Troop 4277 Pictures

Our November campout (November 8-9, 2008) was a backpacking campout at Fox Bottom Primitive Campground at Granger Lake. Being a Primitive Campground means you have to bring everything with you that you will need, especially water.

For this campout, the patrols were broken up into pairs of boys, with each pair sharing a tent and being responsible for their food. Each pair of boys would share the load of getting their supplies to camp. The boys were supposed to make sure that one of their 3 meals was an MRE-style (Meals Ready to Eat). We would have two adults bring water to the camp site using a canoe, as we were planning to bring in 20 gallons of water.

We left the church parking lot at 8:30am, got to the Fox Bottom parking lot a little after 10:00, and had all our backpacks on and started on the trail around 10:30. The last time we did this hike it took about 1.5 hours to reach the campsite area. Today's hike would take us longer because, unknown to us at the time we started, the trail was grown over with brush that made it impassible. We finally reached the campsite area after 3 hours of hiking.

Suddenly, our path disappeared...

We had to go off the beaten path and work to find our way... We started walking across dried lake bed.

After checking the map, we decided on the direction we would head. As we pressed on, Ethan got a little off the path...

For those who can't tell, those are brand new shoes on Ethan's feet. Just got them yesterday. Mom will be so happy!
After getting him out, we adjusted course a little and continued. We finally came to a bridge that is part of the path we were
supposed to be on. There was 10' high growth on both sides of the bridge, leaving no visible trail. We pressed through
and marched on, and finally got back to some cleared trail.

Given that we were hiking much longer than expected, a couple of the boys were starting to get a little weary from the load of their backpacks.
Fortunately, we have boys who know how to work as a team...

There were several older boys who took the backpacks from the younger boys and carried them the last 20-30 minutes as we approached the campsite.

Point 3 of the 12 Points of the Scout Law: A Scout is Helpful.

We finally arrived at camp at 1:30. Everyone got their tents set up and started getting some overdue lunch. It was time to relax.

It was time for the campfire. Tonight's campfire would be for more than warmth. The troop was asked to retire a worn US Flag.

After the flag was taken care of, it was time for Mr. Hood's own ceremony. Because he is stepping down as Scoutmaster in December, this was his last
campout as Scoutmaster. As a form a closure, he chose to retire his Class A shirt by burning it in the campfire. He spoke about what it has meant to him
to be the Scoutmaster for Troop 4277 the last 7 years, the number of boys who have been part of the Troop, those who have become Eagle Scouts under
his watch, and how being the Scoutmaster has allowed him to impact so many people. He spoke about what he has done wearing that shirt over the years,
listing campouts (over 100 nights camping), service projects, and community service events, just to name a few. He told everyone that he is not leaving
the Troop, just stepping down so Mr. Sands can take over. He also said that in the morning he would gather some of the ashes from the fire, and that he
will distribute some to each of the boys at the End of Year Court of Honor. After concluding an emotional speech, he placed his shirt in the fire.
Everyone watched in silence.

With Mr. Hood's shirt consumed by the fire, JC suggested the boys circle up. It was a very fitting way to close the evening.

Morning came early. Everyone got some breakfast (most of us had oatmeal, others were a little more "adventurous"), and eventually started packing up to leave.

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