PLC – please note that we will have a PLC on the Tuesday, 10 January, when we get back. It is of the utmost importance that the entire PLC attend, as we need to discuss the up coming year, Klondike (which is the first weekend back), and other things. Please free your schedules so that you can come.

I just wanted to say a quick thank you to all who have helped make T130 possible this year, from Brandt, our scoutmaster, to the parents who have helped get the boys to events and meetings. I would like to say thank you as well to Geraint, who helped so much in organizing summer camp, Catherine for her long commitment to Merit Badges, John and Estelle for letting us use their place for PLCs and Leadership Training, as well as for helping to organize the logistics for the past two camp outs, and all of the other ASMs for their great work!

I hope that you all have a safe vacation, relax, and come back ready for another great year of scouting!

Chris V.
SPL

On 28 and 29 May 2011, Troop 130 hosted Webelos from Pack 130 for a joint campout above Cheserex. Thirteen Webelos and eleven scouts participated in the event. The Webelos found out what it is like to camp in scout patrols. The general impression of Troop 130 is that these soon-to-be scouts will be a great asset to the Troop. Special thanks to Rick Ogg for finding site and coordinating with Pack 130 adults.

Lightweight camping event

On 14 and 15 May 2011, fourteen scouts and a few scout leaders participated in the lightweight camping event. This involved carrying full packs, with all equipment, for nine km through the Jura mountains. Congratuations to the scouts, particularly those who completed the hike. Special thanks to John Quincey for finding a great trail and campsite. Below is a report on the event from Alex Gaskell, Troop Scribe:

“I think that the Bassins camp was a good campout, because it may have been raining and everyone was exhausted and cold, but most of them had fun and they all helped each other, like carrying each other’s bag or lightening the smaller ones’ bags. I wasn’t there for the beginning of the Saturday hike and when I arrived they all seemed quite down, but they all cheered up and we sang a few songs which got them occupied. Some of the scouts, me included, didn’t properly prepare for the camp, so we didn’t have the right clothes and our socks were soaking wet or our shoes were bad for hiking, but I didn’t hear any complaining on the hike down or at the campsite. The leaders, Chris, Luke and Will, were very good at leading and getting the boys to do jobs. The cooks did a great job in cooking for everyone and most people were really grateful for the warm food on Saturday night and Sunday morning. My group arrived second and the younger ones were exhausted so I expect most of the other ones were, so the fire was a great relief because we thought we would have to sit in the cold and rain trying to warm up. The campout was a good success in my view but some of the scouts, as I said, should have prepared a bit better.”

Snowshoe overnight hike

Form 26 to 27 February 2011, scouts and adults from Troop 130 undertook snowshoe hikes to two separate cabins (cabanes) abover St. Cergue, Switzerland This event including preparing snow holes for a few brave scouts who attempted to sleep in the snow overnight.

Trans-Atlantic Council Normandy Camporee (site of D-Day Invasion and battle sites)

From 13 to 17 April 2011, a group of scouts and adults from Troop 130 participated in the Trans-Atlantic Normandy Camporee in Normandy, France. This was an amazing event, involving scout troops from all over the world.

Klondike Derby

From 15 to 16 January 2011, a group of scouts (accompanied by adults) participated in the annual Klondike Derby in Kandersteg, Switzerland This involved pulling sleds and competing with other scouts in the use of scouting and winter survival skills.

End: Sunday 12:00 @ Campsite (If the weather is bad, 10:00)

Activities:

• Camp skills and general camp learning. Many games!
• Catapult Wars, and lashings training.
• Amazing Bonfire!!! (With a magic ingredient…)

Procedure:

• All scouts meet at Chat by 9:00
• Scouts take out equipment and distribute between cars, some parents will be asked to drive scouts.
• Parents: please don’t leave until you have signed the permission slip!
• Scouts are driven to the site, hopefully arriving between 10:00-10:30.
• Parents go home and relax!
• Scouts have a great time on camp.
• Parents pick scouts up at 12:00 prompt, at the campsite. In case of bad weather please phone Barry Cook (below). Many scouts will be asked to take home tents, tarps or patrol boxes for cleaning and drying. Kit to be
returned at the next Troop Meeting.
•

Where:

La Rippe. http://map.search.ch/d/jc5zdc0mg

Details of how to get to the campsite are on the website: Genevascouts.com/troop130. Scroll down on the left to ‘campsites’.

What to bring:

Any scout who wants a packing list should e-mail Will Popplewell at: William.popp@bluewin.ch . The web site also has an equipment list.

Essentials include: packed lunch, winter sleeping bag, sleeping mat, eating kit,torch, and layers of clothing (it will get cold at night!), drinks.

Scout book, pen, penknife, first aid kit, wet weather gear, matches.

Scout uniform is NOT required. Come in scout T Shirt and scout scarf.

Tents, tarps, cooking utensils, washing equipment, jerry cans/water are provided by the Troop.

Food:

Packed lunch. Dinner and Breakfast are being brought by members of the patrol. They keep the receipts, and  are repaid at the next meeting. These scouts already know who they are! Bring plenty to drink, and snacks.

PATROL LEADERS: Please send asap to William.popp@bluewin.ch the number of boys attending from your patrol. If you are not attending yourself, appoint an acting Patrol Leader.

Scout Leaders:

William Popplewell

Gavin Helmich

Calum Rees-Gildea

Adult support:

Peter Rees

Barry Cook Adult contact for questions. Barry.cook@bluewin.ch 0787286624

Brandt Wagner

Rick Ogg

Senior Patrol Leader

Outdoor Coordinator

Training and Camp Fire Building

0799184806

The dates for the theory are from 7pm to 8:30pm on Mondays March 1, March 15 and April 12. Practical sessions in the boats will be planned for Saturdays May 8, May 29 and June 12, but will be subject to postponement if the weather is too stormy.

As you must know how to swim for this activity, and if you have not passed the BSA swimming test yet, we will run a test date prior to the practical in which you will have to do the following:

·         Jump feet first into water over the head, level off, and begin swimming.

·         Swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: side, breast, trudgen, or crawl. Swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke.

·         The 100 yards must be completed without stops and must include at least one sharp turn.

·         Rest by floating…Long enough to demonstrate ability to rest when exhausted.

From all the feedback I got from the de Rochefort group, and saw at the Caroz group it looks like everyone had a really great time. We also managed to get 7 Snow Hole survivors and 5 successful tent survivors. With temperatures of – 8, plus a bit of the beeze wind starting up on Saturday night, I think this is a great achievement.

The Carroz scores were:
Single snow hole, Struan, 20 points, quality 6,5 points, sleeping 11.00 pm – 07.00 am, 24 points. Total 50.5 points.
Single snow hole, Calum, 20 points, quality 7 points, sleeping 24 points. Total 51points.
Double snow hole, Luke and Oliver, 30 points, quality 8.5 points, sleeping 48 points. Total 86.5 points.
Multiple snow hole, Nathan, Louis and Alex, 40 points, quality 0 points (collapsed after completion!), sleeping 0 points. Total 40 points.
Tent, Nathan, Louis and Alex, 10 points, sleeping 12 + 12 + 3. Total 37 points.
Caroz total: 265.