Tiki Torch Outing

On January 26, 2013, 13 scouts from Troop 626 went to the Tiki Torch outing. The weather was extremely cold, but we started close to the West summit of Snoqualmie and headed on an extremely short, quarter mile trail to the campsite. However, the trail was narrow with snowbanks on either side, so it was extremely easy for the sleds to tip over and cause a 10 minute backup. When we got to the campsite, we found that Mr. Norelius had already set up 4 tents, halving the time it would have taken to set up all of the gear. I think that every scout who went on the trip was extremely thankful to him for this.

After setting up the rainfly, we scouts were allowed to play in the snow. We built snow caves and snow tunnels, went sledding, and had a snowball fight with snow shovels. Around 4:30, we started trying to make a fire. We had to keep moving the fire though, because the fire would melt the snow underneath it and then go out. By nightfall, the Tiki Torches had been lit, making a really cool scene as the orange light from the fire blended with the dark green trees and the soft white snow. Everyone went to their tents around 8:00 and eventually fell asleep.

All of us scouts woke up at 7:00 in the morning to the sound of cannons. The WDSOT had apparently caused avalanches now to make sure that an avalanche would not happen later and hurt somebody. I could see why: it had snowed around 10 inches over the night. So after another 8 cannon blasts (and several jokes about the Hunger Games), we started making another fire and hot water for breakfast. By the time we all were ready to go, so much snow had fallen that we were sure that we had left something behind, covered with snow. The trip was really fun, even though it had snowed the whole time.

Reshan Fernando

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