Greetings to All. I hope your Holidays were joyous and (still!) politics-free. Thanks to one and all for Christmas emails, cards, and gifts. Please forgive me for not reciprocating on cards - it would take me a week!

Did you know that Troop 111's shoulder patch is highly unique? Probably over 90% of the Scouts in the National Capital Area Council use so-called "Council Shoulder Patches" ("CSP's," listing "National Capital Area Council"), and almost all the rest wear so-called "Community Strips" (a two piece combination of their home town and state in an "over/under" arrangement, e.g., Arlington, VA).

Some History: Prior to the 1970's, virtually all Scout Troops wore Community Strips; these were thin, crescent-shaped patches with white lettering and trim on a bright red background. Just below the state strip, qualifying Troops could also put in a thin silver or gold strip, representing 25 or 50 years of continuous registration in the BSA, respectively. Finally, the Troop number (one to four numerals) was placed just below the tenure strip (if they had one) or state strip. Although Scouts *could* wear their respective CSP (also red and white), very few did so - everyone wanted to reflect a closer association with their communities.

In the 1970's, however, this all changed. With the advent of a new Boy Scout advancement program in 1972 came a new uniform and new CSP's. The CSP's were dramatically different - usually well designed and quite colorful, and unique for each council. They were an instant hit, and many Troops (including 111) switched from their Community Strips to CSP's.

Fast-forward to the late 1980's. From 1987 through 1990, Troop 111 participated in four straight National High Adventure Programs - the Adirondacks Canoe Program, Maine Canoe Base (Matagamon), Philmont and the Florida Sea Base. During these trips, our Scouts were often asked where we were from - to which answers to the effect that we were from the National Capital Area Council usually generated secondary comments like: "I can already SEE that! - but where are you FROM?" Several of the Scouts that attended Philmont in 1989 also noted a few other Scouts on the Council Contingent bus and at the Ranch itself wearing the traditional "red and white" Community Strips, and began lobbying for our Troop to switch back to the old "Arlington, VA" combination.

1989 was also the Troop's 50th Anniversary, so everyone was also looking forward to moving up to the gold "50-Year Tenure" strips. However, the Troop mothers of that time balked at having to sew on 6 separate patches (in meticulous order) on their sons' uniforms! A hunt through the Troop archives revealed several old red and white "Arlington"'s, "VA"'s, and a single combined "111," the latter of which would have saved two patches. However, when we laid the combination down on a tabletop for the Scouts to review, Jeff Lucier, Eagle Scout #41, made the suggestion: "Why don't we combine ALL of them into one patch?" This was instantly approved, and we worked on a final design which also incorporated a gold colored fleur-de-lis and the Council name. We also bracketed "Since 1939" around the fleur-de-lis, and outlined the fleur-de-lis and the 50-year strip in black for better contrast. The resulting highly distinctive design was an immediate hit (especially with the moms!), and has been used ever since. Our most recent version has a "60" instead of a "50" within the gold tenure strip, since we are now over 60 years old. We are often complimented on our Troop patch by Scouts and Leaders in other Troops, and a number of Troops across the country have copied the design for their own patches.

Jeffrey C., who had been on a leave of absence during the fall semester, has confirmed that he is now dropping out; he departs as a First Class Scout. Also departing are Andrew F. (Scout) and Daniel M. (Tenderfoot). Good Luck to each of these Scouts!

Also departing is Assistant Scoutmaster Josh Gartner, who is being militarily transferred to Japan. Although Josh was only occasionally seen around Troop functions, he was very active at the District O/A level, and helped extensively with several District Camporees and O/A Ordeals. Again, Good Luck!

Finally, Nichols McC. will be taking a temporary Leave of Absence, and reassessing his participation later this Spring.

On the recruitment front, we were recently visited by 6 or 7 Webelos from Pack 149, a number of whom have expressed high interest in joining 111 in March. Pack 111's Webelos will be visiting us in mid-January, and we may also be visited by Pack 813 (a fairly new Cub Pack over at the Arlington Science Focus School); stay tuned....

It was a pretty decent month for Merit Badges (especially for a December!); Christopher Bks. earned Camping, Luke B. earned Cinematography, Charles B. earned Backpacking, Camping, and Hiking, Will K. earned Music, Neal K. earned Backpacking and Hiking, and Thomas S. earned Aviation and Fishing.

Moving up the Rank Advancement Ladder during the December Boards of Review were: Christopher Bks. (Star), Tom C. (TF), Charlie S. (2nd Class), Steven S. (Life), and JJ T. (2nd Class).

In addition, Adam S. has completed his Eagle Notebook, and is now only his Board of Review (this coming Tuesday night!) away from Eagle.

Finally, although not "Advancement" per se, I would be remiss not to mention that Brad J. received the "Arrowman of the Year" Award at the Council's Annual Lodge Dinner, in front of at least 500 members of the Order of the Arrow. Considering that the local Lodge (Amangamek Wipit) is the largest in the country, this is no small feat! Brad also was inducted as a "Vigil" member of the O/A - the highest rank an Arrowman can achieve. Attending the dinner were about a dozen members of (our) Chain Bridge Chapter, including the entire J. clan and yours truly.

