Winter Camping

Digging in for the night

Troop 321 now boasts three new Polar Bears! But that's how the story ends.

The story begins with five adults and a passel of Scouts loading up gear for the drive to Camp Hiawatha. We didn't need the trailer because we'd have to hike a half mile through deep snow to our campsite with only packs and sleds for our load. Our load included all the potable water we'd need. I expected complaints, but there weren't any. What a difference two years makes!

We arrived, we unpacked, we organized the Scouts into work crews with Sebby enthusiastically in charge, and we got to work on dinner. Pete, one of our professional chefs, planned a simple, fool-proof dinner: pizza, fruit, and salad. Over what, you may ask, a fire in the snow? Well, not exactly. We had the run of the camp's staff kitchen, and Pete planned accordingly. We ate well. Very, very well.

Chef Pete

Our evening continued with cards and games and a fire in the fire place. Eventually the boys retired to their cabins. Fortunately, the leaders had their own. We turned in early(ish).

Hungry tummies encouraged the boys to quickly assemble into their work parties the next morning. This brought us our first surprise for the trip. It turns out, Jackson has a super-power no one knew about. Jackson is able to turn out absolutely perfect pancakes - including the very first one. Who knew? So we feasted on bacon, sausages, pancakes, and fruit - a high calorie meal for a high calorie day.

While the cleanup crews polished off the dishes, Darryl set up his tip lines. His new auger made quick work of the ice, but that remained his only lake-related success. One of these days, he's going to catch a fish in Bunting Lake. I just hope I'm still alive to see it.

The Eternal Optimist

The boys spent the remainder of the day getting clobbered with snowballs by a couple of girls too young to join the Scouts even if they could. The girls planned ahead with a mobile stockpile of slush-balls, so the boys really didn't have a chance. 

Between battles, everyone built forts and snow caves for sleeping in. Some caves survived, some didn't. Robbie set up the best cave under a picnic table. He's now one of The Three. Fortunately, the staff kitchen included a staff clothes drier, and so the troops took periodic breaks to dry out and warm up. In spite of everyone's best efforts, we never ran out of hot chocolate or coffee. 

Thus the boys played and made meals and cleaned up and sat by the fire and played some more. And yes, the adults napped while Jennifer snapped photos and gave them away. Harrumph. 

At least one Scouter's favorite lunch

We celebrated Pete and Darryl's birthdays Saturday evening, and then the boys settled in to their snowy nests. Those who didn't last the night (or the evening) tended to suffer from inadequate gear rather than lack of desire. Darryl reported resting poorly, however. I suppose guardian angels seldom rest. He checked on the boys every hour or two throughout the night.   

When morning arrived three Scouts popped out with boyish grins and rosy cheeks. We ate homemade biscuits with sausage and gravy along with Chef Pete's special oatmeal. The trek back to the parking lot seemed a lot easier, and I have no doubt some boys dozed most of the way home - three of them dreaming of their Polar Bear patches.

For more food photos and various snowball shenanigans, check out the trip's album!

Our next campout will be the Spring Camporee. With luck, most of the snow will have melted.

Cub Winter Games

I sure didn't see any slow children

Ishpeming Cubs and Scouts have been instrumental for the past five years or so in making the Cub Winter games a great success, and this year was no different. This year's event also boasted a record number of volunteers from area Troops who set up and ran a variety of activities. The weather held out, with light winds, light snow, and warm(er) temperatures reaching into the upper twenties. Of course, the boys stayed warm racing around and climbing snow mounds between events.

Highlights:

• the best Cub-run flag ceremony ever!
• nine stations
• fourteen groups
• invading Ogre army demolished
• new Cub bowling records set
• possible UP 200 entrants identified
• hot soup and hot chocolate
• the bake sale raised over $290 for Ryan Koski's recovery
• the chili sale raised $110 for Crew 356

Darryl did a great job as the event's master of ceremonies, chief judge, and media spokesperson. He even stayed late to help mop up, though I think he was avoiding the dog house at home. Thanks, also go to the Willey's who ran the obstacle course and to Carolyn and Grace who ran the bake sale - and to all the folks who brought donations. Linda also helped keep the kitchen running (we've honestly never seen a kitchen without pots) and cleaned up afterwards.

