Simsbury Troop 175

Simsbury Memorial Day Parade

Troop 175 will be marching in the Memorial Day Parade. All who can should plan to attend in Class A Uniform. We would like to have as large a group as possible.

The meeting place is Owens Brook Rd at the Simsbury Bank Building at 1:00Pm on Monday. The parade starts at 1:30PM. This is one of the ways in which we honor our veteran

Adventure Race Donations

For individuals who are interested in helping the Bubnash family with financial support and do not know a boy scout in Simsbury, a fund has been set up to benefit Michael and his family.

Please send your donations to:

    Fund for the Bubnash Family
    c/o Scoutmaster Brad Mead
    73 East Weatogue St
    Simsbury, CT 06070

For more information on the Boy Scout Adventure Race visit Race.SimsburyTroop175.org or contact Troop 175 Scoutmaster Brad Mead at 860-658-0150 or bradmead@deltanow.com   

 

Tuckerman's Trip Featured in Simsbury Post

Be sure to get your copy of the Simsbury Post today Friday May 16. There is a write-up about the trip and , as is appropriate , the Simsbury Post dedicated the ENTIRE Page 26 to the subject.

In addition to a group shot there are pics of Lee Adamowicz and John Mundy doing their thing,  tales of exploits by the Peacocks and Bush's, Mike Vallen, Keegan Rice, Pete Adamowicz not to mention the unbelievable climb up the Left Gully Ravine wall by Legendary Alpinist Mark Bushey.

The Simsbury Post  is available by subscription only these days so you can buy one at CVS for $1.

Boy Scout Adventure Race Course

Challenge 1 - Off Road Mountain Biking

The course will start at Pennwood Park off Route 185 in Simsbury on June 15th at 10:00 am. You must arrive at the starting line by 9:45 to be sure of being allowed to start in the first wave. Those arriving after 9:45 will be allowed to start at 1 minute after the first group, but their time will be clocked from 10:00 am.

You must start by 10:00 or you will not be allowed to start.  

Start on the upper road trail for 10 minutes until the road veers hard right. At this point the dirt trail goes straight ahead. Continue straight. There are some faint white dots marking this trail. At “T” junction go left on blue trail.  100 ft later is a sign “Metacomet Trail Go Right”.  Disregard and go straight on unmarked  trail (blue trail goes up to the ridge and back down to rejoin your trail later.

Follow the trail until it descends into Wintonbury road. You must walk your bike down the hill as soon as you see the road. If you ride down the judges will add 10 minutes to your time. The 1st checkpoint is at Wintonbury. Sign in with race official. You must reach checkpoint by 11:30AM.

Bicycle down Wintonbury and get on to Terry’s Plain rd. Stay on the right hand side of the road and ride to Curtiss E. Stay left at Road Fork and go right on Rt 315 at bridge to Curtiss E. Do not cross Route 315 until you get the Curtiss E. If you cross before Curtiss E and your team will pick up 10 additional minutes

Challenge 2 - Scout Skills

The 2nd checkpoint is Curtiss E main table by the river. You must reach checkpoint 2 by 12:00 At this checkpoint, you have 4 events to accomplish.  They are:

1. Compass Course

2. Rappel across a river

3. Go over green wall

4. Mandatory 15 minute rest stop.

If you can, do the River Rappel first.  If there is a team already doing it, do something else or wait in line.

1. Compass Course:  Your must collect clues to give a phrase to official.  Once you have the phrase, you may go forward.  If you cannot finish after 30 minute, go ahead anyway.

2. River Rappel: You must get your team across the river.  If you are having trouble, you may be asked to step aside.  If you cannot do it after 30 minutes go ahead anyway.

3. The Wall: You must get your team over the “smooth” side of the green wall. If you cannot do it after 15 minutes go ahead anyway.

4. Rest Stop:  You must stop and rest 15 minutes at the Main Table by the River

Challenge 3 - The Run

You must now walk/run to the bike path on iron horse Blvd at the intersection of Rt 315 and Route 10. Watch for traffic.

