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Greetings Troop, ________________________ Troop, we are on the doorstep of EXTRAVAGANZA4! And I can’t wait. The bikes are loaded (mostly), trailers are ready, food is being readied, Mr. Grabham is finalizing details, and much packing is taking place. Here are a few reminders:
· Class A for travel · Electronics stay in vehicles · Tech Chip rules are in part, if you bring it, the risk of loss or damage is yours alone. Parents, please assure your son’s electronic gear content is scout appropriate. Scouts do not need phones. · Have shoes for river wear · Water carry capacity of some kind for the bike ride · No helmet = No ride · Closed toe shoes always. This is standard BSA policy at all scout functions (and saves on Band-Aids) · Have travel snacks, lunch, a drink, and some moola for lunch on the way home · Have meds clearly marked and organized for easy distribution and give to Med officer · Scouts must be fever free for 24 hours prior to camp · Patrols, please provide your own coolers packed and ready for transport · Non-cooler food, please have in a tub or otherwise robustly packed, squishing happens · No sugary or caffeine laden drinks please, these work directly against our hydration efforts · Energy drinks (Red Bull for example) are not permitted · Utilize reusable water bottles please (32oz wide top Nalgeen preferred) · Have your mess kit · Bulk water supply will be provided by the Troop · Fishermen, there is a lake near our camp site, be prepared, catch and release · Identify EVERYTHING
Senior Scouts – Troop Officers, Patrol Officers, Star Scouts and higher ranks, Leadership Core… Your duty is to assure that your Troop operates effectively at camp. This is your Troop and we are Scout lead. Camp SPL is Andrew H. You are to work closely with him and assist in any manner needed. You are to be watchful for the younger scouts, make sure they are taken care of, and that the Troop is safe and organized. How you conduct yourself, your leadership attitude, your willingness to assist others, and your respect for fellow scouts demonstrates your leadership ability. The adults are quietly observing you and noting your leadership aptitude and Scouting spirit. Scouts that exemplify good scouting earn the respect of their peers and adult leaders.
Scout gear will not be going in my truck this time. Mr. Gould is providing his covered trailer for scout gear transportation. Grayson and I are traveling on to Iowa after E4 to visit where I grew up. I was a farm kid. Closest town was Stuart where I attended school. I haven’t been back in a very long time. We’ll visit places of relevance to my history. Several generation of my family occupied this farming community in Iowa before we scattered across the country. We’re staying at state parks during our travels. We’ll be back on July 6th.
Family Night and Court of Honor tonight! Our Troop has been busy! We have a bunch of rank advancement and a TON of merit badges!! The advancement and activity throughput for the Troop is outstanding. This demonstrates that you are engaged in your scouting and your Troop is providing a solid program.
The key to the strength of our Troop is the hearts of our members. When scouts are eager to do scouting with a great scouting spirit combined with willing adults offering resources and encouragement, then we’ve really got something good. Actually, The Best There Is…
See you tonight, T2860SM Mark Wheeler __________________________ Greetings Troop! Greetings Troop! Here’re a few details you might find helpful to plan for E4.
Drive – Travel time is about 4.5 hours to Green Bank where we have a tour set up for around 1:00pm on Thursday at the National Radio Astronomy Center http://www.gb.nrao.edu/ We must scoot out of here close to 8:00am on TH to make our tour appointment. Uniform is Class A for this travel. The folks at the center have always been extraordinarily welcoming and helpful to scouts. On the center grounds is the Green Bank Telescope (GBT), an engineering marvel in its own right. At 100 by 110 meters of surface area in size (about one full acre), it is the worlds largest fully articulating telescope. The science and ongoing research at the center is amazing offering rare glimpses of our world overhead.
Camp – We’ll be on a nearby Boy Scout reservation. That typically means vehicles may be close by but not actually in camp per BSA rules. This is the local Boy Scout council’s reservation who has welcomed us with open arms. They are wrapping up their summer camp program on the Friday after our arrival but are leaving the facilities open for our use so showers and restrooms are planned to be available. They aren’t in the habit of having our size of a troop rolling in but have offered a large field nearby the facilities that Mr. Grabham has personally reconed for us. We should have plenty of room and a safe environment to base ourselves at.
