TROOP TRIBUNE
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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

SCOUTMASTER
  It’s back, and I hope for good.  This is the new troop newsletter. As you all know, we have been looking for new families to take on some of the jobs left by those that have moved on. We have received an over whelming response, but still need to fill a few adult positions within the troop. If you are interested please see me and we will find a place for you.
   During the last few years troop 464 has grown to be a very distinguished troop in the Los Colinas District. WE should put out a special thank you to Alex Balian for his hard work and dedication to get Troop 464 to this plateau.  Credit should also go out to all the leaders and committee members that helped.
   We have excellent boy leaders in the troop, and they have been doing a very good job of setting up the calendar for the year to come. We have had so many boys becoming adults and going on to other venues, that one patrol is almost none existent. So we have revamped the patrols slightly to make sure every one is in a patrol. We now have four patrols of eight boys in each. I hope that all is well and we can continue to climb the ladder of success.
                TROOP 464 RULES    
 Signing off
                Dave Ballew SM

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
OCTOBER
5.  Troop meeting
11. Parent meeting
12. Troop meeting
14. Point Mugu Campout
19. Troop meeting
26. Troop meeting
29. Daniel Pasternak’s Eagle project
30. Merit Badge Midway

NOVEMBER
2.  Troop meeting
8.  Parent committee meeting
9.  Troop meeting
12. Silhouette Fund Raiser
16. Troop meeting
18. Campout TBD ("Kyle" Outng)
23. NO meeting Happy Thanksgiving
30. Troop meeting

This Day In History | Entertainment
September 28

HAM RADIO REVISITED 
In recent years, pundits have pronounced ham radio obsolete and a historic curiosity, but not worth the trouble to get the license. That was until 9/11, when the twin towers holding the fm, TV and cell phone repeaters were destroyed by an infamous gang of foreign terrorists... and again when Katrina took out the infrastructure serving over a million people. We haven' t heard the nay sayer much these days. The reason is simple, when the going gets tough, hams get through. Be it a natural disaster, an attack from foreign agents, or just calling out of Camp Whitsett. The decentralized,haphazard network of hams is the reason. We simply can't be taken out. It is a very robust system of can do volunteers.

 A hand held ham transceiver  can produce up to 5 watts of power, while a cell phone is maxed out at around 500 milli-watts, A big difference. Hams have cells too. They are called repeaters. Many have special
features, such as auto patch (the ability to dial local telephone numbers), condor (a link of repeaters up and down the west coast), links via repeaters to high frequency world wide communication, low and high orbit repeaters, including 188, where all of   the astronauts are hams! There     is even a user-friendly ham repeater on   188. It's a Kenwood 'rM G-7 series transceiver, much  like one of the radios that  I'll be using at JOTA this year.
 

FUNDRAISING
Once again the troop is selling Entertainment books. The cost of each Entertainment 2006 book is $25.00. I can also get books for other areas/cities. I will be bringing them to the meetings. You may also call me at 884-6822.    

Carol Cloud 



Thirty miles in the woods
  It all started on a cool summer day, in a parking lot filled with hopes and anxiety. Not one, but eleven boys all packed.  With Mom, Dad or family, eager to send them on their journey. A week of high adventure, freedom from school, homework and chores. Their bags piled high in Mr. Cloud's truck, with last minute merit badge books from the Librarian, Warren. Troop 464 Scouts lined up for photos and car assignments, then packed in the cars and we were off. Three and a half hours later the doors of the cars flew open and the cheers came out, pizza!!! (formally known as lunch) was called. The charge to the door ended with a sign that said, "open at noon". As with all good things the time passes fast with stories from the boys and yo-yo tricks by David. With all fed, and grins on their faces, we packed back in to cars, and said good-bye to Mr. Medina and thanked him for the great meal. Up the windy road an hour to the top. The sign we all have been waiting for CAMP WHITSETT!

 


TROOP 464 SURVIVOR SERIES – EMERALD BAY 2005 EDITION

 Sunday, 21 August  - We came, we saw, we waited

First of all, a tip of the hat to all the planning and preparation for this summer camp!

