Author: Webmaster

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

The troop had am amazing weekend at Allatoona Aquatics Base! The weather was fantastic and we were able to use kayaks, canoes, row boats, and sail boats. Grubmasters really stepped it up this weekend making some more complicated and delicious meals for everyone. We were even able to spend some time helping the Camp Allatoona Support Team with their day of service to prep the camp for summer activities. You couldn’t ask for a better weekend! Full Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UYErbNbyrnmSjG3f9  

This weekend, a very fun campout took place at camp Westin… The troop training campout! During this campout older scouts had the opportunity to teach younger scouts a class/lesson as well as the younger scouts got to learn the needed (and useful) skills to get a bunch of requirements done and signed off. On Saturday the day started up slow and normal (like any other campout). However, this was just pretense to what a chill and cool day it would turn out to be. After breakfast everyone headed up to the field for flags/the hoisting of the beautiful star-spangled banner. After that, everyone got ready and prepped. The older scouts set up and got help for the respective class(es) they were teaching, then it was action time and everyone got to work! After an hour or two, it was time for a quick bite of lunch. Then those who were finished joined others at the field for the literal “Hunger games” of soccer. World cup was a blast, and everyone had a great time. Time quickly passed and it was then time for dinner and the awesome campfire program. Garv led the campfire program and after that everyone played manhunt. Finally, it was a very chill and breezy Saturday night. On Sunday, the scouts spiffed up the campout after a quick breakfast and then loaded up the trailer and headed home! Overall, this weekend was a very fun and nice campout for the scouts that made it! — Pranav K. Troop Historian Check out the highlights below or click the link to see the full album of photos! Full Album: https://bit.ly/TroopTraining22  

This weekend was a very long-awaited and requested campout: Wilderness Survival!! On this campout the scouts that attended were able to get the requirements for the wilderness survival merit badge. As well as, probably the most hyped up and fun event of the campout; making a shelter/ sleeping in it for a night. On top of that, everyone learned how to make fire with various methods. One of these such methods was using a magnifying glass?!? Then, it was time to get to the hot topic which was building the shelter. Dylan and Michael split everyone into two groups to explain how to build the shelters. We also got to see some popular build methods such as: teepees, funnel builds, and everyone’s favorite because of the consistency, Mineshafts other wise known as the simple canopy. Overall, this campout was a really fun and cool campout to have been at, aside from the cold it was no surprise that this was a highly awaited campout!! — Pranav K. Troop Historian Check out the highlights below or click the link to see the full album of photos! Full Album: https://bit.ly/WindyWaters2022

For Troop 2319’s January Campout, with weather moving it, we pivoted and ended up camping at Allatoona Aquatics Base. It worked out great as it landed on the same weekend as the Camp Allatoona Support Team’s annual Day of Fire that focusses on burning drift wood and using christmas trees staked down to the lake bottom to form fish habitats in the spring. It was a little chilly, but a great weekend for all. Check out the album for a few more pictures from the weekend. Full Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/5tszXy5thnMxtpby8  

The Troop headed down to Bert Adams Scout Camp this past weekend for a shooting sports marathon! There was Archery, Rifles, & Shotgun all available and scouts got to shoot till their arms were tired. The daytime weather cooperated and the overnights were… a good reminder to check the forecast before an outing, read emails from the troop about the weather, and pack with many layers. Overall, scouts seemed to really have a blast. Full Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZnqwP31AJrZmg8vdA