I never leave home with these

As I prepare for our trip to Camp Pouch I go over my list of things to pack. The list is in your Scout Handbook. There are things on that list I never take out of my pack even though I've packed them with me all these years. But I think of the things I will not leave for camp without.

Extra socks. - my old Scoutmaster once said "a dry camper is a happy camper". And you can't be dry if your feet are wet or damp. I bring at least two extra pairs - on top of one pair for every day.

Hats - a wool hat and a baseball cap stay with me always. 30% of the heat that escapes your body leaves from the top of your head. Additionally the cap blocks my eyes from the sun and I use the wool hat as an eye mask when I sleep.

A cup - you need to drink and I think there is nothing grosser than having to borrow someone else's cup. I have the plastic folding one the troop gave away as gifts a few years ago. It takes up no space and I can keep hydrated.

Toilet Paper - this is the last supply you need to try to scavenge for in the middle of the night. I also keep this in a large Ziploc bag in my pack so it stays extra dry.

First Meeting!

Last night was  our first meeting of the 2009-2010 year and I think it was a pretty good one!

Here's what happened:

• After many years of hard work, Miguel decided to step down as Scoutmaster to take a break. He'll still be around as an Assistant Scoutmaster. I (Mike Vuolo) am now the Scoutmaster for Troop 327. All of the other guys are still going to be around as Assistant Scoutmaster.
• We elected a new Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Eryk G will be the SPL and Rafal will be the ASPL. Next week we're going to split into patrols and elect patrol leaders.
• We're looking at having Friday only meetings again. We'll let you know for sure by next week.
• We should be having a camping trip in October, date to be announced.
• We've got a web based calendar for all meetings and events, everyone in the Troop will get an email about it. Find it here.
• The guys took out some of our smaller a-frame tents and checked for pieces, then we practiced how to set them up. Then, we raced to see who could get them up fastest.

Check here for the next meeting info, I'll know by Monday as to what day it is.