Troop 242

The weekend of September 24-26 , we had a camping trip at Newport News park. We used this weekend to work on merit badges, including a 6 mile hike with loaded packs to help with the camping merit badge. We had several of the adults come to lead other merit badges during the day on Saturday, and enjoyed perfect weather for camping all weekend. We had one scout make rank over the weekend, and enjoyed having a couple new scouts join us for their first camping with Troop 242. We’re looking forward to our Wilderness survival campout next weekend!

On Saturday August 21st, we did a fundraiser for the troop! During the fundraiser we washed cars at a McDonald’s parking lot. We washed nearly twenty cars and with the help of donations, we raised over three-hundred dollars. We has good turnout from both troops. A big thank you to all the families who helped advertise and came by to get their car washed. A special thanks to Mrs. Williams for organizing our carwash fundraiser!

This year Troop 242 went to Devil’s Marble Yard. While we were there we hiked up a mountain, went bouldering, and had a campfire program. The elevation gain of the hike was up to 1,000 feet. Then bouldered another 500 feet. Every scout made it to the top of the boulders, including two new scouts who have just joined and are still Scout rank, all of the adults who wanted to did as well. During the campfire program hosted by Able, each patrol did a skit and it was lots of fun.

One important thing we learned this year is that hiking in hot weather takes much more water than we thought it would. Temperatures on this campout were very warm and with no shade on the rocks, a lot of us were thirsty by the time we finished bouldering. Thanks to the adult leaders who got ice water ready for us at the bottom of the trail. We had one scout make rank this trip, and had a Sunday morning interfaith service led by our Chaplin’s aids, Billy, and Lois.

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This summer we had 32 scouts from Troop 242 B and Troop 242 G went to summer camp at Cherokee Scout Reservation. We had lots of fun at Camp Cherokee while we worked on merit badges, swam at the waterfront, and played games. We had two great campfires, a flag retirement ceremony with Troop 500, and on Friday night we had a troop campfire that was hosted by Maximus with lots of skits. Thanks to all the adult leaders and families that made it possible for the troop to attend summer camp.

Evan #2 – “My time at summer camp was awesome. The best parts were, the hike at the end of the week at F.R.O.G.S. (Fundamental Requirements Of Good
Scouting), swimming in Catfish, and the twilight activities. At the end of the hike, you get Peach Cobbler, Cherry Cobbler and some icecream. If you sign up for Catfish you get to swim in the lukewarm water of the lake. It is very refreshing to get into partially cold water after a long walk to the lake in 90 degree weather. The twilight activities were really fun. There is Gaga Ball, and at the waterfront there is either the Blob or the Glacier. One night there was Tomahawk throwing and Musket shooting. If you sleep in an adirondack (a wooden cabin with a tin roof and 2 bunks), you get a lot of protection from the rain, and have a lot of spiders in them. I think you should go to summer camp because you’ll have a lot of fun and appreciate your bed a whole lot more.”

Brian – “This summer camp far surpassed my expectations and was very impressive. They offered many programs I’ve never seen anywhere else before and were taught by kind and helpful people. Besides classes they also had various activities to do in free time leading to plenty of fun opportunities. Finally all the facilities are well kept, the food was pretty good, and the cabins we stayed in were very nice. They left us plenty of room versus a tent and the bunks were more comfortable than cots. All in all I’d recommend that Troop 242 attend this camp again and anyone who didn’t go this year attend the following visit.”

Emma – “Summer Camp is a great experience that I think every scout should experience in their scouting life. Even if you are busy with merit badges for a good amount of your day you still have the opportunity to relax and have fun with friends after hard work through out your day. While I did a merit badge that required some night hours as well, not everyone does, I didn’t have a lot of time to do the twilight activities. While at summer camp I made friends with staff and other participants and I won’t be able to forget those bonds. For my hiking merit badge we went out and did a hike, even if I got stung by ground hornets and almost lost my shoe, it was so fun with the different personalities the people in my class had.”

**Update**

My Eagle Scout Service Project is completed! The Back Door Ministry at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, my home parish, serves lunch Monday through Friday to 70-100 people per day. Hungry guests, many who are homeless, come rain, shine, cold, hot, and everything in between. The guests dine outside, so my goal was to make the outdoor dining area welcoming and safe. During 8 workdays, my project volunteers contributed over 120 service hours! My project is called the “Backdoor Ministry’s Outdoor Dining Area Revitalization.” I led a team that revitalized the dining area, defined as the process of giving something new life. The project had 5 parts: 1. Power washing and sealing the pavilion. 2. Replacing boards, sanding and sealing 8 picnic tables. 3. Rebuilding 4 park benches. 4. Replacing the standing table under the pavilion. It adds room for people to eat who do not want to sit. 5. Building a tray return table because the used trays were being stacked on the ground. The table makes cleaning easier for the kitchen staff. This project helps the Social Action Center of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church continue to do what St. Vincent would do, serving the poor in the city. I know that my revitalization will contribute to another 40 years of service. Thank you to everyone who has supported my project! The amount of work that we accomplished is astounding and I could have not done any of it without the help of the volunteers!

Travis M.

We had our spring 2021 court of honor outdoors on Wednesday, May 26. We had 50 rank advancements and 197 merit badges were awarded to scouts. Donovan was master of ceremonies and many family members were able to attend since our covid restrictions were up to 100 people gathering. Pizza was served during the court of Honor for all the Scouts, Scouters and guests. Our last Court of Honor was August 7th.

YIS, Bryan H. Webmaster

Our April campout was at Chickahominy Riverfront Park in James City County. Our fun activity on Saturday was Go Ape ziplining. We had scouts and chaperones climbing, crossing obstacles, and ziplining back to the ground. We also had a dessert contest in the evening with a campfire, and older scouts helped younger scouts earn their Totin’ and Firem’ chits. We had time for relaxing and playing games. We had great attendance with almost all the scouts in Troops 242B and 242G.

Hello families of Troop 242,

Congratulations to all the Scouts and Scouters who became members of Ordeal and Brotherhood last weekend. Congratulations to Abel, who was elected Vice Chief of the Kecoughtan Chapter.

“Duck Duck Mighty Duck!”

YIS,

SPL- Brandon

The people that made Brotherhood are: Able, Travis, William, Mr. Degnon, and Mr. Mokry!

The people that made Ordeal are: Braden, Brady, Brandon, Brody, Carl, Carter, Conner, Donovan, Emma, Evan, Francisco, Gavin, Greycen, Jacob, Lina, Keegan, Mr. Diongzon, and Mrs. Williams!

The first campout of 2021 was the annual crossover campout at Newport News Park in March. We had Cub Scouts from Pack 242 join the troop to become BSA Scouts. We camped at the primitive site, and spent our time doing different team building exercises. The majority of the whole troop participated and enjoyed being able to camp again. 

Here are some pictures from the camping trip.

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Troop 242 Scouts were able to help the Knights of Columbus in their 10-mile Run for the Heart on February 6th. We handed out drinks to the runners at Yorktown battle field. Thanks to everybody that participated.

-Bryan Higinbotham, Webmaster