Sequoia Council Winter Preparedness Training

The 2011 Winter Preparedness training hosted by Troop 223 in Fresno was a great presentation. Adult Leaders and Scouts were very good at covering details Troops and patrols would need to have a successful Klondike Weekend.

Some of the things pointed out during the seminar were to very aware of your "SWEAT" condition and the layers you have on. Wet Sweaty layers under your waterproof layers are just as dangerous as plain old wet clothes. Maintain your core temperature by adjusting your layers throughout the day and night. remember 40% of your body heat is lost through your HEAD! Oh and for layers possibly start investing in merino wool clothing. It maybe the new "Wonder" wool for happy camping.

Tent conditions were also discussed. Cheap 2 season tents may not cut it at Klondike while a Good level 3 Season Tent should be OK. The best for Klondike would be a 4 season tent but in our parts your would only use it once maybe twice a year since they are heavier than a good 3 season tent. Klondike has seen Rain, Sleet snow and Blizzard so you never know what Klondike weather will be like.

Sleeping bags in good condition are recommended. And BTW a clean sleeping bag will keep you warmer than a dirty sleeping bag so wash your gear every now and then. Again for our usual uses Scouts would be fine with a 20 - 30 degree bag. If we do do a Snow or winter outing a smart Scout would layer up before getting in the bag or ad a Sleeping Bag liner to his equipment.

Everyone was reminded that WATERPROOF BOOTS are a must for a Snow campout. Snow boots maybe worn however they may become uncomfortable for the hike in. All hiking boots should be of the waterproof variety and not the Summer variety. If your boots do get wet plastic grocery bags can be used to keep your feet dry when you change socks.

A new event is being added to Klondike this year. There will be a Orienteering competition this year. Each patrol is required to have their own compass for the event. The course is a challenge to find your Mine Claim. Once you find it you must write home a Telegram message to tell your family back home where it is. The creative message is part of the competition. Oh and the Tomahawk throw is BACK!

The Scouts of 223 also brought up the idea for Preparing your camp meals at home and precooking some of the meals to speed up the cooking time at camp. This will save fuel and time. Fires at Klondike were discouraged as Troops must hike in all of the Wood the plan to burn. Stoves will be the primary means of cooking. Calorie intake is very important to stay warm on a snow outing. propane stoves may not be quite as efficient in the cold weather so liquid fuel stoves may be the "HOT" Ticket.

Scouts in attendance were Ricky, Taylor, and Clayton. Thank you to Mr Sharp, Mrs. Hoffknecht, and Mr Nishimoto for also attending. Our Senior Scouts will be taking the information they learned and put together an activity plan for the Troop to prepare for Klondike.

Learning About Leadership

"Learning About Leadership" is adapted from Patrol and Troop Leadership, the handbook on leadership development written for Patrol Leaders and published by the Boy Scouts of America in 1972.

Why Leadership?

In most football teams the quarterback is the team leader. Why is that? Is there something magic about the position? Does he automatically become the leader -- the guy who makes the team go -- when he is named quarterback by the coach?

No, there's more to it than that. Lots more. Usually he is named quarterback because he's already a leader. He's already the kind of guy the other players like to follow.

And if the coach is wrong about him, he probably won't stay quarterback very long. If he can't lead the team, he won't have much value even if he can hit a receiver at 40 yards. Because every successful team must have a leader.

That goes for your Scouting team, too -- your patrol and your troop. In fact, if the patrol and troop are to succeed, you need several leaders. Guys like yourself who want to try "quarterbacking" in Scouting. One of the aims of your local council Junior Leader Training Conference is to show you how to become a better leader.

Let's begin by being honest about it. This handbook is not going to make you a good leader. You are not going to find 5 or 10 simple rules to follow to become a good leader. If leadership were as easy as that, almost everyone would be a good leader. And you know that most people are not.

There are no rules for leadership. But there are certain skills that every good leader seems to have. You learned about them at your local council Junior Leader Training Conference and have practiced some of them in your troop at home.

Some of these skills you may already have even without knowing it. That's the funny thing about leadership -- a good leader doesn't necessarily know how he does it. He just does what comes naturally and the others follow him. Although he may not know it, he has mastered the skills of leadership.