 Karen’s foresight in arriving at Terminal Island early in the morning was instrumental in our troop getting first on the Catalina Express.  We spent the bulk of the morning moving our gear from one side of the aisle to the other, keeping calm in the midst of coin-operated arcade and snack machines (they fell upon them like locusts), and starting the week-long flavored ice-drink marathon. First to board, first to load gear, first to choose where we sit. Strangely familiar, like we had been here before….only two years ago…

 We met Gunny (Troop 1226) with over 40 young Scouts to bring to camp for the week. As a Marine (retired Drill Instructor, Recruiter, Master Sergeant), we grew to enjoy more of Gunny as the week continued. We knew it would be important to be on the good side of him at some point but we didn’t know when or where it would happen…

Dinner at 18:15 hours – Parents take note…your son had to help clean and bus his table for the whole week. He can do it. Karen, Dave, and I saw them do it. Really…

Staff Campfire at 2030 hours at the Amphitheater. Big fire. Hard wooden places to sit. We laugh. We sing. We meet “Cowboy Bob” (or was that later?). We will be back here later on in the week.

 No one is lost or voted off the island…yet. Mr. Myers plays Taps for the camp.

 Tuesday, 23 August - T-Shirt Tuesday

We start the day with premier presentation of Cap’n Slush & the Puppies Troop 464 – World Tour 2005 “Have Slush, Will Travel” T-Shirts. Inspired by the flavored crushed ice beverage drink, Cap’n Slush & the Puppies bring to EB (Emerald Bay) a certain “pirate-style” to their circumnavigation of the globe. From London, Paris, Tokyo, Rome, Woodland Hills, Whitsett, and finally, to Emerald Bay, Cap’n Slushy looks forward to World Jamboree in 2007. (Shameless plug),

The Adventure of Dave’s Shirt begins…details to follow at the Court of Honor.

 Sea Lion swim begins  - each day at 0600 to 0715, scouts and adults voluntarily enter the morning water to swim. More bugle calls from Troop 464.

 We have our first campsite inspection. Since our troop size was small, we share a campsite with another less experienced (aka less clean) troop. 

 Dave has brought a few crossword puzzles to work on so we can keep our minds as sharp as… five letter word…starts with a “t”.

2030 hours – The Campers put on a Campfire. Our seats (“at no additional cost”) seem even more unforgivingly hard due to the lack of distraction on the part of the campfire skits…did I mention that we were also downwind from the smoke? <cough><cough>  Island Fever and fatigue is starting to take its toll.

 Thursday, 25 August - Triathlon Thursday

“Just say no to War Canoes” was our quiet whisper that turned into a roar. Gunny’s troop had difficulty with this high adventure outing, which supported our concerns. What did we do instead? We voted two people off the island – just kidding, Dave and Paul.

We:

1)      After breakfast, biked from Emerald Bay to the Isthmus and back (roughly 15 miles). No one lost. Three groups – Meteors, Normal, and Relaxed Fit. I didn’t realize how out of shape I was until about halfway to the Isthmus. (Please note: this is a repeating theme for today.) This was supposed to be a leisurely bike ride to the Isthmus to enjoy some non-Camp food in a non-olive drab color scheme.

2)      Missed lunch at camp due to time compression issues on our return.  We were injury-free until Karen experienced an abrupt mechanical failure. Started our camp conservation project in the afternoon sun. Lots of water, Gatorade, snack bars, and Karen’s treat of Slush Puppy to finish.

 10:30 - Camp Emerald Bay Iron Chef Chili Cook-Off  - For this week, 7 leaders cook up a chili from scratch over a charcoal fire. Mr. Myers was our designated chef with his secret ingredients of home-grown and prepared figs, unsweetened baking chocolate, and a handful of black beans in addition to the standard chili ingredients. The tasting judges arrived at 13:20 (1:20p). The winning chili was one that came mostly from cans with fresh limes and cilantro at presentation. Much of the activity would have made a superb weekly cable cooking show. The troop came by to cheer on their Iron Chef and sampled each of the entries. Bribes were not accepted, unless the bribe was substantial.

15:30 – AQUACADE!

Everyone got involved in some manner.

Perhaps at night you will hear your son yell out in the dead of night “Scoutmaster’s Holiday”, “Empty the Ocean!”, “Sandcastle Building”, “Message to Garcia”, “Castaway Swim”, or “Scoutmaster’s Belly Flop!” Please don’t be alarmed, these were some of the events at our culmination event of the week - - -unless you hear “I’ve got a PFD in my eye!”

 Tired, wet, and hungry, we scurry back to camp for our final shower before dinner. The Merit Badge areas were closed with final documentation changes in the evening. There is a HUGE rush at the Trading Post for some near-final Slush Puppies, candy, souvenirs, cups, patches, and the mouth-wateringly super-comfy fuzzy blanket (oooh aaaah fuzzy).

