NEWS n NOTES:

Thanks for the memories and other highlights of the quarter:

A visit with Chuck Laird at the Adelanto Airport. A top notch tour, classes on aviation history, aeronautics, aerodynamic science and a ride above the Mojave Desert in a four-seat Cessna single-engine airplane.

Many thanks to Wayne Fowler for a most memorable visit with his collection reptiles. An educational visit where many species of snake were shown and some passed around.




The troop had a scout night out to visit the High Desert Mavericks at Stater Bros. Stadium in Adelanto on July 9th, with a Mavs win (9-8) over the Visalia Oaks.

August 7th is the Eagle Court of Honor for Ernie Marninez at 10 A.M. @ Our Lady of the Desert.

Scouts To Celebrate 100th Anniversary In Virginia
by The Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va. July 25, 2010, 01:43 pm ET
The Boy Scouts of America are preparing to celebrate their 100th anniversary with a national jamboree in Virginia.
More than 46,000 Boy Scouts, leaders, staff and volunteers from around the world are expected at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree, which starts Monday. Organizers also expect around 250,000 visitors.
Scouts ages 12 to 18 will spend 10 days doing everything from archery and fishing to robotics and testing their own DNA.
The group has held the event at the Fort A.P. Hill Army base every four years since 1981. It skipped a year so the event could mark the organization's 100th anniversary. The Boy Scouts have hosted the gathering since 1937.
Organizers plan to move the event to a permanent site in West Virginia in 2013.





Boy Scouts tour Gettysburg (01:38)
Boy Scouts from the Bay-Lakes Council visited Gettysburg, Pa., Friday where they toured the Civil War battlefield.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/section/videonetwork?bctid=234663239001


PS - Troop 557 is in need of some new merit badge books. Please donate any new or used books to the troop library. Priority needed books are required for Eagle Scout:
Camping, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Cycling, Emergency Preparedness, First Aid, Family Life, Hiking, Lifesaving, Personal Fitness, Personal Management and Swimming.

Books are about $5 and can be found at any BSA Scout shops as well as Valleywide Sporting Goods. And Thank YOU.

Summer Camp at Catalina's Camp Cherry Valley

Summer Camp at Catalina's Camp Cherry Valley

From CCV-2010

From CCV-2010

The Summer of 2010 will be one to never forget. A trip to Catalina Island for a week at Camp Cherry Valley is the stuff of lasting memories for the scouts of Troop 557.

The week started off with an exciting two-hour cruise aboard the Catalina King of Catalina Classic Cruises with the skipper pointing out Manta Rays and Blue Whales along the 24 mile float. No complaints about the food or lodging but a bit of grumbling over the 55 degree water temp for the Monday morning swim test. The scouts were able to work on a long list of merit badges for completion or partials along with checking off requirements for their next rank.
"It was a blast!" said Troop 557 Senior Patrol Leader, Codie Barton. "The staff was awesome... I enjoyed the long kayak/canoe trip out on the deeper water with high swells." Barton continued.
Eagle Scout Ben Meza recounted his adventures apart from the main troop as he along with Ernie Martinez and Justin Rickett spent their week in with Advanced Camp Experience (ACE). "We had a long, 20 mile, hike across the island to the town of Avalon." Meza said. "Along with many other adventures with kayaking, wind surfing, wave surfing at Shark Harbor, snorkeling and Catamaran sailing."
“I was impressed that the boys did not have any spare time, which was unusual.” Scoutmaster Joe Bertola added. “They spent a lot of time on ranks and merit badges.”

From CCV-2010

From CCV-2010

More Pix@--
http://picasaweb.google.com/109661280123473801527/CCV2010#

CCV-2010

From CCV-2010

Long-term Backpacker @ Yosemite National Park

From 2010-LongTermBackpack

Long-term Backpacker @ Yosemite National Park:
From Green Creek to The Tuolumne Meadow(s) area of Yosemite National Park where three scouts and three adults trekked about 27 miles with many nerve-racking water crossings. An estimated 15, foot-numbing, 40-degree, stream crossings in all.
"We hiked about 27 miles, broken up into five or six-mile segments." said Ben Meza. With a maximum elevation gain at Summit Lake reaching 10,200 feet above sea level the temperatures were surprisingly mild ranging from the mid 70's day to mid 50's night.
"It was very hot for a High Sierra trip," Meza continued. "but we were able to get a bit of swimming in." A major problem as a result of the weather was the pesky mosquitoes.
"The mosquitoes came out in clouds to eat us alive." Lamented trekker Codie Barton. The additional weather snag was involving Barton's tent. "On the third day of the trip it started pouring rain and water started coming through the sides of my tent. It soaked the inside, but not our gear so we scrambled for an outback, high-tech outhouse for shelter." He recalled.

