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Monday, February 1, 2010

Surgeon: Attaining Eagle Scout gave me advantages

Filed under: Scouting News — Webmaster @ 8:14 am

This is a great article from the Muskogee Phoenix newspaper website.  Unfortunately, the three pages of online article are so littered with ads and pop-ups as to be nearly unreadable.  So here below is the text of the original article.

Muskogee surgeon Dr. Tim Robison says his experience as a Boy Scout took him to Japan, Germany — and medical school.

“When I applied for medical school in 1977, there were 3,000 applicants interviewed,” the Oklahoma City native recalled. “I walked into my interviewer’s office, and he said, ‘Were you an Eagle Scout?’ and I said, ‘Yes I was.’ He said, ‘That’s all I need to know.’”

Robison, 54, said attaining the rank of Eagle Scout gave him all sorts of advantages.

“I see all these parents struggling to get their kids’ ACT scores higher to give them an advantage in college or the military,” he said. “Being an Eagle Scout improves your rank in the military. My son got Eagle Scout, and he’s getting letters from branches of the military. In a world where parents do anything to give their kids a leg up, being an Eagle Scout is three legs up.”

Robison said scouting ran in his family.

“My father had been a Boy Scout in the Great Depression, but he had to quit before he got to be an Eagle Scout because he had to get a job,” he said.

Robison said his older brother, who died at age 12, was a Boy Scout; his two younger brothers became Eagle Scouts.

Robison’s son, Muskogee High School Senior Matt Robison, recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

“I think being a Boy Scout gives you a good framework to live by,” he said. “And I’m still helping little old ladies across the street.”

Monsoon in Japan was an adventure

When Robison joined other Oklahoma Boy Scouts at a worldwide Jamboree in Japan, the Scouts were treated like stars.

“When we got to Japan, we all had numbers on our sleeves and insignias that said Oklahoma,” he said, recalling that he and the other scouts were all around 6 feet tall. The Japanese were much shorter.

“They’d all see Oklahoma on our sleeves, and they’d all break out into ‘Oklahoma,’” he said. “In Japan, the longest running play is ‘Oklahoma,’ so we were all like celebrities.”

Very wet celebrities, it turned out.

“We camped out on Mt. Fuji for 10 days, and we were hit by a monsoon when we were camping out,” he said. “It rained 23 inches in 24 hours, and of course we were on the side of the mountain where there was a meadow. But, when you’re a teenager, what could be better? It’s an adventure. A typhoon is just another day in Oklahoma, just another bad storm day.”

The Scouts also spent four nights in Tokyo and four nights in Kyoto, he said. “And these were all little native hotels, not the Marriott.”

“The floors just had tatami mats,” he said. “The quilts were for people who were four and a half feet tall. It was a complete cultural experience. We rode the Bullet Trains when they were still new.”

Robison said he camped out with Scouts from around the world and discovered “boys are about the same everywhere.”

“We would play pick-up baseball games or soccer games. We had organized activities, see who could build towers the fastest, knot-tieing, orienteering,” he said.

Most memorable scouting adventure

The year after his Japan adventure, Robison and other Scouts visited one of the most memorable Olympics in memory — Munich, 1972.

“Our boy scout troop won an award in the U.S. Explorer Olympics, and we got to stay in the Olympic youth village,” he recalled “I saw Mark Spitz win all seven medals in swimming, I watched equestrian events, boxing.”

He also recalled the surge of patriotism people showed during the events.

“Everyone was waving flags,” he said. “It was almost as much about one’s country as it was about the athletes. Everyone was cheering for their country, the Cold War was going on.”

While watching Mark Spitz swim, Robison sat next to crooner Bing Crosby and got his autograph. He shook hands with Boston Celtics star Bill Russell — huge hands, he recalled.

Robison recalled being in the alleys of the Olympic village during the most harrowing hours of those September games.

He said he went into the Olympic village to buy something only to find “the Olympic village was empty and helicopters were landing.

“It wasn’t long to figure out I needed to leave,” he said. “I headed through an alley and jumped a fence. I got stopped by a guy with a gun who wanted to see my papers.”

The Scouts left for home — early — the next day.

Robison said that when he got home, he read about what happened: Arabs had killed 11 Israeli athletes.

Scouting provided lifelong work ethic

Robison also remembered the specific path he took to become an Eagle Scout.

“There is a list of things to do,” he said. “You start at Tenderfoot, Second Class, then First Class, then Star, Life, then Eagle.”

Scouts also must earn 21 merit badges.