This doesn't mean we guarantee that you'll be elected student council president next year. Or that you will be the Super Bowl quarterback 15 years from now or President of the United States in 35 years. But we do guarantee that you can make yourself a much better leader in just a few weeks or months.

What Is Leadership?

Leadership is a process of getting things done through people. The quarterback moves the team toward a touchdown. The senior patrol leader guides the troop to a high rating at the camporee. The mayor gets the people to support new policies to make the city better.

These leaders are getting things done by working through people -- football players, Scouts, and ordinary citizens. They have used the process of leadership to reach certain goals.

Leadership is not a science. So being a leader is an adventure because you can never be sure whether you will reach your goal -- at least this time. The touchdown drive may end in a fumble. The troop may have a bad weekend during the camporee. Or the city's citizens may not be convinced that the mayor's policies are right. So these leaders have to try again, using other methods. But they still use the same process the process of good leadership.

Leadership means responsibility. It's adventure and often fun, but it always means responsibility. The leader is the guy the others look to get the job done. So don't think your job as a troop leader or a staff member will be just an honor. It's more than that. It means that the other Scouts expect you to take the responsibility of getting the job done. If you lead, they will do the job. If you don't, they may expect you to do the job all by yourself.

That's why it's important that you begin right now to learn what leadership is all about.

Wear your badge of office proudly. It does not automatically make you a good leader. But it identifies you as a Scout who others want to follow -- if you'll let them by showing leadership.

You are not a finished leader. No one ever is, not even a president or prime minister. But you are an explorer of the human mind because now you are going to try to learn how to get things done through people. This is one of the keys to leadership.

You are searching for the secrets of leadership. Many of them lie locked inside you. As you discover them and practice them, you will join a special group of people-skilled leaders.

Good exploring -- both in this handbook and with the groups you will have a chance to lead.

The Tasks of Leadership

In this section, we will consider several common statements about the people who serve in leadership positions throughout our world. After you have read the statement, decide for yourself whether you feel it is true or false and why you think it is.

Here is the first one. True or false?

The only people who lead have some kind of leadership job, such as chairman, coach, or king.

Do you think that's true? Don't you believe it. It's true that chairmen, coaches, and kings lead, but people who hold no leadership position also lead. And you can find some people who have a leader's title and ought to lead. But they don't.

In other words, you are not a leader because you wear the leader's hat. Or because you wear the patrol leader's insignia on your uniform. You are a leader only when you are getting things done through other people.

Leadership, then, is something people do. Some people inherit leadership positions, such as kings, or nobles, or heads of family businesses. Some are elected: chairman, governor, patrol leader. Some are appointed, such as a coach, a city manager, or a den chief. Or they may just happen to be there when a situation arises that demands leadership. A disaster occurs, or a teacher doesn't show up when class begins, or a patrol leader becomes sick on a campout.

Try this statement. Is it true or false?

Leadership is a gift. If you are born with it, you can lead. If you are not, you can't.

Some people will tell you that. Some really believe it. But it's not so.

Leadership does take skill. Not everyone can learn all the skills of leadership as well as anyone else. But most people can learn some of them -- and thus develop their own potential.

You don't have to be born with leadership. Chances are, you weren't. But you were born with a brain. If you can learn to swim or play checkers or do math, you can learn leadership skills.

How about this statement. True or false?

"Leader" is another word for "boss."

Well, what do you mean by "boss"? A guy who pushes and orders other people around? No, a leader is not one of those. (But some people try to lead this way.)

Or do you mean a boss is somebody who has a job to do and works with other people to get it done? This is true. A leader is a boss in that sense.

True or false?

Being a leader in a Scout troop is like being a leader anywhere else.

This one is true. When you lead in a Scout troop, you will do many of the same things as any leader anywhere.

The important thing now is Scouting gives you a chance to lead. You can learn how to lead in Scouting. You can practice leadership in Scouting. Then you can lead other groups, too. The skills you will need are very much the same.

What Does a Leader Deal with?

Every leader deals with just two things. Here they are: the job and the group.

The job is what's to be done. The "job" doesn't necessarily mean work. It could be playing a game. It could be building a skyscraper. It could be getting across an idea.

A leader is needed to get the job done. If there were no job, there would be no need for a leader.