Congratulations to All of the above Scouts!

After the crazy fall schedule, our pace will slow considerably as we head into the new year. First and foremost is our annual Martin Luther King Weekend trip to Davis/Thomas, WV, starting later this afternoon, where we will be hitting two ski resorts: Timberline and Canaan Valley. Weather permitting, on Sunday, January 28th, we'll be taking a day hike over Sugarloaf Mountain; this is mandatory for participants signed up for this summer's Wind River Trek in Wyoming, but is also open to everyone else in the Troop. We haven't done a Winter hike since Jim S. and I took a group up to Cunningham Falls State Park 6 or 7 years ago, so this should be a pretty neat event. During the President's Day Holiday Weekend in February, we will be returning to Kooser State Park in Pennsylvania, and skiing at Seven Springs and/or Hidden Valley. One suspects the conditions at all four resorts will be as good this year as we have ever seen. Our Winter Cabin Campout, traditionally held on the last weekend in January, has been moved to the last weekend in February (the York-Adams Area Council messed up our original reservation), and will be at a facility we have never previously visited, Camp Conewago, in New Oxford, Pennsylvania. However, the late date shouldn't hurt - this camp is further to the northwest and at a higher altitude, so it should still be a snow-covered event. Scout Sunday is also tentatively scheduled for the last Sunday in February, but since the Winter Cabin Campout now conflicts, it may be pushed into March; details TBA.

Although not a "recent" activity per se, Brad J. and I have finally completed the diary for Crew 3 for this past summer's Philmont trek. This year's diary includes about 200 photos. You can access it at:

http://www.charm.net/~bradj/philmont-2000/

You'll need between 2 and 3 hours for it, but I think you'll find it worth the read! By the way, Rick W. is also working on a diary (for Crew 1); it should be ready in another couple of weeks.

Also participating in the Guns and Arrows Campout last October was ASM Atom Shock. Sorry for the omission!

[BTW, if you do not see your name on a attendance list for an event that you participated in, please let us know! - these are the same lists we use to input data into the Troopmaster computer program (that is, the Scout's permanent record). Similarly, if you ARE listed but DIDN'T attend, also let us know - because we use the same lists for attendance confirmation for accounting purposes.]

On Saturday, October 21st, 14 Scouts and 6 adults participated in the 24th Annual Maryland Scout Orienteering Championships, hosted by the Baltimore Area Council, at Patapsco State Park, Maryland. This was our second year attending this very well organized orienteering meet, which provides instructional exercises followed by team and troop competition events.

We gathered at the Parish Center at 6:30am for the one hour drive to the park in Carroll County, near Baltimore. Upon arrival, "Danger" Rick W. assembled the Troop for a breakfast of bagels and juice. The weather was beautiful, with sunny skies and nice cool temperatures. Unlike last year, this year we had not been working on the Orienteering Merit Badge, although a few Scouts were still finishing up the badge begun last year; attendance at an orienteering event is one of the requirements.

The registration session was attended by our acting SPL, Eric W., and Rich S.. Instructions for the day and the seven-color orienteering map of the park were handed out for all participants, including adults. We split into two groups and began with a map walk exercise to learn how to read the map and compare the map illustrations with the surrounding vegetation and terrain. The Troop passed on the optional relay event in favor of Troop practice on use of a compass, especially taking and following compass bearings to locate targets.

Scouts competed in pairs either as younger or older Scouts (Scouts were counted as older if they were 14, First Class, or had the Orienteering Merit Badge). We had four pairs of younger Scouts and three pairs of older Scouts. The first scored event was "route orienteering," where the Scout pairs walk a guided trail to numbered targets, then mark on their maps where they think each of the targets are. This is not a speed event, but emphasizes the ability to recognize vegetation and terrain features and landmarks, and to compare them with the map of the area to pinpoint a location.

Mr. Rick and Roxanne K. prepared a buffet lunch of stew, sandwiches and bug juice, with extra emphasis on the bugs. Lunch was concluded with a game of ultimate Frisbee. We then tackled the all-Troop event, "score orienteering." New maps were given to each pair of Scouts, with different targets marked. Eric W., performed SPL functions for the second year in a row, assigning targets to each Scout pair. Unlike the previous year, targets were not evenly divided between Scouts but were based on each pair's abilities and the location of the targets. The targets were less spread out this year, which made finding them easier. "Score orienteering" is a timed event, placing a premium on both speed and accuracy. After planning their routes, the Scouts scattered in all directions. Experience definitely helps, those with formal orienteering training had an easier time finding targets. Next year, we plan on offering the Merit Badge prior to the event.

There were 79 teams competing in the younger Scout division of the "route orienteering." Tom C. and Ray Di. took 7th place, the teams of Charlie S./Mark T. and Anthony M./Dale R. tied for 40th place; and the team of Ryan K./Brad G. finished in 68th place-an excellent showing for new orienteerers!

