Boy Scout Troop 1001

Troop 1001 Has 2 Philmont Crews for Summer 2010!

Our Trek dates are June 19, 2010 to June 30, 2010 plus travel and pre/post trek activities.  Based on past experience, expect to depart Richardson on June 17, 2010 and return on July 1, 2010.

The Troop has 24 total available slots in two separate trail crews.  Each crew's minimum size is 7 participants and maximum size is 12 participants.  Each crew must have at least two adult advisors (one must be over 21 years of age).  Each crew can have a maximum of four advisors over the age of 21; however our Troop's philosophy has been to encourage the crews to include as many boys as possible.  The crews must have a majority of youth participants (a 7 member crew can only have 3 adult advisors).  We plan to organize one crew for a challenging itinerary (50-60 miles) and the other for a more strenuous itinerary (70-90 miles).

Youth participants MUST BE 14 YEARS OF AGE BY SEPTEMBER 1, 2010 - NO EXCEPTIONS - Philmont's rule.  Adult participants can be as old as they like on September 1, 2010 - as long as they carry their share of the load. Last summer an 81 year old grandfather from Boston completed a trek with his son and grandson! (See story here)

As with the 2008 Philmont expedition, each crew must have one person certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR.  All adult advisors must complete Youth Protection Training in 2010.  All participants must have a complete physical in 2010 prior to participation.  Philmont Scout Ranch requires participants to meet height/weight and Blood Pressure guidelines that are explained at this link.  This is usually more of an issue for adults than boys, but be aware that being outside the guidelines will keep you from getting on the trail and there are no refunds. 

There will be four Philmont shakedown events between September 2009 and June 2010 as well as monthly crew meetings outside the normal Troop meeting for team building and preparation.  The Backcountry Advanced Training course presented by the North Trail district will be included in the shakedown schedule. Attendance at all events and meetings will be expected. 

The Philmont trek fee is $620.00 per person (youth or adult).  A $50.00 deposit can be paid now and is due by September 15, 2009.  A $285.00 payment is also due by September 15, 2009.  A second $285.00 payment is due by February 15, 2010 to complete the Philmont fee.  There is also a Transportation and Activity fee which will probably be $200 - $250 and will be due by April 15, 2010.  If cost is an issue, there are scholarship opportunities available, applications are required by December 2009.    

For many Scouts, completing a Philmont Trek is an adventure with memories and friendships that last a lifetime.  As a parent, you may notice a more self-reliant and confident young man returns home from the trek.  Participant applications and other information will be posted on Troop1001.org as it becomes available.  Please contact Kirk McClure or Mike Reisinger now to express interest or with any questions.

Be prepared!

• Packing List
• Itinerary
• Schooner Conch Pearl - Scout Information
• Florida Keys marine weather
• Islamorada weather
• Key West Weather and radar

 

 

Florida Sea Base Crew SLS062108A departs Friday, June 20 and returns Sunday, June 29.  The first and last nights are spent at a hotel in Ft. Lauderdale. The second and second-to-last nights will be spend in the dorms at FSB. The rest of the time will be spent aboard the Schooner Conch Pearl or diving beneath her.

Scouts, you will be working the rigging on this trip and our captain recommends you brush up on your clove hitch, bowline, square knot and cleat hitch. Anyone for a one-handed bowline?

The principles of Leave No Trace apply on this trip, as does the Outdoor Code. Here is an excellent illustration of why never to touch coral, even lightly, and here is the accompanying story. 

  More Links:

• Florida Sea Base home page
  
• FSB Guide Book
  
• Schooner Black Pearl Conch Pearl - Our liveaboard vessel. See also their BSA page and FAQ for helpful hints.
• Scuba Toys - Certification classes and dive gear
• Scuba BSA Award Guide and Application

Philmont Crew 612-M will meet at Trinity Bible Church on Tuesday June 10, 2008 at 8:30 am. Please be on time; we want to be on the road by 9:00 AM. Each crew member should have his backpack packed for the trail and carry a small duffel bag or school sized backpack with clothes, toiletries, etc for our days on the road. We will wear Class A uniforms while we are traveling (scout shirts can be removed while in the van - crew or BSA related t-shirt required). Once we start checking in at Philmont (6/12/08) we will only wear Class A for Crew Picture, Chapel Services and Opening/Closing Campfire.

Each boy needs to have:

• Personal gear listed in the BAT binder or the Philmont Guide to Adventure. Lost your Guidebook? Look here.
• The crew gear (stoves, gas, pots, compass, etc) that we have used on our shakedowns.
• The capacity to carry at least 4-5 liters of water (Nalgenes, Camelback, etc).
• Ten tent stakes (7" gutter nails will work and are cheap and light).
• Spending money for souvenirs (Philmont belt and buckle are about $40).
• Red or Blue Philmont golf shirts from Mr. Reisinger (we may wear these in place of scout shirt IF everyone has one).
• Three copies of any outstanding paperwork.

Pillows might be nice for the van ride - except for drivers. IPods, MP3s and handheld games are allowed in the van only and must be used with earphones. They will remain locked in the van when we are not driving, if there is any concern about loss or theft, don't bring it. Cell phones will NOT be necessary, calling cards can be used at base camp, adult advisors will have cells for emergency calls.

