For October we hiked in about 2 1/2 miles to Summit Lake. As the name imply's, it is a steep hike up to the summit. A climb of approx. 1000 feet vertically. Camp was at approx. 5500 foot elevation. We had a great campfire and enjoyed the visit of the older, Varsity Scouts from our super troop. Asside from some tent mischief by the older scouts they behaved pretty well. I do remember some threats of retaliation though.
Overall, the boys had a great time! We fished Friday evening and a couple fish were caught and eaten. One was found dead and eaten... go Jashon! The weather was nice on the Friday evening and night and the temperature was mild. Saturday morning it cooled down and a light snow started falling so we decided to break camp and head out, not wanting to get caught in a mountain snow storm.
The hike out was all downhill and was much easier. We hiked at a fast pace and were out in about 45 minutes or less. Spirits were high and everyone had a great time. Let's do it again!!!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Saturday 19 September, we did a 42 mile bike ride on the Iron Horse Trail in eastern WA. It was a difficult, challenging trip but we all made it and the boys were strengthened in body and spirit.
We camped along Taneum creek and enjoyed the bright and beautiful stars. the milky way was bright and we saw the International Space Station go over. WOW!!! We also saw lots of shooting stars and a satellite that suddenly grew to extreme brightness and then faded out to normal. we still don't know what that was.
The boys also got a refresher course in how to find the north star.
In the end, we all gained a little more appreciation for God and his incomprehensible creations!
We camped along Taneum creek and enjoyed the bright and beautiful stars. the milky way was bright and we saw the International Space Station go over. WOW!!! We also saw lots of shooting stars and a satellite that suddenly grew to extreme brightness and then faded out to normal. we still don't know what that was.
The boys also got a refresher course in how to find the north star.
In the end, we all gained a little more appreciation for God and his incomprehensible creations!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Washjam 2009
We had a wonderful adventure at the Washington State Jamboree! We set up camp in an organized manner and had our own flag pole and a gate for entrance. We put all 3 of our Wards in the same camping are and then shared the cooking canopies and common area's. It was very nice to have the Wards interact with each other in such a cooperative and fun manner.
The Jamboree featured events and entertainment for all ages. There were rock climbing walls, bridges made of rope and poles, knife, axe, and spear throwing, Log Toss, shot put, stick pulls, baseball throw, frisbee golf, rifle shooting and host of other activies.
The Midway are had displays, and vendor items of all sorts, even a gold panning area where the boys could get real gold in their pan.
Sunday was a very spiritual day beginning with Sacrament meeting with about 1600 scouts in attendance! That's a lot of sacrament to pass, but the Lakewood Stake aaronic priesthood did it quickly and without a single person missed.
Elder Perrin Walker of the 70 presided and we were addressed by him and other church leaders throughout the day. It was a long day for some of the younger boys but very worth it.
In order to keep the sabbath we didn't break camp and come home until Monday morning. We were glad we went. There were almost 40 of us there between the 3 Wards, including the adults who came. We probably had over 50 present on Sunday for the services.
It was a great Experience and a definite boost to the Scouting Spirit in all of us.
The Jamboree featured events and entertainment for all ages. There were rock climbing walls, bridges made of rope and poles, knife, axe, and spear throwing, Log Toss, shot put, stick pulls, baseball throw, frisbee golf, rifle shooting and host of other activies.
The Midway are had displays, and vendor items of all sorts, even a gold panning area where the boys could get real gold in their pan.
Sunday was a very spiritual day beginning with Sacrament meeting with about 1600 scouts in attendance! That's a lot of sacrament to pass, but the Lakewood Stake aaronic priesthood did it quickly and without a single person missed.
Elder Perrin Walker of the 70 presided and we were addressed by him and other church leaders throughout the day. It was a long day for some of the younger boys but very worth it.
In order to keep the sabbath we didn't break camp and come home until Monday morning. We were glad we went. There were almost 40 of us there between the 3 Wards, including the adults who came. We probably had over 50 present on Sunday for the services.
