Simsbury Troop 175

Troop Junior Leadership Training at Carter Notch

The scout leadership of troop 175 will be undertaking the challenging adventures as part of the troop's junior leadership program. This program is open to all scouts with the rank of First Class or higher.

The March training will take place at the Carter Notch Hut, part of the Appalachian Mountain Club's high mountain huts.

After an overnight stay in a New Hampshire hotel, we will start the day beginning with our 4 hour Snow Shoe hike to the Hut . There will be a series of Leadership Training programs on going throughout the day including the Myers Briggs program. Look forward to spectacular winter scenery that will be the background of our White Mountain Wilderness Adventure.

For those scouts just joining the troop, this is why you look to advance to First Class - so you can go on these trips as well!

Family Life Merit Badge

Scouts in Troop 175 that are interested in earning the Eagle Required Family Life merit badge can do so beginning Thursday night. Mrs. Van Loon will be holding a meeting  at 6:30pm on February 26th (the scout meeting after vacation) at St Mary's prior to the troop meeting.  Scouts interested in earning this important badge and at least one parent should attend.

Family Life Requirements

Prepare an outline on what a family is and discuss this with your merit badge counselor. Tell why families are important to individuals and to society. Discuss how the actions of one member can affect other members. List several reasons why you are important to your family and discuss this with your parents or guardians and with your merit badge counselor. Prepare a list of your regular home duties or chores (at least five) and do them for 90 days. Keep a record of how often you do each of them. With the approval of your parents or guardians and your merit badge counselor, decide on and carry out a project that you would do around the home that would benefit your family. Submit a report to your merit badge counselor outlining how the project benefited your family. Plan and carry out a project that involves the participation of your family. After completing the project, discuss the following with your merit badge counselor: a. The objective or goal of the project b. How individual members of your family participated c. The results of the project Do the following: a. Discuss with your merit badge counselor how to plan and carry out a family meeting. b. After this discussion, plan and carry out a family meeting to include the following subjects: 1. Avoiding substance abuse 2. Understanding the growing-up process and how the body changes, and making responsible decisions dealing with sex 3. Personal and family finances 4. A crisis situation within your family 5. The effect of technology on your family Discussion of each of these subjects will very likely carry over to more than one family meeting. Discuss the following with your counselor: a. Your understanding of what makes an effective father and why, and your thoughts on the father's role in the family b. Your understanding of the responsibilities of a parent.

Troop Trip to New York City

The March Troop outing will be to New York City.  We will camp in lean-tos at William H. Pouch Scout Camp on Staten Island on Friday and Saturday nights.  On Saturday we will take the Staten Island Ferry to Manhattan, where we will visit Ground Zero, go to the top of the Empire State Building, visit the USS Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, check out FAO Schwartz Toy Store and Times Square (time permitting), and dine on authentic New York style pizza.  We will return home early Sunday afternoon. 

Scouts need to bring a bag dinner for Friday (or eat at home), sleeping bag, mess kit, change of clothes, rain gear (if necessary), and spending money for souvenirs and lunch on the return trip Sunday.

Peter Marteka Writes About Nature's Path

If you subscribe to the Hartford Courant, one column you should look for is Peter Mareka's Nature's Path column.  Each Friday he writes an article about the outdoors or nature in Connecticut. He often also includes ideas for great hikes with directions on how to get to them, such as this weeks Granby Hike Offers Magnificent Views. The articles also often include video shots of the views and topography.

Another good article was The State's Peak Places For Fall Views which listed places in Granby and Bloomfield to watch the Fall colors. And Will Warren's Den Holds History, Legend which talks about the spectacular Metacomet Trail.

Eagle Project Workbook

For our scouts at or approaching the rank of Life, much thought should be given to your Eagle Scout Project. My scouts, and their adult advisers, agree that often the project is not as difficult as the documentation it requires.

As you plan and carry out your leadership service project, use the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook to record your plans and progress.

The workbook may be downloaded the following formats:

• PDF—This version can be printed, then completed by hand.
• DOC—This version can be completed on your computer, using Microsoft Word software.

Take a Hike

Looking for somewhere new to go?

Need to add a few miles in the woods for your Hiking merit badge?

Here is a list of hikes in Connecticut  organized by the Connecticut Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club.

Scouts on Skis

Being a scout in Troop 175 means being active - and not only when in a scout uniform. Karl S. and Jack V. like to go fast down mountains so they participant in Ski Sundown's ski racing program. Both have qualified for the J4 Tri-State Championships later this month at Bosquet Mountain and Jiminy Peak.

Snowshoes from Yesterday

Charlie S. brought in a pair of antique snowshoes to show the troop at a recent troop meeting. The snowshows were handmade in Minnesota almost 100 years ago and were on loan to Charlie from a friend.  These snowshoes are much different than the high tech aluminum shoes used by many in the troop today.

Junior Leader Training Trip to Carter Notch Hut

Our Annual Junior Leader Training Trip will take place on March 20-22. It is open to all members of our Leaders Group (First Class Scouts and higher). This year we will be going to the Carter Notch Hut in the White Mountains. Everyone will need snow shoes as we will be snow shoeing about 4 miles to an altitude of 3,288. (500 feet higher than either Zeeland Falls or Lonesome Lake Huts). The snow will be deep. You will not need tents and we will be sleeping in the hut but you will need full winter gear. Last year we hiked to Lonesome Lake Hut in a snow storm. This will be a Team Mission Event and the teams and instructions for the missions will be detailed shortly before the trip. Your wilderness survival skills will come in handy.

This is one of our most demanding trips of the year but also one of the most exciting. The Huts are all in spectacular places and provide a great classroom for our Saturday night discussions on Leadership.