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December 2020 – Camp Barton Service Project

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.

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November 2020 – Camp Ellis

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. 

October 2020 – Camp Ellis

The Troop stayed local for October and camped at Camp Ellis in Vestal.  Scouts worked on several advancement requirements for the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class.  Activities included:
  • Making a bench for the building a camp gadget requirement;
  • Learning the proper use and safety standards for knives, axes, and saws to complete the Totin’ Chip
  • Campfire safety and building methods for Firem’s Chit
  • Cooking methods including how to turn a copy paper box into an oven to make a cake.
 
Arrow of Light candidates from Cub Scout Packs 244 and 221 also stayed with the Troop and worked with Scouts on their own advancement requirements.
 
For more information on Camp Ellis, please visit the History section of our website:
www.troop221.com/history
 
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September 2020 – Herkimer Diamond Mines

After six months of no campouts due to COVID-19, the Troop travelled to Herkimer Diamond Mines in Herkimer, NY.  Scouts had the opportunity to visit the above ground surface mines and search for the Herkimer Diamond Quartz Crystals.  Using hammers, Scouts broke open rocks to search for the crystals.  At the end of the day, Scouts had the opportunity to ring the school bell at the Miner’s Village Rockhound Academy.   

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Summer 2020 - Service within the Community

Over the summer, Scouts from Troop 221 participated in several service projects.  Scouts from the Troop went to the Discovery Center to help clean up the story garden.  In partnership with the African Road Elementary School PTA, Scouts worked on the preparing a courtyard for the new school year.  Finally, Scouts volunteered at a potato harvest to support the Broome County Food Bank hosted by the Southern Tier Tractor Club.  With the help of our Scouts and other volunteers, over 20,000 pounds of potatoes were harvested.

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Summer 2020 - Social Distance Scouting

 As with everything in life, COVID-19 impacted everything our Scouts did.  During the lockdown, Scouts participated in virtual Troop meetings to continue rank advancement and Scout skills.  Virtual merit badge classes were held for merit badges like American Business, Citizenship in the Nation and Citizenship in the World to name a few. Several Scouts also participated in the BSA National Camp-In were Scouts camped and cooked in their backyard and the opportunity to see special guest via a national broadcast.  Even with all the restrictions in place, Scouts from Troop 221 continued to participate in the Scout program and learn new skills.

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Arrow of Light Crossover with Packs 221 and 244

During February and March, Cub Scout Packs 221 and 244 held their Annual Blue and Gold Dinners to celebrate Scouting and the achievements of the Scouts in the Pack.  This is also a time when Arrow of Light Scouts crossover and join a Troop.  This year, five Scouts crossed over and joined Troop 221.  During the crossover ceremony, Scouts from our Troop welcomed the new Scouts with a Troop 221 neckerchief, a tradition that we continue each year.  The neckerchief becomes an official part of the new Scouts uniform once he goes on a campout with the Troop.  Congratulations to Ben, Chris, David, Eli, and Jackson for earning their Arrow of Light award and crossing over into Boy Scouts.

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February 2020 – Greek Peak

The Troop went to Greek Peak Mountain Resort for the weekend.  Part of the Troop participated in a Learn To Ski program with all-day lift tickets while the rest of the Troop took advantage of the Adventure Center and utilized the tubing hill.  Arrow of Light Candidates from Park 221 and 244 attended the weekend with the Troop.

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January 2020 – Binghamton University

In place of one of our normal Wednesday meetings, the Troop toured the Innovative Technologies Complex (ITC) at Binghamton University.  Scouts were treated to tours of the labs and experiments.  Please see the following link for information on this world class lab right in our community.  https://www.binghamton.edu/ssie/research/labs/index.html

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January 2020 - SUNY Delhi Merit Badge Maddness

Scouts headed to SUNY Delhi to work on badges at the Merit Badge Madness Weekend. Over 25 different badges were offered for the Scouts.