BSA Troop 451, Lewisville, TX

Once again, Troop 451 returned to Worth Ranch (The Big Adventure) Boy Scout Camp this weekend to enjoy the outdoors and participate in some shooting sports activity, arriving a little after 9:00 PM Friday. Pitching a tent in the cold dark is always a bit of a challenge but every Scout and Scouter was equal to the challenge. After a quick ‘cracker barrel’ of cheese, crackers (of course - It’s a cracker barrel), and Li’l Smokies sausages in BBQ sauce, everyone hunkered down for a chilly night. While not the coldest it’s been recently, the overnight temperatures dropped into the mid-20s. With the correct equipment, that isn’t a problem but getting up and leaving the warm cocoon of one’s sleeping bag is a bit of a struggle, especially at 6:00 AM. After a hearty breakfast, we headed to the range to try our hands at shotgun. The morning started about 8:30 with a briefing covering basic firearms safety, the range rules, and a review of the basics of shotgun shooting. As per ...

The high point of any week at Camp Geiger comes Thursday night. This is the night of the “Tapping” ceremony, when new candidates for admission to the tribe of Mic-O-Say are publicly selected. The tribe is the honor camping society of the Pony Express Council, the Heart of America Council, and Camp Geiger. In some ways, it is similar to the national scout camping honor society, Order of the Arrow, but Mic-O-Say is unique. For example, both groups make extensive use of Native American lore and traditions but the tribe of Mic-O-Say maintains greater adult involvement in its leadership. Many camping honor societies arose in the 1920s (the tribe goes back to 1925) and most of these were eventually subsumed into OA. Yet a few, like the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, maintained their independence and thrived. While current tribesmen are busily tending to myriad duties, everyone else enjoys dinner and then assembles for the evening’s events. Tribesmen first lead the campers across the camp t...

“...For a century, Scouts just like you have served your communities and your nation in ways both large and small. During World War II, Scouts played a vital role in supporting the war effort at home by running messages and selling war bonds....Today, Scouts across the country continue in the tradition of collecting food for those in need, improving our neighborhoods, and reaching out to those less fortunate.... Congratulations on your first hundred years.  I’m sure the next hundred will be even better.”  President Barack H. Obama at 2010 National scout Jamboree It is 11:06 and we are out of the camp crossing River Missouri @ St. Joseph. It was 81 degrees, with slight breeze. Looks like rain is headed to Camp Geiger. This my third time here and I truly felt this was the best, we could not have asked for better. Some of senior leaders can answer in Circle Up, if there was better week they remember. Thank you "God" for such a great week. We did get the award fo...

We were once again announced as "Best Camp Site" at lunch today, that makes it - 3 of 5 days. Today our leadership team presented a Plaque made by Mr Rawson to Mr. Tony Sasso, thanking him for all the support the camp provides us. It was later signed by all leaders here. Unlike our foxmen, who were seen running and working all around camp today, we adults who got tapped had an easier time with service projects and meetings. (Taking foxmen picutres in the camp is not allowed, we did take some when they stopped by for lunch) At the start the week, merit badges were looking like class rooms, middle of the week they were bustling with activities, today it looked like they were all relaxing. We also had our senior scouts proudly wearing - I survived C.O.PE T-Shirts Early in the evening, our scouts started closing the camp down. Dinner was outside in tapper valley. The scene resembled a big picnic celebration. Plenty of food, lots of noise, weather was great. We...

“ We must change boys from a ‘what can I get’ to a ‘what can I give’ attitude.” Robert Baden-Powell Today, I am in a rush so will try to keep this short and sweet. Yesterday, We are again voted as the "Sharpest Troop" at Camp. So far - We have been the sharpest troop here every day this was announced so far I have been here 3 times, yesterday weather for the Tapping Ceremony was perfect. It was not hot, It was nice 70+ degrees with breeze. Our camp site Entrance has a make over. Mr. Rawson showed our entire camp, how with a little creativity and commitment, you can take a pile of burnt wood and convert them into meaningful use. From this :  To This : The weather continues to be really good ..... and am sure everyone is waiting to see us come back from camp tomorrow. We are looking forward to it too .... As usual more pictures posted to smugmug this am... take a look. 

I urge you to rededicate yourselves to the ideals of the Scout Oath, and to reaffirm your obligations to your God and to your country. In so doing, you will contribute to the strengthening of America’s heritage and thereby to the realization of our common goals in the Great Society. —Lyndon Baines Johnson Happy July 4th to everyone from here at camp. It is bright and sunny here. 85 degrees with a slight breeze. Should be a great night. Looks like the tapping fire is completely built and Ready to Go . Mr. Covington, Enjoying the ride to dining hall I realize this year, I have very few pictures of Mr. Covington. Just wanted to go on the record that - "The fact that he is not in picture is a testimony that he is not over committing to working hard. Mr. Covington continues to be the support the boys with what they need at camp. Not sure how the boys would get by without his support. Before I get into more trouble with him for this picture .. I will end this commentar...