A Lot of Scouting over the Weekend

This past weekend was another busy scouting weekend. It actually started on Thursday evening with at trip to Galena to present Sandra Shultz, a member to the Buffalo Patrol, with her Wood Badge. The presentation was at the Troop 95 Court of Honor which appeared to be very busy with a lot of merit badges and one new Eagle Scout. Several staff and members of Sandra's patrol were present for the ceremony.

Then it was off to the second weekend of Powder Horn. We started early Friday morning in Crystal Lake where a number of sessions were scheduled including time at the climbing wall and sailing at Crystal Lake. The evening was a session on Emergency Preparedness in between the pig roast and the Hawaiian dancers.

Saturday was an early start to get the Powder Horn participants fed and then off to the 34th Annual Kiwanis Work Day at Canyon Camp. I got to help out John Wurtzel for a few hours with the new pavilion and have lunch provided with the Monroe Kiwanis. Then it was off to Camp Lowden to get dinner ready for the Powder Horn staff so they could eat before the evening entertainment that included a birthday party and "Rock Band" competition.

Sunday was more meal preparation while the Powder Horn participants had a canoe trip and horse back riding. The day finished with a closing ceremony to recognize the participants for having earned their Powder Horn recognition. Mike Condon was the course director and he and his staff did a great job putting the course. Every participant should be able to take the information back to their home crews and start exploring ways to put the information to use.

Powder Horn, Pinewood Derby, and Construction

Last weekend was Powder Horn and Pinewood Derby. Following the Council Executive Committee meeting Thursday it was out to Camp Lowden to get ready for the first weekend of the Powder Horn course. Powder Horn is the advanced training to provide our leaders with outdoor program resources. Along the way the participants get a taste of a lot of the different activities required for the Ranger Award in the Venturing program. Friday the Powder Horn group met at the Stronghold near Oregon, IL for high and low cope courses. It was a perfect day with bright sun and cool temperatures. When we got back to camp the rock was being delivered for the Boeger Leadership Lodge for the basement. The upper level walls have been finished. Saturday was preparing breakfast for Powder Horn and then off to the Anniversary Steering Committee meeting at the service center. The out to Pecatonica for the Pinewood Derby. The competitors had a lot of great looking cars. The high school is a great location for the event and Bob Gingras and his team did a fantastic job getting it all organized and run. Then it was back to Powder Horn in time for dinner and the murder mystery night. There were two deaths and a lot of suspects in this Revolutionary War mystery. Sunday was a rainy day but it did not deter our Powder Horn participants from having a good time at the rifle range shooting muzzle loaders and hand guns. After lunch it was back to Pecatonica for the Pinewood Derby finals and the awarding of trophies to some very proud Cub Scouts. Now on to next week and the U. S. Grant Pilgrimage at Galena. Hope to see you there.

One Week Until Powder Horn

Powder Horn is an exciting training opportunity focused on outdoor, high adventure topics. It is different from any other scout training course. The Powder Horn course is designed to expose Venture Advisors and other Scouters to the resources available to operate a successful unit level high adventure program. The course is based on the Ranger requirements giving participants hands-on exposure to some outdoor / high adventure activities. All Ranger core requirements will be covered plus a majority of the electives.

Topics planned include: First Aid, Communications, Cooking, Emergency Preparedness, Land Navigation, Leave No Trace, Wilderness Survival, Conservation, Backpacking, Cycling, Ecology, Hunting and Fishing, Lifesaver, Mountaineering, Orienteering, Outdoor Living History, Physical Fitness, Plants and Wildlife, Project COPE, Scuba, Shooting Sports, Watercraft. No one has to physically do any activity they feel uncomfortable with.

The course starts next Friday, April 17 and has a few spaces available. Details are available at http://www.bacpowderhorn.org/.