Livingston, Montana March 2000 Volume 3 Issue 2
February Campout:
An adventurous crew left Livingston
on Saturday morning and hauled sleds full of gear about 2 miles
to a meadow along Big Creek. Feeling quite energetic, we bushwhacked
up a slope to a ridge for an early afternoon view of the valley
below. Returning via a nearby drainage we completed our loop
hike of the area known as Cooper's Bench. We set up tents and
enjoyed the rest of the afternoon. Billy did all of the cooking
which moved him one big step closer to First Class. The Scouts
challenged a Bozeman Troop, staying at the nearby Big Creek Cabin,
to a game of capture the flag. This was a fun time for the boys
while the adults talked over plans for the upcoming District
Spring Camporee. We hiked out on Sunday morning and learned that
the low temperature for the night was 17 degrees. Not all that
cold, but the additional 15 Frost Points were exactly how many
were needed for 100 Degrees of Frost for Mr. Andrews, Daniel,
Nicholas, Jere and Jerome. We look forward to more backpacking
trips where we get away from the roads and into the wilds!!!
Merit Badge Day:
The next Merit Badge Day is March 18 from 8:30 a.m.
- 12:30 p.m. at various Bozeman locations. The merit badges offered
this time are: Computers, Snow Sports, Fire Safety, Salesmanship,
Citizenship in the Nation, and Emergency Preparedness. It looks
like I will be
teaching
Computers Merit Badge. I have made a new page of links, available
from our Troop Web Site, to assist Scouts in earning this badge.
Boys can work on it on their own or take it at the Merit Badge
Day.
March Campout:
The March campout will be at the Livingston Girl Scout
Lodge. The Troop will meet at the Lincoln School at 8:30 a.m.
on Saturday, March 11th to pack up gear. Once we have arrived
at the cabin we plan to conduct "Home Repairs" as organized
by Mrs. Jovick. There will be a free Archaeology presentation
at the Depot Center at 2 p.m. followed by finishing repairs and
a scrumptious dinner. During the evening there will be gaming
where Scouts will play Magic, Dungeons and Dragons, Cosmic Wimpout,
cards and other assorted games. Boys have the choice to camp
out if they want to earn Frost Points. On Sunday morning we will
work on Pioneering and Orienteering skills and be back at the
Lincoln School at 2 p.m.
Winter Court of Honor:
On Monday, February 28th the Troop held its quarterly Court of
Honor. All 20 Scouts were in attendance including our newest
recruit, Jonathan and his brother Brian. Jonathan earned his
Scout rank; Tyler and Jack earned Tenderfoot; Daniel and Jerome
earned Star and Cory earned Life. Daniel earned a Recruiter Patch;
Billy, Jay, Nicholas, Danny and Joshua earned Trained Patches;
Brian earned the Venture "V" and Venture Caving Pin.
There were 33 merit badges earned and service stars for 10 boys
and 3 adults. 100 Degrees of Frost Patches were earned by Daniel,
Nicholas, Jere and Jerome. Quality Unit Patches were handed out
to all Scouts after a set of group pictures. Battery Sales awards
were given out by Mrs. Lemke who was then awarded this year's
Spirit Award for tremendous efforts in fund raising, budget keeping
and helping her son to organize the Troop Library and History.
I was given a gift certificate from the boys which I greatly
appreciate. It has been a superb year!!!
Merit
Badge Theme for the month of March. Astronomy Merit Badge was
planned but our campout and school vacation do not work well
with such a difficult badge. Instead the Scouts will be working
on Reading Merit Badge. On this note, all Scouts are to bring
their March "Boys Life" magazine to the meetings on
the 6th and 13th. Scouts should also bring a catalog with a blank
order form that they can use for requirement number 3.