Amazing (although chilly at night!) weekend at Enchanted Rock park visiting the WWII Museum of the Pacific in Fredericksburg and rock climbing at ER State Park.

A small group of T140 Scouts enjoyed the Fall foliage more reminiscent of the East Coast than central Texas at Lost Maples State Natural Area near Vanderpool.  The Scouts looped around the park, hitting almost every trail, to backpack 16 miles with two nights of primitive camping.  They work towards Backpacking and Cooking Merit Badges while enjoying really nice weather.  It was an excellent learning experience for those destined for Philmont in 2022, from treating water, to trail cooking, and proper gear selection.

Thunderwolf District held its annual Order of the Arrow (OA) Call-out for their newest potential members on Saturday, October 24th.  T140 was well represented by Scouts elected by their fellow Scouts this year and last.

Parker celebrated his much-delayed Eagle Court of Honor on August 15, 2020.  In attendance were his parents, siblings, other family, Patrol members, and special guest Gilbert Villarreal.  Congratulations to Parker on the ultimate Scouting achievement.

Magnetic North vs. True North:  What’s the difference?  Which does my compass point to?  What is the magnetic declination for where I live?  All questions Scouts should know the answer to.  However, it seems the change in magnetic north’s location is increasing.  Being able to convert from magnetic to true north may be more important in the future.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a32496561/why-magnetic-north-pole-moving/

Below are the results from the survey eliciting input for next season’s campouts.  The clear favorite was a canoe trip to Caddo Lake, which has numerous paddle trails amongst cypress trees.  Other top vote getters were a backpacking trip at Four Notch, an “Adventure Race” themed campout, and canoeing the CO River.

Troop 140 held a Scout Parade for the Troop’s graduating Scouts, Adam Jimenez & Adrian Castillo.  The Troop wanted to give them a special send-off considering they missed the typical end as a Senior in High School.

Can’t go camping? Brandon I. didn’t let that stop him from completing his Second Class fire building requirement. He built a fire in his driveway on a piece of sheetrock. Great job, Brandon!

As part of the Scouts BSA’s National Camp-In, Troop 140 held a “virtual” campout. Scouts “Social Distanced” by camping in their own backyards or houses. The campout also included competitions for the best themed tent and skit, won by the O’Nans and TJ respectively. A “virtual” campfire was hosted of Zoom for all to join in.

Link to the winning skit by TJ Saenz

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Jz33OSZ3A3_ndP07ugkYZ9RZUKcyfULP

Troop 140 performed Service Hours at St. Angela Merici and Ridge Point HS by picking up trash. Scouts “Social Distanced” by breaking the locations up into different areas and cleaning them at different times with their own family members.