Our first full day at the Jamboree.
We woke up early, but not early enough. It took 90 minutes to get our breakfast and lunch food. Obviously, we'll need to do better at getting started in the morning!!!
After breakfast, the boys scattered throughout the Summit. Some went to the activity centers while many others got immediately involved in patch trading. If you've never been to a Jamboree, patch trading is a MAJOR attraction!!!
I went exploring with some of the other scoutmasters who are here with the Hudson Valley Council troops. We walked a lot, and it was really hot! We spent most of the day away from our camp site, and didn't return until late in the afternoon. The boys started returning with stories of bold patch trades, activity adventures and more.
We made dinner, and after cleaning up, many of the boys resumed patch trading activities, while others played Ultimate Frisbee and others played cards and other things.
The Summit really is an amazing place. We're trying to encourage the boys to enjoy the activities and do their patch trading at night.
Tomorrow, about two-thirds of our scouts will be going whitewater rafting. That should be a lot of fun!!!
Friday, July 21, 2017
Thursday, July 20, 2017
2017 BSA National Jamboree - Day 3 - July 19, 2017
The big day ... we drive down to the Summit Bechtel Reserve for the 2017 BSA National Jamboree.
We woke up early and had to return the cafeteria of Lewis County High School to the state in which we found it. After that, it was off to Robin's Nest, a restaurant owned by a Lewis County resident who had provided our lunch the day before, and helped with the dinner as well. Today, he was providing us breakfast. After a breakfast of eggs, sausage, biscuits & gravy, donuts, etc., we loaded back on the buses for the final leg of our journey to the Summit! Our thanks to Ray at Robin's Nest for treating us so well.
We had contacted the other troops from our contingent and made plans to meet in a school parking lot about 10 minutes away from the Summit. We arrived at the school first, and contacted the other troops. They were about 30 minutes behind us. Some of the boys got off the bus and we threw a frisbee around while we waited. The other buses arrived and off we went!
We arrived at the Summit Welcome Center and there was a long line of buses waiting to be processed. It was finally our turn and our arrival process started. After some paper work, and a brief introduction to the Summit on the bus on the way to our camp, we finally arrived. We had to unload the bus very quickly. We checked in at the camp headquarters and they directed us to our camp site. The next step was to get our camp set up. The boys started setting up the tents and all the other equipment, while some other went to the "store" to get our lunch. Shopping in the store was an interesting experience.
The boys finished setting up our camp and then some of them went off to explore, while others simply hung out and many more immediately started to find other scouts to trade patches with. Later in the afternoon, we had to go back to the store to get our dinner. After dinner, everyone found things to do, but patch trading was definitely a top priority for many of the boys.
Finally, it was time for lights out and it was time to go to bed. Another long day of many more to come!
We woke up early and had to return the cafeteria of Lewis County High School to the state in which we found it. After that, it was off to Robin's Nest, a restaurant owned by a Lewis County resident who had provided our lunch the day before, and helped with the dinner as well. Today, he was providing us breakfast. After a breakfast of eggs, sausage, biscuits & gravy, donuts, etc., we loaded back on the buses for the final leg of our journey to the Summit! Our thanks to Ray at Robin's Nest for treating us so well.
We had contacted the other troops from our contingent and made plans to meet in a school parking lot about 10 minutes away from the Summit. We arrived at the school first, and contacted the other troops. They were about 30 minutes behind us. Some of the boys got off the bus and we threw a frisbee around while we waited. The other buses arrived and off we went!
We arrived at the Summit Welcome Center and there was a long line of buses waiting to be processed. It was finally our turn and our arrival process started. After some paper work, and a brief introduction to the Summit on the bus on the way to our camp, we finally arrived. We had to unload the bus very quickly. We checked in at the camp headquarters and they directed us to our camp site. The next step was to get our camp set up. The boys started setting up the tents and all the other equipment, while some other went to the "store" to get our lunch. Shopping in the store was an interesting experience.