DECEMBER
7.  Troop meeting
10. Holiday Party
11. Marc Crane’s Eagle Court
14. Troop meeting
17. Kurush’s Eagle Court
21,28. No meeting Happy Holidays

IT’S RECHARTER TIME!!
The dues for scouts for 2006
are $75.00 and for leaders the fee is $15.00.  Please make your checks payable to Troop 464 and give them to Jo Ann Burkhart. The deadline for payment is October 19th. Please call Jo Ann at (818)832-7775 if you have any questions. Some of you may not be aware that our troop  participates in e-scrip. This is an easy way to earn money for the Troop. Just shop at Von's, Pavilions, Macy's and many other stores and we receive a percentage. If you are not signed up, please see Jo Ann Burkhart for an application. Thanks for your support.

Jo Ann Burkhart
Committee Chair

BIRTHDAY CORNER
August
Scouts - Joey M 8/01, Warren H 8/02, Steven R 8/02, Joshua F 8/09, Riley A 8/14, Ian G 8/18, Daniel P 8/24
Adults - Scott Ballew 8/08, Judy Osborne 8/13, Brian Ballew 8/18
September
Scouts - Michael E 9/04, Kevin R 9/14, Orion F 9/23
Adults - Brian Crane 9/14, Sally Neely 9/20, Lee Pasternak 9/21
October
Scouts - Jake B 10/02, Taylor S 10/04, Evan C 10/26, Johnathan W 10/31
Adults - Alan Veitch 10/13
 

Point to point communications is much further than the half mile or so that you can get on an FR8 hand held or a CB radio. A few hams well placed in a BSA troop outing can assure solid communications no matter what.

14-16 October is International Jamboree on The Air 2005 or JOTA. I will be offering opportunities for boys to get  on the air and communicate with fellow scouts again this year.  I plan on active operation with an emphasis on VHF and UHF bands to demonstrate the capability  of the smaller, affordable hand held units. Home made antennas will also be featured. Information needed for licensing requirements will be made available. These small hand helds are an excellent alternative to the expensive 'cell phone for communicating with family, friends and school buddies.

Boys who are interested in earning the entry level "No  Code Technician" license will have the opportunity to get  some hands on experience. Boys who didn't get the Radio Merit Badge last year and want to  work on it this year will get the opportunity to get a number of items signed off. With advanced preparation you should be able to complete the Merit Badge that weekend.

In the mean time there are couple of good web sites to help you get started. They are www:llarrl.org and www:llqrz.com. qrz.com even has a test machine to practice the real FCC test and it's free.

I am available to assist you   in getting a license by acting    as an Elmer (Mentor) and by offering a series of three to four, three-hour classes on licensing. My requirement is that I need four or more boys and adults that are interested.

For an aspiring boy who wants  to put the effort in, the ham license is an excellent stepping-stone into the world  of electrical engineering, communications engineering, physics, software engineering, technical services, to mention  a few. Organizations, such as ARRL (American Radio Relay League), offer scholarships for young hams. Take the leap and get a ham license. You won't   be sorry.

Hutch,

Robert Hutchinson, W9LQI
ASM Troop 464

 As we got closer in line every one was turning around and going back, could it be closed? The great and mighty Whitsett not open yet! Come back at three. Troop 464 early for the second time on one trip? We went up the road to wait and stretch our legs. Time passed fast and we were off for the great and mighty Whitsett. They opened the gate and let us in. Down the road and around the bend we found our campsite in the land of the Omahas. We started to unpack the cars and get our tents. Then down to the waters edge for our water safety tryouts. With the water too cold to give a true temperature, we jumped in, just swam four laps and floated. YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING! It was so cold, or you could say C-O-L-D and many of the brave 464 passed on the first day (not me). As the week progressed Troop 464 found a calling from the woods. Not a ghost, not tree spirits, but the calling of the open mile and they all came through. The second call came from the woods. A call that drifted down from the top of the mountain, Sentinel Peak was calling. At 4am up and out to the top we go, to see the great sunrise before this land they call Whitsett and beyond. The third calling was from the water. To cross it, fish it, and float upon it which was done by 464 with pride and glee. The last calling was from the fire. The last day of camp was closed with a fire to remember. The last we will hear the moose call. The camp that Troop 464 swam 45 miles in the lake in the great woods called Whitsett, and a time we will always remember.
 Way-O, Way-O, the juice was fine, sleep moose sleep, the Whitsett woods are yours tonight.

Alan Veitch, ASM



 

Approx. 1400 Hours (2:00pm): Land Ho!