From 2010-LongTermBackpack

From 2010-LongTermBackpack

From 2010-LongTermBackpack

Kevin Hanley and Alex Mayer’s Eagle Court of Honor

From BSA

Cougar Crest

An easy training hike near Highway 38 in Big Bear. About 6 mile round-trip to Burtha Peak. Getting ready for the Bull Lake and Long Term hikes.

From BSA

Bull Lake Run

From TroopTrail 557

Bull Lake Hike
High adventure to the High Sierras for Troop 557’s camp out and hike to South Lake and Bull Lake above Bishop in July. The Troop arrived at Four Jeffrey Campground at an altitude of 8,200 feet for a night of acclimatization from our 3,000 foot High Desert homes before the assent into the wilderness the next day. The hike began at the 9,000 foot South Lake to begin the approximate (trail covered in snow, so detours were in order) six-mile round-trip backpack trek to Bull Lake at 10,800 feet. The days were filled with fishing, cooking and water filtration along with a day hike to a fun-filled snow field at 11,000 feet. Day hiking included a course in map and compass work or orienteering. All food was kept in bear canisters at all times and for good reason due to the apparent presents of bear scat in abundance around the camp site and reported night-time sightings by scouts.

From TroopTrail 557

From TroopTrail 557

From TroopTrail 557

From TroopTrail 557

Lion's Club Flag Ceremony

From TroopTrail 557

Preparation and practice is apart of the up coming Lion's Club Flag Ceremony where Troop 557 scouts plan to retire about 100 old American Flags to be burned one at a time with reverence. There will be a series of these events. The next being May 7th. Check the calendar for other dates.

From TroopTrail 557

Camporee at Fort Irwin

From TroopTrail 557

From TroopTrail 557

The troop spent three days and two nights on the U.S. Army Post, Fort Irwin for the Inland Empire Council Camporee. About 190 scouts were in attendance from the local district to participate in the events. The post is about 31 miles north of I-15 near Calico in the Mojave Desert and was an excellent location for rifle, shotgun, slingshot, tomahawk and archery practice. The military provided some camping basics like water and latrines. When asked what type of wildlife had been observed on post the boys yelled out creatures such as: snakes, birds and water buffalo.

From TroopTrail 557

From TroopTrail 557

Photos by Norman Mayer

Lytle Creek Backpack

The troop did an over night backpack to the third stream crossing at Lytle Creek, March 29, 2010.

From TroopTrail 557

From TroopTrail 557

From TroopTrail 557

From TroopTrail 557

From TroopTrail 557

How to fish Backpack Style

From TroopTrail 557

From TroopTrail 557

Pedal Pushers' 25 Miler

Here is my story for the 25 mile bike ride.
 
 
On Saturday, February 13th there was a 25 mile bike ride! It was a short but a fun ride. It was Matthew's and Daniel's first time doing the 25 mile bike ride! We had alot of fun riding through Apple Valley. We are getting ready for our 50 Mile Bike Ride so we can get our Cycling Merit Badge.
 
 
Daniel Martinez

AV Gun Club Shoot

Thursday nights, March 11th, shooting and safety briefing at the Apple Valley Gun Club was an ear ringing success. About eight scouts participated with a crowed shop of another 50 people attending.
"I got to shoot about five rounds because it was so crowded." Said Evan Reed. "I scored 32 points including a bulls eye." He added.
The scouts learned many safety tips before shooting including the golden gun rule to treat every gun like it was loaded.

Snowboard/Ski Trip to Wrightwood

Snowboarding and Ski Trip to Wrightwood.

By: Matthew Sorrels and Adam Kasbin
Photos By: David Sorrels

From TroopTrail 557

I liked the snowboarding because I got better at it. I got to go on "roadrunner" twice and road in the fog the second time. I went on a jump on "snowflake" and did a 180 degree back flip, landing on my butt. Matthew Sorrels

From TroopTrail 557

If it weren't for pegging people with snowballs, it wouldn't have been half as fun. I skied instead of snowboarding. I went on "coyote," "roadrunner" and "snowflake." I liked the new addition to the course, the tunnel. Adam Kasbin

From TroopTrail 557

From TroopTrail 557

Fish Fry

Scouts serve fish dinner at the Knights of Columbus "Fish Fry"

The fish fry was a success like always:

The fish fry was a success like always. I, Evan, John and, Mathew attended the fish fry. We served customers and made them happy. One of the customers gave us a donation we got many complements. We all enjoyed helping customers and it was fun. 

