Troop 275 went on their annual Polar Bear camping trip (Jan 13 – 14). The Polar Bear camping trip is a Palmetto District event. The theme was Winter Wild West. Activities included competeing against other troops in a horse themed relay race. We also had thow rubber snakes into a bucket. This year nature threw a curve ball at us as it cut us short by 1 camping night due to heavy rain. Still, the we had a lot of fun as we took the opportunity to address various cooking requirements for ranking purposes while playing some western games. The weather was cold but we had a good time!
Troop 275 participated in Webelos Woods at Camp Conley Clarke. The event is for to Arrow of Light Scouts and their families understand the workings of a Boy Scouts Troop and how they will fit within the structure of their Troop using the Patrol Method. Several of our Scouts participated to instruct the AOL scouts and helped them build a station for the Webelos to tie knots. He and the boys did an incredible job with a hands-on activity for the cub scouts!
Our troop camped out on an Aircraft Carrier learning all about it’s past and current history! The weekend was a joint trip with 275G to the USS Yorktown over at Patriot’s Point to celebrate Veteran’s Day and connect with our history and the testimonies of the various veterans who were extremely overjoyed at the curiosity of our Scouts as they walked us through the multiple corridors of this historic vessel. Thank you to the men and women who fought for our country and thank you to the Patriot’s Point staff for being so accommodating.
We had our annual Brunswick Stew campout and fundraiser to raise money for needed equipment. We stayed up all night to take shifts to stir big cauldrons full of stew! We then sold all of our stew and donated baked goods the next morning.
Part community service, part fun, our Troop went to Lakewood Camping Resort, Myrtle Beach to particpate in the District-wide, beach-cleanup service project! We walked the beach picking up trash. Later in the day, the rain stopped and we were able to enjoy the beach, the water park at the camp and other activities. Our troop was also responsible for the flag ceremony.
The Troop went to check out Camp Daniel Boone as a possible place to go to Summer Camp in the future. We had some ideal cool temperatures at night with some scenic views in the day. We also had the entire camp, which normally entertains 850 Scouts during the summer camp weeks, all to ourselves. This gave us the opportunity to camp on their best site and the boys got to enjoy themselves quite a bit.
Three Scouts got to work on their cooking skills, several others on their rank advancements, and did a hike of a little over 5 miles.
This year for summer camp Troop 275 went to Camp Buck Toms in Rockwood, TN. There we spent the week having fun, swimming in the lake, as well as taking Merit Badge classes and doing our swimmers test. We also did project cleaning a trail and hiked a historic trail earning a special ribbon with medal.
This weekend, me and 11 other boys went on a campout to Tennessee’s Craighead Cavern, which is a registered national landmark. After a 5 hour drive we arrived to the Lost Sea Adventure where we hiked a small distance in order to get to the natural cave entrance, within which we had to go down 132 carved out stairs.
Going down the stairs.
Once we got down the stairs we entered the main area where we would be camping, which had three layers with small height differences. Then we went on a tour and learned about the cave. One of the things we learned is that it is one of the 3 caves in the U.S.A. to have anthodite formations, also known as cave flowers.
Anthodites.
We then went on a boat ride through the underground lake. While on the boat we learned that the rainbow trout in the lake weren’t there when the lake was first discovered because they can’t reproduce due to the absence of flowing water, so the staff have to restock the fish in the lake about every 2-3 years.
The boat.
After the tour was done we proceeded to the crawls, everyone had to do the easiest 3, and only about half of the troop did all 4 hard crawls afterwards.
Carson at the end of a crawl.
On our way to the cave we visited the world largest knife store, Smoky Mountain Knife Works. Almost everyone was able to get something there, from simple pocket knives to katanas.
An example of swords that were once for sale.
All in all, the cave rocked! Everyone had a great time and it was fun to learn about the cave’s history.
We will meet at the Scout Hut this Sunday (July 9th) at 9:30 AM to leave for camp. Please be in your field uniform, tan shirt, scout pants, belt and socks for the trip. We will return on Saturday (July 16th) around noon, depending on how fast we can get checked out that morning.
I have attached a list of what to pack, contact information, family night and tips for the week.
All medication being taken to camp must be in a ziplock bag marked with the Scouts name and an instruction sheet included in the bag. Parents need to bring the medication bags into the Scout Hut Saturday morning and review the instruction with me to ensure I don’t have any questions.
If you still have forms that need to be turned in please bring them into the Scout Hut so they can be reviewed and maked as completed.
Complete Scout uniform, to be worn on the trips up and back, evening meal and call campfires
T-shirts
Shorts or long pants
Swim trunks
Swim shoes (required for almost all lake front activities)
Underwear
Socks
Insect repellent
Footwear for Boating
Hat if desired
Sweater or jacket
Extra shoes or boots
Poncho or rain gear
Notebook and pencil or pen
Scout Handbook
Merit badge pamphlets (of you have them)
Watch (very important)
Washcloth and towel
Toiletry items (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. No glass bottles)
Flashlight with extra batteries
Sleeping bag or sheets & blankets
Pocketknife
Footlocker or suitcase or backpack
Laundry bag
Hand sanitizer
Water bottle (important)
Optional
Fishing rod and tackle box
Alarm clock
Disc golf disc
Frisbee
What Not to Bring to Camp
Personal rifles or other firearms, ammunition, and bows, including paintball guns
Sheath knives with blades longer than 4”
No pets at anytime
Open toed shoes are not allowed at anytime
Finally, we strongly recommend that items such as radios, music players, electronic games, and other electronic devices not be brought to camp. Summer camp is an outdoor experience, and these items are not appropriate to that experience.
