Troop Nine Bowline
Volume 4 Issue 1 
October 1997 
BOY SCOUT TROOP 9
 CHAPEL HILL, NC 

SCOUT ADVANCEMENT

You should not be content with sitting down to defend yourselves against evil habits, but should also be active in doing good. By 'doing good' I mean making yourselves useful and doing small kindnesses to other people - whether they are friends or strangers.

 - Lord Baden-Powell
1857 - 1941
 Chris Garlington and Evan Erickson have been recognized for their achievements and presented the Eagle Scout award: Chris at the spring court of honor May sixth and Evan in the fall on September twenty-eighth. Congratulation to both these high school seniors and best wishes to them this fall at North Carolina State University as freshmen. We will miss them. 
New Life Scouts are Jason Gabriel, Ben Irvin, and John McKeon. 
Also advancing are Lucas Nelson, Graham Paulsgrove, and Larry Reeves who have received the Second Class Scout award. 
Fifteen Scouts earned forty-two merit badges over the course of spring and summer. The Scouts and their badges are as follows: Charlie Collicutt, Family Life; Evan Erickson , Citizenship in the Community; Ryan Erickson , Citizenship in the Community; Jason Gabriel , Emergency Preparedness, Citizenship in the Nation, Small Boat Sailing; Andrew Hoover, Environmental Science, Leather work, Woodcarving; Ben Irvin, Environmental Science, First Aid, Fish and Wildlife Management; John McKeon , Computers; Eric Nelson, Safety, Mammal Study, Space Exploration, Weather; Lucas Nelson, Life Saving, Safety, Small Boat Sailing, Ham Radio, Nature; Scott Noel, Environmental Sciences, Mammal Study, Small Boat Sailing ; Graham Paulsgrove, Canoeing, Forestry, Swimming, Wood Carving; Mike Clarke-Pearson , Camping, Citizenship in the Community ; Larry Reeves, Basketry, Environmental Science, Nature, Safety; T.J. Reeves, Basketry, Mammal Study, Pottery, Swimming ; Nathan Ripperton, Climbing, Cycling, Whitewater. 

PHILMONT


In July ten Scout members of the troop and four adults had a fourteen day trip to the Philmont Scout Reservation. During the eleven days on the trail we covered some fifty miles of trail, including an incredible cross section of geology, flora, and fauna. We camped at interior outposts that provided a rich variety of special programs: helping with an archeological dig at an Anasazi Indian site, horseback riding, using burros as pack animals, pole climbing, panning for gold, blacksmithing, touring an old mine shaft, climbing Baldy Mountain (12,441 feet), visiting several museums, helping build a trail, participating in a cope course, skeet shooting with our own loads, burro racing. We also enjoyed two great campfires at base. We saw Anasazi petroglyphs, wild turkeys, snakes, numerous wild flowers, and inspiring views. The fellowship was great. In fact, it’s so enjoyable, it’s a wonder anyone ever comes back. We will go again. 

SUMMER CAMP


Also, over the summer the eight Scouts attended the Old Hickory Council’s Camp Raven Knob. During the last week of June over forty merit badges were completed. One scout attended an additional week as a provisional camper. Take a moment to thank Jeff Hoover. Jeff spent the entire week at camp. He was assisted for part of the week by Sherif Gabriel, David Scocca, Rob Nelson, West Reeves, and Jim Paulsgrove. Each of them deserves your thanks for making the time in a busy summer to take the Scouts to camp. Nathan Ripperton served as camp counselor in the Outback and other program areas over the summer.  

 
 

1997-98 CALENDAR



 
 

The troop calendar for 1997 - 1998 was finalized at the September Troop Committee meeting. A link is included. 

TROOP FEES AND PERSONAL EQUIPMENT


Dues are fifty dollars a year for the September to August troop year. This fee covers registration, Boys Life magazine, badges, and troop equipment. Scholarships are available. 

Summer Camp is the week of 21 - 27 June at Camp Raven Knob. Last year’s camp fee was one hundred thirty five dollars. A current physical examination is required; copies of the scout medical form are available. 

