-Jeremy B
June was an odd month. There was about as many meetings as there was campouts. Of course, the annual Camp Old Indian summer camp was held and many scouts received a great deal of merit badges. David, Chase, Chris A, Nate, and Mr. Newsome all were inducted into the Order of the Arrow at camp. The troop also went on a week trip to Florida to canoe the Suwanee River. The day after the campout was finished the scouts came back to finish up Canoeing Merit Badge and wash out the tents.
-Various
There will be no meeting on July 21st -JB
Congratulations to Mr. Warlick on his Vigil nomination. –The Troop
A river rafting trip is scheduled for August –Colvin
The troop is going to Grandfather Mountain in August -JB
Campout Review
-Jeremy B.
Garh! We old sea dogs started a voyage on the treacherous Suwanee River and made our way through the pains and hardships to earn the right to own the 50 miles afoot and afloat badge. We might have lost a few Vikings on the trip, but we understood this risk and took it and we all agreed it was a good decision. Just kidding, no one was hurt. To be honest I can’t think of any good way to get out of this horrible introduction, so I’m going to just go into the next paragraph.
Sunday at the cruel hour of seven am, the Suwanee crew left everything they knew about modern civilization for a week. Sure, the river was a tough opponent, but it was nothing compared to the grueling car ride that lasted for half of the week (or seemed like it). The torture of the car ride paid off, however when we got to the campsite that had a bathroom and heated shower. Everyone set up his tents that were all fresh and dry (which wouldn’t last long) and pretty much just settled in. Day two rolled around and as soon as we knew it, we were off on the Ichetucknee River enjoying the gorgeous view of the wildlife and beautiful water. We made our way down the river and eventually got to a swimming spot where the adults got their first taste of what would soon become a routine of getting beaten up by the older scouts. We continued on from there and got an unexpected treat when we met up with a manatee. The Crew did get stuck in some pretty bad rain, although I wouldn’t understand how bad it was because I was in a shelter by a piece of good luck. After the rain it was only a small trip to the bridge where we were picked up from what was believed to be Mr. Colvin’s long lost twin brother. Everyone had a nice dinner and fell to sleep pretty quickly.
Day three. We traveled to the actual Suwanee River and begun the real canoeing. We got a nice dose of springs to visit and that sort of thing and got to the campsite real quick. I was personally kind of startled by the lack of gear, but I soon found out that the gear would be here soon. After we set up camp, about half the crew decided to go to a near by spring about half a mile off. We got there and met up with some more people that were also having a good time. We had ice cream when we got back, and promptly got some rest.
Day Four. This was personally my favorite day on the river. We headed out on the river, but the real fun didn’t begin until we got to the spring where we ate lunch. David J and I thought it would be a good idea to show our pirate–hood by creating our own temporary tattoos with a permanent marker. We also decided to write on the backs of Locke and the Honorary Pirates (Chase and Brian). David’s tattoos included a Jolly Roger, an *ahem* Jamaican symbol, a turtle with a cross over it, and the ever popular “Sturid” on his back. Apparently Locke doesn’t know how to spell. I had the Jolly Roger and “I’m with Sturpid” on my back, while Locke had “S-M-A-R-T” and a Jolly Roger. The Person that stole the show was Colin with the phrase “I’m 4” on his chest. We continued the trip all the way to the campsite where there was a nice spring and a very good looking, uh, view. At the campsite the Pirates killed Mr. Svacha and rag-tag team at a game of football. The evening was at its best when the Pirates were allowed to sleep under the stars instead of the stuffy old tent. Sleeping out there was one of my favorite moments in scouting in the 9 years I’ve been in Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. I recommend everyone try it at least once.
Day five was just as fun. We made our way back on the longest stretch yet. On this day we stopped at a publicly accessible spring where nine year olds showed the older scouts the art of belly flopping. We had a belly flop contest and Mr. Sprouse won. Before we knew it, we were out of the Suwanee and back on dry land on our way back to the original campsite. After some card playing, we were off to sleep.
Day six was the only day that we were on the water where we didn’t have the canoes. We were all floating down the Ichetucknee in yellow tubes. It was very tranquil. Ok, it was tranquil until Locke and I got to it. Currently I am the undisputed stands-upright-on-tube-longest winner, I dare you to try and beat me! Although there was some apprehension to wearing life jackets, it was mostly fun. In the evening we went back to the Ichetucknee springs to dunk Mr. Hayner one last time. At the campsite David, Locke, and I hit it off with the ladies in the camping area. Ok, maybe not, but we tried.
Day seven was our last day there. We packed up all of our stuff and made our way home. I managed to get some sleep this time around, as expected.
This was the best campout that I have had in at least a year. There were so many remember able things that happened on the river that I can’t begin to tell you about. There were a few bads, though. To say that the weather was good is to say Colin is tall; it’s just not true. The meals were good, but the scouts had little to do with preparing them for the most part. The worst thing that happened, though, was putting Locke as SPL. Just kidding, he was very good at it and he deserves to get Eagle (and, no, I was not paid to say that). I give it the Eagle’s first
10 out of 10
Overused Humor
-Jeremy B.
A joke is good up to a point, and then it gets old. This was no truer than at the Suwanee River where a few jokes were told a few too many times. I have decided to take it upon myself to bring out all of the overused jokes in a segment I would like to call, “Overused Humor”.
To me this one was never funny, but it kept resurfacing every time someone couldn’t steer strait. This wasn’t the first trip on the Suwanee they used it, either. This one could be decades old for all we know.
This one is alluding to David’s run in with a turtle that bit him on the butt. I admit, this was funny to begin with, but grew old after a while.
Ever since I joined this troop, I have heard this one on every campout that Mr. Long has attended. Please, if you are reading this, don’t ever say this again!
“Colin isn’t responsible, he’s four!”
Ok, ok, I admit that I had some responsibility in creating this one, but you can’t keep repeating it over and over again!
So, please folks remember, its only funny the first one hundred times, then it gets old.
Puns
-Various
A hunter aimed and shot at an unsuspecting mallard. Fortunately, just as the bullet came near the bird, it ducked.
The cattle were all fast asleep, so we had to move them with a bulldozer.
The priest was tending his vegetable garden.
He bowed his head, and said: "Lettuice spray."
Birthday candles are for people who want to make light of their age.
Q: How do you make a cigarette lighter?
A: You take out all the tobacco.
I know a farmer who has 200 head of cattle. He thought there were only 196 until he rounded them up.
Buffalo, NY became a city in 1832. In 2032, when the city of Buffalo is 200 years old, the mayor plans to hold a Bison-tennial Festival.
James Bond once slept right through an earthquake.
He was shaken; not stirred.
At the rum factory loading dock, all of the workers speak in verse.
It shows that rhymes fly when you're heaving rum.
Did you know that people tend to tell worse puns as they get older?
That's why we call them groan-ups.
Do you want your articles, recipes, jokes, or stories added to the Eagle? Just want to make a suggestion or comment? Email Jeremy or see him at the next meeting with your suggestions.
The Eagle is Jeremy, Will, Colin, Blake, and Matt.