We had a contest for the scouts to do. They had to light a fire with one one match. If they did this, they would get a share of my leftover Halloween candy. For the last three years the scouts have failed for one reason or another - inexperience, wet wood, wind blowing out the match, etc. Alex Neeley is proud of his fire, however, the match did not catch.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Last Activities of the Year
We had a contest for the scouts to do. They had to light a fire with one one match. If they did this, they would get a share of my leftover Halloween candy. For the last three years the scouts have failed for one reason or another - inexperience, wet wood, wind blowing out the match, etc. Alex Neeley is proud of his fire, however, the match did not catch.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Leaf Raking Service Project
On Saturday, November 14, 2009 our troop participated in an annual service project. David and Elsa Hays are an older couple who has a huge yard with lots of tress. Each year we try to help out by raking their leaves. Our troop joins with our Young Women's group to carry out the project. This year we had 23 youth and 13 Adults help get the job done.


In the picture on the left we see Matt Biernesser, Zac Titus and Brett Peacock raking leaves into piles, but where is Brett's rake? On the right Quintin Goettman and Justin Petrosky are working on the project.

In the picture on the left we see Cody Titus and Freddy Sumpman raking leaves with leader Dean Nelson. On the Right Dean is working with Matt Biernesser


Here we have a group photo of all who worked on the project. In the leaves are Deena Sumpman (mother) Alex Neeley, Freddy Sumpman, Zac Tame.


I tried to do a before and after sequence. The pictures are not from the exact same point but they do tell the story. You get the picture (ha ha).
In the picture on the left we see Matt Biernesser, Zac Titus and Brett Peacock raking leaves into piles, but where is Brett's rake? On the right Quintin Goettman and Justin Petrosky are working on the project.
Here we have a group photo of all who worked on the project. In the leaves are Deena Sumpman (mother) Alex Neeley, Freddy Sumpman, Zac Tame.
I tried to do a before and after sequence. The pictures are not from the exact same point but they do tell the story. You get the picture (ha ha).
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Court of Honor September 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
August Camp Out
Friday night was perhaps one of the clearest nights I have seen East of the Mississippi. The moon set early so the view of the stars was uninhibited. I pulled Matt and Brett aside and had them gaze up into the sky for a few minutes. We could clearly see the mist/haze of the Milky Way. A planet was very bright in the southern sky (probably Jupiter or Saturn). It was a time to just think about the vast distances that are out there. For me it was a humbling experience. We are on the edge of a smaller galaxy. The universe is so large, and we are small in comparison. I hope Matt and Brett took away something like that. Later on during the evening I found Matt with some of his friends gazing into the sky away from camp. They had seen two shooting stars during their observations and discussions. After visiting with them, I went back to my tent for a peaceful night of sleeping. After looking at the stars, I think I can appreciate what God had done for me a little more.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Summer Camp
We just returned from Summer Camp at Muskingum Valley Scout Reservation. Going to camp this year was Matt Biernesser, Tyler Weeks, Brett Peacock, Justin Petrosky, Nate Rambo, Kenny Sumpman and Zac Tame (seen above, L-R). We took the tarp and frame, again working well. A few people stopped by to look at it, one man took pictures of how it was constructed. I guess I am proud of it.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Tennessee Trip
Tennessee Trip June 15 to 20, 2009
Recently we returned from a "High Adventure" trip to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trip was fabulous, in my opinion, and the youth seemed to have a good time.
We met at the church and loaded up early Monday morning. The trip is about 9 hours with stops and all. We got to the campsite (a local campground outside the park) and set up camp. We drove to the park visitor center at Sugarlands. There the youth were able to see exhibits on the park wildlife and terrain.


Tuesday morning we hiked to the Chimneys. This is a grueling 2 mile hike up hill. However, the views from on top are worth the effort. The boys felt like they had really accomplished something - they conquered the mountain. We ate lunch on top of the mountain.

After the Chimneys, we drove to Clingman's Dome, the highest point in the Park. The day was fairly clear with a visibility range of about 40 or 50 miles. The hike to the dome is 1/2 mile up a steep paved path.


