Scout Meeting – August 2017

We camped at Pilot Mountain State Park and hiked down Ledge Springs Trail to the areas called the Pool Hall Area and The Beach.

We purified water from the spring around the corner from The Pool Hall Area with a 0.02 micron gravity filter and drank it.

We top rope climbed several routes (Scarface, 7-Ball, and Body Surfin).  Later, while camping, two bulls walked through our campsite.

Click Image to Enlarge

 

DCIM100GOPRO

DCIM100GOPRO

 

 

DCIM100GOPRO

DCIM100GOPRO

 

DCIM100GOPRO

DCIM100GOPRO

 

Scout Meeting – July 2017

We took an awesome 3 mile canoe trip on the Neuse River with Paddle Creek, swam in the river, and then went out for lunch.  Someday, we’ll have to go back for the rope swing and to jump off the bridge. 

 

 

 

Scout Meeting – April 2017

We saw a lot of big cats and large vultures at Carolina Tiger Rescue.  The kids got stalked and charged by a tiger (through the fence).

Scout Meeting – March 2017

This map (and link) show all the BPSA chapters in 2017.

We shifted our scout season away from the school year calendar (Aug – Feb) so now it runs from April to September, when the weather is nicer and we’d rather be outside.

https://batchgeo.com/map/39c3aea651740d4d9da2ae764ab4989e

Scout Meeting – December 2016

We reviewed some knots and then introduced some basic tools.

Knots:

• Overhand Knot
• Square Knot
• Figure 8 Knot (mnemonic: choke the climber and shoot him in the eye)
• Figure 8 Follow Through

The scouts used clamps and vices to hold wood in place and cut wood with saws.  They used crescent wrenches to remove a bike tire, an allen wrench to raise a seat, and bolt cutters to cut a chain.

Then we went inside and built catapult and trebuchet models.

 

Scout Meeting – October 2016

We practiced for the Triangle Rock Club belay certification.  We practiced knots, climbing up rope, and then belaying climbers back down the rope.  We also worked on safety badge requirements.

Knots:

• Overhand Knot
• Double Overhand Knot
• Square Knot
• Fishermans Knot
• Double Fishermans Knot
• Figure 8 Knot
• Figure 8 Follow Through

Safety Badge Requirements (partial list):

• Know your name and address
• Know your phone number
• Know how to cross the road
• Know about safety around the home (fire alarms, what to do if one goes off, …)
• Know what 911 is for and how to call.
• Know parents full names.

Scout Meeting – September 2016

Hemlock Bluffs – Searching for Reptiles Organized Hike

We took the ‘Searching for Reptiles’ hike led by Hemlock Bluff’s staff.  We had had 2 visitors interested in joining and an Otter Scout earned her Otter badge.

It was fun getting outside, but it was so hot and dry we only saw one snake.

 

 

Scout Meeting – August 2016

We welcomed a new Otter Scout and 2 new Rovers to the group and then hiked around Lake Crabtree, following a map to hidden treasure (Ninja Prepper Sporks).  After the hike, we had a BBQ in the 90 degree Fahrenheit, 80% Humidity weather.

On our hike, we saw a large spider, a red and white mushroom (Amanita Muscaria), some sort of caterpillar nest, poison ivy, and virginia creeper.

 

Plants of the Month:

• Poison Ivy (symmetrical center leaf, 2 backwards thumbs on outer leaves, no thorns)
• Clover (white)
• Wood Sorrel (looks like a shamrock)
• Virginia Creeper (toxic)

Animals of the Month:

• Large Milkweed Bug (toxic)

Signs of the Month:

• None