Way 2 Go Troop 262

This weekend I got see how hard work and dedication can pay off. Troop 262, along with scouts from Live Oak District (Lockhart, Luling, Gonzales, Cuero, Yoakum, York Town, Shiner, Molton, Halletsville - I think I have them all), came together for a pioneering competition. Gonzales took 3 patrols (31 boys).

The boys worked hard leading up to the event. For 6 weeks prior they extended their meetings to 2 hours to make sure they had it down. They spent part of Spring Break at my house working on their projects. They came up with some very unique ideas. The goal? In 6 hours lash together a signalling tower, a kitchen, and a latrine.

This was a patrol competition, each patrol had to build all 3 projects, along with helping build a front entry. At 8:30 that morning they got started lashing their projects together. I was extremely proud of how well the boys worked together in their patrols. By midday we had most of the structures up and were tightening them down. The campsite was starting to look like a playground with wooden structures all around.

At 3 pm all the projects had to be finished. While 1 other Troop finished all of their projects, no other patrols did. We had 2 out of 3 finish all of theirs, and the 3rd patrol had some issues at the end causing their tower to come down.

By now it was good and hot in the afternoon, but these boys had more. We moved to the "Chariot Races" These 3 pole structures have to be whipped together using specific lashings, then you put a person in the middle and drag the chariot up about 40 yards and back. Not only did we have the 3 patrols, but we had a group of Webelos (4th-5th graders from Gonzales Pack 261) to teach how to do this. If your guy falls off or any of your lashing come lose you have to go back to the beginning and start over again. We didn't have to worry about either of those happening. These boys make some of the tightest lashings I've ever seen!

After that it was on to the "Non-Cobbler Dutch Oven Dessert" competition. Again 4 entries went in, as the scoutmasters also had a side competition going. Cherry filled brownies, stuffed baked apples, apple, cherry and blueberry turnovers, and last ice cream all made in the dutch oven.

With that down we ended the day the way scouts all over love to end the day, around a campfire. Nothing like watching 20 group of boys being creative in song and skit to end the day. The energy these boys have is incredible even after a full day of activities. We all laughed at the comedy routines, sang along with the campfire songs, and in general wound down from a day of hard work.

But this being spring meant that boys that had been chosen by their peers to be worthy of Order of the Arrow would also be tapped out. This is the "Honor Society of Scouting". These boys truly exemplify what scouting is all about. We were honored to have 10 boys tapped out. Andrew and Sadrack Moers, Brent Poteet, Max Moreno, Jacob Lockhard, Wyatt Couch, Ali Hoghoughi, Jesus DeLeon, Ian Maxwell, and Jay Newton all earned that honor. What a great way to end a night.

Sunday morning we were up and at it and then down to the parade ground to find out what we might of won. Man did we ever rake in the ribbons. When it was all said and done we took the following:

Live Oak Challenge Winners – Over All Winners
1st Place – Best Camp (Leave No Trace)
1st Place – Dutch Oven Cook-Off (Aggie Patrol)
3rd Place – Dutch Oven Cook-Off (That Patrol)
1st Place – Pioneering Projects (Aggie Patrol)
2nd Place – Pioneering Projects (Challenge Accepted)
2nd Place – Chariot Race (Aggie Patrol)
Golden Toliet Seat – Best latrine (Aggie Patrol)
And our Webelos from 261 took 2nd Place in the Chariot Race

These guys worked hard, and deserved every one of the ribbons and trophy they got. They learned teamwork and perseverance. They learned to overcome many obstacles they encountered during the last several weeks. They learned that hard work DOES pay off!

Doesn't it do your heart good to know that there are still boys out there who want to play outdoors? Who want to be the best? Who will take a challenge and conquer it? For 48 hours they lived without electronics (not even cell phones) and survived. It todays world that alone is an accomplishment.

Before I close I have 2 more things.

The first is a note of thanks to Ken Hendrick who allowed our troop to go through his scrap pile and get all the wood we needed for the competition. What we couldn't find in the pile he graciously donated to the scouts. I can't imagine what we would of done without his generosity. And to South Texas Poultry Supply and Darryl Catchings for all the rope that worked so well with out projects. With 3 patrols we went through over 300' of rope.

Last is a note of congratulations to the Girl Scouts of Gonzales who celebrated their 100th year of scouting this weekend. While we all know about the Girl Scout cookies, the activities and learning experiences given these girls for the past 100 years is fantastic. May they have 100 more years of success.

God Bless,
Dennis Nesser
Over 100 years of scouting in America, and over 50 years of scouting in Gonzales, TX

Scoutmaster Troop 262
512-799-1556
www.trp262.com
www.gonzalesscouting.com

Venturing Crew Liason - Crew 264
www.crew264.com