Troop 398 News - Aug 9

August Camp Out
Our annual Whitewater camp out is this weekend – please email or see me by Monday night if you have not yet signed up. This will allow us to finalize our equipment needs and purchase food. If you need a ride to the river, or, if you have room for a passenger, please check in with Mr. Falana at the troop meeting. I have attached a roster of those who have signed up. Please check it out - I'd like to fine tune this information based on what meals you plan to eat and the nights you plan to camp. Saturday we will serve breakfast at 7:30 AM EST. A shore lunch will be served part way down the river and supper is usually around 6:00 PM. Sunday breakfast will be at 8:00 AM and lunch will again be on the river. You will be on your own for Sunday supper. I assume that everyone paddling both days will eat all meals on Sat and Sun. If you indicated that you will be there for Sat only, please let me know if you plan to have supper with us or if you plan to camp Saturday night and have breakfast on Sunday. Also check the watercraft I have you listed for and email any corrections to me.

We will gather for an organizational meeting at 8:30 AM on Sat. All those who will be renting equipment from Hiwassee Outfitters will leave the campground at 9:30 AM for Reliance.  You will sign releases and get lifejackets and watercraft and board shuttlesfor the put in at Hiwassee Outfitters. You will end your float back at Hiwassee Outfitters so cars may be left there. We pay for the rentals on Sat by troop check in order to save the sales tax.

Directions to Gee Creek Campground, 404 Spring Creek Road, Delano, TN 37325

Take I 24 East to Chattanooga. Go north on I 75 toward Cleveland & Knoxville. Get off I 75 at exit # 20 (Hwy 64 bypass). Turn right at the top of the ramp on Hwy 64 bypass. On bypass go 6 miles to Ocoee Exit (Highway 64 East). Turn right onto Hwy 64 East to Ocoee (approximately 13 miles) to Hwy 411 North exit (Maryville exit).At the exit stop sign, turn left on Hwy 411 toward Maryville, Benton & Etowah. Go through Benton (well known in the past for its speed traps!). Continue on Hwy 411 about 6 miles and cross the Hiwassee River bridge. Approximately 1/4 to ½ mile after crossing the river go past the Cowboy Restaurant and turn right on Spring Creek Road at an old antique store (there is a brown sign pointing to Gee Creek Campground). Follow this road until you pass the rangers office. Go about 1/4 mile and then watch for the entrance to Gee Creek Campground on your right. Turn right into the campground then take your first right turn then turn right again into a large field (Overflow/Group camping area). Look for our Troop 398 trailer. Quiet time begins at 10:00PM, so try to keep it down if you arrive late.

To get to Hiwassee Outfitters, 155 Ellis Creek Road, Reliance, TN 37369, go back out to Hwy 411 and turn left. Go back across the Hiwassee River and turn left on Hwy 30 and go to Reliance (approx. 5 miles). Rafters and Funyakers will be getting their equipment from Hiwassee Outfitters.

Dennis Harding
We can all breath a sign of relief – Dennis seems to be okay and he's eager to go to the Hiwassee.

Troop Meeting
We'll be showing a video taken on the part of the Hiwassee River that we'll be floating. Also, Pam Hamrick will be set up to register you in the troop for next year.

Philmont 2010
We may have one open slot remaining on the roster for an 14 – 20 year old. When that is filled, you can get on the standby list by giving Mr. Holtman a $100 deposit (refundable). Members on the standby list do not make any additional payments until they move to the active roster. If there is a chance that you can make the trip, I would suggest you get on the standby list – the odds are good that, out of 36 participants, someone will have to drop out before next July.

KEY DATES
Aug 14-16                   Troop Whitewater Weekend at the Hiwassee River
Aug 14-16                   OA Fall Ordeal at Camp Boxwell
Aug 24                        Troop Court of Honor
Aug 28-30                   Adult Wood Badge Session # 1
Aug 30                        Eagle Court of Honor for Matt Jones 2:30 PM, Third Baptist Church
Sept 7                         Labor Day – No Troop Meeting
Sept 11-13                   Adult Rappelling Certification
Sept 14                       Troop elections SPL and PL's/Philmont Payment due ($285)
Sept 18-20                   OA Fall Fellowship
Sept 25-27                  Troop Camp Out
Sept 25-27                  Adult Wood Badge Session # 2
Oct 17-18                    Bell Buckle Craft Fair Fund Raiser
Oct 23-25                    District Camporee – Smyrna Air Base