Simsbury Troop 175

New Troop Leadership Named for 2011-2012

At the June Court of Honor, TRoop 175 Scoutmaster Brad Mead announced the scout leadership for 2011-2012.

Life Scout Keegan R. was named Senior Patrol Leader.

Assisting Keegan as Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders for the coming year will be Eric B., Nicholas C. John C., Isaac P. and Zack Z.

Patrol Leaders and their assistants for the troop will be named in September.

Onion Mountain Conservation Project

Onion Mountain is Troop 175's home camping area and as such one of our responsibilities is to help maintain the trails.

The Philmont Crew spent a day clearing the trails from fallen trees up to two feet round with two-man handsaws and brut force.

Special thanks tot he Simsbury High School Crew Team for lending us their two-man saws for the event.

 Check out photos from the event in the Troop Photo Library.

Watch History channel’s “Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy” to see Boy Scouts In Action

Fans of the History Channell on Television are familiar with Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy. A funny look at many interesting aspects of this great country of ours.

On the show, he crosses the country in search of experiences that are uniquely American. So far, he’s visited a gator-infested swamp, checked out the country’s biggest truck stop, joined a gospel choir, and much more.

In an upcoming epsode, Larry spends a day with a Kansas City scout troop and venture crew (I guess we were already booked) and learns many scouting skills.

The episode, which features a 15-minute segment on Troop 201 and Venturing Crew 2085, premieres at 9 p.m. Eastern/ on Tuesday, June 28. Tune in or set the DVR.

 

Source:Bryan on Scouting Blog

 

 

 

God and Life Emblem

Recently, Eric B. and Isaac P., two scouts of Simsbury Boy Scout Troop 175, were awarded the God and Life Emblem, for their work with Sean Carroll at Covenant Presbyterian Church/The Barn.  The boys learned a lot about God through the words of the disciple Paul.  The class was held this past winter.

Why does silver outrank gold in Scouting awards?

Ever wonder why silver awards are higher than gold awards in boy scouts? I always have. 

Take the Eagle Palms, introduced in 1927, as an example. An Eagle Scout who earns five merit badges beyond the minimum amount (and meets other requirements) will receive a Bronze Palm. He’ll get a Gold Palm for 10 extra merit badges and a Silver Palm for 15.

Here is a blog post from a Scouting Magazine blog that does a great job explaing why we "go for the silver!"

According to the article, BSA recognition is based on the military model where silver is higher than gold, as in a First Lieutenant with a silver bar outranks a Second Lieutenant with a gold bar.

But why did the military choose this order to begin with?

This article from The Institute of Heraldry has the explanation. From the beginning, the Army used silver stars to indicate a general’s grade. The generals wore these stars on gold epaulettes, so the stars were silver for maximum visibility.

As the article explains, epaulettes and insignia evolved over the years, making design and color changes necessary to distinguish ranks.

Since generals already had silver stars, silver was considered established for higher ranks.

The practice of using silver for officer ranks continued until shortly after the start of World War I, when a need arose for metal insignia to represent Second Lieutenants, who rank right below First Lieutenants.

The problem was that the U.S. already used a single silver bar for First Lieutenants, and officials didn’t want the hassle or expense of changing the policy for all officers. So rather than overhauling everything, they chose the single gold bar for Second Lieutenant. At that point, the practice of silver outranking gold was established once and for all.

Summer Camp Merit Badges

In preparing for summer camp, it is a good idea to think out which merit badges you want to try to earn while at camp.  Most scouts earn 2-3 merit badges while at summer camp, however they are not required.

Suggestions for first year scouts include Indian Lore, Fishing, Small Boat Sailing, Weather, Woodcarving, Basketry and Leatherwork.

2011 Camp Mattatuck Merit Badge Time Schedule

SCOUTCRAFT - All Take Place at Mohawk Cabin
Camping ......................................2:00 & 3:00
Cooking .......................................Mon. and Wed. 4:00, Tues. 7-8:30am, Thurs. 4-6:30pm, 

                                                             Fri.  11:30-1
Fire Safety....................................2:00
Orienteering ................................ 3:00
Pioneering ...................................1:30-3:00
Indian Lore ..................................2:00
Hiking & Backpacking ..................... 6:45pm
Wilderness Survival ....................... 3:00
Geocaching .................................3:00

NATURE - All Take Place at the Joe George Nature Pavilion (unless noted)
Environmental Science ................... 1:00-2:30 or 2:30-4:00
Forestry ...................................  3:00
Geology* ................................... 2:00
Mammal Study ............................ 2:00
Plant Science ............................. 1:00
Reptiles and Amphibians* ...............3:00
Nature* ................................... 3:00
Weather .................................. 4:00
Fishing ................................... 1:00 (Marston Amphitheater)

Fly Fishing ............................... 4:00(Marston Amphitheater)

