Greetings to All. OK, I'm gonna try again.... This is just for February, 2003. Other (very short) issues for past months will be forthcoming.

Last Sunday night, we were joined by four graduating Webelos from Pack 111; "Crossing the Bridge" on 2/23 were (and Welcome! to): John C., Liam D., Nick G., and Collin P. Thanks to Danny B., Michael C., Patrick D., Jake G., Dale R., and Jimmy S., who worked the Crossover. Also last month, Joe S., Troop Eagle Scout #54, along with Jim C. and Eagle Scout Justin Z., joined the Troop as an Assistant Scoutmasters.

Early last month, we were visited by Andre des Rosiers, Troop Eagle Scout #34; he has returned to the area after 20 years in California, and will likely be joining Pack 111 as a Leader. Brad Jones (a sophomore at the University of Colorado, and Troop Eagle Scout #77) will be a staffer at Philmont this summer, at the Miner's Park camp (a beautiful place). Last week, the Troop submitted its Charter for our 64th continuous year of operation. Later this month, the Troop will start in on its fourth Eagle Plaque (which, by the way, have been re-installed back in the Church Vestibule).

Advancing at the February Board of Review were Zachary B., 2nd Class; Brian R., 2nd Class; and William L., Life Scout. [Merit Badges will be reported at a future date.]

Congratulations to each the above Scouts!

Tomorrow afternoon, we have another Webelos Scout join the Troop, Hunter S. from Pack 149. The first Projectoree planning meeting is tomorrow evening, at St. Agnes. Maybe this weekend, but probably next instead, will be the 8th Annual Alonzo Stagg 50/20 Hike. We need a spring thaw for that one, and in a hurry, too. A New Scouts' Parents Orientation Meeting is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, March 16th, assuming I can still stand after the Hike. Finally, we have a mountain biking weekend at Patapsco Valley State Park (MD) on March 21st-23rd. Other minor activities and meetings will be reported in the Weekly Notes.

On February 7th-9th, the Troop travelled to Rising Sun, Maryland, for a Winter Cabin Campout at Camp Horseshoe, the Chester County Council Camp, which straddles the Mason-Dixon Line (into Pennsylvania). This trip had excellent timing, as it was just after first big snow in February, 8 inches there. After several Winter Cabin Campouts with no snow, this was an unexpected treat. After a dinner off I-95, we arrived at the camp around 7:30, and after the checking in headed down to our cabin - a very large, multi-room affair with two wood-burning stoves, a kitchen, dining room, and bathroom.

It was surprisingly cold during our unloading, and the unloading was complicated by the camp road, which took a sharp uphill just after our cabin - and was quite difficult to get up with the remaining ice and snow. But the Scouts entertained themselves with constant snow-chunk fights while the adults got a good workout smashing ice with metal shovels. Overhead, we had a great set of bright stars.

Once everyone was situated and roaring fires were blazing (Joe S. set up a tent outside, just to prove that Harold E. isn't the only tough guy in the Troop), we divided into groups - the largest watched Jurassic Park, another played a lively game of Diplomacy, and Joe and I played some guitar. Later Joe and I headed up for an Orientation meeting with the camp staff, again enjoying the night sky. There were two other Troops in camp, both from north of Baltimore.

It was a late bedtime, but no big deal since (unlike most of our campouts) we had no urgent need to get up early on Saturday. Justin Z. and I alternated on feeding the stoves overnight. Joe survived outside.

We got up relatively late on Saturday (about 8:15 or so), to bright skies overhead. After an excellent breakfast (food is one of the real pluses of the Winter Cabin campout), Ari, Justin, and Rich led a large crowd of Scouts in the perennial favorite, firebuilding with only natural materials. Joe, Mike K., and I worked up a sweat splitting every log on the front porch, trading off with some of the larger Scouts now and then (we were supposed to leave an equal amount of split wood as we had when we arrived; we quadrupled it).