The group, such as a patrol, is the people who do the job. And in many cases, the group continues after the job is done. This is where leading gets tough, as you'll see later.

Think about this situation. Mark has a lot of firewood to split. There he is, all alone with his ax. He's got a job to do. Is he a leader?

We have to say in this situation that Mark won't be leading. Why? No group. There's nobody on the job but Mark.

Here's another example. Danny and three of his friends are on their bikes. They have no place to go. They're just riding slowly, seeing how close they can get to each other.

Is Danny -- or any one of the others -- a leader?

>From what we know, we have to say no. Why? No job. There's a group of friends, but nothing special to be done. You don't need a leader for that. (You don't need a group, either.)

The Job of a Leader

A leader works with two things: a job and a group. You can always tell when a leader succeeds, because:

1. The job gets done.

2. The group holds together.

Let's see why it takes both.

Frank was elected patrol leader. That same week, the patrol had a job cleaning up an old cemetery.

It was Frank's first leadership position, and he wanted it to go right. In his daydream he could see the Scoutmaster praising him for the great cleanup job. So when Saturday morning came, Frank and the patrol went over to the cemetery, and Frank started to get the job done.

He hollered. He yelled. He threatened. He called them names. He worked like a tiger himself. It was a rough day, but the cemetery got cleaned up.

Frank went home sort of proud, sort of mad, and very tired.

"How'd things go, Frank?" the Scoutmaster asked a few days later.

"Good."

"No problems?"

"No." Frank wondered what he meant by that.

"Oh! Well, a couple of the boys in your patrol asked me if they could change to another patrol. I thought maybe something had gone wrong...."

And that was how Frank learned that getting the job done isn't all there is to leadership. He had really given the group a hard time, and now they wanted to break up.

Almost anybody with a whip and a mean temper can get a job done. But in doing it, they usually destroy the group. And that's not leadership. The group must go on.

Another new patrol leader called a meeting at his house. Everybody seemed to be hungry when they came. So they got some snacks from the kitchen. Then they tossed a football around. It began to get dark, and one by one they went home. Everybody had fun. But the patrol meeting -- the job -- never started.

One of the following statements is the message of this section. Which one?

a. Nice guys finish last.

b. Mean guys finish last.

c. Leaders get the job done and keep the group going.

d. Leaders have a special title or badge that makes others like to follow.

We'll take the third one. Will you?

What Affects Leadership?

Leadership is not magic that comes out of a leader's head. It's skill. The leader learns how to get the job done and still keep the group together.

Does this mean that the leader does the same things in every situation? No. Here's why.

Leadership differs with the leader, the group, and the situation.

Leaders -- like other people are all different. No leader can take over another leader's job and do it the same way.

Groups are different, too. A great football coach might have difficulty leading an orchestra. A good sergeant might be a poor Scoutmaster. So when a leader changes groups, he changes the way he leads.

Situations differ, too. The same leader with the same group must change with conditions. A fellow leading a group discussion needs to change his style of leadership when a fire breaks out. As a Scout leader, you probably can't lead the group in the rain the same as you do in the sunshine.

An effective leader, then, must be alert at all times to the reaction of the members of the group; the conditions in which he may find himself; and be aware of his own abilities and reactions.

Leadership Develops

Picture a long scale like a yardstick. On the low end, there are no leadership skills. On the other end, there is a complete set of leadership skills.

Everyone is somewhere between those ends!

Where do you find yourself at this time? Unknowingly, you may be further up the scale than you realize. As a staff member you'll now have the opportunity to find out.

How Will You Know You are Improving?

You learn leadership best by working with groups. That is something like learning swimming best by getting into the water.

Yet you can't keep track of your progress without a guide. You must know and understand what you are trying to learn. This means you have to know what the skills of leadership are.

A Letter from Scoutmaster Chadwick

Happy New Year All,

I hope that you all have enjoyed the holidays and our break from scouts. It has been a very blessed time for me and my family as well as a welcomed rest.

