BOY SCOUT TROOP 165 - ACTIVITY SUMMARIES

Once again it was out to Rim Rock Ranch our favorite camp site to “hone” our scout skills. This weekend was designated as our Pioneering Weekend, a time to “sharpen” our skills with saw and ax and to practice our lashings. The scouts looked over several plans for various Pioneering projects and voted to attempt the “ Hourglass Tower ” as their main project for the campout. But the tower was not the only project being worked on. After breakfast on Saturday, several scouts worked on an elevated tree fort-type platform. Austin Buckley brought some salmon on the campout and he and Nathaniel Scott lashed together a tee-pee shaped smokehouse and wrapped it with plastic. I (Mr. Daugherty) sampled some of the fish after it had cooked and pronounced it edible. After lunch we journeyed out to the forest edge near the hay field to build the Hourglass Tower . The Tower is basically two tripods, one inverted and lashed on the other. It is then raised vertically and an observation platform is assembled at the top. When it is finished the platform will be about 10-12 feet in the air. The scouts worked feverishly all afternoon to cut logs to the right sizes and then lash them together. Unfortunately, when the tower was raised into the air it more closely resembled the Leaning Tower of Pisa rather than the Hourglass Tower . A few scouts very carefully ascended to the platform but safety dictated that they quickly return to earth and the tower was dismantled. It was hoped the tower could be used for the “Breakout” game later on that evening but a pick-up truck bed had to be substituted. The temperatures were great, high thirties at night and low fifties during the day, nothing like the temperatures last year at this very same campout that dipped to 11-12 degrees. This fact was repeatedly brought to our attention by Mr. Dye. Thanks to Mr. Daugherty, Mr. Dye and Mr. Heeter for accompanying the scouts and great big thank you to Mr. & Mrs. Marshall for graciously allowing us the use of their property again!. Mr. Daugherty.

Troop 165 set out to Camp Round Lake to do a 10 mile canoe trip.  The boys set out on a cool Saturday morning with temperatures in the mid 50's.  The rain held off as the boys paddled downstream forward, backwards, and sometimes sideways.  Navigating their canoes through fallen trees in the creek proved challenging for some and easy for others, but all the boys had a great time with the trip.  After the trip the boys returned to the campsite to begin dinner, followed by root beer floats made from handmade ice cream and root beer.  After clean up everyone enjoyed a campfire full of skits, jokes, and fellowship.  Mr. Dye

It was dark and damp when we arrived at Round Lake Christian Assembly. They provided us a beautiful camp site without mud. We were close to the conference center but we did not disturb the participants. The rain was minimal and we were able to go on a 10 mile canoe trip. Camp Toodik Canoe Livery was very nice and we had the river to ourselves. Near the last bridge we beached our canoes and had a shore lunch. After dinner we had homemade ice cream and root beer. We had a campfire with skits and colored flames. We retired two flags and mentioned names of family and friends who have served in the military. We hustled Sunday morning to get packed. After our worship service we loaded up and headed back home. Matt R. received a "grommet" award for his hard work in completing the 1st Class swim test.  Mr. Darnell

The troop had its first camp out at A.W. Marion State Park. We had 2 Webelos and their dads from Pack 165 spend Friday night with us. Troop 106 let us borrow their canoes. We had fun exploring the lake and several islands. No one tipped over but we did get wet. Did I mention the rain? We had a nice campfire with some funny skits.. Did I mention the mud? We tried to obey the Scout Law but the 11 th point (clean) was difficult. I agree with Eagle Scout Mike Rowe that clean is overrated.  Troop Scirbe, J. Darnell

This was our second trip to Rim Rock Ranch, this time though it was a bit warmer than the 15 degree mornings we experience just a few months ago.  Friday night's setup went quick so the boys were able to enjoy a game of breakout in the tall grass.  Only one boy made it to the barn as the guards were vigilant with their searchlights.  Saturday morning the boys enjoyed some fishing and provided a little fish transplantation service for our host.  After the boys cleared some cut limbs to make our campsite a little more accessible, the cooking commenced just about the same time as the rain.  The boys managed to keep the fire going so lunch and dinner was a success.  Saturday evening, a few of the boys had the opportunity to hang out on a couple of cut vines and others were able to relax around the fire.  All in all, it was a great campout.

