Simsbury Troop 175

2008-09 Scout Leadership Named

At the June 26th Scout Picnic, pool party  and Court of Honor, Lee Adamovich was named the Senior Patrol  Leader of Simsbury Boy Scout Troop 175 for 2008-2009 season.  Lee, who most recently held the post of Immortal's Chief, will be responsible for planning and leading the troop meetings throughout the year.

Assisting Lee will be three Top Notch Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders:
Max Drake, Gabe Benjamin and Rob Carter.

Mr. Mead also congratulated Cortlandt Carter for a superb job as the outgoing SPL and his ASPL's Grant Osbourn and Scott Miller.

Troop 175 Ends The Year With A Splash

Simsbury Boy Scout Troop 175 ended the scout year with a pool party, picnic and outdoor Court of Honor at Scoutmaster Brad Mead's house on June 26th.  The scouts, joined by sibling and parents, played watermelon polo in the pool, volleyball, Ultimate Frisby or just chilled out before a great picnic dinner.

At the Court of Honor 60 merit badges were awarded to scouts for work they had completed throughout the year.  Merit badges included  Environmental Science, Space Exploration, First Aid Emergency Preparedness, Home Repair and Wilderness Survival.   

The following Scouts also received increases in rank:

Scout : Karl Spooner

Tenderfoot : AdamMcIlveen and Karl Spooner

2nd Class : BrandonBush,  Jason Child, Isaac Peacock, Will Shuck and Ryan Weathers    

1st Class : Eric Barch, Kevin Burke, Charlie Siegel, Nick Summa and Ryan Weathers

Star : Tommy Adamowicz, Rob Burke Keegan Rice and Zach Zikovich   

Life : Cort  Carter

Grant Osbourn was also recognized for completing his requirements for Eagle rank which will be awarded next June.

For photos of the event visit the Picnic and Court of Honor section of the Scout Photo Library.

            

Jambalaya with Shrimp and Ham Recipe

At our last Onion Mountain campout, Mr. Miller made a great dinner of Jambalaya with Shrimp and Ham for everyone to enjoy.  Here is the recipe from that campout. taken from the Food network.com

Jambalaya with Shrimp and Ham Show: Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger  Episode: One Pot Cooking

1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large onion, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more, to taste 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more, to taste 1 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1 bay leaf 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 tablespoon tomato paste 6 ounces diced, smoked ham 2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can no-salt added diced tomatoes 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice 1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp Hot pepper sauce Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over a medium heat. Add the onion, peppers and garlic and saute until they begin to soften, about 10 minutes. Mix in the next 11 ingredients, salt through the diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Stir in the rice, cover, reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until rice is done and most of the liquid is absorbed. Add the shrimp and cook, covered, for 5 minutes more, or until shrimp is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve with hot pepper sauce. Recipe Analysis Note: Ingredients without discrete measurements such as "Salt, to taste" or "Ice cream, optional" are omitted from analysis. This is because amounts can be highly variable and difficult to determine.   Nutrition Information Nutritional Analysis Per Serving Calories 440 Total fat 9g Saturated fat 2g Monounsaturated fat 3.5g Polyunsaturated fat 1.4g Cholesterol 190mg Sodium 1040mg Carbohydrates 50g Protein 38g

Dedication of the Ben Clark Boathouse at Camp Mattatuck

On June 21, 2008 about 70 people gathered at Camp Mattatuck to honor the life of Ben Clark. In attendance were Ben's family, current and former scouts, scoutmasters, parents and friends. 18 Eagles Scouts were in attendance.

The Ben Clark Boat House will house all of the camps water craft and docks during the winter also it will be use as a repair shop for boats during the summer months.  Ben’s Boat House is going to be a significant improvement to the Camp facilities and will be actively used throughout the year. This project captures Ben’s love of the water and enthusiasm for water sports.

For photos of the event, please visit the Troop 175 Online Photo Library.