After about 45 minutes of waning anxiety, we sight the camp and the loading barge. More fire-lines to offload the gear.  Stumbling off the shuttle onto the floating dock, we meet Ranger Alec – our Ranger for the week. Round Robins, Fire Drill, Dinner, and a SPL/ Ranger meeting before Taps (Lights Out) at 10:00pm.

 My cot collapsed and spent the rest of the week on the deck of the tent. The placement helped my back but I felt like a beached sea creature upon trying to get out of bed in the morning.

 Monday. 22 August  - Welcome to Camp Emerald Bay

Our first full day.

The day starts with Waiter’s Call at 0705 hours. Colors (Flag Presentation) at the Parade Ground at 0735 hours. Waterfront demonstration covering water safety, 10-foot walls, the Buddy System review, and PFD Man (ask your son). Swim test after breakfast (The timing didn’t make sense to me either. But what do I know – I thought my trunks were faded red.)

Emerald Bay has 5 class sessions per day planned for Merit Badges or Rank Advancement. Each of our 11 youths have signed up for between three and five class sessions per day.

 Colors at 18:00.







 

Our troop Skin Diving/Snorkeling test took an inordinate amount of time. We all eventually showed the Ranger that we could pick up sand from the bottom. But why did it take almost two hours?

 Wednesday, 24 August  - Coconut Wednesday

“Coconuts?”, you ask. “What could coconuts have to do with EB?” Those of you who have seen Monty Python need’nt be bothered any further. We had a lovely bunch of coconuts prepared for each of the campers. Each set of halves was assembled, tuned, and named. We mounted up to arrive at the Parade Grounds.

 We are now at the halfway point in the week. Campsite inspection – I think we lose a few points here for some flotsam left on the campground that blew in from the other side…but I’m not bitter.

 Sunscreen is your friend…and so is the Trading Post.

 Karen has this technique down – right after breakfast, have the Trading Post fill your water bottle with ice and purchase the bottled water to fill. Repeat 2 to 3 times by end of day.

 Karen is close to breaking the Guinness Book of World Records on the number of Slushees consumed in a summer camp season.  We feel a Frequent Consumer Discount Card is a great idea for someone like her. The Trading Post knows her by name now.

We snorkeled in the afternoon at Doctor’s Cove. Finally. Wet. Cold. Garibaldi. Seaweed. Fun. We were all prunes when we were done. We wanted more time. Tomorrow?

 

3)      How about a quick 20-minute pre-sunset hike? It sounds innocent enough but it quickly turned into something I like to call “The Staircase of Satan”. Out of breath, 3 rattlesnakes, and late for campfire with two “lost” Scouts from another troop, we venture back to our campsite after about two hours and come face to face with the Camp Director. We must go the campfire immediately. My day is complete….but wait there’s more…I picked up some cacti thorns on the way back which I found in the middle of the night.

4)      Reviewed the merit badge and advancement progress and adjusted as necessary. Sleep is good. No more bugling for the week.

Friday, 26 August - Aloha Friday

A new day is given to us once again. We must celebrate in anticipation of the completion of the week. Karen released a cornucopia of Hawaiian-themed party decorations. Everyone got leis, those who brought Hawaiian shirts wore them. After breakfast, we decorate our campsite in a fine Aloha Spirit – enough to capture the Best Campsite Award. Pink flamingos, globes, lamps, sparkly things, fish, birds, and palm trees were all inflated and strategically placed for maximum effect. It was truly a wondrous and joyous sight to behold.

 Some of our scouts were invited to be Staff for the upcoming week with the possibility of becoming Rangers in the next season sessions. Riley and Ryan elected to stay on an additional week as Emerald Bay staff. It is quite an honor to have not one but two of our scouts be selected and accepted as Staff. Congratulations!

Saturday. 27 August – Hurry Up and Wait for The Barge

The last Sea Lion swim begins at 0600 and goes to 0715 with Colors at 0745 and Breakfast at 0750. A final Leader’s Meeting with the Boat Loading starting at 0900. All camp decorations were retrieved, troop colors retired, and selected items were donated (left) at camp. We collected and repacked our gear for the trip home…has it only been a week?

 We lose Riley and Ryan to the new-staff process – which makes four people total that we have lost this week. They will have such stories to talk about when they get back home.

Bag lunch (snack), relentless sun, pulling our swim tags from the Buddy Board, we collect our gear and board the ferry for our way home.

 Aloha, Emerald Bay!

 P.S. – We have pictures as well.