Our own Scouts helped run three events and were a credit to the Troop. This is such a change from just a few years ago when they were the ones racing around and rolling in the snow. We're proud of them and our adult volunteers. We turned a dreary winter day into something really memorable for a lot of young boys. 

We've also seen a steady increase in help from the area's Troops - with Troop 372 already volunteering for a bigger role next year. Special thanks go to Chuck Suckow who brought out a very large trebuchet and Paul Salfai who organized behind the scenes and kept registration running smoothly. I wish I could list all the troops that helped out, but I took more photos than notes. 

Speaking of photos, don't forget to check out the event's album. You'll see a lot of boys having a lot of fun. Some are even eating fruits and vegetables. 

November Hike

Who here thinks he can out-run a bear?

The fall snow started a little early this year, on October 31st, and it hasn't let up much. After a week or so, the big wet flakes finally started to stick. What a great time to take the Scouts on a walk through the woods!

A good fall hike makes for a great opportunity to practice old skills, learn new skills, and work on a few promotion requirements... like taking a five mile hike, cooking lunch over a stove or campfire, and reading a compass (eh, Carl?).

Along the way, we identified some animal signs, practiced "leave no trace" hiking, and soaked in our home town's raw beauty. Heavy snow showers kept everything fresh and white for us and made our hot lunches all the more welcome.

We finished up our hike on schedule and with full stomachs - if not at our intended destination. What a great way to spend part of a Saturday! Hopefully we can fit in another hike before we have to strap on snowshoes for the winter.

Oh, and don't forget to check out the hike's album!

Project Keep Kids Warm - Shopping Day!

No one should be left in the cold

The big day arrived, and a large crowd waited outside for their chance to pick out winter coats, snow pants, hats, gloves, and boots. Troop 321's Scouts lent one last hand for this most worthy project. Volunteers from many different organizations, including our own Troop sponsors, Wesley United Methodist Church, were on hand to keep the tables neat and assist shoppers.

Thanks to a very generous donation, Dick Derby, our Chartered Organization Representative, could take down names, sizes, and contact information of people who could not find what they needed. The donation will allow the project to acquire and distribute the needed items so that absolutely no child who walked through the armory doors will spend the winter without a warm winter coat and snow pants.

Hats off to our Scouts for their community spirit. I'd love to see even more boys participate next year. This is truly a worthy project.

Project Keep Kids Warm - Setup

Troop 321 Helping Sort Donations

After distributing collection bags and picking up donations, Scouts from Troop 321 helped set up for the big shopping day! Their efforts included setting up tables and signs, unloading piles of bags, and sorting through mountains of coats. Volunteers from many different groups in our community made the work go quickly.

The presence of our Class A uniforms let our community know that it is blessed with caring Scouts eager to do a good turn daily. 

Memorial Day Ceremony

"Lest we forget"

Wikipedia defines Memorial Day as "a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the men and women who died while serving in the country's armed forces."

This holiday allows Scouts to learn that war is not a Hollywood movie but a very real part of our history that sadly affects families, loved ones, and whole communities. At the same time our nation's wars have allowed us to continue to live in a free and proud land. Participation in Memorial Day ceremonies gives our Scouts an opportunity to demonstrate their reverence and reflect on bravery.

Today's event proceeded flawlessly, and we all have reason to be proud of our Scouts. Last year our boys were invited to sit with the veterans on stage. This year, the veterans invited us to stand alongside the stage, where the crowd could see us clearly, and they did so - with sisu.

Our group also included Cubs from Pack 321: Tyler W, and Matthew C. They're going to make fine Boy Scouts one day!

At the end of the ceremony, each of the men in the honor guard thanked and shook hands with each of our Scouts. It was a proud moment for them and their parents.

More photos are available in our album.

Memorial Day Flag Planting

Scouting: passing the flag down the generations

Scout Oath (or Promise)
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country...

Today we had the opportunity to help those who served their country by serving them, their families, and our community.

In spite of a last minute change in date and time, many Scouts from Troop 321 gave up the first bit of their sunny three day weekend to perform a very important duty: decorating the graves of veterans interred here in our town.

