Simsbury Troop 175

May Trip to High Bank on the Housatonic River

In what may go down as the most photographed trip to date, the scouts of Troop 175 spent a weekend climbing rock, paddling canoes and camping in the great outdoors near Kent Ct.

A group of scouts got an early start and set up camp at the High Bank campground before a short ride to the St John's Ledges and a morning of top rope climbing and rappelling.

The afternoon was spent canoeing the whitewater of the Housatonic River.

Special thanks to Mrs. Peacock for making a wonderful dinner for the adults. If we can get the recipes, we'll post it on the site!

There are more than 700 photos available from the trip. You will find them in the Troop 175 Photo Archive in Album 1 by Mr. Mead and Album 2 by Mr. Rice.

Simsbury Boy Scout 2009 Adventure Race Rules

Here are the Official Rules for the 2009 Boy Scout Adventure Race as of 5/15/2009. The race
date is Sunday, June 14, 2009.

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)
• All team members must have passed the BSA Swim test

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 14, 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. Leaders 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 ATT 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 2- 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 12 minutes deduction from your time. You may race with a total over 45 but you will be penalized 2 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 30 Minutes.

Troop 175 Marches in Simsbury Memorial Day Parade

God Bless America!

Troop 175 Immortal's Whitewater Rafting Trip

Simsbury Boy Scout Troop 175's Immortal's spent the Memorial Day weekend whitewater rafting on the Kennebeck River in Maine with Rob and Bo from Crab Apple Whitewater on May 23, 2009. Here is the first video from the trip.

Tuckerman's ravine 2009

  For member of Troop 175, one of the most challenging and and exciting trips is hike up Mt Washington in New Hampshire to Tuckerman's ravine.

This year , the weather did not cooperate as well as it had in the past. After a successful hike up the mountain, a foggy day limited the activities available to the scouts in the ravine.

However, this did not dampen the spirits of the scouts and a good time was had by all.

A few photos are available in the troop photo archive.

Spicy Tortilla Soup from the High Bank Trip

Spicy Tortilla Soup

From BSA cooking contest

1st place winner, Mac McCoy, Hanford, CA

8     boneless skinless chicken breasts
1     red bell pepper, seeded and halved
1     green bell pepper, seeded and halved
2     15 ounce cans whole tomatoes, drained and chopped
2     medium onions, finely chopped
3     10 ounce cans enchilada sauce
2    4 ounce cans chopped mild green chiles, drained
2     cups water
1     15 ounce can chicken broth
1     15 ounce can beef broth
2 tsp    cumin
1 TB    chili powder
2 tsp    ground black pepper
1 tsp    ground cayenne pepper
2 tsp    salt
1    bay leaf
2 cups    shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese blend
1    medium bag tortilla chips
¼ cup    grated parmesan cheese
1          medium avocado, peeled and diced
1    16 ounce container sour cream

1.  Grill chicken, browning each piece on both sides.  Note:  meat doesn’t need to be cooked through, because it will finish cooking in the soup.
2.  Roast peppers on the grill until lightly charred.  (If you then put them in a paper bag, you can remove the skins – optional).
3.  Cube the chicken and peppers, place in a dutch oven or similar, along with tomatoes, onions, and garlic.  (If cooking at home, brown the onions first.)
4.  Add next 11 ingredients (enchilada sauce through bay leaf).
5.  Cover and cook for 2 hours using 20 charcoal briquettes under the oven and 10 on the lid.  Refresh the coals as they expire.  (If cooking at home, bring to boil then simmer 2 hours).
6.  Remove from heat, and stir shredded cheese into the soup.
7.  Serve in bowls, top with chips, avocado, and sour cream, as you like.

Note:  I added 2 cans corn to the recipe for the St. John’s Ledges campout.  When cooking it at home, I have also added black beans.  Fresh lime and salsa can be added as garnishes as well.

Special thanks for Jule Peacock for both making dinner for the adult patrol on the High Bank trip and for providing this recipe.

Mexican Black Bean and Chorizo Soup From High Bank Trip

Mexican Black Bean and Chorizo Soup

Serves 4

2 TB    extra-virgin olive oil
1     medium onion, finely chopped
3    garlic cloves
1 tsp    ground cumin   
1 tsp    dried oregano, crushed
3    15 ounce cans black beans, drained
1     can corn
1    can petite diced tomatoes, drained
3 cups    chicken stock
12 oz hot chorizo sausage (they sell cooked at Stop-n-Shop, raw at Kane’s)
2 TB    fresh lime juice
2 TB    very finely chopped cilantro, plus additional for garnish
       salt and pepper
       sour cream
       lime wedges, for serving
1    avocado, diced
    tortilla chips, crushed

In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over moderate heat until shimmering.  Add the onion and cook about 3 min.  Add the garlic, cumin, and oregano until fragrant.  Add 1 can black beans and chicken broth and simmer.  Put remaining beans in a food processor and puree.  Then add to soup and cook 15 min.

If using raw chorizo, cook in a large skillet over hight heat, breaking into small pieces, about 5 min.  Drain fat, then add to soup.  If using cooked chorizo, put in food processor, and blend until it is the size you like.  Add to the soup pot without cooking it.

Season soup with salt and pepper.  Just before serving, add 2 TB lime juice and cilantro.  Ladle into bowls, and garnish as you like with avocado, chips, sour cream, etc.

Special thanks for Jule Peacock for both making dinner for the adult patrol on the High Bank trip and for providing this recipe.