You must now hike Iron Blvd to Pettibones Tavern. Somewhere along the way will be the 3rd checkpoint. It is kept secret to make sure you stay on the course. The checkpoint will be on the bike trail and you must not miss it. Get your sign off/in and continue on.

At Pettibones Tavern you must go East on Rt 185 until you get to the Bridge across the river. Use the pedestrian part of the bridge to cross to the Sycamore Canoe Landing. This is the 4th checkpoint; you must reach it by 2:00 PM.  You will have another mandatory 15-minute rest stop here.

Challenge 4 - The Water Ride

Pick up your Canoe, put on your PFD and start canoeing north on the Farmington River. You must wear your PFD at all time. If you are spotted with it not on your team will be eliminated. Spies will be hiding by the river to make sure. Your next checkpoint (#5) will be well before the Drake Hill Bridge where you must pull into Carter’s Riverside Canoe Stop and Dance Hall  (look for sign) and get your card signed by Mrs. Carter. Continue on North on the river and at some point stop to select wood and kindling for the fire you must make at the end of this canoe trip (you may NOT pick up wood at Carter’s checkpoint). You can stop anywhere but you must have your wood before you pass under the Route 315 Bridge near Curtiss. You will not be permitted to pick up fire supplies after the bridge nor use any material found at Curtiss. You must bring it all with you.

Continue in the canoe to Curtiss and exit at Curtiss.

Challenge 5 - Trial by Fire

You must now make a fire to burn through a string that will be strung in a number of locations.  Check in at Main Desk #6.  You will be assigned a location. You may use only matches and wood supplies found before the Rt 315 bridge. You may not use lighter fluids, paper, or any prepared stuff. Judges will be watching closely.

You may elect to start your fire with Flint and steel only (no cotton balls or charred cloth). If you do and are successful you will have 15 minutes deducted from your time.

When your string burns through you will stop your clock. You are finished. You may relax and help cheer on your fellow scouts.

2008 Boy Scout Adventure Race Rules

Here are the Official Rules for the 2008 Boy Scout Adventure Race as of 5/15/2008. The race date is Sunday, June 15, 2008.

Adventure Team Formation:

• 3 man teams – all must finish
• Each team must pick a single color for their shirts
• All teams members must be 10 or over and under 21 and registered Scouts in Simsbury Troop 175, 174, or 76 (Includes Venture crew).
• Team members will have ages added together to determine handicap. Team ages must add up to at least 30 and be less that 60. (See Time Consideration Section)
• There must be one First Class Scout or higher on each team, unless approved by a Troop Scoutmaster.
• All team members must have passed the BSA Swim test
• Each team member must have a permission slip from their parents giving them permission to race without an adult as part of the team.
  

Equipment Requirements:

Each Team Member must have:

• Liter of water or Camelback
• One high energy bar
• PFD
• Mountain bike
• Helmet
  

Each Team must have:

• Compass
• First aid Kit
• Fully Charged cell phone (Time will be added if less than fully charged phones)
• Canoe and paddles
• Matches (no lighters) or Flint and Steel.
• Pen

 

Race Requirements:

1. You must stay with 50 yards of each other during the whole race. If a judge or two other teams report that you are not within this distance time may be added to your result.

2. You must stop and help any team that requests help in an emergency. Appropriate time will be deducted from your final time for helping.

3. You must go to each checkpoint and sign in. (Team captain sign in).

4. You may not receive any assistance along the way other than from race officials. You must stick to the route of the race.

5. You may not leave any team members behind. You may drop them at a checkpoint but only at a checkpoint. If you drop a team member then your time will not count even though you may continue racing.

6. You may not interfere in other teams racing. Interference may be grounds for disqualification. This includes removing any race marks that are part of the course

7. In the event that any team member gets dizzy or ill or starts bleeding for any reason (other than scratches)- you must stop racing and assist the team member.

