Webelos by the dozen attended Troop 479’s 2008 Webelos Extravaganza and Pin College. We were honored to host area Webelos eager to earn their Citizen, Readyman, and Showman activity badges. We ran a reduced number of sessions this year to accommodate larger numbers, and the idea appears to have paid off.

After opening ceremonies, Webelos were escorted to their classes. Half went to Citizen with Mr. Scott. The other half went to Readyman with Mrs. Frederick. Parents and leaders got a chance to relax in our parent and leader lounge. We shared baked goodies from Troop 479 parents. Webelos adults heard from a variety of Troop 479 youth and adult leaders who spoke about how our troop operates. We appreciate the great questions and hope that we provided answers for everyone.

After the first hour-long sessions were finished, Webelos had a 15-minute break and enjoyed cookies and drinks. The break was followed by all Showman participants going back over to the classroom area to learn about emergencies, first aid, and planning. Those Webelos who remained were engaged in Scout-led games in the gym. Leaders and parents returned to the solace of the lounge.

The Showman class presented a puppet show during our closing ceremony. Scoutmaster Simpson thanked everyone for coming and reminded us that the folders handed out at registration included both our 2008 and 2009 meeting and camping schedules. Troop 479 scouts retired the colors, and everyone joined in a very large circle to sing Scout Vespers.

Troop 479 offers an enormous THANK YOU to all Webelos and parents who attended. We are also grateful for the efforts of Mrs. Gani for organizing the event and to the many volunteers who made it all possible. Fifty-five pictures are now available in our Photo Gallery. Your Scout or Webelo may be in one or more images. Have a look!

Webelos and Webelo parents: Don’t miss this opportunity to earn activity pins and learn about Troop 479! Our annual Webelos Extravaganza and Pin College takes place Friday night October 24th, 2008. Check-in is from 6:15pm until 6:45pm. After opening ceremonies, pin classes for Readyman and Citizen run from 7pm-8pm. There will be a break from 8pm until 8:15pm. Showman pin class runs from 8:15pm-9:15pm. Our closing assembly is usually complete around 10pm at which time the Webelos are released. The evening’s activities will be held in the Family Life Center (gymnasium) of First Christian Church located at 2nd and Boulevard in Edmond. Parents and leaders, there will be a dedicated area where you can relax, chat with Troop 479 adults, and visit with senior boy leadership from our troop. Snacks will be provided during a break for Webelos and for the duration in the leader/parent lounge.

Webelos and Webelo parents, mark your calendars for Saturday, November 22nd, 2008. Troop 479 will be hosting its annual Scout Trek adventure at Camp Kickapoo from 1pm until evening campfire. This is a great opportunity for Webelos to have fun while learning scout skills from the scouts of Troop 479. It’s also a terrific opportunity for parents to visit with adult and youth leaders to learn about Troop 479 specifically and Boy Scouting in general. Please click here for a flyer (PDF) containing more information.

You may now access our 2009 Calendar of meetings and events by clicking here. It’s also linked on the left sidebar.

The weather this weekend was amazingly beautiful for October camping. We had lows in the 60s’ and highs near 80. When we arrived Friday evening around 10:15pm, it was cool enough for us to set up our tents without sweating too much. We finally bedded down around half past midnight. The four hour drive down seemed pretty long, and we were all really tired. Although lanterns were up, chuck boxes and stoves would wait for the morning.

Saturday was filled with fun. After some early morning fishing and breakfast, we all headed to the north end of the park for a tour of the cave and surrounding area. It was really interesting, and everyone had a great time exploring and climbing. After lunch, scouts headed over to the nearby swim beach. After a while, most everyone decided that the cool water was more suitable for boating than swimming. The boys headed out onto the lake in canoes for a couple hours of fun. Then came supper and more fishing. Charles and Cody both caught fish. They each cleaned and cooked their fish. We finished Saturday evening with a great time around the campfire sharing silly stories, songs, and generally having a good time. After Scout Vespers, everyone left the campfire in silent reverence and returned to their campsites.

To break things up a bit, we took the northern route home instead of the southern track we had used to get to Robber’s Cave. In so doing, we passed right by Cook Cabin and saw the island and docks from a new angle. Our return to church was on-time, and everybody headed home for a shower and much deserved rest. Pictures from Robber’s Cave are available in our Photo Gallery.

