January 21-22, 2012 - Ski and Water Park Weekend

SKI & WATER PARK WEEKEND
JANUARY 21-22, 2012

The weekend began with skiing and snowboarding at Cascade Mountain Ski Resort near Portage, Wisconsin. The temperature wasn't too cold, the snow base had a fresh six inch layer from a snowstorm the night before. We purchased groceries and drove to the Glacier Canyon Lodge at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

Our stay at the resort included a 3-bedroom unit with 2 1/2 baths, kitchen, dining, living room, fireplace, 4 TV's, and water park activities nearby.

After a dinner of breadsticks and pizza, the evening was spent at a water park. The water park included: hot tub, basketball pool, lazy river rafting, water play area, giant slides, and water funnel.

Breakfast on Sunday morning included sausage, eggs, waffles, and Hawaiian pizza. After breakfast we checked out of the Glacier Canyon Lodge, we enjoyed some hours at the water park plus the wave pool. After water park activity we enjoyed an early dinner buffet, then drove back to DeKalb, IL. in freezing rain.

Click below for a slide show of the weekend trip:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/troop33dekalb/sets/72157628994063877/show/

January 15-16, 2012 - MacQueen / Russell Woods Weekend

MACQUEEN / RUSSELL WOODS WEEKEND

JANUARY 15-16, 2012

Our weekend activity began with sledding at the hill at Russell Woods Forest Preserve near Genoa, IL. It was a great time on the hill. We purchased groceries and checked in at Cabin #2 at MacQueen Forest Preserve near Kirkland, IL. After lunch we returned to Russell Woods for more sledding which continued into the dark hours. It was fairly crowded with people on the hill. Returning to the cabin at MacQueen a meal featuring chili made for a great dinner. for dessert blackberry cobbler made for an excellent dessert. A movie was watched, The Majestic, starring Jim Carey. The movie centers on a story of an individual that helps to make a positive change in a community, which helps satisfy one of the requirements for Citizenship in the Community merit badge. The morning of MLK began with a hot breakfast featuring sausage and scrambled eggs. After cleaning our the cabin and checking out, a return to Russell Woods included sledding down the hill. Warmer temperatures made the snow melt. It was a very wet time for sledding. There was less snow on the hill by the time we left.

Click below for a slide show of the MacQueen/Russell Woods trip:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/troop33dekalb/sets/72157629096032937/show/

January 14, 2012 - Merit Badge Day

MERIT BADGE DAY
JANUARY 14, 2012

We held a program on two merit badges held at the DeKalb Public Library downstairs in the Meeting Room.

CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY
This was the first merit badge Scouts worked on. They were able to complete many of the requirements, with several requirements to be completed later.

FIRST AID
This was the second merit badge Scouts worked on. They were able to complete many of the requirements, with several requirements to be completed later.

Scouts will need to take responsibility for completing the last few requirements on their own.

January 7, 2012 - PLC Conference

PATROL LEADERS
COUNCIL CONFERENCE

JANUARY 7, 2012

A group of Scouts gathered to discuss upcoming activity plans for the new year. Plans for summer 2012 look to include a trip to New York and the East Coast. Another major high adventure trip will include a Scuba activity. There was discussion of a 4-day trip to Kentucky focused on high rope courses.

Looking farther ahead a major activity was discussed for 2014.
A trip to Africa would include wildlife safari, water activities on the island of Zanzibar. A major part of the trip would include a service project involving the construction of a community center, to be named after John Grant, a Troop 33 leader who passed away in December 2011. They have labor and material in Africa to build the walls. Money for roofing materials would be something we could provide.

Other details of smaller trips were also discussed.

December 28-31, 2011 - John Grant Memorial

JOHN GRANT MEMORIAL
December 28-31, 2011

John Grant was a very dedicated adult leader serving the Scouts of Troop 33. He served year round from 100+ degree heat to subzero cold, in all types of outdoor adventures. In October 2011 he moved to Euharlee, Georgia hopeful to enjoy a long retirement after expected recovery from a major health issue. His tragic passing on December 25, 2011 was a devastating event to everyone in Troop 33. Fifteen people from Troop 33 traveled to Georgia to pay final respects and bid a last goodbye to John. Eight Scouts served as pallbearers with others serving as honor guard during John's Memorial Services. A funeral service was conducted at Dow Funeral Home in Cartersville, Georgia. At the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia a service was held with full military honors followed later by a Native American service at his grave site honoring John's Cherokee heritage. It was the final Scouting event for 2011. We traveled to Georgia in support of John's family and his Eagle Scout grandson A.J. We traveled to pay honor and offer our deep respect to a great Scouter and a valued friend, John Howard Grant 1947-2011. John spent many years being there for the boys. In the end the boys were also there for him. May John rest in peace.

December 19, 2011 - Troop Holiday Party

TROOP 33'S HOLIDAY PARTY

December 19, 2011
Troop 33's Holiday Party included plenty of food, watching a movie on a giant screen - Car Story 2 - , an optional gift exchange between Scouts, popcorn prizes, and our annual Senior Patrol Leader Election. Congratulations Nathan on becoming our Senior Patrol Leaders for 2012!