Simsbury Boy Scout 2009 Adventure Race Course

CHALLENGE 1 - OFF ROAD MOUNTAIN BIKING

The course will start at Pennwood Park off Route 185 in Simsbury on Sunday June 14th 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 thphrase, 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 Abigail’s 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 Abigail’s 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.

Troop 175 Marches in Memorial Day Parade

Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers where placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington national Cemetery. Memorial Day is now celebrated in every state to honor Americans who died fighting in any war. Monday May 25th Simsbury celebrated Memorial Day. Many events were held throughout the day including the traditional parade. Troop 175 provided a contingent of scouts and scouters to march to honor the men and women who lost their lives while defending the United States.

Conservation Project Helps Simsbury Land Trust

Giving up a afternoon on a half day from school, a  dozen scouts from Troop 175 Performed a community service project under the direction Keegan Rice to benefit the Simsbury Land Trust (SLT).

The project targeted the removal of invasive plants on the SLT's Weldon property along the bank of the Hopmeadow Brook. The target was Oriental bittersweet, Multiflora Rose and Japanese Barberry - three plants that crowd out native plants. The scouts removed more than 700 plants during the several hours they worked, hanging the plants upside down to dry in the sun.  

There was a cost to removing such well rooted plants. A shovel and three pitch forks were broken trying to remove the invasive plants.

Special thanks goes to Mike Duff who coordinated the sign-in and sign-outs for the project.

Photos from the project are available in the Troop Photo Archive.

Hershey Tack and Field Games

Looking to show how fast you are? Here's your shot. The Hershey Tack and Field Games will be held in Simsbury on May 29th at 5:30 pm at the Simsbury High School Track. The are open to boys and girls ages 9-14 and winners qualify for the regional competition.

Win are the regional level and your off to the North American Final track & field meet held in Hershey, Pennsylvania July 30 - August 2, 2009! Did we mention that the trip to Hershey is totally free? And that it includes an afternoon at HERSHEYPARK Entertainment Complex and a tour of the world's largest chocolate factory?

Events include:

1. 100 Meter Dash
2. 200 Meter Dash
3. 800 Meter Dash
4. 1600 Meter Dash
5. 4 x 100 Meter Relay
6. Standing Long Jump
7. Softball Throw

Download Hershey Entry Form

2009 Simsbury Boy Scout Adventure Race Date Set

The 2009 Simsbury Boy Scout Adventure Race date is June 14th, 2009. Teams from all three Simsbury Boy scout troops - 175, 174 and 76 will be participating this year.

More information will be coming over the next month! So get your teams together and start planning how you can meet the challenge.

National Youth Leadership Training

National Youth Leadership Training is an exciting, action-packed program designed to
provide youth members of the Boy Scouts of America with leadership skills and experiences
they can use in their home troops and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others.

Monday August 3 – Saturday August 8, 2009
Camp Mattatuck
Cost $225.00

The course has space for 64 youth participants. Two youth per troop will be accepted as participants. Participants must be 13 years of age and 1st class or its equivalent.

If you are interested in participating, please email Mr. Mead. 

Rock Climbing Commands

Another critical part of rock climbing is communications. Both the climber and the partner holding the rope need to know what the other is doing to maintain a safe climb.

Basic Climbing Voice Commands

Here is a list of basic climbing voice commands. Listed first is the command; second who says the command; and third what the command means.

• “On belay” Belayer to climber: I have you on belay and safe.
• “Off belay” Climber to belayer: I am safe and you can take me off belay.
• ”Belay off” Belayer to climber: I understand that you’re safe and am taking you off belay.
• “Climbing” Climber to belayer: I am climbing up now.
• “Climb on” Belayer to climber: Okay, I’m ready. Go ahead and climb.
• “Slack” Climber to belayer: Give me some slack or loose rope and don’t hold the rope so tight.
• “Up rope” Climber (with a top-rope) to belayer: Pull any slack in the rope up tight.
• “Tension," “Tight rope,” and "Take" Climber to belayer: Pull the rope very tight and hold me.
• “Watch me!” Climber to belayer: Pay attention, get off your cell phone, this is hard and I might fall.
• “Falling!” Climber to belayer: I’m falling off and you need to hold me with your belay.
• ”Ready to lower” Climber to belayer: I’m at the anchors on this sport route and ready to come down.
• “Lowering” Belayer to climber: Okay, I’m going to lower you down now.
• “Clipping” Climber to belayer: I’m getting ready to clip the rope into a carabiner, you’ll need to give me some slack rope.
• “On Rappel” Climber to anyone below: I’m getting ready to rappel down now.
• “Off Rappel” Climber to partner above: I am totally disengaged from the rope and you can rappel now.
• “Rock!” Climber to anyone below: Watch out! A chunk of rock is falling and might hit you.
• ”Rope!” Climber to anyone below: Watch out! I am pulling down or tossing down a rope and it might hit you.

Source: About.com

Rock Climbing Knots

Our May trip will feature some rock climbing on St. John's Ledges. Two climbing instructors from Camp Mattatuck will be in charge of the climbing on Saturday and recommend that anyone climbing do some prep work with knots. 

There is a great website that can show you how to tie the knots used in rock climbing. Everyone participating should try to get a head start if they can. The site is www.animatedknots.com.

History of Required Merit Badges for Eagle Scouts

Want to know the Merit Badges that have been required to earn the Eagle Scout rank since 1912. Please note that 21 total merit badges must have been earned for the Eagle Scout rank, except from 1972-1979, when 24 were needed.

The number of specifically required Merit Badges has varied from 5, (1912-1915) to 16 (1952-1965) including Merit Badges chosen from specific groups as "required".

Visit the History of Required Merit Badges for Eagle Scouts for a complete list by year.