Horseback Riding with Troop 100 G

In the month of April, Troop 100 G spent a short two weeks earning the horseback riding merit badge with two experienced horse owners in Coker, Alabama.

Their adventure started with some fun, hands-on instruction as the girls were each given distinct horse figurines to expand their understanding of the different breeds and learn the different parts of the majestic species. After acquiring a basic understanding of horse anatomy, Troop 100 G learned how to mount and dismount (on hay bales), which types of feed each horse gender and age gets, the types of diseases that most commonly affect horses, and how each breed has its own unique personality.

To further the instruction, Troop 100 G had the opportunity to groom the horses by brushing, combing and conditioning them–much to the delight of the horses’ owners.

Before riding, the girls got a feel for directing the mellow animals in a short walk around a small arena, and they discovered that controlling a horse has as much to do with the disposition of the person holding the reins as it does the horse itself.

Finally, in the culmination of the course, The girls were allowed to ride the horses in a safe, controlled environment. With the help of the instructors, each Scout rode around the arena and was able to experience the wonderful world of horseback riding.

Scout Skating

Recently, Troop 100 G has started focusing on acquiring merit badges more than ever. As new Scouts join and time goes on, it’s important to keep everyone interested in Scouting, and the girls in Troop 100 G know how to do just that. Requesting help from the Druid City Derby League, these Scouts are going to have the Roller Skating merit badge in no time!

Derby Dame Demonstration

The professional skaters from the Tuscaloosa Roller Derby made sure to provide everyone with the proper equipment, instruction, and support to create a safe environment to improve skating skills.

Learning some basics

Everyone was a little wobbly starting off, but after learning some basic skate anatomy and simple stops, things began rolling along nicely (no pun intended).

Exhausted Scouts

After a couple hours of skating, the Scouts discovered just how difficult the activity truly is; that being said, they can’t wait to get back to it next week!

Winter Camp 2020

With COVID still raging through Alabama communities, it is more difficult than ever to keep things “business as usual”. Thankfully, for Scout Troops and Venture Crews throughout Alabama, and even parts of Georgia, Camp Horne staff in Cottondale, Alabama, had a few tricks up their sleeves.

Camp Horne’s entrance sign

Thanks to passionate camp coordinators and volunteers, Camp Horne’s 2020 Winter Camp took place from December 28-30, and it was packed with endless activities and opportunities for Scouts and Venturers to earn merit badges and complete certifications.

Scouts earning CPR and First Aid Certification

Of course, Winter Camp was conducted following BSA and CDC Guidelines with troops socially distant, masks up except for meal times, and nearly all activities conducted outdoors (CPR and First Aid as one of the only exceptions). Staff at Camp Horne pulled all the stops when arranging the outing and put together ATV certification courses, blacksmithing activities, and a myriad of shooting sports; not surprisingly, these were some of the most popular events.

ATVs getting sprayed clean at the end of a long day

Merit badges offered ranged from First Aid to Astronomy to Cooking, so everyone present had a variety of options to choose from when making their daily schedules. Our Troop 100 G members checked off several merit badges over the course of Winter Camp, and our Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster helped teach several of the courses themselves.

Astronomy merit badge being taught by a professor from the University of Alabama

To contrast with all the hard work during the day, the afternoons consisted of games, movies, and campfires.

Scouts playing cornhole

Needless to say, the Scouts and Venturers greatly enjoyed the rare opportunity to try new things amid COVID, and Winter Camp surely provided them with a fun way to acquire essential lifetime skills. Camp ended with the traditional Polar Plunge, tidy campsites, and heartfelt goodbyes as everyone departed to celebrate the coming of 2021 and the chance for new beginnings. Happy New Year!

For the Birds

ON OCTOBER 10TH, Troop 100 G Star Scouts Abbey and Isabel began a conservation project required for their rank advancements. The two of them decided, based on resources Troop 100 already possessed from a bygone Eagle Project, to create bird houses from large, hollow gourds.

They allocated about 3 hours to complete the work they needed done, and began the process of polishing up the gourds for the birds.

First, the gourds needed the be sanded. They were covered in dirt, bumps, and grime that was absolutely unsuited for the next step of the process.

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Star Scout Abbey with the unsanded gourds

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Star Scout Isabel with the unsanded gourds

After hours of sanding each gourd to perfection, followed by a cursory rinse, the gourds were ready for the next step–painting.

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clean, sanded gourds

Of course, while brown isn’t the most glamorous color, bird houses should typically be painted to match the natural surroundings. That way, they’ll have more success in becoming potential sites for bird nests. The brown was chosen to make the gourds appear more tree-like.

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Star Scout Abbey painting a gourd

After all the gourds had been painted with their first coat, they were hung up to dry for a second coat.

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drying gourds

Once all of the gourds are dry and looking pristine, they’ll be carefully placed in the outdoors so that homes might be provided to the little animals who need them.

Through careful work with the gourds, Isabel and Abbey were able to tick off another requirment for rank advancement as well as complete a service project for the betterment of their community, or, in other words, for the birds.

LNT #7: Be Considerate of Other Visitors

photo cred @the_real_tip_toe

Whether you are paddling on the water, climbing, geocaching, hiking or biking, being considerate of other visitors helps everyone enjoy their outdoor experience.

Principle #7 means more than “be quiet.” Decreasing the noise pollution is very important, but it is not the only thing to consider when being considerate of others. But I saw this photo and had to share.