High-tech Orienteering

Troop 479 scouts had a blast at the 2012 Eagle District Camporee held at John Nichols Scout Ranch.  There were several competitions that tested scout skills and problem solving.

Scoutmaster Hollingsworth was kind enough to capture many wonderful images from the day’s activities.  They are available now in the Eagle District Camporee 2012 photo gallery.  Want to see T479 pictures dating back to 2005?  They are all here.

Roady serves up some pie.

Guess what happens when you sell a large number of Baked Potato Luncheon tickets?  You get to “serve” a cream pie to one of our adult leaders!

The starting tier is committee member.  Mid-level sales earns the choice of committee member or Assistant Scoutmaster.  Top sales will afford the choice of serving your pie to a Scoutmaster (present or past), any ASM, or any committee member.

Those who qualified for the Scoutmaster tier couldn’t pass up the chance to decorate Mr. Hollingsworth and Mr. Simpson with a fluffy pile of whipped cream, so naturally they got creamed.  We had several committee members who were good sports even if a little reluctant for the extreme makeover.

The ASMs also took it all in stride.  Even our newest ASM gladly participated in the mayhem.

There were some interesting takeaways from Monday night’s fun.  First, whipped cream is a tasty yet effective hair mousse.  Secondly, the troop’s excitement indicates that we’re on track to see record ticket sales for 2013′s Baked Potato Luncheon.

Thank you to all of our adults young and old who agreed to take one (or more) for the team.  You have demonstrated once again your commitment to our boys and had a little fun in the process.

Mr. Turner teaching me

I’m the new webmaster. I will be posting updates and helping to keep the website up to date. I will also attempt to track down the Eagles of Troop 479 and publish their old scouting stories. I am learning from our amazing adult webmaster Mr. Turner.

Scouts bring your top 6 Merit Badge choices for summer camp to the Troop Meeting on Monday night, March 26th. New scouts are strongly encouraged to take the First Class Center sessions. This will really get them started towards earning their first few rank advancements. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Riffell. We will really have fun at Camp Alexander.

Troop 479 will be back in 2014 ...

The evening brought a chance to unwind a bit with some playing Uno and others trying to twist their frame in order to get their right foot on blue.  Looks like everyone had a full day.  The Lexington 2012 Photo Gallery has been updated with 31 new pictures including 16 late-breaking uploads from Mr. Wyckoff.  Our heartfelt thanks go out to the adults on the trip who are helping the boys make memories as well as uploading pictures each day.

We’ve had two recent additions to our T479 Facebook Group.  That brings the membership total up to 71.  What?  You’re not there yet?  Well, come on over!

Twenty new pictures have been appended to the Lexington 2012 photo gallery.  Thanks again to our leaders on the trip who are uploading the pics to Troop 479′s Facebook Group.  It’s a blast seeing our boys on the flight deck, in the cockpit, and yes sadly even a couple in the brig.  This is the 3rd trip to the USS Lexington for Troop 479, and it looks every bit as fun as the previous two.

National Scouting Museum

Our crew made their midday stop in Irving, TX where they ate a sack lunch then explored the National Scouting Museum for a couple of hours.  Then it was back on the road with the goal of making Austin by supper time.  And indeed they did, enjoying supper at Cici’s Pizza.  Several folks have been uploading pictures throughout the day — THANKS!  We look forward to seeing more as the trip progresses.  It’s really nice to see the pictures “as they happen” which is facilitated by cell phone uploads to Troop 479′s Facebook Group.

For those who may not be on Facebook, the pictures for today have been collected from the group page and made into a regular photo gallery here on our public website.  The gallery will be updated periodically — probably daily — as new pictures appear on Facebook.

Having fun with Merit Badge awards

Tonight we had a tremendous Court of Honor. Scouts of every rank were recognized, new troop leadership was introduced, and a merit badge collection of near summer camp magnitude was awarded.

Since the last Court of Honor, we had young men earn the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. We have a new SPL, ASPLs, Patrol Leaders, and all of the usual appointments. In addition to rank advancement, many scouts were also formally recognized for numerous merit badges earned over the past six months. One of our not-yet-18 Eagles Seth T. completed enough post-Eagle merit badges to earn a Gold Palm.

Troop 479 has been blessed with much success, and that was evident in sheer numbers.  After the new youth leadership of the troop was assembled for their charge, it was noted that the row of leaders we saw standing tonight outnumbered the entire roster of registered scouts in Troop 479 just a few short years ago.  The growth has truly been amazing, and it speaks strongly to the quality of the program and the aims and methods of scouting.

A reception followed the formal ceremony where we enjoyed among other goodies some desserts left over from last week’s Potato Luncheon.  A scout is thrifty!

Pictures from tonight’s festivities are now available in a website gallery for Court of Honor Spring 2012 as well as an album on our troop’s Facebook group page.

Thank you to everyone who assisted with tonight’s ceremony and reception.  It was a wonderful evening.