Court of Honor and Campout

We had a great time this last weekend! We went to the Powell Springs area for a campout to which we invited the 11 year old Scouts as well as the older Scouts. A lot of boys came out and so did a lot of leaders as well as some fathers, and it was really great to get everyone together. Friday night we had a night compass course with some very "sweet" treasure at the end, and we also did fire starting with flint and steel. I'm happy to report that every boy got a fire lit with flint and steel! Then the boys all played capture the flag and eventually we all found our bedrolls in the wee morning hours. Saturday we got up, cleaned up camp, and got prepared for our Court of Honor. Our very dedicated parents and Troop supporters drove the distance to come out and honor the hardwork of our Scouts, and we are very appreciative of that. We awarded three of our Scouts with the Life rank, one with First Class, and four with Tenderfoot, and we passed out over 30 merit badges! We also had the honor to once again dispose of worn American flags - our Scouts are always so respectful with this, and they do a fine job. Then we ate lunch, mingled, and enjoyed a beautiful winter day in the pine trees.

Troop 95 wants to express our deepest gratitude and warmest wishes to the Ellis family, who have been such a strong support and foundation for us the last few years. They are moving back to their home state of California at the beginning of February, and they will be missed greatly. Scoutmaster Ellis, Committee Chair Ellis, and the awesome Ellis Boy Scouts - you will always be part of Troop 95.

Weaver's Needle Campout

We headed down east of Apache Junction, AZ to the Superstition Mountains. Our objective was to hike to Weaver's Needle, and we would be doing it in the dark. We got to the trailhead just as the sun was setting, but our boys were prepared with headlamps and steady feet and we hiked to the saddle overlooking Weaver's Needle without any problems. We camped in the saddle, and awoke to a beautiful sunrise that slowly illuminated the Needle. After some breakfast the Scouts climbed on every rock they could find, and then we packed up and headed over to a point that was closer to the Needle. Once there we found that someone had packed in a wooden picnic table to that location - what a hike that must have been! There were also some Christmas ornaments hung in the trees nearby. That spot was so cool that if we ever go back we'll be sure to camp there! The Scouts again found their inner mountain goat and scrambled all over rocks, even hiking down into a canyon and back up the other side just so that they could sit on one particular rock they had picked out! Eventually we had to pack it up and head out, and we met a lot of people coming up the trail as we were headed down. We got back to the truck and headed into town for some Chinese food (a Scout favorite!), and then headed home with a great desire to visit the Superstitions again!