Lee Griffins Eagle Scout Project

On  December 8, 2012 we had Lee Griffins Eagle Scout Project. It was up on Hillside cemetery and in a designated area we would plant trees and spread mulch across the ground. The project was fun, rewarding and I really enjoyed it. When you looked at the inscriptions in the plaques you could see the graves of veterans who had fought for our country. It felt really nice to clean up around the forest not only for maintenance but to also honor the memories of the people buried here.


Dmytro Banin

Annual Christmas Tree Sales Fundraiser is About to Begin!

On Friday November 23rd Troop 626 is celebrating their 30th year anniversary of tree sales.  The trees come from the Olympic Peninsula and are kept in water to keep fresh and come in various sizes for you to choose. To help you with your tree, scouts will trim, bale and help place the tree in or on your vehicles. Additionally you can also pick up Christmas wreaths made for sale by Girl Scout troop 50847.

This is Troop 626’s only fundraiser and funds the troop for the year. We would like to thank Newport Swim and Tennis Club for their generosity in allowing us to use their property at no cost. As our special ‘thank you’ we do a service project cleaning up the grounds.

If you would like to get your Christmas tree then just stop by starting 9:00 am this Friday at 5464 119th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98006. Rain, snow or sunshine – we will be welcoming our customers weekdays from 5-8pm and on weekends from 9am to 8pm. CLICK HERE to download brochure!

Dmytro Banin
Not at all a Historian

www.Troop626.org

High Hut Outing

On November 4, 2012 Troop 626 went to High Hut. The hike itself was around 4 miles with a decent elevation gain. The day was rather cool and quite misty. By the time we had reached the hut we were all sore, tired and literally in the clouds. If you looked outside you would see complete and pure whiteness, almost dizzyingly beautiful.
    Although our hike had finished, our work was not yet done. We dropped off our packs and grabbed a pair of clippers, going down to do trail maintenance. By now a light drizzled had come, and I know I was soaked through and through. We clipped off, branches, vines and young nobles; basically anything that was interrupting the path. After 2 hours we set off, back up the hill to the hut.
    We made dinner, and everyone was lying down on their sleeping pads, tired. It was only 7:00 and already it was almost completely dark. After a while we went to sleep exhausted.
    Now one of the most genius things about this outing is that it was planned on the day clocks were being turned back, and I have to tell you it was heavenly. We all got to sleep an extra hour and still wake up on time all of us nicely rested.
    We quickly packed up our things and set off down the mountain. The hike down was short and a lot easier than the hike up. It was a fast 4 miles filled with complete random conversations if you know what I mean. :)


Dmytro Banin
Not at all a Historian

www.Troop626.org

Disability Awareness Expo

On Saturday September 29th Troop 626 held a Rope Tying Contest @ Disability Awareness Exp highlighting awareness of disabilities as may be associated with the tying of knots.

We had a timed contest, running three blindfolded contestants at a time, to see who can tie a shoelace knot the fastest  (the shoelace knot being one of the most common knots everyone must use at some point in their life).

Scout volunteers were also teaching the participants how to tie a one handed bowline, a commonly used rescue knot.

Participating Scouts:
1st Shift Volunteers: Owen Dickson, Alex Wheatley, Jacob Thackray, John Thackray, Sean Huentelman

2nd Shift Volunteers: Tyler Chu, Ryan Cambron, William Delbrueck


www.Troop626.org

Richard Gartenberg's Eagle Project

On Saturday August 25th was the day of Richard Gartenberg's Eagle Project. I personally think this was quite an astounding idea because unlike most eagle projects, you could see the result at the end of the mission.

We were clearing the trail, and when we came there at first we all saw the same thing; a well trodden, unkempt trail. However as we started working the results were noticeable immediately. Every small thing we did added up in the end, and when the project was finished, I was quite satisfied. It’s not to say that I wasn't tired; I sure was, rather it is the fact that I could see the immediate effect on the trail. This was definitely not the same trail me and the others had seen that morning before the project.

Come and check it out at May Creek trail entrance West of SE 89th and Coal Creek, New Castle. The trail yet needs to be walked on :)

Dmytro Banin

Not at all the Historian

Read my other posts @  http://baninadventures.blogspot.com/

Five Scouts Earn Eagle

During a special Eagle Court of Honor Ceremony on August 7, 2012 we celebrated the accomplishments of our newest Eagle Scouts: Brian Helmholz, Chris Lilley, Ashwin Mohan, Calvin Ng, and Jeffrey Pyke. Checkout the news story in the Bellevue Reporter .

www.Troop626.org

Camp Fire Mountain 2012

On July 29 - August 4, 2012 Our troop attended Camp Fire Mountain in Mount Vernon. 29 Scouts and a rotation of 13 adults were in attendance, camping at the Nooksack camp site. Everyone had a lot of fun, while squeezing in a service project, a hike + rock climbing, camp chores (like cleaning the main camp bath house and serving as color guard for camp), work for rank advancement and completion of over 100 merit badges. Other highlights include: Mr. Enberg winning the Scoutmaster Chilli Cookoff and the troop earning the Honor Troop designation.