“The merit badges give you such an exposure to things you’d never otherwise do — flying, shooting, camping, canoeing, water skiing,” he said.

Scouts also must do a community service project. Robison’s was to help clean up a church.

“It’s not so much the project that’s important, it’s that you can get people to show up, do a task and finish a task,” he said.

“The church had a large fellowship room where the congregation had accumulated everything,” he said. “The old minister had passed on. So I got scouts together and we moved the furniture, all the accumulated memories and stuff from the congregation. When that was all done, we cleaned the room and had pizza.”

The purpose was to show leadership, he said.

“It is finding a project that serves a need, determining what has to be done and getting people to do it,” he said. “It’s the same with the Eagle Scout projects now.”

Robison said he originally got into scouting not to become an Eagle Scout but to have fun.

“Achieving my Eagle Scout really came about because of things I enjoyed,” he said. “I wanted to be a Scout, because I wanted to camp and swim. In the end, the reward came from work. And that’s how my life is now.”

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Brandon Passes His Eagle Board

Filed under: Rank Advancements, Troop Updates — Webmaster @ 6:33 pm
Brandon

I wanna fly like an eagle ...

Troop 479 proudly announces another new Eagle Scout!  Brandon G passed his Eagle Board of Review on Thursday, 27-Jan-2010.  We are looking forward to celebrating his achievement at his Eagle Court of Honor, the date and time of which has yet to be announced.

Earning the rank of Eagle is a years-long process that requires dedication and a drive to set one’s self apart from the crowd.  Statistically, only one in every 25 Boy Scouts will distinguish themselves by achieving the Eagle rank.  Troop 479 is blessed with Scouts who are proving that we can beat those odds.

The date and time for Brandon’s Eagle Court will be announced here and on the Committee mailing list when the information becomes available.  So watch your inbox and check back here periodically.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

November Scout Pictures Have Made Their Trek

Filed under: Campout Reports, Events, Troop Visits — Webmaster @ 8:17 am
Orienteering

Learning the way.

Still more pictures finding their way from camera card to web.  Our November campout at Kickapoo was Troop 479’s annual Scout Trek event.  Based loosely on a Star Trek theme, the yearly event is a great learning opportunity for both Webelos and Boy Scouts.  Through a fun series of Saturday activities, Webelos learn orienteering, animal tracks, rocketry, and how to decode secret messages.  Whether they realize it or not, the Scouts are also learning as they teach these skills to their younger counterparts.

The day ends with the famous “Targ Hunt” and then songs, supper, and roasting marshmallows around a fire.  Troop 479 sincerely thanks Pack 91 Webelos and parents for spending the day with Troop 479 and sharing the fun.  Pictures from the weekend are now available in our Photo Gallery.

Monday, January 18, 2010

More 2009 Pictures Among the Living

Filed under: Activities, Troop Meetings — Webmaster @ 1:23 pm
Halloween Homecoming

Welcome Home

October 26, 2009 was a time to celebrate for two reasons.  Most importantly, it was the occasion of Col. Frederick’s safe return from Iraq.  We’re all exceptionally glad he made it back, but nobody is happier than his family (pictured at right).  Troop 479 honors the service and sacrifice of all members of our armed services — current and past.

Being the troop meeting closest to halloween, it was also an opportunity to have some costume fun and munch on goodies brought in by the different patrols.  Sorry for the delay, but pictures from the evening are now available in our Photo Gallery.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Eagle District Merit Badge College 2010

Filed under: Activities — Webmaster @ 11:23 am
Studying

College Classes

College classes?  For Boy Scouts??  On a Saturday???  You bet!  Eagle District Merit Badge College was an opportunity to spend the day earning up to two merit badges with very little if any requirements left over to complete outside of class.

Troop 479 had 18 scouts in attendance, and our boys attended classes for the following merit badges:  Citizenship in the Nation, Engineering, Photography, Fire Safety, First Aid, Personal Management, Communications, Electricity, Computers, and Citizenship in the World.  Each class was four hours long with the exception of First Aid, Personal Management, and Communications which consumed both sessions for a total of 8 hours.

We all enjoyed Papa John’s pizza for lunch at noon.  It was a welcome break from the day’s study.  Merit Badge counselors also provided breaks throughout each session to help the boys remain comfortable and alert.  Pictures from Saturday are now available in our Photo Gallery.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Float Trip Pictures Have Surfaced

Filed under: Campout Reports — Webmaster @ 6:39 pm
Floating

Floating ...

Although 2009’s float trip was back in June, pictures are now available in our Photo Gallery.  We had another enjoyable experience floating 12 miles down the Illinois river.  That was followed by further splashing fun in the really nice pool that Falcon Floats provides to campers.

