It's been a GOOD month for 111!

However, I once again have to start off "with news on the sad side - as the Troop bids a "quasi-farewell" to Devin Steele. Devin departed on Labor Day for Fork Union Military Academy, where he's entered for his Junior year. Fork Union supports a provisional Scout Troop, which Devin plans to enter at his earliest opportunity. Of course, younger brother Daniel Steele is still with us for the duration - and we'll probably see Devin again next summer.

It's been a pretty tough summer with respect to attrition of our older Scouts; hopefully, we're 'over the hump' for this year.... ....and in a "left-handed compliment" sort of way, it says a lot about the Troop that we could lose nine Scouts/ASM's (Philip Arquette, John Bustamante, Jan Hudak, Shone McLaughlin, Toby Metcaife, Ray Miller, Andy and John Myers and Devin Steele) to transfers and graduation in one summer - yet still exist as a strong, vital unit. (If something like this had happened two years ago, it would have been time to administer Last Rites.)

So far, I've not heard of any potential new Scouts, but "Join Scouting Night" is but one week hence - and we may see a few more new faces. Stay tuned.... And of course, if you know anyone who's interested, go ahead and extend the initial invite.

And NOW for some GOOD news!

On the Advancement Front

Part I: John Bustamante's Eagle Application was approved by the National Council - so it's Official! Again, John's Eagle Court of Honor will be held on Sunday, October 13th (yes, the same day we return from the Fall Camporee), probably in the early evening. While I'm at it, I'd also like to mention that John was awarded the American Flag from his Philmont crew as "the Scout who had done the most to make the trip a memorable one." Max Padon, the Adult Advisor for the crew (and the Scoutmaster for Great Falls Troop 673) was most impressed with John's abilities and enthusiasm (Why not? - He learned it all from met). Congrats to Mr. Bustamante!

Part II: August also turned out to be a pretty good month for Merit Badges, too: First off, Philip Arquette managed to sneak one last Merit Badge in (Music) just before he hit the road for Ann Arbor. Mike Arthurs polished off Cycling Merit Badge with a 60 miler down past Mt. Vernon. Greg Landrigan finished Bird Study Merit Badge, which he had earned a partial in at Goshen. (Unfortunately, this was the only partial finished up this summer - sob!) Finally, Mike Arthurs, John Brady, Geoff Evans, Greg Landrigan and Chris Yarbrough all earned Hiking Merit Badge (one of the real toughies) on the Shenandoah National Park Backpacking Trek (more on this below).

Congratulations to all the above Scouts....Keep up the Good Work!

THE Outdoor Activity for the month was - of course - the return of the infamous "troop 111 Death Marches" - made famous in the 1950's and 60's. The 'revival' saw five Scouts and various assorted and, sundry Adult Advisors tackle about a 92.5 mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail in the Shenandoah National Park over a one week period. Folks, this one was even more hard-core than I had expected - the Appalachian Trail in the Park is quite rugged, with a lot of major-league elevation changes. Of course, we were routinely rewarded with some absolutely spectacular vistas off both the Eastern and (mostly) Western slopes of the Shenandoah Range. We were also blessed with great weather - reasonable temperatures and rain on only two nights (and after we already were settled down in both cases, too).

This was a backpacking special - everything we needed on our backs. The Scouts averaged about 30 pounds (just about right), while the adults were at or above 45 - it was enough in all cases to tucker us out just a tad by the end of the day I We averaged just under 12 miles/day - but we had two real tough ones: a 16 miler on Day Two to (the very aptly named) HighTop Hut, and about an 18 miler on the last day, heading down to the North Entrance Station at Front Royal. We met one other Scout. Troop (Troop 48 from Newport News - they were doing a 50 miler heading south in the same week we were doing 92.5) and - somewhat surprisingly - only two "Long Walkers": Hikers doing the entire Appalachian Trail. One was from Troop 8 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (same Council I did my senior Scouting in), and - believe it or not - was tackling the 'AT' after five-fold bypass surgery (incredible doesn't cover it!)

