Winding Down Another Year, Folks! - but certainly not our activity level; as promised, it's been a busy couple of months. But before I get to that, let me take this opportunity to wish one and all a Happy Holiday Season! [I hope you'll all accept that in lieu of Christmas Cards, which I'm terrible at (lazy?, or overworked? - you choose!)] As I'm sure most are aware, there were times when I didn't think I'd make it through the year - and maybe some times when you didn't think I'd make it either! - but Thanks to the commitment and assistance of many, I'm still kicking. It's been a tough road in 1996 - but also a successful one. Here's to 1997 - perhaps our best year ever? Stay tuned....

December has traditionally been a "wind-down" time for the Troop, but not this year! Our annual Poinsettia/Christmas Wreath Sale and the kick-off of Keith G.'s Eagle Project are both this weekend. Other activities include a Senior Scout Skeet and Trap Shooting session out at the Izaac Walton League, David S.'s Eagle Board of Review, our "end-of-the year" Lazer-Tag night, and the first of this Winter's three ski trips. In with a bang, out with a bigger bang - no whimpers here! Read on, read on, read on!

[As always, please review the following lists carefully for accuracy; if things are missing - we need to know immediately. YOU are the final safety net!]

The Courts of Honor are usually terrific incentive for Scouts to complete those last few rank or merit badge requirements, and our just concluded Fall Court was no exception! Dan and Nick T. both completed Scout Rank; John A., John C., Billy F., Daniel Ho., Adam S., Michael S. and Thaddeus W. all earned First Class; Greg B., Tim Hu., Kevin K. and Nathan K. all made Star; and John Tu. achieved Life. A special Thanks to our Board of Review members Sally B., David C., Dan C., Jim Ho., Patrick K., Kathy L., Charmaine Mac., Sally P-W and Jane T.

A bumper crop of ranks indeed! - and things were no less busy on the Merit Badge side of the house: Will D. finished Backpacking, while Matt B., Tim H., Nathan K. and David S. each earned both Backpacking and Hiking. Tim H. and Rusty P. both finished Citizenship in the Nation, and Ryan S., Adam and Jamie S., and Thaddeus W. each completed First Aid. Of additional note, Michael S. completed his First Class Practical in a new record time of 1 hour and 20 minutes (pretty amazing, there!) Congratulations to each the above Scouts!

As everyone already knows, it was (once again) a very busy month and a half on the activity front! We polished off October with our ninth straight Marine Corps Marathon, again sharing the duties with Troop 149 and about 40 Marines at the Georgetown Water Point. We did our usual duties - helping erect the station, setting up and filling tens of thousands of drink cups, and handing out cups to the runners "on-the-fly." As long-time members of the Troop will attest, it seems the marathon gets busier every year - and this year was no exception, with an estimated 23,000 total runners participating (for comparison, we had just over 9,000 runners in 1988, our first year doing this service activity.) Compounding the number of runners, it was a very warm day for late October, sunny and over 70 degrees, so we ended up handing out over 60,000 glasses of water and "XLR8" (this year's Gatorade equivalent.) The first table in line really got hammered - we probably gave out a third of the grand total right at the first table! (next year, I think we'll just remove tables in line as they're emptied - that'll make it a little easier than trying to continuously replenish one table.) What a zoo!

The marines were, as usual, quite pleased with our efforts, and (in a pleasant change) accepted all our suggestions, including emergency ordering 25,000 additional cups about an hour ahead of time. [Nothing like 9 years experience to give your suggestions a little weight!] According to several friends of mine who ran the race, ours was the only water point that didn't run out of cups (we had about 3,500 left at the end), so the marines in charge of the Georgetown Station looked prescient (and very good compared with everyone else.) Hey, no charge!

Participants included: Greg B., Matt C., John C., Kenny E. (and Russell E. from Troop 647), Daniel Ho., David Hu., Tim H., Kevin K., Nathan and Neal K., Rusty P., Michael R., Johnny R-W, Ryan S., Adam and Jamie S., Mike and Steven S., Dan and Nick T., Chris and Tim T., and Chris and Eric W. (Plus about 15 additional Scouts from Troop 149.) Thanks to: Mark B., David C., Dan C., Jim H., John K., Rich S., Jim and Kim S., Keith St. A., Tom T., Rick W. and Pete W. for sharing all the "fun in the sun." [P.S. - Although we got T-Shirts, patches and hat pins, all the T-Shirts were mediums and all the hat pins were for last year's (1995) marathon. Oh well.... I'm still working to correct the situation, but we may end up on the short end of the stick this time. Updates to follow....]

