New Look

All of the Merit Badge requirement books have recently gone through a face lift and have a new look.

Let's see now, we have new uniforms, new square knots, new "Scouting" magazine, and new Merit Badge books.

It looks to me that the BSA is changing it's image.

Change is difficult for some, but in my opinion, I like what I'm seeing here!

Cover Photo

The September issue of "Scouting" magazine is out this week, and I must say that the cover is interesting. A brief flip through the latest issue, tells me that some changes are being made and for the good of the BSA.

It caught my attention though, when everyone in my house saw it, commented on the cover, and all actually opened it up, and looked at it.

hmmm,....

I took it to work and BAM! The same results.

The conclusion from my random survey?

Good issue this month. Keep it coming!

A few AWARDS

Troop, Crew, and Ship 12 had a few awards to hand out last night. At the largest Court of Honor ever in the history of the First Presbyterian Church of Pikeville, KY here are the numbers:

40 Merit Badges

6 Rank Advancements

32 Special Awards & Positions

13 Venturing Awards

2 Sea Scout Advancements

It has been a very busy summer!

In my opinion, the most important award of the night was Subhash receiving the Scout Rank. He represents the future of Troop 12 and is a great Scout!

Aaron Shepherd's left pocket got heavier!

Including the Webelos that are soon to join our Troop, we are a pretty nice looking bunch!

Trail Medal

The Voyageur Area Council produces this very nice Historic Trail Award for those who paddle up in the Boundary Waters area and do some research on the history.

Beautiful attention to detail on this award.

Back in the old days, there used to be Trail Medals for almost every trail a Scout hiked. I guess that it has become too expensive to make these any longer.

Engraving on the back of the medal.

New Knots?

I found some square knot awards the other day and I'm not sure if they are real or just spoof knots.

The silver rope knot on red is for Commissioner Science and the red rope knot on yellow is for Philmont Masters Training.

If these are new, and you add the new
Lifetime NESA, that makes 42 total.

That is 14 rows of 3 that could be sewn over your pocket.

That is "knot" right!

Scouts Rescued!

Great story out this week about 9 Scouts and leaders from New Jersey who were rescued out in the Grand Canyon area after a flash flood.

200 + people had to be helped. I guess it makes good press to lead with a headline like "Boy Scouts Rescued From Grand Canyon".

http://abcnews.go.com/US/Weather/Story?id=5606937&page=1

Lone Scout

I had the honor of attending a Board of Review last night for a Lone Scout. I have to admit that in all of these years of Scouting, I was aware of Lone Scouting, but knew nothing about it.

I got educated quickly. The BSA has a nice publication entitled "Lone Scout Friend and Counselor Guidebook". It is only 48 pages long and explains the Lone Scout program.

Also learned that this program started in 1915 and currently has around 400 members.

http://www.directservicebsa.org/pdf/14-420.pdf

Bonanza Postponed

The Cartwright's won't be doing "Bonanza" this weekend.

It seems that low attendance numbers for our Blue Card Bonanza, has forced the event to be postponed until a later date.

Just like in the old T.V. show "Bonanza", we will regroup and will prevail in the end!

NLTC

All of the Professional Scouters from across the US, recently attended the National Leadership Training Conference in Nashville, Tennessee earlier this month.

Usually, they meet on an Area or Regional basis. This meeting was only the third time in the history of the BSA, that all of the "Paid Scouters" came together.

Our DE, Jeremy Tackett came back with a bag full of Venturing books, so he is now officially an expert!

August Chapter Meeting

The Tomahaken Chapter of Kawida Lodge held it's August meeting yesterday and had a good crowd on hand. 3 new members were in attendance and picked up their O.A. print. Doug Ramey and Glen Felty were the adult winners of the "Weenie Toss", while Caleb Ramey and Andrew Combs were the top youth winners.

The idea to do a Chapter activity was presented and the youth voted to do white watering down in Elkhorn City this fall. This wasn't on the agenda and it proves how a group of active Arrowmen, can come together and do big things.

TV Show

Scouting for Adventure is an original series based on the Boy Scouts of America and their flagship magazine, Boy’s Life. This high-adventure show targets young outdoorsmen, teaching wilderness skills with an emphasis on safety and team-building. Episodes feature exciting activities like rock climbing, kayaking, scuba diving, ropes courses, backpacking, horse riding, canoeing, and whitewater rafting; and cover important outdoor Scouting topics, including safety tips, gear reviews, merit badges, conservation, campfire cooking, and knot tying. The show promotes awareness of the Boy Scouts of America and its scouting values and activities.

http://www.outdoorchannel.com/Shows/ScoutingForAdventure.aspx

Updated DVD

The BSA has updated the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class rank requirement DVD and are handing them out freely. I really enjoy watching all of the requirements in action.

My favorite part of the update is from our new National Commissioner, Tico Perez. Tico is past Regional President of the great Southern Region and his message to all Scoutmasters is right on.

If you haven't seen this yet. Get it.

Blue Card Bonanza

August 22 -24, 2008

Camp McKee

Deadline to register is this Monday.

No Walk On's!

http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/DocDownload.asp?id=44684

Chapter Meeting

Everyone who is an Order of the Arrow member of our Chapter, should be receiving a letter this week about our upcoming meeting this Sunday.

We currently have 52 members! An all time record!!

All new members get a free O.A. print, suitable for framing, compliments of Mike Kilbourne.

Lots of items and opportunities to discuss. It is going to be a busy fall and winter.

Future High Adventure

Keep on the look out for a future High Adventure program and possibly a National BSA Base very close to us, down in Nashville, Tennessee. The Latimer High Adventure Reservation is in the works and should be great.

