Sunday, December 11, 2011

TREE LOT SOLD OUT - Thank you for all your support!



Thank you for your support!


As of 4pm today, we sold our last tree.



Thank you to all our customers, the Newport Swim and Tennis Club, the community and Troop members and families.


Please visit us next year!




www.Troop626.org

Sunday, September 25, 2011

September 24-25th Mason Lake Overnighter.


This was an overnighter into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Due to the wilderness rules we had to limit our group to 12 members. Popularity forced us to split into two groups, one departing at 9am and the other at 11am. I was part of the 9am group.

This hike was short but very strenuous as we had to climb a high mountain pass before descending into beautiful lake basin. Like the 1950’s movie land of the lost. However there were no dinosaurs (that we spotted). It was a wonderful hike on Ira Spring Trail up the side of Bandera Mountain, with views of the Snoqualmie River Valley below and Mt Rainer peeking over the rugged mountains to the south as we ascended the steep slope. We had to stop quite a few times for water and fuel (cookies and beef jerky) in order to complete the task. But the reward was great as we go to the cool peaceful Mason Lake on the other side of the mountain.

We set up camp on the shore next to a bunch of giant granite boulders. The 11am scout group found 2 sites adjacent to ours. We practiced cooking on stoves, and filtering lake water for drinking. We took a hike to the other side of the lake looking for a spring but they were all dried up. It was a hard hike over granite boulders, dubbed by the scouts as the “Playground of Death”. The scouts preferred lounging lakeside after the long hike I think.

We slept overnight in our tents (most of us). It began raining in the morning so we skedaddled out of there. As soon as we hit the trail the rain stopped and as was assured us by one of group members earlier, that there was blue sky on the other side of the mountain, it turned out to be true. We crested the ridge for the long descent with beautiful views of the mountains valleys and Mt Rainier. It was a much easier hike out and we were back to our cars for the ride home in just under 2 hours.

Link to Pictures:
Album 1
Album 2

Washington Trail Association stats
Location: Ira Spring Memorial (#1038)
Snoqualmie Pass Area, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Roundtrip: 6.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 2550 ft
Highest Point: 4750 ft

Thanks, Chuck Guy, ASM Troop 626

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Eagle Scout Project Benefits Tavon Center

Life Scout, David Adams completed his Eagle Project to design and build a wheelchair accessible gardening table for the Tavon Center located in Issaquah. This is an organization which cares for mentally challenged adults. 


The table is slightly higher than an average sitting table so that wheelchairs can easily fit underneath while still being low enough for comfortable gardening. The table is large enough to accommodate several gardeners at the same time. 



Additionally, the table is on wheels so that the Tavon Center can easily relocate the table as needed. The surface of the table was made of smooth plywood. This new gardening table will allow more clients of the center to garden at the same time during the busy, sunny days of spring and summer. 



www.Troop626.org

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Eagle Project Clears Invasive Plants

On September 17th, 21 volunteers, including 6 scouts, assembled under the direction of Life Scout, Kevin Hays,  to help tackle the problem of the invasive plant, Scotch Broom. The site was located across the street from the entrance to the Newcastle golf course, and was previously overrun by the extremely large plant. 
This plant stopped the ability for native plants to grow and thrive, and it also eliminated a natural meadow habitat for many animals. The volunteers, by clearing almost the entire area, helped restrict the spread of the invasive species as well as help restore a natural habitat to its former glory.

www.Troop626.org

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Camp Fife Summer!

On July 31 - August 6, 2011 we attended summer camp at Camp Fife in Goose Prairie, Washington. There were only 120 scouts at the camp that week, so our 40 scouts in attendance were quite prominent!

A big thank you to the 16 adults who attended in rotation throughout the week, and a SPECIAL thanks to Mike Enberg who attended with me all week. While all the boys were on their best behavior, a few notable mentions are:
- Rex O. for serving faithfully as our bugler, getting himself up early in the morning to play Reveille.
- Logan S. for keeping all the scouts on track as Senior Patrol Leader.

We occupied the American Ridge campsite, which was centrally located providing convenient access to the Trading Post, Dining Hall, Flag Field, First Aid station, and Swimming Pool. Hungry chipmunks where the primary critters, chewing holes through a couple of tents and backpacks; eating not only trail mix, but sunscreen too!

The weather was perfect and sunny each day, giving the scouts optimal time to enjoy the outdoors. Aside from the typical in-camp activities of shooting, archery, and climbing, some special things we did included:
- Canoe outpost overnight on an island in Bumping Lake by 10 scouts and 2 adults
- Cliff rappelling offsite by 5 scouts
- Hike to Boulder Cave and water fun by the entire troop
- Hamburger cook out and dutch oven cobblers at our camp site on Wednesday night

Check out pictures here and on facebook.com/troop626

Overall, it was a fun and productive time for the Scouts!

Posted by: Herman Kwik, Scoutmaster

www.Troop626.org

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Gear, Ground & Grub Service Project (3GSP)

On Saturday, June 11th, I held my Eagle Scout service project at Songaia Cohousing Community in Bothell, WA which I called Gear, Ground & Grub Service Project (3GSP).  A volunteer crew of 33 people helped out including 13 boys scouts from our Troop 626 as well as Troops 438 and 600.


The volunteers worked in four small teams. Together we replaced the flooring in an outdoor kitchen, installed the kitchen cabinetry, painted three picnic tables, added mulch to a brand new campsite in the woods and refaced the bottom skirting on the yurt.