Whitewater – Friday is an early start for the 1.5 hour drive to the whitewater outfitter. This outfitter has experience hosting Boy Scout troops. They are very eager to serve us. They will provide all the gear needed for the day on the water. There might be a class 3 along the way but nothing the outfitter rafts can’t handle. This is a fully guided trip. We’re taking our lunch with us in tag along coolers. This should be an outstanding day on the water in arguably one of our nation’s most beautifully scenic outdoor areas. We could be on the water for 7 hours. This is not a short trip. Expect to get wet and to paddle your guts out! Have durable water shoes or gym shoes committed to the call of duty required by river rafting. A small tube of sun screen (that you actually use) tucked in your shorts pocket is highly recommended. The new zip off quick drying scout uniform pants make great water wear and are good-to-go for Class A to boot. Ask for them at the scout shop. For unknown reasons they stock the canvas pants. Go figure.
Biking – Saturday is a day on the magnificent Greenbrier River Trail. http://www.greenbrierrailtrailstatepark.com/ Just getting to the trail head will be an adventure in itself. Rural West Virginia roads are “unique” to say the least. The troop has not previously traveled this portion of the planned area of the 80 mile long trail. This includes Sharp’s Tunnel, a 511 foot long tunnel with a bridge anchoring one end. Overall, the trail borders the Monongahela National Forest, Seneca State Forest, and Watoga State Park. Trail surface is crushed rock making durable bike tires essential. The trail traverses some of the most remote areas of West Virginia and that is saying something! Having a durable bicycle fully prepared for the trek (good tires), outfitted with H2O carrying capacity, is critical. Trail grade is only 1% but don’t think this is a tame little boring bike ride. The grander of the wilderness we’ll be rolling through is nothing short of breathtaking. The remote area renders bike or rider rescue very difficult. Have your bike ready, be prepared.
We’ll take our bikes with us on our trailers. All bike carrying capacity on vehicles is absolutely needed. Bikes must be delivered to the bike wrangler (we still need a bike wrangler by the way!!). The bikes are staged days ahead for loading on the trailers. We’ll do our best to safeguard your bike but a scratch is possible so just be aware of that. This should be quite the procession with approximately 60 bicycles on trailers and strapped to car carriers headed down the road!
Food and money – Eat first or bring breakfast for TH travel. Have pocket money for road snacks/drinks or bring them with you. With careful funds management, I’d think $20 should cover for road food including a meal on the way home on Sunday. If gift shops are your thing, the Green Bank Observatory does have a small gift shop. Scouts are expected to have the maturity to handle their own cash. However, we can set up a camp banker if your scout needs assistance.
Travel electronics are permitted but must remain in vehicles. All typical camp gear is required, tents, rain gear, bag, pad, light, etc… You know the drill by now. Don’t forget your bike helmet!! Plan to turn in any meds to the camp medical officer and have them clearly identified for distribution. Rescue inhalers stay with scouts.
This is an extremely active camp with lots to see and do in an amazingly beautiful area of our nation. These times don’t come along every day. Join in as we exploration new places and take on challenging new adventures.
I don’t think scouting gets any better.
EXTRAVAGANZA4…do it.
T2860SM Mark Wheeler
From: mcgwheeler@verizon.net [mailto:mcgwheeler@verizon.net]
Greetings Troop! EXTRAVAGANZA4 (E4) is here!! This is the one we’ve been waiting for. ASM Mr. Grabham and Tyler personally took the time to recon the area, find us a very cool camp, figure out all the logistics, and set up our event activity reservations.
Now it’s up to you, in particular, adult drivers and trailer pullers are most urgently needed for this camp. It is critical that we have enough adult drivers for this camp with enough seats for all participating scouts and sufficient ability to bring our gear and bicycles.
Planned event fee is $35 each. This includes all camp meals (not travel meals/snacks), white water guide fee, and all overnight camping fees. All bicycle needs must be handled here. We are not renting bikes on site in WV.
Here’s the rundown: 6/24 – Leave 8:00am, Aquatic parking area, arrive Green Bank WV approx 4.5 hours travel time. 6/24 – 1:00pm Visit WV radio astronomy observatory center, largest fully movable antenna in the world, one full acre in size, plus much more cool stuff to see. 6/24 – 5:00pm proceed to camp, Local Boy Scout reserve, very nice area. 6/25 – Early leave for White Water River Run!! 1.5 hour drive to river guide, about a 7 hour river run, return to camp 6/26 – Mid morning leave for Greenbrier River Trail Bicycle Ride. Choice of 8 or 25 mile ride. Very long tunnel to ride through, level perfect bike riding 6/26 – Finish bike ride, return to camp, relax, play, get cleaned up, enjoy a good meal and fellowship 6/27 – Break camp, vespers, head home, arrive at Aquatic parking about 3:30pm
Thank you, T2860SM Mark Wheeler |
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