Little Sahara Campout 10/19-10/20 2012

Troop 1513 visited the Little Sahara last weekend. . . well almost.  We got to the state park entrance only to find out costs for entry have gone up significantly. It was our intent to camp outside the park anyway so the leaders felt the price per vehicle to be too excessive for the limited time we'd be at the dunes.  Before we had a chance to turn around and go in search of our own "off the beaten path" campsite, an ambulance zoomed into the ranger station to transfer an injured person to an approaching Air Med chopper from Mountain View.  The whole operation was impressive.  I wonder if Brent Jones eventually helped this individual?   

Activities that evening included tin foil dinners and hot coco, three rousing rounds of steal the flag, and spooky stories.  Best looking meal of the evening went to the Hoschouers who foiled up some breaded chicken breast and french fries smothered in BBQ sauce. Best reaction to a scary story goes to Brandon Wilson and Colin Walker, but admittedly, most of the boys looked like this little feller throughout the night:

The next morning, the boys enjoyed cold cereal and another toasty mug of hot coco (Vince has got the blend down to a science -- no better coco can be had in the upper 48).  Our plan after breakfast was to find the "back way" into the state park.  Sadly, some ranger spent entirely too much time and entirely too many tax dollers to put this up around the entire state park. 

As scouts do, we improvised.  We continued with the friendly competition from the night before and played daylight steal the flag.  At night, the leaders could use the cover of darkness to compensate for their lack of speed and agility when sprinting after boys.  Daylight put the advantage back into the hands our our much younger and spry advasaries.  I can't tell the difference between these kids and this critter:

Here are some additional photos from the weekend.  Enjoy.  Lastly, we'd like to thank John Hoschouer for his commitment and contributions to the SVV scounts and wish him well in his new assignment. 

Tristen is over joyed that he made it through the night after Tad's terrifying ghost story.

"Hey guys! The tent folds up too!  How 'bout that!" says, Colin.  Dallas quietly ponders, "who put this guy in charge?"

Austin and Brandon contemplate the benefits of getting out of bed. 

The boys suddenly realize if they tear down and move their tent two inches more to the left, they will be slightly less up hill and benefit more from sunlight in the morning.

Brandon contemplates Einstein's theory of relativity and concludes he must be wrong.

As a last hoorah (payback from the miseries of scout camp), John Hoschouer adds a secret ingredient to the hot coco.  Tristen says, "that's suppose to make the coco more chocolatie?".  In reply Brother Hoschouer matter-of-factly says, "yes, Tristen, it is". 

Throughout the campout, we had to tell the boys to tone down their spontaneous proclivity to dance an Irish jig.

The Three Amigos of not so famous acclaim.  We lost the Fourth Amigo somewhere between Eureka and Santaquin.   

Vince is about to demonstrate how to make an airplane out of a large blue tarp.  "It has to be blue" he says.  "The grey and red ones are too flimsy!".

Still at it, Brother Hoschouer adds one more ingredient to the coco and says, "This ought to do it".  At which Austin replies, "he said it was marshmellow syrup! Yum. . . "





The Story of One Good Turn

One day in 1909 in London, England, An American Visitor, William D. Boyce, lost his way in a dense fog. He stopped under a street lamp and tried to figure out where he was. A boy approached him and asked if he could be of help.

 

"You certainly can," said Boyce. He told the boy that he wanted to find a certain business office in the center of the city.

"I'll take you there," said the boy.

When they got to the destination, Mr. Boyce reached into his pocket for a tip. But the boy stopped him.

"No thank you, sir. I am a Scout. I won't take anything for helping."

"A Scout? And what might that be?" asked Boyce.

The boy told the American about himself and about his brother scouts. Boyce became very interested. After finishing his errand, he had the boy take him to the British Scouting office. At the office, Boyce met Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the famous British general who had founded the Scouting movement in Great Britain. Boyce was so impressed with what he learned that he decided to bring Scouting home with him.

On February 8, 1910, Boyce and a group of outstanding leaders founded the Boy Scouts of America. From that day forth, Scouts have celebrated February 8 as the birthday of Scouting in the United States.