A rip-roaring thunderstorm overnight proved interesting.  One tent’s occupants became the unwilling recipients of further water and floating — a situation which had them riding out the remainder of the night sleeping in the trailer.  Everyone returned safe and sound, and a good time was had by all.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Four Truckloads of Leaves

Filed under: Activities, Service Projects — Webmaster @ 11:23 pm
Lots of Leaves

Lots of Leaves

Several scouts and adults volunteered to rake leaves around First Christian Church of Edmond. FCC Edmond is the charter organization of Troop 479. Our troop performs this work each year as a way of saying “thanks” for hosting our troop.

Inside of 2 hours, we had raked and sacked-up 77 bags of leaves. It took four pickup truck loads to get it all over to the dumpster. Inside meanwhile, some of the adults were performing tent triage. We needed a comprehensive assessment of the condition of our Kelty tents. Of the Campsite 4, Kashmir 4, and Mantra 5 tents, we found health ranging from perfect to awful.

Vinyl tent repair tape was used to mend holes in floors and rips in a rain fly. Shock cords were tightened just a tad where needed. One of the Campsite 4 poles had a repair segment added and the shock cord restored. We discovered bad zippers, a disintegrated rain fly, and ripped no-see-um mesh. Considering the newest tents (Mantra 5) are now nearly five years old, repair vs. replace costs will be weighed on the older tents that have needs.

Pictures of today’s raucous raking row can be found in our Photo Gallery. Enjoy!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Webelos Woods 2009

Filed under: Activities, Campout Reports — Webmaster @ 10:57 pm
Where theres smoke, theres fire.

Where there's smoke, there's fire.

Saturday, 26-August-2009 was the date, and Camp Kickapoo was the place. Dozens and dozens of Webelos came to visit the eleven troops participating in the weekend campout. Troop 479 taught fire-building as we have many times in the past. While each group of Webelos learned about fire rings and fire lays, parents and leaders used the opportunity to learn about Boy Scouts and Troop 479 in particular.

A big THANK YOU goes out to all the Webelos dens who visited Troop 479. Thanks also to our adult leaders who spent a good part of the day talking with visiting adults. We’re glad Pack 91 was able to camp with us Saturday night. It was a very busy weekend, and everyone worked yard. We even received a surprise visit from Mrs. Frederick and her two sons. All are “extended” members of Troop 479, and we really miss them.

Pictures from the weekend are available in our Photo Gallery. The gallery pages have thumbnail pictures. Click on any thumbnail to see the bigger version. You can navigate through the index pages or the bigger pictures using the links found in the upper-left and lower-right areas of the gallery pages.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Garrett Passes His Eagle Board

Filed under: Rank Advancements, Troop Updates — Webmaster @ 8:09 pm
A Happy Garrett S.

A Happy Garrett S.

There’s a reason this young man is smiling. Garrett passed his Eagle Board of Review only minutes before Mr. Simpson captured this image on July 29th, 2009. By his achievement, Garrett joins a very exclusive group of Scouts.

Statistics show that for every one hundred boys who enter Scouting, only four will reach Eagle rank, and at least one will later say that he valued his Eagle above his college degree. Many will find their future vocation through merit badge work and Scouting contacts. Seventeen of the one hundred boys will later become Scout leaders and will give leadership to thousands of additional boys.

Garrett’s Eagle Court of Honor is scheduled for 10am on Saturday, October 10th at Oak Hills Freewill Baptist Church. The church is located on the South side of Edmond Road just East of May Avenue. Please mark your calendars and don’t miss this opportunity to honor Garrett and celebrate his remarkable achievement.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Eufaula Planning Retreat 2009

Filed under: Campout Reports — Webmaster @ 6:49 pm
Another one bites the dust

Another one bites the "dust"

More scouts and more fun than we’ve had in a long time. Troop 479 made its annual trek to Lake Eufaula where through the generosity of the Cook family, we camp each August and plan our camping for the next year. USS Lexington made the list this time as did a new summer camp. We’ll be in Nebraska next year at Camp Cedars.

After a wildlife service project on the island, our planning session, and lunch, it was time for fun. With a sly twist of his mustache and a maniacal laugh, Mr. Cook opened the throttle on our yearly battle between boat driver and tube rider. Be sure check out pictures of the mayhem located in our Photo Gallery.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Summer Camp 2009 – Day 9

Filed under: Summer Camp 2009 — Webmaster @ 9:11 pm

After waking up at Jack Bryant Scout Center in Amarillo, TX, we grabbed some hot, fresh donuts then headed East on I-40 for the remainder of our trip home. Pictures are here. Donuts!