Out of 66 pairs of the older Scouts in their route orienteering competition, our three pairs all finished in the top ten! Thomas S. and Chris Bks. finished in 4th place. Steven S. and Eric W. finished in 9th place while William L., one of last year's younger Scout division first place finishers, and his partner, Patrick P. finished in 10th place. Troop 111 finished 2nd out of 35 troops competing in the morning event.

In the afternoon all-Troop "score orienteering" event, Troop 111's "raw score" was 10th best but dropped to 15th place out of 36 troops competing after adjusting for the average age of our Scouts. The Troop's overall finish (the combination of the morning and afternoon events determines the Maryland Scout Championship) was FIFTH PLACE out of 37 Troops! Again, Troop 111 with an excellent showing. Troop 167, our neighbors at Mt. Olivet UMC, finished 8th, so a good showing for Arlington.

Participants included: Christopher Bks., Tom C., Ray Di., Brad G., Ryan K., William L., Anthony M., Patrick P., Dale R., Thomas S., Charlie S., Steven S., Mark T., and Eric W., plus Adults Roxanne K., George L., Dale R. Sr., Hugh S., and Rich S..

This year marked our 15th annual Poinsettia Sale - also featuring wreaths and garland. After over-ordering last year, we were considerably more cautious this time around, and hit it just a bit short. Saturday's Vigil Mass at St. Agnes was our best ever. Sunday morning's 7:30 Mass was thin, but 9:00 and 10:30 were both wall-to-wall, and we ended up actually selling out just before the Noon Mass. This was a bit disappointing to a few Parishioners, but not many - past experience has shown that the Noon Mass sales are always slow (less than 15 people), especially when the Redskins are playing at 1pm (and they were).

We're still waiting on the final tallies, but I would guess the Troop cleared about $2500. on the weekend. (In essence, we paid for our closet moves.) Thanks to one and all who participated; I appreciate both the effort and the many sales made to Troop families and friends.

On Wednesday, December 27th, we headed up to Whitetail Resort in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, for our Annual Beginner Trip. This year marked a special milestone in Troop history, however, as for the first time we had more beginner Scouts who were snowboarding versus beginner Scouts who were skiing.

As usual, we assembled at oh-dark-thirty the morning of, in order to ensure first dibs at the rental shops and on the slopes. Whitetail tends to be quite a zoo between Christmas and New Years, and although things are usually less crowded mid-week, it's always better to be early. Another sunrise "on the road." It was mostly cloudy all day, with temps slowly rising through the 20's, and occasional flurries. Due to the assistance of two courtesy guides (Jay and Kirk), we managed to get through the rental shops reasonably quickly, and hit the slopes just after 9am. Todd G. and I handled the new skiers, while half a dozen Senior Scouts (notably Ross D.) worked with the new snowboarders. [The W.'s were unavailable to help with snowboarding this year, since Rick had surprised the family with a week-long trip out to Utah for skiing/boarding in the Wasatch Range.] In a change this year, we enrolled all novices in formal 90 minute long lessons with Whitetail Instructors, starting at 10am, so our preliminary efforts were limited to the very basics. Even so, however, we were able to elevate everyone up to the Beginner II level lessons, which gave everyone a seamless transition to more advanced instruction. This also gave all our Senior Scouts and instructing parents a chance to go out and hit the major slopes and enjoy themselves before things got too crowded. Slope conditions were excellent all morning.

At 11:30, most everyone came in for lunch and a break, although Doug and Ross D. continued on with several diehard skiers and boarders, respectively. Thanks to Rob B. and Joy G., we had our own set of tables staked out, with plenty of our own (free) snacks and drinks - which saved us all plenty of drachmas. Surprisingly (at least to me!), all of the beginners felt confident to go out on their own (in buddy groups, of course) after lunch, so all the Senior Scouts and parents were sort of "all dressed up and no-where to go" for the afternoon - thus, the afternoon pretty much turned into a free ski session for everyone. As you might guess, this was a real disappointment for the Senior Scouts! We kept at it til 4pm, with only two minor injuries: Sarah R. slightly re-injured a recently healed broken wrist, and Ross D. gave himself about half a concussion falling over backwards off his board. Even with that, however, an excellent time was had by all.

After a rather lengthy reassembly and repeated head counts (33 people in 6 vehicles, all scattered around the lot, takes a while! - especially when some Scouts insist on switching vehicles after being counted), we hit the road for the Hagerstown Pizza Hut. Unfortunately, their directions were bad, so we ended up almost 15 minutes out of the way before we got it figured out. Dinner was, however, still hot, and we made short work of nearly 10 large pizzas. Then home to St. Agnes, arriving at 7:45pm - another great event!

Participants included: Will B., Charles B. (plus 3 siblings), John B., Tom C., Matthew C., Michael C., Ray Di., Michael D., Ross D., David G., Todd G., Matt G., Dan Hu., Ryan K., Daniel M., Anthony M., Brendan and Matt McE., Jay P., Dale (and Sarah) R., Charlie S., JJ T., and Mark (and Kelly) T., plus adults Rob B., Heidi B., Doug D., Joy G., Tim Hu., Mark M., Chris and Hank McE., Annette R., Noel S., Carey T., and yours truly.

- Dr. Bob, Scoutmaster

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14 January 2001