Mystery Hike Campout at Bass River State Forest

Troop 88 enjoyed a great weekend of camping and hiking in the Bass River State Forest in Burlington County, NJ. The trip was well worth the two hour drive to the State Park down near the Jersey Shore.

Bass River State Forest was the first forest acquired by the state of New Jersey in 1905 for public recreation, water conservation, and wildlife and timber management. Lake Absegami, a 67-acre lake created in the 1930's, is the center of the forest's recreational activities and provides an area for swimming, boating and canoeing. The forest consists of 18,208 Acres within the Pine Barrens of Burlington and Ocean Counties about 25 miles north of Atlantic City, not far from exit 50 of the Garden State Parkway.

WhileSaturday was a bit damp and cool, the scouts managed to build what may have been the largest campfire the Troop has had in a long time. Temperatures dipped below freezing overnight but Sunday gave us a clear blue sky and warmer temperatures.

In keeping with a long tradition, Troop 88 took their "Mystery Hike" over the weekend. New scouts are encouraged to attend this hike in their first year as it is an enlightening experience. Also in keeping with tradition, I am unable to tell our readers what the hike involves. Lets just say that even those of us who have taken the hike before find the experience exciting.

At times leaving the hair on the back of your neck standing up a bit.








For the curious among you, I have placed a couple of hints below that may give you clues about the "Mystery" in the Mystery Hike.

Hint Number 1
Hint Number 2
Hint Number 3
Hint Number 4
Hint Number 5

September 2007 Sarnoff Canoe Trip & Campout

Turning Basin Canoe Rentals at the Canal on Alexander Road in Princeton.

Scoutmaster David Wertz demonstrates the importance of life jackets, and more importantly, a balanced entry into the canoe.

Troop 88 embarks on the two hour canoe trip from the Turning Basin launch to the Troop 88 campsite in the woods behind Sarnoff.

The least favorite part of the trip is the passage under the Route 1 bridge where the scouts manoeuvre their way around any low hanging spider webs.

Once out of the canal and onto the gently moving Millstone River, the natural beauty of the outdoors is amazing. We saw fish, cranes, swans and geese. It is easy to believe you are miles from civilization.

The dense foliage on the banks of the Millstone River and the numerous water lillies are in stark contrast to the well kept banks of the canal. Turtles are everywhere.

Once we reached camp it was time to set up the tents, gather some wood and start a fire before taking a well deserved rest (at least for the adults.)

The activity at the campsite picks up at dinner time and around the campfire afterward. And no Sarnoff campout would be complete without a challenging game of capture the flag.

We awoke to a beautiful and sunny autumn day, perfect for our canue trip back to civilization. After breaking camp, and leaving it just as we found it, we got in our canoes.

The beautiful scenery we saw along the Millstone River on our way back was spectacular. The sights, the sounds, and the smells of the outdoors overwhelm the senses.

Once again we make the necessary passage under the Route 1 bridge. Paddle as quick as possible and don't look up.

A friendly bet between scouts and adult leraders in the various boats led to a spirited race through the canal.

Last, but certainly not least, our fearless leader and Scoutmaster Mr. David Wertz, paddles into port at the Turning Basin launch.

A careful departure from the boat is just as important and a careful entry. You don't want to travel dry for two hours only to fall in getting out of the canoe.

Mr. Steve Schloss and his son Dan were our only "kayakers" (non-comformists at heart.) They bid farwell to all for yet another very memorable experince enjoying the beautiful outdoors.

THIS IS WHAT SCOUTING IS ALL ABOUT !!!

Troop 88 Blog under repair

Our apologies for the condition of the Troop 88 blog. We are working to remove the large amount of SPAM that has cluttered up our site and hope to have the Blog site back up and functional in the near future.

Yours in Scouting,

Dan Dabbs
Assistant Scoutmaster

Memorial Day Parade

Activities for March and April

We had a busy meeting last night! We will have a Forrestal clean up at 1:00 this Sunday (unless we have snow cover again). It looks like we will have 8 Cub Scouts bridging to Troop 88 in the next few weeks:

Friday, March 3 6:15-8:30 pm Grover Middle School
New Troop 88 Scout
Peter Carman
Troop 88
Michael Carman
Alan Wertz
Dan Dabbs
David Wertz
Kent Allenby (tentative)

Sunday, March 5 1:00-2:00 Forrestal Clean-up

Sunday, March 5 5:30 Princeton Day School Cafeteria
New Troop 88 Scouts
Mark O'Connell
Emmett Burke
Absnel Esteban
William Meyers
Nyle Neumann
Troop 88
Brian Allenby
Nolan Mickey
Alan Wertz
Pat Mickey
Kent Allenby

Monday, March 6 Regular meeting
Troop Committee Meeting (bring your Scout Books with you and wear your neckerchiefs!)