This Songaia land where my project was held is used by Rite of Passage Journeys, a non-profit organization that delivers transformative wilderness programs for youth, adults and communities in life transition.

I had the opportunity to participate on a three-week, Coming-of-Age backpacking trip with Rite of Passage Journeys during the summer of 2010 and after returning from that adventure, I decided that helping them make these refurbishments to their summer basecamp operation at Songaia would be a rewarding service project to undertake towards earning my Eagle Scout rank.

I also held a fair trade coffee, chocolate and giftware fundraiser with Equal Exchange Coop and Ten Thousand Villages during my project promotion phase in order to help with the kitchen and yurt renovation costs.  I raised more than $600 in cash and also managed to get over $500 in donated/sponsored building products and lunch expenses by local organizations like Lowe's, Valley Supply Co. and Costco.  After I finish calculating all my project expenses, I then hope to donate $500.00 to the Stan Crow Scholarship Fund at Rite of Passage Journeys, which helps underserved youth participate in wilderness excursions like the one I went on.

Overall, it was a fun service project and the weather turned out great. It was nice to see people friends and troop families show up to help and I had fun managing the different Gear, Ground and Grub work teams even though it was a bit hectic at times with everything happening at once.  We were able to finish up in the early afternoon.  Thanks again to everyone in the troop who helped make my project a success!

Follow this link to read the story in THE BELLEVUE REPORTER

Posted by Logan Schmidt, Eagle Scout

www.Troop626.org

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Troop Attends Cascade District Camporee


On May 13-15 our Troop attended the Cascade District Camporee at Ensign Ranch in Cle Elum with 28 scouts and 8 adults.

This annual event is attended by troops from Bellevue, Mercer Island, and No. Renton.

Follow link to photos here.

www.Troop626.org

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Alex Lodge Recipient of Eagle Scout Scholarship

On May 12, 2011, one of our Eagle Scouts, Alex Lodge,was awarded the Bruce Kennedy Scholarship by the BSA Chief Seattle Council. It is one of just five Eagle Scout scholarships awarded by the Council.

Presently Alex is completing high school in Bahrain where his Father is stationed with the US Coast Guard.

Congratulations Alex!

www.Troop626.org

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Scouts cross coulee along Crab Creek

On April 16-17, 2011 our Troop headed to Eastern Washington to backpack about 6 miles along Crab Creek to camp at Beverly Lake. The weather was sunny and gorgeous. The hike was a bit challenging due to the sandy trail, but all participants conquered the path with great spirits.

Scouts in participating include: Dmytro B, Igor B, Ryan C, Matthew D, William D, Owen D, Zachary D, Richard G, Avery K, Harrison K, Cory M, Evan M, John M, Max O, Rex O, and Daniel Y. Adults: Mr. Cambron, Mr. Young, Mr. Molenda, Mr. Orth, and Mr. Young.

See pictures here.


www.Troop626.org

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Scouts turn out for food drive

On March 20 and 26, twenty two scouts and 10 adults turned out for the Scouting for Food event to collect food and other goods for Hopelink. The first date we distributed fliers in our designated neighborhoods and returned on March 26 to pick up the donations.

Overall we collected 336 lbs for the food bank. A big thanks to all our volunteers and the community for your donations!

www.Troop626.org

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Scouts and families have fun in the sun!

On March 19-20, 2011 the Troop went on our annual Family Retreat to Camp Casey on Whidbey Island. We occupied two barracks for the 23 scouts and 21 family members who were in attendance.

New scouts got to work on advancement requirements and everyone played at the Fort Casey bunkers. We played games, had a camp fire, star gazed, and enjoyed catered meals with an abundance of food. The menu included:

Dinner 3/19/2011
Salad Bar
Beef Barley Soup
Fresh Cantaloupe
Oven Fried Chicken
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Green Beans
Biscuit
Chocolate Chip Cookies & Ice Cream
Vegetarian Choice: Macaroni & Cheese

Breakfast 3/20/2011
Scrambled Eggs
Sausage Links
Pancakes Served With Warm Syrup & Butter
Oven Roasted Potatoes
Fruit Juice
Assorted Fresh Fruit
Oatmeal & Cold Cereal
Yogurt Bar & Assorted Muffins


New friendships and memories were made by all! 

www.Troop626.org

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Troop Welcomes New Scouts from Pack 433 Puesta del Sol

On March 6, 2011 our troop participated in the Crossover Ceremony for Webelos from Pack 433, Puesta del Sol, Elementary. 12 scouts from our Troop were present to receive the 12 Webelos who were earning their Arrow of Light award and crossing over into our Troop. The formal ceremony, followed by a reception of delicious appetizer and dessert trays was held at South Bellevue Community Center.



www.Troop626.org

Monday, January 17, 2011

Chirico Trail Hike on Tiger Mountain

On Sunday, January 16 we hiked up Chirico Trail on Tiger Mountain. Our destination was the paraglider launch area on the way to the summit at PooPoo Point. Our troop group of 12 Scouts, 7 adults and one dog was joined by four Webelos scouts from Pack 629 and 633 along with their parents.

It was a nice hike about 3.2 miles and gaining 1650 feet. Although it had rained very hard all night before, the day's hike was somewhat muddy, but not too bad.

Everyone appreciated reaching our destination: the Paraglider launch field where the wind was blowing strong. We did get a peek-a-boo view through the clouds to see the height we had accomplished. No paragliders were flying this day, but we look forward to coming again on a clear day!

www.Troop626.org