Simsbury Boy Scout Adventure Race Wrap-up

80 Scouts from the three Boy Scout Troops of Simsbury held their Adventure Race on Sunday June 15 for the benefit of Michael Bubnash, an Eagle scout hurt in a auto accident. Racing in three man teams, the scouts began their Journey at Pennwood State Park on mountain bikes. Greg Bubnash, Mike’s father started the race with the three scoutmasters of Troops 76,174,175 , Mary Glassman, the First Selectman, and Father Metzler of St. Mary's Church who blessed the event.

The first leg of the race was to mountain bike the four mile length of Talcott Ridge down to the Curtiss Soccer Fields. At the fields the scout teams had to scale a ten foot wall, orienteer a compass course, and rappel on ropes across a branch of the Farmington River.

The teams then ran five miles to Pettibone’s Tavern and around to the canoe landing, jump in canoes and row downriver back to Curtiss Fields about 5 miles, picking up firemaking materials along the way. Returning to Curtis Fields, they had to build a fire to burn through a rope two feet above the ground to stop their time and complete the event.

The winning scout team on straight time was Grant Osborn(18), Ryan Mead(17),Jeffrey Mead(17), all Eagle Scouts of Troop 175, in 3 hours and 17 minutes - a new course record.

Each team received time allowance according to their ages and as a result the overall race winning team on corrected Time was Eric Barch(11) Greg Bombara(11) and Nicholas Carabillo(11) of Troop 175  who arrived at the final fire building station only 15 minutes behind the lead team and built their fire with flint and steel in under 90 seconds. They won the race on corrected time by over an hour.

The second Place team on corrected Time was the Scully brother team of Brendan 17,Will 15 and Kirk 12 from Troop 174 followed in third place by Mike Vallen(16), Cortland Carter(17) and Keegan Rice(12) from Troop 175.

Nick Civitillo the Scoutmaster of Troop 174, Michaels' Troop said "The scouts went all out for Michael and we are all very proud of them."

The Race was held to benefit Michael Bubnash an Eagle Scout from Troop 174 who was in a car accident last year that left him struggling to recover from both physical and brain injuries. Michael was at the race cheering the teams on and enjoying the friendship of many who had come to help the cause. "We raised almost $25,000 from the Scout teams who has gone around town raising money from merchants and friends said Scoutmaster Brad Mead of Troop 175, the organizer of the race. The team of Cortland Carter, Mike Vallen and Keegan Rice raised over $5,000 themselves in the month before the Race. Many other teams raised well over a $1,000. The Community really came together for Mike. Due to the extensive press coverage which included stories about the Adventure race in the Simsbury Post, Hartford Courant, on the local radio stations and even the Chicago Tribune, I have been receiving checks in the mail every day from all over the country."

Todd Bailey Scoutmaster of Troop 76 was equally effusive, "The Adventure Race had two goals - to raise much needed money for Michael Bubnash and to raise the level of Scouting awareness in Simsbury - both goals were accomplished"

Mike’s Dad, Greg Bubnash summed it all "Thank you Scouts for all that you have done".

Donations to the Bubnash Family Fund may be sent to Scoutmaster Brad Mead, 73 East Weatogue St, Simsbury Ct. 06070.