Friday! Although there were lots of activities around camp today, our scouts chose to take it easy for the most part. And who can blame them? They have worked extremely hard this week completing over 50 merit badges and certifications.

Adults spent some of the day playing cards. Mr. Cook proved himself the champion of Phase 10. Merit badge completion status was checked and corrected as needed. A good bit of cleanup took place around our campsite in preparation for tomorrow’s departure.

After supper, we attended the closing campfire. The staff presented a very funny skit as the campfire was lit. Numerous awards were handed out to different troops, patrols, and scouts. Troop 479 won an award for scoring very high on our daily campsite inspections with a weekly average of 99.6%. The award was accepted by SPL Joey for the troop and will be added to our troop flag. Several scouts were called out and recognized for being nominated by their troop for exemplifying the spirit of scouting. included in the group was our SPLl There was another funny skit featuring the local “Mountain Man” before the closing campfire was complete.

We were pulled into an Order of the Arrow ceremony immediately following the closing campfire. About a dozen various scouts and adults were “called out” for membership or advancement in the Order of the Arrow. OA members conducting the ceremony were dressed as Native Americans. The OA ceremony had an even bigger fire and took a very long time.

Twenty more pictures are now available in our Photo Gallery. The link drops you in at picture 121 which is where Friday begins.

A correction is needed for yesterday’s report. Although the Scoutmasters won the volleyball tourney, it was only a best two out of three. Two other events of note from Wednesday night were that we cooked funnel cakes in camp as our evening snack, and our neighboring troop shared some homemade chocolate ice cream that they had made in camp.

Thursday was the last day of merit badge classes. Many of the class activities were the culmination of the past three days’ learning. In most cases it was really fun stuff like shooting off rockets, using the pottery wheel, recovering an overturned canoe, and finishing up leather working and other projects.

We managed to avoid any measurable precipitation yesterday, but today was a different story. While we were eating supper, an absolute downpour started. And continued. We got heavy rain for about an hour before we noticed a definite and very welcome cool front roll across. It stopped in time for everyone to enjoy National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets on a huge outdoor screen with surround sound.

This was a very busy day, so there are 40 more pictures are now available in our Photo Gallery. The link will drop you into the gallery at photo 81 which is where Thursday starts.

Wednesday found everyone feeling good and ready to attack Day 3 of merit badge classes. We are at the half way mark, and our scouts seem to be enjoying their time at Camp Pioneer. Breakfast this morning was biscuits, gravy, sausage, and hash browns. Wow, was it ever good! Those who didn’t care for that still had cereal and fruit available as they are each morning.

Our campsite is somewhat in between the Ecology-Conservation (Eco Con) area and the main part of camp with the mess hall, trading post, etc. Some scouts actually have to make it from the Eco Con area all the way to the far end of camp for handicrafts and climbing. Fortunately, staff members are understanding and allow those in this situation to leave class 10 minutes early.

We had pizza for lunch. Not bad for camp food. After talking with the program director, we learned that the food getting “better” throughout the week was indeed a plan engineered to help revive campers who may otherwise grow tired as the week progresses.

Besides our normal classes for scouts and some relaxing time for adult leaders, we were all treated to a cookout tonight with grilled hamburgers. After supper, several people enjoyed volleyball and funny swimming competitions up at the pool. The fun activities combined with slightly cooler temperatures and scattered showers made Wednesday the funnest day yet at camp.

Twenty more pictures are now available in our Photo Gallery. The link drops you in at picture 61 which is where Wednesday begins.

For breakfast this morning, we had waffles, bacon, cereal, fruit, milk, and juice. Everyone was pretty hungry. Heat and miles of walking is taking its toll on many of us, so it’s not unusual to see folks catching a nap as time allows. We also have a renewed appreciation for air conditioning and motorized travel.

Merit badge classes are going well. Troop adults visited our scouts today in Archery, Emergency Preparation, Weather, First Aid, Climbing, Swimming, and Wood Carving. One of our adults and one scout are spending this week earning their BSA Lifeguard certification. This is a very intensive and demanding course, but it adds valuable expertise and credentials to our troop.

Time outside of class in our campsite has been very productive as well. Our scouts young and old have been sharing stories, playing games, and enjoying nightly snacks. It’s very gratifying to see these young men growing into a cohesive unit through shared experiences and time together in the outdoors.

This evening marks the halfway point for merit badge classes. Friday is a make-up and “fun” day in camp. Saturday morning we depart for home.