It was a great Experience and a definite boost to the Scouting Spirit in all of us.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Scout Camp at Hahobas
We had a wonderful week at beautiful Camp Hahobas! The camp is on the Hood Canal west of Belfair, WA. We had 17 boys attend camp and they had a great time! Over 43 merit badges were completed and an unknown number of partials. (partially completed merit badges) Several rank advancements were earned also.
As Leaders we are really proud of the way the boys worked together and supported each other throughout the week.
Our troop took several honors while at camp, including a 3 way sweep of the Great White Newt Regatta. The regatta is the most prestigious competition at the camp. During the week, each troop is to build a raft out of 3 barrels and what ever logs they can find. The logs are to be lashed together around the barrels with rope or twine. No nails, screws, tarps, plywood, duct tape or other such materials are to be used. During the week we carefully put our raft together. It is quite an accomplishment to have a raft that will stay together over the approx. 1/2 mile course. This year there were about 8 or 9 rafts entered. Only 2 managed to finish the race. Our boys finished first by about 10 or 15 minutes! Way to go troop! We also won the "purdiest" raft award and we found and retrieved the Great White Newt Egg. These are the 3 ways to win the competition. We won them all!!!
Please enjoy the pictures and download the ones you want at http://s572.photobucket.com/albums/ss164/3wardscouting/scout%20camp%2009/?start=0
Thanks to all who helped us out in making the scout camp a great success this year!
As Leaders we are really proud of the way the boys worked together and supported each other throughout the week.
Our troop took several honors while at camp, including a 3 way sweep of the Great White Newt Regatta. The regatta is the most prestigious competition at the camp. During the week, each troop is to build a raft out of 3 barrels and what ever logs they can find. The logs are to be lashed together around the barrels with rope or twine. No nails, screws, tarps, plywood, duct tape or other such materials are to be used. During the week we carefully put our raft together. It is quite an accomplishment to have a raft that will stay together over the approx. 1/2 mile course. This year there were about 8 or 9 rafts entered. Only 2 managed to finish the race. Our boys finished first by about 10 or 15 minutes! Way to go troop! We also won the "purdiest" raft award and we found and retrieved the Great White Newt Egg. These are the 3 ways to win the competition. We won them all!!!
Please enjoy the pictures and download the ones you want at http://s572.photobucket.com/albums/ss164/3wardscouting/scout%20camp%2009/?start=0
Thanks to all who helped us out in making the scout camp a great success this year!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
River Raft Trip
It seems to be unanimous, the campout at Swauk campground and rafting of the Wenatchee river on Saturday was the best campout in many a month! All 22 of us who attended had a wonderful time and have many fond memories of the trip.
Swauk campground is a very nice national forest campground a few miles south of Blewett Pass on Hwy 97. It has a small creek flowing through it and a good combination of large trees and open meadows. Dinner around the campfire was cordial and entertaining with stories and sharing of food and drink. We had evening prayer around 10:30 after which some of us retired, while others played table top games till late.
In the morning we were up at 6am making breakfast and breaking camp. We left camp at 7:30 am and were ready to launch by 9:30. We had a fine safety briefing educating all of us about how to raft safely and what to do if we got tossed out of the boat in a rapid. We launched 4 rafts and set out on our adventure!
About 1/2 mile from the start point we came to our first class III rapid, Boulder Bend. This is a long stretch of large boulders in the bend of the river which makes for a technical challenge in rafts. Most of the boats had at least 1 person overboard and 1 of the boats lost all but 1 person overboard. This just adds to the adventure for the boys. All were safely pulled back into the boats and the journey continued.
Rock and Roll was the next big rapid. It contains a hole in the middle of it called "Satan's Eyeball" The river drops into a large hole and comes together at the far side with a standing wave about 10' high. We hit it squarely in the eye and out of 4 boats, we only lost 1 rafter overboard. He was safely rescued also.
Next we had to portage around a diversion dam that makes a dangerous undertow. All rafters are required to portage here.
Gorilla falls is the next class III rapid. It was fun and bouncy but provided no problems for us.
Drunkards drop is a class III rapid that forms as the river runs head on into a bluff that stands a couple hundred feet over the river. At the base of the bluff the river turns and creates a fine set of rapids. right next to the bluff wall is a huge standing wave about 15' tall from base to crest. Several of us managed to maneuver the rafts into position to ride this huge wave. It is pretty awesome to look up at this huge wave from the bottom of the trough!