Our Scouts joined many war veterans and blanketed the cemetery with about 1,700 new American flags. Afterwards, the men from the VFW invited the boys over to their newly re-opened hall for hot dogs, potato salad, chips, sodas and cake.

We'll join them again on Memorial Day where we, as part of a larger community, will gather to remember those who served and died for our country.

Additional photos are available in our album.

Spring Camporee

Testing their lashings in a race

Like last year, this year's spring had been "extended" (for a limited time only...) So yes, we had snow and freezing rain right up to Friday morning. Boys went off to school wondering if their parents had the fortitude to let them go to the Spring Camporee. Parents sent their boys off to school wondering if their sons might freeze to the ground that very night. Never mind the forecasted lows were a good 50 degrees warmer than our coldest winter days... that's really not saying much in these parts.

By the time school let out, the weather had cleared, and it was almost easy to ignore the forecast for freezing temperatures overnight. Two Troops and a handful of Scouts backed out, but only one of our boys.

So... the weather Saturday was beautiful with blue skies, a significant warm-up, and lots of sunshine with Sunday bringing more of the same.

And the camporee? It came off without a hitch. Let the others gnash their teeth in envy, Scoutmaster Carl organized and pulled off a really great event with a lot of  help from a lot of really great Scouting folks from our Troop and others. With everyone pitching in, we all got to have a lot of fun.

Fun like...

• testing visual memories
• challenging navigation skills
• patrol sprints using only four legs and four arms (eight legged monster)
• a canoe portage challenge course
• fire building
• match splitting (with a hatchet)
• readiness testing (Scouting essentials)
• Dutch oven entree and dessert cooking 
• and lots of lashings (knot tying)

Of course, we've got a photo album of a lot of the fun stuff, but there was so much going on, there was no way to capture it all!

The boys got off to a great start Saturday morning

One special feature for us included using the "Patrol Method" for the first time. Carl organized the boys into three patrols, each with a patrol leader and assistant. The patrols planned their own meals and duty rosters, set up their own tents, prepared their own food, and cleaned up their own messes. 

"How did that work out for you?" you may well ask. Well... I heard lots of yelling and arguing and debating and trial and error, and they got a lot done, too. 

The "Patrol Method" forms the heart of Scouting. It was new to most of our Scouts, but it's a really great tool to teach leadership skills, self-reliance, teamwork, and so much more. All the boys slept in tents, no one missed a meal, and the campsite was cleaner when we left than when we arrived. More importantly (probably), the boys have started learning how to organize themselves and work together as a team.

From a parent's point of view, watching the boys employ the Patrol Method was like watching five boys all learn to ride the same bicycle all piled on at the same time. But by standing back and watching them work things out for themselves, they learned far more far faster than they would have during any Troop meeting. 

A lot more.

Project Feed a Neighbor

Will and Phoebe lend a hand

Wesley United Methodist Church put out the call for volunteers to help out with "Project Feed a Neighbor" and Scouts from Troop 321, along with many other community organizations, answered.

The project covered all neighborhoods in the Ishpeming/Negaunee area with the goal of refilling the pantries at the Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul's.

Church volunteers provided coffee and baked goods for the many volunteers, and local media covered the event.

Service projects are an important part of Scouting and are one of the requirements for promotion.

In the media:

- ABC 10
- The Mining Journal
- TV 6

Klondike Derby

Exiting the secret entrance into Laketown

Bilbo and Thorin's company continued their quest for the Arkenstone this year. Threatened by orcs and spiders, they crossed a river, forest, and lake, and faced hunger, injury, and many other challenges. Yet they maintained their spirits with song and cheer and hot soup until at last they found the fearsome dragon, Smaug, high in the snowy mountains.

Troop 321 fielded two patrols, and both were awarded numerous ribbons for their many achievements. Next year they will have the chance to complete their quest and return safely home. Will they make it? We can only hope.

Some Scouts chronicled their exploits in song and others with many images, each according to the custom of his land. Our local bards were out as well to share our exploits with the world. Thanks also to the many adult volunteers from our Troop and from Pere Marquette zone for all the work they put into this event. It's a big deal, and the boys enjoyed it immensely.

Pack 321 Webelos Cross Over...

On My Honor...