Twenty more pictures are now available in our Photo Gallery. The link will drop you into the gallery at photo 41 which is where Tuesday starts.

Monday was the first day of merit badge classes. After breakfast, all of the scouts headed out for their classes ranging from pottery and leatherwork all the way to climbing and emergency preparation.

Mrs. Werp and Mrs. Frederick were kind enough to make the trek from class to class finding and photographing our scouts between breakfast and lunch. Pottery, woodcarving, climbing, leatherwork, and swimming were buzzing with activity. Some classes are geared so that hands-on work starts right away. Others have to get the “boring” groundwork out of the way on day one before things like climbing can begin.

Camp staff cook a steak dinner for adult leaders on Monday evening. This time, he who is normally behind the camera shutter found himself in front of it. After supper, a ceremony was conducted to present Mr. Turner with his Wood Badge beads, neckerchief, and leather woggle. Scoutmaster Bicket of SR-756 was on hand to lead the activities. Also participating were Mr. Turner’s son, Mr. Simpson, and Mr. Cook.

Twenty pictures from today are now available in our Photo Gallery. The link drops you in at picture 21 which is where Monday begins.

7am came early Sunday morning as we met to depart to Camp Pioneer near Hatfield, AR in the Ouachita Mountains. Our target departure time was 7:30am, and we only missed it by 13 minutes. Five hours of driving and a 30-minute lunch later, we arrived safely at Pioneer.

After dropping our gear in our campsite (Whippoorwill Hill), we headed out for a stop at the Health Lodge to turn in our BSA physical forms. Then it was off to the Mess Hall for a briefing on meal procedures and schedules. Next came a refreshing dip in the pool for swim checks. After some free time in our campsite, we made the trek up for supper.

We are sharing our campsite with a troop from Texas. There are 20 tents in Whippoorwill Hill. We have 10 of them — fortunately in an area that has more shade than the other 10. Unlike some of the campsites with latrines, we actually have a bath house with swirlies (flush toilets) and nice showers.

Everybody (except yours truly) is at this evening’s campfire. Once this post goes up, the email goes out to the committee list before shower and bed.

Twenty pictures from today are now available in our Photo Gallery.

From Edmond Life & Leisure:

Dr. Philip Bryan, George Griffin, and Barbara Zepp received the District Award of Merit from the Boy Scouts of America’s Last Frontier Council. Their peers chose the three leaders because they exemplify Scouting’s ideals and have provided outstanding leadership to the youth in Eagle District including Edmond and Deer Creek. Plaques were presented at the annual awards banquet last month.

Dr. Bryan is the Cubmaster of Pack 348 chartered by Friends of Deer CreekPraire Vale Elementary. He directed the 2007 District Day Camp, served on staff at Webelos Woods for older Cub Scouts, and is a member of the District Finance Committee. He is very active with his den and pack and organizes fun activities for Cub Scouts.

George Griffin is an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 479 chartered to Edmond First Christian Church. He serves Eagle District as the Activities and Civic Service Chairman planning the Pinewood Derby and Day Camp with the year’s slate of activities. He has served as the Chair of the district merit badge college for the previous three years. Griffin also served on staff for the Introduction to Outdoors Leader Course

Barbara Zepp is an Assistant Scoutmaster in Edmond’s Troop 79 chartered to Southern Hills Christian Church. She serves the District as a Unit Commissioner, as the Webelos to Scout Transition Chair, and assists with Cub Scout Roundtable. She chaired the Webelos Woods event for three years.

Troop 479 and Troop 77 joined forces to form a group of 13 scouts and 6 adults who went on an extended “camping trip” at the beginning of Spring Break. We were gone from Saturday, March 15th until Wednesday, March 19th. During those five days, we traveled 1,300 miles sleeping in churches and a WWII Aircraft Carrier.

Saturday was spent driving from Edmond, OK to Corpus Christi, TX. We arrived at our host church late in the evening. Sunday morning we made the short trek to the USS Lexington (CV-16), the historic WWII Essex-Class Aircraft Carrier permanently docked in Corpus Christi Bay. There we spent Sunday, Sunday night, and Monday morning. After lunch Monday, we made our way to our host church in Houston. Tuesday morning we headed out for a day at the NASA Johnson Space Center. Tuesday evening we returned to our host church to rest up for our trip home Wednesday.

