2010 National Jamboree - Fort A.P. Hill, VAFebruary 11, 2009Next year beginning on July 26, 2010, over 40,000 Scouts will assemble in one of the most exciting and memorable events I have ever been at. The National Jamboree is a time where troops from councils throughout the US and from many countries around the world come to experience scouting at its best. For 10 days, your son will be able to experience sailing, canoeing, scuba, rapeling, BMX riding, archery, and many other events that are fun and allow them to experience things they never have done. Scouts get to live as patrols in a 40 person troop from various scouts within the council. Our council will send two troops to the Jamboree. Currently I am heading up one of the groups and Dawson will be on the other troop. I will look into my jamboree information and add more items about what your Scout will do at the event. In 2005, we have President Bush speak to the group which is something that I will always remember. The price for the jamboree is quite high, but your son will have memories for a lifetime.David DeLongFinal Farewell by David DeLongJanuary 17, 2008Dear Scouts and parents,Winter Camp 2008This was my 5th year at running winter camp for camp TL James. As program director, I worked to get a variety of merit badges and programs that Scouts would be interested in. We had 17 troops at camp, with half of them from out of council. We had about 160 Scouts and 60 adults. It is always a rewarding experience to see the SCouts learn various topics from adults leaders who are passionate about their topics. I hope each of your scouts had a great time. I also want to thank Steve, Dawson, Rick, Robert, Kevin and Spencer for helping us teach a variety of merit badges. These gentlemen taught the following: Robert Thomas - Lost Outpost Dawson - Lost Outpost, Orienteering Steve - Fireman Chit, Totin Chit Rick Polk - Paul Bunyan Award, Citizenship in the Nation Kevin DeLong - Paul Bunyan Award, Wilderness Survival Spencer Shawhan - Engineering, Electricity Summer Camp 2008I thoroughly enjoyed summer camp this year. The 7 young men that went had a great time spending their first week at a Boy Scout camp. We had the boys stay in the canvas camp tents. The tents are 2 person tents so the boys get to buddy up for the week. These helps build some bonding among the group. Fortunately we had good weather so we had no rain and thus no leaks in our tents. Insects were little issue also. I spent each night with the tent flaps wide open just to get the little breeze that came through camp.
I want to thank Dawson and RIck for spending their week at camp. This was Dawson's first time. The most important thing as a leader is to have an upbeat attitude even when hot, sweaty, and tired (few people sleep well at camp).
Peyton was SPL (senior patrol leader) during the week. We spent the first few meals getting the group ready (proper dress) and to the dining hall on time. On Monday, we began to slip off a few minutes prior to the meal and aloow the boys to begin developing as a team. We had told them that all had to be ready before they came to the meal. They could not leave any other patrol members that we slow in getting ready. The team either succeeded or not. There were about three meals in which the group was late, but by the end of the week, they were generally on time. They had to ask each other what the time was becasue few brought watches (a real must for camp).
The days were spent in a new first year scouting program called Brownsea Island. They were separated into two patrols along with 7 other scouts from other troops. They spent time learning compass skills, first aid, knots, lashings, citizenship, axe and knife safety, etc. Some of this we had already covered and some was new for the scouts. The boys also spent time at the waterfront. Out of the 7 Scouts, one completed his 2nd class swimming requirements and 6 completed their 1st class swimmer test. This is major accomplishment as we can now begin planning some canoeing trips (once we get them trained in canoeing skills). I was proud to see a few of the scouts earn the swimmer level on the last day of camp! Some of the pictures show the happiness in their expressions.
Parents, thank you for allowing your son to attend summer camp. I hope they had fun and tell you about the things they did. Colt already wants to be on staff! Thanks again to the leaders who came out and for the visits from some of our parents during the week. The boys seem like they would like to come back to TL James next year.
Boys' Life LinkI was looking at the national BSA site this weekend and found a link to some Boys' Life information. I added that link above. On that link, you can find some articles written by the "gear guy" who has some tips about various gear for camping. One article was about where to find good gear without spending a fortune. You may want to read this article and look at some of the links. article
AdvancementThe first three ranks of Boy Scouts are the Tenderfoot, 2nd class and 1st class. These ranks are the basic skills which the boys will learn and build upon as they develop. We are now working with your boys on these ranks. It is important that they bring their books to troop meetings. Take some time and look over some of the sections and see what they have done. You will be surprised at what they have learned! During our May's campout at Chemin-a-haut State Park, we helped the boys advance in fire building / safety, proper use of knife, ax, and saw, identify signs of animals while we hiked around the park, etc.
WebsitePlease give me some feedback as to what you like and don't like about the website. Is it informative? Can you easily find information? I have been constantly revising the layout to make it more informative. I also try to have the site updated Sunday evening so you can see what is coming up this next week. Let me know YOUR needs and I will try to comply. Paul Harris of the First United Methodist Church added a link to our website from the church's site. Thank you Paul! First United Methodist Church: link Future Trip - Anyone interested?A friend of mine who was at the last Court of Honor is a guide that takes crews on canoe trips in Canada. The trips can be designed around the experience level of the group and what they want to do. Generally, Scouts must be 13 or older to attend any high adventure camp like ths. I thought you may want to see what is out there! |