2008 Boy Scout Adventure Race Results

The following are the official results for the Simsbury Boy Scout Adventure Race held Sunday, June 15, 2008.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Troop 175
Team	Age	Adjusted Time   (hours:minutes)
Team 1		3:52
Ryan Mead	17	First to finish
Jeff mead	17
Grant Osborn	18
Team 2		3:46
Cort Carter	17	Third Place
Keegan Rice	12	First Place Fundraising
Mike Vallen	15
Team 3		3:48
Rob Carter	14
Kevin Hancock	14
Andrew Fletcher	14
Team 4		4:29
Mike Ryan	12
Justin Farrell	12
Jason Child	12
Team 5		2:32
Erich Barch	11	First Place
Nick Carabillo	11	Second to finish
Greg Bombara	11
Team 6		3:48
Brandon Bush	12
Joey Dunn	12
James Hermsen	12
Team 7		4:26
Steven Bushey	12
Will Kendall	12
Erik Kooniz	10
Team 9		5:28
Charlie Siegel	14
Gabe Benjamin	16	2nd Fundrasing
Stephen Banulski	15
Team 10		DNF
Lee Adamowicz	16	3rd Fundrasing
Issac Peacock	12
Nick Summa	12
Team 11		4:18
Jack Vallen	11
Karl Spooner	11
David Kalamarides	11
Team 12		DNF
Carter Hill	15
Max Drake	16
Ryan Weathers	11
Team 13		4:40
Rob Burke	15
Jake Van Loon	15
Tom Adamowicz	14
Troop 174
Team 14		3:23
Brendan Scully	17	Second Place
Will Scully	15
Kirk Scully	12
Team 15		4:36
Connor Lucker	16
Taran Lucker	13
Piers Lucker	11
Team 17		4:34
Tyler Manchester	11
Chris Frulla	12
Team 19		5:09
Maurits BoonVanOstade	17
Jan BoonVanOstade	15
Alex BoonVanOstade	13
Team 21		5:05
Brian Child	20
Kevin Child	17
Zach Krug	20
Team 22		DNF
Kevin McCann	16
Jeremy Jacob	16
Alex Correia	16
Team 24		4:37
Andrew Carter	14
Jayson Gribko	15
Tyler Sibley	14
Troop 76
Team 25		4:33
Martin St. Denis	16
Shane Arena	15
Dan Kalamarides	15
Team 26		4:30
James Depasquale	14
Bryan Hannon	14
Connor Barrnett	14
Team 27		4:19
Ryan Carr	13
Nate Lungarini	13
Jon Saucier	12

Troop 175 Takes on Disability Awareness Merit Badge

Boy Scouts from Troop 175 took part in the Disability Awareness Merit Badge over the month of May.

A powerpoint presentation was offered by merit badge counselors Mr. and Mrs. Duff about person first language, disability etiquette, and the history of disability awareness and law was offered to kick off the badge work.  The same evening Mr. Bubnash offered a personal story and pictures about the life his son Michael Bubnash, who is living with a traumatic brain injury after injuries sustained in an automobile accident.  The scouts were riveted to learn about a fellow scouts' experience especially since he is an Eagle Scout.

The second badge workshop included a panel discussion comprised of teenagers who experience a challenge in their lives.  A guest, Colleen, shared about going to school, playing sports and living in the community with a spinal cord injury that requires her to use a wheelchair.  Three Scouts from the troop also shared their stories.  Rob shared about a new diagnosis of arthritis and how that will impact his active school, sport and scout life. Carter candidly spoke about his experience with attention deficit disorder and its involvement in every aspect of his day.  Michael shared about having the birth defect of spina bifida, using a wheelchair to navigate the world of home, school, community and scouting as well as the surgeries and complicated medical issues that affect his life. In patrol corners the scouts further explored locations they are familiar with and how accessible friendly they are for persons with disabilities.  Discussions took place about myths and misconceptions about persons with disabilities and the professions that provide service to them.

On the last nights' merit badge workshop the scouts temporarily accepted the assignment of a disability.  Some scouts were speech, vision or hearing impaired while others were physically constrained by not using their dominant hand to record with and some were placed in wheelchairs with out the benefit of using their legs. The scouts were grouped in teams and given the challenge of completing an orienteering course that required them to cooperate and record information while negotiating the normal daily obstacles that persons with disabilities navigate like, doors, curbs, uneven surfaces, and unfamiliar locations. A presentation by Mr. Ken Messier included showing a video and discussing Sled Hockey as a sporting pursuit by people who are not able to walk or skate.  Thanks to the kindess of Mr. Messier we also had use of wheelchairs for our orienteering course!  The evening concluded with an energetic game of ball played by some in wheelchairs and others on foot. 

The scouts were able to help at the Harc Walkathon with a greater awareness of disability.  The troop ran, walked and talked with the many participants who were fundraising for persons with intellectual disabilities. In true scouting spirit they also helped collect trash, clean up the site, and load the truck to conclude the day.

Tremendous scout spirit was demonstrated when the scouts formed three man teams, fundraised and executed the biking, agility-skill drills, running, canoeing, and firebuilding components of the Amazing Race which was a benefit for Michael Bubnash of the Simsbury community.  They competed along side brother scouts from other troops to complete the arduous course and delighted in meeting Michael in person for the day at Curtis field in Simsbury.

