We will have a bike ride this Saturday, April 20 to get ready for the Turtle. We’ll leave the tennis courts at Wilson Bridge Rd. at 8:00 Saturday morning. We plan to ride to about N.W. Broadway and then back to Wilson Bridge Rd. It should take 2 to 3 hours to do down and back.
This is the hike everyone’s been waiting for. It only happens once every 4 years! Just like a turtle, scouts hike ~18 miles (9 x 2) while carrying all their worldly possessions on their back. No patrol boxes, no cars at the campsite, nothing but your two legs to you there and back. This means you’ll need a comfortable pack with hip strap THAT FITS YOU so you can carry food, a stove, shelter, sleeping bag, and some extra clothing all the way there and back. This activity takes place near Millwood, Ohio where everyone hikes in about 9 miles to the camp site, and then hikes out again about the same distance on Sunday. Guys can also bike about 25 miles there and back, but they don’t have to carry their gear with them. Registration is separate for biking and is first come / first served and due by April 13. See Mr. Heywood or Dr. Hoffman for details on the biking portion.
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, April 27 to April 28, 2013. Meet at Worthington United Methodist Church 6:00am Saturday morning so we can leave shortly thereafter! Eat breakfast before you come. Please note that bikers and canoers will have made separate transport arrangements to their respective starting points.
RETURN: Sunday, April 28, 2013 ~ 4:00 pm at the Worthington United Methodist Church.
BRING: Travel light!! Camp light!! Carry only those items that are necessary. Share as much as you can with a buddy. A short list should include: a backpack to carry sleeping bag, ground cloth and tent (buddy up!!), hat, rain jacket, extra socks, extra outer layer, dry night time clothes, a few essential toiletries, food, mess kit, and a stove. For food, plan for 4 meals: a lunch for Saturday on the trail, Saturday evening dinner, Sunday breakfast, and another lunch for Sunday for the way back. Also pack some – not too many, energy snacks for the hike. Dress in layers depending on the weather, and be prepared to dress more warmly if the weather turns cool, or take off layers if the weather – and exercise, makes you warmer. Be smart about your clothing and you won’t find yourself packing along a closet full of unnecessary things to wear. Don’t forget to fill your canteen/water bottle already before you leave the house. There will be watering and first aid stations along the entire hiking route.
COST: $20 if turned in by Monday, April 22. This cost goes towards camporee fee for Turtle Metal pin and transportation, and applies to all troop hikers and bikers. The fee for the canoeing leg of the Turtle is $24 and registration is separate.
The BSA Medical form was updated in September of 2012. The link of the BSA 365 website has been updated to point to the latest version of the medical form on the Scouting.org website. Now is a good time to check and make sure that your medical form is up to date before summer camp!
Parts A and B of the form are to be completed at least annually by participants in all Scouting events. This includes both scouts and adults attending our outings. Attach a copy of both sides of your
insurance card.
Part C is the pre-participation physical exam that is required for participants in any event that exceeds 72 consecutive hours (like summer camp), for all high-adventure base participants, or when the nature of the activity is strenuous and demanding.
Part D is required to be reviewed by all participants of a high adventure program at one of the national high-adventure bases, as well as unit-based, high-adventure backcountry activities.
Check to make sure that your medical form is up to date and have a great time at summer camp.
Additional details regarding the Wilderness First Aid course in Granville. Dates are April 20-21, cost is $110.
This course differs from the usual first aid course in that it is based on the assumption that help may be many hours or days away as opposed to the rapid response we are accustomed to here in town. It is a two day course with plenty of hands-on practice. If you have not taken it before, be prepared to learn some new things (we will learn when and how to set a compound fracture!) Current CPR certification is a prerequisite (we may be able to do a CPR course first).
There is another course being offered at Camp Oyo (Portsmouth) the weekend of May 15-16. That is the weekend of our caving trip this year.
Wilderness First Aid certification is a requirement for a Philmont crew but it is at least as applicable to our canoe treks, caving, backpack trips, or any activity where we are getting away from civilization. (some of our favorites!) It is equally appropriate for scouts and scouters.
Please contact Mr. Aspery this week if you are interested. This course is being set up for us and we need to know how many to plan for.
The Wildcat Hollow backpacking / hiking campout scheduled for this weekend has been cancelled.
Backpacking / Hiking Campout
Where: Camping at Wildcat Hollow in Wayne National Forest (in Ohio)
When: Meet at the Church Saturday, March 2 at 7am to load up and leave soon thereafter.
Return to the Church Sunday, March 3 by 2pm.
What:
Why: Because we like to? OF COURSE!
Cost:
Our first meeting for the Summer 2013 Canoe Trek is scheduled for this Saturday, Feb. 23 @ 9:00am in the Browning lounge, Worthington United Methodist Church, and should last no more than an hour.
At this first gathering we’ll look at the overall picture and select final dates for leaving and returning. Please be prepared to tell everyone a) what you would like to get out of this trip, b) what you’d like to see go right as well as c) what you don’t want to see go wrong, eh?.
If you are interested in canoeing this summer, look forward to seeing you there!
There are some great resources on the BSA 365 website, including an entire section on Trip Planning. A new addition to the trip planning page is the Winter Camping and Backpacking Tips. Check it out and make sure that you are prepared for your next winter activity.
What: Playing in the snow (if there is any)— skiing, snowboarding, tubing, at Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski area; camping in a cabin or your tent at Camp Manitoc in northeast Ohio; working on scouting skills for those who wish not to ski, snowboard or tube.
Who: Scouts, Leaders, and Parents! We will need older scouts and adults who will not be skiing to help with the scout skills!
When: Friday, February 15, 2013 – we meet at the Church at 5PM; leave at 5:30PM
Sunday, February 17, 2013 – we return to the Church at 1PM
Bring: Warm clothing; Scout essentials (see your handbook); other overnight gear (sleeping bag, pad, messkit, etc.).
Cost: $30.00 for camping only. Ski or snowboard rental and ski lift ticket will cost extra-about $50 per person if we get a group rate.
What: The BSA365 annual bushwhack hike. What is a bushwhack? It is a ten mile long hiking along the only National Scenic River in Ohio, the Little Miami River. There are many historic things to see along the trail in John Bryan State Park and the scenery along Clifton Gorge is spectacular this time of year. Half way through the hike, we stop that the Clifton Mill for lunch and pancakes bigger than your head. On the way home we will stop at Young’s Jersey Dairy for some ice cream. Practice your best MOOO so that you can earn an extra scoop of ice cream.
When: Saturday February 2, 2013; Meet at 7am at the church, return approximately 4pm.
Bring: Dress in layers (appropriately for the weather) and wear hiking boots. Bring a day pack with water/snacks and money for lunch at Clifton Mill and ice cream at Young’s Dairy.
Cost: $10 for transportation and big patch. Bring money for lunch and ice cream.