Summer Camp at Meriwether

On July 5-11, 2009 our Troop headed down to Tillamook on the Oregon coast to attend summer camp at Camp Meriwether, a property of the Cascade Pacific Council. Thirty nine boys + 4 Adult leaders stayed for the full week, with a handful of parents visiting throughout the week. We were among 380 Scouts at camp that week.


What a great summer camp! The camp is located on the Pacific ocean with 2.5 miles of beachfront property. The camp even has its own lake. Our troop was assigned to the “Lookout” campsite which has 7 adirondack shelters and is located on a bluff overlooking the ocean. It’s a prime site for sure. The theme for the week was “Accomplishment”. The guys completed a total of 115 merit badges during the week. In addition to keeping busy with Merit Badge classes and other advancement programs (for those below First Class), the Scouts took part in other fun activities ranging from blackpowder rifle shoot, shotgun, archery, climbing wall, canoeing to tomahawk throwing and candle making.

Checkout photos here

A few highlights from our week there:

- The camp held a triathlon between Troops. Our team consisting of Ricky A. and Cory B. (Runners), Jacob D. and Kevin H. (Swimmers), Jeffrey P. and Calvin N. (Canoers) came in third place!

- Thursday night was the sand castle and sculpture contest, and our Troop won first place with its creation: "Scout-eating Giant!"

- We also had a few scouts complete their Wilderness Survival merit badge which required them to sleep out overnight with just the clothes on their backs in shelters they had built - those brave scouts were Scott G., Max O., Calvin N., and David Y

- Mr. Young earned the Pioneer Award by participating in a list of Pioneering activities at camp

- Mr. Cambron and Mr. Young completed the Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat Certification

- Mr. Kwik, Mr. Cambron, and Mr. Young completed the Paddlecraft Safety Certification

- Mr. Cambron and Mr. Kwik completed the Water Rescue Certification

- Mr. Black and Sam R. (one of only three Scouts at camp) trained for and completed the Mile Swim

- Our Polar Bear swimmers braved 6:00 a.m. 53 degree ocean water to earn bragging rights and the Camp Meriwether Polar Bear Patch - They were Logan S., Lazare H., Illian H., Gabe R., and Ajay M.

- Cory B. received the "Boom Chicka Boom" award for shooting two disks in the air with a double-loaded shotgun.

- Our Troop signed up to serve as color guard for the closing flag ceremony on Friday. This is the most widely attended flag ceremony since many of the family members visit for the final dinner at camp. A color guard team of 10 scouts was put together and began training on Thursday and Friday. The team included: Caller = Logan S., American Flag = Gabriel R.+Zachary D.+John T. , Washington Flag = Illian H.+Lazare H.+Alex W., Oregon Flag = Charlie H.,+Sam R.+Owen D. The Scouts did an excellent job!

It was a successful week for sure. Thanks to all the parents who helped make this trip happen. Congratulations to all!

Posted by: Mr. Black and Mr. Kwik

Boy Scout Troop 626
Bellevue, Washington
www.Troop626.org

Two Scouts Receive Eagle Awards at Bellevue City Council

Bellevue Council member Conrad Lee congratulates Conor Adams and Byron Wu upon receiving their Boy Scout Eagle Medals at their Court of Honor on June 20^th, 2009. Conor, 16, is a sophomore at Newport High School. He has earned both his bronze and gold palms since June. Byron, 18, is a freshman at the University of Washington studying Engineering.

www.Troop626.org

Rising to Rattlesnake Ledge

On Saturday, June 13, 2009 we headed on a hike up to Rattlesnake Ledge by North Bend. The weather was a bit overcast when we started at the trailhead about 9:00 am, but cleared up quickly into a sunny beautiful day. The hike is less than two miles each way, but gains 1100 feet providing a nice moderate incline most of the way. The view at the top was partially obscured by moving fog, but we did get some good views of Rattlesnake lake below.

The crew included Cory B, Harrison K, Elliot H, William D, and Peter D plus four adults. It was a great day for a nice hike!

Boy Scout Troop 626
Bellevue, Washington
www.Troop626.org

Camporee 2009 --- Awesome!

On May 1-3, 2009 Boy Scout Troop 626 attended the Cascade District Camporee, held at Ensign Ranch near Cle Elum, Washington. 12 Troops and 183 Scouts from Bellevue, Mercer Island, and North Renton attended this event.

