November 2009 Shooting Campout

The shooting campout was a lot of fun. We got to shoot .22s and bow and arrows. We also had some kids from troop 446, and troop 6, and people from San Juan Diego Catholic high school venture crew came. Thank you to our instructors for giving their time so we could have a safe and fun campout. by Kyle Bowen

11/17/2009

Pedernales Falls Campout, September 2009

(Posted by Jacob Wilder of Wolf Patrol)

Troop 448’s September Campout was to Pedernales Falls State Park.  This was scheduled to be a leadership campout, but it got changed to an advancement campout.  Many advancement requirements were met for first and second class scouts.

 

The campout included a five mile hike; a one mile nature walk; and a special ceremony.  Jacob and Nolan led a ceremony to meet one of their communications merit badge requirements.  Jacob met another of his communications merit badge requirements by creating a video of the weekend.  Please check out the video Jacob has made of the work accomplished during the Pedernales Falls Campout:

Blog Post By Jacob Wilder

Video Produced By Jacob Wilder

(Troop 448, Wolf Patrol)

Joshua Serrano's Eagle Project: Day 1

It was an early morning wake-up-call Saturday morning to attend Joshua Serrano’s Eagle Project at around 8:00 a.m. Many of the new and old scouts participated such as Zach Serrano, Joshua Gordon, and Ken Nelson; Eagle Scouts in Troop 448. The morning started out slow; setting groups up, getting tools together, and eating the fresh donuts and orange juice the Serrano’s had prepared. We had to dig an 8 inch hole stretching about 20-30 feet on the side of Saint Catherine’s of Sienna, right across from the playground. Most scouts were scattered on the sides, slicing away with the pick axes, scooping the dirt with the shovels, moving the dirt to the side of the playground and next to the sidewalk and spreading it; while the other extra scouts decided to pick up all the loose tree limbs on the other side of the parking lot.



About an hour or so later, we had already removed all the grass inside the perimeter. It was pretty easy hitting away with my pick axe, but once we got through the soft, fertile soil, we hit hard, heavy-duty rocks. It was a tough job for everyone, even the adults! Joshua had some of the older scouts dig 2 feet post holes, so that the iron poles for the fence could stand up properly. Cracking the hard rocky dirt with the breaker bars and removing the dirt with the dost hole diggers seemed everlasting. Scouts still kept slicing away at the rocky soil, and removing it with the wheel barrows and shovels inside the boundary to Joshua’s liking. You really don’t know how fine air conditioning feels until you’re sweating like crazy! Everybody went inside the church for lunch, which was pizza provided by the Serrano’s, fresh lemonade and Sunny D. It was incredibly refreshing to wash off all the sweat in the bathroom and eat smoking hot pizza in the cold church kitchen. The scouts sat together eating pizza, talking about movies, shows, and enjoying the funny jokes. It was a good 30 minutes that was definitely needed after that whole ordeal, but the ordeal was not over yet…

We left the kitchen and started back to work, in 100 degree Austin weather, which is actually normal these days. We moved the easy-ups to cover the area that we worked in and kept digging out the pit until it was 8 inches. The adults now worked on a different segment of the project, which was getting a frame up for the concrete pouring. The frame was about 8” high, built by the crafty adults, especially Mr. Tovar and Mr. Elizondo. Before the concrete could take place the adults focused on the frame that needed to be built, while the scouts sat by the water exhausted from all the work.



Eventually, the frame work was complete. It was now 4:00. Even though we were supposed to leave at 3:00, we decided to keep going and complete everything that Joshua needed us to complete. Everyone was devoted to the project and wanted to get as much done as possible, so we kept on going. Since the frame was complete, all we had to do was pour the concrete into the frame and then we were done, right? Well as they say, “It’s easier said than done,” and that is the truth!!! We turned on the concrete mixer, which only Mr. Faulkner knew how to use, and mixed bags of concrete and water inside it. Also, we had the older scouts lift bags of concrete, put them in the bins and mixed them with our shovels. We lifted the bins with concrete in them and poured it into the frame work. It was a tedious process and we did not want to spill any of the concrete. Carlos Tovar and I took our trowels and did the finishing touches on the concrete. The day finished at around 5:30. It was a day spent well, helping another scout with his eagle project.

Posted by: Chris Frasquieri (Senior Patrol Leader)

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.

Flying Eagle Vet Medicine Merit Badge Day

The Scouts in the Flying Eagle Patrol took the day to work on their Veterinary Medicine merit badge. We worked with Dr. Van Treese and learned a lot about being a veterinarian. We were able to tour the clinic.

Some of us decided that we definitely did not want to become vets.

Thanks to Dr. Van Treese for taking the time to teach us about his job.

Here are some pictures.

(Written by John Michael Reyes - Troop 448 Historian)

Valentine's Day Bake Sale

Today, our troop participated in a bake sale to build up our troop funds. Again, many of our newest scouts came to support the troop. Almost all of our baked goods were sold, and those that were not were donated to a fire station. Thanks to all scouts and families who donated baked goods to support the troop. A special thanks to Mrs. Gonzalez for setting up this fundraiser for the troop.

