The Order of the Arrow celebrated its 100th birthday with a huge event at Michigan State University. Over 10,000 Arrowmen, including many from our troop, travelled by air to the National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC), Besides some training, the Arrowmen enjoyed HUGE stadium shows (with BSA President Bill Gates, Maddie & Tae, and the National Chief and Vice Chief), exhibitions, demonstrations, activities (Obstacle courses, spar poles, bubble soccer and even Quiddich), great ice cream and even a Grand Hodag. We were also given a challenge to give service to others -- Dare to Do! There was too much fun to capture in these few photos.
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Evan G got to hone the skills that he learned in NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training) at Philmont Scout Ranch by taking NAYLE (National Advanced Youth Leadershop Experience). At NAYLE, he spent a week in the backcountry of Philmont picturing his leadership,skills to the test, along with about 50 other youth from around the country. In this outdoor challenge, he enjoyed search and rescue, realistic first aid scenarios, COPE and even a climb to the top of the 9,003 ft Tooth of Time, and all of this was done in the great outdoors of Philmont. Note that any youth who has completed NYLT can attend NAYLE at any one of the four BSA adventure bases. Thanks go out to those who helped with the cleanup after the relay for life.  As we do each year, we honor our departed veterans by replacing the flags at their grave sites at Spring Brook Cemetery. This year, we placed over 600 flags. It was great to see the respect that our Scouts displayed.  The Spring Ordeal for the Great and Powerful Tulpe Nation was a big one for Troop 17. We had 5 new members complete their Ordeal, had 2 more seal their memberships by completing their broth old trail, and even had a new Vigil Honor member. Coupled with those helping out, Troop 17 had a big presence at Tulpe 245's last Spring Ordeal before the merger. Lots of cheerful service went on, as the Arrowmen helped out with many projects around Camp Norse, including work at the amphitheater. The new Ordeal members were: Tim W., Aidan A., Jack M., Josh G. And Mr. Griffin. The new Brotherhood members were: Patrick D. and Anthony K. Mr. Ham was awarded the Vigil Honor. (Be sure to ask him what his name is in Lenni Lenape). A week later than the rest of the town, Troop 17 hit the streets to cleanup where the cleanup missed. We postponed our part in this town-wide service project, due to a camping trip. We cleaned up trash along West Street between Plymouth Street and Otis Street. The South Common saw quite the scene, as kilt and pink, er, taupe clad Scouters gathered for a Wood Badge beading ceremony. Chandra Haugh and Mike Souza completed their Wood Badge "tickets", and were awarded the regalia of Wood Badge. Members of the troop stood in amazement (& some in confusion). Wood Badge is an advanced course, started by Lord Baden-Powell,himself. It involves two full weekends of training and also completion of a "ticket". You can think of the ticket as the equivalent of roughly healthy sized service projects. It is quite a commitment, and quite an accomplishment. Scouters who finish the ticket are awarded with a taupe neckerchief, a leather woggle and a pair of wooden beads on a simple leather thong. The ceremony ended in the traditional singing of "Back to Gilwell", which we are sure made an impression on the scouts. Camp Norse was a beehive of activity at the start of May for the Emergency Preparedness weekend. The Scouts learned CPR, and also participated in a camp wide drill. The drill simulated a hurricane, and made a shambles of several Camp Norse structures. scouts had to work as a team to handle the emergency. This was truly a "be prepared" type of event. the weekend also saw the demolition of the old Camp Norse council fire ring, as part of the renovations to the amphitheater. Tulle Lodge did a masterful job at clearing the way. We got to be some of the first Scouts to try out Camp Norse's awesome new sled hill (by the new ball field). Here are a few videos of the action. What do a scout do when there are a few inches of snow on the ground, it's 33-degrees Fahrenheit, and enough rain to drown Camp Norse? You go outside! That's exactly what the intrepid scouts of Troop 17 did. Despite the miserable weather, the scouts played a mean game of Manhunt. The rain/sleet/slop didn't discourage them, and they roamed from waterfront to the new ball field. After drying off, they relaxed in Leif cabin, made some awesome grub (Beef stew, rolls, and coffee cake - yum!), and complained that the wood stove was making the room too hot. Sunday morning, the weather cleared, and we awed at the beautiful sunrise as it glinted off the snow/ice-covered trees, before breaking out Mr G's tomahawks for a good workout. Each and every scout was able to stick the target! We also had a great time sledding on the new slopes, that were created with the ball field. All in all a great time in the icy woods of Kingston.
It took just a few moments for the Eagle Board of Review to declare Ian Bryer and Ethan Ham worthy of the rank of Eagle Scout. Please give hearty congratulations to Ian and Ethan for achieving the Boy Scout of America's highest rank. Fly High, Eagles!!!  |
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