Heading into November, we hit our fourth straight Venture Hike-o-Ree, again with members of Troop 149. The Hike-o-Ree is sort of a backpacking "primer" designed to get Senior-level Scouts, Girl Scouts and Explorers together for a weekend of hiking and "plugging" of high adventure treks (like Philmont.) It has grown tremendously, from less than 60 participants in the inaugural edition seven years ago to over 500 this year; in fact, next year our District will be splitting from the George Washington District and running its own Hike-o-Ree, probably in mid-October.

The Hike-o-Ree offers 14 different hikes of graduated difficulty; this year we did (what else) the most difficult hike (#1): White Oak Canyon and Cedar Run. An 11 mile circuit hike with over a mile of total elevation change. Also perhaps the prettiest hike in the entire Shenandoah National Park, with multiple waterfalls, a short side-hike through the beautiful "Limberlost" region of the Park (we saw 2 nice bucks!), and some great views from the Crescent Rocks overlook on Skyline Drive. In fact, about the only downers were the weather (once again almost bitterly cold, especially at the upper reaches of the trails), and the fact that yours truly embarrassed himself pretty thoroughly with a nasty fall coming down Cedar Run Trail. Nothing like a minor concussion when you've still got 2 miles to hike! Well, we made it back to Front Royal just in time for some basketball, dinner and Mass, but we also decided that discretion was perhaps the better part of valor with respect to my physical condition (especially with the temperatures heading into the teens and a still blistering wind howling away), so we headed on home. I slept like the dead for 14 straight hours. A good trip, despite the "trip!"

Participants included: John A. and Chris W. (plus 7 Scouts and 2 Leaders from Troop 149); a special Thanks to Tim A. and Ted G. for helping to haul me off the hill.

Next up was our ninth straight "Scouting for Food" drive - and our most successful effort ever (under the enthusiastic leadership of Heidi Capelli, our new SFF Coordinator.) In our usual mega-effort, we put out just over 1,500 bags and flyers in 12 separate "sub-areas" in the Waverly Hills, North Ballston and East Falls Church sections of Arlington. As usual, we outlined all areas with reminder signs mid-week (with a special Thanks to Brendan Mac. and John Tu. for their efforts on a long, cold night.) Collection Saturday was a resounding success, with a grand total of 3,025 pounds of food - our best effort ever, by about 550 pounds. The Cub Pack added about another 500 pounds, so an excellent all-around effort for 111. #1 in Arlington once again, but of course! - although Pack 637 gave us some real competition, collecting just over 2,500 pounds. All for good causes, of course - everything went to the Washington and Northern Virginia Area Food Banks, both of which stock just about every charitable organization around. All told, the Boy Scouts in the Council collected about 1.5 million pounds of food in one day, with little publicity - compare that to Channel 9's highly publicized six-week long effort, which will be lucky to get even one tenth that total. We make a difference!

Thanks to one and all who participated, including: John (and Brionna) A., Richard B., Matt B., Greg B., Charles B., Matt C., John C., Kenny E., Billy F., Keith G., Daniel Ho., David Hu., Dan and Tim Hu., Kevin and Patrick K., Nathan and Neal K., Brendan Mac., Stefan N., Jay P., Rusty P., John P., Michael R., Johnny R-W, Joe S., Ryan S., Adam and Jamie S., David and Michael S., Mike and Steven S., Dan and Nick T., Chris, John and Tim Tu., Thaddeus W., and Chris and Eric W. Plus all those Parents and Leaders who drove - Thanks one and all!

Next up was a new event - SportRock Climbing Gym in Rockville, Maryland. This is a commercial enterprise offering basic instruction in climbing, plus a small warehouse with about 20 different "climbs" - basically, a bunch of plywood walls of varying pitches and angles, all covered with various hand- and footholds. About 20 to 25 feet high, so not a trivial experience for novices. We decided to use these guys for some basic orientation before attempting to tackle the "real thing" this upcoming Spring. Things did not start off well, however, as they demanded each participants social security number before allowing us to climb. We, of course, did not have said numbers, so most of the Scouts ended up with my SSN. If they noticed, they decided to shut up and keep our money. After that, however, things went fairly well - after about an hour of very thorough instruction, we were allowed to climb for about two and a half hours. Pretty good deal, considering we were only supposed to get 2 hours total time. Everyone had a great time. Afterwards, we stopped off at yet another McDonalds for a very late lunch (or very early dinner, take your pick), then home.

