February 18-19, 2012 - Indiana Winter Adventure

INDIANA WINTER ADVENTURE

February 18-19, 2012

The weekend was unseasonably warm. All remnants of snow had melted away, but we still found a great weekend in Indiana.

On Saturday we traveled 230 miles to Pokagon State Park near Angola, Indiana for tobogganing on their world class trackway. That was followed by enjoying an indoor pool at a nearby hotel, then pizza and television.

Sunday began with more toboggan runs at Pokagon followed by travel, then some dune hiking at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore at the southern shore of Lake Michigan. Hiking atop a high dune and hiking along a sand beach finished off a great weekend.

View our slide show by clicking of the link below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/troop33dekalb/sets/72157629705623949/show/

February 11, 2012 - Starved Rock Adventure

STARVED ROCK ADVENTURE
February 11, 2012

This event is broken down into several activities. We started the day at the Illinois River Lock & Dam Visitor Center in Utica, Illinois where we watched the eagles that congregate on Plum Island. We also enjoyed the center's exhibits and hands on displays.

We hiked to the top of historic Starved Rock which provides a great experience overlooking the Illinois River and enjoying more eagle watching.

We ate our sack lunches at Starved Rock Visitors Center which also has several exhibits and displays to enjoy.

Hiking St Louis Canyon is usually highlighted by a giant waterfall, but due to warm weather the major icefall had thawed and replaced by new parial icefall which had formed.

We visited the Starved Rock Lodge which is a magestic structure built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the depression years of the 1930's.

Another hike featured Ottawa Canyon which still had remnant ice falls. The hike along the canyon meanders back and forth over a stream which was mostly frozen. Council Overhang is a large cavern like structure that is interesting to visit along the trail to Ottawa Canyon.

Normally we would conclude the day with sledding at Allen Park in Ottawa, Illinois, but with the snow all gone, we visited the local McDonalds and returned to DeKalb.

Click on the link below for a slide show of this adventure:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/troop33dekalb/sets/72157629071770718/show/

February 10, 2012 - Eagle Banquet

EAGLE BANQUET

February 10, 2012

Over 600 people attended a fine banquet at the Wyndham Hotel in Lisle, Illinois to honor the Three Fires Council Eagle Class of 2011. Max McArtor & family/friend represented Troop 33 at this event. Our table included an Eagle from Troop 4. It was great food, great program, highlighted by a giant procession of Eagle Scouts going onstage and being recognized for their accomplishment.

Click the below link for a brief slide show:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/troop33dekalb/sets/72157629069997782/show/

February 4, 2012 - Klondike Derby

KLONDIKE DERBY
February 4, 2012
Trop 33 joined the other troops of DeKalb County for the annual Kishwaukee District Klondike Derby held at Sycamore Sportsman's Club in Sycamore. The weather was very warm for February, snow gone, but still fun with great activities. Activities included an indoor rifle range, first aid, animal track identification, fishing, sled race, fire building, log sawing, and orienteering. It was a well run event with over 300 youth attending.

For a slide show of the Klondike Derby click on the link below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/troop33dekalb/sets/72157629434045135/show/

January 29, 2012 - Ice Fishing

ICE FISHING
LAKE SHABBONA
January 29, 2012

The temperature was cold and the wind was strong. It made for a challenging day for ice fishing at Lake Shabbona State Park in Shabbona, Illinois.
Scouts drilled many fishing holes with an auger. Two fishing locations were explored off Somonauk Point on Lake Shabbona. Though the fish seemed uninterested in our efforts, Scouts leaned some things about ice fishing and enjoyed a brisk windy day engaged in a winter sport.

For a slide show of our ice fishing trip click on the link below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/troop33dekalb/sets/72157629096348623/show/

January 28, 2012 - Adventure Travel Show

ADVENTURE TRAVEL SHOW

January 28, 2012

Held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, the Travel Adventure Show and the American Outdoor Show offered countless opportunities to learn and explore.

Scouts explored hundreds of booths which offered freebies and information of adventure locations all over the world. Special cultural events took place on stage. Presentations by nationally known experts in the travel industry drew hundreds of spectators.

Most exciting were hands on experiences, such as segway driving, a camel for riding, and a heated pool where Scouts could experience Scuba diving.

There was also an indoor archery range and a caged grizzly bear (who mostly just slept). It was a great day to explore, learn, and experience the many opportunities for adventure in the world.

Click below for a link to a slide show about the Adventure Travel Show:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/troop33dekalb/sets/72157629096240563/show/