Personal Fitness Day

Today, several scouts from Troop 448 attended the Personal Fitness merit badge class. We learned several things from this class, including that personal fitness is not just physical, it's mental and spiritual too. The scouts participated in several different fitness tests such as push-ups, sit-ups and a one mile walk/run.

Thank you Mr. McDonald for teaching us this fun merit badge.

(Written by: John Michael Reyes, Troop Historian.)

Troop Historian Photos from Summer Camp

Nice write-up Mr. Mohondro. I really don't have much else to add about summer camp. Here is a slideshow with the pictures that my dad and I took at camp.

We had a great week. I can't wait until next summer camp



(Written by John Michael Reyes - Troop Historian)

Colorado - There and Back a Troops Tale

June 20th, early morning departure. Several families already departed for parts known and unknown to meet again in Colorado on Jun 21st. The trailer left at 6:20 AM with the rest of Troop 448 departing from St. Catherine's of Siena at 7:30 AM. The goal was to stay the evening at Cannon AFB in Clovis, New Mexico. The troop arrived at Clovis and stayed the night departing early Sunday morning for camp. A majority of Troop 448 arrived at Camp Chris Dobbins Sunday afternoon and checked in. With medical inspections, swim tests and forms filled out completed, it was off to our campsite for setup. Our campsite was Deadwood and it would be our home for 7 days. Camp Chris Dobbins is located in Elbert, Colorado which is about 45 minutes from downtown Colorado Springs. While Ausitn was fighting a heat wave (still continuing) with temperatures hovering around 104, our camp was suffering with highs in the low 80s and lows around the mid 40s. A daily rain shower (even hail one day) lasting about an hour. Very lovely camp, but rather long hikes between various venues including the adult shower facilities. The lake was used for canoeing, row boats, and small sailboats merit badge classes. In the early mornings it was also used for those individuals that were brave enough to take the plunge into 60 something water to achieve the "Polar Penguin" award presented at camp. This required the plunge for three days (mornings). We had quite a few participants, which all achieved the award. Camp Chris Dobbins had one of the best horseback facilities we had seen. Besides the merit badges classes, they arranged several trail rides and even an evening dinner ride. In my book, the furthest and harest venue to get to would be the shooting sports. Once you started on this trek, it appeared to be in another state or at least in another camp. Beautiful hike - just lengthy. During the week we had boys and even adults participating in mountain biking, 5 K runs, mountain boarding and short to moderate hikes. While at the pool Troop 448 was able to sign up four of the adult leaders to participate and graduate from BSA Lifeguard. Congratulations Tiffany, Bryson, Gino and Mark, difficult course and you should all be very proud of yourselves and I even got to watch their struggle - notice I did not participate. Besides the merit badges for swimming and lifeguard at the pool we had boys and adults take on scuba and the mile swim.

Friday was a camp free day. The morning at the camp was dedicated to merit badge makeup, camp cleanup and swim events. The afternoon saw the majority of the troop taking a field trip to the cog train station to ride to the top of Pike's Peak (14110 feet). Some of the other troop members headed to other sites such as the Garden of the Gods, the Olympic Training Facility, and the Air Force Academy. Lots of nice sites to view while in Colorado.

Upon checkout from Camp Chris Dobbins on Saturday, the Troop started their trip back to Austin with another stop at Cannon AFB and arrived home Sunday afternoon, June 28th. It was a very successful summer camp. We came out with several advancements to Tenderfoot, BSA Lifeguards, and 103 merit badge completions and numerous other merit badge partials, which the boys will be able to complete within the year. Already planning next years trip - all need to get involved so your experience is a great as mine.