Boy Scout Troop 56: 2013

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Pop Corn Sales Contest 10 day Blitz

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

BSA Announces Membership Fee Increase for 2014 - $24 + $1 for insurance

The BSA is increasing its membership fee from $15 to $24 per year for all registered Scouts and adults effective January 1, 2014. For those who join after the beginning of the year, the fee will be prorated at $2 per month. This does include units with a December 31, 2013, expiration date.

http://scout-wire.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2014-BSA-Membership-Fee-Increase-FAQ.pdf

What does your $24 per year buy?

Simply put, the Boy Scouts of America National Council provides program materials and support for 280 local councils that administer the Scouting program, with each covering a specific geographic area. To be more specific, the following are the key functions of the national council:

Provide liability insurance to registered adult members, local councils, chartered organizations and the national organization
Provide technological platforms for the Scouting movement
Provide local councils with program as well as tools for camp and office planning and evaluation, extensive financial counseling, planned giving and fundraising information, and professional personnel support
Coordinate a communications network through magazines and literature (handbooks, merit badge pamphlets, brochures, training materials, and professional development training)
Make available uniforms, equipment, and program supplies
Develop and maintain year-round national high-adventure bases and execute national events (jamborees, National Eagle Scout Association and Order of the Arrow conferences, and National Council meetings)
Maintain communication with chartered organizations that use the Scouting program (religious institutions, civic organizations, labor unions, professional organizations, business, and industry)
Maintain liaison with Scouting associations in other countries as a member of the World Scout Conference
Set and maintain program standards (e.g., Advancement, health and safety, etc.) to ensure consistency of the brand throughout councils across the country.

What fees do other youth organizations charge?

Scouting’s a steal. That $24 a year works out to $2 a month or roughly 6.5 cents a day.
Sure, it’s not always comparing apples to apples, but I do think it’s helpful to look at what you’ll pay for other youth activities. Here’s a small sampling. Note: The costs in bold are just the fee to join and don’t include equipment, travel costs, uniforms, etc.

Tackle football, $140: In Plano, Texas, second- through sixth-graders who play tackle football pay $140 for a three-month season. That fee doesn’t include equipment.
Youth orchestra, $1,000: Members of the prestigious Los Angeles Youth Orchestra pay $1,000 annually and must buy their own instruments.
Select soccer, $400: In Cleveland, select youth soccer players age 15 to 18 pay $400 a season, plus $135 for uniforms.
Youth basketball, $500: In Queens, N.Y., boys age 8 to 13 pay $500 a year, not including uniforms.
4-H Program, $25: Participants of the 4-H Program in College Station, Texas, pay $25 a year, not including fees for individual activities.

Two bucks a month for America’s premier youth-serving organization? Sign me up.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Twin Valley Council Boy Scout Fall Camp-O-Ree 2013

Hosted by North Star District – Troop 49

Friday, September 27, 2013 at 6:00pm to Sunday, September 29, 2013 at 12:00pm Prairie River Camp 52792 80th St. Bricelyn, MN 56014

Pre-Registration due to Twin Valley Council by September 20, 2013

$15.00/Boy Scout, Webelos or Leader $20.00 after September 20, 2013

(Includes 2 nights of Camping, Saturday Lunch and Patch)

Friday, September 27, 2013
• 5 – 9 PM Check in/Registration
• Turn in Prairie River Liability Forms
• 5 – 10 PM Dinner with your own Troop
• 5 – 10 PM Troop Bonfires – Bring your own fire ring
• 10:00 PM Cracker Barrel – ice cream and toppings
• 11:00 PM Lights Out – Quiet Hour Saturday, September 28, 2013
• 7:00 – 8:30 AM Registration • 7-8:30 AM Breakfast with your own Troop
• 8:30 AM Flag Ceremony/Dedication, Opening and Announcements.
• Class A for the flag ceremony with a group picture.
• 9 AM – 4 PM Activities Open:
      • Miniature Golf
      • Para Cord Crafts
      • Kickball
      • Softball
      • Frisbee
      • Walking Trails
      • Yard Games – Bring your own to share among Troops
Merit Badges:
      • Merit Badge – Emergency Prep
           * Must be Star rank minimum
             * Blue Cards – Bring your own
• 9 am – 12 pm Climbing Wall and Zip Line – 1st shift
• 12 -1 pm Lunch provided
• Provide your own Mess Kits/Beverage
• 1 – 2 PM Life to Eagle Seminar
• 1 – 4 PM Climbing Wall and Zip Line – 2nd shift
• 5 – 6:30 PM Supper with your own Troop
• 6:30 PM Flag Ceremony
• 7:00 PM Chapel with Speaker and Bonfire
• 11:00 PM Lights Out – Quiet Hour Sunday, September 29, 2013
• 7:00 - 8:30 AM Breakfast
• 9:00 – 12 PM First and Second Class Requirements
• 12:00 PM Depart on Own – Leave No Trace

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Internal vs External Frame Backpacks

There is much debate over what is the right back pack to choose.
It all depends on what you are going to do.