The boys finished setting up our camp and then some of them went off to explore, while others simply hung out and many more immediately started to find other scouts to trade patches with. Later in the afternoon, we had to go back to the store to get our dinner. After dinner, everyone found things to do, but patch trading was definitely a top priority for many of the boys.
Finally, it was time for lights out and it was time to go to bed. Another long day of many more to come!
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
2017 BSA National Jamboree - Day 2 - July 18, 2017
We woke up early and were met at Lewis County High School by a Lewis County official. We would be taking a very short drive from the school to the Bendale United Methodist Church for breakfast. We loaded on the bus and headed over to the Church.
Members of the Church had prepared a really nice breakfast for us, including eggs, french toast, sausage, hash browns and biscuits and gravy. Everything was delicious and we all had plenty to eat. After breakfast, we loaded back on to the bus and headed over to Lewis County Park, the site of our service project for the day.
We pulled into he park and the first thing we saw was the swimming pool. There were diving boards and water slides, and everyone was already looking forward to getting a chance to get into the pool.
We met some of the county officials who we had met the previous evening as well as some of the park staff. Our job was to stain new split rail fences that had been installed in the park. At first look, it was a LOT of fencing!!! They gave us the stain, brushes and paint pails and we got started.
After a little while, it was becoming clear that we were going to get the job done pretty quickly. The boys did a good job getting much of the work done before it started to get too hot. Then, it was time to work on the sections of the fence that were in the sun. That's when things started to slow down!
We talked with the park staff and we decided that we would change the day's plan a little. The original plan called for us to do the service project, then return to the high school to clean up and change, after which we would be taken to a glass blowing demonstration, followed by dinner and a pool party at the park.
Instead, we decided that we would go back to the high school to get our bathing suits and towels, then come back to the park and eat lunch. After lunch, we would finish the service project and then take a short swim before going to the glass blowing demonstration. When we got off the bus after returning to the park, we were met by someone who told us that there were some people coming to the park to meet one of the boys from our Troop. Apparently, he was a direct descendent of a prominent family in the area. We were a little confused as to how they know about him. Later, we found out that his grandfather had made a phone call to let these people know that his grandson was in the county.
Lunch was hot dogs with all the fixings. After lunch, we finished the service project, which also included painting all of the picnic tables in the park, and then some of the boys went for a swim, while others played basketball, miniature golf and just relaxed.
We were then taken to a glass blowing demonstration. At one time, glass blowing was a major industry in Lewis County. Following that, we went back to the park where we had dinner which included brick oven pizza, BBQ pork, and lots of sides. Dessert was birthday cake and ice cream. Lewis County was celebrating its 200th birthday this year.
After dinner, the pool was made available to us and we all enjoyed a nice swim. It was then time to go back to the high school for the night.
It had been a long day, and everyone had a really great time! Tomorrow, we're off to the Jamboree!
Members of the Church had prepared a really nice breakfast for us, including eggs, french toast, sausage, hash browns and biscuits and gravy. Everything was delicious and we all had plenty to eat. After breakfast, we loaded back on to the bus and headed over to Lewis County Park, the site of our service project for the day.
We pulled into he park and the first thing we saw was the swimming pool. There were diving boards and water slides, and everyone was already looking forward to getting a chance to get into the pool.
We met some of the county officials who we had met the previous evening as well as some of the park staff. Our job was to stain new split rail fences that had been installed in the park. At first look, it was a LOT of fencing!!! They gave us the stain, brushes and paint pails and we got started.
After a little while, it was becoming clear that we were going to get the job done pretty quickly. The boys did a good job getting much of the work done before it started to get too hot. Then, it was time to work on the sections of the fence that were in the sun. That's when things started to slow down!
We talked with the park staff and we decided that we would change the day's plan a little. The original plan called for us to do the service project, then return to the high school to clean up and change, after which we would be taken to a glass blowing demonstration, followed by dinner and a pool party at the park.
