Scoutmaster's Minute, Volume 16, Number 5

Greetings to All. It was another busy month!

Transition

I regret to announce that Paolo R. has dropped out of the Troop, about a month before his 18th birthday. Paolo, a transfer from Troop 628 in Norfolk, ran into some difficulties in getting his Eagle Project proposal approved, and was unwilling to modify it to meet the standards set by the BSA. He departs as a Life Scout. Good Luck!

"Of Note"

On Monday, May 12th, I completed my 15th year as Scoutmaster. For a listing of all previous Troop 111 Scoutmasters, 1939 - present, see: http://www.troop111.org/sm.html

Advancement
[PLEASE CHECK CAREFULLY; NOTIFY ME IF ANY OMISSIONS!]

We did not hold a Board of Review in May, so it was a thin month for rank advancements. However, moving up to Tenderfoot Rank (at a Board of Review held at the Projectoree) was Colin S.. And advancing to Scout Rank at the Spring Court of Honor were John C., Evan and John C., Liam D., Alex G., James J-N., Nick P., Collin P., and Hunter S.

Congratulations to all of the above Scouts!

Upcoming Activities

On the weekend on June 13-15, the Swiss trekkers will be holding their second (full) shakedown event, in the Shenandoah National Park (camping at Big Meadows). And of course, the Troop returns to Goshen for summer camp, for the first time since 1996, starting Sunday, June 29th.

Recent Activities
North Pole Update

Mike Strasburg, Troop 111's Eagle Scout #65, went (and returned!) from his NASA adventure at the North Pole, where his Scout training and leadership skills played a much bigger role than he had originally anticipated. Mike is still writing up a story of his adventure, which we hope to get published in Scouting Magazine - including, of course, a killer photo of our Troop Flag at the North Pole. More in a future "Minute".

2003 Chain Bridge District Projectoree
by Bob

Under the leadership of Acting Scoutmaster Joe Schwartz, approximately 60 Troop 111 Scouts and Leaders braved dire weather forecasts during the first weekend in May to attend the Ninth Annual Projectoree, once again held at the old Camp Wilson in the Pohick Bay Regional Park. But proving that weather forecasting is still a risky business, the Scouts in fact enjoyed a near-perfect weather weekend. This year's Projectoree featured 25 Patrols competing in 12 events: Caber Toss, Cave Rescue, Egg Toss, Hot Lava Rescue Relay, Firebuilding R., Log Raising Relay, Nuclear Reactor, Obstacle Course, Radioactive Basketballs, Running Kim's Game, Spider Web Escape, and Walk the Plank. The Troop ran the Cave Rescue (under "Danger" Rick W.) and the Obstacle Course (under Rich S.). Award ribbons were presented to the top nine finishing Patrols, which included three Troop 111 entries: 1st (Scooters); 4th (Conquistadors); and 9th (Snake Eyes, 111). Just missing a ribbon were the Stonecutters, who came in 10th. And the newly minted "Bojangles" Patrol (the former Burning Pants Patrol) rounded out our five entries with a still respectable 14th place showing. Troop 111 also won the Scoutmaster Chariot R., an unscored fun event; this continues an ongoing streak of about 5 or 6 years that we have won the Chariot R.. Several Troop 111 Scouts and Leaders also assisted in completing a variety of service projects, including filling about 50 potholes on the main camp road, reposting about 30 posts surrounding the main field, splitting and stacking about one cord of wood for future camp users, and replacing a few sitting logs at the campfire amphitheater. The closing campfire featured a dozen skits, half a dozen songs (four by yours truly), the formal retirement of 50 worn-out American Flags, and an O/A tap-out ceremony (where Michael D. and John and John K. (both of them) were "tapped out"). After the campfire, ASM Mark Wray of Troop 167 and I "jammed" with several other musical Scouts for over an hour. Then I ended the evening with a ghost story in the Troop campsite for about a dozen insomniac Scouts - the classic tale "The Lost Tenderfoot". Other participating Units included Troops 104, 128, 143, 149, 151, 167, 624, 638, 647, 869, 1130, and the Chain Bridge District O/A Chapter.