8. You must get to each check mark by the appointed time limit or must drop out of the race. If you have not made it to a checkpoint by the limit you will receive a call and will be marked as Did Not Finish (DNF). Please do not continue racing but come back to the race finish at Curtiss E.

9. Be careful and take your time. This is an endurance race and most finishers will fail to finish because of injury or running out of energy.

Time Consideration:

The race will start at exactly 10AM at the Pennwood.

Registration will be at Pennwood from 8:00-9:45 on Sunday, June 15, 2008. Racers will start in order of registration time. Get their early and you start at the front of the pack. Your team must be all present to register. You must show your list of equipment- although canoes PFD’s & Paddles should be already delivered to 185 Bridge Canoe Landing ahead of time.  Parents will be there to guard your canoes.  Your team name should be on your canoe. Teams registering after 9:45AM will have one minute added to their time for every minute after 9:45AM they register. Teams may not register until ALL members are present. At 10:00 Registration will close and no further teams will be entered.

Official time will be Verizon Cell Phone time.

Your final time will be your race time starting at 10 AM plus any penalties less time deductions for using flint and steel. Also you will receive a 5-minute deduction for every year yours teams ages are collectively fewer than 45. If you have 3 13 year olds – that equals 39 – you would receive a 30 minutes deduction from your time. You may race with a total over 45 but you will be penalized 5 Minutes for every year your teams collective ages add up to over 45.  Maximum age sum is 60. Maximum deduction or addition of time at the end is 45 Minutes.

 

Scout Pledge Form Now Available

One of the most important aspects of being a good scout is service to the community. Helping to raise money for a family in need is a perfect example of the Scout Spirit.

Please ask your friends, family, neighbors, and anyone else you know to help sponsor your efforts in the Boy Scout Adventure Race for Michael Bubnash. They don't have to live in town and no amount is too small or too large.

Please have checks made out to "The Michael Bubnash Family Fund" and if you receive cash, please have your parents write one check for the entire amount of the cash.

You can down load the pledge form here and copy it as many times as necessary.

Download bsa_adventure_race_pledge_sheet.doc

Please see your Scoutmaster if you have any questions.

Adventure Race Logo Announced

Representatives from Troops 76, 174 and 175 met this week to continue the planning of the Simsbury Boy Scout Adventure Race for Michael Bubnash to be held June 15, 2008. One of the items approved at the meeting was the logo designed by Brenda Barch, an Art Director at Adams & Knight who is a parent of one of our scouts.

 

This logo will be used on signs, t-shirts and other materials to help promote the event.

Mike Bubnash Article in Hartford Courant

The May 11th Hartford Courant ran its feature story in the Connecticut section on Mike Bubnash, the Eagle scout hurt in a car crash that is the focal point of all three Simsbury-based Boy Scout troops getting together and participating in the Boy Scout Adventure Race June 15, 2008.

Use this link to read the page one of the article (725.5K) and page two of the article (725.5K)

For more information on Mike Bubnash, also see  www.mikegetwell.com.

May Trip Update

Our May Trip will focus on backpacking and day hiking excursions in the backwoods of the Adirondak Mountains.  On Friday May 23rd will depart for Lake Placid NY.  We have reserved campsites at the Adirondak Loj, just outside Lake Placid.  This is a beautiful campground managed by the  Adirondak Mountain Club. Additional information regarding this trip can be found in the Troop Google Group announcement.

We have a limited number of campsites so I will need to know as soon as possible if you plan on attending.

Please contact me with any question you may have.

Mr. Adamowicz.

Scout Participation in St. Mary's Carnival

It's that time of year again! The 2008 St. Mary's Carnival is in the final planning stages, and will run June 10 through June 14. The church's carnival committee has asked for help from Troop 175 in two areas: Granny's Attic tag sale and trash pick-up during the carnival.

The Granny's Attic tag sale tent is located behind Valley Hardware store, close to Iron Horse Boulevard. Tag sale items are donated by church members and then sold during the carnival. All items are being dropped off the weekend before the carnival (June 7 and 8). Troop 175 has been asked to assist with items, small and bulky, by carrying them from vehicle to tag sale tent.

