March 1st Day Hike to Camp Hoover

Hello Troop 37,

Brennon F. and Steven Mangano are the scout leaders on the on upcoming March 1st day hike to Camp Hoover. They will look a bit more into the trip details and lead us on day of the hike. If you have questions about the trip then please feel free to contact either Brennon, Steven or alternatively me.

Please let us know if you are going or not going by Monday evening’s troop meeting.

This is a wonderful day hike. Easy to plan and attend. See the information below.

YIS,

Gary

Day hike to Camp Hoover/Camp Rapidan on Saturday, March 1st.

• I am going but I need other parents. Who can drive please?
• Meet at church 8:00am and return approximately 3:30pm.
• Just need appropriate clothes, water, lunch, snack, personal first aid etc.
• Money: — Skyline drive fee.
• Parent Permission slip: http://people.virginia.edu/%7Egfb7c/Troop37/BSATroop37ParentPermission.pdf
• Drive to trail is about 1hr 30min. Map.

Camp history on line at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapidan_Camp

HIKE: Camp Hoover via Mill Prong trail. Round trip 4.1 miles; total climb about 870 feet; time required 3:50. Moderately rough in spots; not steep; three stream crossings, two of them very easy. See map above. Milam Gap is below and to the left of center.

Take the A.T. on the east side of the Drive, walk about 50 yards to the trail junction, and turn left onto the Mill Prong trail. For a third of a mile the trail descends gradually through overgrown fields and orchards, then enters older woods. Cross two small branches of the Mill Prong at 0.7 and 1.1 miles from the start. Thirty yards beyond the second crossing, the horse trail from Big Meadows comes in on the left. Note: for the next 0.8 mile you’ll be on the horse trail; horses have the right of way.

Less than half a mile beyond the trail junction, watch for a small waterfall on the right, where a cascade of water flows down over a sloping rock that spans the full width of the stream. Fifty yards beyond the falls, the trail turns right and crosses the stream. Use a little caution here; the rocks are slippery. Pieces of pipe that you may see on the far side of the stream were part of the original water supply system for Camp Hoover.

After another 0.3 mile, the trail ends and joins a road. Turn right, and follow the road to a small parking area. From here, the Laurel Prong trail goes to the right. (See the circuit hike, below.) Turn left to explore Camp Hoover (unless, as I said, it’s occupied.) The three original cabins that are still standing are The President, in the middle; The Prime Minister (which was used by Ramsay MacDonald, prime minister of Great Britain), on the right; and The Creel (which was occupied by two presidential assistants), on the left.

Go on around to the porch on the far side of The President. It’s a little unusual in that it was built around the trees that were standing there; the Hoovers tried to disturb the area as little as possible. A short distance down below the porch, the Mill Prong, coming from the left, and the Laurel Prong, coming from the right, meet to form the Rapidan River. (The very small stream that flows through the camp was man-made; it’s called Hemlock Run.)

Google Earth Map

Reminders for Cold Mountain Trip

    Hopefully you are all set to go for this weekend’s trip to Cold Mountain.  Here are some last minute notes.

    The winter camping guide is online at: http://people.virginia.edu/~gfb7c/Troop37/WinterCamping.htm   The key is to make sure you have dry and warm clothes while in camp.  We are only hiking 2.9 miles in to camp on Saturday and hiking out 2.9 miles on Sunday (see map).  See weather forecast below.

We will hopefully be on the trail around 10:00am.  And as long as we are in camp by 3:30pm we are ok.  That means we have 5 or so hours to hike 2.9 miles with snacks, lunch, enjoying the views, taking pictures, learning some outdoor skills etc.  Bring a list of merit badge skills you’d like to learn or practice.

    Saturday morning’s start time (7:00am at the church) is early because I want to make sure everyone has bed rolls, water, clothing and sleeping bags.  I want to make sure the group has stoves, fuel, food and water.   It is not fun having someone over night in a bad tent, light sleeping bag, on the cold ground with no hot chocolate.  Some in the group have not been backpacking w/me while others have.  In fact Scotty, Ben, Brandon, and Alexander went on the cold mountain trip last year I believe.

Remember there is group gear to pack.  Please leave some room in your pack so you can carry your share of the group gear.

    There is a campfire ban in place.  What a bummer.  The evening hours will be a touch cooler.

Please bring you parent permission forms if you are under 18 years — http://people.virginia.edu/%7Egfb7c/Troop37/BSATroop37ParentPermission.pdf I will collect the forms Saturday morning.

Jordan is grubmaster for the ducks.  Niko is grubmaster for the roadrunners.

Current weather forecast — We are at 3,600 to 4,000 feet.  Friday night will have been in the 20’s. Saturday: A slight chance of showers after noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 45. Southwest wind between 3 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 254. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

I have the tour permit and the map printout from above.  I will get the medical forms from Peggy.

Once we are on the trail, this is your trip (within certain boundaries!).

    If you have questions then please contact me and I will help as best I can.

Scouts going

Brandon M.
Alexander E.
Jordan F.
Taylor F.
Brennon F.
Scotty T.
Steven M.
Niko C.
Ben S.