With the exception of Summer Camp, there are generally no trip fees other than the cost of food. Food is handled by the boys on a patrol basis with parental support. Transportation is handled on a voluntary basis, coordinated by the Transportation Chair. 

For trips, the boys will need a pack, sleeping bag, and other personal equipment. The troop has an equipment list and will go over equipment needs prior to trips. Troop tents are available, although many boys have their own. 

For weekly meetings, a scout handbook , uniform, note book or pad, pencil, and lots of enthusiasm are sufficient.

DRIVING



 
 

Parents share driving responsibilities for camping trips. Please look at your calendars and let us know if you care to drive for a particular trip, and if so, which way, and how many scouts and packs you can carry. If you can take scouts to or from the monthly camping trips, please contact the scoutmaster. October finds us without a Transportation Chair for the Troop Committee. If you would be willing to serve as Transportation Chair, please speak to the scoutmaster or a member of the Troop Committee. 

PARENTS TROOP COMMITTEE



 
 

The Troop Committee, the parent leadership of the troop, meets once a month to review troop activity and plan for scout activities. The meetings are from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the second Thursday. 

Committee officers for the year are Westley Reeves, chair; Jim Paulsgrove, treasurer; Sherif Gabriel and Rob Nelson, advancement; John Risk, member at-large; and Tom McKeon, institutional representative. The positions of transportation and newsletter are open.

TROOP LEADERS COUNCIL



 
 

The scouts who lead the troop meet once a month to plan troop activities for the following month. The meetings are from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before the Troop Committee meeting. Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders, Senior and Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders, Scribe, Quartermaster, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, and other boy leaders are expected to attend. Bring a bag supper or pizza.

PARKERS CREEK CAMPOUT



 
 

On the first trip of the year, we enjoyed perfect weather. With eight scouts and three adults, we had a wonderful week-end of fellowship. With swimming, kayaking, and water-skiing, there was fun for all. In addition, two new scouts completed a substantial part of Tenderfoot. 

MOUNT ROGERS



 
 

The Troop’s November trip to the Mt. Rogers and the Jefferson National was a spectacular event: two days of water and one gorgeous day of sun and views along the ridge from Mt. Rogers, across Wilburn Ridge, toward Pine Mountain. Rhododendron Gap and Wilburn Ridge gave us outstanding views of the surrounding countryside all the way back to our base camp at Brier Ridge. Fall colors were brilliant. The contrast of beeches, and hickories in full fall colors against the hard greens of the rhododendron and fir was spectacular. 

Wet weather skills were honed. We hiked in from Elk Gap to Brier Ridge in a steady rain. The off-trail portion of the trip from the Appalachian Trail to Brier Ridge was an experience. Visibility was less than ten yards. Navigation was by compass. Our first attempt at crossing led us in a circle. Working with a bearing from Joe Johnston’s ready compass, we got across on the second attempt. The trip out was cold, wet, and uneventful. All were glad to have brought their dry clothes bag for the car. 

Mt. Rogers, Virginia

Pine Mountain from Thomas Knob

ORDER OF THE ARROW



 
 

Congratulations to John McKeon who in September completed his Order of the Arrow Ordeal and is now a member of the Brotherhood of Cheerful Service.

NATHAN AT HIGH SCHOOL



 
 

Nathan Ripperton is away at high school this year. He does not have an email address yet. His postal address is High Mowing School, P.O. Box 850, Wilton, New Hampshire 03086.

TREASURER'S REPORT



 
 

The troop has $376.14 on deposit after the last bank statement was reconciled. With current expenses of $233.24 and deposits of $200.00 the net cash available is $342.90. Pending dues and the Chapel of the Cross contribution to the Scout budget account for another $1,200.00. The troop budget is scheduled to be reviewed at the November Troop Committee meeting.

   Troop 9 is a youth ministry of the Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill, North  Carolina, and a scout unit in the Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts of America.