*** Astronomy, Fish & Wildlife Management and Soil & Water Conservation will be offered only on even numbered years with Reptiles & Amphibians, Geology and Nature being offered during odd years. ***

 

SPORTS
Archery ............................. .....1:15 - 3:00 - Archery Range
Athletics .................................3:00 - Climbing Tower
Rifle Shooting ......................... .1:15 - 3:00 - Rifle Range
Shotgun Shooting ...................... 3:00 - 4:30 - Rifle Range
Cycling ...................................6:45pm - Mountain Biking Center
Golf ..................................... 1:00 and Friday 9:00-12:00 - Picnic Grove
Sports .................................. 2:00  -  Picnic Grove
Climbing ............................... 1:30 – 3:00 and Friday 12:00- 3:00 - Climbing Wall
Personal Fitness .......................3:00 - Climbing Tower

AQUATICS
Canoeing .............................. 2:00 or 3:00 - Waterfront, Boating
Lifesaving ........................... . 2:30 - 4:00 - Waterfront, Swimming
Rowing ................................. 3:00 - Waterfront, Boating
Small Boat Sailing .................... 1:15 - 2:30 - Waterfront, Swimming
Swimming ............................. 2:00 or 3:00 - Waterfront, Swimming
Whitewater............................ 1:15 - 2:30 and 7:00am -12:00 Fri. - Waterfront, Boating
Aquatic Supervision (Both parts) ....1:30 - 4:00 - Waterfront, Swimming
Snorkeling BSA ........................ 4:00 Monday and Tuesday - Waterfront, Swimming
Kayaking BSA ..........................6:45-7:30pm Monday and Tuesday - Waterfront, Boating

HANDICRAFT
Art ..................................... 4:00
Basketry ...............................1:15 – 2:00 All Take Place at the
Leatherwork .......................... 3:00 Chapel/ Handicraft Pavilion
Photography .......................... Monday and Friday 6:45-8:00pm
Wood Carving ........................ 2:00
Woodworking .........................6:30 Camp Office
First Aid ..............................4:00 Health Lodge

Unless otherwise stated all sessions are one hour long and will meet each day of the week. Our badges are based on quality not quantity. Please realize that many of the badges require previous work before coming to camp. All merit badges and times are subject to change due to staff and equipment limitations.

Scouts Play for State Cup

 

 

Congratulations to Troop 175 scouts Keegan R. Noah C. and Will K.  for representing Simsbury in the State Cup Soccer finals here in Simsbury. They finished second in the state in the U15 Boys division.

Steps to Becoming a Merit Badge Counselor

  The merit badge program is designed to give scouts the opportunity to explore career choices, develop hobbies and avocations, meet new adults, develop responsibility for their own education and develop a deeper sense of civic responsibility. Scouts are responsible for choosing and earning merit badges. There are currently more than 120 badges from which to choose. For a scout to earn a badge, they need to have the requirements signed off by an adult with some experience in that area. That is where you can help our troop.

 

 Steps to Becoming a Merit Badge Counselor

 

1. It is required to fill out an Adult Leader Application form (current printing). BSA requires that all counselors be registered Scouters. The most recent version of the application must be used and filled in completely. This is a three part form and each page of the online version needs to be completed. The information provided is treated confidentially and will be used to perform a background check of the applicant. There is no fee to be a counselor. Download BSA Adult Application.

2. Fill out a Merit Badge Counselor Information Sheet, specifying the badges that you wish to teach. Please list only those badges for which you are fully qualified. Place an explanation of your qualifications on the back of the form. Download Merit_Badge_counselor_form. You will find a complete list of merit badges with their requirements at MeritBadge.org.

3. All merit badge counselors must take the online Youth Protection Training (YPT) course. This can be done on-line my creating an account at https://myscouting.scouting.org and selecting the YPT. This 20 minute course shows all Scouters the BSA requirements for interacting with scouts. Once completed, you will be able to print out the completion certificate and attach it to your applications.

4. Submit your paperwork to Dave Miller, Troop Advancement Chairman, or an Assistant Scoutmaster at one of the troop meetings.

5. National requires that each adult re-charter every year. Since there is no fee involved, the District simply confirms that each counselor intends to remain a counselor for the coming year.

Troop 175 Salutes the Class of 2011

  Eagle Scout Rob B., Simsbury High School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eagle Scout Andrew F., Simsbury High School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eagle Scout Steven B., Simsbury High School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eagle Scout Gabe B., Simsbury High School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jake VL, Kingswood Oxford School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simsbury Troop 175 congratulates all of our graduating seniors, thank them for their service to scouting, and wish them the best of luck in their future. We know that the skills, leadership and friends they have accquired while in Troop 175 will last them a lifetime.

