Troop 227

 

April 2011 Newsletter

 

Introduction

Welcome to the eighty-eighth 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.

 

http://www.bsatroop227.org

http://www.mtcbsa.org

http://www.scouting.org

 

 

 

Backpacking On The Volunteer Trail

For our March outing, the PLC decided they wanted a backpacking trip. Long Hunter State Park provided a good venue for accomplishing that. On Friday night, the scouts met at the Group camping area behind the park office. We had an enjoyable night for camping. The clear skies and absence of much of the city nightglow afforded a great view of the stars. We reviewed how to find north using the stars and even identified the constellation Orion. We also were treated to the distant call of an owl several times throughout the evening.

On Saturday, the scouts went through several miscellaneous activities in preparation for the backpacking trip that awaited us, such as a review of what items to carry in your backpack, how to properly use a water purifying filter, and how to use a map and compass to plan a hike.

After lunch, we finished packing up all of our gear and left the campsite, heading for the trailhead, about a mile down the road. The trail we hiked is called the Volunteer Trail, which is the only route to the campgrounds in the park, some 5.5 miles away. We had great weather for a backpacking trip with the temperature in the low 70’s and a light breeze blowing in off Percy Priest Lake. The Volunteer Trail follows the lakeshore all the way to the campground. Upon reaching the campgrounds, we set up camp and begin preparation for our dinner. 

Once dinner was complete, we had another treat in store for the evening program.  The campsite is on a point of shoreline, so we only had to walk a short distance to the lake and opted for a lakeside program for the evening instead of a fireside program. The sunset was beautiful as the lake was relatively calm. Again on Saturday evening, the moon was bright and we enjoyed a few stories before having a devotional and then off to bed for some much needed rest.

On Sunday morning, we enjoyed a quick breakfast of oatmeal and granola bars before packing up for the return hike. Just as we were about to begin our Sunday morning communion and worship service, we had a sudden cloudburst that sent us all scrambling to get our packs covered and our ponchos on. Fortunately, the rain subsided long enough for us to continue with our worship service. After wards we headed out in a steady, but light rain. This lasted for about half an hour and then,  we had great hiking weather for the remainder of the time.

By the time we all made it back to the parking lot, there were some weary scouts, not to mention the adults! All in all, it was a great trip that won’t soon be forgotten by those fortunate enough to have taken it!

Upcoming Troop Events

 

-        April 4th – Troop Meeting – Class A Uniform

-       April 11th – Troop Meeting

-       April 18th – Troop Meeting

-       April 25th – PLC (7PM)

-       May 2nd – Troop Meeting – Class A Uniform

-       May 9th – Troop Meeting

-       May 13th – 15th – Grimes Canoe (pending)

-       May 16th – Court of Honor (Crieve Hall Chapel)

-       May 23rd – PLC (7PM)

-       May 30th – Memorial Day (no troop meeting)

 

 

 Troop Leader Contacts

 

Scoutmaster

Tommy Primm

 

Assistant Scoutmasters

Phillip Brackett

Bubba Ingram

 

Troop Committee

Randy Boyd

Dick Brackett

Joyce Brackett

Mellie Brackett

Scott Burner

David Deathridge

John Hammond, Chairman

Hank Loggins

Chris Paul

Mike Vantrease

  

Charter Organization Rep

Ray Frizzell