Fishing on Lake Pleasant

Fishing, hiking, and just general fun, with scouts and families, at the shores of Lake Pleasant. The troop have reserved the Cottonwood camp-site. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to go swimming on this outing, but we expect warm temperatures (100/70 high/low), so bring cool clothing, hats, and sunscreen. The outing-fee includes dinner (burgers on the barbie) and breakfast (muffins). Please note that Fishing License is required for anyone 14 and older. The troop-meeting on May 8, will be at Sportsman's Warehouse (19205 N. 27th Avenue I-17 & Yorkshire). Fishing license can be purchased at Sportsman's Warehouse.

Please see outing permit for directions and outing details. Questions? contact Glenn

Troop 323 Advancement Ceremony

"Any scouts wishing to advance in rank should contact Scoutmaster Wright about a SM conference ASAP. When you have finished your SM conference let me know so we can schedule your Board of Review, (BOR), for our troop meeting on April 10th.

Additionally any scouts wishing to receive merit badges at the COH need to get their completed MB cards to me by April 17th.
Please make sure the counselors names are legible as they must be entered into troop master." - Thanks, Mr. Sawottke

Troop 323 Annual Golf Tournament

It's finally here, the event that supporters of Troop 323 looks forward to the whole year. Hang out with high-flying Eagles, both past and present, share stories from the past year, and just relax among friends. Several of Troop 323 legends will be present - again.

The Legend golf-course, designed by Arnold Palmer, features six lakes, and its bunkers and doglegs are legendary among Southwest golfers. As customary, the format is 4-person scramble with shotgun start.

Tournament details Questions about Golf Tournament? contact Tammy

A big thank you to Tammy Kloostra, Patty McCarthy and Clarece Pichon for organizing and running a successful golf tournament! The Scouts had a great time playing in and helping out with the tournament. We had a (nearly) full moon rise over the lake after dinner as the boys continued to practice on the driving range until dark. - Scoutmaster David Wright

Lower West Clear Creek

This is an overnight (one night) hike, on West Clear Creek Trail #17, starting from the Bull Pen Cave parking area about 7 miles east of Camp Verde on Highway 260. The hike starts at the Bull Pen trail-head of the lower end of West Clear Creek. The troop hikes about two miles to set up camp next to a pool along the creek. This outing is a great introduction to backpacking for new scouts as well as parents. May 2010 West Clear Creek Outing

From the Phoenix area, take I-17 North toward Camp Verde, AZ. Take the HWY-260 (General Crook Highway) East for about six miles and turn right (North) onto FR618 (The sign refers to Bull Pen Ranch). Take FR618 for 2.2 mile and turn right on FR215 (Sign to Bull Pen Ranch). FR215 ends at the trail-head, which is 3.2 miles away. Map High clearance vehicles are recommended. West Clear Creek Wilderness

The West Clear Creek trip is a great first-time backpacking trip and is one of the troop's favorites!
Here are some important reminders about preparing for this trip:

1. The hike in both directions (to/from camp) will involve two crossings of West Clear Creek (that's what makes it fun!). Your feet will get wet! Please see photos from last year. Each Scout must bring a pair of old shoes to change into before the crossings to prevent your hiking shoes from getting wet. Hiking in wet shoes is not fun! Flimsy water shoes are not a good idea as the bottom is rocky and these types of shoes might not give you good support. An old pair of tennis shoes work fine.
2. Hiking poles are recommended for the trip to help a Scout maintain balance while crossing the creek. Given the rocky bottom of the creek, having the hiking poles helps to steady you as you cross. Hiking poles are useful for many other hikes as well and so investing in a pair now is worth it.
3. pants with zip-off leggings (like your scout pants!) are an excellent choice for this trip. Scouts can take off the leggings before the crossings to keep from getting them wet, and yet have a pair of long pants for in the evening when it will get a little cooler.
4. tip that someone gave me last year for this trip is to line the inside of your main backpack compartment with an open large garbage bag and pack everything inside of that. That way, if a backpack does get wet during a crossing the contents (like clothes) in the main compartment will stay dry (thank you Nate Foulger for that tip).
5. Scouts are highly encouraged to bring their backpacks, sleeping bags, and whatever else they think they will be taking on the outing to their Patrol Meeting this week so your patrol can review and make any suggestions. Remember that in packing your backpack you will need to leave some room for patrol equipment and patrol food that you will get the day of the outing.

