One Hundred Scouts

Of any one hundred boys who become Scouts, it must be confessed that thirty will drop out in their first year. Perhaps this may be regarded as a failure, but in later life all of these will remember that they had been Scouts and will speak well of the program.

Of the one hundred, only rarely will one ever appear before a juvenile court judge. Twelve of the one hundred will be from families that belong to no church. Through Scouting, these twelve and many of their families will be brought into contact with a church and will continue to be active all their lives. Six of the one hundred will become pastors.

Each of the one hundred will learn something from Scouting. Almost all will develop hobbies that will add interest throughout the rest of their lives. Approximately one-half will serve in the military, and in varying degrees profit from their Scout training. At least one will use it to save another person's life and many will credit it with saving their own.

Four of the one hundred will reach Eagle rank, and at least one will later say that he valued his Eagle above his college degree. Many will find their future vocation through merit badge work and Scouting contacts. Seventeen of the one hundred boys will later become Scout leaders and will give leadership to thousands of additional boys.

Only one in four boys in America will become Scouts, but it is interesting to know that of the leaders in this nation in business, religion and politics, three out of four were Scouts. 



Winter campout

What:
The annual T396 winter campout.  This is a fun, safe way to get some  experience tent camping in the snow.  Parents to help drive are needed!

Equipment:
Treat this trip like a backpacking trip.  Travel light, we have to  hike all of our gear into the camp area.  Scouts should form groups  of 2, 3, or 4 for planning tents, cooking gear, and food.  Everyone  is responsible for bringing adequate personal gear to stay warm and dry.

Personal essentials:
- At least two layers of full-length insulation for under your  sleeping bag.  I prefer insulite (closed cell foam) pads because they  just can't fail.
- Sleeping bag.  Non-down preferred because of the possibility of  wetness.  My bag is a 15 degree Polarguard bag that I supplement with  a fleece bag liner.
- Insulated winter boots.  These are available in the $40 dollar  range from places like GI Joe's and K-Mart.
- Good socks - I take at least 2 pair each of polypropelene liners  and heavy wool socks.
- Rain parka and rain pants.
- Flashlight and extra batteries - it's dark this time of year!
- Water bottle - dehydration is especially a problem in cold weather.
- 2 pairs of gloves.
- Stocking cap.
- Lip balm.
- mess kit (plastic is more pleasant than metal in the cold)
- Several warm layers of non-cotton clothing: wool, polypropylene,  capilene, and fleece.
- 10 essentials (as always).
- water-resistant backpack or duffle for hauling your gear.
- toilet paper

Shared essentials:
- Each group needs enough tent space for all members in the group.   The tent should have a good rain fly, resistant to high wind, and be  able to cary a little snow load (we have had up to 8 inches of snow  fall in previous years).  A ground cloth will add to comfort and help  keep the interior of the tent dry.
- Snow anchors for your tent.  Make your own and be creative!
- Rope for securing the tent to the snow anchors.
- Rope and a stuff sack for securing food away from small critters  (bears will be asleep, however).
- Stove and fuel.
- Cook kit - have a pot large enough to boil at least one quart of  water.
- Matches, fire starter

Nice to have:
- sled
- snowshoes if the snow is deep (we will have more information on  snow conditions as the time gets close)
- small snow shovel
- camera
- large garbage bag for wet clothes on the return trip.
- personal care items such as toothbrush and toothpaste.

Hints:
- Sometimes the ground cloth works best inside of the tent (depends  on the tent and the ground cloth).
- Heat water on your stove before drinking, it helps warm you from  the inside.
- I prefer several thin warm layers to a few thick layers.  I have at  least 4 layers on the bottom: polypropylene long underwear, fleece  pants, nylon pants, and waterproof nylon rain pants.  Top layers are  almost too many to count: polypro short sleeve shirt, 2 polypro long  sleeve shirts, wool shirt, fleece vest, fleece pullover, and a  waterproof nylon rain parka.
- Stuff sacks help organize the packing.
- You lose a lot of heat to the snow below when sleeping.  Adequate  insulation below is essential.