As some of you may know, my mom and dad were able to visit over the Thanksgiving holiday and we celebrated my mom’s 70th BD. It was certainly a very happy time to be with my parents since they live so far away (Pittsburgh PA). The Christmas and New Year’s holidays were even more special. Most importantly, my immediate family was all together and we are all healthy and happy. God has certainly made His presence known in our household as we celebrated Jesus’ birth and joyously watched the clock tick down to 2011. Sam, Dan, Gloria, and I shared a very special moment together welcoming in the new year.

So, what will the new year bring? That seems to be on the minds of most .. these days…. And especially for the troop. Traditionally, we kick things off in January with a few meetings and the Webelos Campout at Eastman Lake, followed by a wintery trek to Klondike at Shaver Lake. Although the full 2011 calendar has not yet been fully developed, I can share with you, that most, if not all, of our regularly attended events will take place. As we begin meeting again this year… we will solidify the calendar and schedule out the things that the boys want to do. (remember, we must have Adult leaders for these things). Our first meeting of the new year is Monday, January 10th, 2011 at 7:00 PM at the Madera United Methodist Church.

Each year the BSA and the Sequoia Council strongly advocate that all scouts and parents be better educated in the topic that deals with Child Sexual Abuse. If you have been involved with scouting for any length of time, you already know that this topic is nothing new for scouting and that it is repetitive as the boys progress through their scouting career.

Now that we have successfully Re-Charted the Troop (a huge thank you goes out to Mr. Schneider), over the next few weeks the troop will be viewing materials produced by the BSA to help us all recognize and prevent Child Sexual Abuse. Please make arrangements for you and your son to attend. If for some reason, you don’t wish to view this in a group setting, the materials will be available for you to check out and view privately. There will be two groups. One that deals with younger scouts and one that is more appropriate for older scouts. For time’s sake, both sessions will take place on the same night (Monday, January 17th). The groups will be in separate quarters. If you have any questions or concerns re: this training, please contact me, Bob Rolan, or Gaylen Thelander, and/or the Sequoia Council.

Attention Patrol Leaders Council Members: (Green Bar). [ it is not up to the adults … it is up to you.. this is your TROOP]

1. As we now have 4 patrols, we must get our Patrol names, uniform patches, yells, and flags solidified ASAP. SPL and ASPL need to ensure that all patrol leaders are working on these goals over the next month. This should be completed by the time we go to Eastman Lake as it is our practice time for Klondike in February.

2. We also need to plan out our activities for Eastman Lake and be mindful that this campout is not only for the Webelos but for prep work needed for Klondike. Mr. Govett and Mr. Tucker will be preparing a compass course and other events. Please be prepared to assist them and on January 10th will have sign ups. We will need to plan menus on Monday the 17th and have those responsible for food purchases accomplish that no later than Friday the 21st.

3. We need to have a complete inventory and stocking up of our camp boxes (including the 4th patrol box) and coordinate with the Quartermaster and the adult QM Advisor with this effort.

4. Ensure that each scout is paired up with a buddy and that each buddy team decide who is responsible for the tent, etc.

5. Remember that we have scheduled Green Bar Meetings the 3rd Monday of each month. Starting time 6:15 pm. This month it is on the 17th. Please be there on time, we have a lot to accomplish and a short time frame.

Welcome to 2011, an exciting new year for Troop 116

In Him,

Scout Master – Mr. Chadwick

A Soldier's Silent Night

As we enter this Holy Holiday Season, take a moment to think of those who serve to protect us.

This is a poem originally titled "Merry Christmas, My Friend" and written by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt in 1987. The audio recording was done by Father Ted Berndt and his daughter Ellen Stout in one take. Father Berndt has since passed away (3/19/2004), but his life's mission lives on - "to touch lives and make a difference."

At Christmastime while you are enjoying your time with family and friends, remember the soldiers spending Christmas away from their families and their country.

When you hit your knees tonight - say a prayer of thanks.

'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
and to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, net even a tree.
No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
a sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,
not how I pictured a United States Soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,
my life is my God, my Country, My Corps."
The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still
and we both shivered from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
The the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "carry on Santa, it's Christmas day, all is secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right.
Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night.

Sequoia Council Klondike February 18-20

The Klondike Snow Adventure is quickly approaching. The Klondike Snow Camporee transforms Camp Chawanakee into the Great White north of the "Klondike."

