By: Matt Sorenson, Scoutmaster
This summer, instead of returning to Camp Maple Dell for our annual Deacon Scout summer camp, we are planning a 4-day river rafting trip down the Colorado river, which includes merit badge classes in the evenings. Scouts should be able to earn 3-5 merit badges, including: Whitewater, Kayaking, Rowing. The trip will be operated and outfitted by White Water River Expeditions out of Moab.
I've made an initial reservation for the week of June 18-21.
The cost of this trip will be approximately $175.00 per person.
It may be impossible to find a single week that accommodates the families of all 17 deacons. If there are problems with the current reservation I'll do my best to finalize a week that accommodates the most deacons. Fathers are welcome to join us.
Let me know if you have any initial questions.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Cold Weather Camping
By: Matt Sorenson (Scoutmaster) January 3, 2013
We are planning our next camp out this Friday. We'll meet at the chapel at 4:00 pm, will leave at 4:15 sharp. We will park at Tibble Fork reservoir and walk into Granite Flat campground.
The overnight lows are expected to rise slightly by Friday to 10-15 degrees. Given the snow we will be strictly enforcing the no cotton rule.
As usual, boys will be responsible for their own water (1 liter plus cooking water, if needed). This is less water since we aren't hiking very far. They should bring dinner and breakfast. No individually wrapped candy.
Despite the bitter cold, if they are prepared they will be fine. As always, Dads are welcome!
The weather reports I'm watching are showing Alta with a low near 10 degrees on Friday night. I use Alta as a reference point of similar elevation as the Granite Flat campground. I'm expecting it to be in the single digits. I hope it is only that cold but it could be minus a few degrees. The Scouts in Minnesota typically called off camping when the temps reached -10 or wind chill reached -20. I'll use the same thresholds here.
I trust that each of us, properly prepared, will be safe.
We've camped out in similar during the past two winters without incident.
A zero degree rated bag in zero degree weather will prevent frostbite if kept dry inside a tent. There might be a shiver or two in the predawn hours but no physical harm will be done. However, this is not a camp out for a sleeping rating anything higher than zero degrees. If your Scout doesn't have one available he should not attend this camp out. Make sure they know how to operating the drawstrings on their mummy bags so they can cinch the bag down over their head and around their shoulders to prevent heat loss. Practice this at home. Teach them to identify the different-sized drawstrings by feel, so they can do it in the dark. The temperature inside a tent with 3-4 boys in it will probably be in the mid 20s even when zero degrees outside.
Hand and foot warmers will probably be worth their weight in gold.
Put fresh batteries in all lights, the cold will sap their power when old or half used up.
If you don't feel your Scout is properly prepared for the cold, please keep him home. This includes physically as well as mentally. I don't have any reservations about any of our boys, as long as they bring the proper equipment. I suggest 1 extra layer on top of what they normally wear. I'll wear an two pair of socks on my feet and have two pair dry, on hand just in case.
They should wear a hat and even a face mask, ski mask, or other protection for nose and cheeks, although we will have plenty of wood for a good, roaring fire.
We'll do a rigorous pack check before we leave to ensure safety.
It is a great sense of accomplishment for a young man to face the elements and learn the value of preparation, endurance and self reliance. Chances are he will still have fun.
We are planning our next camp out this Friday. We'll meet at the chapel at 4:00 pm, will leave at 4:15 sharp. We will park at Tibble Fork reservoir and walk into Granite Flat campground.
The overnight lows are expected to rise slightly by Friday to 10-15 degrees. Given the snow we will be strictly enforcing the no cotton rule.
As usual, boys will be responsible for their own water (1 liter plus cooking water, if needed). This is less water since we aren't hiking very far. They should bring dinner and breakfast. No individually wrapped candy.
Despite the bitter cold, if they are prepared they will be fine. As always, Dads are welcome!
The weather reports I'm watching are showing Alta with a low near 10 degrees on Friday night. I use Alta as a reference point of similar elevation as the Granite Flat campground. I'm expecting it to be in the single digits. I hope it is only that cold but it could be minus a few degrees. The Scouts in Minnesota typically called off camping when the temps reached -10 or wind chill reached -20. I'll use the same thresholds here.
I trust that each of us, properly prepared, will be safe.
We've camped out in similar during the past two winters without incident.
A zero degree rated bag in zero degree weather will prevent frostbite if kept dry inside a tent. There might be a shiver or two in the predawn hours but no physical harm will be done. However, this is not a camp out for a sleeping rating anything higher than zero degrees. If your Scout doesn't have one available he should not attend this camp out. Make sure they know how to operating the drawstrings on their mummy bags so they can cinch the bag down over their head and around their shoulders to prevent heat loss. Practice this at home. Teach them to identify the different-sized drawstrings by feel, so they can do it in the dark. The temperature inside a tent with 3-4 boys in it will probably be in the mid 20s even when zero degrees outside.
Hand and foot warmers will probably be worth their weight in gold.
Put fresh batteries in all lights, the cold will sap their power when old or half used up.
If you don't feel your Scout is properly prepared for the cold, please keep him home. This includes physically as well as mentally. I don't have any reservations about any of our boys, as long as they bring the proper equipment. I suggest 1 extra layer on top of what they normally wear. I'll wear an two pair of socks on my feet and have two pair dry, on hand just in case.
They should wear a hat and even a face mask, ski mask, or other protection for nose and cheeks, although we will have plenty of wood for a good, roaring fire.
We'll do a rigorous pack check before we leave to ensure safety.
It is a great sense of accomplishment for a young man to face the elements and learn the value of preparation, endurance and self reliance. Chances are he will still have fun.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Brian Erikson - Eagle Court of Honor
Brian Erickson was recognized at his Eagle Court of Honor on Sunday, December 16, 2012. It was a great event. Here is a copy of the program and a video produced by his step mother. Enjoy!