Once firebuilding was done, we took a break and did some sledding on a nearby hill, with another Troop (who eventually lent us some of their sleds); good fun and no-one kissed a tree. Then we split into two groups; Rich led a snow-fort building exercise outside the cabin, while most of us headed up to the parade field for an Adult versus Scout snowball fight (Bob rules). The snow at this point had softened to just the right consistency, and a good time was had by all. Six adults versus 25 Scouts is just about right, and a number of Scouts learned that Bob hasn't lost all his skills learned in upstate New York! An hour of this, and everyone was dead, so we called an armistice and headed back for lunch - the Troop-famous muffin-pizzas.

After lunch, we did the "Mason Dixon Hike" - about a 1 1/2 mile slog through the snow, broken up with a bridge crossing over a small river (on a wire suspension bridge that I am guessing was built by Scouts), and numerous stops to examine and try to identify various animal footprints in the snow. Back at the cabin, about half the group headed up for a football game on the parade field; others continued sledding or working on Rich's snow-fort. The football game lasted an hour and a half, and ended up with Rich's Raiders beating Bob's Bums 21- 7, aided by some bad defense.

By this point, no surprise, everyone was about wiped out, and we headed back to the cabin as the sun began fading. Most everyone stayed inside to start another movie (Independence Day) early, but a few of us stayed outside in Rich's snow-fort, feeding the fire as the sun went down, and enjoying the "ambiance".

We stopped the movie about two thirds the way through for dinner (tacos and Spanish Rice), and after cleanup, did a repeat of the previous night - finish Independence Day, finish Diplomacy, and play a little guitar. The Scouts collectively decided against a campfire program, and instead viewed a very poor choice of third movie (Excalibur), which somehow snuck past the censors (most of whom were asleep by this point). First ever and last ever showing of that particular flick. Once it ended, it got quiet quickly. Joe retired to his tent again, and Ari (the REAL MAN of the Troop) spent the night outside in just a space blanket, as a survivalist practice. Justin was hors de combat, so I got up several times to feed the fires overnight.

On Sunday, we were up at 6:45am, and after a quick breakfast and determining that Ari and Joe were still alive, we headed off to Mass in Rising Sun (at another St. Agnes, interestingly enough). Back at camp, we did a quick pack up and headed home. Then, in what is becoming an all-too-familiar scenario, the maroon van broke down about 20 miles down the road - an auxiliary heating hose for back heaters had rotted out, and drained all the coolant. We about half-cooked the engine, but fortunately it (barely) survived. After establishing a tow, we re-sorted all the gear and Scouts among the remaining vehicles, and were on our way again after about an hour. I stayed with the van. After getting towed to Aberdeen, it was determined that it couldn't be fixed on a Sunday, so I got a rental and headed home.

A great trip, even with the latest van problem. Participants included: Danny B., Paul C., Peter C., Michael C., Patrick D., Brian D., Connor D., Drew D., Michael D., Gillum F., Brian G., Jake G., ASM Ari H., Mike K., Ryan K., Jamie M., Mickey M., Anthony M., Dale R., Michael S., Charlie S., ASM Joe S., ASM Rich S., ASM Atom S., Mark T., Patrick W., ASM Justin Z., and yours truly. (Dr. Bob)

On Saturday, February 15th, we headed up to Ski Roundtop near Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, for a day trip of skiing. This was the replacement for the traditional trip to Seven Springs and Kooser State Park near Somerset - our reservations at Kooser had been lost when new management took over the park. Since we had already visited Whitetail, this was the next best resort within a reasonable drive of Arlington.

However, this one started off with some trepidation, as a major winter storm was moving into the Washington area the night before. But after watching the forecast change 3 times on Friday, and finally backing off a major storm, we decided to go for it - and as it turned out, we actually got very little snow Friday night and Saturday morning (maybe 1 1/2 inches). And the forecast actually worked in our favor, as the resort had a very light crowd relative to their normal weekend. It was a messy drive up, but the snow had stopped by the time we reached Frederick. But we took it easy anyway, and arrived just after 9am, about an hour past our desired arrival time.