There will be Scout Skills competitions such as Fire Building, Spike Driving, Log Lifts, and a Snow Canon event. Scouts will need to vote at an upcoming meeting on whether or not to camp. If the troop does camp there is a Mandatory training for Scout Leadership. The Training is Saturday January 15 in Fresno.

Due to travel time and the short days If we camp, We would stay Saturday Night and return on Sunday.

Scouts come from all over the state to attend the Sequoia Council Klondike. We are pretty lucky to have a council that puts together such a great event for us.

Download the Sequoia Council Information Packet Here

Civics Day February 9th, 2011

The annual Madera Boy Scouts Civis Day is scheduled for Wednesday February 9th. This is a wonderful opportunity for Scouts from all over Madera to meet City and County Government Officials. All Boy Scouts are encouraged to attend.

If you are interested in attending please let Scoutmaster Mark Chadwick know.

The Day begins with Lunch at the Madera United Methodist Church and then tours of various government facilities.

The Madera Civics day was written up in 2001 in Boys Life and Scouting Magazines.



http://scoutingmagazine.org/issues/0101/a-civc.html

http://media.boyslife.org/archive/viewer.html?id=y_wDAAAAMBAJ&pg=37&query=civics+day+madera+california

Trap Shooting trip a little bit wet

Plan for rain on Saturday when we go up to Coarsegold for our Trap Shooting adventure. So plan accordingly and bring your rain jacket hat and proper footwear. It is a short drive up the mountain to Coarsegold so we will make a day of it and challenge the trap course between rain showers or in the rain.

Due to weather prediction I strongly suggest waterproof boots for this trip.

You can find directions to the range here: http://sunmountaingunclub.com/content.php?pg=location

Don't feed the Bears?

This is an awesome commercial. Almost brings a tear to the eye...

Cobb Cornfield Maze a tribute to Boy Scouts

The Cobb Ranch Corn field maze has been very popular over the years here in the Central San Joaquin Valley. This year in 2010 they are dedicating the maze to the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. you can visit their webpage here.

They are offering free admission to all Boy Scouts dressed in Full Uniform! That is a $10 saving folks! WOW!!!

Here is a PDF file of their Flyer

Happy Halloween!

November Shotgun Outing

The troop will be visiting the Sun Mountain Gun Club to experience the sport of Trap shooting. This outing requires a couple of permission slips to be turned in to the troop by November 8 so that the troop can have a proper headcount and buy the proper amount of ammunition for the day.

The troop Permission slip can be downloaded here

The Sun Mountain Gun Club permission slip can be downloaded here

Both forms and the activity fee must be turned in by November 8, 2010

Our goal for this outing is to give all of the scouts of Troop 116 an opportunity to learn how to properly handle a shotgun and try the sport of trap shooting.

The Gun Club has a snack bar on site and will have lunch available for purchase. Scouts may also bring their own lunch to eat on the premises. The activity fee for this outing is $30 per attendee. This will cover the costs of the range fee and ammo for 2 rounds of traps.

Mr Nishimoto has prepared a FAQ for the outing it can be downloaded here

For any other questions please contact Mister Nishimoto.

Tenderfoot through First Class Videos Now Online

Scouting.org now has training videos for new scouts needing to work on their rank advancements. Follow the following link to the Videos. Quicktime is required to view videos online. THis is a great tool to early Rank Advancement. Watch the videos and talk to your Scout Leader about the rank advancement requirements you have met.

Find Videos here on Scouting.org

Backpack Group Buy

The Bridge Store has offered to sell backpacks at a great price to the troop. The Backpacks available are manufactured by Everest Trading Company, Model numbers 8045DLX and 8045D. The 8045DLX is a Semi-external frame pack and the 8045D is a frameless pack. Bridge Store is making these packs available to the troop for $35 for the frame pack and $25 for the frameless pack.

Both Packs are available in BLACK, NAVY, FOREST GREEN, RED, AND ROYAL BLUE.

You can see the packs at the manufacturer's website here: EverestBags_8045DLX or Everestbags_8045D

I would describe these packs as economy or Value Packs. They are well made but do not have all of the bells and whistles of the Big Name or Big Dollar packs. Everest Bags does place a lifetime warranty on the materials and workmanship of the bags and can say that they are very well made, the material appears to be of high grade and the stitching seems strong. But for $35 the frame pack is well worth the money. The 8045DLX has a main compartment divider that utilizes a drawstring rather than a zipper. The divider can be opened completely so that the full pack area can be accessed through the top or the bottom access. There are tie down straps available everywhere on this pack. The Pack's total volume is approximately 2700 Cubic Inches or 44 Liters.