Yummy

Yummy

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Summer Camp 2009 – Day 8

Filed under: Summer Camp 2009 — Webmaster @ 6:46 pm

Turn out the lights, the party’s over. Saturday morning we policed our campsite and packed away our gear. It was a long but pleasant drive to Amarillo. The golf ball sized hail in Dalhart, TX at supper was interesting. Pictures have been up for a while, but here’s the link anyway.

Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning

Friday, July 17, 2009

Summer Camp 2009 – Day 7

Filed under: Summer Camp 2009 — Webmaster @ 3:40 pm

The latest crop of pictures includes images from the adult leader steak burn, Seth blowing Reveille on Friday morning, a ninja attack in camp, wilderness survival shelters, and a hike up to the summit of Blue Mountain (incredible pictures from Mr. Hollingsworth!)

Seth blowing Reveille Friday morning at dawn.

Seth blowing Reveille Friday morning at dawn.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Summer Camp 2009 – Day 6

Filed under: Uncategorized — Webmaster @ 7:45 pm

Pictures for today were delayed until the evening to allow the inclusion of images from the eight scouts and scouters who went on the white water rafting trip down the Arkansas River. The upload is complete, so today’s pictures are now ready for viewing!

Making waves.

Making waves.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Summer Camp 2009 – Day 5

Filed under: Summer Camp 2009 — Webmaster @ 5:15 pm

Yet another crop of pictures from Camp A is now online. These cover from Tuesday afternoon through Friday morning. You may all be aware, but I wanted to be sure everyone knows that the photo gallery pages containing the twelve little pictures are just index pages with thumbnails. You can click on any of the small pictures and get a larger version. You’re also able to navigate through the index pages until you see a picture of interest, or start with any picture and move forward and backward through just the larger pictures.

Troop 479 acted as Color Guard at Tuesday evening’s dinner assembly. There were more merit badge classes and fun activities like mountain boarding. Again, a very large THANK YOU to the many T479 adults here with us at Camp A that are taking these pictures!

Enjoying a laugh in line for Wednesdays breakfast.

Enjoying a laugh in line for Wednesday's breakfast.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Summer Camp 2009 – Day 4

Filed under: Uncategorized — Webmaster @ 3:36 pm

More pictures are available from several of the T479 adult scouters here at Camp Alexander. We’re having a great time. The weather today is perfect. Thanks again for all the kind comments.

45 degrees in the morning is cool enough for a jacket.

45 degrees in the morning is cool enough for a jacket.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Summer Camp 2009 – Day 3

Filed under: Summer Camp 2009 — Webmaster @ 2:19 pm

Monday is the first day of merit badge classes at summer camp. After breakfast, scouts headed out to classes and other activities. It’s going to be a fun and busy week. Visit our summer camp photo gallery page to see pictures through lunchtime on Monday. Pictures after lunch and in the morning will be posted tomorrow afternoon.

THANK YOU to the adults who took today’s pictures in addition to the webmaster: Mrs. Casanova, Mrs. Randall, Mrs. Werp, Mr. Koehn, Mr. Hollingsworth, and Mr. Powell.

Oh, Deer ...

Oh, Deer ...

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Summer Camp 2009 – Day 2

Filed under: Summer Camp 2009 — Webmaster @ 8:07 pm

We made it safely to camp and drastically cooler temperatures. Sunday morning’s schedule had an extra hour in it, so we stopped by the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs to look around. The afternoon was spent checking in and getting camp set up. After supper and evening flag, there was a chapel service and free time. Pictures have been added to the photo gallery.

Standing on a summit in Garden of the Gods with Colorado mountains in the background.

Standing on a summit in Garden of the Gods with Colorado mountains in the background.

Summer Camp 2009 – Day 1

Filed under: Summer Camp 2009 — Webmaster @ 5:42 am

We made it to La Junta, CO and ate supper at Pizza Hut. Our overnight accommodations were provided by the Kosharé Indian Kiva where we watched a breathtaking presentation of authentic Indian dances. Sunday morning we drive on to Camp Alexander in Lake George, CO.

Kosharé Kiva

Kosharé Kiva

Friday, July 10, 2009

Updated Camp A Weather Forecast

Filed under: Summer Camp 2009 — Webmaster @ 6:37 am

Here it is, folks. Make sure your scouts and scouters pack their gear accordingly. See you tonight at loadout.

Perfect Summer Camp Weather

Perfect Summer Camp Weather

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