Retired

The author is offline for now.  I have retired from Scouting and I'm not camping much right now so there's not much to put up here. Maybe later...

Your recreational experience may be impacted...

We were hiking along the Florida Trail in the Ocala Forest (otherwise known as the Ocala Trail).  We came to a road at the transition between a lovely longleaf pine prairie and a sand pine scrub.  As we crossed the road we noticed a laminated paper sign stapled to a post in the midde of the trail.  The line that stood out said:

"Your recreational experience may be impacted."

It also said something about a large group of folks in the woods.  It also listed a couple of dates and we were right smack in the middle of the two dates.  Hmmmmmmmm.  That's interesting.  As we walked on the rest of the group wondered what was going on.  I did not wonder.  I knew exactly what was going on.  Aaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!  Oh no, it's the Rainbow People.  Not again.

Many years ago we hiked through about 5,000 people encamped in the forest at Farles Prairie and now here they were again at Hopkins Prairie.  Good grief.

The boys had an interesting education learning much about hippies, freaks, and various other odd and assorted folks.  Later that evening the adult leaders also had an interesting education as various lost and lonely Rainbow Folks wandered into our camp looking for friendship, directions and Home.  About all they received were some vague directions.

The adults learned about alternate universes, purple velvet banana peels, giving away stuff for friendship, milkweeds and butterflys.  Or something.

Happy Rainbow Month and Welcome Home!

Manatees-1: Miracles-4

Four Scouts from Troop 720 attended the Manatee game at Space Coast Stadium this evening.  Manatees did pretty well pitching and on defense but just too many double plays against them and not much bats tonight.  It was a beautiful evening for a game at SpaceCoast Stadium.

Carol and I sat with Mr. Reed and ate our hotdogs and watched the game.  There were several large thunderstorms off in the distance but they faded away as the moon rose ove the scoreboard.  Good times were had by all.

Thank you, Mr. Reed

Mr. Reed started his first meeting as Scoutmaster in a new and different meeting place with a few dedicated Scouts.  We hope to see everyone back next Tuesday at Faith-Viera.  There will be a brand new shiny parking lot for us to park in.

Mrs. McAleenan supplied each Scout who was present Tuesday with a list of the Merit Badges that they completed at camp along with all partial Merit Badges they have yet to finish.  To all of you Scouts out there, now is the time to find a MB Counselor and get those partials finished.  Mrs. McAleenan has a list of counselors and she is working to find a couple of more that aren't on the list.

For information about rafting pictures, see Mr. McAleenan.

There is a sleeping bag in a light green stuff sack that was left over from camp.  See Mr. Reed.

Mr. and Mrs. Barnewall and Joe Barnewall and Grant Burkhardt will be on a Faith-Viera Lutheran Church mission trip at Hilton Head Island the week of July 17 to July 23.  We wish them safe travel and pray for their ministry time.

Safe Return From Camp Daniel Boone

Everyone is back home safe from summer camp with a trunk full of memories.  Smokin Pig, Rock Beavers, rafting, slippery trout, rainy mornings, latrine shenanigans, Mast General Store and OC's BBQ, football on the green, "no refunds, no returns", funny people up there at Boonesboro, Hoody's Spicy Hot, kiosk roofs, scoutmaster lounge network wiring, "The Keep", "The Junior Keep", 4am thunder storms, 914David, waiting in line at the dining hall and almost no cell service :-)

It was a great week.  The Scouts of Troop 720 are the best!

Getting ready for Camp Daniel Boone

Summer Camp is almost here.  Scouts should be reviewing their packing list and preparing their duffel bags.

1.  Remember to put a large trash bag INSIDE your duffel bag and fold it over several times after you are finished packing it.  Most duffel bags will be outside all day Saturday in the trucks.
2.  Bring those closed-toed water shoes for the Nantahala Raft Trip.  We're going to have more fun than a barrel of trout!
3.  Take a look at the Merit Badge requirements for the Merit Badges that you signed up for at www.meritbadge.org.

Smokin' Pig here we come.  Yeehaw!

The Webelos are coming! The Webelos are coming!

A Webelos Den is going to visit Troop 720 during the June 7th meeting.  The patrols have volunteered to each teach a Scout Skill.  Check with your Patrol Leader to see what your patrol will be teaching.  There is also a Troop Committee Meeting that evening.