The troop headed to Camp Falling Rock in Newark and enjoyed the nicest weather so far this year.  85 degrees and breezy led to a weekend  where the boys accomplished much and had a lot of fun.  The newer scouts worked on their tenderfoot requirements and we had a number of boys complete their Scoutmaster conferences for rank.  Some of the boys had enough free time to build some shelters from a number of fallen limbs and all the boys had the opportunity to sleep under the stars.  Black Panther was the game of choice Saturday night but the only creatures that were visible were a pair of raccoons that tried their luck at our food totes.

Twelve boys enjoyed their first outdoor camping experience of the year.  The boys had the opportunity to sharpen their skills as they had privilege of teaching five new scouts a number of basic skills.  The rain held off and the boys also took part in a little football and we managed to have a campfire before the rain came.  After a slow start Sunday morning, the boys got back up to speed and our worship service had a twist as it was interrupted by a downpour of hail.

10 Mile Hike - Old Man's Cave to Ash Cave

The scouts found themselves in the Hocking Hills for the first 10 mile hike of 2009.  This was also the very first 10 miler for the new scouts who had just crossed over.  It was a beautiful day for a hike.  The temperature was in the mid to upper 50's and despite a few sprinkles, the rain held off.  The hike was not easy.  The trail required some climbing, sliding, and ducking.  To make it even more challenging, the scout leaders estimated the hike to really be about 12 miles, based on other hikes that the park hosts.  I'm sure the fact that we spent a little while looking for the connecting trail to Ash Cave from Cedar Falls didn't help our distance total either.  We were a bit bewildered, not lost.  The boys enjoyed the gorge formations of Old Man's Cave, the streaming water at Cedar Falls, and lunch inside Ash Cave.  All of the boys enjoyed the perfect weather and challenges of another great troop hike.

This was the troop's first visit to Camp Oyo. Overall it was a terrific experience.  We were all in a single cabin and it was quite an adventure getting some sleep as there were many bears and chainsaws filling the air with their distinctive snores.  Some of the special activities included working on the Cooking Merit Badge, a stroll along a frozen stream, drying out socks when the boys found the stream wasn't quite frozen and watching a movie on the Big Sheet.  Sunday morning cooking was quite the adventure as the temperature was reported to be 6 degrees.

A beautiful weekend for a cold weather campout and hike.  Troop 165 once again participated in the annual Bushwack Hike and did the 10 mile loop around the gorge.  The boys have done a few hikes over the past couple of years and they appear to be getting into shape as they only appeared half exhausted as they returned.  One of the highlights of this year's trip was a motorcycle that was spotted at the bottom of the gorge.  Much speculation could be heard as to how it got there.  The boys also continued their work on the polar bear award.  As it was a cold weekend, the boys picked up a lot of points on their way to reaching 100.

Another fantastic campout!  This time we enjoyed camping at Marshall Rim Rock Ranch.  The remote campsite enabled the boys to work on scout skills, backpacking as well as earning 40 points towards the Polar Bear Award.  All ten boys participated and the 4 mile backpacking course took them all around the ranch. Many of the boys were able to complete a Camping Merit Badge requirement with this hike.  The boys also put on a campfire program and the Marshall's were invited up and enjoyed the boy's skits, songs and stunts.  Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Marshall for inviting the troop to camp on their property.  A special note, as this was a remote camp, the troop had it's first experience with "four inches wide, six inches deep."