 

Fox 61 Covers race on 10:00 News

Local television station Fox 61 attended the Boy Scout Adventure Race on June 15th and below is a link to watch the segment from the show. It also ran the next morning as well. You need to wait for the commercial to finish before the segments begins to run.

The link is http://fox61.trb.com/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=2593557

Race Coverage From Around The Country

As the scouts from all three Simsbury Boy Scout troops get ready to participate in the Boy Scout Adventure Race for Michael Bubnash, news coverage making people aware of the great things being done by scouts are coming in from all over. Here is an article from the Chicago Tribune.

2008 Boy Scout Adventure Race Overview

The Boy Scout Adventure Race is a four hour marathon where the Scouts in 3 man teams Mountain bike  4 miles over Talcott Ridge from Pennwood Park in Simsbury to Curtis E Fields. There they have to scale a ten foot wall, do an orienteering course, Rappel on ropes over an arm of the Farmington River and then run 4 Miles to Pettibones Tavern down Ironhorse Blvd and then around to the Sycamore Tree Canoe landing by the 185 Bridge. There they jump in Canoe and race downriver stopping along the way to pick up fire building material and then finally arriving back at Curtis E  Field they have to make a fire and burn through a string two feet above the ground to stop their time. Younger teams get time deductions based on age and older teams get time additions. The whole race takes about 4 hours.

This year Troop 175 is running the Adventure Race with the other two Simsbury Troops, Troop 174 and Troop 76 and raising funds for Michael Bubnash. Michael is an Eagle Scout from Troop 174 who was in a bad car accident in February of 2007 and now is making a comeback from both physical and brain injuries as a result of the accident. He is an extraordinary Scout and our Scouting community has banded together to help him win his "race" to recover.

Scouts are getting donations and pledges from the local community to back their teams. If you would like to help please back a team when they approach you, Make a donation at Little City Pizza, Starbucks or Peaberry's or send a donation.

Join us on Race day June 15  at 10 AM at the Curtiss E fields on rt 315 in north Simsbury. Come for the fun, come for the action, come with your checkbook, come help Mike's race to recovery.

Ben’s Boat House at Camp Mattatuck

Many of you may know that we have started construction of Ben’s Memorial at Camp Mattatuck. This project captures Ben’s love of the water and enthusiasm for water sports.  The Ben Clark Boat House will house all of the camps water craft and docks during the winter also it will be use as a repair shop for boats during the summer months.   In the past most boats had to be transported to multiple winter storage locations and some have been stored outside. Ben’s Boat House is going to be a significant improvement to the Camp facilities and will be actively used throughout the year.

We’ll be working again this Saturday 6/7 starting at 8:30am on Ben’s Boat House.  We hope to complete the wavy edge siding as well as sheathing and shingling the roof.  We’ll need help cleaning up (stacking lumber and bringing debris to the dumpster), also putting the final touches on grading and removing stones.   We hope to complete the project this weekend please let me know if you’re available to help out.

Special thanks go out to Rob Asensio, Carter Hill, Pat Cady, Abby O’Donnell, Brian O’Donnell, Rich Cady, Mark Bushy and Mike Hill for their impeccable work on installing the wavy edge siding.  I received a phone call from Chris Moon Camp Director who said he is “Absolutely Delighted with the structure and in particular the Corner Boards and Special Detail above the Overhead Door”; he also said the roof framers did a great job too.

Mr. Adamowicz.

Troop Participation in 2008 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.

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.

Please note that we still need quite a few volunteers for some of the dates. Remember that this is a very important fundraiser for the Troop, and it is a huge benefit to St. Mary's in helping them have a successful carnival.

   

If you have any questions, would like to be added to the volunteer list, or have a change, please let one of us know. Thanks again, and have a great week!

 

Mrs. Dunn

Mrs. Weathers

Troop Makes a Splash at Simsbury Half Marathon

Simsbury Troop 175 showed up in force to help the organizers of the Hartford Half Marathon make their event happen in Simsbury on June 1st. 17 scouts and several parents and friends passes out water and performed other tasks to help make the event a success. Their efforts also resulted in a $1,000 donation by the marathon organizers to the Michael Bubnash Family Fund.