Our trip was featured in the March 27th issue of Edmond Life and Leisure. You can also enjoy a tremendous archive of USS Lexington photos at NavSource Online: Aircraft Carrier Photo Archive. Finally, there is a two-part video posted to YouTube last year from a scout troop whose leaders got a “secret” midnight tour just like we did: Part 1 and Part 2.

A total of 1,225 images were collected from six different cameras on the trip. Numbered, limited-edition keepsake DVDs containing all high-res images are being distributed to each person who went on the trip. Our Photo Gallery now contains 167 images representing the highlights.

• Mar 15-19, 2008 ~ USS Lexington / NASA, Corpus Christi / Houston, TX, Pics
• Feb 29 - Mar 1, 2008 ~ Omniplex, Oklahoma City, OK, Pics
• Jan x-y, 2008 ~ Place, City, ST, Pics
• Dec x, 2007 ~ First Christian Church, Edmond, OK, Pics
• Nov 16-18 2007 ~ Camp Kickapoo, Canadian County, OK, Pics
• Oct 12-14, 2007 ~ Had-Wel Stables, Edmond, OK, Pics
• Sep 21-23, 2007 ~ Alabaster Caverns SP, Freedom, OK, Pics
• Aug 3-5, 2007 ~ Cook Cabin, Lake Eufaula, OK, Pics
• Jul 15-21, 2007 ~ Hale Scout Reservation, Talihina, OK, Pics
• Jun 22-24, 2007 ~ Camp Kickapoo, Canadian County, OK, Pics
• May 18-20, 2007 ~ Red Rock Canyon SP, Hinton, OK, Pics
• Apr 20-22, 2007 ~ Quartz Mountain SP, Altus, OK, Pics
• Mar 16-18, 2007 ~ Roman Nose SP, Watonga, OK, Pics
• February 10, 2007 ~ St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Edmond, OK (JLT with T1 and T77)
• January 26-27, 2007 ~ First Christian Church FLC, Edmond, OK (Webelos Extravaganza)
• December 8-9, 2006 ~ Omniplex, Oklahoma City, OK (Merit Badge Classes)
• November 17-19, 2006 ~ Camp Kickapoo, Canadian County, OK (COPE Low Course)
• October 13-15, 2006 ~ Central Oklahoma Christian Camp, Guthrie, OK (Webelos Woods)
• September 8-10, 2006 ~ Great Salt Plains SP, Cherokee, OK (Crystal Digging & Svc Proj)
• August 4-6, 2006 ~ Cook Cabin, Lake Eufaula, OK (Planning Retreat)
• July 14-16, 2006 ~ Falcon Floats, Tahlequah, OK (Illinois River Float Trip)
• June 18-24, 2006 ~ Slippery Falls Scout Ranch, Tishomingo, OK (Summer Camp)
• May 19-21, 2006 ~ Northwest Christian Church, Arlington, TX (Six Flags over Texas)
• April 21-23, 2006 ~ Camp Kickapoo, Canadian County, OK (Eagle District Camporee)
• March 24-26, 2006 ~ Red Rock Canyon SP, Hinton, OK (Pioneering)
• February 24-26, 2006 ~ Camp DaKaNi, Oklahoma City, OK (Scout Trek)
• January 13-15, 2006 ~ Camp DaKaNi, Oklahoma City, OK (Junior Leader Training)
• December 09-11, 2005 ~ Cancelled due to health/safety (non-stop sub-freezing temps)
• November 18-20, 2005 ~ Alabaster Caverns State Park, Freedom, OK (Catapult Building)
• October 14-16, 2005 ~ Deer Time Ranch, Guthrie, OK (Webelo Woods)
• September 23-25, 2005 ~ Chickashaw Nat’l Rec. Area, Sulphur, OK (Rank Advancement)
• August 13-15, 2005 ~ Cook Cabin, Lake Eufaula, OK (Planning Retreat)
• July 9-17, 2005 ~ Camp Alexander, Lake George, CO (Summer Camp)
• June 24-26, 2005 ~ Hanging Rock, Tahlequah, OK (Illinois River Float Trip)
• May 13-15, 2005 ~ Lake Liberty, Guthrie, OK (Canoe Practice)
• April 22-24, 2005 ~ Camp Kickapoo, Canadian County, OK (Scout Trek)

The Eagle District 2008 Merit Badge College was held in early February at Summit Middle School in Edmond. We had 324 registered scouts and only six that didn’t show. So our scout attendance was 318. This number has grown each year, so we may look for a larger venue like Santa Fe High School for next year’s event.