Internal frame backpacks are become more popular, but are more expensive.
many of the Internal Frame Packs (IFP) are one long bag, that you have dig through to get stuff out of the bottom.
External Frame Packs (EFP) allow you carry extra gear out side the back.
They can support more weight, and are sometimes lighter then IFP.

Here are some links to learn more:

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=598&q=backpacks&oq=backpacks&gs_l=img.3..0l10.3488.5851.0.6109.9.7.0.2.2.0.157.768.5j2.7.0....0...1ac.1.26.img..1.8.624.a1g3EKVvFEs#hl=en&q=internal+vs+external+frame+backpacks&tbm=isch

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Sleeping-Pad-Reviews

http://boyslife.org/outdoors/askgearguy/3239/internal-or-external-frame-on-backpack/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uh7wQT22Ixs

Monday, August 26, 2013

Devil's Lake - Backpacking and Hiking trip

Pictures of the trip to Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo, WI
and Green Valley Campground 1 mile away on Hwy 12, Baraboo, WI.

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/u3tclvhi9igmhgy/B4LKAX0PlS#/

More pics from google images: https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1607&bih=792&q=devils+lake+state+park+wi&oq=devils+la&gs_l=img.1.3.0l10.1453.5240.0.11193.9.9.0.0.0.0.240.1371.1j7j1.9.0....0...1ac.1.25.img..1.8.1206.0Yu-Lnbiq9o

Friday, August 23, 2013

Back Packing List for 2 Day trip

Planning a back packing trip takes time and thought.
Because you have to carry everything you need, its important to choose the lightest gear possible.
There are many ideas on the Internet for gear, packing list, food, survival, ect.

Here is one link I just found that is very detailed. http://www.backpacking.net/27-pound.html#pack

http://www.backpacker.com/december_2001_skills_food_grocery_shopping_tips/skills/4325

MRE - Meals ready to eat: http://theepicenter.com/mre_military_meal_ready_to_eat.html

Back packing List – Summer time.

Outdoor Essentials:

_ Pocket Knife – folding

_ First aid kit – waterproof (Band-Aids, moleskin, triangle bandage, tape, gauge, triple antibiotic cream, alcohol wipes, tweezers, needle for picking slivers, antiseptic wipe, Ace wrap.)

_ Rain gear ( top and bottoms)

_Water bottle with carabineer clip to hook on belt

_small flash lights – mini mag

_Trail food (Granola, nuts, raisins, chocolate) or Granola bars work good too.

_waterproof matches and fire starters (Flint and steel, steel wood, cotton balls, char cloth)

_Sun protection ( Sun Screen SPF 30 or higher)

_ Compass and maps (GPS with extra batteries is nice to have)

_ 50ft parachute cord

_Hiking boot or shoes that provide good ankle and arch support.

_ Optional repair kit (safety pins, electrical tape, duck tape, trash bags, carabineer, fish hooks and line, sinkers and bobber, crazy glue, wire, folded sheets of Aluminum Foil, Plastic Zip ties)

_ emergency Toilet paper rolled up in a zip lock bag (wet TP doesn’t work) You don’t need a whole roll!

Personal Overnight Gear:

_Back Pack – internal or external frame, shoulder straps and hip belt

_light weight sleeping bag in a stuff sack.

_foam pad – closed cell foam

_Ground cloth (Plastic or polypropylene 6’x8 ) This is to go under sleeping bag

_Clothing for the season (moisture wicking shirt, compression underwear help prevent chaffing, Long pants with cargo pockets, and zip-off legs are great, 2 pair of hiking socks (moisture wicking socks) , long sleeve shirt, wind breaker, Sweat shirt.

_Mess Kit ( knife, fork, spoon, cup) metal or aluminum.

_ Military Metal Canteen Cup

_ Military Canteen Water Bottle (one quart )

_Clean up Kit – Small shower towel, soap, shampoo, tooth brush and paste, dental floss

_Optional Extras (watch, camera ,sun glasses, hat, gloves, swimming suit, bandannas).

Packing your back Pack: Keep your gear dry, pack everything in Zip Lock bags

Your back pack fill with your gear should not be more than around 25 lbs. Think light weight with all your gear. You don’t have to bring everything on the list. Some of comfort items can be shared

between the patrol.

Patrol gear:

-Tents

-pots and pans

-light weight stove

_ax

_ folding saw

-dining fly traps – (10 x10)

_stakes and rope (8 minimum)

_food (?????)

_Paper Toweling

_roll of heavy duty Aluminum foil