Cardboard Classic!

Number 13. Naturally.

The Cardboard Classic was a smash hit this year! That is to say, we had a 30% increase in participants for the third year running and, of course, most of the sled catchers got caught by surprise at least once.

All the new teams caused significant delays, and the races went on until nearly 4:00. Fortunately, the temperatures were well above last year's, the light snow was simply beautiful, and Marquette Mountain served hot lunches!

The Troop only fielded one one sled against a field of ten, and the sled exploded half way down the course, but the boys were laughing far too much to be called disappointed. And isn't that what it's all about?

We should probably start thinking about sled designs for next year. Or maybe we can do it tomorrow...

The Minion's magnificent malfunction

Oh, and don't forget to check out all the fun times in the race's photo album, too!

Lock-in!

A Boy and his Cookie

It's winter, the kids need to run around, parents need a little quiet time, and Scout leaders, we'll, sometimes they're just not entirely sane - all of which spells "LOCK IN!"

The Troop along with local Webelos and assorted friends converged on Aspen Ridge and attacked chips, pop, pizza, popcorn, and eventually donuts with gusto.

In the end, though, the food, the play, and the late hour wiped out a few. One young fellow (right) fell asleep standing up. But many of the boys made it the whole night - and pitched in with cleanup ta boot.

And I don't think the leaders won a single game of dodgeball no matter how many times we changed the rules.

Lock-in!

The night went a lot like this...

It's winter and the boys sometimes get squirrelly, so what's a Troop to do? Lock. Them. In! It's an idea so brilliant, it makes you wonder why we don't do this every month... Volunteers? Anyone?

So we locked the boys in, and we had a enough volunteers that Carl didn't have to wander the hallways muttering to himself. And the boys and their brothers and their friends went about the very serious business of having fun.

Video games abounded with Flappy Birds causing the most buzz - and frustration. Next door a non-stop game of  "capture the fort" dominated the gym. The boys turned hockey sticks into rifles or canons, a scooter became a scout car, and with only a little prodding, they conscripted two trash cans on wheels to serve as battle tanks.

It's also true that a few sleeping bags saw limited service as sleeping bags, but that wasn't discouraged. There's more evidence of good times here in this album, too!

Cardboard Classic

Troop 321 blasting through the crash barrier

Sometimes the weather doesn't hold up for the Scouts' outdoor activities, but the Cardboard Classic event never fails. After all, we only need freezing weather in the middle of the winter in the U.P.!

Troop 321 entered two sleds this year, both with experienced teams. They fielded some super fast sleds, but they just weren't fast enough. But no matter, everyone had a blast!

You can find more action photos here, and news coverage here!

A few of the boys arrived early to the event so they could help the Cubs lug their sleds up the hill - a favor the smaller boys sure appreciated! It's great when the older boys show the younger boys both kindness and leadership.

Gearing up for the Cardboard Classic

Scoutmaster Carl Chilling Out

Now that the snow crunches under foot, our breath comes out in steamy wisps, and the days are starting to lengthen, it must be time to gear up for the Cardboard Classic!

Of course, the first order of business is to fashion sleds out of duct tape and cardboard. Classic! I've heard that in warmer climes, they make watercraft out of these materials, and, I suppose, snow is just another form of water...

We'll race on February 1st, but today was all about ingenuity, engineering, and hot chocolate (thank you Amy!).

We've got at least two racers read to rip!

Rod & Gun Club Youth Day

Tyler draws a bead

The Negaunee Rod & Gun Club hosted its annual "Youth Day" today, and both Pack 321 and Troop 321 jumped at the chance to learn more about firearms, firearms safety, trapping, and bow hunting. And by learning, we mean getting to shoot!

The boys got to shoot pellet guns, bows, shotguns, .22 caliber rifles, and a muzzle loaded .45. They also got to hand-load and shoot their own .45 caliber bullet. The grownups were invited to use their cameras.

At the end of the day, the club raffled off door prizes. Everyone walked away with something, but there were only six coveted prizes to include shotguns, rifles, and hunting bows. Happily, our kids walked away with three of these!