Twenty-seven Merit Badge counselors taught over 40 classes. Most were either morning or afternoon. A few took both sessions to make one class. Everyone is grateful to Mr. Griffin for organizing this year’s MBC. Among other notable achievements, Mr. Griffin established and maintains the Eagle District website which has it’s own section for Merit Badge College.

Troop 479 kicked-off the opening ceremony by serving as Color Guard. After a briefing by Mr. Griffin, everyone headed off to their morning classess. Lunch was the traditional pizza in quantities so large that hand trucks were required to wheel in the stacks of boxes. With lunch out of the way, scouts and counselors headed back to the classrooms for afternoon sessions. It all wrapped up around 5pm.

Pictures from the event have now been uploaded to our Photo Gallery where you can see all sixteen images from Webelos Extravaganza and Pin College 2008. There would have been more pictures, but the normal photographer was busy teaching merit badge classes.

Troop 479’s annual Webelos Extravaganza and Pin College was held recently. Webelos from several different Packs participated in our two, big Readyman and Showman sessions.

During the check-in process, Webelos assembled in the gym where they were free to play basketball and run around. After a couple of fun songs, Webelos and their parents were introduced to Troop 479 boy and adult leadership. The opening ceremony was capped off with The Ravioli Song led by Mr. Griffin. Then it was off to class!

In Readyman class, Webelos learned all about first aid, how to get help, what to do if someone is poisoned, and swim safety. Between classes, the boys had time to take a break and enjoy drinks and cookies. Showman class brought a chance to construct puppets, learn about stagecraft, sing songs, learn music theory, and put on a puppet show.

Webelo parents and adult leaders were treated to tempting baked goodies in the Leader Lounge. Troop 479 adult and boy leadership were available to answer questions and talk about our troop and Boy Scouting. We also had a slide show running on the big screen featuring thousands of troop photos taken over the past three years.

The ending ceremony concluded with everyone forming a circle in the center of the gym for closing thoughts and the singing of Scout Vespers. After our guests departed, Troop 479 stayed the rest of the night for a “lock-in” filled with pizza, video games, and a mind-numbing cartoon called Invader Zim. Cleanup came early on Saturday morning and we were gone.

Pictures from the event have now been uploaded to our Photo Gallery where you can see all twenty-five images from Webelos Extravaganza and Pin College 2008.

Today, we launch our new Brotherhood Bridge page. This addition to our website is intended to document the bridge and celebrate those who have given their time and effort to maintain it. Brotherhood Bridge is located in Camp Kickapoo south of Eagle Lodge and the old swimming pool. It connects the “new” part of Kickapoo with the “old” part to the south. Several years ago, Dr. Bruce Cook took on the bridge reconstruction as a Wood Badge ticket item. At that time, the existing bridge was deemed unsafe and slated for removal. Thanks to Dr. Cook’s vision then we have Brotherhood Bridge today.

Troop 479 spends a workday each year maintaining the bridge and the pathways that border it. Those who work on the bridge have the opportunity to add a board to the bridge which bears his or her name. If you start at the bottom of our new Brotherhood Bridge page and scroll upward, you will be able to “walk” across the bridge from north to south and read all of the names. So the next time you see a Brotherhood Bridge workday coming up on the calendar, don’t miss your change to pitch in and become a part of the bridge!

Troop 479 scouts and leaders made their annual pilgrimage to Lake Eufaula in August. Thanks to the kindness and generosity of the Cook family, we once again enjoyed the opportunity to plan our camping for the next year in the fun and relaxing atmosphere of a lake cabin. There were a couple of activities outside of the planning process that took place as well.

First, as is our tradition, we performed a service project for the Cooks in gratitude for their hospitality. There were two large mulch piles that were near the corners of the property. Each was overgrown with grass, but T479 scouts collected all of it (sans grass) and used it to mulch flowerbeds in front of the house. We were glad to do it and thrilled that it helped out so much.

Next came the process whereby camping locations were nominated for the upcoming year. Once a list of candidates was developed, scouts (one vote each) and leaders (half vote each) showed their favor or disfavor for each one. Eleven weekend camps and one summer camp made the cut. Dates were assigned at a subsequent PLC.

