Raven Knob 2004

Troop 1131:

Our scouts are getting into the camp routine, and except for a few complaints about the dining hall food, I have not heard much belly aching. The first day at merit badges classes always results in changes. For example, four of our scouts, Spencer Reynolds, William Story, Jake Lieber and Zach Pampel, could not qualify for the Archery MB, and had to select new badges to take. Archery is always a challenge as the bows require some strength to use properly. Each of these scouts were switched into other classes. Spencer will take Reptile and Amphibian Study MB, William will take Art and Archaeology, Jake will take Environmental Science, and Zach will take Art and Leatherwork.

Other scouts opted out of some of their original merit badge choices. Ryan Kavanaugh dropped Lifesaving in favor of Emergency Preparedness despite being and excellent swimmer and an ARC qualified lifeguard! Jack Phillips is taking Woodcarving instead of Atomic Energy, and Jay Miller is taking Wilderness Survival instead of a Forestry MB class that the camp canceled. Tommy DeRosa dropped Mammal Study.

The most interesting change in schedules involve our two new scouts, Patick Maton and Josh Story. Both boys are Second Class, and were scheduled to take the Raven Scout program for New Scouts here at camp. After one session, they told me they had already done everything and were bored at Raven Scouts. Since our new scouts come into the troop in February and March, most of them actually don't need the Raven Scout Program by the time we go to camp. So Patrick is now taking Reptile and Amphibian Study, Space Exploration and Leatherwork, and Josh is now taking Reptile and Amphibian Study, Space Exploration and Mammal Study.

Each evening we have snacks in our campsite. Last night we made s'mores and a few banana boats. Tonight we're cooking Pizza! In years past, I brought a couple of wine box ovens to make the pizza in, but this year Bryan Burley and Mickey Salomon helped me build an aluminum foil oven like we use to cook our turkeys on the pre-Thanksgiving camping trip. The oven looks very good, and Roger Burley and Mark Stephen's will be proud to see the tradition continue.

Tonight, after dinner, we'll hold our troop rifle shoot and troop archery. Troop's sign up for these events and there's a "random" selection process. For whatever reason, we have always been selected! "Dem boys from Virginia can sure shoot!"

Scouts taking Nature MB and Reptile and Amphibian Study MB went on a frog hunt at 10:00 p.m. last night. Shining flashlights make the frogs' eyes glow in the dark so it's easy to catch them. By this evening, five scouts will have passed their First Class Boards of Review: Joey Regalbuto, Steven Livick, Jake Lieber, Zach Pampel, and Jack Phillips. Other scouts are working on advancement requirements in camp with our Instructors, Tom Robinson, Randy Froehlich, and others.

The weather has been excellent; in fact, it's been the mildest weather I can remember ever having at camp. The daytime temperatures are in the high 70's or low 80's, but overnight and by the time we wake the temperature is in the cool 60's. I love it, but our visiting scout from Texas, Ian Dulaney, says it's too cold for him. Back home, in Texas, he had temperatures in the 100's. Ian also complimented the troop on the way we do things; he said he would bring some ideas back home to tell his own troop.

Philip Sternberg
Scoutmaster