Soaring High

Michael Schmidt, along with other volunteers from troop 57, finished his eagle project. His project included the planning and building of 2 picnic tables and wrapping trees with fencing for the protection from beaver damage. The picnic tables were placed at the Scarborough brook conservation area for hikers and picnicers to enjoy. Michael will finish up a few merit badges and apply for his eagle early Feb. Congrats Michael.

Michael, second from left with one of his completed picnic tables.

Wilderness survival merit badge

On feb 25th the scouts working on wilderness survival can finish up by building and sleeping in a shelter they build. This will take place at Mr. Desjardins and be supervised by Him and the senior patrol. See Matt at the troop meetings for prep.

Lets learn Farm Mechanics

Mr. Lupa is shown here along with 18 of our scouts. They are working on the Farm mechanics merit badge. Some classroom stuff and then we will be looking at some interesting equipment such as tractors loaders dump trucks etc.
Safety is essential on a farm or jobsite and the boys are learning about that too. Afterwards Mr. Lupa is having a movie and pizza…what a fun way to spend a rainy snowey saturday.  Go Troop 57!

Metacomet Camporee

Well I went up to Glencroft farm where the Metacomet district camporee is being held, the scouts that did sleep over night thru the wind and rain still had smiles on their faces. For a little while they had to batten down the hatches, but as good scouts they stayed brave.
When I got there this morning in they were finishing up their breakfast of pancakes and maple syrup. Eager to get the day started they got into their class A uniforms.
They got to the flag ceremony greeted by civil war reenactors with black power rifles. After flag they went off to do their fun things.  More to come and hopefully with pictures
Mr. Scoutmaster

Belchertown Fair a Troop Success

Thanks to all the scouts , Parents and leaders for another successful fair booth. We raised a good amount of money with the great raffle prizes we had.

Some of the money will help with the upcoming fall camporee that the troop is attending, more info soon.

Memorial Day Parade Canceled

Weather has dampened the Memorial Day Parade… They will try to have a ceremony at 2pm today on the common for a short maybe 15 minutes

Hope we can at least honor the fallen in the traditional manner.

Please everyone do take a moment to reflect upon what Memorial Day is about.

God Bless the USA

Scoutmaster Desjardins

January is Winter Camping month

Troop 57  this month we will focus on winter camping

Tues 4th- troop mtg is winter camping gear list

Tues 11th- troop mtg is winter camping sleds and camp cooking also Meal Planning for end of month campout

Tues 18th-troop mtg – meal planning and winter activity

We will be in Magee(at Chesterfield) for the end of the month …. Skating, Hockey, Ice Fishing, Sledding and Movie night!

I would like a list of who is attending this campout at the next troop Mtg.

 

Mr. Desjardins

The Great Quabbin hike

Today the troop went to Dana Common from gate 40. Along the hike they looked at many cellar holes and read about the history. We even found a safe in one of them. We then proceeded to do a lot of bushwacking into the woods looking for a jet plane wreckage dating back from 1955. The picture shown is from the hike along the water and all the boys were together for about 2 minutes for the picture.
Great weather great hike.

The Hike is ON!!

The weather for the quabbin hike looks good. In the 40′s.  Still dress in Layers and bring lunch and Compass

 

See you before 8 AM (Sat 12/11)

Quabbin Hike to Dana Common and Starfire Jet Crash site

This Saturday Dec 11th Troop 57  will be hiking to the old Dana common , a nice town common that used to be filled with the homes, church and businesses of the town of Dana. all that is left are cellar holes and pictures found in books of a place that folks once called home.  our Hike will start at Gate 40 , off rt 32A. a nice hike along a dirt road will bring us to the common. we will use maps and a book that will give info on the various cellar holes and the stories behind who lived there. there are some interesting things to look for along the way. Check out this website

http://explorewmass.blogspot.com/2007/04/quabbin-gate-40-road-to-dana-common.html

One interesting area is the crash site from 1955 of a US military jet that crashed there in the woods this website has some interesting pictures

http://members.multimania.co.uk/daveswrecks/photoalbum25.html

Things to bring…. (in a backpack)WATER BOTTLE, Pack lunch, warm clothes, comfy hiking/walking shoes, gloves and a hat

Compass(plate style or combo with mirror) small first aid kit(if you have one)

Optional Items for fun ….Camera, Handheld GPS unit to help find crash site , Trekking Poles Scout book to get some things signed off like map and compass, animals plants etc.

WE WILL LEAVE THE B-TOWN COMMON AT 8am to drive to the Gate…. EVERYONE IS INVITED,

Any questions, email Jim   jdesjardins57@gmail.com, I will have my cell that day , depending on service up there…413-246-2813

LETS HIKE

Jim Desjardins