Instead, we decided that we would go back to the high school to get our bathing suits and towels, then come back to the park and eat lunch. After lunch, we would finish the service project and then take a short swim before going to the glass blowing demonstration. When we got off the bus after returning to the park, we were met by someone who told us that there were some people coming to the park to meet one of the boys from our Troop. Apparently, he was a direct descendent of a prominent family in the area. We were a little confused as to how they know about him. Later, we found out that his grandfather had made a phone call to let these people know that his grandson was in the county.
Lunch was hot dogs with all the fixings. After lunch, we finished the service project, which also included painting all of the picnic tables in the park, and then some of the boys went for a swim, while others played basketball, miniature golf and just relaxed.
We were then taken to a glass blowing demonstration. At one time, glass blowing was a major industry in Lewis County. Following that, we went back to the park where we had dinner which included brick oven pizza, BBQ pork, and lots of sides. Dessert was birthday cake and ice cream. Lewis County was celebrating its 200th birthday this year.
After dinner, the pool was made available to us and we all enjoyed a nice swim. It was then time to go back to the high school for the night.
It had been a long day, and everyone had a really great time! Tomorrow, we're off to the Jamboree!
2017 BSA National. Jamboree. Day 1 - July 17, 2017
The morning started bright and early. Everyone met in the parking lot at Woodbury Common and the "check-in" process started.
It went very smoothly. Once everyone was checked in, and the bags were loaded. We boarded the buses and off we went right on schedule at 9:00.
It was really quiet on the bus.
At around 12:30, we stopped at a shopping center near Harrisburg, PA for lunch. There were lots of options to choose from, and the boys all went off to find their preferred option.
We got back on the buses at 1:30 and continued on our way. Things were a little louder on the bus now, at least for a little while. After a brief unscheduled rest stop, we continued on our way, passing through Maryland and ultimately into West Virginia.
Next up was a dinner stop at a shopping center in Morgantown, WV. Once again, there were lots options to choose from and everyone went off to find what they wanted.
After boarding the buses after dinner, we continued on the final leg of our journey to Lewis County High School, our home for the next two nights. A few minutes before we reached our exit, the other two buses split off from us on the way to their destinations.
When we arrived at the high school, we were met by a woman from the Lewis County Commission who welcomed us to Lewis County and took us into the school. They had some snacks and drinks waiting for us ... pepperoni rolls, a West Virginia favorite, and some chips. After showing us around a little, the boys went off to have some fun. Some of them went up to the football field to play frisbee, while others played cards and had some fun with their Star Wars props in the school.
At 10:30, it was lights out to get ready for tomorrow's service project. We will be painting a fence at Lewis County Park.
Friday, July 14, 2017
Philmont 2016 - Day 14 - August 16, 2016
The last day of our trek.
Time to leave Philmont and head for home. We woke up to another beautiful morning at Camping Headquarters.
Looking back on it, I can only remember two mornings during our trek that we didn't wake up to a beautiful day. We had lots of days with rain in the middle of the day or early afternoon, but overall, and especially based on conversations we had with other crews along the way, we were very lucky with the weather we had!
After waking up and getting our things together, we had one last breakfast in the mess hall and then waited for the bus to pick us up and drive us back to Denver Airport. The bus came, we loaded ourselves on board, and left the gateway to Philmont Camping HQ behind us.
On the way back to Denver, we stopped once again at the Golden Corral for lunch. After 12 days of "Phil-food", we were all really excited to dig in!!!
Upon our arrival at the airport, we found out that our flight home was delayed by a couple of hours. What a bummer!!! The boys played cards and found other ways to pass the time.
Finally, it was time to board the plan for the flight home!
The overview map of our trek.
Time to leave Philmont and head for home. We woke up to another beautiful morning at Camping Headquarters.
Looking back on it, I can only remember two mornings during our trek that we didn't wake up to a beautiful day. We had lots of days with rain in the middle of the day or early afternoon, but overall, and especially based on conversations we had with other crews along the way, we were very lucky with the weather we had!
