More on the Aviation campout

At museum Combat Zone

When Troop 448 scouts arrived at Lady Bird Park for their January aviation campout, the first thing they were hit with was the cold wind blowing about the camp.  They quickly set up their tents and got into them, trying to keep warm.  That night it got below freezing, earning the scouts there polar bear patch.  When they woke up, they cooked a warm meal.  After cleaning their dishes, they set out to a nearby hangar, where they learned about flying and flying machines.  They completed most of the requirements for Aviation Merit Badge.
  
Afterwards, they returned to their campsite, for a cold and quick lunch, before setting of again, this time to the Admiral Nimitz Museum of the Pacific War.  There they learned much about the history of the Pacific War, the sides of the war, and the combat. It was obvious on the boy’s faces that they very much enjoyed it.  When the museum closed, they went back to the camp for dinner and a campfire.

The boys all put on amazing performances.  After they went to bed, the scoutmaster called a quick Patrol Leaders Council, to decide whether or not to have breakfast the following morning.  The answer was no, because the scouts were fed up with the cold. That night also dropped below freezing. The scouts woke up the next morning, packed and left, in their warm cars.


--Sean McDonald

Troop 448 Aviation Camp Out

Mr. Allen teaches the Aviation Merit Badge

Troop 448 held its Aviation Camp Out from February 10-12. We completed most of the Aviation Merit Badge and also completed the Polar Bear Award. It reached below freezing on both nights of the trip. We went to a hangar at the airport and the Nimitz Museum. 

Troop 448 Leadership Camp

Troop 448 held its first leadership camp out at Camp Mabry on January 7th and 8th. People learned about what they were supposed to do in their leadership positions. There will be more Leadership Camp outs like this one as new elections occur. 

A Scout is Reverent

Troop 448 and other Scouts demonstrated that a Scout is Reverent.  The Troop celebrated Sunday morning Mass at St. Catherine of Siena.  Four members of the troop presented the gifts during Mass.  Fr. Pat congratulated the Scouts of Troop 448 for all their service work in the community.  Fr. Pat also thanked the adult leaders for all their help with the Scouting program.

At the end of Mass, Fr. Pat told the parish that he found it hard to make the curch anouncements becuse he was distracted by the hundreds of merit badges that the Scouts were wearing.

The Scouts had the pleasure of listening to a seminarian who is studying to become a priest.  The seminarian told the congregation that he earned his Eagle Scout award and has fond memories of his time as a Scout.

Troop 448 Robotics Field Trip

Troop 448 Robotics Field Trip

On Sunday, November 6, 2011 Troop 448 traveled to St. David's North Austin Medical Center. The Robotics Club traveled there for a field trip on robotic surgery. St. David's is a medical center that has da Vinci Robotic Surgery This is a robotic surgery that involves humans controlling a four armed robot to do surgery that is easier done with a robot than done with human work. At St. David's, we dressed in protective gear so we would not infect the hospital. Then we were taken to the surgery room where the robot was. They showed us the robot. The robot has 4 arms and cameras. It has many different attachments to do different types of surgery. There are many cameras to get different angles. We were also shown the controls to the robot. You can control the robot with your hands and the camera with your feet. We were all given a chance to control the robot with a game of Operation. It was much easier than playing with your hands. Everyone had fun at our Troop 448 Robotics Field Trip. Below are pictures (not taken by the troop) of the da Vinci robot.