We arrived on Friday evening and set up camp at the "Grotto" campsites which was nicely tree covered and provided plenty of space for everyone. Our Troop consisted of 17 Scouts and 7 guest Webelos, making up three Patrols: Blue (Fire Breathing) Dragons, Jumbo Goldfish, and Toxic Jellybean Webelos. 10 adults were also on hand throughout the weekend.

We began the Saturday morning with High Adventure activities where the Scouts worked on honing their teamwork skills in a variety of physical challenges. After lunch, the Scouts went on to the Field Events that presented the Patrols with a variety of Scout skill challenges. Following the Field Events was a Patrol relay challenge that only the Webelos Patrol participated in. The rest of the Scouts decided to spend the afternoon playing Lacrosse, football, and exploring the grounds.

In the evening, the Patrols reassembled for dinner time. Each Patrol did their own meal preparations while the Adults and Webelos had Hobo stew (Foil meals), followed by a dutch oven cobbler.

Meanwhile, the Scouts made an entry for the dessert competition consisting of cake, frosting, and Ritz crackers... Strange looking, yet oddly delicious!

The evening ended with the campfire program, followed by lights out. On Sunday morning, our Troop was packed up and headed home by 9:45 am... everyone satisfied with the fun and adventure we experienced over the weekend!

See more pics here!


Boy Scout Troop 626, Bellevue, Washington
www.Troop626.org

Local Scout racking up honors

April 23, 2009

Our own Rahul Brito, Eagle Scout, gets written up in the news. Read all about it!

Local Scout racking up honors, Bellevue Reporter, April 23, 20009

Boyscout Troop 626 held an Eagle Court of Honor on March 21 for Rahul Brito, who collected over half a ton of school supplies for children in Iraq. His efforts included school drives, door-to-door collections and gathering donations from local businesses.

Local chapters of the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus helped cover the cost of mailing the 24 boxes of supplies, which were distributed to three schools in the city of Kirkuk.

Brito's military contacts have credited him with helping soldiers befriend the local people, reduce insurgent attacks, and save lives. They honored his efforts by sending him a U.S. flag that was flown over the Baghdad Embassy, along with a “Warrior” Appreciation Certificate.

Brito also received a commendation personally signed by the commander of the Thirteenth Coast Guard District, as well as a Citation for Meritorious Service presented by Judge Advocate Jim Broe of the American Legion.

Additionally, the Bellevue PTSA awarded Brito the Michael Riley Scholarship for $1,000.

The Newport High senior is a National Merti Scholar finalist, and plans to attend the University of Washington this fall. He was invited to join the university's Honors Program, and was also among a handful of incoming freshman offered direct admission to the BS BIOE program offered by the UW Department of Bioengineering.

Boy Scout Troop 626, Bellevue, Washington
www.Troop626.org

Troop 626 Advances to Ancient Lakes

Ancient Lakes Hike and Campout, Quincy, Washington - April 18-19, 2009

When you go hiking and camping at Ancient Lakes Washington, it does feel like you’re in an ancient world. It’s barren, rocky, and desolate. Even though we were one of five separate camping groups that weekend, we weren’t close to any of them. It didn’t seem like the boys would find any wood to make a campfire but during their explorations on Saturday, they scrounged up enough bone dry wood for a grand bonfire that night. With good prep-work, they started that fire with one match.

Some of the guys scrambled up rocky hillsides and got a grand view of the valley below. Some of the older guys, Peter D., Cory B, Harrison K., and Logan S. taught the newer scouts in the troop how to use our lightweight backpacking stoves. Our 13 scouts even formed a bucket brigade to gather water from the lake to put out the fire before we left on Sunday morning.

The Ironman award goes to Bruce Y. for hiking in and out with a freshly broken little toe which he broke the Monday before the outing. It was a successful weekend for sure. We’ll definitely be back.

Posted by Jim Black, Scoutmaster

Boy Scout Troop 626, Bellevue, Washington
www.Troop626.org

Newport Hills Swim and Tennis Club Service Project

On April 11, 2009 our Troop did a service project at the Newport Hills Swim and Tennis Club, the location of our annual Tree Sales fund raiser. About 30 scouts and parents were on hand to demolish an old shed and spread bark around the property.

Afterwards, a group of us went to Herfy's for a well deserved refreshment!




Boy Scout Troop 626, Bellevue, Washington
www.Troop626.org