This was the first time that we had two campouts in one month.  We camped at Alley Park here in Lancaster and participated in the Fall Camporee with 5 other troops.  The boys enjoyed a number of stations focusing on scout skills.  Our SPL volunteered to run the knot tying station and Mr. Myers also helped by filling in at the First Aid Station.  We had 5 Webelos II from Pack 165 join us for the day, two of which spent the night with us.  We look to have a fine group of boys join the troop next February.  We had one boy complete his Board of Review for rank advancement as well this weekend.  Saturday evening found us around the campfire with the other troops as we enjoyed a number of skits, run-ons and songs.

We had fantastic weather for this campout!  This month we camped at Camp Lazarus, the camp was so full of Cub Scouts that the troop had to stay in a cabin.  Despite this, the boys thoroughly enjoyed the four mile canoe trip on Big Darby Creek.  The only scout to get wet did so on purpose.  A rope swing was discovered by our SPL who found that not only did the rope provide the opportunity to swing over and drop into the creek but that the water was quite cold.  This campout had been pushed back a week because two of our three Scoutmasters were attending Cranetown, which is our district's Scoutmaster training program.  This time around the weather cooperated and the boys had a blast as the last attempt at the canoe trip was rained out. 

Our second trip of the year to Hocking Hills State Park found us at the youth primitive campsites.  We had terrific weather and the scouts were able to work on their woodsman skills.  One of our scouts suggested an impromptu hike down to Old Man's Cave and a good time was had by all.  We had a Webelos II from Pack 165 join us Saturday.  We look forward to having this energetic boy join our troop!  In an effort to expand the boys evening snack choices, the Scoutmaster taught some of the boys how to make a dump cobbler and almost dumped it into the fire.  Fortunately the dessert was saved and the boys learned a quick and easy snack.  Thank you Mr. Daugherty, Mr. Heeter, Mr. Marshall and Mr. Myers for camping with us.

The boys set a good pace as the boys completed a ten mile hike on this brisk morning.  Besides having to dodge a few rude bicycle riders this was a relatively uneventful morning.  One of the boys had the idea to have a little competition amongst the troop when it came to picking up trash.  This contest came down to the troop doing physical activity in the form of push-ups.  The only boy that was exempt was the one who collected the most bags of trash.

This was the first campout for a few of our brand new dragons.  Despite the rain, mud and cold they seemed to have a good time.  Despite the wet wood, the boys still managed to have a nice campfire.  Mr. Myers was very helpful especially when it came to his wet wood fire building skills that he has passed onto to the boys.  Thank you to Mr. Daugherty, Mr. Dye, Mr. Marshall and Mr. Myers for camping with us.

January 18-20, 2008 Campout at Camp Falling Rock

Our first campout of the year saw us at Camp Falling Rock.  It was cold, dry (although a light dusting of snow Sunday morning) and cold.  Yes, cold was mentioned twice.  Two of our seven scouts present braved the cold and slept in a tent Friday evening.  The rest of the boys and the adults were in the Kiwanis Lodge where the temperature wasn't much warmer.  After some heroic efforts a fire was finally lit in the wood burner and the icicles on our eyebrows began to melt.  The Flying Eagles were to cook pizzas in the cardboard box ovens they had prepared at an earlier meeting, but as they were left on the equipment shelves back in Lancaster, they had to improvise.  The solution was to cook them on top of the wood burner and it worked!  The two scouts braving the cold came in Saturday evening to sleep in the lodge as the temperature was expected to drop to 4 degrees with a significant wind chill.  The boys also completed an orienteering course.  Thank you Mr. Hill, Mr. Myers and Mr. Sutter for setting up and running this course.

December 28-30, 2007 Campout at John Bryan State Park (Bushwack Hike)

The December campout had a dual purpose, besides keeping up our tradition of a monthly campout or event our boys enjoyed the 10 mile hike at Clifton Gorge.  All six Flying Eagles participated and by the time they returned a few of their feathers looked a little ragged but happy that they completed their trek.  The boys experienced a touch of cold weather camping, and managed to almost enjoy a campfire Saturday night as the wood was just a little damp.  Thank you to Mr. Daugherty, Mr. Hill, Mr. Marshall and Mr. Myers for camping with us this weekend.