Outing Description Questions? contact Dan McCarthy

You did an excellent job at this weekend's beginners backpacking outing!! Nobody had any problems hiking, or with their backpacks or equipment. You all did a great job of fitting in with your patrols and in learning to work the "patrol method". - Scoutmaster David Wright

Pictures courtesy of troop 323 historian Andrew Muscatevc.

Geronimo Big "G" Tent Repair

The troop traveled down to the Scout Heard Pueblo to repair tents for Geronimo. This service project is one of the requirements for the Big "G" award at Geronimo. Remember that we have a history of getting Big "G" Gold at camp; we want to continue that tradition!

We spent the morning out on the facilities’ basketball court repairing the tents. There was limited shade, so hat and sunscreen was required. Water was available on site, but Scouts brought water bottles. The troop provided some basic refreshments for this activity and extra sunscreen.

Scouts, please come with:
1) Class B shirt
2) Sunscreen, Hat
3) Waterbottle or camelback
4) Sunglasses (optional)

Please bring the following tools if you have them:
1) Push brooms to sweep off basketball court to have a clean surface to work on
2) Scissors capable of cutting medium-weight tent canvas

Aviation Merit Badge

Bob Ballou concluded the popular Aviation merit badge, on April 18, with an orientation flight. Scouts take turns at the controls, with Mr. Ballou in the co-pilot seat, during a flight from Deer Valley airport via Wickenburg and Goodyear, then back to Deer Valley.

Spring Church Cleanup

All Saints Lutheran Church is the troop's chartering organization; it's also the location of most troop-meetings. As a small payback, the troop help with cleaning up the Church grounds.

The troop raked, swept, pulled weeds, and picked up trash. Tanner Kloostra provided lemonade.

"Thanks to all who helped participate! Great job!
Thank you Tanner for being the leader on this project!" - Scoutmaster David Wright

Cross Over

The Troop welcomes Riley, Logan, Miles, Alexander, Ryan, and Chase (and their families) into Troop 323.

With Mitchell as MC of the evening entertainment, the "sunny days"-skit, with the many Pattys, seemed extra appropriate (considering the heavy rain during the night). About 15 scouts applied for (and was granted) refugee status (from the rain) at the Bumble-Bee Ranch office. Many thanks to Glenn & Terri for the excellent fare.

Great weekend! The weather made it a bit of a challenge but it was a unique experience! - Scoutmaster David Wright

Angel Basin Backpack

Jan 20, 21st was the Troop’s backpacking trip to Angel Basin in the Superstition Mountains. We had a group of 11 Scouts and 6 adults. We hiked a total of about 12 miles over the two days with some significant elevation changes. The troop used the patrol's lightweight shelters on Saturday night. We visited Indian ruins on the way out of Rogers Canyon on Sunday morning.

The trail starts at about 4800 feet and then drops to about 3400 feet in elevation. Then it goes back up about 1000 feet and then drops again to the elevation of 3600 feet at Angel Basin where we'll camp. The hike on Saturday is about 7.5 miles to reach our campsite. The ruins are near the campsite. On Sunday the hike is about 4.5 miles back up to the parking lot.

Winter Outing

The troop stayed at Camp Navajo Army Depot in Bellemont, west of Flagstaff.

On Saturday, it was downhill skiing at Snowbowl. Unfortunately, the Nordic Center was closed, so no cross-country skiing. The troop had lunch in the parking-lot at Snowbowl. Many thanks to Jan Clements for the excellent Chile (and hot-dogs). Remarkably, the scoutmaster was NOT on first-name basis with the nurse at Snowbowl (zero casualties). The troop finished off the day with dinner at NAU.

On Sunday, the sledding, at Oak Hills snow play area, was canceled, again for lack of snow. The troop, instead, checked out the "cold war"-vintage rockets on display at the army depot, before heading home.