The last class III rapid is Snow Blind. This rapid is pretty wild. We all made it through fine the first trip down the river. On the second trip one of the rafts managed to flip over in this rapid. I'm sure the boys will be happy to tell the adventure. It is pretty difficult to flip a raft in a rapid but they managed in fine style. Fortunately another raft was right behind them and managed a fine river rescue! Good work guys!!!
These are the 5 class III rapids on the river where we ran it. As we faced each new challenge the boys became more and more proficient and are now experienced rafters. We are proud of all the boys and leaders, and want to thank all those who helped us in bringing about such a successful and fun campout!
We were all glad to get home and rest after so much excitement.
PS. I still have a water cannon, life jacket (red), a red towel and Aaron's gia-normous squirt gun. If these are yours, please let me know so i can return them.
Swauk campground is a very nice national forest campground a few miles south of Blewett Pass on Hwy 97. It has a small creek flowing through it and a good combination of large trees and open meadows. Dinner around the campfire was cordial and entertaining with stories and sharing of food and drink. We had evening prayer around 10:30 after which some of us retired, while others played table top games till late.
In the morning we were up at 6am making breakfast and breaking camp. We left camp at 7:30 am and were ready to launch by 9:30. We had a fine safety briefing educating all of us about how to raft safely and what to do if we got tossed out of the boat in a rapid. We launched 4 rafts and set out on our adventure!
About 1/2 mile from the start point we came to our first class III rapid, Boulder Bend. This is a long stretch of large boulders in the bend of the river which makes for a technical challenge in rafts. Most of the boats had at least 1 person overboard and 1 of the boats lost all but 1 person overboard. This just adds to the adventure for the boys. All were safely pulled back into the boats and the journey continued.
Rock and Roll was the next big rapid. It contains a hole in the middle of it called "Satan's Eyeball" The river drops into a large hole and comes together at the far side with a standing wave about 10' high. We hit it squarely in the eye and out of 4 boats, we only lost 1 rafter overboard. He was safely rescued also.
Next we had to portage around a diversion dam that makes a dangerous undertow. All rafters are required to portage here.
Gorilla falls is the next class III rapid. It was fun and bouncy but provided no problems for us.
Drunkards drop is a class III rapid that forms as the river runs head on into a bluff that stands a couple hundred feet over the river. At the base of the bluff the river turns and creates a fine set of rapids. right next to the bluff wall is a huge standing wave about 15' tall from base to crest. Several of us managed to maneuver the rafts into position to ride this huge wave. It is pretty awesome to look up at this huge wave from the bottom of the trough!
The last class III rapid is Snow Blind. This rapid is pretty wild. We all made it through fine the first trip down the river. On the second trip one of the rafts managed to flip over in this rapid. I'm sure the boys will be happy to tell the adventure. It is pretty difficult to flip a raft in a rapid but they managed in fine style. Fortunately another raft was right behind them and managed a fine river rescue! Good work guys!!!
These are the 5 class III rapids on the river where we ran it. As we faced each new challenge the boys became more and more proficient and are now experienced rafters. We are proud of all the boys and leaders, and want to thank all those who helped us in bringing about such a successful and fun campout!
We were all glad to get home and rest after so much excitement.
PS. I still have a water cannon, life jacket (red), a red towel and Aaron's gia-normous squirt gun. If these are yours, please let me know so i can return them.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Ongoing Notices to Parents
1. Summer Camp is coming up in July. We will be going to Camp Hahobas July 6 - 11. The boys need a class 1 physical completed and on file prior to Camp. It is also a good idea to plan with your son which merit badges or rank advancement he wants to accomplish prior to going to camp. This allows him to have a plan of action and will allow him to get more accomplished at camp. Also, it is a good idea to get some of the prerequisites done before camp. Camp Hahobas offers 48 merit badges!
This url will show you all the merit badges Camp Hahobas offers and the pre-requisites needed to complete the merit badge at camp. http://www.hahobas.org/program/mbprereq.html
2. The high adventure activity this summer is a 50 mile canoe trip on Lake Chelan. President Widing has required that all youth who attend this activitie have a minimum of the Swimming merit badge and Canoeing merit badge completed or you cannot attend. We also suggest that your boys get their first aid merit badge as well.