November 16-18, 2007 Campout at Slate Run

Our November campout was something special.  It was the weekend of the OSU - Michigan Game and we had the outdoor world to ourselves.  The Flying Eagles continued working on the First Class cooking requirements and also continued work on the Hiking Merit Badge.  The boys grew increasingly tired as they hiked around the 2 mile youth trail but they didn't give up and all 5 boys finished the hike.  Saturday night's entertainment was provided by Daniel M. as he carried out his campfire program which is one of his requirements to earn the Communications Merit Badge.  We had plenty of time to cook quality meals and the boys also had the opportunity to sample some of the cooking that the adults were doing.  Thank you to Mr. Daugherty, Mr. Marshall and Mr. Myers for camping with us this weekend.

October 26-28, 2007 Campout (Chief Tarhe District Scout Olympics) at Camp Buckeye

The October campout was again at Camp Buckeye as 5 Flying Eagles participated in Chief Tarhe District's Scout Olympics.  The Flying Eagles participated in many events including tomahawk throwing, branding, hot isotope carry, knot tying and many other activities.  Saturday night found us at the district campfire as many troops and packs and even some adults put on skits and songs.  A good time was had by all.  The boys continued to work on the team building and cooperation skills as they cooked meals for their first class requirement.  thank you to Mr. Myers and Mr. Marshall for camping with us and to Mr. Beardsley and Mr. Hill for helping with the transportation of our scouts.

September 28-30 Campout at Camp Buckeye

Our September campout was at Camp Buckeye.  5 Scouts enjoyed their first campout apart from Troop 241 by cooking, working on Top Knot, having a campfire, and completing a conservation project. Thank you to Mr. Daugherty, Mr. Marshall and Mr. Myers for camping with us.

August 26, 2007 Court of Honor

Troop 165 held it's first Court of Honor on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Rising Park.  Mr. Heeter served as Master of Ceremonies in which the boys were presented with numerous awards.  Congratulations to the following boys for achieving the rank of Second Class: M. Boone, A. Buckley, C. Daugherty, D. Hill, R. Hill and J. Myers.  Congratulations to D. Marshall on achieving the rank of Star Scout.  In addition, 30 merit badges were awarded.  M. Boone was installed as Flying Eagles Patrol Leader.

July 22-28, 2007 Summer Camp at Chief Logan Reservation

Troop 165 goes to Summer Camp.  Our entire troop was present for summer camp this year.  All seven boys worked hard this week and also had a lot of fun.  All seven will advance in rank because of their dedication.  18 merit badges were earned, including 8 Eagle Required.  Some activities that the boys participated included campfires, learning different camp songs and games, scout crafts and skills, skits and even learned how to meadow crash.  Thank you to Mr. Daugherty and Mr. Marshall for spending the week at camp with us.

This was our Troop's last joint venture with Troop 241.  Thank you Troop 241 for helping us have a tremendous start these past 6 months.  We couldn't have done it without you. A special thank you to Mr. Olson for spending so many hours providing help and instruction when it came to forming a new troop.  Thank you to Mr. Cipparone for agreeing to be our Unit Commissioner and a special thank you to Mr. Ford (Troop 241's new Scoutmaster) for making us a new patrol box and presenting it to Troop 165 at the conclusion of summer camp.

July 4, 2007 Parade in Lancaster

Six Flying Eagles participated in the annual July 4th parade in Lancaster.  This year we had terrific weather as the boys completed the three mile route.  Thank you Mr. Boone, Mr. Daugherty and Mr. Marshall for joining us for the parade.

June 23-26, 2007 Mini Trip to East Harbor State Park

Four Flying Eagles traveled north to Lake Erie as we joined Troop 241 to camp at East Harbor State Park.  The boys enjoyed swimming in Lake Erie, fishing for Walleye on a charter boat.  A huge fish fry (the boys learned how to clean fish).  They spent a day at Cedar Point and also had the opportunity to go on a conservation / nature trip. Thank you to Mr. Marshall and Mr. Myers for camping with us.

