It's been a busy and exciting month, folks! And plenty more to come during our "transition year" of 1997. Read on....

NOTE, NOTE, NOTE: Just as this issue was going to press, I learned that our Scout Mass was (once again) a dead conflict with the Parish's First Communion Mass. In order to prevent chaos, we're postponing `til a later date in late February or March, TBA. You will hopefully have gotten a call on this from Bill N. Patrol Leaders should ensure that all their Scouts are aware that this event has been called off.

Even with only 28 days, this February's going to be a full month. As promised, we'll be passing on our traditional Winter Cabin campout in favor of a outdoor campout at Camp Tuckahoe in southern Pennsylvania, with "snow-tubing" at Ski Roundtop being the focus of the Saturday program. Other activities will include our Annual Scout Mass, this Sunday, at St. Agnes (9am Mass), our annual flag ceremony at the District Round Table this coming Thursday night, and the latest "Life-to-Eagle" Conference on February 15th.

After last month's "surge" of Eagle Scouts, things have cooled considerably - but not for long! We're coming up on rank advancements for about three quarters of the Troop's Junior Scouts, plus several Senior Scouts as well. The next two Boards of Review will be impressive. This month's advancement was focused on merit badges - John A., Daniel Ho., Rusty P. and Chris T. all earned Family Life (thanks to Jane T.), John A. and Kevin K. grabbed Personal Management (thanks to Jim S.), and David Hu. and Jay P. both snagged the ever popular Skiing while at Canaan Valley this past month. In related news, Rusty P. and Jamie S. both passed their Life Practical Exams. Congratulations to each of the above Scouts!

As always, we started off 1997 with our most popular annual activity - the Canaan Valley Skiing Weekend. The main story this year was weather, folks - it was, as anticipated, a brutally cold weekend. The flip side to that story, of course, is that the cold chased away the usual Holiday crowds, and we were therefore able to enjoy much more actual skiing (as opposed to standing in lift-lines.)

This one got started fairly early, with a 4:20 departure from the Parish Center (already pretty nippy) and an amazingly quick run out I-66 to Marshall; those new HOV lanes really make a difference on the usual Friday afternoon nightmare. We made such good time, in fact, that we continued on all the way to Romney before stopping for dinner - at only 6:30pm! From there it was an easy ride to Davis, and we had so much time that we were able to head directly to Timberline to pick up our rentals - the first time we have been able to do this in four years, and a tremendous time-saver for Saturday morning. By this point, however, it was already pretty clear that the temperatures were going to be unusually cold. Back at the Scout Lodge, we enjoyed the pool table and the first of our videotaped movies, and managed to get a reasonable bed-time in despite the desires of a half-dozen or so Scouts to hold our own "Wrestle-Mania" extravaganza.

Saturday morning came only too soon, with standing air temperatures on the order of 20 below zero, with wind chills that could only be estimated at 50 - 60 below. After dire warnings, we left for breakfast (near the slopes) all dressed like an expedition to the North Pole. Amazingly enough, only one of the vehicles needed assistance to start, and even it got going fairly quickly with a little battery help. Then it was off to Timberline, our traditional Day One favorite. We established a vigorous buddy system (no buddy - lose your lift ticket), and a Jim and Kim S.-run check-in point in the lodge for Health and Safety monitoring. Although I didn't actually see the gauge until 10:30, I was told the temperature at 8am was still 18 below - and no sun either. The wind had teeth, too. Well, anyone can Scout in July, right? I started off with the traditional "Bob-Lesson" for John P. and Sujan L. (a friend of John Smith's, down from the University of Pittsburg for the weekend.) As usual, we have two new skiers! We gave both their release around 10:30, so they picked it up pretty quickly despite the conditions. The rest of the day, we all spread out over the entire mountain, with the ever-popular Salamander being the top run for the beginner and intermediate skiers. Most of the Scouts would do 2 runs, then go in for a break. Some of us (names withheld to protect the guilty) did 6 or more runs a shot before surrendering. Despite the cold and wind, an excellent day! Things warmed up to five below by late afternoon, plus the wind eased some, so it felt like a heat wave. We bagged around 3:30, with little protest from the zombie-eyed Scouts. Back to Davis for Scout Uniforms, then off to Mass at St. Thomas' in nearby Thomas. With 34 of us in residence, we gave up on our usual "all-hands" pizza dinner at Sirianni's in favor of two shifts of 17 each. This also gave the "off-shift" more opportunities for playing pool and chess back at the Lodge. We ended the evening with two more movies, although about half the Troop didn't make it through Movie Number Two.