Camp Raven Knob is not responsible for personal or Unit items that are damaged, lost or stolen.
Tips
Have Scouts bring a footlocker or locking suitcase and provide an extra key for the unit leader. That way, if one key is lost, the spare one will be stored safely. With the heat and humidity of June and July, it would be advisable to have a change of clothing for each day of the week.
Cell phones for Scouts are not necessary. Considering that there are no provisions to charge them and that reception is weak at best, Scouts are advised to leave them at home.
Communication
Scouts may receive mail at camp.
Please send mail addressed as follows:
Scout Name
Unit Number
Camp Raven Knob
266 Raven Knob Road
Mount Airy, NC 27030
Please be sure to include the Scout’s unit number on all mail; this will make sure it is routed to the proper mailbox. Also include a return address in case a letter arrives at camp after the Scout has left. Mail service is dependable, but it is recommended that mail not be sent to camp later than the Wednesday while the unit is at camp. Mail can take from two to four days to reach camp. Any letters or packages that contain currency or valuables should be insured. USPS, UPS, and FedEX all deliver to camp.
Should someone at camp need to be contacted, the camp telephone number is (336) 352-4307. This phone is located in the camp office, and is manned from 8:30a.m. until 8:00p.m., with the exception of meals and campfires. There may be a staff member in the office in the evening or at other times as well. Please note, however, that this is the camp’s business phone and parents will not be able to talk to their children. The staff
member will take a message and deliver it to the unit mailbox. Of course, emergency messages, will be delivered as soon as possible.
Internet Messaging and E-mail Scouts are able to receive messages while at camp. Messages may be sent to Scouts through the camp’s website (www.ravenknob.com). Enter the unit Number, Scout name, and message in the form provided. All messages will be printed and delivered to the unit mailboxes with regular mail and messages.
Visitors’ Night
Visitors’ Night at camp is Wednesday evening. Dinner will not be provided in the mess hall, so the Troop will order a meal to be delivered to our campsite. If you are attending visitor’s night and wish to eat with the Troop, please let us know Sunday before we leave, as we need to know how much food to order. Last year is was a fried chicken dinner at $10.00 per guest. Parents may wish to bring a picnic supper to enjoy with their son and friends.
The highlight of the evening’s activities is the campfire program and the Order of the Arrow ceremony. Visitors should not plan to arrive at Raven Knob before 5:30p.m., as Scouts will be involved in sessions until then, and will need time to take a shower and change clothes. The ceremony will last until approximately 9:30p.m., so visitors should plan to leave shortly after that so Scouts and leaders can get a good night’s sleep. Vehicles are allowed into camp on Wednesday evenings. Please note that the camp wide speed limit is 5 mph. In addition, the road between the Trading Post and the Order of the Arrow arena is closed to vehicle traffic from 7:00p.m. until after the Order of the Arrow ceremony, so please plan accordingly.
Here is a list of the things we touched on last week at our meeting at scouts.
PACKING:
3 pairs of shorts 1 pair of long pants 1 long sleeve shirt 4 T-shirts 2 bathing suits 1 set of good clothes (casual) Underwear/socks (optional) 1 pair sneakers or deck shoes 1 set of cheap foul weather gear (pants and jacket) 1 pair work clothes 1 flashlight Insect repellent sheets, and pillow 2 towels Liquid soap/shampoo (no bar soap) Triptone, Dramamine or Bonine (sea sickness meds) sickness meds.)
Personal snorkeling gear if you have it. There is a limited supply on the boat. Underwater disposable camera (optional) For Sun Protection Sunglasses (polarized) with neck strap Hat (with string)
Sunscreen- aerosol and oil DO NOT provide sufficient protection. The crew uses SPF 30 or 45 all over (everyday).
Also glass containers do not work well on the boat.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION:
In case of an emergency call 1-800-683-8687. Messages are checked daily by someone who knows the most effective way to contact the boat that day. . Beacon Won is the name of the boat that we will be on.
TRAVEL INFORMATION:
Flight to Nassau, Sat. June 24, 2017 Flight AA893, flight departs at 9:35 AM
BE AT THE GATE BY 7:00 AM!! We need to be checked in 2 hours before flight time. I will be at the drop off on the departure deck, about midway down at the American Airlines check-in. Look for the Troop.
Flight to Charlotte, Sat. July 1, 2017 Flight AA852, flight scheduled to arrive in Charlotte at 3:21 PM, flight leaves Nassau at 12:55. I suggest you park in the cellphone lot and wait for us to call after we land. Please be patient, as we may have to go through customs and that can be quick or lengthy depending on the lines.
Flightview is a good app to follow the plane for up to date info.
Flight Tracker and Flightaware are also app that you can use to follow the plane in and out of Nassau and see delays that may occur.
Make sure you check your backpack and remove knifes and sharp objects. It is also recommended that you carry on no liquids (or refer to the official approved quantities list on the TSA website). We will be checking a few bags, so if you have any liquids they can be combined into these checked bags.
