Pack Blog

Den #2 Webelos Hike at Chickamauga with Boy Scout Troop 142

ian@houseoflees.net — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 16:00:00 GMT

Today, the Mystic Dragons den (Den #2) Webelos went on a 10 mile hike at Chickamauga National Military Park in Fort Oglethorpe, GA with Boy Scout Troop 142 of Tullahoma. We had a great time and the boys all made the hike look easy (when compared to the leaders). The hike was scenic and offered many opportunities to learn about the Civil War and the battle that was fought at Chickamauga. I think everyone would highly recommend this park as a wonderful place to take a day hike.

Our Troop 142 hosts were very courteous and kind and were perfect examples of Boy Scouts. We thank them for a wonderful day of adventure and education.

More pictures from the day can be found here.

Den #2 Webelos Hike at Chickamauga with Boy Scout Troop 142

ian@houseoflees.net — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 16:00:00 GMT

Den #2 Webelos Hike at Chickamauga with Boy Scout Troop 142

ian@houseoflees.net — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 08:00:00 GMT

Den #2 Webelos Hike at Chickamauga with Boy Scout Troop 142

ian@houseoflees.net — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 08:00:00 GMT

AEDC Cemetaries Conservation Project

ian@houseoflees.net — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 16:00:00 GMT

Today, the Pack performed maintenance on two historic cemetaries on the Arnold Air Force Base (aka AEDC) properties. The two cemetaries were those of the Hickerson and Anderson families. The project included picking up trash, fallen limbs, and raking leaves from the areas. Photos and tombstone rubbings were also taken as documentation for historical geneological purposes. This was a great opportunity for the Scouts to learn the importance of conserving historical sites while performing a selfless deed. Thirty-three people gave up their Saturday morning to make this project a phenominal success.

L. William Hickerson Cemetary (before)

L. William Hickerson Cemetary (after)

The cemetaries were once family graves on the lands prior to the creation of Camp Forrest and Woods Reservoir. The Anderson cemetary is actually a marker for the graves that are now below the reservoir. There are known to be seven cemetaries on the government property. It is possible that others will be discovered due to the fact that poor records of the cemetaries were maintained in past years. The locations of all the cemetaries on the Arnold Air Force Base properties are shown on this map.

Lewis Anderson Cemetary (before)

Lewis Anderson Cemetary (after)

2nd Lt. Robert Thornton is the AEDC liaison to the Boy Scouts (and an Eagle Scout) and acted as our escort for the event. We thank Lt. Thornton for his time and efforts in making this project a success. These cemetaries need regular maintenance. If any other group would like to lead a similar project, Lt. Thornton can be reached by email at robert.thornton@arnold.af.mil.

The day was ended in the way any great Scouting event should end - over a bowl of delicious chili! Served and consumed on the roadside. I believe everyone had a great time and the boys all learned a valuable lesson about the duties of being a good citizen. I believe the Pack will make this at least an annual event from now on. There are still five other cemetaries that we did not have time to attend to. Those who attended the event will receive the Cub Scout Conservation Good Turn Award.

More pictures from the event are located here.

Thanks to all that participated!!!

AEDC Cemetaries Conservation Project

ian@houseoflees.net — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 16:00:00 GMT

L. William Hickerson Cemetary (before)

L. William Hickerson Cemetary (after)

Lewis Anderson Cemetary (before)

Lewis Anderson Cemetary (after)

Thanks to all that participated!!!

AEDC Cemetaries Conservation Project

ian@houseoflees.net — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 16:00:00 GMT

L. William Hickerson Cemetary (before)

L. William Hickerson Cemetary (after)

Lewis Anderson Cemetary (before)

Lewis Anderson Cemetary (after)

Thanks to all that participated!!!

AEDC Cemetaries Conservation Project

ian@houseoflees.net — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 08:00:00 GMT

L. William Hickerson Cemetary (before)

L. William Hickerson Cemetary (after)

Lewis Anderson Cemetary (before)

Lewis Anderson Cemetary (after)

Thanks to all that participated!!!

2nd Year Webelos Go Camping with Troop 158

ian@houseoflees.net — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 13:00:00 GMT

Today, the 2nd year Webelos went camping with Tullahoma Boy Scout Troop 158 at the property of Asst. Scoutmaster Gary Fergus. We had a wonderful time! Under the direction of the Boy Scouts, the Webelos erected a teepee which they later slept in. They then learned to tie the two half hitches knot and the tautline hitch knot. Then they erected a WWII pup tent using just rope and the knots they learned.

After a few short games with the older Scouts, they learned to use a bow saw and each pair of boys cut a slab from a downed tree. I think they have a renewed respect for the early pioneers!

The boys then took a quick lesson in shooting an air rifle and then participated in a biathlon event where they fired the air rifle at a target, ran about 1/4 mile, and then fired 5 more shots while their heart rate was elevated. They'll all make fine snipers some day if called upon.

In the evening, we built a campfire and roasted hotdogs for dinner. Mr. Fergus prepared us some delicious baked beans and peach cobbler in his Dutch oven. Mmmmm!!! We then told stories and played games around the campfire. Then there were the smores!!!

The next morning the boys cooked their own pancakes on a "hobo" stove. Mr. Steinle conducted a church service and then we packed up, performed our Leave-No-Trace walk-through and headed home.

We can't thank Mr. Steinle, Mr. Fergus, and the Scouts from Troop 158 enough for their hospitality. We again had a wonderful outing with the Troop and I think everyone learned a lot about pioneering, camping, and Scouting in general. THANKS!!!

Click here to see more photos from the trip.

2nd Year Webelos Go Camping with Troop 158

ian@houseoflees.net — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 13:00:00 GMT

Click here to see more photos from the trip.