Adults going
Jay F.
Gary B.
Mike C.

Yours in scouting,

Gary

Cold Mountain final preparations

What to consider when planning an outdoor event in the winter — On line winter camping guide.

Cold Mountain trip details

November 17-18 winter backpacking trip

Contact: Gary Banks, gbanks@virginia.edu, 434.981.9530.

SIGN UP DUE DATE IS NOVEMBER 12. 2007 AT THE TROOP MEETING

$15 /scout due with signup for group food purchases

1. Where: Cold Mountain, In general, circuit hike of 6 miles total.

2. Dates/Times: Leave Saturday, Nov. 17, 7:00am, Return Sunday, Nov. 18, early afternoon. We can call from vehicles ahead to parents in C’Ville.

3. Meals guidance: backpacking, backpack stove cooking, no camp fires for cooking purposes, make cooking and cleaning easy because of cold, limited daylight, minimum cooking gear. No cans. One pot boiling water meals.

• Breakfast Saturday at home Saturday before trip
• Lunch Saturday – Patrol meal requiring no cooking
• Dinner Saturday – Patrol meal, remember weight, cold takes longer, and limited daylight hours. Think one pot boiling water meals.
• Breakfast Sunday – Patrol remember weight, cold takes longer, and limited daylight hours. Think one pot boiling water meals.
• Lunch Sunday – Patrol meal requiring no cooking.
• Personal Snacks like cheese and crackers, granola bars, and trail mixes (Cheerios, chocolate chips, peanuts, raisins, and M&M’s).

4. Money: Grub master can’t get stuck with food bill. Food purchases will be shared.

5. Deadlines — NOVEMBER 12, 2007

• Required troop parent permission form. I have a paper version available on-line to print and sign.
  
• Letting Gary know you are going. Call, email. I will acknowledge. Tell me you are going. Tell me you are not going.
• Fifteen dollar group food deposit required. Non-refundable. Cash, check or money already in your individual scout account. Money will be disbursed to grub master. Balance held in your individual scout account.

More details about the trip online.

Summary of last year’s trip to Cold Mountain online

Applebee’s Fundraiser

Save the date for our Troop Pancake Breakfast at Applebee’s (Rt. 29)! Saturday January 26, 2008; 7:30 until 10AM As you are aware, the troop is in need of additional funds and this fundraiser can raise lots of money for us! Applebee’s Inc. donates all the food and drinks plus use of their restaurant so we get all the profit from this event. We will need all boys and parents to help sell tickets and get the word out. We’ll also need 10-12 boys/parents in uniform on 1/26 to help serve- no experience necessary. There will be a signup sheet for scouts in January.

Right after the New Year, we’ll be issuing each scout breakfast coupons that they can sell as well as flyers which can be posted around town. The success of this event depends on the advertising we do- Applebee’s does not get involved with the marketing. Thanks!

From the scout master: Apple Harvest, troop elections

Dear Friends/Family of Troop 37:  I have several items to discuss with you.

1.     The Apple Harvest Camporee is this weekend (Oct 12th – 14th).  Only 7 boys have signed up for the weekend events.  This is a bit disappointing since we wanted a good turnout for Neil’s last go at organizing the camporee.  If any of your boys still wish to come, please have them contact their patrol leader or Zach Andrews, the SPL ASAP.  We’ll make in enthusiasm what we may lack in numbers!

2.    We will leave the church at 5:30pm this Friday evening.  The boys must bring their registration fee ($7) with them – the troop is broke (more on that later).  We need transportation for the boys since the bus will be at the site.  We need at least two more drivers besides myself.  Please let me know if you can drive (434-409-8148).  We will take the bus back to Cville on Sunday, probably arriving at the Tire Store around 12-1pm.

3.    The troop calendar is on the troop web page (  ).  Please review with your son the upcoming events.  Most importantly is Nov. 5th when we will hold troop elections for positions for the next 6 months.  We also have exciting outdoors activities in November.  Also review with your son the dates for Board of Reviews and Patrol Leader Council.

4.    As mentioned the troop bank is busted.  We will have an excellent opportunity for fund raising in late January.  Please keep an eye out for announcements and help participate in getting us solvent again.

5.    Recruitment – the troop is a dynamic entity – boys grow up and move on (hopefully with their Eagle).  To keep the troop alive and an exciting place to grow we need new scouts – both fresh Webelos and older boys who are not currently in scouts.  Please keep a look out for potential members for the troop and bring them to a meeting.

Troop 37 is a special troop with a very special group of young men.  Your participation in the troop and your son’s scouting activities will help ensure its continuing success.

Thanks, Jay Fox; Scoutmaster

Court of Honor and Rivanna Trails work crew

Our Court of Honor and banquet will NOT be held this Saturday.  Instead we will hold the ceremonies without a banquet on Monday night during regular troop meeting time.  Please plan on attending with your family to celebrate our Scouts’ achievements. Also, please remember that we will doing volunteer work on the Rivanna Trail this Saturday morning.  Please meet at the tennis courts at Pen Park at 9am.  We will finish by noon.

Yours in Scouting,

Jay Fox, T37 Scoutmaster.