Sunday morning was both far better and far worse. It dawned bright and sunny, and at least 25 degrees warmer than Saturday morning, with just a little wind. That was the good part. After breakfast, we were delighted to find that both the Troop vans' batteries had completely and utterly expired overnight. The simultaneous deaths was actually not much of a surprise - I had installed both on the same day some four or five years ago now. Well, after much fuming and fussing, we finally gave up and crammed everyone and their equipment into the available vehicles, and sent them off to Canaan Resort. ASM Mark Be. and I stuck around to work on the vans. After finally getting them started with the help of a local service station mechanic (took 2 hours), we headed into Thomas for the greatest mothers of all batteries they would sell us. Fortunately for us, the store opened early, and we were able to get re-equipped and on our way by 1:30. Back at Canaan, conditions were absolutely wonderful - bright sunshine, about 15 degrees, little wind - and relatively few skiers. The resorts are usually a total zoo after lunch on Holiday weekends, so this was a pleasant surprise. We skied `til 4:30, then grabbed dinner at the very popular "Big John's Restaurant" right there in the valley. After dinner, most of the Troop headed on back to the Lodge, while about 10 of us hardier souls braved the elements once again for about 2 ½ hours of night skiing - very, very pleasant. We kept at it `til 9pm, then headed back to Timberline to drop off the rentals. Once that chore was completed, we headed back to the Lodge ourselves for more movies, pool and chess. An early bedtime this night! Monday saw a quick pack-up and departure to Oakland, MD for breakfast. Then the long ride home via I-68, -70 and -270. All-in-all, an excellent weekend - one the Scouts will remember for many years to come.

Participants included: Matt C., John Cr., Kenny E., Billy F., Daniel Ho., David Hu., Dan and Tim Hu., Nathan and Neal K., Brendan Mac., Jay P., John P., Johnny R-W, Adam and Jamie S., Michael and Steven S., Chris, John and Tim T., and Chris W. Thanks much to Mark Be., John K., Gordon P., Keith St. A., Jim and Kim S., John S., and Pete W. for sharing all the varied duties and handled the worst Mother Nature had to offer. Same time, same station, 1998 (yes, we've already reserved it!!!)

Next up was our fourth annual Senior Scout Ski Trip, this time to the WISP Resort in far Western Maryland. We had never hit this resort before, but after passing by it on our return from Canaan Valley, we decided it was worth a look. Its close proximity to Interstate 68 didn't hurt either; those long drives are tough enough without adding the thrills of "hill and dale" back-country roads! We bolted for this one at 4:15am, arriving about 45 minutes before the slopes opened. In one pleasant contrast with Timberline, the rental equipment at WISP is superior in both condition and overall quality. Anyway, we were all fairly quickly outfitted, with Greg B. trying a snow-board for the first time. Skiing conditions started out excellent, although the weather was overcast and dreary, with a cold wind coming off the Great Lakes (I understand it was sunny and warm in Arlington - quite a contrast!) WISP has a large number of slopes (at least 15 distinct trails), but the total elevation is distinctly lower than either Canaan or Timberline - maybe 800 feet versus about 1100 for the latter two resorts. We did however, get some excellent bird's eye views of Deep Creek Lake, which sits right at the base of the mountain. Easy to see why they placed the resort there, despite the reduced height of the mountain. Anyway, we skied from about 9am `til 4:45pm, with just a few breaks for (the unusually overpriced) lunch and snacks. Greg saw the light and traded in his board for skis by midmorning, then worked his way up from the beginner slopes to the screaming black diamonds by late in the day; very impressive. And (as usual,) Tim T. amazed one and all with his death defying speed and maneuvers on the toughest slopes around; the guy is just unbelievable, folks! We headed on in as darkness started to fall, then it was off to Keith St. A.'s home town (Cumberland) for a delicious Pizza Hut evening, and the very long ride home. A good day!

Participants included: Greg B., Daniel Ho., Kevin K. and Tim T. Thanks to Keith St. A. for sharing the driving duties - and the slopes. We may try and get this as a regular Troop event next February; we'll see....

1) Permission Slips - The permission slip for the tubing trip, due this Monday night, is attached. As always, tardy permission slips mean "you don't go." There is no permission slip for Scout Mass, the Round Table Flag Ceremony, or the Life-to-Eagle Conference.

2) New Scouts and Webelos Parents' Orientation Meeting - is planned for Sunday, March 9th, 7 - 9pm, at the Parish Center. At least one parents of each Scout who joined the Troop in 1996, plus at least one parent of each incoming Webelos Scout must if at all possible attend this orientation.

3) Philmont 1997 - Rick W. has accepted the 3rd Leader position, replacing Greg Butera. In addition, we have added another Scout to the crew, from Troop 104. Our second planning meeting is currently scheduled for Sunday, March 2nd, again 7 - 9pm at the Parish Center. The 50/20 Hike on March 15th is still a go, according to Margaret Lee, the Committee Chairman of Troop 647; however, she is hoping for some Adult assistance from Troop 111 - if you can help, please give me a call. [Note that the 50/20 Hike is open to all Senior Scouts, not just Philmont trekkers!]

4) Upcoming Training Opportunities:

(A) The Patawomeck District Life-to-Eagle Seminar is Saturday, February 15th, from 12:30 to 4pm. Note the Date Change, one week later than originally scheduled; also note that this is a dead conflict with the Tubing/Winter Camping Trip. For those not attending the latter, this is well worth the investment in time, and is highly recommended for all Life Scouts (or Star Scouts near Life Rank). Don't delay, this course often sells out.