During the carnival, there are a number of trash cans throughout the carnival location. Our job is to empty the trash cans as they are filled and place the filled bags in the carnival dumpster.

There is also an opportunity to help with the final clean-up Sunday morning, June 15.

Sign-up sheets will be available beginning this week, at Thursday's Troop meeting. Please check your calendars now and see which day and time you'll be available. At least one adult helper is needed for each time slot.

Thanks again, and please let us know if you have any questions!

Troop 175 Carnival Committee co-chairs,
Mrs. Dunn,
Mrs. Weathers

Eagle Scout Profile: Ryan Mead

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
TROOP 175
NATIONAL EAGLE COURT OF HONOR
May 4, 2008

Eagle Scout Ryan Mead

Ryan Mead joined scouting in the first grade as a Tiger Cub. He began his experience in Pack 175, receiving his Arrow of Light award at the age of 10. Ryan crossed over into Troop 175 with his brother, Jeffrey, when both were in fifth grade. His best memory of Cub Scouts was carving a 20 foot totem pole with his den..

Ryan has countless memories of his years in Troop 175. He remembers the first father/son campout with the endless games of "Risk" and the snowball fights on the frozen lake. He remembers summer camp at Mattatuck where the scouts enjoyed archery, rifle shooting, campfires, and their traditional rivalry with Troop 76. Ryan will always hold onto memories of the subzero Deep Freeze Survival campout and the town-wide adventure race.

Ryan demonstrated scouting's maturity and direction through various leadership positions within the troop.He first served as Patrol Leader of the Silly Rabbit Patrol with a memorable 2nd place finish at Mattatuck's "Campwide Game." He continued as Troop Historian the following year accounting the important trip details and moments for future reference and reflection. Recently, he has served as a troop Instructor, aiding the newer scouts in basic scouting skills and facilitating their advancement to the rank of Scout.

Ryan's Eagle Scout Project gave back to the always supportive St. Mary's Parish. With the help of countless fellow scouts, Ryan constructed a new Creche for the church's Christmas nativity scene. The project was funded by a very successful and entertaining car wash which coincided nicely with the troop's work at the annual car show. The building of the creche went smoothly, and the electrical bulbs in its corners highlight Jesus in the center.

Ryan is currently a high school senior at Northwest Catholic. He plays tennis for his school and soccer for the town of Simsbury. Ryan wants to express his gratitude to all of his Scoutmasters, his father, his brother, and his supportive friends and family for helping him achieve the rank of Eagle.

Eagle Scout Profile: Jeff Mead

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
TROOP 175
NATIONAL EAGLE COURT OF HONOR
May 4, 2008

Eagle Scout Jeff Mead

Jeffrey Mead started Scouting in the first grade as a Tiger Cub. He was in Troop 174 and earned his Arrow of Light award at the age of 10. He crossed over to Troop 175 with his brother in the fifth grade. His fondest memory of Cub Scouts was racing in the Pinewood Derby.

Jeff has many favorite memories of his years in Troop 175. He remembers his first trip, the father/son campout, and sledding down the path to the lake on the bunk mattresses. He remembers the trips to Tuckerman's Ravine and skiing in the bowl. Jeff greatly enjoyed his 3 summers at Camp Mattatuck, where he got to earn his first merit badges. He will also never forget his favorite trips: trekking up Slide Mountain and hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro this past summer.

Jeff has also held several leadership positions within the troop. Early on, he was appointed Patrol Leader of one of the two New Scout Patrols. He continued as Patrol Leader the following year when these two patrols merged. Recently, he has also served as a troop Instructor, where he aids the newer scouts in basic scouting skills and requirements. Jeff was voted into The Immortals this past fall and holds up The Immortal goal: "To teach, to learn, to serve, and to lead."