What happened to the boy who helped Mr.Boyce find his way in the fog? No one knows. He had neither asked for money nor given his name, but he will never be forgotten. His Good Turn helped bring the scouting movement to our country.

In the British Scout Training Center at Gilwell Park, England, Scouts from the United States erected a statue of an American Buffalo in honor of this unknown scout. One Good Turn to one man became a Good Turn to millions of American Boys. Such is the power of a Good Turn.

Legolas We Were Not, But. . .

Troop 1513 took a divide and conquer approach to our activity last night.  We had a number of boys who joined with the 11-year old scouts to work on their compass work required for their 2nd Class rank.   The rest of the troop worked on the archery merit badge, some of which had nearly completed while at Camp Tifie. Good shooting, gents!

Special thanks for Cory Walker for hosting and running our range and to Kevin Goulding in helping us secure bows from the district.  Cory, when farmer Brown's sprinklers are off, let us know and we'll help find some of the errant arrows that went missing. 

If anyone is looking for a test of strength, seek out Mike "Muscle Man" Merrill and ask to draw back on his 70+ lb compound bow.  Not only did I struggle to draw the bow back during my turn, I think I heard Vince whisper to Mike, "boy if you think he's a sissy now, you should have heard him squeal when he thought a bear was outside his tent at Tifie". 

Official Tifie Year 4 Week 4 Camp Video

Scouts/Parents,

Here's the official camp video from our week at Tifie.  See if you can spot our scouts among the 700+ that were in attendance during our week!  Enjoy.

Troop 1513 Tifie Scout Camp 2012

We had a fun and successful week at camp this year.  The scouts completed 53 merit badges out of 70 attempted.  We had around 8 archery merit badges that were only lacking in a little range time of completion.  A few boys will need to complete the First Aid merit badge which is a requirement for the emergency preparedness merit badge.  Because of the wild fires we had an extra 5 troops from Scofield Scout Camp which double stacked some of our classes.  The boys spent their free time swimming, shooting and beating a deep path to the trading post for ice cream and drinks.

Our camp spot 'Bear' was in a perfect spot with lots of shade.  We were closest to most of the merit badges, swimming pool and the trading post but furthest from the shooting sports.  The boys enjoyed every meal except the slightly burned potatoes.

The camp director spent a lot of time with our troop playing a number counting game he said not many groups could make to number 20.  We finally made it to the high 30's with him on Friday afternoon.  Judging by the little free time he had, I think he spent most of it with our boys.

We split the boys into two patrols for this camp and it worked really good for chores, devotionals and troop organization.  The Sage Grouse and Grizzly patrol switched back and forth between the red and tan class B t-shirts each day so we could better identify the patrols by their color.  Tim and John each took a patrol under their wing and helped them with their duties through the week. 

The boys worked hard on a card board duck tape boat that they raced and took first place in.  Their race time across the pool was around 22 seconds.  The camps best time ever was 17 seconds.  I think the second best time for week 4 at Tifie this year was around 60 seconds.  Take a look at the previous blog that has a video showing just how fast they were.

We also won the Baden Powell award.  This award is given to one troop during the week that demonstrates scout spirit, service and a high score on uniforms and camp inspection.  We also won the spirit stick which only eight troops had the opportunity to obtain.

We had a real camp bear that hound dogs chased back and forth around our camp late at night and early in the morning.  I think Yogi Bear would have been proud of him.