The photos from this event can be seen here.

(Written by John Michael ~ Troop 448 Historian)

Report to State Parade

This past Saturday our troop attended the Capital Area Council's 60th annual Report to State Parade. Many of our troop's boys, including some of the newest additions to our troop, came to celebrate scouting as it enters its 99th year. 9 of our troop's future and current scouts performed during the parade as part of our troop's band. We had a great time as we marched and played down Congress Avenue. The band had the privilege of performing under the direction of Austin Chief of Police Acevedo before the parade started.

Many thanks to Mr. Faulkner for allowing us to use his truck to drive the band down Congress Ave. Thanks also to Mrs. Wilder and Mr. Read for their support of the parade band as we practiced for this event.

We are already looking forward to next year.

Check out these exciting photos.

(Written by John Michael ~ Troop 448 Historian)

Welcome to Clay G. from Pack 82

Wow, what a great setting for a Cross Over ceremony. Troop 448 members attended Pack 82's cross over at the Texas Disposal System's Exotic Game Ranch. On the drive into the game ranch, we were treated to a great display of exotic animals. Once inside the building, we saw a lot of game mounts from all over the world.

Troop 448 gained one scout from Pack 82. Clay followed his brother's footsteps into our troop. We look forward to having him in our troop. He will fit right in with the other scouts in the troop.

Check out all the great pictures from this event.

(Written by Michael Reyes)

T448 Attends the Thunderbird District Banquet

On January 31, several T448 Scout families attended the Thunderbird District Banquet. The highlight of the banquet was the honoring of our Eagle Scouts, Josh G. and Zach Z. Both participated in the opening and closing flag ceremonies.

Also honored were the 2008 Arrow of Light recipients from the troop who attended the banquet. Those honored were Grayson B., Kyle B., Raphe J., Matt M., John Michael R., and Levi S.

Troop 448 earned the following awards at the banquet:

"Go the Distance Award" for attending all 4 Thunderbird District Events in 2008.

"Go for the Brass Ring Award" for advancing at least one Scout to Eagle Scout.

"National Camping Award" for 30 nights of camping.

We qualified for the "Training Award" for sending adult leaders to training. However, we did not receive the award due to an administrative error.

Way to go Troop 448!

Take a look at the photos from the banquet here.

(Written by Michael Reyes)

Pack 395 Cross Over

Welcome to our new Troop 448 members from Pack 395. We attended the Pack 395 crossover and received six new scouts into Troop 448.

This was a very nice ceremony by the Order of the Arrow members. During their ceremony, the Pack 395 Webelos crossed the bridge into Troop 448.

The troop would like to welcome these scouts to the Troop:

Mikey B., Michael G., J.B. H., Arthur P., Angel R. and John W.

You guys are in for a great ride. Enjoy it.

The Cross Over photos can be seen here.

(Written by Michael Reyes)

Winter Camp LPSR 2008

Dec 26 – 30 Lost Pines Scout Reservation Winter Camp
Seven boys and three adults from Troop 448 attended LPSR Winter Camp the day after Christmas till the following Tuesday, December 30th. They joined Troop 505, 555 and 101 as a combined Troop and stayed as a separate patrol The boys elected Brian McDonald as the Patrol Leader and Matthew Mohondro as his assistant. The patrol was the Flying Penguins and they had a great patrol flag. Our host troop was Troop 505 and Mr. John Weathers acted as the Scoutmaster for this trip. There was a total of 24 boys and six to seven adults in attendance during much of the camp. The boys from our troop attending winter camp were: Grayson Berdofe, Curtis Falkner, Pablo Manceaux, Brian McDonald, Matthew Mohondro, Levi Svrcek, and Matthew Vanhoorsbeek. The adults were Mr. Manceaux, Mr. McDonald, and Mr. Mohondro.
We set up our camp in the Gaskin site at Lost Pines Scout Reservation and participated in a service project for the camp by cutting down the non-native shrubs in the campsite. After an hour of that we made some camp devices using lashings and toured the camp. It was a pleasant day and the night was warm and humid temperatures in the mid 60s. Camp really started on Saturday morning where the boys had two classes in the morning and two in the afternoon and for some another held at 7:30 PM till 9. It threatened rain most of the weekend ending is some very minor showers, but the North wind did finally arrive Sunday giving us some mighty fine temps. Sunday night it dropped to 24.6 at night – Polar Bears did not even stay around. Our water for hot chocolate took a little longer to boil since it was frozen. Monday over night it dropped to 30.1 a little warmer but still cold. We had several guest visit Monday night for our campfire and OA induction. On Tuesday we packed up and headed home and a feeling of both relief and satisfaction. All the boys accomplished a whole lot and many were able to finish their badges while the others are very close to being done. A successful camp and one all should think about for next year.