Category: Outings & Activities

Keep looking for new faces, Pack 1417 held their crossover on Saturday at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, where Abhinav K. officially completed his Cub Scout Journey and joined Troop 2319 on to continue his Trail to Eagle! Congrats and thank you for allowing us to be the next step on our trail. We look forward to getting to know you better!

For our second ride of the cycling Merit Badge, we headed up to Blankets Creek yesterday. It was just a quick ride, but sun was shining and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. What a great way to spend a couple hours!   Cycling Merit Badge Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/arjR3WpSgeKnbNjy6

Scouts enjoyed he Cycling Merit Badge when we offered it in 2021 that we’re offering it again and the the scouts just finished their first ride this weekend! It was just a short 3 mile ride to start off the program. The weather was perfect and the scouts looked like they had an awesome time. Already looking forward to the next ride.

This weekend we headed to Woodruff Scout Camp to have fun camping and hiking. We arrived late Friday night and set up our campsite. On Saturday some scouts and adults went hiking right after breakfast and many scouts completed their trail cooking requirements for the Cooking Merit Badge. The scouts arrived back around noon right before the rain began. The scouts spent the rest of the day playing games, hanging by the fire, and other scouting activities. On Sunday the scout packed up quickly beating the rain that followed right as we left and we headed home.   -Troop Historian Jack H. Full Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/VWH8A5Ghg6SVqRBVA

This weekend, we headed down south of Atlanta to Camp Benjamin Hawkins for a fun fill weekend of inter patrol games and challenges. We arrived a bit after dark, scouts were split up by patrol and instructed to setup their own campsites as they see fit. On Saturday, patrols challenged each other in fire building, a photo scavenger hunt, surprise cobbler making with mystery ingredients, & wix chixin! The day finished off with a quick campfire program put together by Zachary M. & a big closing campfire just before the rain started moving in. Sunday morning was a bit damp, but we scouts got most of the gear put away fairly quickly and we were on the road and headed home before you knew it. Check out the highlights below or click the link to see the full photo album. Full Photo Album:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/FzTsyoXsxLcjVmfLA

we might be a little late in sharing the photos, but that doesn’t change the fact that scouts seemed to have fantastic time at your Holiday Party! Between the food, trivia, patrol challenges, and ugly sweater & Santa look a like contests, it seemed like everyone was busy and having a blast! Don’t take our word for it, check out the photos or full album to see all the shenanigans scouts were up to. Congratulations to everyone who one prizes and thank you to everyone who brought a food item to share with the troop. Another great, JTE Gold, year in the bag! Full Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/XQbHfSvBwgmSaRAb9  

It’s been a couple years since we’ve held a Lock-In at Escalade Climbing Gym and boy was it good to be back! Scouts got to learn how to repel, tie some knots for the Climbing Merit Badge, and climb to the point of exhaustion! Between pizza, snacks, and a special birthday treat, scouts were had lots of energy and the perfect way to burn it off, though some of us just played board games all night. This was also our first joint event with Troop 2319-G and it was so so great to see so many different scouts having so much time. What a great overnight event to end the year with. Full Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/SEGK21jqnJfyx3CB6

Just as the sun was going down, the troop packed up to head south to Indian Springs, GA for a biking filled weekend! Although it was pitch black when we arrived, scouts were quick to get their personal gear and troop gear setup so they could gather around a fire before heading to bed. Saturday turned out to be a perfect day with most of the scouts and adults heading out just after breakfast for their 15 mile ride. Getting back sooner than expected just after lunch, scouts split into smaller groups for some additional rides before everyone regrouped for dinner and campfire program put on by Will L. Sunday morning was a cold one, hover just above freezing, but our SPL Michael roused the scouts, to get breakfasts made, gear torn down, and the enormous campsite policed before heading out. What a great trip to a new place! Full Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/hX2WDzfU82gneCUb6

I think it’s safe to say the troop had an amazing time at Camporall! Saturday started off a little chilly, but quickly warmed up and scouts were able to play board games, practice fire building, ga-ga, fields sports, disc golf, and so much more! Most importantly, we were able to meet some & bond with our friends from Pack1714 & Pack 710 – Marietta, GA! The night ended with a camp wide fire, skits, and flag retirement. Sunday morning was another cold one, but once scouts were up and moving, they tore down camp, attended camp wide interfaith, and finished up by policing our campsite, shower house, and the ga-ga pits for trash and lost items. Camporall is an Foothills District BSA campout, but several of our scouts really stepped up to help make it happen. Shout out to:   Michael C: Event SPL along with Charlie (Troop 2019) Xan M: Who lead the camp wide interfaith Jude K: Who did an amazing job playing reveille & taps during the flag retirement in the cold no less   Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/LyS1Q8sZLbUBatcv7

