Ski Trip! Killington Ski Resort, Killington, VT

Let's go skiing! The boys skied the slopes of Killington Ski resort for two days in March on another exciting annual trip. Boys, and adults, of all ski levels made their way from top to bottom for a few hours on Saturday before retiring to the lodge where there is a heated pool and hot tub for thawing out. Such a life! This was a first timer for one boy, who managed quite well. There was plenty more skiing had by all on Sunday before returning home from this fun-filled and, yes, exhausting weekend.

Cabin Trip - Hoyt Scout Reservation, Redding, CT

A favorite trip, the annual Cabin Trip took place in February at the Rangers Cabin in the Hoyt Scout Reservation, Redding, CT. This is the one trip a year where the boys are permitted to bring any and all electronics, at least the PG-rated ones. This year we counted 12 televisions, 7 game stations, a few movies and an electronic guitar. After a long Friday night competing in various games, the boys did manage to get up and out of the cabin Saturday morning for a hike on a local trail in Ridgefield.

Klondike Derby - Richter Park, Danbury, CT

In January, Troops from all over Fairfield County converged on the back nine at Richter Park Golf Course in Danbury to participate in the annual Klondike Derby. The boys compete in a skills challenge, complete with patches and prizes, by pushing a special sled around to various stations. The Troop 137 boys developed and managed the Emergency Shelter Building Station and had a lot of fun directing and judging the other troops efforts to build a storm-worthy, survival shelter. It was a cold campout, but the boys were prepared, managed to stay warm and had a great time. Some even had their picture included in a Danbury NewsTimes article on the event!

Court of Honor

Many Scouts received ranks and rewards at the January Court of Honor.

Backpacking - Great Hollow, New Fairfield, CT

The first weekend in December, the boys backpacked into New Fairfield’s own Great Hollow YMCA Wilderness School site. After a two mile backpack in from an adjacent NY park, the boys setup camp and spent the afternoon enjoying the lovely campsite overlooking waterfalls and playing some games in the woods. The challenge on this trip was keeping warm in conditions where the temperature dropped into the teens at night. The boys managed the cold very well and learned valuable lessons in packing appropriately for sub-freezing conditions.

Camporee - Civil War Reenactment, Redding, CT

November was the annual Scatacook District Camporee. This year the Scout Troops from throughout the Fairfield County area gathered at Hoyt Scout Reservation in Redding to participate in a Civil War reenactment. The program included a tour of different stations demonstrating how things were done in the time. Stations included Cooking, Medical, Camp Life, Weapons and Close Order Marching Drills. At the end of the day, the Reenactors put on a mock battle that was narrated so the boys could understand each step involved in fighting a Civil War battle. The Scatacook District committee volunteers delivered a truly outstanding program.

Camping - Putnam State Park, Redding, CT

October brought the annual Webelos trip where the older Cub Scouts, who are preparing to bridge over to Boy Scouts, are invited along on a trip to see what comes next in their Scouting career. This year, the event was held in Putnam State Park, site of the ‘1778-1779’ Winter Encampment for General Putnam’s Continental Army Troops in Redding. The Boy Scouts led their Cub studies through the ruins of the Revolutionary War self-guided walk, finishing in the museum where they could view many of the tools, weapons and artifacts of the time. After lunch, the Troop taught the Cub Scouts many of the skills needed to have a safe and fun camping experience, including setting up camp, fire building, first aid, knot tying and emergency shelter building. The evening campfire included a healthy (?) dose of smores! The Webelos parents also participate in this event to see the many benefits of continuing with the Scouting program.