 

 

5th Annual Adventure Race Results

The running of the 5th annnual Simsbury Boy Scouts Adventure Race was held on Sunday June 12 and Scouts from troops 175 and 76 challenged themselves to use their skills and endurance under near perfect weather conditions. This year, Troop 174 did not have any teams participate.

The race began with 18 teams of three scouts at Pennwood State Park where the scouts mountain biked through the woods to arrive at Curtiss Soccer Fields. The next challenges were to  rappel across a river, climb over a 10 foot wall and to complete a compass course. After mandatory 15 minute rest, the scouts then set off on a 5 mile run/walk to the Sycamore Tree where they enjoyed another mandatory 15 minute rest before setting off back to Curtiss Fields in canoes. Along the way, they need to pick up some fire making supplies as the final challenge is to start a fire and burn through a string two feet off the group. A 15 minute deduction was given if the scouts started the fire with flint and steel.

The event also has an age handicap that deducts time from those scouts younger than age 15 and adds time to those scouts older than 15.

The team of Eric Barch, John Cahill and Isaac Peacock from Troop 175 took first place with an adjusted time of 2 hours and 24 minutes, cutting 33 minutes off of their second place finishing time of last year.

The two-time winning team of Lee Adamowicz, Mike Vallen and Keegan Rice set a new course record (unadjusted) and took second place with an adjusted time of 2 hours and 36 minutes.  They beat their last year unadjusted record setting time by two minutes.

Third place went to Jack Falkner, Wrik Koontz adn Jon Epstein with an adjusted time of 2 hours and 44 minutes.

Congratulations to all of the scouts who participated and thank you to all of the parents who helped organize the event.

For photos of the event, go to the Troop 175 Photo Library.

 

Below are the teams with their actual time, adjusted time and finishing place.

Team # 2	Time	Adj Time	Place
Eric Barch
Isaac Peacock
John Cahill	2:46	2:24	1
Team # 1
Lee Adamowicz
Keegan Rice
Mike Vallen	2:37	2:36	2
Team #11
Jack Falkner
Erik Koontz
Jon Epstein	3:01	2:44	3
Team # 17
Will Oliver
Ryan Holowesko
Shane Arena	3:06	3:00	4
Team # 14
Mike Ryan
Drew Veltrop
Andrew Gutierrez	3:21	3:04	5
Team # 10
Kirk Scully
Tommy Adamowicz
Jack Vallen	3:25	3:12	6
Team #4
Scott Miller
Nick Carabillo
Zack Zikovich	3:17	3:14	7
Team #16
Connor Barnett
Bryan Hannon
Cameron Ballard	3:17	3:19	8
Team #18
Ryan Carr
Ross Harmon
Nate Lungarini	3:21	3:20	9
Team #9
Chris Towles
Adam McIlveen
Nick Veltrop	3:22	3:26	10
Team #8
Dan Peluso
Josh Prell
Kevin Barch	4:00	3:27	11
Team #7
Rob Carter
Karl Spooner
Will Kelsey	3:57	3:40	12
Team #5
Chris Reilly
Christian Heiden
Riley Jano	4:03	3:43	13
Team # 13
Will Pendergast
Sam Spak
Jonah Garcia	4:03	3:49	14
Team # 15
Hunter Boyko
Nick Teft
Tyler Drake	4:02	3:52	15
Team # 12
Nick Peluso
Cameron Cantelmo
Matt Gutirrez	4:33	4:21	16
Team #6
Justin Bush
Tomoya Tanaka	5:35	5:15	17
Team #3
Joey Carollo
Ian Crombez
Sean Dunn	5:54	5:34	18

Simsbury Scholars

On Thursday, May 19th, two of Troop 175’s Life Scouts received the Simsbury Scholar award in a ceremony at Simsbury High School. This award is given to freshman who achieve high honors for each of the first three marking periods of the year; and to 10th, 11th, and 12th graders who are in the top 5% of their class by GPA. Congratulations to Eric B. and John C. for their outstanding academic performance!

Simsbury Boy Scout Adventure Race Rules 2011

Here are the Official Rules for the 2010 Simsbury Boy Scout Adventure Race. The race date is Sunday, June 12, 2011.

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 be a registered scout or alumni.
• 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/Magnesium and Steel.
• Pen or pencil

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 State Park.

Registration will be at Pennwood from 8:00-9:45 on Sunday, June 12, 201. 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.

2011 Simsbury Boy Scout Adventure Race Course

CHALLENGE 1 - OFF ROAD MOUNTAIN BIKING

The course will start at Pennwood Park off Route 185 in Simsbury on Sunday June 12th 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 F. Do not cross Route 315 until you get the Curtiss F (formerly Curtiss Field E). If you cross before Curtiss F, your team will pick up 10 additional minutes.

Challenge 2 - Scout Skills

The 2nd checkpoint is Curtiss F 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 give your team number to 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/natural 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/magnesium 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.