Scouts seemed to have an absolutely awesome time at Scoutland On Lanier Scout Camp! They got to visit Crisson Gold Mine and learn about different mining techniques and they even got to pan for gold and soft for gems! The afternoon was spent swimming in Lake Lanier and playing capture the flag. What a great weekend! Full Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Gcx5hXXNVsYSo4sM7

Day 1: Longest in-processing ever! The staff checked every date, block and annotation on every form. With 71 folks that took a while. But the boys were very patient and we got thru it. Scorpio was our Troop Guide which at least made the process personable. We still had 3 hours of free time to get the camp set up and explore a bit (Dylan had an extensive planning session with the leaders to get the Troop set up for the week.) Opening campfire had good introductions of each program area and some nice fireworks. At Add/Drop we got almost everything we wanted. Day 2: The boys were awesome today. Despite a heat index of over 100, they were in good spirits. The Merit Badge classes began and the first requirement of each one are the safety considerations (so lots of required but unstimulating lecture). This afternoon the boys were everywhere. Some went swimming or repelling or started handicraft MBs, others just chilled out (kind of). We had our first assigned shower house cleaning late afternoon before dinner. For the first time in my 15 years at camp we were in class B T-shirts for dinner formations due to the heat. We canceled cobbler for tonight, it’s just too hot to make it in a Dutch oven with charcoal. Sending the boys to open swim instead. Day 3: Another hot one, but the dew point was lower so it wasn’t so oppressive. Turns out most of the boys decided to do Scottish highland games last night rather than swim. Today the evening program was Ice Cream for Order of the Arrow members then the spoof MB for all. This morning the merit badges continued and the boys are making good progress. Lots of activities this afternoon. All but one of our fishermen has caught a fish. We had a mountain bike trip for several boys. Many baskets got made. We finished the first aid MB. Repelling and geocaching were big draws today as well. It was hard to go anywhere without seeing a purple shirt. Spirits are high and the boys are doing well. Day 4: Merit Badges continued despite the heat. We got a bit of relief late afternoon with a light sprinkle and finally some coolness this evening. Several boys are completing ancillary activities and earning fun patches in the afternoon. All badges are over half complete. We had a Troop boating activity and flag retirement this evening and celebrated Kevin passing his swim test. The boys are really excited about the horseback riding and white-water raft trips on Thursday – 61 boys and adults are in for a treat. Day 5: The day started early with the polar bear plunge. About a dozen folks went for a swim at 0600. Then on to Merit Badges this morning where the boys are well on track and almost done. Load out for the off-camp trips was an absolute zoo. We had 3 to 6 adults on each trip and they managed to heard their gaggles onto the buses. Camp Rainey Mountains raft trips on the Nantahala River left late so our 32 folks on the Nantahala trip had to wait two hours for their rafts but it all worked out. Everyone had fun! The adults enjoyed an excellent steak dinner afterwards as a thank you from the camp. Dylan led a water diversion service project to help the Troop earn an award streamer. The boys worked hard and cheerfully for the camp Ranger who was impressed with the result. I completed the business portion of our checkout this afternoon and signed us up for Woodruff Scout Camp 11-17 June 2023. Please plan your schedules so our Scouts can attend summer camp again next year. Day 6: Dylan made a mad dash to finish the final requirements, but he got the Troop across the finish line for Honor Troop and Scouting Traditions Awards. Step finished his mile swim. We had a strong rain this afternoon that cooled things down and the campfire tonight. The programs are finished and I’m heading to get the paperwork. See you at the school tomorrow. Full Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/TT9N3Wydsz4ng4xu8

Sea base was an amazing time to be on the water. Whether it was kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, or swimming in the tide pools at camp sawyer. We took every possible moment to enjoy our surroundings even when the weather wasn’t in our favor. And our captains and crew were people that I personally will never forget, their personality and real-ness is to be admired. Overall I think everyone learned a lot from that trip that will stay with them forever. Full Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/VorYH4bp1gt794Pm9

