June 2022 – Whitewater Rafting Trip on the Hudson
June 2022
For our water sports campout, the Troop traveled to Warrensburg, NY and worked with the Wild Waters Outdoor Center for the rafting trip. Scouts and leaders participated in a 17 mile rafting trip.
Click here to see more pictures!
Click here to see more pictures!
May 2022 – Shooting Sports Weekend
May 2022
Scouts participated in the Troops annual shooting sports weekend and learned about safety and proper use of rifle, shotgun and archery equipment. New this year was the tomahawk throwing range. This was a request from the Scouts that went to Philmont during the summer of 2021.
April 2022 – Corning Museum of Glass
April 2022
The Troop toured the Corning Museum of Glass and had to opportunity to participate in glass blowing, sand blasting and glass fusing activities. On Sunday, the Troop hiked through a portion of Watkins Glenn State Park. Newer Scouts need a five mile hike with compass for rank advancement, so the Troop utilized to park to fulfill this requirement and visit a great site.
Click here to see pictures from the weekend!
Click here to see pictures from the weekend!
March 2022 – Washington DC
March 2022
The Troop returned to Washington DC this year and spent two days touring the city. The National Museum of the United States Army opened in November of 2020 and this was the first time the Scouts had the opportunity to visit. In addition, the Troop visited the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
December 2021 – Camp Barton Wood Cutting Service Project
December 2021
The Troop returned to Camp Barton to complete our annual service project. Scouts and adults help with clearing down trees as well as cut, split, and stack firewood for the camp to use throughout the year. Adult leaders prepare a large meal for the Scouts and volunteers to help celebrate the year and giving thanks for the opportunity to give back to the camp.
Click here for pictures!
Click here for pictures!
November 2021 – New York City
November 2021
Scouts visited New York City for our November campout. Scouts visited the Liberty Science Center, Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty. Camp Alpine served as the Troop’s campsite and offered great views of the palisades.
November 2021 – Fall Court of Honor
November 2021
The Troop hosted its Fall Court on Honor in November to celebrate the advancement and merit badge work the Scouts have competed over the past few months. This was also an opportunity to recognize the work completed during Summer Camp at Camp Tuscarora and Philmont Scout Ranch.
October 2021 – Camp Ellis
October 2021
The Troop invited Webelos from Pack’s 221 and 244 to camp with the Scouts for the weekend. The Scouts helped the Webelos with outdoor advancement requirements as well as showed how the Troop operates on a campout.
September 2021 – Annapolis, MD
September 2021
September 11th, 2021 marked the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. The mark this sober occasion, the Air Force Academy played the Naval Academy for their annual football game. Before and throughout the game, tributes we paid to those that lost their lives during the attacks and the first responders that rushed in to help those in need.
July 2021 – Philmont Scout Ranch
July 2021
Scouts from Troop 221 were joined by Scouts from Troop 152 from a high adventure trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. During the course of their 10 day 70 mile backpacking trek, Scouts had the opportunity to participate in several activities including shooting sports events, spar pole climbing, forestry service project and may others. The hardest day included in a 13 mile trek up and over Baldy Mountain which offer an indescribable view of the surrounding area.
Click here for a presentation on the trip
Click here for pictures from the trip!
Click here for a presentation on the trip
Click here for pictures from the trip!
July 2021 – Summer Camp at Camp Tuscarora
July 2021
Scouts returned to in-person summer camp and the Troop spent the week at Camp Tuscarora this year. Scouts worked on a variety of programs and earned over 40 merit badges during the week. Merit badges ranged from outdoor skills like Camping, Cooking and Pioneering, to emergency skills for Frist Aid and Emergency Prep, and life skills like Wood Carving, Forestry and Pioneering to name a few.
Flag Day 2021
June 2021
Each year, the Vestal Elks Lodge hosts an event to discuss the history of the American Flag. Troop 221 joins with other area Troop to support this event and serve as color guard for the different flags throughout the ceremony.
June 2021 – Canoe Trip
June 2021
Scouts travelled to Cortland, NY to canoe down the Tioughnioga River to Marathon, NY. The trip is approximately 15 miles, but with currents, wind and paddling skills, Scouts and adults can pick up a few extra miles along the trip.
May 2021 - Buck Farm Shooting Sports Weekend
May 2021
The Troop returned to Buck Farm for the annual shooting sports weekend. COVID caused the cancellation in 2020, so Scouts were excited to return to this campout and participate in archery, rifle and shotgun ranges. BSA / NRA trained leaders instruct the Scouts on proper techniques as well as ensure safety protocols are followed om each of the ranges.
March and April 2021 – Camp Ellis
April 2021
With COVID restrictions in place on several venues, the Scouts decided to stay local and hold their campouts at Camp Ellis for February, March and April campouts. During the three campouts, Scouts worked on outdoor skills including building camp gadgets; knife, saw and ax safety; safe hiking; shelter building and skills related to rank advancement. The patrols also returned to the patrol method for cooking.
February 2021 – Greek Peak
January 2021
The Troop returned to Greek Peak to take part in their Learn to Ski program. Troop leadership provided lunch “tail-gate” style in the parking lot while the Scouts utilized the all-day lift ticket to ski as much as they wanted.
January 2021 – Camp Tuscarora
January 2021
Scouts travelled to Camp Tuscarora for a day hike and used the snow shoes. Camp Tuscarora, located in Windsor, NY is one of two camps supported by the Baden-Powell Council. With fresh snow on the ground, Scouts had the opportunity to experience using snow shoes to travel though the woods and up and down hills. Camp Tuscarora offers some great views of the surrounding area from the tops of several hills.
January 2021 – Court of Honor
January 2021
On Wednesday, January 13th, the Troop held is first every hybrid Court of Honor. With restrictions on the number able to attend in person, the Troop invited families to attend via Zoom. Senior Patrol Leader Elie and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Nathan hosted the ceremony while Carson , Nick, Joe, Tristan, Michael Juriga, Peterson, Riley, and Ryan served as MC’s as part of their work for Communication Merit Badge. Viggo, Simal, Kohle and Peterson served as the color guard. In total, over 70 merit badges and 29 ranks were awarded. Work on the merit badges and ranks was completed over the last 12 months in a combination of in-person and virtual sessions.
For a complete list of what the Scouts earned, please click here!
For a complete list of what the Scouts earned, please click here!
December 2020 – Camp Barton Service Project
December 2020
Each December, Troop 221 completes a service project at Camp Barton. Scouts and adults help with clearing down trees as well as cut, split, and stack firewood for the camp to use throughout the year. COVID-19 forced the Troop to approach this weekend differently, but the Scouts and leaders managed to put in over 40 hours of service to the camp.
Click here to see some pictures!
Click here to see some pictures!
November 2020 – Camp Ellis
November 2020
The Troop returned to Camp Ellis for the November campout to continue to work on advancement and Scout skills. For this month, the focus was on hiking skills. The Scouts took a five mile hike through the camp and worked on map and compass skills as well as reviewed the ten essential items for a safe hike.