Thank You!

I want to thank everyone that helped make our first spaghetti dinner a great success.  I was not in the dining room during the event to see how things went.  However, I can tell you that the reaction from customers as they left was impressive.  Many people asked to invite them again next time we have one.  Some said it was the the best public spaghetti they ever ate.  And everyone was very impressed with how the scouts acted and worked.

Thank you everyone!

I Survived N5-533-11-1 Weekend One

When I signed up to be on staff for Wood Badge Course N5-533-11-1, I knew that there would be challenges and stressors that would need to be handled.  What I didn't know is that we would tested with a hurricane, danger, and the destruction that followed. 

Yes we knew the storm was coming, however as of 1:30AM Sunday the storm was going to "miss" us.  Around 5:00AM we discovered that was not true.  It was then that I heard the first tree fall.  In the time it took to get out of bed and dress, four more fell and screaming could be heard outside.  Fearing the worse, I made my way to Gilwell Hall (the dining hall) along with the rest staff and the participants.  Once the head count was completed, there was a slight sigh of relief that everyone was safe.  Even the leader who was in this tent was safe.  I am not the type of person who preaches acts of God or fate, but a higher being was definitely looking after him and the rest of the participants.

Once in Gilwell Hall, it was quickly discovered that we were not yet safe.  From the staff area we watched trees blow down at a rate of one every one to five minutes.  After a tree fell on my vehicle parked just outside the building, we knew it was time to move.  The idea of sitting in a building with 200 year oaks just outside was a little unnerving.  Everyone was then evacuated to Wise Hall across the creek and it was their where we waited out the storm.

The participants continued with the course while I and a few other staff members surveyed the damage and gathered gear from tents.  Words cannot explain the emotions and fear experienced while walking around those campsites.  All I can say is to look at the pictures yourself and remember that people were in these sites just five minutes before some of these trees went down.

I guess you can say that staff pulled off a miracle and kept it together.  We put on a straight face and tried our best to keep the knowledge of just how bad things were away from the participants.  The actual miracle was that no one was hurt.  Great thanks go out to the Wood Badge staff, the camp ranger, and the township for pulling together and getting the job done.  

Wood Badge N5-533-11-1

What a crazy spring and summer this has been.  When I created this blog my intent was to have at least weekly posts.  My schedule this year has...well...made me forget all about it.

Since June I have only been home one, yes one weekend.  Even on that weekend I was supposed to be with the troop on a campout at my father's pond, but decided against it.  I am also just getting caught up from being out of town for three consecutive weeks.

A lot of the craziness will be coming to a culmination in one week.  On August 24th I head out for the first of two weekend sessions of Wood Badge course N5-533-11-1 for which I am on staff.  When I agreed to be on staff I had no idea the amount of work, studying, and gathering of material that I would undergo over the course of 6 months.

I am extremely excited about the course.  I am even happier that we have two members of our troop, Bob Kimble and Steven Kennedy, who are participants.  I wish the the best of luck and hope that they enjoy their experience.  Welcome to our family and see you at Gilwell.

Special Committee Meeting

There will not be a committee meeting in July due to summer camp.  A special meeting will be held on August 10th during the regular meeting.  The agenda is to discuss Fall Festival planning.  We will have another meeting on August 30.

Committee Chairman of the Year

Last night I was humbled to be awarded Troop Committee Chairman of the year in the North Woods District.  I have debated posting this on our site in fear that it would seem egotistical.  But if it was an award won by anyone else, it would be posted here.

The recognition really should go to everyone in the troop and committee who have made unmeasurable effort to build and maintain the program we have today.  Thank you for all of your hard work.