2019
December 2019 - Camp Barton Wood Cutting
December 2019
Once again this December, the Troop headed to Camp Barton for our annual service project. We cut, split, stacked firewood for the camp to use throughout the season. Scouts earn conservation service hours for the work they complete on Saturday. They troop leaders also prepared a delicious meal of deep fried turkeys with all the fixins for the Scouts.
See all the pictures here!
See all the pictures here!
November 2019 - West Point Football
November 2019
The Troop again traveled to West Point to take a tour of the United States Military Academy and attend an Army Black Nights football game. This year we saw them face off against the UMass Minutemen, Army won the game 63 to 7.
Troop 221 Recognizes Richard and Sylvia Place
November 2019
On Friday, November 1, Richard and Sylvia Place, of Vestal, were recognized for their longtime service to Vestal Boy Scout Troop 221. Three dozen attended a dinner arranged by the troop’s committee at the Silo Restaurant in Coventry.
Friends, family and alumni contributed pictures on display, fond memories and well wishes were shared, including several from people who could not be there.
Hal Ehrhardt, a two-time Scoutmaster, presented the two with freestanding awards engraved as follows:
Presented on November 1, 2019 to Richard Place, a Vestal scout and scouter who earned his Eagle rank in 1956, in appreciation of his continuous dedication to Vestal Boy Scout Troop 221.
Presented on November 1, 2019 to Sylvia Place in appreciation of her many years of service to Vestal Boy Scout Troop 221, and the positive impact she has had on lives of hundreds of scouts.
Friends, family and alumni contributed pictures on display, fond memories and well wishes were shared, including several from people who could not be there.
Hal Ehrhardt, a two-time Scoutmaster, presented the two with freestanding awards engraved as follows:
Presented on November 1, 2019 to Richard Place, a Vestal scout and scouter who earned his Eagle rank in 1956, in appreciation of his continuous dedication to Vestal Boy Scout Troop 221.
Presented on November 1, 2019 to Sylvia Place in appreciation of her many years of service to Vestal Boy Scout Troop 221, and the positive impact she has had on lives of hundreds of scouts.
October 2019 - New York City
October 2019
Scouts travelled to New York City this month to see the Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. We camped in New Jersey at Camp Alpine in the beautiful woodlands of the palisades just minutes from the city.
October 2019 – Fall Court of Honor
October 2019
During our Fall Court of Honor, the Troop celebrated the work the Scouts put in over the previous few months including their trip to Camp Barton over the summer. In total, thirteen Scouts were recognized for their rank advancement and sixty eight merit badges were awarded. In addition, Scouts were recognized for special awards including Barton B from Camp Barton, Totin’ Chip, Firem’n Chit, BSA Work Conservation Award, and National Outdoor Award for Camping.
September 2019 - Camp Ellis
September 2019
Scouts camped at our local Camp Ellis this month and worked on Scout skills and advancement. Work was done to help clear the trails and mark them so they can be easily identified. Scouts also split and stacked firewood for use at the camp.
July 2019 – Summer Camp at Camp Barton
July 2019
The Troop went to Camp Barton in Trumansburg, NY for a week of Summer Camp. The Scouts worked on a series of merit badges, finished requirements for rank advancement, and participated in several camp wide activities. The Scouts had a great week and look forward to going back to Barton next summer. Several of the pictures on the blog for this post were taken by Peterson Kressly and Ryan Scarangella as they completed the Photography Merit badge.
Click here to see pictures form the week
Click here to see pictures form the week
June 2019 – Poconos Whitewater Rafting
June 2019
This year the Troop camped at Hickory Run State Park and went on a whitewater rafting trip in Jim Thorpe, PA.
Click here for photos
Click here for photos
May 2019 – Buck Farm Shooting Sports Weekend
May 2019
Each May, the Troop holds a Shooting Sports Weekend were Scouts are trained on archery, rifle and shotgun with a focus on proper technique and safety.
Click here for photos
Click here for photos
April 2019 – Aviation Merit Badge:
April 2019
The Scouts had the opportunity to travel to the Ithaca area and earn the Aviation Merit Badge. Requirements included understanding to look for on a pre-flight checklist, different types of aviation, careers in the aviation industry, and how to read navigation carts.
March 2019 - Spring Court of Honor
March 2019
At our Spring Court of Honor, Scouts were recognized for their achievements over the past couple of months including ranks, merit badges and special awards.
Ranks:
Scout: Chrystian, Kohle, Viggo, Oliver, Daniel, Mason, Emerson, Jacob, and Earth
Second Class: Michael. Peterson, Ryan
Star: Riley
Life: Joey
Merit Badges:
Nathan: Citizenship In Nation & Citizenship In World
Carson: Electricity & Fingerprinting MB
Nick: Citizenship In Nation & Citizenship In World
Joey: Citizenship In Nation & Citizenship In World
Elie: Citizenship In Nation & Citizenship In World
Michael: Disabilities Awareness
Riley: Citizenship In Nation, Citizenship In World & Cooking
Simon: Chess & Disabilities Awareness
Taylor: Citizenship In World & Emergency Preparedness
Domenic: First Aid
World Conversation Award: Nathan & Elie
National Outdoor Award – Camping: Nathan, Joey, Taylor & Domenic
Ranks:
Scout: Chrystian, Kohle, Viggo, Oliver, Daniel, Mason, Emerson, Jacob, and Earth
Second Class: Michael. Peterson, Ryan
Star: Riley
Life: Joey
Merit Badges:
Nathan: Citizenship In Nation & Citizenship In World
Carson: Electricity & Fingerprinting MB
Nick: Citizenship In Nation & Citizenship In World
Joey: Citizenship In Nation & Citizenship In World
Elie: Citizenship In Nation & Citizenship In World
Michael: Disabilities Awareness
Riley: Citizenship In Nation, Citizenship In World & Cooking
Simon: Chess & Disabilities Awareness
Taylor: Citizenship In World & Emergency Preparedness
Domenic: First Aid
World Conversation Award: Nathan & Elie
National Outdoor Award – Camping: Nathan, Joey, Taylor & Domenic
March 2019 - Washington D.C.
March 2019
For this year’s trip to Washington, the Troop started the trip by visiting the Library of Congress to see exhibits including Baseball Americana and the Gutenberg Bible. The Supreme Court was next. Scouts had the opportunity to see the Courtroom and participate in a Courtroom Lecture. On Saturday, the Scouts visited Arlington National Cemetery to see President John F. Kennedy’s grave, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the memorials for the two Space Shuttle accidents. Finally, the Troop visited the National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center by Dulles International Airport. Exhibits included the Space Shuttle Discovery, a Lockheed SR71 Blackbird and the Boeing B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay.
Click here for pictures
Click here for pictures
February 2019 – Camp Woodland Snow Shoe Weekend
February 2019
For February, the Troop travelled to Camp Woodland near the north shore of Oneida Lake in Constantia, N.Y. Scouts utilized the camp’s snow shoes for a five-mile hike through the snow-covered trails. In addition, Scouts worked on skills for advancement including map and compass, identify tracks from wild animals, cooking with a small backpack stoves, and fire building.
Click here for pictures
Click here for pictures
January 2019 – Merit Badge Madness
January 2019
Scouts attended Merit Badge Madness at SUNY Delhi hosted by the Leatherstocking Council. Between a morning and afternoon session, Scouts earned a total of 19 merit badges. Scouts camp at Camp Henderson in Maryland, NY and took advantage of the snow for a some fun and games.