Sea Base 2008

Islamorada, FL: Six members of Venture Crew 33 in addition to adult leaders Tom Loop and Rose Cubbon headed off to the Florida Keys to sail from island to island. Here are some of the photos from this trip.

Sea Base Planning Meeting 2/22 @ 7pm

There is a planning meeting at Rose’s house from 7:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday February 22, 2008 for those who plan to attend Sea Base this summer. Please bring a check for $375 made out to Venture Crew 33.

We are booked at the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base from July 14-20, 2008 plus travel time. The cost will be $650 per person plus the cost of transportation.

The Florida National High Adventure Sea Base is owned and operated by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America to offer unique educational aquatic programs to our members. Located in Islamorada and on Summerland Key in the beautiful Florida Keys as well as Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco Island, Bahamas, the heart of the Florida Keys, the near shore reefs and crystal clear waters offer unparalleled opportunities for long term and short term programs year round.

Photos Courtesy of Larry Mattson

Backpacking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire

Plans are afoot for a Venture Crew 33 backpacking trip in the White Mountains of New Hampshire at the end of June 2008.  See below for details. 

Who: Venture Crew, family and friends. We went last year with three families as well as individual Scouts, total of 17. We have 20 spots reserved, and 10 are spoken for thus far.

What: Backpacking between huts on mountain trails. Dinner, breakfast and lodging and some programs are provided at the huts (they are more like bunkhouses), so we need carry only lunch and clothing–packs are about 20 lbs.

Where: The beautiful and strenuous Presidential Range of the White Mountains.

When: Choice of short or long trip:

Short trip:

Drive to NH on Friday, June 27th, hike into Lonesome Lake hut (1.6 miles)
Saturday June 28th, hike to Greenleaf hut (4.5 miles)
Sunday June 29th, hike to Galehead hut (7.7 miles)
Monday June 30th hike to Zealand hut (7.0 miles)
Tuesday July 1 hike out (2.8 miles) and return home

Long trip as above, plus
Tuesday July 1 hike to Mizpah hut (8,0 miles)
Wednesday, July 2 hike to Lakes of the Clouds hut (4.6 miles)
Thursday July 3 hike to Pinkham Notch and Joe Dodge Lodge
Friday July 4 return home

How much: $70/night includes two meals and accommodations. Additional cost: lunch, gas money

We’re looking for a $100 deposit by March 1, and the remainder by April 15.

Why It’s incredibly beautiful and incredibly fun and incredibly challenging.

Please note that this does conflict with Boy Scout Troop 33 camp week.

Rose is happy to answer questions. This is not an easy trip–you’ll want to be fit when you start. I can’t wait to go back!

Please let Rose know if you’re interested. Checks should be made out to Venture Crew 33.

Killington Ski Weekend A Big Success

The First Annual President’s Day Ski Weekend was a big success. Fourteen members of Venture Crew 33 and five other family friends traveled to Killington Vermont on February 15th to ski for three days. The snow during the first two days was plentiful and enabled us to explore just about all six mountains on the resort, which had runs for all different levels of skiers and snowboarders.

The camaraderie between the participants was spectacular so all the kids and adults had a tremendous amount of fun. As an added bonus, Troop 72 from Westfield, NJ was also there for the weekend. There were close to 60 scouts staying at the Trailside Lodge at the same time. Next year we may have to take Troop 72’s offer to participate on their trip. Since they have been doing this for several years, and they traveled up by bus as opposed to driving, we likely will join forces with them next year.

I was not able to capture video on the slopes because I was having too much fun trying to concentrate on my balance but I did get some clips from Karaoke Night at the Trailside Lodge.

T3 Does Roxanne

Rob is Under the Bridge with The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Scout Master is Trying to Get Back Honky Cat

Proud Mary

CLICK HERE for more Scouting videos.

Troop 33 at Philmont

We recently took off for a little rest and relaxation by going on a backpacking trip to The Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. Crew 711L3 comprising 11 scouts and 3 adult advisers from Troop 33 in Scotch Plains-Fanwood travelled via Denver and Colorado Springs to visit Pikes Peak and the Air Force Academy as well as to do a little whitewater rafting before going on to the Southern Rockies located in New Mexico.

We spent two days touring Colorado Springs in order to acclimate a bit to the higher altitude since we all basically live at sea level. After Colorado Springs, we headed for the Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. From the Philmont Scout Ranch located at an elevation of about 6,500 feet, crew 711L3 traversed 68.5 miles on foot over 10 days through the wilderness covering several mountain tops, including Mount Phillips at 11,700 feet.

That’s me with the maroon backpack hiking down from some mountain top. The photo is courtesy of Tom Loop. You can see more photos from the trip by going to this link. Or just enjoy the following slideshow.