After a rather lengthy process at Group Sales and Rentals, most of the group headed off to enjoy the fresh powder. "Danger" Rick W. worked with Edsel B., a friend of Dale's Family, on snowboarding, while I worked with Jack and Beth S., both novice skiers. For some reason, the beginner and easier intermediate slopes were covered (literally) with beginner snowboarders - including at least two large Scout Troops from nearby Camp Tuckahoe.

At 1:30, Beth and Jack S. headed inside for a late lunch, and I joined up with Todd, Matt, and Will, and later "Danger" Rick W., for some screaming runs down the Black Diamond Slopes. Todd, Matt, and Will also enjoyed "dusting" me twice as I lay on the slopes, with Will's "dusting" being more akin to an avalanche. Meanwhile, Hovey K. worked with Beth and Jack S. for the post-lunch instructional session (we have two new skiers and a much better snowboarder after this weekend).

We called it a day at 4:30, with (believe it or not) partially sunny skies overhead. After turning in all our gear, we headed off to Bakers Family Restaurant in Dillsburg for a great dinner, then home. Surprisingly, the toughest part of the whole trip was the parking lot at St. Agnes - which was quite icy. Home by 8:30, with a good four hours to spare before the blizzard moved in. Considering that Seven Springs got over 35 inches, the cancellation of our Kooser trip was probably just as well. Canaan Valley got about 45 inches. Dozens of Scout Troops were snowed in all over the mid-Atlantic region; some didn't get home til late Tuesday.

Participants included: Edsel B., Elizabeth B., Sarah B., Matthew C., Connor D., Jake G., Todd G., Matt G., Hovey K., Will K., Charlie S., Beth and Jack S., JJ T., "Danger" Rick W., and yours truly. (Dr. Bob)

Meeting at Gulf Branch Nature Center on Saturday, 22 February for Junior Leader Training were: Zack A., Will B., Zack B., Peter C., Ryan C., Patrick D. (Senior Patrol Leader), Pete F., Eric K-D., Mickey M., Anthony M., Tom N., Patrick O., Alan R., Brian R., Alex S., and Patrick W. Torrential downpours didn't dissuade the Scouts from outdoor activity for blind square and Lewis and Clark team exercises. Coupled with the indoor activities aimed at introducing the principles of Leadership, the 16 Scouts spent 6 full hours expanding their understanding and practice of Self-Discipline, Problem-Solving, Teamwork and Leadership. Plenty of food and physical activity added to the fun and personal growth. These will be the future leaders in Troop 111. Good leadership is aided by good fellowship. Support them and grow in your own leadership skills. They will be glad to help teach you! (Rob B.)

On Sunday, 2/23, the Troop held its first Scout Sunday in quite some time at St. Agnes, 9am Mass. Our Pastor, Monsignor McMurtrie, served the Mass and welcomed and recognized the Scouts in his opening remarks. The "Scout pews" were filled with: Burton B.; Rob B., Will B.; Danny B.; Paul and Tom C.; Matt C.; Michael C.; Patrick D.; Ray D.; Jake G.; Ted and Todd G.; John K., John K.; Ryan K.; Anthony M.; James N.; Patrick O.; Dale R.; Brian R., Frank R.; Charlie S.; Jimmy S.; Mark T., and yours truly. A decent showing. Of note: Ryan K. served Mass; Todd G. and Michael C. took up the collection; and Charlie S., Will B., and John K. carried the gifts to the Altar. (Ted G.)

On Sunday, February 23rd, the main simulation for the Senior Scout JLT session at Gulf Branch was envisioning and communicating the ultimate high adventure trek. Rob B. kicked off the session. Twelve Scouts attended, including: Burton B., Tom C., Ray D., Michael D., Todd G., John K., Jr., Dale R., Thomas S., Charlie S., Carl S., and Mark T. The attendees formed four teams of three Scouts each. Each member acted as team leader for at least one main exercise. We covered the material in 2.5 hours, and the group stuck to the agenda very well. All would appreciate shorter modules offered more frequently at the Troop meetings. All had generally positive reception to the format and content, given a Sunday afternoon venue after a week of snow-days and cabin fever. (Russ A.)

- Dr. Bob, Scoutmaster

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30 March 2003