By The Numbers: Camp Tifie

140:  The estimated number of visits made by our scouts to the trading post (10 per boy).
84:  The estimated number of ice cream treats consumed by our troop (6 per boy).
70:  The number of merit badges we attempted.
53:  The number of merit badges completed.
51:  The number of medical forms required for our troop to participate at camp.
45:  The number of sandwiches consumed by our scouts.
40:  The number of hamburger patties consumed by the troop and it's leaders.
28:  The highest level achieved in Crazy Craig's number game by our troop.
22:  The number of seconds it took to get "Slick Silver" from one end of an olympic-sized pool to the other (nearly a Tifie record).
18:  The number of times a boy had to sing to the troop for items left unattended (I actually lost track of this stat at 18).
17:  The number of partial merit badges.
14:  The number of 12-13 year-old-boys who attended camp.
7:  The number of square miles of ozone depleted by our troop over Camp Tifie.  No, seriously.
6:  The average number of times a boy was dunked by the "Killer Whale".
5:  The number of merit badge classes attended by each scout, the number of days to complete the Baden Powell Award for troops, and also the number of flag ceremonies attended by the troop.
4:  The number of adult leaders who attended part or all of camp and also the average number of times Crazy Cantankerous Carl of the rifle range yelled at our boys during camp.
3:  The number of cheese burger patties consumed at once by our smallest scout, the average number of times boys hiked across camp to visit the shooting range in a day, and the number of troop devotionals given.
2:  The number of boys Collin hugged when scared by a ghost story and the number of pair of socks lost or ruined by each boy.
1:  The recommended number of nights you can safely serve beanies and weenies to scouts in a 5 day period -- anymore than that could be disastrous.  Also, the number of times we won the coveted spirit stick for the troop who demonstrated the most scout spirit.
0:  The number of boys who attended camp that got sick, badly injured, or lost.

The Grizz and Grouse rule.  Thank you, boys.  We had a blast.  I think you all filled your box.

The fastest thing on Cardboard (and Duct Tape - of course!)

After much sweat, blood, tears, ketchup, and ingenuity.... Victory was the only thing left to add to the recipie!  The Cardboard Beauty - referred to in some circles as "Slick Silver" was revved up and ready to go - Captained by Kyle Larson and Spencer Steiner - Not even a Mother Black Bear with cubs and a herd of Hound Dogs could catch these motivated Boy Scouts!  Great work boys!  We WON!!!

Although we did not win the "Swamping" Competition and "Slick Silver" eventually became "Sunk Silver" - Our boys gave it their all and came in a close second or third in this competition.  This was the "Bonus Round" of the days competition and was a great "token prize" for another troop.  Great work again troop 1513!  You boys are wonderful and AMAZING!!!

Troop 1513 "Victory is Ours": A Camp Tifie Photo Collection by Mike Merrill

 Entrance to Camp Tifie - Just above Mount Pleasant.

 Brother Tim DeGraw flinging lead BB's into the air with a keen focus on demolishing a Clay Pigeon!

 Brother John Hoschouer looking to best the other Scout Masters!

 Brother Vince Hunt showing us his real (secret) skills outside of Computer Programming!

 Doug Julian working on his next silly story around the fire at night!

 Coulson Boggess and Austin Weight listening to another "Tall Tale" from Brother DeGraw around the table!

 Coulson Boggess telling another "Tall Tale" to Austin DeGraw, Brother DeGraw, Jackson Black, Kyle Larson, and Austin Weight while enjoying the cool mountain air.... According to Coulson- "The Butler did it!"

Jackson Black looks on while sporting a "trendy new look" - The Green Moustache.  Austin Weight can do nothing but stare at it... While Cole Thurston can only look away in disappointment. Cole likes purple better!

 Hunter Ferre shows that no matter how dark the night sky gets - It is NO MATCH for his bright and cheerful smile!  Hunter always has a great attitude!

 Brother Hoschouer is putting a plan together to take over the whole mountainside by first light.... Austin Weight can picture such a feat becoming a reality, while Coulson thinks they may be onto something.  Austin DeGraw thinks this is just not in the cards and Kyle Goulding is speculating on the possibilities... that this devious plan just might work!  Spencer Steiner is thinking...."This has already failed three other times this week and I want ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with it!

 Jacob Underwood, Cole Thurston, and Kyle Larson work together to get the job done!  Teamwork!

The Alto Cumulus clouds assembled just before our last meeting on Friday morning... Here comes the rain!

 Brother DeGraw and Brother Hunt discussing the merit badges that need to be completed that day while the boys line up for the flag ceremony.

Brother Hoschouer looking on proudly at the South Valley View Scouts as they prepare to lead the Color Guard on the final day of the scout camp.

 Ohhhh... To be young again.....  Our troops are lookin' good and having a great time!

 South Valley View Ward Scout Troop 1513 leading the Flag Ceremony.