... with a little help from their friends in Troop 321 and Boy Scouts' honor society, Order of the Arrow.

Families, Scouts, and leaders all attended this significant and solemn event, and many of the boys from Troop 321 participated.

These former Cubs will now choose a Troop to join, and we expect many of them will choose ours.

Additional event photos may be found in our album page.

UP 200

Troop 321 on station

When the days are short, the nights are long, and the thermometer threatens to crash through zero - what's a Troop to do on a Friday night?

Well, we'll stay up, head out, and help the mushers racing in the UP 200 safely cross the street. Why? Because we're short of little old ladies, that's why.

OK, we're doing it because it's a long race that crosses many roads and the organizers need all the help they can get. And frankly, it's a thrill to witness a page out of Jack London's Call of the Wild right here in the U.P. You're just not going to see that sort of race in Atlanta any time soon - though maybe next year...

And there's a McDonald's with hot chocolate just a few minutes down the road on our way home.

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!

Project Keep Kids Warm - Part 3

Our Scouts continued their service project to help "Keep Kids Warm" this morning by hitting the streets and picking up bags of winter clothing that donors left on their doorsteps.

Gary hits it big

Pickup day is always much easier than bag distribution day. With pickups, volunteers need only slowly cruise their route searching for bags stuffed with donations left on doorsteps.

Perhaps one in seven residences donated winter clothing this year, but collecting clothing is only half the project. The other half is to get these items out to people who need them. So even though most bags we distributed remained unfilled, they still served a purpose - to get the word out that warm winter wear will be available next week.

Sure, one in seven doesn't sound like a lot, but we hung bags on nearly seven thousand doors, so we may see a thousand donations. This means that our Scouts will be called once again into action to help set up tables at the Armory and sort through the donations by gender and size.

Project Keep Kids Warm - Part 2

Jackson & Gary visited 108 Apartments

Project Keep Kids Warm continued today with a very large community turnout. On this day, we distributed the bags we'd prepared last Tuesday. They went to Negaunee, Ishpeming, Ishpeming West, Republic, and Michigamme, nearly 7,000 bags in all. Pack 321 and Troop 321 contributed 9 scout volunteers in uniform and several adults. The boys represented themselves well.

The weather didn't cooperate for the first time in four years. However, we saw no shortage of help, and they covered all the routes as if it had been a sunny day. We have a word for that, sisu, and we have it here in abundance.

Hot dogs, hot chili, chips and sodas greeted the volunteers back at Wesley upon their return. And really, is there a better way to spend a rainy, dreary Saturday morning (short of a spa) than helping ensure no child goes without a warm winter coat this coming season?

You can read more about our efforts today here in the news.

Hessel International Scout Rally

Troop 321 cir. 1849

Hessel International Scout Rally enjoyed precisely 1,016 registered participants in this, our first year of attending. This year's theme: "Miner '49ers." We invited Pack 321's Webelos, and they made a good showing for themselves.

Unlike merit badge oriented summer camps, units set up campsites and activity centers to share with others. Each unit then traveled as a group from site to site participating in the various activities. We also competed for prizes in events that included cooking, costumes, cleanest campsite, and campsite entrances.

Carl and Darryl set up a "gold" panning station where the kids could wash out gold painted iron pellets. Robert set up an "Old Tyme" photo booth to take group pictures. While we didn't win any prizes, our free souvenirs were very popular, and we received many thank-you emails for the photos.

We've also posted photo galleries for Saturday and Sunday for those who would like to see the troop in action.

Potato Picking

Looks like Scouting

Troop 321 invited Pack 321 to go potato picking and share a picnic lunch today. For the past couple of years we've driven down to Melvin Johnson's Farm to glean from their fields what the automated machines miss. It's a great experience for the kids and a real boon to our local food pantries. 

After walking the fields in what amounted to a great, big, dirty, Easter egg hunt (the boys were thrilled), we packed up and headed over to Dawson Lake Park for lunch. The weather held out, and a few of the kids went swimming. Others beat the cattails for frogs, grasshoppers, turtles, and whatnot. 

You can find the rest of the photos in our photo gallery.

As for the potatoes; we kept some for ourselves, but most went to local food pantries. 

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!