Now with a service project, planning, and lunch behind us, it was time to hit the water! Snapping pictures of everyone on the water is often difficult due to a number of factors not the least of which this year was the photographer nursing a necrotic Brown Recluse bite received at summer camp. That aside, the other major challenge was having one photographer and two boats carrying scouts. Suffice it to say that we did our best, and we regret omission of any individual(s) in the pictures. If it happened, it was wholly unintentional.

The weekend’s pictures have now been uploaded to our Photo Gallery where you can see all twenty-nine images from Eufaula 2007.

Today’s reason to be proud of the Scouting movement comes to us from Henderson, NC courtesy of WRAL.com:

Boy Scouts Give Up Disney World to Help Rebuild Church

Henderson — Time at Disney World could not compete with helping others for three Boy Scout troops in Vance County.

Every year, Boy Scout Troop 691 in Henderson joins with two other troops for a chicken cook-out fundraiser. The proceeds go to pay for a trip to Disney World for the boys.

This year, however, the scouts volunteered to donate money they will raise Saturday to help Union Chapel United Methodist Church rebuild its sanctuary.

Lightning likely sparked a fierce fire on Aug. 10 that burned most of the 178-year-old church to the ground. Among many other items, the church lost its stained glass windows, which were brought from Europe and dated to the early 1800s.

Larry Medlin, described how his 11-year-old son, James, who so far has earned his second-class scout rank, came up with the idea on his own after hearing about the fire.

“James said, ‘Daddy, let’s raise money to help them build their church instead of going to Disney,’” Larry Medlin said.

Pastor Robert Hammond said he was deeply touched by the boys’ unselfish offer.

“We’re amazed, because they don’t have any relationship with the church,” Hammond said.

James Medlin said he simply heard what had happened to Union Chapel and felt that he and his buddies should do their part, “because everybody should have a place to go to church.”

“You don’t hear that much from little children,” Larry Medlin said.

Church members said they hope to start building a new sanctuary by late spring 2008, but still have a lot more fundraising to do. Rebuilding will take one to two years and cost about $1 million. Insurance will probably only cover about $400,000, church officials said, because they couldn’t afford a policy that covered the church’s worth.

Those challenges make the donation by the Boy Scouts all the more special, church leaders said.

Troop leaders said that the Scouts seemed to have inspired unselfish behavior throughout their community.

“People throughout town have called us, (saying), ‘Hey, what can I do?’” Troop 691 scoutmaster Tomie Patrick said.

The Boy Scouts will hold the chicken cook-out Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Union Chapel United Methodist Church, 6479 Raleigh Road, south of Henderson. Each dinner costs $6, and all proceeds go to rebuilding the sanctuary.

Troop leaders said they hope to cook up and serve at least 1,200 chickens.

Teaching young men how to make life-long moral decisions — I can’t think of a better legacy to leave than that.

Where has 2007 gone? It’s the beginning of Autumn, and that brings with it Webelos Woods! Troop 479 gathered Friday evening for the easy drive to Had-Wel stables. We arrived with plenty of daylight to set up camp. We were offered the opportunity to serve as Color Guard which we gladly accepted. So Friday night, we erected the flag pole to be ready for Saturday morning. Around 9pm we enjoyed a cracker barrel with the other troops before heading back to our own campsite and turning in for the night.

Saturday morning we cooked breakfast and assembled our 10′ x 20′ canopy. The burn barrels and other equipment were made ready for the many Webelos who would visit from after lunch until supper time. Over the course of the afternoon, we were visited by approximately 10 groups of Webelos who were all interested in learning how to build a fire. We hope that the Webelos also left with a desire to learn more about Troop 479 and the fun that we have learning and growing. At Saturday evening’s campfire, the T479 SPL recognized the three teams of Webelos who had managed to burn their length of twine in two faster than anyone else.

Sunday morning was spent with a brief breakfast and breaking down camp. We wound up with some spare time on our hands due to the close proximity of camp to our church, so T479 joined in with Scouts from other troops to play a little soccer. We ate lunch, made one final sweep of our campsite, then headed for home.

Troop 479 sincerely thanks all the Webelos, leaders, and parents who took the time to experience our fire building instruction and visit with us. If you have any questions, please email the scoutmaster. We would love to have you come visit one of our troop meetings. And please visit our Photo Gallery to see all forty-nine pictures of Webelos Woods 2007. Also, we now have our 2008 calendar available in PDF format for those of you who asked during your visit with Troop 479.