The Scouts all earned Hiking Merit Badge and significant partials in Backpacking, Camping and Cooking Merit Badges. We were hoping to do a little better, but pulled into too many camps too late to run any realistic program. As usual, we'll finish them all up over the Fall semester. Also earned was the 50 Miler Award - one of the more worthy awards offered by the B.S.A. (you not only have to hike or boat at least 50 miles over at least 5 days, you also have to put 10 hours of trail service back into the land).

The wildlife was incredible - we must have seen over 100 deer, some at distances less than six feet (moochers all). Also spotted were wild turkey, one nocturnal bear, a couple of snakes and numerous ravens, buzzards and hawks. On a less pleasant note, we also had some overly intimate associations with several nests of yellow jackets (have you ever sprinted with a full backpack on? Carl Lewis, Eat My Dust!) Through it all our Scouts held steady; I am most proud of their performance. Next year Philmont!

Final Pertinent Aside: When I was doing my 50 year Troop History, two memories always came out, for the Scouts from the 50's and 60's who participated: the "Troop 111 Death Marches" and Philmont Scout Ranch. Strange indeed how the toughest trials gave the proudest memories, hmmmmm? Method to the Madness, folks!

Special Thanks to Tim Arthurs (Second Generation Death Marcher!) and Peter and (father) Bob Andersen - who split the trek down the middle (and helped maintain the Scoutmaster's sanity) - and Chuck and Kathy Yarbrough, Sue and Paul Evans, Mike Landrigan and Julie Atkins, who handled the extensive transportation and resupply efforts.

A) THIS SUNDAY - Scout Mass, 9am. Full Uniform Please, please come a little early (8:55 or so).

B) Troop Meetings resume this Monday, September 9th, 7:00 - 8:30. PLEASE BE PROMPT! We are wasting 15 - 20 minutes each meeting waiting for everyone to straggle in. This is unfair to those who show up on time and also leads to run-over at 8:30. FULL UNIFORM! NOTE! NOTE! NOTE! NOTE! NOTE!: Troop Elections for Senior and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol and Assistant Patrol Leaders will be held on September 9th.

C) Caving Trip, Fri. - Sun., 9/20 - 22/91. Permission Slip Attached. All attending Scouts must attend the September 16th Troop Meeting for an orientation from the spelunkers.

D) Parent's Meeting, Sunday, 9/22, 7pm, at the Kempter's.

E) October Events: October 11th - 13th: Fall Camporee, Gettysburg.
October 13th: Fall Court of Honor, including John Bustamante's Eagle Court of Honor.
October 19th: Troop Fundraising Yard Sale
October 20th: Parent's Meeting.

A) I am interested in trying to get all Scouts who are close to make their next rank by the Fall Court of Honor. Most Scouts stalled out at (especially) Second Class are in need of First Aid Training. If any parents are willing to give a hand, we could definitely use the help. Please let me know. (We're talking commitment for a couple of consecutive Monday nights.)

B) Safety Merit Badge. Yes, we're still plugging away at this one. Several of the older Scouts are essentially finished; however, too many Scout's Safety Merit Badge efforts remain an unorganized mess with numerous deficiencies. I will try to put together a comprehensive plan of final attack sometime in the next two weeks - involving significant parental guidance. Please take the time to assist and encourage your Scout in finishing up his requirements. In all honesty, we've come too far to let the Scouts flounder now - and this one has dragged on far too long.

C) An updated Calendar (at last), updated Troop Roster, updated Troop Telephone Tree and Advancement Summary will be included in my next mailing. I know, talk is cheap, and I've been promising all the above for months now - but it's been a pretty rough summer for old Bob (too many trips, and too many unexpected additional duties with my DEA promotions). Please bear with me a little longer....

- Dr. Bob, Scoutmaster

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8 April 2003