February Trip Planned to Horseshoe, MD

This will be an opportunity for you to bone up on your Frisbee-Football and Capture- The-Flag.

by ace reporter, Derek

The adults and Webelos got to sleep in a cabin, with a warm fireplace, while the scouts had to sleep in tents, which were put up during the heavy downpour. Two tents were the newly purchased dome-shaped tents which are much better than the older models.

Breakfast the next morning was messed-up pancakes, and bacon and sausage which were really big on the menu. Our first activity of the day was "Low COPE". We had events like the Spider Web, The River of Magic, and the Trust Fall. These events helped strengthen communication and teamwork.

After a quick lunch, we went right to our second event of the day, Flag Football. Kids against the adults. The game was really more like a rumble than a football game. Kids 3, adults 2.

Later that night, after dinner and green tea or hot cocoa, Patrol Skits started. These skits were a little on the weird side: The Attack of the Mutant Oranges, Green Day, a version of Seinfeld. After the skits, it was on to Capture the Flag.

On Sunday, we ate breakfast and packed for the long ride home. We arrived home earlier than expected.

(Eds. An excellent turn-out of Webelos' dads. Hopefully next year we will have an equally impressive turn-out of Scouts' fathers.)

There will be fun with another "chinese auction." Shelly will once again coordinate the decorating and supervise the surprises for the auction. This year some members of leadership will also be involved in purchasing items to be chanced off.

Many local merchants have been contacted for donations or discounts on items to choose from. Before the banquet begins and at other convenient times during the evening, tickets will be sold.

These tickets may then be placed as "bids" in a jar beside each item. You may purchase as many chances as you wish (or as your child demands).

A winning ticket will be drawn from each jar at the end of the banquet. Picking a winner from each jar is always a lot of fun.

The ceremonies will begin at 4:00 PM. There will be a catered dinner. Our grateful appreciation goes out to Margaret for coordinating the flyer and attendance.

The Troop will be split into two teams, each with its own camp on either side of the neutral (sanity) zone. Each team will design and make their own "bacon" to be crafted at the trip. These objects must be construct by each team, and evaluated by the scoutmaster corps before the adventure commences.

Camouflage clothing will be the dress code for this excursion. So come prepared with dark clothing and face paint. The objective, as before, is to encourage teamwork while having tons of fun. The ultimate rule which you will hear over and over, is THINK FIRST. THEN ACT. SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT.

Extra adults will be needed for this unusual outing. Surely this must appeal to some inner longing you have to still play Hide-and-Go-Seek in the dark! Call Wendell.

by Matt

The troop will be returning to the same overnight site as last year, which is a huge scout camp dining hall featuring a large hearth and fireplace. Although many scouts last year's incident with the smoke just before lights-out was some kind of test of fortitude, we have been assured that the kinks with the fireplace and heaters have been worked out. Hopefully the lumps will have been ironed out of the pancakes this year. As long as you-know-who doesn't leave the water jugs in his truck overnight again in sub- zero temperatures.

Reminders: Bring lots of extra socks for warmth in case you need to change into drier ones. Wear two pairs of socks, keeping a light pair against the foot for comfort, with a heavier sock on top. Pack for the cold by planning to dress in layers - which can always be taken off as needed. Keep your head covered to conserve heat loss. Eye protection and sun screen often are overlooked. Jack Frost reports that all their trails are open. So have a blast.

Friday night will allow time for signing up for ski rentals and going out to dinner. Then it's off to the slops Saturday and Sunday. Saturday night the scouts plan to take in a movie in town. If all goes as planned, the group will be returning laTe Sunday afternoon while another weekend of barreling down the slopes.

The gifts included toys and clothing for the children, a $50 gift certificate for food, and both a turkey and ham with all the fixin's. The North/Southampton Reformed Church suggested the family to the church. Scouting is not only going on camping trips, but it is also helping the community by giving back some of what we have in abundance. Thank you for your help.