By the way, all Projectoree placing Patrols (1995 - 2003) have now posted, at: http://www.troop111.org/winners.html As you will see, Troop 111 is prominently mentioned! Check it out!

Participants included: Zachary A., Burton B., Chris B., Zachary B., Danny B., Paul and Tom C., Matt C., Peter C., John and Michael C., Evan, John, and Ryan C., Mike Cubby, Liam and Patrick D., Brian, Connor, and Drew DeL., Michael D., Pete and Sam F., Nick G., Jake G., David G., Matt G., John K., Will K., Ryan K., William L., Jamie and Mickey M., Anthony M., James N., Thomas N., Collin P., Dale R., Nick R., Brian R., Michael S., Thomas S., Charlie S., Carl Mountain S., Jimmy S., Hunter S., Alex S., Colin S., Jack S., J.J. T., and Mark T.. Thanks also to the many participating adults, including Mike M., ASM Glenn McG., Mark N., Tony N., ASM Joe S., ASM Rich S., ASM John S., and ASM "Danger" Rick W. (I think that's everyone!)

Robertson's Mountain Hike
by Bob

On Saturday, May 10th, 17 members of this year's Swiss trekking Crew headed out to the Shenandoah National Park for a shakedown day hike over Robertson's Mountain. Robertson's is allegedly one of the least visited peaks in the entire park, and (perhaps explaining why) its eastern face has one of the park's most challenging hikes. Adding to this year's challenge was rain, varying from light to heavy, and mixed on and off with thunder and lightning just to keep things exciting.

We departed the Parish Center around 7:05 am Saturday, in heavy fog - which soon turned to rain. We arrived at the Old Rag Parking area around 8:40, and checked in with an impressively large group of four Rangers - the most I have ever seen here. Old Rag was "closed" about 5 minutes after we arrived, when the first echos of thunder sounded - but I think a lot of people went up anyway. Since the upper parking lot was already full, our hike started in a growing downpour at the lower lot (adding about a mile and a half to the hike). Although almost everyone started out in rain gear, within 15 minutes we were all hot and sweaty in the 100 percent relative humidity, and so most went without for the remainder of the hike. At the upper lot, we had Troop 408 from Virginia Beach pull in to drop off their gear for a hike over Old Rag (we don't know if they actually did the hike or not, but that was their intent - and the T&L had (temporarily) ceased at this point). We continued up the Weakley Fire Road, turned right onto the Robertson's Mountain Trail, and were soon into it in earnest - up and up and up. We were soon above the valley fog, and got some interesting views of Old Rag, as well as some views of looking *down* on the clouds below us. We also passed through a stretch that had apparently been burned off during the big fires of 3 - 4 years ago - mostly already recovered.

As usual, the peak was nothing to write home about (another reason why Robertson's is not a popular climb), and a sharp breeze pushed us on our way in short order. Hiking wet is OK so long as you keep moving, so we did. Coming down the other side, we ran into 25 Scouts and leaders of Troop 759 from Ellicott City, Maryland, all eating lunch on the Old Rag Fireroad/Corbin Hollow Trail intersect, and we stopped to chat for about 5 minutes. They were also doing a day hike, and were camping (I think) at a commercial campground in either Madison (Shenandoah Hills) or Luray (Jellystone). With that, we took off down the Corbin Hollow trail at a high rate of speed, with two enforced breaks to carefully cross and later re-cross a stream. 3.8 miles in an hour and a half; that's movin'! Naturally, the rain started off heavy as we left Troop 759, with more T&L, then faded to watery sunshine at the parking lot - very similar (though not as violent) as the exact same hike we did in May of 2000. After devouring our delayed lunch in the vans, we headed back to Arlington. A good day! Participants included: Burton B., Tom C., Matthew C., Drew DeL., Ray D., Brad G., Ted G., Matt G., Dale R., Charlie S., Carl "Mountain" S., Mark T., Patrick W., Chris, Eric, and "Danger" Rick W., and yours truly.

Program Launch
by Brian G.

