Category Archives: Camping

Information about camping trips and other major monthly outings. The most recent post with this category will appear on the camping page.

Merit Badge Challenge (Saturday 2/7, Saturday 2/21 and Saturday 2/28)

For those going to Merit Badge Challenge.

Saturday 2/7 – Merit Badge Challenge (Day 1). We will meet at MSPC at 7:30am to caravan to Sycamore High School. We should return to MSPC around 1:15pm. Boys will need 3 self-addressed stamp envelops, their pre-work, pen/pencil/old notebook and the merit badge book (if available). There is a concession stand that boys usually like to buy snacks/soda from, no more than $5 is necessary.

Saturday 2/21 and Saturday 2/28 – Merit Badge Challenge (Day 2 & 3). We will meet at MSPC at 7:45am to caravan to Sycamore High School. We should return to MSPC around 1:15pm. Boys will need 3 self-addressed stamp envelops (if not already handed into counselor), their pre-work (if applicable), pen/pencil/old notebook and the merit badge book (if available). There is a concession stand that boys usually like to buy snacks/soda from, no more than $5 is necessary.

NOTE – day 1 we need to be there a little early as that day there is more that needs to be communicated and such to all attendees. One of these dates, we will need to stay behind for 10-15 extra minutes to clean up in the classrooms. At this time I don’t know which day it will be I will let you know when we find out.

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

Brian

UPDATE: Marengo Cave Campout — January 23-25

This is for those attending the campout this weekend. This was all discussed tonight in the meeting.

Boys will need for cave:

  • 1 pair of old closed toe shoes that can get wet/muddy & another pair of shoes to wear in the shelter/car.
  • Light gloves for crawling through the cave – gardening tight gloves work great
  • Old sweatshirt
  • Long sleeve shirt
  • Cotton type pants, they will be wet/muddy. Jeans are heavy when wet.
  • Knee pads if available. There is some crawling.
  • Old Towel – there will be some limited shower opportunity
  • Garbage bag for wet/muddy clothes
  • Change of clothes for after the cave

Select older clothes for use in the cave. They will get wet and muddy, and possibly stained or ruined.

There is a field that the boys may be using to play some outdoor games. Boys should be prepared for cold/chilly weather (hat/gloves/coat). Bring board games or cards.

FYI – Mr. Fitzgerald has multiple conflicts this weekend and thus will not be attending. Mr. Zubelik will be stepping into his role for the weekend. We will also have 12 other adults in attendance including our most seasoned adult volunteers.

Marengo Caves 1-23-2015

Consent Form Marengo Caves 1-23-15

Marengo Caves Release Form

Happy New Year.

Attached is the Troop Permission form AND the Marengo Cave Release Form. Both forms are due back by the January 13 Troop Meeting. Due to the distance of the drive, we need to make sure we have a solid headcount well in advance to ensure we have enough seatbelts for the boys.

This is a really different/fun trip as we will be going through both a dry and a wet cave. The dry cave is something that anyone from 1 years old to 100 years old can do. The wet cave is more of an adventure where we will get muddy and wet in a controlled environment. We will be sleeping on bunks in a heated cinder-block building close to the cave. Showers will be available for those that wish to use them (most don’t). This is a great campout for any parent who likes the outdoors but may not like sleeping on the ground in the cold.

Two Caving Tours = $36
Two nights at the lodge = $14
Food for the weekend = $10
TOTAL = $60

http://marengocave.com/

 Please have BOTH forms returned by 1/13.

Thanks,

Brian

December Lock-In

One more big Troop 209 event for 2014. Our ever popular lock-in/laser tag/Matthew 25 coming up 12/19-12/20.

Please see the attached Troop Permission form and Lazer Kraze waiver form. BOTH must be turned in by 12/16 so that we know how many seatbelts we need for transportation. Lazer Kraze can only handle 40 boys at a time, don’t be the last to turn in your forms.

Friday 12/19 – arrive at MSPC by 6:00, bring all your stuff for the lock-in (BOYS SHOULD EAT BEFORE BEING DROPPED OFF).

  • Leave at 6:30pm for Lazer Kraze
  • 3 games of laser tag
  • Back to the church by around 9:30pm for the lock-in
  • Games, movies, videos, snacks, drinks, etc.

Saturday 12/20 – leave around 8:30am for Matthew 25

  • Work M25 from 9:00am-11:00am
  • Back to church around 11:30am
  • Parents pick up their boys at 11:30am

Lock-in 12/19/14 Consent Form

LazerKrazeWaiver

December 2014 Activities

On Saturday,12/6, the troop will have two activities. As we have done in the past, we will do our indoor rock climbing AND we will participate in Light Up Madeira.

Rock Quest — meet at the church at 9:00am and go to Rock Quest where we will climb from 10:00 until 12:00, returning to the church around 12:30-12:45. The cost is $13. Each boy should bring the $13 fee with him on that day. Because of the structure of the event, we won’t be using mulch money. Boys should eat something before leaving home. Troop permission forms need to be returned on Tuesday 12/2 so we know how many seatbelts we need for transportation. Rock Quest release MUST be filled out on their website prior to 12/6. Without the release, your son will not be able to climb (see link below).

Light Up Madeira – we will once again be tending a fire and serving hot chocolate in front of the old Train Station (Root Beer Stand, Choo Choos). This is the location of the free horse drawn carriage rides. We will have four- two hour shifts (10:00 to noon; noon to 2:00; 2:00 to 4:00; 4:00 to 6:00). Boys who don’t go to rock climbing are encouraged to take the early shifts (10:00 to noon or noon to 2:00) . Helping at this event does count for community service hours. There will be a sign up sheet up the upcoming Troop meeting. We will have 4-6 boys per shift, we have learned that any more than that and they are stumbling over each other.

RockQuest Permission Slip: RockQuest Permission Slip – Dec 2014

RockQuest Waiver: https://app.rockgympro.com/waiver/esign/rockquestclimbingcenter/11c3e209-61e7-473e-b943-88375cd61fd9