Troop 398 News - Nov 24

NOVEMBER CAMP OUT
This turned out to be a nearly perfect trip.  Weather was great, lots of color still on the trees, Everyone got along and had a good time. If you still have any troop gear, please turn it in Monday night.

DECEMBER CAMP OUT
Yes, our Christmas Campout is this coming weekend, Nov 30 to Dec 2. We will be returning to Short Mountain again which is just the other side of Woodbury. We stay in cabins (with beds) at the church camp and eat our meals in their dining hall. We usually have a little snow. We do some service project work on Saturday morning and then take a hike on Saturday afternoon. Bring your favorite board game along. We will have a huge meal (prime rib with all the fixin’s) on Saturday night. Family members are invited. After supper, we will have a short Christmas service. Traditionally, we have exchanged small gifts ($5-$10) Participation in the gift exchange is optional. Cost: $18 for all meals for the weekend; $10 if you come for Sat supper only. Be sure and sign up this Monday night and list all guests so we can get a good count for food. We will meet at the Eagle’s Nest at 5:30 PM on Friday and will leave at 6:00 PM. We will return by 11:30 AM on Sunday.

Directions to Short Mountain
Follow Hwy 70 (Woodbury Hwy) through Woodbury toward McMinnville. Approximately 5 miles past Woodbury, turn left on State Hwy 281 (Center Hill Road). Approximately 2 miles turn left on State Hwy 146 (Short Mountain Road). Go approx 5 miles to community of Short Mountain and watch for Short Mountain Church of God  Bible Camp sign. Turn left at the sign (I believe it is Gunter Hollow Road.) Follow steep, narrow road to the top of Short Mountain. Turn right at the Bible Camp sign on to a gravel road. Continue on the road for about a half mile to the camp.

POPCORN
Two people have reported errors with their popcorn order. Please review your popcorn order to verify that it is correct.  If you find an error, contact Chantal Quiterio at cmquiterio@comcast.net and Chantal.quiterio@va.gov as soon as possible.
 
TROOP RESOURCE SURVEY
This is a reminder to please fill out the resource survey form and give it to Andy Fry, Kathy Daniel or Dane Carey as soon as possible. The troop really needs to update its records. You may fax it to Dane at 615-223-7825 if you would like. At this point we have only received about 12 back from the adults.

KROGER CARDS
Mrs. Daniel has a supply of Kroger cards if anyone is interested. This is a great fund raiser for our troop and, best of all, it doesn’t cost you any money  

TROOP COURT OF HONOR
Monday, Dec 10 Finish up you advancements by Dec 3rd.

 

Troop 398 News - Nov 14

NOVEMBER CAMP OUT
Nov. 17 & 18 - Backpacking at the Walls of Jericho on the AL/TN line. Great trip, plan to go  Plan to be at the Eagle's Nest by 6:45 AM this Saturday. We will leave at 7:00 AM. We will return by 2:00 PM on Sunday. Bring your own food, buddy up or cook as a patrol.. If you have a tent, please bring it. If not, we'll issue you one Sat. morning. Thanks to the rain, we should have a source of water near the campsite. I would still plan to carry two quarts of water since there is no water until we get to our campsite. Temperatures should be in the 40's Sat night. If you signed up and cannot go, please email me and let me know - otherwise you (or your parents) will get a call at 6:45 AM on Sat asking where you are!

The Walls of Jericho in Jackson County, Alabama, is being called The Grand Canyon of the South. More than 10,000 hikers, amateur photographers, birdwatchers and horseback riders have explored this natural marvel since it opened in August 2004. Alabama Gov. Bob Riley officially dedicated the area in April 2005.  In the late 1700s, Davy Crockett explored the area since his family owned land there. A traveling minister came upon the Walls of Jericho in the late 1800s and was so captivated by the cathedral-like beauty that he declared it needed a biblical name and the name stuck. Today, visitors continue to be drawn to the grandeur of the narrow gorge. You can travel to the bottom of its 50-yard-wide limestone bowl and look up at 200-foot-tall cliffs on each side. In a heavy rain, water shoots out of holes and cracks in the rock. Flora and fauna are abundant.

Approximately 10 miles of trails have been built to provide access to the Walls of Jericho and its waterfalls. Getting started is easy. It is a 2.5-mile hike one way, downhill to Clarke Cemetery, with an additional half mile remaining to travel into the Walls. That means the walk back will be mostly uphill and strenuous. Hikers should wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water. The trail is well marked and hikers have to cross several shallow streams. However, stream levels rise quickly during thunderstorms and crossing them can be hazardous due to swift currents. After a rain shower, the trail can be muddy for days. On dry days, hikers should plan on a minimum of six hours to make the round-trip, which includes a two-hour stay in the gorge.

Directions: From Nashville take I-24 east toward Chattanooga. Take exit 127 on Highway 64 and turn toward Winchester. Stay on Highway 64 for about 15 miles and turn south on Highway 16. Just after crossing into Alabama, look on the right for a gravel parking area with a yellow gate and an information kiosk. Park there and follow directions on the map at the trailhead.

FOOD FOR FAMILIES
We decided to bring any food collected to the Eagle's Nest this Sat at 6:45 AM and we'll make arrangements to get it to the collection point.

DECEMBER CAMP OUT
We will do our Christmas Campout Nov 30 to Dec 2.

TROOP WEB SITE
We have replaced our old web site with a new one at http://bsatroop398.blogspot.com/
This new site allows us to easily add new pictures, maintain our calendar and post announcements. Check it out.

TROOP TENTS
We are missing several Eureka 2 and 3 man tents - please bring them back if you have them - we will need them in November.

ADULT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We need to adults to help Mrs Quiterio pick up popcorn on November 17  - please contact her at Chantal.Quiterio@va.gov

KROGER CARDS
Mrs. Daniel has a supply of Kroger cards if anyone is interested. This is a great fund raiser for our troop and, best of all, it doesn't cost you any money  

TROOP 398 EMAIL LIST
Now that rechartering is complete, I plan to clean up our troop email list. It is huge and many folks are no longer members. In about a month, I will cut the email list to those adults and scouts who are currently registered.  If you are no longer registered, but wish to continue to receive troop e-mails, please let me know and I will be happy to leave you on the list.

Troop 398 News - Patriot Challenge

The Patriot Challenge is the brain child of Troop 448 Scoutmaster Jim Whitehead. It will be this weekend at TN Army National Guard Training Site in Smyrna. Opening ceremony is Sat 7:30 AM and it ends Sunday at 11:00 AM. Over night accommodations are in buildings on the base, food will be in the dining hall. Registration Fee which includes all meals is $17. This program is for scouts 15 and older or Life Rank.

  If you wish to go, contact Jim Whitehead at (615) 519-4772 or e-mail james.a.whitehead@ng.army.mil as soon as possible.