Boys younger than 14 should be accompanied by their father or other adult responsible for them. So dads, here is a great opportunity for you to spend a really quality week with your son or step son. Plan for it now!
This url will show you all the merit badges Camp Hahobas offers and the pre-requisites needed to complete the merit badge at camp. http://www.hahobas.org/program/mbprereq.html
2. The high adventure activity this summer is a 50 mile canoe trip on Lake Chelan. President Widing has required that all youth who attend this activitie have a minimum of the Swimming merit badge and Canoeing merit badge completed or you cannot attend. We also suggest that your boys get their first aid merit badge as well.
Boys younger than 14 should be accompanied by their father or other adult responsible for them. So dads, here is a great opportunity for you to spend a really quality week with your son or step son. Plan for it now!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Wow, what a great canoe / camping trip we had!
We went to Blake Island State Park which is an island in the Puget Sound. We launched from a beach next to the Southworth ferry dock. We arrived there around 5:30pm and launched a little after 6pm. It was windy and there were waves against us so the trip over was challenging. The boys did a great job! I was really proud of them. I didn't hear any complaining from the kids at all.
After we arrived at the proposed campsite we decided to continue around the island another mile or so, to the camp on the northwest corner of the island. We were glad we did as the camp was right on the beach and was comfortable and nice.
We enjoyed a campfire that night with lots of visiting and story telling. We were visited by deer, racoons, eagles and even a banana slug! (see the pictures)
Aaron Stamps and son were the first out fishing in the am. Jashon and I joined them about 6:30 am. Unfortunately no one caught any fish.
Many of the boys and leaders did a geo cache adventure and hiked over much of the island. they found the cache and enjoyed the adventure.
Later in the morning we went clamming at low tide. Jake Nelson and Jashon Newlun discovered that the huge Gooey Duck clams could be grabbed if you stuck you hand quickly down their hole in the sand. This brought the adults and soon an epic struggle was on. One adult holding desperately to the neck of the clam with his fingertips (Jared Newlun) and one adult (Me) digging around the area to loosen up the sand and allow us to get under the clam. After digging almost 2 feet deep we won the contest!
We headed back for the Southworth beach after the tide turned and we didn't have to fight the current.
The day was completely gorgeous with warm temperatures.
I was very proud of each scout that joined us on this trip. They behaved very responsibly and helped with all the loading, cooking, and camping chores that were needed.
Great Job Everyone!
Scott Smith
We went to Blake Island State Park which is an island in the Puget Sound. We launched from a beach next to the Southworth ferry dock. We arrived there around 5:30pm and launched a little after 6pm. It was windy and there were waves against us so the trip over was challenging. The boys did a great job! I was really proud of them. I didn't hear any complaining from the kids at all.
After we arrived at the proposed campsite we decided to continue around the island another mile or so, to the camp on the northwest corner of the island. We were glad we did as the camp was right on the beach and was comfortable and nice.
We enjoyed a campfire that night with lots of visiting and story telling. We were visited by deer, racoons, eagles and even a banana slug! (see the pictures)
Aaron Stamps and son were the first out fishing in the am. Jashon and I joined them about 6:30 am. Unfortunately no one caught any fish.
Many of the boys and leaders did a geo cache adventure and hiked over much of the island. they found the cache and enjoyed the adventure.
Later in the morning we went clamming at low tide. Jake Nelson and Jashon Newlun discovered that the huge Gooey Duck clams could be grabbed if you stuck you hand quickly down their hole in the sand. This brought the adults and soon an epic struggle was on. One adult holding desperately to the neck of the clam with his fingertips (Jared Newlun) and one adult (Me) digging around the area to loosen up the sand and allow us to get under the clam. After digging almost 2 feet deep we won the contest!
We headed back for the Southworth beach after the tide turned and we didn't have to fight the current.
The day was completely gorgeous with warm temperatures.
I was very proud of each scout that joined us on this trip. They behaved very responsibly and helped with all the loading, cooking, and camping chores that were needed.
Great Job Everyone!
Scott Smith
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