Our trip itinerary is available at this link on Troop1001.org.

Contact Kirk McClure or Rogge Heflin with any questions.

2008 Troop 1001 Philmont Crew Itinerary (times are approximate)

One spot remains for the June 21-28, 2008 SCUBA Liveaboard.

Any slots not filled and paid for by March 1, 2008 will be filled through Florida Seabase's Lone Scout Connection website. Currently, there are over 100 individuals seeking a spot and if we open ours up, it will be gone right away.

Monday Jan. 21, 2008 6-8 PM, Trinity Bible Church

• Finalize air transportation and bring or email itinerary to Mr. Scott Bartolome
• Update on what to bring and not to bring.
• Update on my 90 min. conversation with the captain of the Conch Pearl, dive spots, PADI specialty certifications (why have 'em?)

TBA

• Decide on Scuba Cert. class dates.
• Decide on hotel & ground transportation arrangements.

Saturday March 1, 2008 - Payment and Paperwork Deadline

• The second and final Liveaboard payment of $430 is due to the Troop Treasurer Terry Watts. Please make sure to meet this deadline.
• Medical (2) & waiver forms(3) must be returned to Mr. Scott Bartolome by March 1, 2008 - completed and signed by your Doctor.

May/June 2008

• Open water certification @ Clear Springs SCUBA Park, Date TBA

Trip Dates

• Friday June 20, Early AM, DFW Aiport, Depart for Seabase
• Sunday June 29, PM, DFW Airport, Return from Seabase

If you are not able to attend any of the scheduled meetings, please let Scott Bartolome know.

Links:

• Florida Seabase
  
• Schooner Black Pearl Conch Pearl - Our liveaboard vessel
• Scuba Toys - Certification classes
  
• Clear Springs SCUBA Park - Open Water certification
• Scuba BSA Award Guide and Application
  

The next Philmont payment of $255.00 is due to the Troop Treasurer by February 1, 2008. Please make sure to meet this deadline.

Medical Forms must be returned to Mr. Mike Reisinger by March 1, 2008 - completed and signed by your Doctor.

The link to sign up for the Backcountry Advanced Training course is http://www.northtrail-ata.org/data/backcountry_advanced.php . Please sign up soon, this course is mandatory for all crew members.

Philmont Crew Meetings (These are usually nights when the PLC meets and there is not a Troop meeting)

• Monday Jan. 21, 2008 6-8 PM, Trinity Bible Church, Dining Fly Setup, Smellables
• Monday Feb. 4, 2008 6-8 PM, Trinity Bible Church, Map and Compass orientation, Trek Selection
• Thursday Feb. 14, 2008 7-9 PM, Waterview Church of Christ, Backcountry Advanced Training
• Thursday Feb. 21, 2008 7-9 PM, Waterview Church of Christ, Backcountry Advanced Training
• Monday Mar. 10, 2008 6-8 PM, Trinity Bible Church, Stoves, Cook Dinner, Clean-up, Final Trek Selection
• Monday Apr. 7, 2008 6-8 PM, Trinity Bible Church, Gear check
• Monday May 12, 2008 6-8 PM, Trinity Bible Church, Agenda TBA
• Monday Jun. 2, 2008 7-9 PM , Trinity Bible Church, Final Pre-trek Meeting with parents

Philmont Crew Shakedowns

• February 29 - March 2, 2008, Camp Meisenbach, Athens, TX - Backcountry Advanced Training Campout
• March 28 - 30, 2008, Camp Wisdom - COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience) and Crew shakedown
• May 9 - 11, 2008, Camp site TBA - Crew Shakedown and Conservation project

Tentative Trip Dates

• Tuesday Jun. 10, 2008 Early AM, Trinity Bible Church, Depart for Philmont
• Tuesday Jun. 24, 2008 Evening, Trinity Bible Church, Return from Philmont

Attendance at all events is expected, please let me know as early as possible if there any conflicts that cannot be changed.

All scouts and parents participating or thinking of participating in Troop 1001's week-long sail and scuba liveaboard at Florida Seabase in June, 2008 are asked to attend a short informational meeting Monday, January 14 at 6 pm at TBC.

One or two berths are still open, but not for long. If not claimed by members of Troop 1001 within the next few weeks, they will be opened up to scouts from other troops. Note that half of the full $860 fee is required to secure your spot and the remaining half is due in February.

Those who have already signed up and paid the first half of the cost will owe the final payment of $430 is due in February. 

For more information about the trip, see Florida Seabase: Troop 1001 has Won the Lottery! or contact Scott Bartolome 214-923-1026.

Five scouts and five adults are currently signed up for the Florida Seabase scuba live-aboard June 21-28, 2008. There are two slots left and will only be held for members of Troop 1001 for a short while longer. To reserve your space, $430, the first half of the fee, is due immediately to the troop treasurer, Mr. Terry Watts.

See the announcement article or contact Mr. Scott Bartolome at 214-923-1026 for more information.