troop 12. Thanks Saint Mary's! We appreciate your support.

            11/22/04 - SPL Lavalley led the scouts in an effort to organize the scout closet. This was amazingly effective. You can now actually walk in the scout closet. Life scout Miller had his eagle scout "scoutmaster's conference" - thanks to all who helped with this.

              11/29/04 - Scouts voted to plan a ski trip and winter cold weather cabin camp. Scouts discussed merit badges to work on over the winter. The adults met and discussed the value of trying to create a formal troop committee so that some of the work could be taken off of the scoutmaster's shoulders. Committee chair - Eric/Tom maintain contact with church; Secretary - Frances/Frencescia - read pathfinder and keep troop informed of upcoming council events - minutes from meetings, treasurer - Eric M, Outdoor activities coordinator - Art - set up outdoor camp outs/activities, Advancement coordinator - Jeff S and L - help plan advancement activities - record updates , Chaplain - Rick W - help troop chaplain aid, equipment coordinator - ??? - keep track of scout closet and troop gear.

            12/6/04 - Scouts met to plan the meals for next weeks m/13/0eeting, this was followed by scout games.

            12/8/04  - Patrick Miller becomes an eagle scout - congratulations on a job well done.

            12/9/04 - 3 scouts (Eric, Justin and Matt) helped with the book sale at Enslow Park Presbyterian church and earned service hours! Way to go Guys!

            12/13/04 - scouts met at church and we held a thank you dinner for the leaders of the church that sponsors our troop. Pastor Rabey and Skip came and shared fellowship and a meal with us. We got to let them know what the scouts had been up too. The older scouts prepared a meal of chicken parmesan and Italian sausage (thanks Roa's) on a bed of spagetti. We also had salad and dessert.  The younger scouts set the table. The leaders supervised the cooking and the cleaning. I as usual did nothing. We ate well as we prepared for 50 and had 25 in attendance. What a meal! Can your 17 year old cook like this?

            12/20/04 - 7 scouts and 2 leaders took gifts of cookies and brownies to the hospitality house (at SMH) to place in the kitchen to spread a little holiday cheer among the families staying there. We also learned about the mission of the hospitality house 9houses families of patients who are laid up in the hospital for an extended period). thanks guys.