Boy Scout Troop 648 Scottsdale, Arizona

Hello Troop 648!

Back from an amazing weekend of backpacking in our awesome state!

We started with an overnight at the trailhead at about 6,000 feet outside of Workman’s Creek (in the mountains north of Roosevelt Lake) and awoke, not by the ‘cock-a-doodle-do’ of a rooster, but by the ‘gobble, gobble, gobble,’ of some wild turkey (not the sipping kind…)!

From there, it was an up and down challenging hike through the ponderosa, piñon and alligator pine trees, dropping down through to the junipers and the high desert.

By late morning, the group split into two. One group left to secure our creekside campsite, while the other continued on the trail down into Hell’s Hole in search of the elusive ‘waterfall.’

After an hour of searching, group one found the perfect campsite. An afternoon of soaking, splashing and exploring the creek, concluded with the return of group two just in time for dinner. While the waterfall remains elusive, group two experienced a spectacular hike down into the canyon and their own creek to enjoy. A surprise visit by Mr. Benyi at dinner time topped off a spectacular day!

Evening temps dropped into the mid-30s, but all Scouts not only survived, but thrived. For many, the most physically demanding thing they have done in their life so far. And what an accomplishment it was. We have been to the Devil’s lair and have returned victorious!

See you on Tuesday.

Scoutmaster 648

Good evening troopers!

We are getting ready for one of the most amazing backpacks in this state chock full of amazing backpacks. We will be leaving at 5:30 from the church on Friday evening and returning by 1PM Sunday. It will only be about a 3 mile backpack to an abandoned farm, so all ages and experience are welcome. Lows in the high 30’s at about 6,000 feet to start, but for those who want more challenging hiking, we will have an awesome day hike of 10+ miles with 1,000 foot elevation loss down switchbacks to the canyon floor where there is a sandy beach along the creek, and a 40+ foot waterfall with a high in the mid-70’s. I have visibility as follows on who has committed:

Harry
Val
Cameron
Faden
Jack
Kevin
Zane
Zach R
Alex Dem
Michael

Doug
Bruce
Greg
David

If you are on the list and are not going, or if you are not on the list and are going, please let Harry or Mr. Cole know ASAP. Bring 2-3 liters of water, layers, a beanie, wool socks to sleep in, and a hiking attitude, and we’ll see you Friday night!

Mr. Cole

Hello Troop 648

If your scout is working on or would like to start working on the Eagle required Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge, there is a very short event this Sunday, April 12th at 1:00pm.

Jacob Muzich is organizing the ’emergency mobilization’ requirement as part of the merit badge. The requirement is to take part in an emergency service project, either a real one or a practice drill with a Scouting unit or a community agency.

For those participating (and i’m looking at you Scout who hasn’t earned this Eagle required badge yet…:o) ), please have your Scout call Jacob at (623) 229-0903  or email him at jmuzich@gmail.com and let him know you would like to participate and give him your phone number for a contact tree exercise. Please let him know by Saturday, 5:00pm.

When the contact tree is engaged, your Scout will be asked to meet at Blessed Sacrament church in the back near our shed and to bring a case of water to provide ’emergency personnel’ with refreshments. After the drill, we will donate the water to Streets of Destiny church, who will in turn use the water for their homeless outreach program.

Shouldn’t take more than 30-45 minutes. Jacob’s mobilization plan will include who will do what assignment and he will provide a short briefing such as registration/head count as people arrive, who will provide water, how we will handle transport to the emergency site, etc.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at (602) 793-1058.

Thanks and we will see you on Sunday!

Scoutmaster T648

Reminder – we have our monthly PLC meeting tonight at 6:00pm at Blessed Sacrament.

If you are in charge of a meeting this month, please remember to bring your plans and be prepared to discuss.

See you tonight!

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

We are all set for this weekend’s Family Camp! It should be a beautiful weekend with clear skies and plenty of sunshine.

A quick update to our actual camping spot. Same area, but we now have a reserved space that will be able to accommodate the whole group. Directions are the same, with one exception. After you have turned off of 87 and onto Houston Mesa Road, proceed a little way down and look for Horse Camp or Fox Loop – turn right here. We are in the Fox 2 Horse Camp site. This campsite has a gravel parking lot and a covered ramada with picnic tables. If you have any problems, you can call my cell at (602) 793-1058 or go to the family camp area and ask for the camp host.

Low was 32 there this morning, though it did warm up fast, but bring some layers!

See you tonight or tomorrow!

Scoutmaster T648

Greetings!

Please join us for our annual Family Campout. We will be staying at Houston Mesa Campground, just on the the northern edge of Payson. To get there, drive into Payson. At the main intersection in town, go straight, staying on Highway 87. Pass two roundabouts; one block beyond the second roundabout is the Houston Mesa Road. Turn right, and the campground is a few hundred yards down the road.

Since we will be traveling to the location separately, I strongly recommend that you bring a copy of the roster (available on the troop website) and make sure you have phone numbers for Mr. McFetters and myself.

We are going to visit the Tonto Natural Bridge on Saturday. We will also have opportunities for advancement and some hikes in the afternoon.

Thanks!

Mr. Benyi

Hello Troop 648

Please save the date for an upcoming service event that Reese Galvin is managing for his Life project. See info from Reese below.

>>>>

Feed My Starving Children – Save the Date, Service Project!

What is this? Feed My Starving Children is a Christian, non-profit organization that provides meals for starving children across the world. They are dedicated to serving their community and the world. The troop will be hand-packing meals specially formulated for malnourished children to be sent to third-world countries, orphanages, hospitals, schools and feeding programs to help them operate. You will be saving lives in more ways than one with this opportunity.

Date: We will be meeting at the Feed My Starving Children facility on Friday, April 24th and packing from 6:00pm – 7:30pm. We will confirm soon if we need to be there 30 minutes early or not.

Facility Address: Feed My Starving Children

Mesa Fiesta Building

1345 S. Alma School Road

Mesa, AZ 85210

Please attend this project as it will benefit many starving children across the world and will provide them with meals to eat. Invite as many people over the age of 5 as you can to help (i.e. grandparents, siblings, cousins, parents, friends, etc.), that way we can pack more food for the children! This organization is dedicated to the well-being of children everywhere and the fight against poverty. You will receive community service hours for rank advancement.

Thank you!

Reese Galvin

Hello Troop 648

We have a great trip planned for this weekend in the friendly pines of the Payson area. Lots of fun and scouting activities planned. There will be plenty of opportunity for your scout to work on Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class rank requirements too!

The campground area we will be staying at allows for site reservations. Therefore, we need to know your travel plans. Please forward what day you are heading up and when you will be returning home. You can reach me at dmcfetters@gmail.com.

Thanks!

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

As a reminder, Scouts have the opportunity to work on and complete an Eagle Scout required merit badge, Emergency Preparedness. There are a number of self directed requirements that your scout can get started on. Pick up a book in the troop library or Scout Shop. If your scout is interested, please contact the counselor, Mr. Conrad and let him know your scout would like to complete this merit badge.

Part of the requirements is to earn the First Aid merit badge. If your scout has not earned this Eagle Required merit badge and they are going to summer camp, I suggest they take First Aid and work on both concurrently.

Great life skills for both!

See you Sunday at Pioneer Living History Museum for Jacob Muzich’s Eagle Scout project.

Scoutmaster T648

• Paint rollers
• Paint pans
• Ladders
• Roller extensions
• And/or money