June 2, 2007 Chief Tarhe District Hike For Scouting

Three Flying Eagles spent the morning, on this warm day, enjoying a nice leisurely 5 mile hike.  The boys were for the most part on a bike trail and on sidewalks that took them from Ohio University to Mary Byrne Park.  Thank you to Mr. Heeter and Mr. Marshall for hiking with us.

May 28, 2007 Memorial Day Parade - Lithopolis

Two Flying Eagles participated in the Memorial Day Parade this year in Lithopolis.  Thank you to Mr. Boone, Mr. Brumfield, Mr. Daugherty and Mr. Marshall for joining the troop on this day.

May 4-6, 2007 One World One Promise Centennial Camporee

Five of the eight Flying Eagles participated in the Centennial Celebration of Scouting held at the Ross County Fairgrounds.  The Simon Kenton Council’s Centenary Celebration featured shooting sports, rappelling, climbing, pioneering, scouting museum, zip lines, and service projects that will benefit the community.  Thank you to Mr. Daugherty and Mr. Marshall for camping with us. 

April 20-22 Roger's Rangers Campout - Haynes Farm

All eight Flying Eagles enjoyed a campout based on Roger's Rangers.  The boys learned about the history of the special unit and even had the opportunity to learn from a Roger's Ranger re-enactor.  Over the weekend the boys were able to go to different stations and shoot black powder rifles, tomahawk throwing, bow and arrows and got a special history lesson which enabled the boys to fulfill requirements for the American Heritage Merit Badge.  The began work on Indian Lore as well as they prepared 2 of 3 menu items based on Native American culture.  Saturday afternoon, the boys formed mixed patrols with Troop 241 and began practicing for the night time exercises.  Those evening exercises included First Aid, Fire building, Searchlight Gauntlet, Bowline Trust, Ladder Making, and a special rope course.  Thank you to Mr. Boone, Mr. Daugherty, Mr. Myers and Mr. Marshall for camping with us.  A special thank you to Mr. Marteney and Mr. Sutter who put on the Roger's Rangers Weekend.

April 14, 2007 10 Mile Hike - Pickerington Ponds Metro Park

Troop 165 enjoyed a brisk morning "walk" at Pickerington Ponds Metro Park.  For many of the boys, this was their first hike and this 10 miler not only was a lot of fun but the boys saw a wider variety of wildlife.  6 Scouts traveled the Blacklick Trail and saw hawks, coyotes, rabbits, deer and a wide variety of birds kept the boys focused on nature and their surroundings.  The boys came prepared, kept warm and dry and enjoyed their time on the trail.  Thank you to Mr. Boone, Mr. Daugherty, Mr. Hill and Mr. Marshall for hiking with us.

March 23-25, 2007  Campout - Camp Buckeye

Troop 165's first campout was a huge success.  1 Scout joined Troop 241 Friday evening to set up camp.  Saturday morning, 6 Flying Eagles traveled to Camp Buckeye where they learned to setup up a campsite, learned the proper usage of axes, saws, knives and cook stoves and cooked their first meals using the patrol method.  Thank you to Mr. Daugherty, Mr. Marshall and Mr. Myers for camping with us and to Mr. Brumfield and Mr. Hill for spending the day with the troop.

March 3, 2007 - Road Cleanup and Vertical Adventures

Troop 165's first activity was a service project.  We joined Troop 241 in cleaning up a few roads as part of the Adopt-A-Highway program.  Despite the snow, we helped to clean up several roads in the Lithopolis area.  In the afternoon, five of our scouts joined Troop 241 by going up to Columbus and enjoying an afternoon of wall climbing and rappelling at Vertical adventures.  Thank you to Mr. Brumfield, Mr. Marshall and Mr. Myers for joining us.