Court of Honor - First Firsts

Troop 720 Spring Court of Honor will be Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 7:00pm in the sanctuary of Faith-Viera Lutheran Church.

The first Scouts from last February's crossovers to attain First Class rank will be recognized this Tuesday.  These Scouts are doing very well in their advancements and are to be congratulated.  They will be attending their second summer camp as First Class Scouts and will be looking to grow into leadership postions in the Troop next August.  Way to go guys!!

Buck Lake April 2011

We had a salubrious siesta Saturday afternoon on the Buck Lake campout.  As you can see, some guys were more into it than others...

It was a good weekend but there were a fair number of mosquitoes.

This is more fun than you can imagine.  Did I just eat a mosquitoe?

Dinner Saturday evening was really great.  Pulled BBQ Pork straight from Barnewall's BBQ and Baked Beans from the Bush's.

Desert Pete

DESERT PETE
The Kingston Trio

I was travellin' West a buckskin on my way to a cattle run
Cross a little cactus desert under a hot blisterin' sun
I was thirsty down to my toenails, stopped to rest me on a stump
But I tell ya I just couldn't believe it when I saw that water pump
I took it to be a mirage at first, it'll fool a thirsty man
Then I saw a note stuck in a bakin' powder can
"This pump is old", the note began, "but she works so give'r a try"
"I put a new sucker washer in 'er, you may find the leather dry"

"You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe"
"You've got to give of yourself 'fore you're worthy to receive"
"Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet"
"Leave the bottle full for others, Thank You kindly, Desert Pete"

"Yeah, you'll have to prime the pump, work that handle like there's a fire"
"Under that rock you'll find some water I left in a bitters jar"
"Now there's just enough to prime it with so dontcha go drinkin' first"
"You just pour it in and pump like mad, buddy, you'll quench your thirst"

"You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe"
"You've got to give of yourself 'fore you're worthy to receive"
"Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet"
"Leave the bottle full for others, Thank You kindly, Desert Pete"

Well I found that jar and I tell ya nothin' was ever prettier to my eye
And I was tempted strong to drink it, cuz that pump looked mighty dry
But the note went on "have faith my friend, there's water down below"
"You got to give until you get-I'm the one who ought to know"
So I poured in the jar and I started pumpin' and I heard a beautiful sound
Of water bubblin' and splashin' up outta that hole in the ground
I took off my shoes and I drunk my fill of that cool refreshing treat
I thank the Lord and thank the pump and I thank old Desert Pete

"You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe"
"You've got to give of yourself 'fore you're worthy to receive"
"Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet"
"Leave the bottle full for others, Thank You kindly, Desert Pete"

"Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet"
"Leave the bottle full for others, Thank You kindly, Desert Pete"

Five years in the wilderness...

About five and a half years ago Troop 720 took it's first steps into the wilderness.  In October of 2005 we went to the Old Timer's Campsite at Buck Lake in Mims, FL.  One of the first things everyone noticed was that unlike Wickham Park and various camporees they had been on, this place had no latrine, no showers, no flushers, no porcelain, not even an outhouse!

It was early Saturday morning.  The troop was assembled.  Time to find an appropriate spot far from camp.  We didn't want to wait too long.  Most of the Scouts knew how to take care of number one in the woods.  A number two might be brewing anytime.  So off goes our merry band and we found just the right spot.  Notice the Scouts following their intrepid leader.  All of the other adult leaders are way off behind the camera man.

Notice the essential Golden Shovel.  Also, not to be neglected is the MIP (Most Important Paper).  These are two of a Scouts most cherished tools in the wilderness.  Don't leave home without them!  Notice the rapt attention as these Scouts study this most basic of Scout skills.  The instructor's stance is confident.  His demeanor full of authority and his words full of wisdom.  Remember, the Golden Shovel only makes contact with the good earth.  It's only for making a hole.

The Golden Shovel is back in it's sturdy storage bag.  Hmmmmmm.  Maybe the storage bag should be reinforced or something.  The intrepid instructor is hugging his MIP tightly to his body.  No time to make an error at this stage of the operation.

The operation is now completed and all implements are now safely stored.  The Golden Shovel was not sullied and only made contact with Mother Earth.  Notice the Scout standing in rapt attention as the instructor makes his last, few authoritative remarks.

The best way to do this is for the boy leaders in the troop to perform this instruction.  That's how it's worked in Troop 720 ever since that first, fateful day in 2005.  In this case, however, the Scoutmaster determined that is was vital that everyone immediately receive this most important instruction.  The SPL and Patrol Leaders now guide their Scouts through Golden Shovel Instruction.  Troop 720 runs a sharp, clean operation.  Leave No Trace!

Scout Meeting Tonight - Buck Lake Prep

Buck Lake October 2005 - Please note the shades!

It's that time of year again when we wander off to the Old-Timers campsite at the Buck Lake property of the St. Johns River Water Management District.  There, I said it :-)

Buck Lake October 2005 - A well fed Scoutmaster is a happy Scoutmaster.

Sometime in late 1999 and early 2000 Justin Ramirez, a Life Scout in Troop 705 on Merritt Island, got in touch with the SJRWMD and inquired whether they had any projects available.  Pete Henn of the district had a particular place on the Buck Lake property in mind for a project.  Pete and Justin got together and coordinated the plans for the Old-Timers campsite.  Justin and a group of Scouts built benches, picnic tables and a food prep table.  They scheduled time with the district and with a group of adult leaders went out to the site and installed the things that Justin built.  They cleaned the site and also installed a fire ring.  That's over a decade ago.  Justin is now a nurse, is married and has one child.  He received his Eagle Scout award on Saturday, August 19, 2000 at Grace United Methodist Church.

Buck Lake October 2005 - Hmmmmmmmmm???

As we camp at Old-Timers, let's remember our Scouting heritage of accomplishment and strive to attain the same level of accomplishment as Justin and the other Eagle Scouts that we know.

Buck Lake October 2005 - A forest walk in Florida.

PLC Meeting - April 6 - 6:00pm

Joe has called a PLC meeting for the Patrol Leaders and other troop leaders.

Meet at Sonny's on Wickham Rd. at 6:00pm

Things to consider:
1.  Buck Lake Campout schedule of events.
2.  Ceremony/Skits/Multimedia/Agenda etc. for the April 19th Court of Honor.
3.  Plans for the annual Scout Show at UCF on April 30th.
4.  Suggestions for the Annual Planning meeting on May 14th.
5.  Canoe practice for the troop.
6.  Meeting plans for April and May.

Swimming - Saturday and Sunday

Second Class and First Class Swimming Requirements

Second Class:  Sunday, April 10 at 1:00pm
Indian Harbor Beach Pool

First Class:  Saturday, April 9 at 1:00pm
Larry Geiger's House

Yes, we did go there...

This is a picture of Larry and Carol on the fan tail of the Louis Cristal with Greek islands behind us.  Pretty cool for a couple of kids from Kansas and Florida.