(B) The "University of Scouting" will be offered on Saturday, March 15th this year, at Council HQ in Bethesda. This is highly professional training which is worthwhile for any active Adult. Boy Scout courses offered include: "Delivering the Promise of Boy Scouting," "An Introduction to Ethics in Action," "Planning the Troop Program," "Unit Junior Leader Training," "The Patrol Method," "The Advancement Program," "Ceremonies," "Council Junior Leader Training (IMPESSA,)" and "The Venture Scout Program." Call the Council HQ's at 301 530-9360 for additional information.

(C) Youth Protection (Child Abuse)Training will be offered Thursday, March 13th, at 6:30, at Falls Church HS (just before the Round Table). All Adults involved with Scouts on camping trips or as merit badge counselors should consider taking this training - it's free, and is likely to be required in the near future.

(D) Boy Scout Basic Leader Training (BSBLT) will be offered this Spring on the following dates: Wednesday, March 26th, Saturday, April 5th, and Saturday - Sunday, April 19th - 20th; this is the basic "how-to" training for Assistant Scoutmaster candidates and active Committee Members.

5) Scout Mass - Has been postponed/canceled, as noted above. Rescheduling will be attempted; stay tuned....

6) Troop High Adventure, 1997 - We are currently planning a backpacking trek in the Dolly Sods Wilderness area of West Virginia, with an eye towards training our younger and intermediate level Scouts in backpacking and wilderness camping skills (other than those Scouts who have gone to Philmont with me, there is little backpacking experience in the Troop.) The dates are currently scheduled as August 10th - 16th. Based on prior treks of this sort, I would estimate a cost of about $125, with additional costs if we add whitewater rafting, mountain biking, caving and/or rock climbing into the plans. Please mark these dates on your calendar.

7) Summer Camp 1997 - The merit badge schedule offered by Camp Shenandoah is attached; please note that the camp offers a number of merit badges not available at Goshen. In addition, there is an advanced COPE/High Adventure program offered for all older Scouts, in which we will doubtless also participate. Parents, note that a number of our older Scouts have indicated strong interest in attending this camp - don't assume that your son isn't interested - talk to him! We will be polling the Troop (and Webelos Den) later this month for commitments - please be ready! [P.S.: By the way, Andrew and Greg C. (and possibly J.T. B.) will also be attending summer camp with us this year.]

8) 1997 Troop Registrations - Several parents have inquired whether second semester High School Seniors should be re-registered for the 1997 - 98 Scouting year. Comments: If your son has not yet been awarded his Eagle Medal at a Court of Honor, he should remain registered (this includes three of our four current seniors.) In addition, please keep in mind that we have already paid out all the fees associated with rechartering: BSA Registration, Insurance, and Outside Magazine subscription, plus we will still be sending you all the usual Troop mailings through next Christmas (at least.) As always, these expenses are (barely) covered by the registration fee - the fee is not a left-handed fund-raising tactic by the Troop! In short, I'd like to see each Senior remain registered up through his departure for college.

9) Our Next Board of Review - is currently scheduled for Monday, February 17th (the President's Day Holiday Monday.) Recall that we do NOT have a regular Scout meeting this night. Eligible Scouts will be contacted for Scoutmaster's Conferences later this week.

10) Recent Trip Costs - Skeet Shooting: TBA; Canaan Valley Ski Trip: Juniors - $107.99; Seniors - $124.99; Wisp Ski Trip: $75.20

11) Next Parents' Committee Meeting - is currently scheduled for either Sunday, February 23rd, or Sunday, March 16th, TBA by Committee Chairman Dan C.; stay tuned....

12) Best Wishes - To Greg Butera, former ASM-111, present ASM-149, and our Asst. Philmont Advisor last year, who just departed for Moscow, Russia, for a 2 month liaison job with AID, and will be taking a job in North Carolina later this Spring. Best wishes also to John Haller, SM-647, 17-year Scoutmaster with Troops 104 and 647, who has married and moved to Gaithersburg, MD. (He intends to remain involved at the Council level.) Good luck to Neal Wood, who assumes the SM-647 mantle on Monday, February 10th. [Quite terrifyingly, this leaves yours truly as the longest-tenured Scoutmaster in Arlington County, by far. No wonder I'm so tired....]

13) Our Condolences - To the Shanahans, for the sudden loss of David's father, General Shanahan, early last month.

14) 1998 High Adventure Reminders - I must have your $100 deposits in hand by no later than March 30th of THIS YEAR in order for me to attempt to get into either the Florida Sea Base or Philmont. Note that that's only about six weeks from now. I require a minimum of 6 deposits for either trip. Parents Note - You should discuss these trips with your sons NOW - there is apparently great interest in both trips, but that's what I thought this year too. Over 30 Scouts will be eligible to do these trips in 1998 - Yours???

- Dr. Bob, Scoutmaster

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17 February 2001