Troop 227
April 2010 Newsletter
Introduction
Welcome
to the seventy-seventh edition of our Troop 227 Newsletter. To learn more about
Boy Scouts, please visit us at any troop activity, speak to a troop leader, or
visit one of the following websites.
Congratulations
to Landry for passing his Eagle Board of Review on March 25th! This picture was made moments after he
received confirmation of earning this prestigious rank in Scouting.
The
capstone of Landry’s scouting career was his Eagle project at the Nashville
Zoo. His belief and perseverance enabled
him to finish the project on time.
Seeing his family, friends, and fellow scouts working together was most
gratifying. Congratulations Landry,
we’re proud of you!!!
Davy Crockett State Park
Lawrenceburg, TN
March 12, 13
BSA 227
With rain
looming in the forecast, the troop caravan made its way down dark roads to
arrive at the park late Friday night.
The accommodations were good with a shelter nearby and plenty of sites
to pitch a tent. The primitive camp was
closed so we were given an upgrade to a couple of regular campsites for the
same price as the primitive would have been.
After getting come cooking requirements out of the way on Friday night,
we drove to try to find an opening to complete the first class requirement of
finding your way with stars. The sky was
mostly overcast but we found an opening and substituted some stars for the big
dipper and the North Star. The example
of sighting through sticks to the North Star to establish your north and south
line was effectively demonstrated. When we returned to camp we found a raccoon
on top of the table where the scouts had eaten trying to pick up any
leftovers. This was a perfect reminder
to keep your areas clean and your food put up.
The rain held off for the night and we turned in.
On Saturday
morning there were more cooking requirements to make it through. At about 5:30 am a harmless drizzle had
started and it remained through most of the morning. We set up finding our way examples during
sunny breaks in the weather using shadows cast from sticks. Unfortunately, the clouds never broke again in
the afternoon enough to use the shadows.
Again, improvisation was a key and we imagined how the afternoon shadow
would have looked and the line it would have created with tip of the morning
shadow that would have given us north and south. The troop headed off on what turned into very
brisk walk of several miles to the park entrance and back by way of blazed
trails through the park. This allowed
some exercise needed by all and some great scenery alongside the water on the
return trip. Mr. Hammond showed his
youth still intact with a run up a steep slope at the end of the hike. We appreciate Mr. Hammond establishing his
physical dominance over the rest of us.
Our miscue on the direction at the end of the hike actually turned up
what was to be a closing service project for the day. We saw a lot of garbage spread around what
was supposed to be a pristine overlook.
We left it that way when we were through. On our way out of the park we were treated to
a special off-season tour of the museum by two park guides. David Crockett turned out to be quite the
statesman as well as a hunter and business man.
We arrived back in Nashville at about 5:00 for rest and a good rest of
the weekend.
Scout Swim Test
The
annual Troop 227 swimmers test is scheduled Monday, April 26th at the YMCA,
8207 Concord Road (615/373-9622) from 7:00PM - 8:00PM. You can come and go during this time. The
aquatics director will reserve one or two lanes for our troop to take the swim
test during this time. You can leave after your son finishes.
Since
our next troop outing is at Grimes Canoe Base (May 7th & 8th), we want all
scouts to take the swim test so we can determine if they can ride in a canoe
without their parent.
The goal for each scout is to pass the Swimmer Test.
Swimmer Test
Jump feet first into water over the head in depth, level off
and begin swimming. Swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the
following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen
or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be completed in one swim
without stops and must include at least one sharp turn. After completing the
swim, rest by floating.
By completing the Swimmer Test, not only will they be able
to be in a canoe without their parents, they will complete one of the 1st Class
scout requirements!
If the scout is not able to complete the swimmers test,
he'll take the Beginner Test.
Beginner Test
Jump feet first into water over the head in depth, level off,
swim 25 feet on the surface, stop, turn sharply, resume swimming as before, and
return to starting place.
There is no charge for the boys to swim.
Please make every effort to be at the "Y" on April
26th. Because of limited pool
facilities, this is the only time we have scheduled for this event.
Just A
Reminder
If
the troop has not received your new medical form, please take a few minutes to
provide us with this important information.
Parents are to complete Part A and Part C. Part B is to be done by your health-care
provider for those participating in scout activities longer than 72 hours (i.e.
summer camp) or any high adventure activity.
http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34605_Letter.pdf
Upcoming Troop Events
- April 5th
– Troop Meeting / Class A uniform
- April 12th
– Troop Meeting
- April 19th
– Troop Meeting
- April 27th – Swim test at Brentwood
YMCA 7-8pm
- May 8th & 9th
– Grimes Canoe Base Outing, Perry County, TN
Troop Leader Contacts
Scoutmaster
Tommy
Primm
Assistant
Scoutmasters
Phillip
Brackett
Bubba
Ingram
Troop
Committee
Randy
Boyd
Mellie Brackett
Scott
Burner
John
Hammond, Chairman
Chris
Paul
Andy
Richter
Mike
Vantrease
Charter
Organization Rep
Ray
Frizzell