Our adventure begins Sunday evening when we first set foot on the Bahama Rogue, a 41 foot Morgan, captained by our guide for the week, Captain Feather Lee. Captain’s Feather’s initial words for us ……..”the difference between adventure and catastrophe is attitude”………set the stage for a test on some of the Scout Law……Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient were key elements for our trip. Sunday’s run was short to get us quick feel for what was to come.  In an hour we were anchored for the night, but the boys did get to learn to steer: “You want to turn the boat the way you turn a lady on the dancefloor – nice and slow.  If you turn her too fast you may get sick!”  Scouts got to work stowing gear and trying to figure out where they were going to sleep.  Like an RV, tables break down and cushions move to just make room for 6 scouts and 2 dads.  Got our first taste of Anchor Watch on shifts 10-12, 12-2, 2-4, 4-6.  A little rough but everyone took their turn. Monday morning, we were getting our sea legs and had our first real taste of open water as we made our way to our first snorkeling excursion at Sombrero Key.  The scouts drummed up a nice breakfast of scrambled eggs and bagels.  Captain Feather gave a few lessons on proper handling of ropes so that we all kept our thumbs. Our fisherman landed the first of many fish to come, a Yellowtail Amberjack and Lesser Amberjack and Cero Mackerel.  The Cero made the cut and we had our dinner appetizer in the cooler. Tacos for dinner (on a Monday) repurposing the hamburger patties with taco seasoning!  Wrapped up with some Unstable Unicorns then went about trying to stuff a few hundred pounds of scouts into a 100-pound cabin.   All good. Tuesday AM we got ready for our first snorkel on Sombrero Key.  A little cloudy but lot’s of colorful tropical fish, coral and plant life to see.  Lunch was simple but filling sandwiches. Motored for a time to make our way to calm water channel to make sure we weren’t rolling around in our sleep.  For dinner Scouts teamed up to the rest of the leftover hamburger meat in a meat sauce with spaghetti (with a nacho appetizer using leftover taco meat!). Around the boat wet clothes and towels adorned the railing.  A large barracuda hung out at the back of the boat like a dog waiting for treats.  The night was clear and we got one of many picturesque sunsets; extra bright orange lighting up the grey skies.  Our fisherman we still working and managed to haul in a 6” pin fish………better than no fish. Wednesday AM French Toast for breakfast; delicious.  A little mishap with the stove and we melted a bowl lid.  Par for the course per our Captain……….no worries.  More fish as we made our way to Looe Key Reef.  Now this was the real deal.  Beautiful clear blue water and lots to see.  A large Grouper was hanging out under our boat thinking we looked like we’d spill some food.  Nurse sharks and Reef sharks were making their laps while sleeping.  No break for lunch as we got motoring for our mid week stop at Bahia Honda State Park.  Ice cream, air conditioning, and land………felt good. Did a little exploring around the rocky beach. Lizards seemed to rule the roost.  In the swimming area, scouts setup “Lilly Pads” which pretty much became a floating mosh pit.  Lots of fun, no injuries to speak of.  Dinner time!  Broke out some charcoal and cooked up our top meal for the week; steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, and Hawaiian roles.  Yum. Desert was baked cinnamon apples……….one to remember for our next campout.  Took advantage of available showers at an adjacent RV park.  Back to the boat for some TACOCAT cards, then off to sleep with no worries of anchor watch. Thursday we got word that tropical storms were brewing southwest of the keys and that we’d have to return to Sea Base base camp.  We were at the southern end of our trip and it would be a long day of sailing and motoring to get back.  Got on our way and enjoyed music themes like movie songs, Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack, Weird Al Yankovic, etc. Under sail, we started looking off to our starboard side…….that looks like a big storm coming.  We geared up, assembled on our designated ropes and pulleys and waited.  Wasn’t long before we were fighting wind and waves.  With some sore hands and a broken cleat, we made it through arriving late afternoon back at Sea Base, after a 40+ mile day on the water!!!  Great dinner of Chinese Stir Fry and fried rice to cap off the last night on the boat.  Friday morning we had pancakes (made by the adults) and then headed on to Sea Base!  Great trip overall – learned a ton, about way more than sailing!  We really lucked out overall with a great captain, a great boat and a great crew!  Unforgettable trip! Full Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/581pKUz3tyhV7KEu6