After waking up and getting our things together, we had one last breakfast in the mess hall and then waited for the bus to pick us up and drive us back to Denver Airport. The bus came, we loaded ourselves on board, and left the gateway to Philmont Camping HQ behind us.
On the way back to Denver, we stopped once again at the Golden Corral for lunch. After 12 days of "Phil-food", we were all really excited to dig in!!!
Upon our arrival at the airport, we found out that our flight home was delayed by a couple of hours. What a bummer!!! The boys played cards and found other ways to pass the time.
Finally, it was time to board the plan for the flight home!
The overview map of our trek.
- Starting in the lower right hand corner, the circle with the number "2" beneath it was the start of our trek at Six Mile Gate.
- The triangle above that, with the number "2" next to it is Anasazi.
- Above and to the left of that, the square with the number "3" next to it is Metcalf Station.
- Near the top of the map, the square with the number "4" is Seally Canyon.
- Above that, the square with the number "5" is Whiteman Vega.
- Going back towards the center of the map, the square with the number "6" is Dan Beard.
- The circle/square to the lower right of that with the number "7" is Ponil.
- To the left of that, the triangle with the number "8" is Elkhorn.
- To the left of that, the square with the numbers "9" & "10" is Miranda.
- Back towards the center of the map, the triangle with the number "11" is Santa Claus.
- Finally, the circle with the number 12 next to it was the end of our trek at Ute Park.
In the end, our Philmont trek was an amazing experience. I can't wait to go back to Philmont!!!
Thursday, July 13, 2017
Philmont 2016 - Day 13 - August 15, 2016
This is it ... the last hike of our trek. We will be hiking from Santa Claus camp to the Ute Park Turnaround, where we will be picked up by a bus and then driven back to Philmont Camping Headquarters.
It was going to be a busy day. When we arrive at camping headquarters, there will be a lot of work to do. All of the equipment we borrowed has to be cleaned and returned. We have to pick up our valuables that were left with security. We would also need to get our stoves & fuel bottles packed up and brought to the mail room to be shipped back home. Oh ... and of course, we would need to shower!!! We also wanted to make sure we would have time to visit the trading post, and there were a few other miscellaneous items that would have to be attended to. Unfortunately, we had a fairly late scheduled pick up time for the bus, which was going to make things a little difficult. We were hoping that if we arrived at our pickup location early, we could call camping headquarters to see if we could get an earlier pick up, so we woke up early, packed up our gear for the last time, and got ready to head out on the trail.
We decided that for our last hike, we would once again go out as a "super crew", with our sister crew. The first order of business was a group photo and father/son photo.
We hiked out at a fairly quick pace, and it was pretty obvious that everyone was looking forward to getting off the trail.
It was a beautiful morning, and the views along the trail were great as usual, with Mt. Baldy once again dominating the skyline.
The trail we were taking would ultimately take us through a tunnel that went under a main road. Rumor had it, that on the wall of the tunnel, there was a phone number for a local pizza shop that would deliver pizza to the road above the tunnel. We had promised the boys that if there was truth to the rumor, we would go for it. Unfortunately, things didn't work out as we had hoped ... no pizza!!!
We continued hiking and finally reached the last meadow we would have to cross. We were near the end of the road.
One last look at Mt. Baldy ...
And we had reached our pick up point.
When we arrived, there were two other crews already there waiting. As we walked in, the adult advisors approached us and asked what crew number we were. They were very excited when we told them who we were. They had the same scheduled pick up time as us and had arrived about an hour earlier. They had called camping headquarters to request an early pick up, but were told that they had to wait for two other crews to arrive who were scheduled to be picked up with them ... we were the two crews they had been waiting for! We got back on the phone with headquarters and told them that all four crews were ready to be picked up. They said they'd send a bus immediately!!! This was great news ... we would be arriving at camping headquarters a couple of hours earlier than we had expected.
