So we've joined Troop 890 ... now what?

We're very excited to have added a few new scouts to our roster this past week!  Welcome, welcome, welcome to the happy camper adventure!

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Until the new families are set up in Scoutbook and can view our full calendar, we wanted to share some key dates that we have on the books for 2020.  If you're unable to read this clearly, you can click the image so it opens to a window, which you *should* be able to print: 

 

People have also asked what kind of gear their scouts need.  As mentioned in >> this post << the troop provides: tents, cooking equipment, and canopies.  Your scout will definitely need a sleeping bag and sleeping pad.  We recommend bags that are temperature rated to at least 20F.   My rule of thumb is to add 15 degrees to a temperature rating.  For example, I'd be warm in a 20F bag if the temperature dipped to 35.  But if the mercury dropped below that level, I'd be chattering.   

That's where a fleece liner can come in handy.  Doesn't add much weight to your bag, but if you need it - it will add another 15F to your bag warmth, so I'd be in OK shape if the temperatures were to drop to actually drop to 20F.  

Here's a >> great write-up << for more information on sleeping bag ratings.   

And here's a >> great write-up << for more information on sleeping bag liners. 

One of the MOST IMPORTANT PIECES OF GEAR that you can invest in, aside from a sleeping bag that will provide sufficient warmth .... is your sleeping pad.  Please pay heed when I gently suggest:

DO NOT GO CHEAP ON YOUR SLEEPING PAD!! 

The absolutely coldest nights I've ever spent in my entire life were on ineffective sleeping pads.  The yoga mat that my mother loaned me for my camping trip to the Smoky Mountains in 1985 comes to mind.  Or the time I slept on a cot in the Sierra Nevadas in March of 1993.   It would have been warmer to sleep directly on the snow.  Worst of all, perhaps, was the night we slept on an air mattress on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. With nearly 40 years of camping experience under our belts, we thought we were So Smart, because air would circulate in that space and keep us warm.  

Alas, our logic regarding thermodynamics was dashed when we realized at 2 AM that as the temperature dropped to the low 30's all of the warm air from our bodies was lost to the frigid conditions that blew down from the arctic and circulated beneath our tushies.  

Unless your name is Frosty and you like to dance around with a broomstick and corn cob pipe .... it was dreadful. ⛄

The good news is that there are an abundance of fantastic sleeping pad options out there, that will help keep your scout toasty warm and ensure the best possible sleeping conditions for a good night's rest.  (Which is critically important when you're camping!)  

Yet again, I will defer to the experts at REI who can sum it up a lot better than me.  Without further ado, here's a >> great write-up << for more information on sleeping pads. 

In addition to the sleeping bag and liner, and sleeping pad, here are some other things that we'd recommend for your scout: 

• A sturdy backpack or duffel bag (with hearty zippers!) that can tote their gear 

• Packable / lightweight camping chair

• Flashlight (I'd suggest a headlamp - we love our Black Diamond brand)

• Clothing: thermal underwear (NOT cotton); warm hat, gloves, rain coat, wide-brimmed hat, hiking shoes / boots; socks with liners, water shoes that they can wear in to water and come out with again (e.g., Tevas, Keens, etc. with back support unlike Crocs which will slip off). Sandals are also useful for camp showers.  

• Mess kit - while the troop has supplies, it's nice to have your own, particularly a good insulated cup with lid for hot chocolate in the morning  (yay!)

• Durable water bottle & pocket knife 

There are a lot of references for more exhaustive lists for camping gear.  In fact, here's one from BSA >> Packing Checklists for Camping Trips.   But the best way to figure out what you need - is to get out there and do it and then add / remove as you become more experienced. 

One thing is for sure.... with Troop 890's monthly camping schedule - there will be an abundance of opportunities to refine and perfect the gear list.   

Nature is wonderful, awesome, and heals the soul.  

So. Get. Out. There! 

Philmont Scout Ranch

Philmont Scout Ranch is considered a crown-jewel of the Boy Scout of America program.  It is located in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico ... which always brings to mind Paul Simon's classic song, Heart and Bones.

Philmont is comprised of more than 214 square miles of rugged wilderness that was gifted to the BSA in 1938 and 1941 by Mr. Waite Phillips.

This past summer, a few of our scouts had the opportunity to attend the Philmont Family Adventure Camp, while other scouts were participating in a high-adventure trek.

An article was recently published on the Family Adventure Camp that we attended in last month's Scouting magazine.  In fact, here's a photograph of the magazine photographers photographing us....

Photographing them, under the Tooth of Time! 

In the summer of 2020, several scouts from our chartered organization, will be traveling to Philmont to participate in NAYLE (National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience) and subsequently, a Philmont trek.  The Family Adventure Camp is a great alternative for people who would like to attend Philmont, but not participate in a high-adventure activity.  Or, stay at the beautiful facility - while their scouts are participating in a trek, or leadership training program.  

Families with infants, all the way up to great-grandparents who were there to celebrate their 85th birthday, were seen at Philmont.   EVERYONE loves Philmont!  

We are so grateful that we live in a place that travel to this facility is achievable with a (long) day drive, and that our scouts - and leaders - all have an opportunity to experience this beautiful and magical space .... that has been made possible by the incredible generosity of the Phillips family. 