The only negative points I see with the pack are that Hip Straps are difficult to quickly adjust, and that some of the tie down straps are sewn so that they can not come apart. The Side compression straps also pinch down on the side pockets. The Hip strap issue maybe solved by setting it once and then leaving it in that position.

Mr Nishimoto will bring sample backpacks to the next few meetings so that scouts and parents can view and try on the backpacks. A group order sign-up sheet will be available for orders. Payment can be made to the Troop. The Order will be submitted after the meeting on Monday, September 13, 2010. The packs should arrive within one week.

Cora Lakes Backpacking Trip Report

The long hike is finally over but I bet a lot of scouts are still feeling sore from it. On Friday, August 13, we left for Strawberry Tungsten Mine from the Madera United Methodist Church. The mine was unavailable at the time so we changed our base camp location to Granite Creek Campground.

We found parts of the 5 mile uphill trail to be quite challenging. It was well worth it with the nice scenery and the cool lake, where Mr. Chadwick caught a 12 inch Rainbow Trout. All in all, it was a great first time experience for most of us. Scouts that attended were: Samuel, Tommy, Joshua, Jordan, Ethan, Jesus, Dalice, Jared, Elijah, Clayton, Juan, Ricky, Aaron, Zack, Taylor, Brandon.

Also big thanks to our adult leaders who also attended: Mr. Chadwick, Mr. Allen, Mr. Gong, Mr. Govett, Mr. Haney, Mr. Nishimoto, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Thelander, and Mr. J. Thornton.

Submitted by: Tommy

Philmont Bear Protocol

The following is from the Philmont Boy Scout Bear Protocol and Policy - Upon arriving in camp, place all "smellables" that are not immediately needed under the dining fly and place all dishes near the sump. If you are not looking at it, hang it! Smellable items are suspended away from people -- don't forget spilled food on clothes. The following are bear bag items:

1. All foods and trash
2. Medicine (place in boot if needed at night)
3. Soaps (including Camp-Suds) and shampoo
4. Foot powder
5. Chapstick
6. Sump Frisbee & condiment bag with all spices
7. Water bottles
8. Feminine hygiene products
9. Extra batteries/film/disposable cameras
10. Toothpaste/toothbrush
11. Sunscreen
12. Clothes that have spilled food or drink on them or you hiked in
13. Unwashed dishes
14. Tobacco
15. Deodorant/anti-perspirant
16. First Aid kits
17. Insect repellant
18. ALWAYS HANG ANYTHING THAT YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT

It is also suggested to not apply bug spray less than 2 hours before sleeping. It maybe inconvenient but better to be safe than sorry. All snacks and food will be consumed in the food area. NO FOOD IN CAMP AREA.

Water from the Sierras Is it Safe?

There has been much talk about Water for the upcoming backpacking trip into the Ansel Adams Wilderness. For optimal hydration every person should consume 100 oz. per day. So for this trip we are requiring every scout to carry at least 2 liters of water during the hike. We will replenish at selected sites during the trip.

So where do we get Safe water when on a backpacking trip? The Sierras have numerous streams and lakes that are considered safe for consumption and we will have filters available. In doing research I am finding that the Streams and lakes of the High Sierras 8000ft and higher are considered safe to drink. So each scout and adult will have to analyze the data for himself and make the decision to drink straight or treat the water. BTW, BSA recommends that all water should be treated.

How do we treat water? Water can be filtered with a backpack filter. You can treat the water with chemical tablets or Iodine. You can Boil Water. Boiling is also a topic of question because how long do you need to boil water? My answer is 1 minute at FULL BOIL and then allow the water to cool. This full cycle of heat will kill most if not all of the harmful critters. Why 1 minute? because that takes the altitude adjustment out of the equation.