From TroopTrail 557

Photos by: Esther Briseno

From TroopTrail 557

From TroopTrail 557

Welcome to The Troop Trail

Welcome to The Troop Trail the online newsletter of BSA Troop 557 from California's Mojave Desert.

Devil's Punchbowl day hike. Photo: Scoutmaster Mr.B

Welcome!! The Troop Trail and TroopTrail557 blog:

The online blog (web log) is the living/live online version of our troops newsletter. The print version is to be distributed on Court of Honor meetings. The next court is March 31st 2010. The deadline to email content for print is midnight March 19th. Troop Trail goes to press March 27th. Please email any information, stories, links or photos (full resolution size your camera makes) to: TroopTrail557@gmail.com

The Troop Trail is located at http://TroopTrail557.blogspot.com and is intended to update whenever possible with current information from troop activities and outings.

Yours in Scouting, Eric Reed/Editor, Troop Trail / Troop 557 Committee Member



Boy Scouts of America's Adventure Base 100 is celebrating the organization's 100th anniversary in 2010, will feature a multi-sensory experience during the Post Parade Showcase of Floats in Pasadena, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010.
The BSA Adventure Base 100 Link

Touring Boy Scouts exhibit bids Pasadena farewell
By Brian Day, Staff Writer -Click Here for origional SGVN newspaper story
Posted: 01/03/2010 10:19:23 PM PST

Boy Scouts' Adventure Base 100
(SGVN/Staff Photo by Eric Reed)Click here for Photo Gallery by Eric Reed

PASADENA - Thousands of people got a feel for Boy Scout life over the weekend as they visited the Boy Scouts of America's new traveling exhibit.
The organization entered a float in the Rose Parade and used the post-parade float-viewing to kick off the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.
The exhibit - a 10,000-square-foot mobile campus - is titled "Adventure Base 100" and is designed to give visitors a glimpse at scouting of the past, present and future, said program volunteer coordinator Dan Chaney.
"We're using this as an opportunity to make sure everyone understands that we've had a great 100 years, but we're looking forward," he said.
The Adventure Base features a Boy Scout museum, a ropes course and other exhibits and activities.
A scouting video was shown on the inside of a large dome tent, with smells such as pine trees and ocean spray bringing the presentation to life.
Shane Baynall, 36, of Templeton brought his children Wyatt, 6, and Sadie, 5, to the event.
Wyatt, himself a Cub Scout, strapped on a harness and took on the ropes course as his father snapped photos and shouted words of encouragement.
"He loves (scouting) a lot," Shane Baynall said. "All the different stuff they get to do."
He said he hopes his daughter will also take an interest in scouting when she gets a little older.
"It's great for the kids," Baynall said. "They get to help out with community projects, go camping (and) do stuff with their parents."
Well more than 5,000 people visited the exhibit on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Adventure Base 100 event coordinator Steve Silbiger said. All activities were free of charge.
Following the exhibit's departure from Pasadena Sunday, it will embark on a nation-wide tour, hitting 40 cities in 37 states, Silbiger said.
Chicago-based Pierce Productions built Adventure Base 100, and six members of the company tour with it throughout the nation. At each destination, hundreds of local Boy Scout volunteers will run the exhibit.
Chaney and Silbiger said scouting remains to be important in American society.
"We've been around for 100 years," Silbiger said. "We're still relevant. We still have the same values."
Chaney agreed with Silbinger's take on scouting.
"Can you imagine a society without scouting?...Or the values that scouting gives these boys?"




Adventure Base 100, which opens at 1 p.m. at the Showcase of Floats in the parking median float-viewing area across from Pasadena High School, will travel around the country before concluding its tour at the 2010 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. (SGVN/Staff Photos by Sarah Reingewirtz)





I recently dropped by the the San Gabriel Valley Scout Shop in Pasadena for a patch I think is well deserved by yours truly. After getting on the road at 4AM and spending the day working at the 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena braving the crowds and traffic to photograph each and every parade entry from a 5 story media platform on Colorado Blvd. not to mention all the oodles of coverage I worked on before and after the parade to bring the sights and color to the parades adoring fans. Here it is.

Rose Parade Story and photo galleries


BSA Rose Parade Float Photos
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prepare |priˈpe(ə)r|
verb [ trans. ] 1 make (something) ready for use or consideration : prepare a brief summary of the article. • make (food or a meal) ready for cooking or eating : she was busy preparing lunch. • make (someone) ready or able to do or deal with something : schools should prepare children for life | by this time I was prepared for anything. • [ intrans. ] make oneself ready to do or deal with something : she took time off to prepare for her exams | [with infinitive ] they're preparing to blast into space. • ( be prepared to do something) be willing to do something : I wasn't prepared to go along with that.