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

Scout Sign Up in Gonzales

Just a bit off note, tonight is sign up for all scouting in Gonzales.  If you have a girl from kindergarten to 21 years old, or a boy from first grade through 21 we have an adventure for them. 

In a joint venture all scouts have come together with a website www.gonzalesscouting.com.  It describes all the types of scouting in Gonzales.  

We have Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and now Venturing for co-ed high adventure all in Gonzales. 

So if you have a child and want to see them in a great organization that will keep them active and learning great leadership skills, bring them tonight to Gonzales Elementary between 6 and 7:30 for sign up.

God Bless,
Dennis Nesser

For The Birds

Thank You Gonzales, You FLOCK!!!

I've often been told my board and website is for the birds, and now I know it is. 90a Sign is surrounded by 39 pink flamingos. Seriously, for the last month Troop 262 has been having a fund raiser with 3 flocks of plastic pink flamingos.  They've made their way around Gonzales, yard to yard, and even visited several businesses throughout town.  They have been accepted with open arms through out town. In their farewell night in Gonzales, they are perched at 'the chalkboard' to say Thank You Gonzales!

We wanted to share what these funds will be going towards.  We have 41 scouts in Troop 262.  Of those we have 17 boys (age 14 and above) and adults going to S. Padre Island for a week of high adventure sailing.  We'll be sailing out of Laguna Station.  Everyone will learn knots, tacking, and terminology.  Then we'll start out with smaller sailboats and at the end of the week we'll be on a 40'+ yacht.  This camp is $650+ per person. 

A second group of boys who either chose not to go to Seabase or are under 14 years old will also be going to S. Padre Island to enjoy a week on the beach and fun activities at the state park down there.  We expect this will cost about $300 - $350 per person for this camp. 

These are 2 huge undertakings, and we'll be doing them simultaneously!  Approximately 50 individuals will be spending the week of June 24 - 30, 2012 down in S. Padre.

Our troop is active and always on the go.  In 2 weeks we'll go to Summer Camp 2011 at El Rancho Cima over by Wimberely.

We've spent a night on the USS Lexington, shot riffles, shotguns, muzzle loaders, had "minute to win it" competitions, learned about money management, and so much more, and that's just 2011, and we're only 1/2 way done.

If you have a boy age 11 - 18, and are interested in finding out more about our troop, please contact us at info@trp262.com or visit our website at www.trp262.com

If you are a boy or girl age 14 - 21 and would like to find out about Boy Scouts Venturing (it's co-ed) in Gonzales and all their activities, including surfing, climbing, canoeing and much more contact Allison Poteet at cubmaster_fun_261@yahoo.com.

Or if you have a younger boy, 1st through 5th grade find out about Cub Scouts at www.pack261.com or you can also email Allison Poteet at cubmaster_fun_261@yahoo.com.

Scouting has been a big part of American culture since 1911 (that's right 100 years), and is a great program for any boy (and now girls age 14+ too).

God Bless,
Dennis Nesser

If you would like to donate to Troop 262 camping fund, please mail a check made out to BSA Troop 262 to 712 Ridgemont Lane, Gonales, TX 78629

Scouting / Venturing

I want to talk about our youth in Gonzales, and a part of it I'm involved in.  I'm scoutmaster for Troop 262 here in Gonzales. I've been involved in scouting now for about 7 years, starting out in Cub Scouts and took over Troop 262 about 3 years ago when the previous scoutmaster stepped down. 

About 8 months ago a group of boys came to me and asked what it would take to get a Venturing unit started here in Gonzales.  To the best of my knowledge, the only other Crew (Scouters have Troops, Venturing have Crews) in this area is in Lockhart.  We set out to find a sponsoring organization, and after a bit of a search the BPO Elks stepped up to become the units sponsors. 

Saturday, after the Elks put on a dedication to the US Flag, they will be signing the paperwork to start the unit officially.  John DuBose Jr will be signing the agreement between Capitol Area Council and the Elks for the Venturing Crew 264. 

Venturing is a bit unique in Boy Scouts in that it is open to all boys and girls age 14 - 21.  Unlike Boy Scouts, it's not so much about rank and badges, as the leadership and planning for activities that the participants decide they want to do.  If they want to go camping, then they figure out how, how much, and make it happen.  The adult leadership is more to keep them in bounds and make sure that they have all the training and equipment they might need to for safe activities. 

So Gonzales is pretty blessed with an outstanding Scouting environment.  For the boys we have Cub Scouts Pack 261, starting at 1st grade and going till 5th grade, Boy Scouts Troops 262 and Troop 263, going from 6th grade - 18 y/o, and now Venturing Crew 264 from 14 y/o - 21 y/o. 

For the Girls Scouts I believe they go from Kindergarten - 18 y/o. I was recently at their banquet and can tell you that they too have a thriving organization here in Gonzales.

Scouting teaches these kids leadership skills and exposes them a wide variety of activities that they might not otherwise be exposed to.  Right now Troop 262 has 2 boys at National Youth Leadership Training, learning CEO type training so they will be able to come back and run the troop. 

Next week we'll be on our annual summer camp.  20 boys with a dozen adults will be camping.  The boys will be learning about Environmental Science, First Aid, Cooking, Leatherworks, Rowing, Space Exploration, Knots, Tracking, Indian Folklore, and several other topics.

If you're interested in getting involved in Scouting, either as a Boy Scout or Venturer email info@trp262.com and we will get you in touch with someone. Let us know which (or both) group you're interested in. 

God Bless
Dennis