 Let the "Engineering" of the Vessel begin!  If victory has any place in our future.....  Every measurement,  including "Wing Span" is most critical!

 Every project must have a plan!  Even if it is a boat made from strictly Cardboard and Duct Tape!

 Everyone got involved and pitched in. Tristen Dimick knows we have created something special as he looks back and gives us the "You just hide.... and watch" look. We ultimately came up with a design and a boat that both Nephi and Noah would have been proud of.  Although... to be honest.... It was not ultimately "Tight...like unto a dish" when "Push came to shove" in the "Swamp the Boat: competition held after the race.

Many Hands make light work! The boat was pretty light and so were the Sailors! Sounds like a "Goocher!"

 Jackon beheld the vessel and declared that it was "good"... He was right...It was good...In fact, it was great!

 The boat was complete... and only one question remained.... Where would we fit all of the animals?!?!?!?!?

 Jackson Black - Zero-ing in on his target!  Of course.... Our young Jackson hit the "Bull's Eye!"

 Doug Julian looking to load in another round.  Doug also shot very well and "represented" at the shoot!

 Coulson Boggess hit all three targets that they threw in this round of the Shotgun Competition! Nice work!

 Collin Walker proved that this gun and the clay pigeons were "No Match" for his marksman skills!  Collin also hit three out of three skeet that were thrown for another perfect score in the competition for our troop!

 Coulson and Collin look on as Spencer Steiner and Kyle Larson prepare for the Cardboard boat race!

 Our boys are getting ready to "Put on a SHOW!!!"  Colin and Coulson work on the "intimidation factor."

 The boys discuss the "Rules of Engagement" with the Competition Director and it is reconfirmed that neither fire nor a herd of South American Red-Gilled Piranha's may be used to obliterate all that is known as the competition.  We were ultimately forced to exercise "Plan C" and use a dizzying combination of brute strength, agility, tenacity, will power, athleticism, and just plain old Southern Mississippi Booty Kickin' to best the competition.  "Plan C" worked.

 We were stuck between a boat anchor, the Titanic, and a horizontal replica of Sponge-Bob Square Pants here... But our scouts did their best to keep a straight face and wish their good neighbors to the North and the South "Good Luck" as they prepared to speed off to victory!

 Collin lets out a behemoth yell of excitement as the competition heats up in the "Swamp the Boat" Contest!

 Coulson had to be closer to the action and time warped himself through the fence to do so... Nice work!

 This is what they do to Merit Badge Counselors who don't sign the completed ""Blue Card" when done.

 There's nothing like the sound of a fresh belly flop to get a crowd of young excited Boy Scouts revved up!

 They called her "Flying Duct Tape" or even "Smooth Silver" in some circles... and for good reason!

 "Old Silver's" final tour before retiring to a "Fiery Grave" at the local dump! Bon Voyage! Ous Vous Chérie!

 Colin Walker and Kyle Larson getting ready to brave the weather on an exploration hike! 

 They called him "Little Red Collin-Hood".... But I called him "dry."

 Brother DeGraw can hardly believe his taste buds.... This was a true "Ham" Burger!  Good stuff!

 This is what you call "Double Trouble" - and I ain't even started talking about the burgers yet!  They were "custom built" by the camp cooks that evening - Brother Mike Merrill and Brother Tim DeGraw.  Double Patty, Double Ham, Double Cheese.... Double FABULOUS!!  Top Chef..... Here we come!

 Tristen Dimick decided to stack up a "Trifacta" in order to diminish our "Double Trouble" burgers!

 Step 1 - No matter what the size relation to ones head and the Triple Burger - Take a bite... If you can!

 Step 2 - Unlock your lower jaw like Burmese Python... and prepare to dive in for another bite!

 Step 3 - Twist your unlocked jaw in order to grind the burger as you continually consume it from all sides.

Step 4 - Forget all of the antics and just DIG IN!  Nice job Tristen!  Not only did he finish the entire triple burger shown in "Exhibit E" above - He was also able to double his body weight in a matter of minutes!  That was one huge burger that Tristen would not let go to waste!  VERY IMPRESSIVE Tristen!