This trip, on the trails of the Ann Springs Close Greenway, was to help those scouts that needed the 5-mile hike to make Second Class rank. Six scouts and four adults were in attendance.
We departed Leroy Springs Complex at around 9:30 after a pep talk from the scoutmaster (who did not accompany us on the trip) and took the Complex Tunnel trail around the elementary and middle schools. We then walked along the creek until we came to the Springfield Parkway bridge and we then made our way toward the field trial barn. Once there, we had some lunch, had a demonstration on a penny stove which was made from aluminum cans and signed off a couple of other requirements.
We then made our way down to the train trestle and and then downstream along the creek – crossing a couple of swinging bridges and taking a peak at the gristmill stone that marks the location of the original Webs Mill for which part of the town’s name is derived (Fort Mill). We then continued our trek along the creek back out to the Springfield Parkway bridge and then walked up the old Steele Street roadbed that is now just a trail when it was replaced by Springfield Parkway several years ago. We then jumped on another trail that we found to be a challenge to stay on because it was covered with downed leaves and wasn’t heavily traveled enough to pack down the ones that had fallen.
We were often treated to promises of “just another hour” or “its just around the corner” when the scouts begged for good news about the end of the hike. In the end, we ended up hiking about 6.15 miles. The GPS data only shows 5 miles, but there were several times when the GPS had cut off or was unable to get a signal to triangluate our position.
It was a good trip and a learning experience for those that might consider trail camping as opposed to car camping in the future.
Thanks to the good people of Fort Mill in those areas assigned to Troop 108 in our Scouting For Food effort this year, our troop gathered and delivered to the Fort Mill Care Center 650 pounds of food. Troop 108 gathered specifically from Huntington Farms, Briarwood Circle, Shady Pines, Caroline Way and the majority of Whiteville Park.
It appears that we had about a 30% response rate, but those that did respond to our call for help gave generously. Our bags seemed to be more full than in recent years. This is especially noteworthy given the tough economic times we’re all facing right now.
Gathering and getting the food to the Fort Mill Care Center is only part of the job, though. Once the food is dropped off, it has to be sorted first into canned goods, dry goods, baby products and so forth.
Then the boxes of similar products are sent to the various areas of the facility where they are then further sorted into more similar categories (soups, pastas, beverage mixes, diapers and so on).
This was truly an effort where all areas of scouting came together for a common, worthy cause. Cub Scout Packs joined Boy Scout Troops in gathering the food and Girl Scout Troops joined in the sorting process at the Fort Mill Care Center.
Thanks to everyone who participated in this good turn for our community.
On November 8th, scouts all over America took to the streets to distribute reminders of the BSA’s upcoming food collection drive.
In York District of the Palmetto Council, grocery retailer Harris Teeter was kind enough to donate thousands of their handled paper grocery bags to the scouts for our drive. A brightly colored sign was attached to each bag explaining what our food drive is, how it will benefit the community and when we will be back to pick up the bags (November 15th).
Scouts took the bags out to the community and handed them to home owners, hung them on door knobs and on mailbox flags in hopes that the community would respond to the needs of those less fortunate…especially in these tough economic times.
“While Scouts should not be expected to ‘parade’ their services, it would be helpful if Scout Leaders, parents, and others would encourage boys in the doing of Good Turns, and recognize the difference between normal household and other chores, and actual Good Turns. Selfishness is almost a universal evil. Certainly it is overcome by the Scout Program, which is based upon the development of service for others, and the Daily Good Turn is an important factor in the development of a habit of service and attitude of mind which offset a tendency to selfishness.” ~ James E. West, 1928
In Fort Mill it has been reported that the food that the scouts provide during our drive represents a full 50% or more of the food donated to the Fort Mill Care Center for distribution in our community. That is why it is important that all of our scouts get involved in this worthwhile service project.
Several scouts from Troop 108 attended the Personal Management Fast Track class held by Family Trust Federal Credit Union at their Rock Hill operations center on November 1st, 2008. It was even announced that Troop 108 had more scouts there than any other unit in the district. Our 10 boys represented 10% of those scouts present.
The staff of the credit union did a great job of walking the attendees through the various requirements of the merit badge and giving them insight into how to not only earn the merit badge, but learn and apply the principles taught through the course in their fiscal lives.
Each boy was given a ticket upon entering the building and the staff drew for prizes throughout the course. Troop 108’s Alex H. was the first scout to have his ticket drawn for a prize. He walked away with a really cool Family Trust FCU game set with eight or ten games in a neat case.