Tuesday, March 14 7:00-8:00 pm Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church
New Troop 88 Scouts
Brandon Mak
Kento Wada
Troop 88
Dante Ingato
Ross Merkin
Dan Schloss
Dan Dabbs
Kent Allenby

March 18-19 or 25-26 (depending on everyone's schedules): Sarnoff Campout

April 28-30 Central New Jersey Council Camporee "Be Prepared"
Middlesex County Fairgrounds
East Brunswick

That's about it for now.

See you all on Sunday at 1:00 pm at the turn at Forrestal.

Regards,

Kent Allenby

Peter's Bridging

Maureen,

Michael let us know that Peter will be bridging to Troop 88 this Friday from 6:15-8:30 at the Grover Middle School. To receive him with open arms will be:

Michael Carman Eagle Scout
Alan Wertz First Class Scout
Dan Dabbs Assistant Scoutmaster
David Wertz Assistant Scoutmaster

I will try and make it, but it will be a close thing.

We look forward to Peter carrying on Michael's tradition (and enjoying himself).

Regards,

Kent

New Scouts to Join Troop 88 from Pack 40

Mary,

We had our regular meeting last night and look forward to welcoming Brandon Mak and Kento Wada to Troop 88 at your Arrow of Light Ceremony on Tuesday, March 14 at the Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church from 7-8 pm. Bob and I will work out the final mechanics of our part of the AOL script when we arrive for the ceremony. Attending from Troop 88 will be:

Ross Merkin Life Scout
Dante Ingato Life Scout
Dan Schloss Star Scout
Dan Dabbs Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 88
Kent Allenby Scoutmaster, Troop 88

Last night we also set the schedule for the next couple of months. For March we are planning a local campout at our site on the Sarnoff property next to the Millstone River off Route 1 (a good starter campout for the new Scouts and close enough for their parents to visit if they want). The dates will be either March 18-19 or 25-26 depending on the Scout's schedules. For April, we are planning to attend the Central New Jersey Council Camporee, "Be Prepared" at the Middlesex Country Fairgrounds in East Brunswick on April 28-30.

If anyone asks what equipment the new Scouts might need, please pass along that we will go over this at the first couple of meetings they attend. It's probably best not to go out to a high end store and buy bunch of equipment as we have some in our Troop Room at the Church and one of the best places to get good but reasonably priced gear is Target.

We look forward to seeing you on March 14 and welcoming the new members of Troop 88.

Regards,

Kent Allenby
Scoutmaster, Troop 88
home phone 609-921-7472
cell phone 609-240-9389
Allenby.Kent@kyowa-kpi.com

Pack 43 Blue and Gold

Dear Pat and Daniel

We had our weekly meeting last night and look forward to welcoming the five Scouts from Den 12 into Troop 88 at Pack 43's Blue and Gold dinner this Sunday at 5:30 pm at the Princeton Day School cafeteria. Attending from Troop 88 will be:

Brian Allenby Life Scout, Senior Patrol Leader
Nolan Mickey First Class Scout
Alan Wertz First Class Scout
Pat Mickey Chair, Troop Committee
Kent Allenby Scoutmaster, Troop 88

We look forward to welcoming the five Scouts:
Mark O'Connell
Emmett Burke
Absnel Esteban
William Meyers
Nyle Neumann

Last night, we also set up the schedule for the next couple of months. For March, we are planning a local campout on the Sarnoff property next to the Millstone River off Route 1 (a good starter campout for the new Scouts and close enough that their parents can visit the campsite). The dates will be March 18-19 or 25-26, depending on the Scout's availability. For April, we will be attending the Central New Jersey Council Camporee, "Be Prepared" at the Middlesex County Fairgrounds in East Brunswick on April 28-30. If any of the Scout's families ask what equipment they might need, please pass along we will discuss this at the first couple of meetings they attend. It's probably best not to go out to a high end store and buy a bunch of equipment as we have some in our Troop Room at the church and one of the best places to get good but reasonably priced gear is Target.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday and welcoming the new members of Troop 88.

Regards,

Kent Allenby
Scoutmaster, Troop 88
home phone 609-921-7472
cell phone 609-240-9389
Allenby.Kent@kyowa-kpi.com

New Scouts in March

Good news! Brandon Mak and Kento Wada from Weblos Pack 40 have decided to join Troop 88. They will bridge at the Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church in Princeton Junction from 7:00-8:00 on Tuesday, March 14. I will be there but it also would be nice to have 1 or 2 of our senior Scouts present to welcome them into Troop 88. Is anyone interested in joining me?