September 8th Rivanna Trails Work

Dear Troop 37 scouts, families and friends,

Please let me know if you be attending this Saturday’s work crew for the Rivanna Trails. I need a head count so they have enough supplies. Attendance information on-line

Please see the information below. We meet at Penn Park at 9:00am. Job finishes around noon. This is a great opportunity to do something good outside for the community. Come on out and work up an appetite

Weather is looking good == Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

Yours in scouting,

Gary

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From the Rivanna Trails work crew coordinators –

This Saturday, September 8th work day for the Rivanna Trails will take place along a new portion of the County Greenways along the River at Dunlora.

We will gather at Penn Park (9:00am) and transportation down to the work site will be provided. Tools, gloves, and water will be provided.

The work will involve vegetation clearing and some “path forming”. The ground in this area is made up of a very sandy loam that is easily formed with fire axe, rake and shovel.

We look forward to working with RTF volunteers again and with the Scouts of Troop 37 as we plan to go forth, as suburban pioneers, to make new trails. For awhile now I have been trying to get various groups that I regularly work with to make themselves a cadence or “call and respond field song”. I haven’t had much luck yet.

Maybe I will revise my list to read:

Tools, gloves and water provided by County Greenway Staff Trail Crew should bring small pack with rain gear, solid shoes, spare socks, bug spray, snacks etc…and a couple of darn good trail songs.

August Canoe Camping Information

Dear Troop 37,

I have reviewed/revised the canoe camping web page some. I have ten (10) scouts and four (4) adults going on this trip.  The scouts are:

1. Ben B.
2. Ben S.
3. Alec W.
4. Thomas C.
5. Alex C.
6. Jordan F.,
7. Zach A.,
8. Steve M.
9. Chris H.
10. Brandon M.

The four adults are:

1. Jay F.
2. Al C.
3. Jim S.
4. Gary B.

There is a lot of information on this web page. I have a “highlights section”, “canoe personal and crew packing list section”, “safety afloat and safe swim defense link for adults”, and a ‘canoing operational guide”.  For safety, fun and preparedness, parents and scouts should read the web page carefully.  For safety, fun and preparedness, parents and scouts should contact either Zach A. and/or me if they have any questions about this trip.

Checklist items for scouts include:

• Permission slips as usual from the Troop AND from the canoe livery company
• Arrange how you will pay the $60.00 canoe rental fee w/Ms. Janet S. (our treasurer) –from scout funds or personal check.  The troop has to give the livery company a check when we arrive.  Meals funding will be a separate issue.
• Reading up on how to canoe – reading the river, communications, rescue, strokes etc
• Know when to be at the church and be picked up at the church
• Meal plan, gear etc
• Confirming w/troop adult leaders that you are a BSA Swimmer.
• If you are over 16 years old and you are fishing then you need a license.

Thank you all for time and help making this a successful trip.  I’m sure I’m missing something or unclear about something.  Please let me know.  Since we’ve not gone canoing as a troop recently, this trip does not lend itself well to last minute planning and preparation.

Yours in scouting,

August outing: James River canoe/camping August 11-12

At Monday’s troop meeting I handed out a budget estimate as a reference for 1) Chincoteague for four days with sea kayaking, 2) Chincoteague for three days w/out kayaking and 3) James River canoing for two days. Basically, taking 10 scouts to Chincoteague for four days in two minivans would cost $124/scout not including incidentals. Taking 10 scouts to Chincoteague for three days in two minivans w/out kayaking would cost $65/scout not including incidentals. Going to Chincoteague for four days was expensive. Going to Chincoteague for Friday evening and Saturday for biking and swimming (without kayaking) was a long way to go (5+ hours one way) for a short period of time.

Therefore I discussed an alternative canoe camping trip with some parents, scouts and leaders that I could find. The canoe trip is only two days which is easier for people to reserve time for compared to 3 or 4 days. The canoe trip is only in Lexington which shorten the travel time and costs. The trip is on a river which limits opportunities to spend extra cash! The canoe trip comes in at about $70/person for transportation, rental, livery service, food.

I don’t believe we can pull of the Chincoteague trip. I believe our August trip should be the canoe camping trip for the logistical and financial reasons I intimated above.

I put canoe schedule information, river trip descriptions, canoe paddling techniques, canoe packing list suggestions, canoe group guidelines, livery company information on line at:

http://people.virginia.edu/~gfb7c/Troop37/August2007CanoeOuting.htm

I have reserved 7 canoes for 14 participants. I need to know if you are going by this coming Monday’s troop meeting (7/23). Patrol leaders call your patrol members. Parents and scouts please talk with each other. Please spread the word to our fellow troopers to read this email, read the web page and consider this trip. I will contact the canoe company this Tuesday, 7/24 and release any canoes that we do not need for our troop. After 7/24 I will gladly try to reserve a canoe but the canoe company may not have any.

All participants must be BSA swimmers. If you are not a BSA swimmer and would like to go then please let me know asap.

I’m sure that I missed something here or you have questions. Please do not hesitate to drop me an email or call 981.9530.

Thank you all for your consideration and keeping me posted with your plans.

Yours in scouting,

Gary