To encourage each scout to practice the principles taught as part of the course, each received a coupon good for the $5.00 needed to open up a savings account at Family Trust FCU. At the end of the course all of the boys were treated to pizza from Papa Johns.
A big “Thank You” to Family Trust for taking the time and shouldering the expense for this merit badge course for the boys of York District.
The Venture Patrol was challenged by our Troop Committee to conduct a program on the Guide To Safe Scouting at one of our troop meetings. Last night was the night.
These guys took what could have easily been considered some pretty boring content for younger scouts and made it interesting and entertaining. They engaged their young audience through questions and answers and often acted out what the speaker was talking about. Hats off to the Venture patrol for a job well done.
Since our Venture Patrol rarely attends our troop meetings, this also gave our younger scouts a chance to see and meet some of our older and higher ranking troop members.
Ever wonder what was happening at this week’s meeting? OR
Ohmygosh, are we this week’s service patrol or program patrol?
If so, just click the calendar link in the sidebar of the troop webpage. You’ll be taken to the online troop calendar where you can click on the listed events for more details.
Service Patrol information is already in place into July 2009, and specific meeting information will be added as it is created at our monthly PLC meetings.
The troop calender is constantly being added to and changed as meetings, outings and events dictate, so be sure to check it often.
The Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) meetings have been moved to 6PM pm on the Monday following the second Thursday of each month. This will make sure that the PLC has the most recent information from the monthly district roundtable meeting that is held on the second Thursday of each month. You can always reference the troop online calendar if you need clarification as to when the next PLC is scheduled.
The Patrol Leaders Council should be attended by the Senior Patrol Leader, Asst. Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Guides, Troop Instructors, Troop Scribe, Troop Quartermaster, all Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders. Additionally, any member of the troop is invited to attend and participate in PLC meetings.
At the Patrol Leaders Council, upcoming meetings and events are discussed and planned. Since we are a boy-led troop, this monthly meeting is a very important part of making the troop run smoothly.
The members of the PLC also participate in a Super Quick Patrol Leaders Council (SQPLC) meeting for just a couple of minutes following each regular troop meeting. This gives the youth leaders a chance to run through the START, STOP, CONTINUE process and to make sure that everything is being handled for the next upcoming meeting or event.
Congratulations to Troop 108’s members who attended the York District Fall Camporee at Westminster Park this past weekend for winning the FIRST PLACE overall ribbon from about 18 or so other units from around the district who participated.
Troop 108 Scouts Display The Assortment Of Ribbons Won At The 2008 York District Fall Camporee
The camporee’s theme was “emergency preparedness” and included several scenerios where the boys were able to get the feeling for what an emergency response to a tornado or plane crash might be like, and how to respond in such a way as to keep yourself safe and give assistance to those involved. They also learned about being prepared for emergencies at home and on the trail.
We camped 15 boys and about 8 leaders for the event. Hats off to Brent L. and Alex H. who were SPL and ASPL, respectfully, for the event. These guys really kicked their leadership skills up a notch and the difference in the entire troop was apparent to everyone. This was the first time we had put the Platoon A and B plan into practice for cooking, and it was a huge success.
Those scouts participating in the Cooking merit badge also got to prepare the meal that they planned and purchased the food for. Leaders commented that finally the boys got to see how a little planning and preparation on the front end makes for much better meals while in camp.
On Saturday, ASM Tom Kelly made homemade chicken and dumplings from scratch for dinner. ASM Richard Campbell assisted David T. and Alex H. with dutch oven deserts to enter in a desert contest among the troops (peach cobbler [best I’ve ever tasted – Webmaster] and blueberry walnut strudle). Unfortunately neither of these were quite ready at the time of the deadline for entries. Instead, we sent over a small cast iron pot with chicken and dumplings. Several judges wanted to give the chicken and dumplings 1st place, but since it was not really a desert, they couldn’t. It was given an honorable mention.
We remembered our scouting brothers killed in the tornado that cut across Little Sioux Scout Camp back on June 11th, 2008. That event was the catalyst for emergency preparedness theme for our fall camporee. Hats off to the staff of the event as well. Brenda Wright and her volunteers pulled off another outstanding event.
As an ending to the orienteering classes that the Venture Patrol has been conducting over the past month, last night the troop was given the challenge of an actual orienteering course. The patrols competed against each other, as well as a team of adult leaders.
When the dust settled, what was clear was that our patrols need more practice with orienteering. All patrols should have ended up at the same location (even though they all had different courses).
The adult leader team ended up being the closest to the actual finishing point (though they too were at least 20 feet off the mark).
Hats off to the Venture Patrol for a fine job of instruction in orienteering.
