Whitewater Rafting Update June 6, 2007
Posted by Jim Galley [ASM] in : general , comments closedWhen: June 9-10, 2007
Where: Whitewater Challengers, Weatherly, Pennsylvania
Update: this is a repeat of last years information, with the date and times updated.
The troop will meet at church Saturday morning at 5:45 sharp! , raft, camp overnight and return Sunday. We will be leaving the parking lot at 6:00am - so make sure you are there or you may get left behind! Every scout going on the trip must have a parent or a committee approved guardian with them. Guardians / Adults: let Jill or Kathy know what your lunch choice is - Turkey, Ham & Cheese or PB+J.
Those of you who have not taken this trip with the troop be sure to ask anyone how much fun it is. Once you arrive at whitewater challengers you will be assigned a parking spot near the campsite. It will be best to arrive as a group; try to arrange car pooling before the trip. We are a large group @ 60 people. It is also a good idea to organize into paddling teams of 6 per raft.
After parking do not unload any camping gear, proceed to the check in area prepared to raft. The check in process is organized in stations. It is a good idea to travel Saturday morning in your rafting clothes, there won’t be anyplace to change once you arrive. Uniforms will not be worn anytime on this outing.
Our group leader will check-in to hand in liability forms and receive tickets to get on the bus, you will not be allowed on the bus without a ticket. I included the location of the liability form [here], fill it out ahead of time and bring it with you to save time.
Once checked in:
- Rent wet suits, if recommended - wet suits may be recommended depending on the water temperature; last year they recommended wetsuit jackets. Wetsuits are available for rental; $7 jacket: $7 pants; $6 boots
- Get fitted for life jackets
- Pick up lunch - a group leader will pick up lunches and hand out to the group; lunch includes a sandwich, snack, and drink
- Use the rest rooms, once you are on the bus there are no facilities
- Proceed to bus pick area
Get on the bus with a ticket, your lunch and your 6 person paddling team (6 people per raft, scout and parent must raft together). Bus ride is approx 1/2 hour.
What to bring whitewater rafting:
- Old sneakers
- Bathing suit or shorts
- Eyeglass straps
- Suntan lotion
- Hat/visor
- Light windbreaker (no hood)
- Driver’s license for wet suit rental
Tip: Nylon, polypro, wool blends and synthetics are best to wear under a wet suit. YOU WILL GET WET!
Do not bring:
- Alcohol
- Ice chest
- Rain suit/poncho
- Bare feet/sandals/flip flops
- Cotton clothing
- Expensive cameras (water proof disposable cameras are ok)
- Jewelry
- Wallet/valuables
- Towels
- Change of clothing in raft
- Keys
- Food - box lunches have been pre-purchased, they will be picked up before getting on the shuttle bus; water proof containers are provided for the raft
What to bring camping:
Scouts sleep with their patrols and use their patrol equipment which will be distributed the troop meeting before the trip. Scouts will need to bring their own personal gear, Refer to scout handbook for personal camping gear details. Adults need to bring their own camping gear and personal items
Remember - All meals are included: box lunch on the river, dinner and breakfast Sunday morning. Packing snacks for the campsite is a good idea!
A Battleship Birthday May 17, 2007
Posted by Asst. SM Tiranno in : general , comments closed 
The scouts had lots of fun exploring the Battleship Massachusetts, the Destroyer Joseph P. Kennedy, and the other ships, planes and helicopters that make up Battleship Cove. The scouts learned to appreciate the sacrifice that the soldiers made while serving on these ships!
The Battleship even celebrated its 65th birthday while we were aboard. The scavenger hunt was exciting, and to make it a little more interesting, Scoutmaster Bill Ingram offered ice cream to the winners. The Alligator Patrol won by a hair, and promptly ordered up some double dip ice cream soda floats (cha-ching!!). The best part of the trip was that no one ended up in Sickbay!
Throw in a bunch of exotic cars on the ferry, plus getting home in time to celebrate Mother’s Day, and it all adds up to a perfect weekend outing.
Event: APDA Walk-A-Thon April 30, 2007
Posted by Jim Galley [ASM] in : general , comments closed
Troop 565 believes in community service. So, when we heard that the American Parkinson Disease Association could use some help running its annual Walk-A-Thon at Belmont Lake State Park, 18 scouts showed up to help out. The boys helped set up decorations, tables, chairs and manned several lookout stations along the walk-a-thon trail, offering water and assistance to anyone who needed it. While some scouts came away with prizes from the Chinese auction, according to the event managers, all the boys were winners that day.
‘07 Spring Camporee April 30, 2007
Posted by Jim Galley [ASM] in : general , comments closed
Winter tried to make a comeback the weeks prior to the camporee, but fairer weather prevailed. A weekend of ‘70 degree weather without a cloud in the sky welcomed the troop to spring camping, and the boys did a great job banding together to compete against other troops in several competitions - even in the cargo net competition.
Pictures are a little sparse on this trip, since most of the scoutmasters / council members were tasked to man different stations to help make the weekend events flow smoothly. Additional pictures can be seen here.
Spaghetti Fundraiser March 11, 2007
Posted by Jim Galley [ASM] in : general , comments closed
Our annual fund raiser went off without a hitch. Thanks go to the committee members / adult leaders who helped procure, cook and serve the food to a hungry crowd. Also, thanks go to the scouts (and their parents) in gathering a great selection of items for our Chinese auction. Of course, nothing would happen without the scouts - whose setup, serving and cleanup activities were successfully orchestrated by none other than SPL TomS himself.
Pictures can be found here.