Jeff's Eagle Scout Project involved cleaning up the back entrance to St. Mary*s School and Church. He was able to clean up the area and install a 150* split-rail fence that marked the back entrance. None of this would have been possible without the overwhelming support of the community and the manpower provided by his fellow scouts. He is grateful that he could give back to the community and church that have helped him become who he is today.

Jeff is currently a high school senior at Choate Rosemary Hall. In addition to being a Prefect in his dorm, he rows on the Crew team in the fall and spring, and was captain of the Wrestling team in the winter. Jeff would like to thank all of the Scoutmasters as well as his father and brother for helping him achieve the rank of Eagle.

Eagle Scout Profile: Joseph Worthen

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
TROOP 175
NATIONAL EAGLE COURT OF HONOR
May 4, 2008

Eagle Scout Joseph Worthen

Joe began his scouting experience in 4th grade as a Cub Scout in Troop 276 and earned his Arrow of Light award in 1999.  He crossed over into Boy Scouts when he joined troop 175 in 2000.  Joe's most fond memory of Cub Scouts is climbing to the top of Black Rock State Park.

Joe has many fond memories of Troop 175.  Summer camp at Camp Mattatuck was always memorable, and he will especially remember the year the infirmary was packed with boys suffering from "Simsbola".  Joe also enjoyed the yearly ski trips to Bromley, with the posh accommodations, sleeping on the gym floor.  He'll always remember the dad's, snoring in unison, throughout the night.  Joe enjoyed many other trips, an awesome day skiing Tuckerman's Ravine, biking throughout Block Island, and climbing Mt. Washington.  There were two trips, however, that were the most memorable.  When Joe was in 9th grade, he took part in a 50-mile canoe trip camping and canoeing down the Delaware River.  Although it rained everyday, and there were times that lightning was hitting the water as they paddled, it was one of the best times he's ever had.  The summer before his senior year, Joe went to the Philmont Scout Ranch with the troop.  This was the highlight of his scouting career.  Joe remembers the incredible scenery, eating way too much trail mix, almost stepping on a rattle snake, sitting, with the *brothers" around the campfire at night, the morning they woke up in a pasture to find themselves surrounded by a herd of cattle, and laughing, a lot.

Joe held various leadership positions in the Troop.  His first leadership position was Troop Guide.  Joe was also a Patrol Leader for one year.  Although he learned many leadership skills as a Patrol leader, Joe went back to being a Troop Guide, as he found that this was a position he excelled at.  Through Scouts, Joe discovered he had an aptitude for teaching, guiding, and encouraging, which he carried over into his job throughout high school, working at Ski Sundown as an alpine ski instructor.

Joe's Eagle project involved encouraging the migration of Bluebirds to the area surrounding the Roaring Brook Nature Center in Canton, CT. This seemed like a natural choice for a project, as an appreciation for nature had always been instilled in him by his mom and building by his dad.  With guidance from Mr. Kaplan, Joe mapped out a plan in which two new habitats were designed to increase bluebird activity at and around the Nature Center.  As a part of this plan, Joe researched, organized and supervised the building of 8 new bluebird houses, complete with pest guards, mounted on poles.   These houses were then placed at the Nature Center in the designated areas.   Joe would like to especially thank Mr. Kaplan, the members of the troop, and his close friends, as their assistance and support throughout, helped to bring his project to fruition.

Joe completed his project at the end of his senior year in high school, where Joe was active in athletics. Many of Joe’s fondest high school memories were as a member of the Cross Country Running Team and the Track Team.   In the fall, Joe began his college career at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA, where he is majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Biomedical Engineering.

Eagle Scout Profile: Scott Miller

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
TROOP 175
NATIONAL EAGLE COURT OF HONOR
May 4, 2008

Scott Howard Miller

Scott joined scouting as a Bear Cub of pack 76 in the third grade.  He earned the Arrow of Light Award before crossing over into Troop 175 in fifth grade with many of his friends in his den.  What he remembers most out of cub scouts was going to Camp Tadma for two summers and winning second place in the Pinewood Derby as a Bear Scout.