Regards,

Kent Allenby

Cabin Camping at KMSR Scout Reservation

A great weekend at KMSR was had by the Scouts (Brian, Dan, Nolan, Dante and Alan), Scoutmasters (Dr. Dabbs, Dr. Wertz and Dr. Allenby) along with a representative of the Troop Committee (Mr. Mickey) and Mr. Ingato. As usual, the food was great, particularly the venison stew for Saturday evening's dinner prepared by Brian, Dan and Alan. After hearing the revised forecast Saturday afternoon, we decided to BUG OUT and came home Saturday night. There were, however, some who suggested we might stay over Sunday and return Monday-a delightful proposition, but with homework and work duties, not feasible.

The Forrestal clean up did not occur for obvious reasons. Once the snow melts, we'll try again.

As schools have been closed today, there will not be a meeting tonight. It's probably safer for all not to be driving to and from the church with the roads still icy. We will also not have a meeting the following Monday, February 20 as it is President's Day and most schools are off. The next meeting is February 27.

Enjoy the snow.

Kent Allenby

Cabin Camping February 10-12

We had a very successful open house last night with around 10 Cub Scouts and one First Class looking for another Troop. My congratulations to the Scouts for running an interesting program. Hopefully next month we will get many of them bridging over to Troop 88.

We will be going up to Kittatinny Mountain Scout Reservation this weekend for some cabin camping. We will meet at the church this Friday, February 10 around 4:45 pm and plan to leave by 5:15 pm. Bring a bag dinner and something to drink as KMSR is around 65 miles away and I expect it will take around 1 1/2 hours to get there. If anyone needs directions, they can be found at http://www.cnjc-bsa.org/camp/kmsr/mapto.htm. Essentially you take Route 206 North from Princeton across Interstate 78 and Interstate 80, continue on 206 through Newton and Branchville (watch out around Branchville as 206 North takes a left hand turn at a traffic light). Four miles north of Branchville you'll see a "Stokes State Forest" sign on the right. You start going down a hill and look for the "Kittatinny Mountain Scout Reservation" sign on the left and take a left onto Struble Road. The KMSR parking lot is 1/4 mile on the left. If there are any problems, you can try me on my cell phone (609-240-9389), but reception is very spotty at KMSR. You've gone too far if you reach Flatbrook Road or the town of Layton.

Be sure to bring wool socks and layers of clothing (not cotton but wool/fleece/polypropylene), boots and gloves.

Thus far, I have the following folks attending:

February Camping
Scouts Adults
Mike Carman Kent Allenby
Dan Schloss Dan Dabbs
Brian Allenby David Wertz
Ross Merkin (Sat only)
Dante Ingato
Alan Wertz
Nolan Mickey (Friday only)

In case you don't have the permission slip handed out last night, it's attached and I need you to bring it with you to the church. The cost for food is $15.00 and can also be brought to the church.

We'll do a Forrestal clean up on the way back and should be back at the church around 1:00-2:00 on Sunday depending on when people roll out of their sleeping bags on Sunday morning.

Regards,

Kent Allenby

Dante Ingato's Eagle Project

Reminder all scouts:

Please meet at my house which is located at 4 Manassas Court at about 8:30 am tomorrow morning. Please bring work gloves, wear old clothes. I could use a couple of hammers as well. Lunch will be served. We should be done by noon. Directions from Princeton are as follows:

Route 571 east towards hightstown. Make right at 1st light after passing West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South onto South Mill Road. Make left at next traffic light onto Village Road. Make 1st right into Millbrook development. 1st left onto Millbrook and next left onto Manassas Court. My house is the white stucco house on right.

Dante Ingato
(609) 799-1803
(609) 273-2445

February Camping Trip

Congratulations are due to Mike Carman for his Court of Honor. It was appropriate recognition for the work, participation and leadership he has demonstrated to make Eagle. For the rest of his life, Michael will be an Eagle Scout! Thanks as well to Maureen Carman for all the effort she put in to the pot luck supper and the wonderful Court of Honor.

A reminder that Dante Ingato has an Eagle project work session this Saturday. Dante: please send out the reminder with all the particulars to the Troop again so everyone knows where and when to get together. I will be there as will Brian.

Our winter cabin camping trip is coming up. We will leave from the church Friday, February 10 at 5:00 pm. Bring a dinner to eat either on the way or after we arrive at KMSR. We can decide on the meals next Monday, but Dan Dabbs has acquired some venison for a venison stew on Saturday night. We will do a Forrestal clean up on the way back and should be back at the church between 1:00 and 2:00 on Sunday, February 12.