On the same Saturday as the Robertson's Mountain Hike, the Council held its annual Program Launch at Camp Snyder (just off I-66 near Haymarket). Jake, Gabe (our 4 year old) and I went. We picked up the packets for Troop, Crew, and Pack 111. Unfortunately, there was not much in the way of the planned "Exposition" activities due to the heavy rain. However, we did hit all the Council, vendor, O/A, and Civil War booths required to earn participation ribbons for the Troop, Crew and Pack. All of the aforementioned booths were set up under three large tents - except for the O/A's teepee which was left to fend for itself in the elements.

Spring Court of Honor
by Bob

On Sunday, May 18th, we held our Spring Court of Honor, featuring the induction of John Preloh as the Troop's 85th Eagle Scout. Our latest Class of New Scouts (John C., Evan and John C., Liam D., Alex G., James J-N., Nick P., Collin P., and Hunter S.) and latest transfer Scout (Jack S.) were all inducted into the Troop. About 25 Merit Badges and 25 Rank Advancements earned since last November were recognized. Eighteen Junior Leader Training Certificates were awarded. Five 50-Miler Awards were presented, all for last summer's Pennsylvania Trek, to: Tom C., Matthew C., John K., Dale R., and Eric W.. In addition, 11 Alonzo Stagg Medals and roughly 25 Alonzo Stagg Certificates were presented (see the March "Minute" for the comprehensive list). Finally, the 2002 - 2003 Scoutmaster Awards for most active campers were presented, as follows: 1st: Jake G. (attended 11 out of 13 camping events); 2nd: Drew DeL., Dale R., and Charlie S. 10/13; 3rd: Michael D. and Matt G. 9/13; Honorable Mentions: Zachary A., Peter C., Anthony M., and Mark T.. For John's ceremony, we had 13 "Witness Eagles" attending. Giving the 100 Eagles speech was Charles B.. Brian Preloh did the Voice of the Eagle, while Michael R. did the Charge to Eagle. Richard B. performed the induction. A wonderful ceremony. An excellent dinner followed.

To see the Troop Eagle List, including summaries for the past 45 or so Eagles, see: http://www.troop111.org/eagles.html

Order of the Arrow Spring Ordeal
by John K.

Over the very soggy weekend of May 23rd through the 25th, Michael D., John K., Thomas S., and ASM John K. all traveled to Camp Highroad (near Aldie, Virginia) and completed their Order of the Arrow (O/A) Ordeal and joined the Chain Bridge Chapter of Amangamek Wipit O/A Lodge. I can say the outdoor training the Dr. Bob has drilled into these Scouts was invaluable considering it rained all Friday night, Saturday morning, and Saturday night. The service project was also a familiar one for Troop 111 Scouts - trail improvement. The proceedings of the Ordeal are suppose to be kept secret, so I cannot divulge any other aspects of the weekend.

[From Bob - Brad Jones (briefly home before heading off to Philmont) also visited the Ordeal and participated in the Saturday Evening Ceremonies.]

5th Annual Chain Bridge District Dinner
by Bob

On Thursday, May 29th, the Troop sent a sizable contingent to the Chain Bridge District Dinner, held at the Fort Myer Officer's Club. This was the District's fifth year of operation after the four-way split-up of Patawomeck District, and we are generally acknowledged to have been the most successful of the dozen or new Districts that were created in the gerrymandering of Northern Virginia in 1998. Two of our adults received formal awards: John B. was presented with one of three "Commissioners Scout Spirit" Awards for his efforts with the Cub Scout Roundtable, and Jim D. received the Fifth Annual "Cubbie" Award for his efforts with Pack 350 and with last summer's Cub Day Camp. ASM/MC's Tim Arthurs, Hank Dettmar, and John Manning were all recognized for their work on the District Eagle Board, and Kenny E. and Michael R. were two of the 17 Eagle Scouts present to be honored for their achievements. A good night for Troop 111 (and also ending my three year stint as the District Dinner Coordinator, hurray!) There were 170 in attendance; Troop 111 participants included: Tim Arthurs, Charles, Danny, Heidi, "Jeep" and John B., Hank Dettmar, Jim, Jonathan, Laura, and Michael D., Kenny and Ron E., John Manning, Brian, Frank, Michael, and Rita R., and yours truly.

- Dr. Bob, Scoutmaster

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1 June 2003