Wednesday we drove to Cades Cove and biked the 11 mile loop. The one way road that loops around the Cove is closed to motorized traffic every Wednesday and Saturday morning until 10:00 AM. We got there about 7:20 and there was already a long line of people to rent bikes from the Park. We got going about 8:00 and biked around the valley.


The wildlife and views were amazing as we biked around the park. We had rain on the drive over and on the way back, but while we biked, the skies were fairly clear. Here we see a bear cub in the foreground and the mama bear in the background. There was another cub, but he is not in the picture.


The bike trip and the hike the previous day took a lot out of the boys and they opted to scrap the hike to Abrams falls that afternoon. Instead they wanted to go back to the
campground and try out the
waterslide. We caved into their request, but not before stopping by the Sugarlands visitor center again and making them watch a film about the park.
Wednesday night we cooked steak over the fire and baked potatoes in the coals. The meal was outstanding. Just after everything got cleaned up, a huge storm blew through. We got about an inch and a half of rain in an hour. I have seen a lot of rain storms and this one was
impressive. The boys all got under the tarp, which held up beautifully, and waited it out. The tents were pitched well and we had no problems even though there was tons of water around.



Thursday morning we went white water rafting on the Big Pigeon River. Each rafting day water is let out of a reservoir raising the river level by 3 or 4 feet, making a simple river into a raging river of class 3 and class 4 rapids. It was a first for all the boys and they loved it.


Thursday afternoon we went to Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg. While in the aquarium, another huge rain storm came through, but we were all inside. The youth enjoyed the wide variety of exhibits. They got to pick up crabs and touch sting rays.



Friday morning we parked at Newfound Gap and hike 4 miles along the Appalachian Trail until we got to Charlie's Bunion. This day we got to see why they are called the Smoky Mountains. The clouds and mists flowed over the ridge tops. It was a mix of sun and cloud. We ate lunch there, seeing some great views of the Park. Again we had no rain while the activity took place.

Saturday we got up early and packed up for home. On the way home we stopped in West Virginia at the bridge that spans the New River Gorge. Once home, the boys were all talking about the trip and what they did. Memories were created to last a lifetime. That is what it is all about, right?
Total cost per person (without gas and tolls): $113. Campground fees, Rafting fees, bike rental, Aquarium fees and food costs make up that amount.
We met at the church and loaded up early Monday morning. The trip is about 9 hours with stops and all. We got to the campsite (a local campground outside the park) and set up camp. We drove to the park visitor center at Sugarlands. There the youth were able to see exhibits on the park wildlife and terrain.
The wildlife and views were amazing as we biked around the park. We had rain on the drive over and on the way back, but while we biked, the skies were fairly clear. Here we see a bear cub in the foreground and the mama bear in the background. There was another cub, but he is not in the picture.
The bike trip and the hike the previous day took a lot out of the boys and they opted to scrap the hike to Abrams falls that afternoon. Instead they wanted to go back to the
Wednesday night we cooked steak over the fire and baked potatoes in the coals. The meal was outstanding. Just after everything got cleaned up, a huge storm blew through. We got about an inch and a half of rain in an hour. I have seen a lot of rain storms and this one was
Thursday morning we went white water rafting on the Big Pigeon River. Each rafting day water is let out of a reservoir raising the river level by 3 or 4 feet, making a simple river into a raging river of class 3 and class 4 rapids. It was a first for all the boys and they loved it.
Friday morning we parked at Newfound Gap and hike 4 miles along the Appalachian Trail until we got to Charlie's Bunion. This day we got to see why they are called the Smoky Mountains. The clouds and mists flowed over the ridge tops. It was a mix of sun and cloud. We ate lunch there, seeing some great views of the Park. Again we had no rain while the activity took place.
Saturday we got up early and packed up for home. On the way home we stopped in West Virginia at the bridge that spans the New River Gorge. Once home, the boys were all talking about the trip and what they did. Memories were created to last a lifetime. That is what it is all about, right?
Total cost per person (without gas and tolls): $113. Campground fees, Rafting fees, bike rental, Aquarium fees and food costs make up that amount.
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