Good Reports

I have received very favorable reports from everyone about the Camporee.  Way to go Scouts!  From the reports that I have heard, it sounds like your patrols functioned exceptionally well.  Thanks to all of the Patrol Leaders that made it happen.

I'm home

Carol and I returned to Florida Saturday evening.  It's a long flight from Europe but everything went well.  We left one couple in the Atlanta airport, but they got on the next flight to Orlando.  I hope that everyone had a good Camporee.  See you next Tuesday.

Busy Weeders

Troop 720 made the Weed the Wetlands happen this morning.  Thanks to all of the Scouts and parents that came and performed this service for the City of Rockledge.  We made up more than half of the citizens that showed up.

It's too cold!

It's too cold to canoe on Saturday.  Bundle up everyone for Weeding the Wetlands.  It's going to be very chilly and breezy in the morning.  Might want to bring some gloves for working :-)

Carol and the Acropolis

Carol and I went to Athens, Greece three years ago.  While we were there, most of the city, AND the Acropolis were closed due to a blizzard.  First blizzard in 30 years.  Well, who would've thunk it, but the Acropolis was closed.  They locked the gate.  I didn't even know there was a fence around a mountain?

So.  We are going back to Athens, going on a cruise on the Mediterranean Sea, visiting Ephesus in Turkey and then going on to Rome, Italy and then back home.  I sort of wish that I could go to the rodeo and go camping but Carol really wants to climb that hill, so off and up I go.  I hope that everyone has a good couple of weeks and a good spring break!  I will see you in two weeks.

Keys found!!

Thanks everyone!

All-In-One Camp Stove

The Troop Committee bought one new Coleman stove for each patrol.  The stoves are Coleman All-In-One propane stoves.  Each stove comes with a cook top, grilling top, and griddle.  These will be available for the March Camporee at Deseret Ranch.

Use of the stoves will be introduced at the March 8th Scout meeting.
1.  The stove comes with three cook-tops.  Only use ONE cook top at a time.  Never light the stove with multiple cook-tops on the stove.
2.  Cook-tops may be cleaned with soap and water and may be put in the dishwasher at home.
3.  The stoves come with an electric ignitor.  We will discuss the use of these Tuesday evening.
4.  The control knob is on the gas input arm, and not directly on the stove.  This is different from some of the other stoves that you may have used in the past.
5.  Patrols should insure that they always have a full propane bottle and at least one partial bottle.
6.  Wait until the stove is completely cool to stack the cook-tops and close the lid.
7.  Always lock the cook-top during use.  We will demonstrate this Tuesday evening.

Do you know where your matches are?

During his interview with "Survivor Man", Clarke Green, over at the Scoutmaster Blog, asked Les what his most important survival tool is.  He said fire starting!  NOT his knife.  He carries a lighter, matches AND a striker.  Les said that one of the most important elements of survival is heat and the ability to dry your clothes out when you are wet.  Good advice, even here in Florida.

In 1995 three soldiers died during Ranger training in west Florida.  Now this is Ranger training, and not something that Scouts would normally encounter, but they died of hypothermia and exposure to the elements.  Water temps were around 55 degrees and air temperature at 65 degrees.  That doesn't sound too cold, but it's obvious that being wet and cold, even at those temps, is dangerous.

Thus Les's recommendation.  Get high, get dry and stay warm.

March 1, 2011 - Troop Meeting

Good meeting guys.  Pay close attention to those Camp Daniel Boone merit badge sign up sheets.  Mrs. Anthony is looking for your inputs.  It's you camp so choose carefully.

Congratulations to Ryan Miller and Andrew Stewart, the new Troop 720 Patrol Leaders.  Great additions to the Troop 720 Lead, Train and Inspire Team!

Also, Nick McAleenan is taking his next leadership step on the PLC to the Scribe position.

Upcoming events:
Saturday, March 5, 2011:  Strawberry Festival Citizenship in the Community service hours.
Saturday, March 12, 2011:  Weed the Wetlands - at the Rockledge city park on Pluckebaum Rd.
Friday, March 18, 2011:  District Camporee and Rodeo and BBQ.  Deseret Ranch.

Great Troop Leadership Training

The Staff of the Troop 720 Troop Leadership Seminar on Saturday did a great job.  I want to particularly thank Joe Barnewall for presenting, delegating, and leading.  Joe worked hard on a very graphical presentation that was both enlightning and entertaining.  Thank you Joe!

I also want to thank the Scouts who came and participated and joined in the discussions.  It took a little bit to get going but you came up with some great ideas. 

Thanks also to Ken Barnewall, Don Burkhardt, and Mart Stewart who presented.  Thanks also to Mike McAleenan who coordinated the goodies for the day and Dave Reed who supplied the libations.  I also want to thank Mark Stewart for finding and coordinating the venue for the day.  His attention to detail is most appreciated.