Robert Rockwell, PhD. author of the article "Giardia Lamblia with Special Attention to the Sierra Nevada" states that as long as the backpacker drinks smart he should be safe. Backpackers need to pay attention to the condition of the water source and the overall area. Dr. Rockwell has found that a majority of the water from the Sierra Nevada is safe as the San Francisco Municipal Water Supply.

Read the Original Article Here

How To Do #2 Outdoors

Often wondered and rarely talked about. How exactly do you do #2 when in the woods?

First you must know where to relieve yourself. The number most often given is 200ft. You should only defecate 200ft from sources of water or established trails. Once your spot is selected you will then dig a cat hole. A cat hole is called this because that is what a cat does. A cat hole is 6 - 8 inches deep. Why only 6 - 8 inches? because that is where the organic organisms hang out and deep enough to protect it from small critters. These organisms are what break down the "poo" aka. fecal mater. Any deeper and the "poo" may be lying there for a long time.

When digging your cat hole remember to break out a clean top cap so it can be replaced over the hole. To dig you can use a digging stick or a small shovel.

Now how to actually do the "Doo Doo." Select a spot where you can either lean against a tree when in the squat position. Or find a tree that you can hang on to so you do not fall backwards. Or just squat down and do it. Here is a great internet article on just these facts.

OK what about the wiping part? Well... If you use paper, then you should use it, bag i,t and hike it out when you go home and find a trash can. Some campers like to use natural vegetation AKA good quality leaves. This requires a bit of plant identification because some plants irritate your skin and you don't want that down there.

This method follows the basics of Leave No Trace. Soon we may need to start packing the whole load out. If this becomes a requirement we would resort to using Climber's Poop Tubes. That will be a future article.

The website with the article is outdoor survival website and has some great articles on multple subjects.

Hikers Guide to Cora Lakes

I am posting a link to a guide on Cora Lakes. This is written as a day hike from the beginning of the trail head above Clover Meadows. We will be starting from Strawberry Mine which is about a 1/4 of a mile above the trail head.

Mr Slenders the current owner of Strawberry Mine tells me that the Mosquitoes have been voracious at Cora lakes. So bring your bug spray and Be Prepared. We have to Camp over 200 feet away from the lake to protect the environment so we may camp a bit further to protect ourselves.

The fishing should be OK at the lakes so bring your fishing pole and fishing license if you need one.

The Guide refers to parts of the hike as a Gentle Stroll. Of course the writer is probably in shape and without a pack since he did it as a day hike. We will be taking our time so we are not on a schedule.

Download guide here.

Coleman Dual Fuel Camp Stove Manual

The Coleman Backpacking Stoves we have are the older Coleman Peak 1 Dual Fuel Single Burner Model 440. Most of the Coleman liquid fuel stoves all operate pretty similarly So I am Posting the manual for a similar model operation and precautions are identical. You can view the PDF file Here. When dealing with Coleman Liquid fuel stoves, never over fill the stove. Only fill the stove to the bottom of the filler neck as stove sits flat, do not tilt stove to add more fuel. Follow instructions printed on stove for lighting instructions. Allow generator tube to reach full temperature before cooking on stove. Do not pump stove while cooking utensils are on stove. If flame appears weak, Pump up the stove.

When storing stove after cooking is complete, Turn off Stove, wait for 1-2 minutes as stove may continue to burn as fuel in generator tube burns off. After Stove has cooled off, open filler cap to vent off pressure, and then RESEAL cap tightly. Ensure stove is turned off and then bag stove in storage bag, and secure to the outside of your pack. Keep Stove on the outside of your pack to prevent fuel from spilling on your pack contents.

Download Stove Instructions NOW

Scouts vs Backpacker Readers

Backpacker magazine had a competition between some East Coast Scouts and some of their Readers in Backpack and Camping skills. Skills test came right out of the Boy Scout Handbook. The results are surprising... Read the Article Here. Practice and study those skills!

Backpacking food Primer

Here is some information on backpack Foods. It is a Powerpoint presentation prepared by a troop in North Carolina. Things to remember as you plan out your meals you should try to consume 2000+ calories per day. A balanced diet of 50% carbs, 25% fats and 25% proteins will make you feel better through the trip. Remember each camp buddy team is responsible for their own food. Aim to limit waste by repackaging food when possible. Example Use a Noodle brick and mix rather than the Cup O Noodles.