The bus came and we loaded our packs and boarded the bus for the ride back. When arrived at headquarters, we had to check in with logistics, and then the work began. We got the gear we had stored in the lockers at headquarters before we left and then checked into our tents in the "homebound" tent city.
We got all of the work done, and everyone took a long hot shower. Since we had arrived so much earlier than planned, we had enough time to take a quick tour of the Villa Philmonte. Philmont Scout Ranch was donated to the BSA by the family of Waite Phillips, the original owner of the ranch. The Villa Philmonte was the home that he had built when he lived here. It is a beautiful place, and I strongly recommend taking the tour if you're ever at Philmont.
When we had arrived back, the boys had asked around to find out if our Ranger, Ben, was there or not. We had been told that he was acting as a "counselor" for some kids whose parents were taking classes at the Philmont Training Center, which is located in a section of the Villa Philmonte. When we walked over there, as luck would have it, he was in one of the courtyards behind the Villa. We went over to say hello and to thank him for all he had taught us. It was nice to be able to see him and let him know how successful our trek had been!
After dinner, it was time to attend the closing campfire. Unfortunately, shortly after it started, the weather started to get pretty rough and they had to end it early.
This was the final thought for us as we left the campfire amphitheater.
Tomorrow morning, we would be waking up early, eating breakfast, and then boarding the bus for the trip back to Denver Airport and our flight home. It was going to be another long day!!!
It was going to be a busy day. When we arrive at camping headquarters, there will be a lot of work to do. All of the equipment we borrowed has to be cleaned and returned. We have to pick up our valuables that were left with security. We would also need to get our stoves & fuel bottles packed up and brought to the mail room to be shipped back home. Oh ... and of course, we would need to shower!!! We also wanted to make sure we would have time to visit the trading post, and there were a few other miscellaneous items that would have to be attended to. Unfortunately, we had a fairly late scheduled pick up time for the bus, which was going to make things a little difficult. We were hoping that if we arrived at our pickup location early, we could call camping headquarters to see if we could get an earlier pick up, so we woke up early, packed up our gear for the last time, and got ready to head out on the trail.
We decided that for our last hike, we would once again go out as a "super crew", with our sister crew. The first order of business was a group photo and father/son photo.
We hiked out at a fairly quick pace, and it was pretty obvious that everyone was looking forward to getting off the trail.
It was a beautiful morning, and the views along the trail were great as usual, with Mt. Baldy once again dominating the skyline.
The trail we were taking would ultimately take us through a tunnel that went under a main road. Rumor had it, that on the wall of the tunnel, there was a phone number for a local pizza shop that would deliver pizza to the road above the tunnel. We had promised the boys that if there was truth to the rumor, we would go for it. Unfortunately, things didn't work out as we had hoped ... no pizza!!!
We continued hiking and finally reached the last meadow we would have to cross. We were near the end of the road.
One last look at Mt. Baldy ...
And we had reached our pick up point.
When we arrived, there were two other crews already there waiting. As we walked in, the adult advisors approached us and asked what crew number we were. They were very excited when we told them who we were. They had the same scheduled pick up time as us and had arrived about an hour earlier. They had called camping headquarters to request an early pick up, but were told that they had to wait for two other crews to arrive who were scheduled to be picked up with them ... we were the two crews they had been waiting for! We got back on the phone with headquarters and told them that all four crews were ready to be picked up. They said they'd send a bus immediately!!! This was great news ... we would be arriving at camping headquarters a couple of hours earlier than we had expected.
The bus came and we loaded our packs and boarded the bus for the ride back. When arrived at headquarters, we had to check in with logistics, and then the work began. We got the gear we had stored in the lockers at headquarters before we left and then checked into our tents in the "homebound" tent city.