See photos here:
Album

www.Troop626.org

Two Scouts Earn Eagle Rank

On April 7, 2012 an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony was held to celebrate our troop's newest Eagle Scouts, David Adams and Kevin Hays. Check out their story in the Issaquah Press!

www.Troop626.org

July 21st Northwest Harvest – Community Service

On a cloudy Saturday of Summer Vacation, 13 scouts, 2 non-scout youth family members, and 5 adults performed community service at the Kent Northwest Harvest Warehouse.

From 9 am until noon we packaged 11,400 lbs. of frozen corn on the cob.  Our task in the production line was to gather the “family size” plastic bags, remove the air from the bag, and seal them up with tape.  Both Scouts and Adults did a good job keeping up with the huge volume of corn coming our way.

We were recognized by the event coordinator as a hard working group and we were please to feed 8,769 families with some nutritious corn.

www.Troop626.org

Summer Camp at Camp Pigott

On July 8-14 a group of 6 scouts attended summer camp at Camp Pigott in Monroe. The scouts enjoyed themselves and all earned enough requirements to advance at least one rank. Combined, they earned 26 merit badges and completed a service project for the camp repairing one of the main trails.


See photo collection here:
Album 1
Album 2
Album 3


www.Troop626.org

Philmont Crew 2012

From June 29 - July 10, a crew of 8 scouts and 4 adults braved the New Mexico wilderness on a 90+ mile trek at Philmont. They braved thunderstorms and lightning, but all made it back safe and sound!

BEFORE














AFTER

www.Troop626.org

June 23rd Northwest Harvest – Community Service

On the first day of Summer Vacation, 5 scouts and 3 adults performed community service at the Kent Northwest Harvest Warehouse. From 9 am until noon we packaged 6,720 lbs. of frozen carrots.  Our task in the production line was to gather the “family size” plastic bags, remove the air from the bag, and seal them up with tape.  Both Scouts and Adults did a good job keeping up with the huge volume of carrots coming our way.

Along with the satisfaction of our hard work, we were please to feed 5,169 families with some nutritious carrots.

www.Troop626.org

Ancient Lakes Backpacking Trip

On May 12th 2012 we went on a backpacking trip to Ancient Lakes near Quincy, WA.

There was a total of 8 scouts and 4 adults who participated in this outing.

This was a very fun hike as the weather was warm, and there was a beautiful waterfall that could be seen by scaling the cliff.

This was a semi difficult hike depending on how good of a hiker  you are, but the beautiful wildlife and nice weather made it worth it.

The whole Ancient Lakes backpacking trip was about 10 miles along flat, sandy rugged terrain with scarce vegetation.

There was also very little places you can get or filter water from here, so you had to take enough water to last you the whole hike

Igor Banin,

Historian

http://www.troop626.org/

Logan Schmidt honored with Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award

Troop 626 is proud to announce that Eagle Scout, Logan Schmidt was selected as the recipient of the 2012 Glenn and Melinda Adams Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award by the Chief Seattle Council of the BSA.

The award recognizes valuable service of an exceptional nature by a Scout to a religious institution, a school, community, or other entity.

In their review, the selection committee commented: "his planning and leadership skills were apparent in his project to help Rite of Passage Journeys repair their facilities. We appreciated the number of projects he tackled, the large group of people he worked with, and the level of detail in his report."

Logan was presented with the award certificate and pin on stage at the 2012 Eagle Banquet at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue on May 10th.

Learn more about Logan's project here.


www.Troop626.org

Camp Casey Outing

This is an outing where  we would drive all the way to Coupeville WA on March 17th  and stay there over night. There is a great lodge but because of the number of kids going this we also had to pitch out tents. As well, there is an awesome cave/fort area where we play capture the flag.

The 38 scouts that participated in this outing were divided into 3 scout patrols. Also there were 3 family patrols.






This was a very successful and fun activity especially for new scouts and their families.

Fun fact: this is the first time over the last 3 years that scouts pitched up tents at the Camp Casey outing!







Igor Banin
Troop 626 Historian.
www.Troop626.org

Scouting For Food - Donation Pick up on March 24, 2012

On Sunday March 18, a large number of Troop scouts and adults distributed door flyers in the Eastgate neighborhood to announce the "Scouting for Food" food drive project. We will return on Saturday, March 24 to pick up the donations that are put out for pick up.

Thanks in advance to the community residents for supporting this effort!

www.Troop626.org

Potluck Court of Honor

On Tuesday February 14th, 2012, we had our Court of Honor. This one was special, a Potluck. We had lots of food and fun.

Daniel Young was the MC of the Ceremony.

We discussed our already passed and upcoming events.

Scouts received their ranks and merit badges.

Click Here to see more pictures.

Igor Banin

Historian

www.Troop626.org

Arrow of Light Ceremony

On Sunday, February 5th 2012 we held an Arrow of Light Ceremony at Newport Way Library. Five boys from Pack 633, Den 2 joined our Troop.

Alex W, Max O, John T, Cory M, Dmytro B and I helped out with the ceremony.

Logan S on behalf of the Scoutmaster read a Welcome message.

The New Scouts were then given their badges. They crossed the set-up bridge in front of them, to symbolize the transferring from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.

We then ate cake, it was delicious.

Igor Banin

Historian
www.Troop626.org