1996-1997
View the 1996-97 Calendar
End of Year Picnic & Court of Honor, June 15, 1997
We held the picnic at the Scout House, under warm sunny skies. The ceremony, back then, was held
inside the scout house, in somewhat cramped and certainly less elegant quarters than St. Julia's
Nantucket Bike Trip, June 13-15, 1997
Caught an early evening ferry to Nantucket Friday night, and biked
from the ferry dock to the Nantucket Scout Reservation, arriving just after
dark. The Scout Reservation was fabulous; campsite was secluded,
yet had running water, picnic tables, and there was even a hot shower!
Spent Saturday touring the island on our bikes, stopping at Surfside Beach
(huge waves), Siasconset for lunch, and later at the Sankaty Head lighthouse;
finished the tour at a soda fountain on Main Street. Several visits
were paid to Young’s Bicycle Shop for tire repairs. Participants included:
Watson S., Mr. Merrill, Ryan M., Mr. Lettieri, Mike L., Jesse L., Josh Z., Mike B.,
Gary W., Alex W., Sam L., Mr. Sallay, George L., and Mr. Lee.
Trip to State House, June 9, 1997
To complete Citizenship in the Nation merit badge, the troop went into
the State House after school on Monday afternoon. We were given a full
tour, followed by a visit in the Senate Chamber with Weston's new Senator,
Susan Fargo.
Whitewater Rafting, May 17, 1997
Suited up in matching wetsuits. Rafted down a 10-mile stretch of the
Deerfield River, through the Zoar Gap (Class 3 rapids). Stopped for lunch
below the Gap. Our two rafts got into a major water splashing battle toward
the end of our trip, with full buckets of water being tossed from one raft
to the other. Everyone got very wet, but had a great time.
Spring Camporee, May 3-4, 1997
Camped at Nobscot near the pond. Participated in Camporee competitions
all day Saturday, finishing high up in the standings. Participants included:
Ben B., Mike B., Matt K., Watson S., Alex W., Mr. Lee, and Mr. Sallay.
Parent/Son Fishing Outing, April 12, 1997
About seven fathers and sons went fishing on Nonesuch Pond, including
several of the 5th grade boys who recently joined. Fewer fish were caught
than last year, attributable (so the experts said) to our being out on
the pond a month earlier. But it did not matter. Everyone had a great time.
"Cooking" Trip, March 22-23, 1997
Camped at Peabody Site at Nobscot. Theme was cooking. Every scout attending
advanced toward either Cooking Merit Badge (by preparing three meals),
First Class (three meals), or Second Class (assisting in meal preparation).
Watching five different dinners simultaneously in preparation held us all
spellbound. Two fun rounds of Capture the Flag were played on Saturday
afternoon, after the clouds cleared. The night was clear, with a full moon.
Totin' Chip instruction on Sunday morning rounded out the weekend. Participants
included: Participants included: Watson S., Ben B., George L., Alex W., Mike W., Mr. Lee, Mr. Wertz,
and Mr. Sallay.
2nd Ski Trip, February 7-9, 1997
Perfect weather made for another wonderful ski trip. Comfortable temperatures,
little or no wind, and not a cloud in the sky, not even over Mt. Washington.
Stayed again at Hutmen's. Skied both days at Wildcat. Nine boys, including
one brand new to downhill skiing (Sam L.). Shared Old Hutmen Cabin with
Troop 503 from Winchester, Mass. They had expected to have cabin to themselves,
as they had announced use of it to the OH Association. Thus, they were
understandably surprised to see another scout troop arrive, but went out
of their way to accomodate us. Twenty six people occupied the cabin Saturday
night; Troop 157 upstairs; Troop 503 downstairs. We invited Troop 503 to
join us at the OH Cabin again next year, and offered to let them use our
cabin at Nobscot for one of their trips.
1st Ski Trip, January 17-19, 1997
Stayed at Old Hutmen Cabin in Jackson, New Hampshire. Skied both Saturday
and Sunday at Wildcat Mountain. Weather was very cold, but skiing was fantastic--sunny
and perfect snow. Two boys learned to ski (Ben B. and Alex W.), one tried
snowboarding (Austin S.). George B. and Mr. B. took the backcountry, telemark
trail off the backside of Wildcat on Sunday. Apres ski on Saturday: Hot
tub, swimming, and pool at Sports Lodge at Bretton Woods, followed by dinner
of shish kabobs back at the cabin. Great time.
Nobscot Cabin Trip, December 7-8, 1996
Plan had been to build 12 foot high catapults to launch water balloons
at the Scoutmasters, but a foot of snow caused a change of plans. A wild
game of Capture the Flag was played in the snow on Saturday, with snowballs
for weaponry. More snowball battles were fought on Sunday morning. Everyone
had a great time.
Service Day: Scouting for Food & Raking Leaves at Scout House,
November 23, 1996
We worked from 8-10:30am raking leaves in the front of the Scout House,
and then went on to the South Side Firehouse to pack food collected by
Cub Scouts. The food was boxed and loaded on an Ogilvey's truck, and taken
to A Place to Turn in Natick. So much food was collected that we were barely
able to get it to Natick. With the truck full to near overloading, we had
to put the rest in the back of Mr. F's station wagon!
White Mountains Hike, October 26, 1996
With perfect sunny weather, hiked up the Basin-Cascade and Cascade
Trails to Lonesome Lake, above Franconia Notch, New Hampshire. Made a couple
of stream crossings on the way up (only the Scoutmaster got wet). Had a
leisurely lunch at the lake's edge, and then hiked around the lake, down
the shorter, Lonesome Lake Trail, and then back to our car along the Pemi
Trail, which follows the Pemi River through Franconia Notch.
Canoeing Trip, October 4-6, 1996
Paddled a quickwater stretch of the Saco River in Maine, from Canal
Bridge in Fryeburg to Woodland Acres Campground in Brownfield. Nights were
chilly (ice on the tent flys), but the clear sunny days could not have
been better. Lots of fun was had, especially "party barging" (canoes lashed
together). Camped and lunched on sand bars.
Kayaking Trip, September 13-15, 1996
Gale-force winds in Maine forced cancellation of the trip, but we'll
plan on doing it next fall.