Norther Tier Practice Campout

This weekend was our first Northern Tier Crew outing as we work to prepare for our Trip that is coming the last weekend June this year. The Troop has two groups going each consisting of 6 Scouts and 2 adults. Originally both crews were going on the same date but the other crew had to change due to some scheduling conflicts.

Up to this point we have had several crew meetings and some crew training during our March campout. This was the first time and perhaps the only time are camping just crew only. It was also the first time were able to test out our skills on the water and together

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Northern Tier is my fourth high adventure in a row with Sea Base, Philmont, and Jamboree in the previous years. Each experience has been very different and for sure I have learned a lot along the way. We are very fortunate to have and adult on the second crew that has been to Northern Tier previously and most of the Scouts on our crew have previously participated in high adventure.

Nonetheless, I know from experience that it is important to not take anything for granted. Discovering and working out group dynamic frustrations and skill identifiers prior to being off on the adventure are very important. Even though these Scouts have been together for many years the function of a small group in a wilderness situation is far different from a small group as part of a larger Troop.

Our weekend went pretty well with the Scouts and the Adults learning some lessons to take and soak on before we train again. As expected, there were Scouts short on gear, Scouts that wanted to take short cuts on learning and Scouts that were just plain excited all the time. All of course is part of the process of team building and learning. 

Hello 2014

Well it looks like 2014 is here and in full swing. Last year was pretty amazing for us as a Scouting family and especially for my son.

He started the year with his second spring term as the Troop SPL, helped is buddies complete several Eagle Projects, completed his own project which benefited our Charter Org, became an Eagle Scout, was SPL for one of the Council Jamboree Troops, and earned a bronze palm. Whew! Oh and he also turned 16 and got his first car.

Having a blast as Jambo ASM

It was one of those years that I do not think he will truly appreciate until he is much older.

Of course through all of these adventures I was there as well. I saw that he was far more effective during his second round as SPL since he was able to apply many of the lessons he had learned through trial and error the first time. I also so much of this experience go into action as Jamboree SPL which in his own words was the most difficult thing he had ever done. This was mostly due to the Troop dynamics of a Jamboree Troop not allowing a lot of Patrol level segmentation. This basically left him running everything which was difficult but a great learning experience.

His Eagle Project was great with him able to use his leadership skills and many of the skills he has been learning in school through his engineering academy. His Scoutmaster really challenged him to pull off a first class project.

Conner's Project: Donation boxes

Honestly, in my mind I thought he would be done with Scouting after Jamboree and Eagle. I am very thankful that instead he seems still very excited to be part of the Troop and to enjoy time as a leader and with his friends. I can certainly say that thanks to the great Scouts and adults in our Troop I am still as enthused as ever.

Upon reflection, it is just amazing to think of how much Scouting over the years has become part of who he is and who we are together as father and son. I know that many years from now we will look back and tell stories galore about these times. The years have shaped both of us into better people.

What does the future hold?  I am continuing as a Troop ASM and we both have one more adventure ahead with Northern Tier in June. Life is good indeed.

Stay tuned to the blog as I do plan to write from time to time about our Northern Tier planning and experience.

Northern Tier Gear List

I worked up a gear list for our crews that are going to Northern Tier in 2014.  We will test the list as we do our training outings to see what can be cut or added.  Taking as little as possible is a goal given the limited amount of space that will be available.  Give the list a look over and leave your comments with feedback. Most of the items are directly from the official NT participant manual. 

Dry Clothes (Camp)          Lightweight camp shoes, close toed          Synthetic long sleeve shirt          Synthetic T-Shirt (provided)          Synthetic Pants; zip off          2 pairs of socks; wool or synthetic          Lightweight fleece jacket or pullover          Stocking cap          Synthetic long underwear          Sleepwear: t-shirt & shorts/lightweight Wet Clothes (Canoeing)          Boots: Jungle style with full ankle coverage and instep drainage          Synthetic long sleeve shirt          Synthetic T-shirt (provided)          Wool or synthetic socks (2 pairs)          Polypro sock liner (1 pair)          Synthetic underwear (1 pair)          Synthetic pants; zip off          Broad brimmed hat          Lightweight breathable rain jacket          Lightweight breathable rain pants          Optional; paddling gloves

Personal Gear          Lightweight sleeping bag (rated 20-35)           6 foot Z-rest foam pad or ultra-light Therm-a-rest          Backpackers pillow (pillow case)          Dry bag for sleeping clothes          Bandanna or buff          Backpacker’s towel          Toothbrush          Small Toothpaste          Meal kit including bowl, spoon and cup          Nalgeene Water bottle (Provided)          Lip balm w/sunscreen          Small pocket knife          Personal Meds (2 complete supplies)          Headlamp with extra batteries          Whistle          Sunglasses and/or eye glasses with keeper strap          1 Compass per canoe (small, liquid-filled, flat base)          Small personal first aid kit          Waterproof matches or lighter in container          Watch with alarm          Small pump-squirt bottle of 30-100% DEET          Small sunblock          Two one gallon zip lock bags          Two or three carabineers for attaching items to canoe           2 diaper pins Optional          Water proof camera with extra batteries          Journal with pen/pencil          Fishing gear: To be decided by crew          PFD: These are provided by NT Scouts can bring own if preferred

A new adventure awaits

Deep down in many ways I thought attending the 2013 National Scout Jamboree would end up being my last big Scouting adventure with the son and with our Troop. After all, in the last several years I have been blessed to be able to attend Sea Base and Philmont in addition to going to Jamboree as an ASM.

I also figured it was time to move on and certainly time to stop the monthly payments with college looming. The final thing for me is that my work seems to cycle through layoffs every two years which would place 2014 as another on of those "risk" years take always drive me crazy.

As a result of all these factors, when the sign up for Northern Tier came around I did not raise my hand to be an adult volunteer. Well, it turns out they did end up needing an additional adult and with some very light arm twisting I am now poised and pumped again for adventure. We are taking two crews to Antikokan and I am very excited about the six Scouts that will be joining the other leader and I on this adventure.

My plan is to blog along the way here and share our experience including planning, training, gear and our time on the water. I know it is going to be amazing!

Thanks for following along.

Sea Base 2011

Philmont 2012

Jamboree 2013