We got all of the work done, and everyone took a long hot shower. Since we had arrived so much earlier than planned, we had enough time to take a quick tour of the Villa Philmonte. Philmont Scout Ranch was donated to the BSA by the family of Waite Phillips, the original owner of the ranch. The Villa Philmonte was the home that he had built when he lived here. It is a beautiful place, and I strongly recommend taking the tour if you're ever at Philmont.
When we had arrived back, the boys had asked around to find out if our Ranger, Ben, was there or not. We had been told that he was acting as a "counselor" for some kids whose parents were taking classes at the Philmont Training Center, which is located in a section of the Villa Philmonte. When we walked over there, as luck would have it, he was in one of the courtyards behind the Villa. We went over to say hello and to thank him for all he had taught us. It was nice to be able to see him and let him know how successful our trek had been!
After the tour, it was time for dinner in the mess hall. For fun, when dinner was over, the staff invited those who were interested to participate in a friendly game of egg toss!!!
After dinner, it was time to attend the closing campfire. Unfortunately, shortly after it started, the weather started to get pretty rough and they had to end it early.
This was the final thought for us as we left the campfire amphitheater.
Tomorrow morning, we would be waking up early, eating breakfast, and then boarding the bus for the trip back to Denver Airport and our flight home. It was going to be another long day!!!
Monday, July 10, 2017
Philmont 2016 - Day 12 - August 14, 2016
Today would be our last full day & night in the Philmont back country. We will be hiking from Miranda to Santa Claus Camp, passing through Head of Dean Camp along the way. We were back-tracking the same route we had taken from Head of Dean to Miranda two days earlier.
We woke up, got our gear together, and left Miranda, leaving Mt. Baldy behind us.
Along the way, we had to disperse the left over ashes from the campfire we made the previous evening. The boys decided a little "war paint" would be in order before we continued on our way!
When we arrived at the Head of Dean Camp, it was just beginning to rain. We put our packs down and settled in on the porch, hoping that the rain would pass quickly. The boys found something constructive to do with their time on the porch!!!
Fortunately, the rain didn't last very long, and we continued on our way to Santa Claus.
When we arrived at Santa Claus, we discovered that we were the only ones in the camp. It was really nice spot, with the campsites located in the woods just on the sides of a very large meadow.
We noticed a picnic table sitting in the meadow right near our campsite. We decided to carry it over so that we would have a nice comfortable table to sit at for our final night in the back country.
The boys played cards and we kind of just lazed around for a while. At this point, everyone was getting kind of excited to be at the end of our trek, though I think I wouldn't have minded spending a few more nights.
We had been told that there was a great place to watch the sunset at Santa Claus. We had been given some "loose directions" on where to go, so we set out to find a good viewing point. Unfortunately, we never did find it, so after a while, we headed back to our campsite and called it a night.
The final hike out would take place tomorrow morning!
We woke up, got our gear together, and left Miranda, leaving Mt. Baldy behind us.
Along the way, we had to disperse the left over ashes from the campfire we made the previous evening. The boys decided a little "war paint" would be in order before we continued on our way!
When we arrived at the Head of Dean Camp, it was just beginning to rain. We put our packs down and settled in on the porch, hoping that the rain would pass quickly. The boys found something constructive to do with their time on the porch!!!
Fortunately, the rain didn't last very long, and we continued on our way to Santa Claus.
When we arrived at Santa Claus, we discovered that we were the only ones in the camp. It was really nice spot, with the campsites located in the woods just on the sides of a very large meadow.
We noticed a picnic table sitting in the meadow right near our campsite. We decided to carry it over so that we would have a nice comfortable table to sit at for our final night in the back country.
The boys played cards and we kind of just lazed around for a while. At this point, everyone was getting kind of excited to be at the end of our trek, though I think I wouldn't have minded spending a few more nights.
We had been told that there was a great place to watch the sunset at Santa Claus. We had been given some "loose directions" on where to go, so we set out to find a good viewing point. Unfortunately, we never did find it, so after a while, we headed back to our campsite and called it a night.
The final hike out would take place tomorrow morning!
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