Troop 281 Cincinnati, OH

Achewon Flag Retirement      For our last troop meeting until the fall, we went to Camp Achewon to have a flag retirement ceremony. When everyone arrived, there was a large campfire at the chapel, and the participants of the ceremony were preparing. Once everyone was there, Alexander S., the master of ceremonies, started the meeting. After it began, Ben M. read about the U.S. Flag. Then we all said the Pledge of Allegiance, the Scout Law, and Scout Oath. After that, Tanner K. and Sean G., two others who participated in the ceremony, read their parts. Several flags were retired, and the rest were retired by those in the troop who came forward. When the ceremony was over, everyone went back to the church while Ben M. put out the fire and respectfully buried the ashes. Back at the church, we circled up, and some Scouts were awarded their new rank patches. Andrew M. was awarded Second Class, Owen R. would have been awarded First Class (he wasn't there), Alexander...

Rowing With the Crew      This week the troop went to East Fork Lake to have a rowing meeting. Ben M., our SPL, rows for the Clermont Crew, so we went to their boathouse. When we got there, we split into groups to go out on the water and row, learn about rowing, and use the rowing machines in the boathouse. While people rowed, learned, and played, several Scouts had Boards of Review- interestingly- on top of some boats that were on trailers. Everyone had a great time on the boats and rowing machines, watching a video about rowing, and just playing around. Though the fun meeting had gone by quickly, it was eventually time to end the meeting. We fell in, were given fliers about the Clermont Crew's summer camp, and listened to announcements. Then the meeting was over.   An unusual BOR spot

Cycling Meeting This week, we went to Freedom Gear Cyclery to learn about bikes and how to take care of them. Freedom Gear is a bike shop owned by Max B.'s parents. After starting the meeting in the parking lot, we broke up into four groups to go to four stations. Three stations were inside. One was about taking care of and fixing bikes, one was about bike wheels and how to change tires and tubes, and one was about what to have with you when cycling. The last station, in the parking lot, was the fun one. It was riding bikes. There were young, tiny Scouts riding bikes whose pedals they could hardly reach. There were older Scouts riding road bikes and an elliptical bike who looked like they were having the best time of their lives. There weren't really any major accidents. Just a few tire bumps of the tricycles and David D. knocking over the elliptical bike. When we ended the meeting, we didn't circle up, but did all the usual stuff when falling in. There were an...

Outdoor Game Night...? This week's meeting was extremely busy. First, everyone who checked out a tent at the Shooting Campout had to set up their tent to be inspected. After the tents were taken down, the meeting started. After the flag ceremony, we planned for the Mystery Campout. (Still, a mystery.) After that chaos, it was time for outdoor games. Sadly, because the meeting was so busy, Outdoor Game Night was not that great. The troop split into two groups. Then, one group played ultimate frisbee, while the other stayed inside to play dodgeball. This lasted for only fifteen minutes, and then the groups switched. After that we circled up. Then Mr. Ross announced this month's winners of the Golden Spoon. They were the Chimera patrol!!! After they were awarded the Spoon, we ended the meeting.

2014 Eagle Court of Honor This year's Eagle Court of Honor celebrated three Eagle Scouts. Justin D., Ben M., and Alex S. were Troop 281's 99 th , 100 th , and 101 st Eagle Scouts. It was an afternoon to recognize the amazing achievements of those three Scouts. The first thing that needed to take place before the court of honor was setting up the court of honor. Adults and Scouts rushed around, setting up tables and chairs, hauling things around, and many other tasks. Meanwhile, the families of the Eagle Scouts (including the Eagle Scouts themselves) took pictures, set up their Trail to Eagle tables, and discussed what would take place. After a while, the setup was complete, and the people started arriving. The 2014 Eagle Court of Honor was ready to begin. Leaders and their fathers gave emotional speeches about the three Scouts. They were presented with their Eagle patches. Their parents received their Eagle Mom pins and Eagle Dad tie tacks. The t...

The Swim Test. This week's meeting was at the YMCA. When we first got there, we waited a while for everyone to show up and for the thunderstorm to pass. Then Troop 281 raided the pool. In a fury of noise and confusion, everyone went into the room of the indoor pool. Then, in even more noise and confusion, we waited near the pool to take the annual BSA Swim Test. (The swim test is what we have to do to qualify for any Scouting related things involving being in water in the year ahead.) Group by group we took the swim test. Once we were done, the adults went. Then lane dividers were taken out of the pool except for two. One left a lane for the new Scouts to work on water rescue requirements. The other separated us from other pool guests. In the lanes left, everyone swam freely around. We splashed, raced, and had fun until we were informed that it was 9:00. Then everybody went to the locker rooms and changed. After that, this week's wet troop meeting was over.

Shooting Campout The Shooting Campout was this weekend. It was at Camp Achewon, and was the first campout at which the new patrols camped with everyone else. This campout had been highly anticipated. Much planning had been involved. Many wavers had been signed. Many instruction sessions had been attended. Now, it would all come together and form a campout. When we got to Achewon on Friday, we had a nice little instruction on going to the bathroom. That is, we learned (or were refreshed on) how to use the Green Monster. For those who do not know, the Green Monster is a green 5-gallon bucket with a snap-on toilet seat. (There are trash bags to put in it before sitting down.) After that we charged down the hill to unpack the trailer. Once gear and equipment was unloaded, It was time to set up camp. The staff, Panthers, Scorpions, and Dragons put up patrol boxes and tents at the staff campsite. The other patrols put their gear in carts and hauled it to the back campsite...