The 2021 bike outing was different than past years
due to complications in obtaining a campsite at Mcdowell Mountain Park. Rather than the traditional 2-day event, The PLC opted to hold a single day ride of about 18 miles that started and ended at the Brown Ranch Trailhead. The event offeed challanging trails with many alternative options for riders of all skills. The Troops are looking forward to the 2022 outing and a return to a weekend long event.
Tags: Mr Marcon
2021 participants
Tyler Allred, Houston Hull, Gage Kloft, Colby Schwartz, Mr. Marcon
The Survival Challenge, offered only every 2 years, is a test of your mental, physical and spiritual skills in a challenging “survival situation.”
It is also a Vision Quest, a confrontation with the self, away from others, alone, without screens large and small (tv, computer, cellphones) to distract you from being aware of who you are and who you might be and might become.
The Challenge requires you to stay all alone in a wilderness “survival camp” of your own making for 3 days and 2 nights deep in the Superstitions Wilderness. You are allowed only the very minimal gear one would bring on a day hike. You are not allowed a sleeping bag or tent; you can bring only one meal (a “lunch”), and just 2 liters of water. You carry minimal fire-starting material.. You are allowed no cell phones (or similar).
The purpose of the Challenge is to mimic a typical survival situation in which a hiker gets lost or injured on a day hike and has to survive with his or her day hike gear awaiting rescue, which statistically takes place within 48-72 hours. At the end of the required time period, the Candidates are “rescued” by members of Troop 323 and friends and family. You are then required to give your rescuers a one-hour long presentation (timed) on the principles of wilderness survival and how you implemented those principles to “survive.” This presentation is a key component of the entire weekend. To teach is to learn twice.
Tags: Mr Marcon
On the weekend of October 15th – 17th, our troop held its Mount Humphreys outing. We had 12 scouts and 11 adults. The weather was COLD, and the mountain was covered in snow. Our troop only managed to make it to the saddle before we turned back. The snow caused the Mountain to be very slippery, causing many to slip. On the return, many stopped and had a snowball fight. When the troop got back to camp, we made dinner and took the rest of the day easy.
In the morning, we went to the Lava Tubes. At the end of the cave, the troop crawled around the tight coves, then headed back up. We climbed around a few surrounding caves. With that, we returned home.
Tags: Wyatt
This was an overnight “paddle-craft” outing to CC Cragin reservoir where Troop 323 and 3323 put in (to the water) in the late morning of Saturday, Sept.18, and paddle 2 miles to Our campsite. We stay overnight on the shore of the reservoir and paddle back to the take-out on Sunday.
All youth and adult participants had completed the BSA Swim test and be classified as a “Swimmer” to participate in this outing.
Before participating in the paddle-craft outing all youth and adult participants had to demonstrate the ability to control a boat adequately and to return to shore at will.
The Paddle Outing was well attended with 17 scouts and 7 adults participating. The event was filled with fishing swimming splashing and of course paddling.
Later in the afternoon, it rained making for a wet dinner experience. Many scouts took cover in natural rock shelters where they cooked and ate their meals. In the end, all returned without any major incidents.
Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Geer for organizing this memorable event!!!
Tags: Mr Marcon
For those who needed some practice time in a canoe or needed to demonstrate the ability to return to shore, The Troop held a paddle craft workshop on Sunday, September 12th at Lake Pleasant.
The plan was to start at 9:00 am and go until noon (or earlier if everyone is able to meet the requirement). It was an “open house” type format, so come as you are able.
We met at Lake Pleasant near the Two Cows Cove. We where down by the shoreline north of Desert Tortoise Rd. We had have 5 canoes and life jackets for those that need them.