Brian Erickson Video
Sunday, December 9, 2012
2013 New District & Roundtable Location
Attention All Scouters of Unit 1206
We have now officially been moved to a new district in the BSA Utah National Parks Council from Timpanogos District to Alpine District. Below is some information for Round Tables days, times, locations for the new district.
The following stakes are now all part of this district: Alpine, Alpine North, Alpine West, Highland, Highland East, Highland West, Highland South, Cedar Hills, Cedar Hills West, and Manila.
The Key Three:
District Chairman: Ken Krogue kkrogue@gmail.com
District Commissioner: Kevin Card klchighlander@yahoo.com
District Executive: Grant Hansen grant.hansen@scouting.org
Here is a link to the Alpine District Directory: Alpine District Directory
Roundtable:
When: 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Where: Two different locations between cubs and scouting. (see map below)
Who: 11-Year Old Scouts, Scouts, Varisty, Ventures - 5980 W 10400 N, Highland Utah (Strasburg Building)
Cubs - 10962 N 6400 W, Highland Utah (Hollowcrest Building)
Additional Information and Links:
Ken Krogue
District Chairman | Alpine District | Utah National Parks Council
Let's use social media to communicate better!
Alpine District Blog | www.AlpineDistrictBSA.
Let's connect by LinkedIn | http://www.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Merit Badge Information
Merit Badges
This fall BYU Merit Badge PowWow. Facebook users go like the BYU Pow Wow facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/
The boys have chosen Welding and Cinematography as the next merit badges we'll work on as a troop this winter. We've recently completed golf and orienteering, and are one activity away from completing the climbing merit badge.
Here are other merit badge resources for you and your Scout to consider:
Thanksgiving Point: http://register.asapconnected.
Cooking and Citizenship in the World currently offered for December. Also, bookmark that page and watch for upcoming Robotics MB classes.
American Fork Recreation Dept. offers 50 Merit Badge classes. To find the list, go here and click the link "Register for Activities" and the Click "Boy Scouts" and then "Current Merit Badge Classes Available"
Winter Sports merit badge is offered this winter at Sundance resort:http://www.sundanceresort.com/
This fall BYU Merit Badge PowWow. Facebook users go like the BYU Pow Wow facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/
The boys have chosen Welding and Cinematography as the next merit badges we'll work on as a troop this winter. We've recently completed golf and orienteering, and are one activity away from completing the climbing merit badge.
Here are other merit badge resources for you and your Scout to consider:
Thanksgiving Point: http://register.asapconnected.
Cooking and Citizenship in the World currently offered for December. Also, bookmark that page and watch for upcoming Robotics MB classes.
American Fork Recreation Dept. offers 50 Merit Badge classes. To find the list, go here and click the link "Register for Activities" and the Click "Boy Scouts" and then "Current Merit Badge Classes Available"
Winter Sports merit badge is offered this winter at Sundance resort:http://www.sundanceresort.com/
Monday, October 22, 2012
Wilderness Survival MB November 17, 2012
Manila Stake Round-Up Outline
Merit Badge Offered: Wilderness Survival
November 17, 2012 @ 8:00 AM
@ Mahogany Building
Sponsoring Ward: Manila 12th
Contact Person: Michael Smart michaelsmartbyu@gmail.com
Click here for the documentation: wilderness-survival.pdf
Here are the requirements that need to have been completed at HOME (see PDF worksheet for requirements:
- Take notes and be ready to pass off requirements for 1, 3, and 9 before you arrive (these could be easily covered in one evening of you're scouting unit.
- Because of the nature of the requirements, we'll cover almost all of the rest of them at the round-up, but will need to leave the overnight in a shelter to you to finish up on.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Manila Stake Round-Up Outline
Merit Badge Offered: Personal Management (part 2)
October 20, 2012 @ 8:00 AM
@ Mahogany Building
Sponsoring Ward: Manila 4th
Contact Person: Matt Rutter 801-369-0210, Brad Creer 801-796-1012, Kelvin Hulet 801-915-1454, Shawn Lunt 801-362-9115.
Click here for the documentation: Personal Management Info
NOTE: October's Personal Management Merit Badge Roundup has been move to October 20th from October 27th. This Merit Badge was kicked off in June and any scouts that have completed the following requirements should be able to get it signed off.
1. Here are the requirements, in abbreviated form, that need to have been completed at HOME (see attached worksheet for complete requirements):
- Requirement #1b2 - Discuss the plan with your family (any scouts that did not attend the June Roundup will also need to complete requirements 1a and 1b)
- Requirement #2a - Prepare a budget (Track for 13 consecutive weeks)
- Requirement #2b1 - If expenses exceed income, determine steps to balance your budget
- Requirement #2b2 - If income exceeds expenses, state how you would use the excess money
- Requirement #8a - Write a "to do" list of tasks or activities, such as homework assignments, chores, and personal projects, that must be done in the coming week. List these in order of importance to you.
- Requirement #8b - Make a seven-day calendar or schedule. Put in your set activities, then plan when you will do all the tasks from your "to do" list between your set activities.
- Requirement #8c - Follow the one-week schedule you planned. Keep a daily journal each of the seven days of this week's activities.
- Requirement #8d - Review your "to do" list, one-week schedule, and journal...discuss and understand what you learned from this requirement
2. Most of the scouts that attended the June roundup turned in blue cards that have been initialed for the requirements they completed in June. Those cards will be available at this roundup. If any scouts haven't already turned one in they need to bring one that has been filled out and signed by their unit leader.
3. A spreadsheet is attached which shows which requirements each scout completed at the June roundup.