Add this to our resume: CPR/AED and First Aid Trained

This past weekend, Troop 890 descended upon The Woodlands Emergency Training Center where they spent a full day on Saturday, earning the First Aid Merit Badge.



As part of the Merit Badge, they learned how to perform CPR and use an AED ...









On both infants AND adults ... 



Perform the Heimlich Maneuver ...

Provide first aid for burns - cuts - frost bite - poisonous plants and insects ...



Affix a tourniquet ...

Splint a broken bone ... 

Transport an amputated joint (or limb).... 

Assemble a proper first aid kit.  

And so, so much more! 

We had a full 9-hour day of instruction with Mr. Larry Clark and Mr. Harry Brown, both were outstanding (we would highly recommend this training center - and instructors - everything was great!).  While we hope that we never have to use these skills, should the need arise, our Scouts are that much more capable of fulfilling the Scout Oath of helping people at all times... 

And the Scout Motto: Be Prepared! 

Camping @ Mission Tejas

This past weekend, 7 of our 11 Amazons went camping at Mission Tejas State Park.  We arrived in the pouring rain on Friday night - and our scouts wasted no time getting their tents and cooking area set up.  They are becoming extremely proficient in the outdoors which is awesome! 

It was especially awesome that they kept an incredibly tidy area, and all of their picnic table covers - and bench seats - matched.  These girls sure know how to camp in style. 

Saturday morning it was still drizzling when they prepared for themselves a hearty breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and fruit.  After they cleaned up after themselves ..... 

They learned about orienteering and took off on a 1-mile hike in order to complete their 1st Class rank requirement for navigation.   It was fun to watch them use a map and compass to find the various spots around the course - and they were only slightly vexed to discover that the boys from Troop 89 - had found a few of the Starburst candies which were planted as a treat for various spots along their route.   The boys, meanwhile, were elated to find seven carefully hidden pieces of candy in various nooks and crannies around the hiking area.

The smiley face was one of the last points on their course.  This indicated that they had indeed navigated to the correct location!

Saturday night's dinner consisted of beef stew and cornbread, and was such a hit....

The Amazons landed the coveted Iron Skillet award!

Saturday evening consisted of card playing - skit performances - and campfire time.

Meanwhile, at the adult camp ... wow did they eat well, too!  They were fortunate enough to share meals with the adult leaders of Troop 89, and were treated to gourmet meals prepared in Dutch ovens.

Gourmet meals like ... Quiche Lorraine!

And baked stuffed shrimp!

And bread pudding and whipped cream for dessert!

These kind of items on the menu would taste wonderful - anytime.  But enjoying this kind of food while you're CAMPING makes it taste even better.  What a luxury!

The night, which was getting chillier by the minute (with temperatures that wound up dropping in to the 30's)  ended with a wonderful bonfire - that was made all the more special with Magical Flames!

It was also made all the more hilarious - because we didn't immediately tell the boys that we had added anything to the fire so they weren't sure what was happening and kept rubbing their eyes thinking that they were seeing things.  "Does anyone else see the purple flame or it is just me....? Is that THANOS?!"  We suggested that maybe it was all the Starbursts they found and ate?!   Ha!

Also included in this post are some photos of the incredible structures at Mission Tejas, including the Rice Family home.  Once we learned how challenging it was to cut down a tree, score, and construct a log as the early settlers did, we can see how it would EASILY take 10 years to build a home like this with the notched beam construction.

Mission Tejas is a beautiful park - with a lot to see (especially if you're interested in early American architecture), and and definitely worth a stop and visit if you are ever in this part of Texas!

Backpacking @ Lake Ouachita

The week before Thanksgiving, Troop 890 joined our brother troop, 89, for an awesome 3-day backpacking trek in the Lake Ouachita region of Arkansas.  It was an incredible experience, albeit a bit cold! Over three days, we experienced highs in the 70’s, lows in the high 20’s... and traversed 20 miles.  The scenery was beautiful and the terrain gave us some good practice for our Philmont trek we’ll be taking this summer.  These girls are TROOPERS!  

Info on our Troop

We thought it might be useful to provide some information on our Troop to help people understand a little bit about who we are - what we do - and how to connect.

We know this looks tiny but if you click on the image, it will open in a pop up window that you should be capable of reading without a microscope!

Welcome!

Greetings!  You have come to the blog of Troop 890 of The Woodlands, Texas.  We are the first Boy Scout of America (BSA) troop that is specifically for GIRLS in The Woodlands.  🏕

We are linked to BSA Troop 89, and our charter organization is the Lord of Life Lutheran Church.  Our troop was founded in 2019 and currently consists of 11 scouts ranging in age from 11 to 15.  We are fast on our way to becoming the first female EAGLE scouts in not only Texas, but the world!   🦅

We'll be using this space to post stories and pictures about our troop and the awesome activities that we do (including camping, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, shooting sports, rock climbing, wood working, wilderness survival, life saving, horseback riding, volunteering, community service, etc. etc. ETC!). We're excited to document our adventures and how we are growing both as a Troop and as strong, independent, confident, self-reliant, young women leaders that can not only tie a one-handed bowline and set up a tent in the driving snow .... but also provide support to our community, and lead spirit rallies for the masses! ❤

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about us, please drop us an email at BSATroopers890@gmail.com, or check us out on Facebook and/or Instagram.  Links to our social media sites can be found on the right of this page >>>   😊