Participants included: Richard B., Billy F., Dan and Tim Hu., Kevin K., Neal K., Jay P., Johnny R-W, Ryan S., Chris Tu., Thaddeus W. and Chris W. Thanks to David S. for helping out with driving and repelling. [P.S. - It is my desire to form a "rock climbing crew" - a nucleus of interested Scouts whom we will get formally trained as instructors for future Troop outings. I'm talking 3 or 4 Scouts, highly motivated and highly active in the Troop. If interested, please let me know.]

Next up was our annual Thanksgiving Weekend Mountain Hike - a near thing this year! After predictions of "great weather" all week long, the forecast went down the tubes Thanksgiving night, with heavy rain predicted for Saturday (Friday was, of course, wonderful, but it was too late to change our plans by then.) Well, after some debate, we decided to go for it anyway, especially when the Saturday 6am radar picture showed the main storm to be holding in central West Virginia. This year's hike hit Hawksbill Mountain in the central section of the Shenandoah National Park; Hawksbill is one of the few peaks in the Shenandoahs taller than 4,000 feet, and offers great views of the Shenandoah Valley to the west. We were fortunate just to get to the mountain, as the northern section of the Park (from Thornton Gap north) was closed due to icing of the roads. Casting a wary eye to the thickening clouds, we decided against doing the 7 1/2 mile trail in favor of a more rational 3 1/2 mile loop. Coming around the front (northwestern face) of the mountain on the Appalachian Trail, everyone was much impressed with the large array of frozen "waterfalls" all along the mountainside - giant 20 to 30 foot high and 10 - 20 foot wide "sheets" of icicles. Quite striking, even in the rather gray lighting.

We took the "Salamander Trail" to the peak itself, with steadily increasing winds escorting us all the way to the top. An open faced shelter ("Byrd's Nest #2") gave us some much needed respite from the winds on top, but we all also hit the observation post at the very top - giving excellent views all the way to the Massanutten range. By this point, the winds were a steady 20 - 25 mph out of the southeast, and ten minutes was about all anyone could take. Photo ops for all Scouts, of course!

After a rather chilly lunch in the shelter, we headed down the southeastern face of the mountain (right into the wind for half a mile - brrr!), and then crossed Skyline Drive to take the Skyland/Big Meadows Horse Trail back to our starting point. Tim A. spent a few minutes communing with a small herd of deer - which actually let him approach close enough to pet them! The rest of us just cruised on down the trail, although David Hu. and I shared duties on hauling an old tire out from about a mile back in the woods - Lord knows how it managed to get there! Proving once again that it pays to be a Catholic Troop, the rain started in just as we got back to the parking lot - lucky, lucky, lucky! Taking our time on Skyline Drive back to Thornton Gap, it was interesting to see that virtually every parking lot at the various trailheads were all full (despite the rain) - guess we weren't the only ones with "cabin fever!" After a quick "Micky D's" in Warrenton, it was back to Arlington (and yet another Turkey sandwich for all.) A decent day, even with the borderline weather....

Participants included: Daniel Ho., Dan and Tim Hu., David Hu., Nathan and Neal K., Ryan S., Steven S., Chris Tu. and special guest Brionna A. Thanks to Tim A., Bill F., John K. and John Tu., Sr., all of whom braved the elements and shared the fun. Next year, Old Rag Mountain!

The following night (and starting off the month of December), we all enjoyed a much "warmer" experience taking in the latest Star Trek movie: "First Contact," at the AMC Skyline Mall. We hit the "twilight" showing to keep the costs to a very reasonable $3/ticket. This movie is the first in the long running Star Trek movie series to feature only the crew of the "Star Trek/The Next Generation" TV series - so the old geezers like me were at a total loss without Kirk, Spock, Bones, Scotty, et al. Nonetheless, an excellent movie, if you have the chance. [For this reason, I won't discuss the movie any further.] The previews of coming attractions was quite impressive, too, including "Starship Troopers" (the Robert Heinlein novel brought to the screen - looks wild!), and "The Relic," a "creature" movie set in the Smithsonian Institute (produced by the same people who brought you the "Alien" and "Terminator" series.) Of course, we're all looking forward to "Mars Attacks," a spoof of "Independence Day" which looks truly hilarious. I see some more movies in our immediate future, folks! We ended the night with another traditional pizza dinner at Joe's Pizza.