I say so, because Ron Turpin is working on it. I've known Ron for a long time. We worked together on staff at the '85 NJ. He is our current Section Staff Adviser and is a long time professional Scouter out of the Middle Tennessee Council.

Whatever Ron Turpin does, it is top notch. http://www.latimerbsa.org/

Final Northern Tier Thoughts

The trip up to Northern Tier High Adventure Base was one of the most exciting and fun events that we have ever experienced in Scouting.

The food was wonderful. The wildlife was plentiful. The trees and plants were just gorgeous. All of the rocks and evidence of glaciers at one time was pretty cool. The lakes, ponds, streams, and water falls were breath taking. The equipment provided was top notch. Our Interpreter, Mike Swenson did a super job and made our trip the success that it was.

You might could go cheaper with a local outfitter up there, but the BSA's Northern Tier is Scout related, and I think that it would be a huge mistake to go all of the way up there and not go through them.

As far as comparing Northern Tier to Philmont and Sea Base? I can't do it. It is like comparing apples to hamburger and chocolate pie. They are all 3 different and wonderful.

A special Scout Salute to our Contingient Leader Ken Green for making this all possible. He originally had the idea to take some Scouts from our Council up to Northern Tier and both crews had a great experience.

I've known Ken for a long time. This was the first time ever camping with him. I hope it isn't the last.

The Boy Scouts of America's Northern Tier High Adventure program is one of the best Scouting experiences that I have ever had and I hope to return someday.

Blue Grass Council's 2008 Northern Tier Contingent

Back Home

Leave Rockford, IL and loop around Chicago, through Indianapolis and across the Ohio River and back into Kentucky. KY sure looks good!

We drop a couple of guys off and eat a bite at the Clay City Dairy Queen of course. It is Heather's last day working there. She has been there almost every time we have been there. She is attending Morehead this fall to study Nursing. We will miss her.

Make it home to Pikeville around 9:00 pm. Still full of adrenaline and energy from one of the greatest Scouting High Adventure trips of all time.

We never looked at a map on the way. Tom Tom worked wonders.

It sure was nice to see the bridge and this sign.

Last stop at DQ.

Thanks for all of the great service Heather!

Heading Back Home

We leave Northern Tier and Charles L. Sommer's Base after breakfast at 8:30 am.

Drive, drive, drive.

We stay the night in Rockford, IL just outside of Chicago. We have the option of doing something in Chicago or going on home. Everyone is tired and wants to go home tomorrow.

We present Ken Green with an official laser engraved 8 x 10 Northern Tier picture frame, with our Blue Grass Council's contingent photo at supper.

The porch outside of the dining hall at NT is a relaxing spot.

Making a new friend on the way home.

If you go to sleep on the van, you can expect harmless pranks!!!

Our Contingent Leader accepts our way of saying "THANKS"!

Lost in the Woods

Leave out of Disappointment Lake at 8:30 am and paddle across Snowbank Lake and stop at 11:00 for a break and a snack before we head back to Base.

Will Hogg and Aaron Shepherd go out with Viet Pham to practice T-Rescues in canoes, in order to complete Viet's Canoeing Merit Badge. Pretty cool to get that one at Northern Tier.

Mike makes us some jelly doughnuts that don't last long.

On our last portage back into Sommer's, we get lost in the deep woods. We finally find our way and get back around 3:00 pm. We turn in our gear, take a hot shower, and eat supper.

We load up on souvenirs at the Trading Post and attend a Rendezvous at the closing camp fire.

I'm too tired to paddle!

Deep fried golden nuggets of goodness.

Being lost is a game of patience and having good Scout Spirit.

We came the long way in, but we made it back.

Rendezvous!

Disappointment Lake

We paddle out at 9:00 am. Lots of water lilies on this southern part of our trip. We stop and eat lunch at Ahsub Lake.

Arrive on Disappointment Lake at 2:00 pm and set up camp. The guys swim in the lake and sun on the glacier scratched rocks. After supper, we play some cards and watch a beautiful sun set.

Every day, before bed, we close the day with Rose, Thorn, and Bud and a daily devotional and prayer.

At this point, these guys are a well oiled canoeing machine.

Water lilies are pretty, but slow your boat down.

Ken trying to get some badly needed "Beauty Sleep"!

Sunning on the rocks after a nice swim.

The sun sets on Disappointment Lake and it isn't disappointing!

Hatchet Lake

Leave out at 9:00 am. Paddle, portage. Paddle, portage. We have lunch on Fraser Lake.

We arrive at our camp on Hatchet Lake around 3:15 pm. Today has been the longest mileage covered for our trek in one day. Everyone is tired, but getting better at this game.

Lake loons are every where. They dip down in the water and pop up almost any where.

We play "Rook on the Rocks", which is a card game on some rocks on the water, besides our camp site.

Ken Green fixed Hogg's boot by stitching it back with steel wire and using Gorilla tape. It held!

Mike likes to eat!

Land navigation skills are extremely important up here in the Boundary Waters.

It is very nice to end the day with a campfire. The mosquitoes arrive heavy around 9:00 pm. That is when you go to the tent!

Kekekabic Lake

Leave out at 9:30 am and stop to do a side hike up Thunder Point on Knife Lake. We have lunch at Eddy Falls and a little water fun.

We see a bear swimming across the lake in the afternoon.

As we are pulling in to our camp site on Kekekabic Lake, we run into Doug Ramey and the other BGC crew. We both are basically taking the same route, except they are doing it counter clock wise.

A nice father and son picture at Thunder Point.

Play time at Eddy Falls.

Will Hogg blew his boot out. Cheap boots don't cut it up here.

Nice to see our fellow crew on the water.

Great place to camp.