Upon joining Troop 175 Scott participated in many exciting trips with his fellow scouts.  Some trips that Scott participated in annually were skiing up at Bromley, Klondike derbies, Block Island biking, Camp Mattatuck, and Onion Mountain.   Some other trips that Scott enjoyed were to New York City, Boston, Delaware Water Gap, and Zealand Hut.  But, his favorite trip had to be when he traveled to Tanzania, Africa to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.  Afterwards, he enjoyed an amazing and relaxing safari with his friends and father.

As part of the troop, Scott held a few leadership positions throughout his scouting career.  He started out small as an assistant patrol leader, and then he moved up to scribe which he held for four years.  Last year he was elected to the position of Assistant Senior Patrol Leader.  In addition, he joined the Immortals group as one of its founding members.

Scott*s Eagle Project was to create an orienteering course in Onion Mountain Park.  To fundraise for the project he placed a plate on each post that was dedicated by the person or family that donated.  Scott felt that this project could not only be used by the scouts on their frequent campouts to Onion Mountain, but also by the community.  Scott believes that this definitely helps improve the park*s quality because it gives the public a different way to enjoy the scenery.  Scott would like to thank his entire family, the Duffs, and the scouts that helped him with his project.

Currently, Scott is a senior at Simsbury High School.  He participates in many school sports including cross country, cross country skiing, and volleyball.  In academics, Scott takes many Advanced Placement courses, is on the Honor Roll, and is a member of the National Honor Society.  Also, Scott has enjoyed participating on the Math League team and in the Dodgeball League.  In the upcoming fall, Scott plans to attend an engineering college.  Scott is very thankful for all the support he has been given over the many years he has been in Boy Scouts from his family, friends, Scoutmasters, and fellow Boy Scouts.

 

Helping Cub Scouts at Holcomb Farm

Whenever an adult in our troop asks for help from the scouts of 175, their are always at least a few scouts willing to lend a hand. When Mrs. Peacock needed help at a cub event at Holcomb farm in Granby, seven guys from our troop, and one from troop 76, came to help even though for most of them it was an early closing and they could have gone home.

When we arrived at the farm, we spent time setting up the stations that would later teach the cub scouts skills that we use in scouting. There was knot tying, first aid, setting up a tarp and rope tent, and of course, fire building. The Cub Scouts arrived, and everybody, whether done with their stations or not, was put on teams with the cub scouts to go on an approximate three mile hike. Every team survived the Cubs and the forest, but for a while there, it was close. They were all given little whistles and buddies to help them not get lost, boy was it a chore keeping the buddies in check and stopping them from blowing the whistles.

When we finally got back to the farm, everyone settled in for a game of Capture the Flag, except me Brandon Bush and Joey Dunn, who had to finish our station. I am happy to say that these two scouts both helped eagerly, and without question. In fact, they knew their stuff more than I did. When the stations were finally set up there was a flag raising ceremony.

Then all the cubs who were split up into four groups and went around to the stations and got first hand experience on how to build fires, tie knots set up tent with ropes and first-aid.  When each group had gone to all the sights, there was a flag lowering ceremony, performed by the  cubs and they all performed skits about the scout law. (We had helped to teach the scout law and oath.) After this they were free to go.

Here are the names of all the Boy Scouts that helped out: Brandon Bush, Joey Dunn, Isaac Peacock, Mike Duff, James Hermsen, Nick Summa, Cortland Carter and Paul from troop 76. Also, Gabe Benjamin, who wrote this article, was there. All of this could not have been accomplished if we had not showed up and done our jobs, but especially could not have happened if Mrs. Peacock had not been there to coordinate the cub scouts and keep them interested in becoming Boy Scouts at a later time ( hopefully in Troop 175.)

Gabe Benjamin
      

Community Service Form

In order to better track community service hours, we have created a form that can be used to track and report a scout's community service hours outside of troop activities. Troop community service project hours do not need to be submitted on this form.

Download simsbury_troop_175_community_service_form.doc