Congratulations to Dan, Steven and Matt for rank advancement. Congratulations also go to Rinku whose Eagle papers came back from Council this week.

Remember that next Monday, February 6 is an open house for a number of Weblos Dens. With our existing Scouts getting more senior (and going off to college at a great rate), we need new Scouts. It's also important for our senior Scouts leadership skills to have younger Scouts. After Bridging in March, we might consider a Sarnoff campout to introduce the new Scouts to our private campground and to get them started on camping skills (and finding left handed smoke shifters).

If you are planning on attending the cabin camping in a couple of weeks, send me an email so I can get a count. I know that Dan Dabbs, David Wertz and I plan on going.

That's it for now.

Kent Allenby

Cabelas Trip A Hit - Outdoors is Indoors

Scouts, Scouters and Families,

At last night's meeting the consensus from those who went to Cabela's was clear: it's a very impressive and massive outfit. The walk-through aquarium grotto, the mountain in the center of the store, the variety of gear (Dr. Dabbs lamented the large selection of women's clothing, I overspent in the fly fishing area, the Scouts were attracted to the wide knife and gun collections). Only Pat Mickey took advantage of the wild game menu which included ostrich burgers and venison and bison bratwurst. Too bad it's 100 miles away.

Kent S. Allenby
Scoutmaster, BSA Troop 88
Allenby.Kent@kyowa-kpi.com

Upcomming Events on the Calendar

Scouts, Scouters and Parents,

Monday's meeting was eventful with election of a new Senior Patrol. Congratulations on our new SPL, Brian Allenby and our new ASPLs Dan Schloss and Nolan Mickey. Our Eagle Scout, Mike Carman, and Ross Merkin (soon to be Eagle) will advise the new Senior Patrol.

Upcoming Events:

Sunday, January 15, 2:00 pm: Forrestal Clean-Up.
Monday, January 16: No meeting due to holiday (MLK day)
Saturday, January 21, 10:00 am Cabela's trip. Meet at the church at 10:00. We plan to return by 6:00 pm. Bring money for lunch and to buy any outdoor items you can't live without. A permission slip is attached.
Monday, January 30: 7:30 pm Court of Honor and Pot Luck Supper at the church
Friday, February 10: 5:00 pm Winter cabin camping at KMSR

Forrestal Clean-Up: This is the Troop's major source of funds and a portion of the money earned is credited to the Scout's account for use in paying for trips and/or summer camp. If we get a good turn out it only takes an hour and beats selling Christmas trees on cold December nights or going door to door selling popcorn. We'll meet at the parking turn out halfway up the road.

Cabela's Trip: For those who don't know, Cabela's is a massive store (250,000 square feet) with excellent prices on everything from basic camping goods to high end fly fishing equipment as well as interesting aquariums and displays. Anything you might need for the outdoors is in stock. It takes 1 1/2 hour to get there (Hamburg, PA off of Interstate 78) but it's worth seeing. We will meet at the church at 10:00 and plan on returning by 6:00. Bring money for lunch (the food court at Cabela's has standard fare as well as exotic game meals) and to buy outdoor gear you just can't do without. Scouts and their families are welcome and it's a real experience.

Court of Honor: More information will follow, but we get to celebrate our newest Eagle Scout, Mike Carman, as well as a number of other advancements. This is a wonderful time for the families of our Scouts to get together to celebrate their accomplishments and to get to know each other better. Troop 88 is a small Troop and we'd like as much family involvement as possible. Come out and support the Scouts, the Scoutmasters and the Troop Committee.

Winter Cabin Camping: We plan to leave the church around 5:00 pm on Friday, February 10 to head up to KMSR with a return on Sunday mid-afternoon. This was a lot of fun last year and the cabin has an overhead light and a wood stove so it's comfortable (as long as someone remembers to wake up in the middle of the night to put a few logs in the stove).

That's all for now.

Kent Allenby

Year End Update

We had our last Monday meeting a few days ago and it certainly has been a busy year for Troop 88. Some things to think about for 2006:

1. Our next Monday meeting will be on January 9.
2. We need to schedule a winter Court of Honor. We've had a lot of advancements we want to recognize, not the least of which is our new Eagle Scout Michael Carman. Somehow I expect Mike will look more mature and larger than life on January 9 as a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. Please let me know if you cannot attend the following dates for the Court of Honor:
January 16
January 23
January 30
3. On January 9, the Troop needs to select a new SPL/ASPL to fill Mike's vacancy. How it will be done will be up to the Scouts. Don't miss the meeting to decide who will be up front for the next year. The only requirement is that the Scout be at least First Class rank.
4. On December 19, the Scouts decided the January event will be a day trip to Cabella's in Pennsylvania. For those who don't know the place, Cabella's is a huge outdoor store, perhaps the biggest in the country. Be sure to save your money because they have lots of nice outdoor toys to spend it on. As always, parents and friends (non-Scouts must have an adult with them) are welcome. With winter sports schedules, a Sunday trip seems to be preferred. We will also do a brief Forrestal clean-up before or after we go. Please let me know your preference for:
January 8
January 15
January 23
January 30.
5. Our February event will be cabin camping in the Water Gap. Dr. Wertz is making the arrangements and will communicate more at our next meeting.
6. We are beginning the Personal Fitness merit badge. On January 9 baseline measurements (both with a tape measure and things like sit ups/push ups/reach can be done and entered on the worksheets that were passed out several weeks ago (so bring your worksheets to the meeting). Part of the requirements for the merit badge are a physical examination with results on a BSA form (I will accept camp physicals from this past summer) and a dental examination with a note from the dentist. The badge takes 12 weeks so we want to get moving. This winter we can also work on Personal Management and Family Life which are 3-4 month badges (and Eagle required). Our Eagle Scout (Mike) and Eagle candidates (Ross and Rinku) can take the lead on all 3 badges.
6. The spring Central New Jersey Council camporee is April 28-30 at the Middlesex County Fairgrounds in East Brunswick: "Be Prepared: Scouting Salutes our Emergency Services". Do we want to go?
7. We have a reservation at KMSR in July 2006 for our week at summer camp. The Council is making lots of upgrades to KMSR including food service so it should be fun (and a chance to earn additional merit badges).

If I have forgotten anything, please let me know.

Enjoy the holidays and I'll see you all next year.

Kent S. Allenby
Scoutmaster, BSA Troop 88
Allenby.Kent@kyowa-kpi.com

NYC Pictures posted on http://troop88.blogspot.com

Troopers:

I've learned a few tricks from Mr. Mickey. Next up: a few pictures from our Cub Scout visitation.

Dan Dabbs, ASM
BSA Troop 88, Princeton

Photos from the 2005 NYC Hike

New York City, 11 December 2005

The NYC Hike was again a blast for the Troop. Here we stand in Central Park, ready to blaze new trails to reach our goal.

OK, we've seen the tree...can we go now?

One subway ride later and...

CANAL STREET! But no-one warned us we had to walk!

Lunch at a Troop tradition...and Little Italy for dessert?

Where did the Scouts go?

PATH Station, World Trade Center

Going home (it has been a long day).

Troop 88 Princeton - Recruiting Volunteers Needed

I apologize for in advance for the late notice here, but I need two scout volunteers to make a brief presentation to the cub scouts of Pack 185 in Montgomery at their next pack meeting scheduled for this Friday, December 9 at 7:00pm.

They have set aside three minutes for our scouts to make a brief presentation to their scouts about the merits of Troop 88 in Princeton. Pack 185 meets at Montgomery Middle School at 7:00pm. I will pick up our volunteers at about 6:30pm and drive them to and from the meeting.

I know I can count on at least two scouts for this very important recruiting effort. There will be more in the coming months, so everyone will be expected to participate in at least one recruiting presentation. All you need to do is wear your uniform, I can help you prepare your "pitch" on the way to the meeting.

Please respond to this email by Wednesday evening letting me know if you can or can not make this important event.

Regards,

Pat Mickey
Troop Committee Chairman
BSA Troop 88 Princeton

(609) 275-3876 home

(212) 850-5815 work

(856) 577-8669

prm1@comcast.net

NYC Hike, Merit Badges

At last night's meeting, it looks like the date for the NYC hike that works for the most Scouts is Sunday, December 11. I will be away that weekend but, if enough adult Scouters are willing to go, it should work. At this time the adults who have tentatively indicated they will go are:

Dan Dabbs
Joni Dabbs
David Wertz (knees permitting)
Pat Mickey
Steve Schloss

We should have at least 3 adults, so if people can confirm by return email, we can make final plans at the meeting on Monday, December 5.

Also, I plan on visiting the CNJC office tomorrow to sign up to be a merit badge counselor for 3 Eagle required badges that are not usually offered at summer camp or the Rutgers Scout weekend due to the length of time required; Family Life (requires a minimum of 90 days), Personal Management (requires 13 weeks), and Personal Fitness (requires 12 weeks). At next Monday's meeting the Scouts can decide which one we will start.

Regards,

Kent Allenby

home: 609-921-7472
cell: 609-240-9389
work: 609-580-7327
Allenby.Kent@kyowa-kpi.com