Participants included: Richard (and Chris) Bgs, Matt C., Daniel Ho., Dan and Tim Hu., Nathan and Neal K., Stefan N., Jay P., John P., Michael R., Johnny R-W, Ryan S., Adam S., Steven S., Dan and Nick T., Chris T., and Chris and Eric W. Thanks to Tim A., Matt and Suzie B., Walter H., Frank R., Keith St. A., David S. and Rick W. for chaperon/driving duties.

1) Permission Slips - Attached are permission slips for the upcoming Senior Scout Skeet Shooting and December Ski Trip. Note that both are due THIS MONDAY NIGHT. No permission slip - no go. Sorry, but we have to make firm reservations.

2) Lazer-Tag - Unfortunately, the Sunday, 12/15, sessions were all booked up at all three Lazer-Tag locales; we are therefore going on Monday, 12/16, to the Q-Zar in Springfield. This permission slip, which was attached to the Court of Honor Notes, is also due THIS MONDAY NIGHT. Scouts should assemble by no later than 6pm at the Parish Center, with their permission slips. If you're late, you can expect to find an empty parking lot. We are getting three games, plus pizza and unlimited drinks, for $20; this is a reasonble deal. Because it is Springfield, I expect to be back much sooner than our trips to Manassas - by 9:00 at the latest. If the games run too long, we'll stop after two games and call it a night, in deference to everyone's exam schedules. (This would also lower the cost to $15 for the night.) I am sorry that a weekend session was not possible.

3) Philmont 1997 - I will attempt to hold an organizational meeting either mid-month or in early January. Your first installment payment was due November 1st, bringing you up to $350 total. If you have not yet done so, please take care of this ASAP. Thanks.

4) Philmont 1998 - Having been (badly) burned this year on our Scouts' stated intentions to go to Philmont next year, I will not even apply for 1998 unless I have at least six $100 deposits in hand before April 1st, 1997 (the day of the telephone lottery.) Current 8th, 9th and 10th graders (and parents), take heed.

5) Florida Sea Base 1998 - The Sea Base is increasingly difficult to get in to, and reservations open the same day as Philmont. Again, I will attempt to get us in there as well, but only with a minimum of eight $100 deposits, including two Adults. Note that there is absolutely no guarantee that I will succeed in making a reservation.

6) Troop High Adventure, 1997 - Collective opinion seems to be settling on either another "Triathlon Trek" (biking, canoeing and backpacking) or a less ambitious 5-day backpacking trek with the stated intent of completing Backpacking, Camping, Hiking and Wilderness Survival Merit Badges as part of the trip itself. This will be presented to the Scouts for vote.

7) Summer Camp 1997 - Although we have confirmed reservations at Goshen, we intend to look elsewhere for 1997. One possibility is Camp Shenandoah, run by the Stonewall Jackson Council. This camp has an interesting array of programs not available at Goshen, but is still close enough to Goshen to allow us to assist our Webelos if necessary (which has been stated as a concern.) More to follow....

8) Adults Needed! - We have three ski trips this year, in order to meet the demands of the Scouts. Ski trips are, as we all know, rather expensive (even though we do a pretty good job at keeping the prices down.) I would like to share the trips around to avoid bankrupting the few "regulars" among the Adult Leaders. If you're a skier, please consider helping us with at least one of this year's trips. I'm only a phone call away.... Thanks!

9) 1997 Troop Registrations - Are rapidly approaching. Unless I hear otherwise, we will assume that the following Scouts are withdrawing from the program: Robby C., Peter and Phillip L., and John Gr. If you are not on this list, but are intending to withdraw, we would appreciate your letting us know before Christmas, so as to avoid needlessly re-registering you. Troop Registrations for 1997 will again be: 1 Scout, $60; 2 Scouts, $90; 3 Scouts, $100; our "Registrar" will be sending a mailing out later this month.

Best Wishes to ASM Mark B., who is getting married this weekend.

- Dr. Bob, Scoutmaster

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18 February 2001