NSO March 7-9

New Scout Outing By Justin S. - Campmaster !

!!!!!!!!!

!

!!!

New Scout Outing, Page �1

NSO March 7-9

The New Scout Outing, or NSO for short, has one purpose: to welcome the New Scouts to the troop and to sign off on as many requirements in their scout books as possible. It was certainly a warm welcome! On Friday, March 7, Troop 313 packed up the trailer and set out to Beaumont Scout Reservation for one of the most important outings on the troop calendar.

As scouts arrived at Beaumont, the campsite immediately began to take form. Gear was unloaded, flies and tents were set up, and lanterns were lit. As Cracker Barrel was being prepared, patrols finalized their station for the new scouts the next day. Pretending to be new scouts, the Junior Assistant Scout Masters (Brian M. and Hayden R.) with the help of the Senior Patrol Leader (Justin S.) went around making

sure all of the stations were well prepared and covered all of the information required. Once the stations were approved, a Cracker Barrel of hot chocolate and popcorn sent the scouts to bed.

The early bird gets the worm. Troop 313 was up early, excited to start the fun filled day. Breakfasts were cooked over charcoal and tasted amazing. Shortly after eating, Hayden and Brian returned to Des Peres City Hall with the Troop Guides to meet the new scouts. During this time, scouts at Beaumont rehearsed their stations and cleaned up their breakfast dishes.

At last, the new scouts arrived at camp and the troop was excited to see them. A flag ceremony started off the day on a good note. After a welcome from the SPL, the stations began.

• Station 1 (Tents and Flys): With the assistance of the Troop Guides the new scouts learned to set up their tent and patrol fly. The new scouts were naturals. Each tent was pitched with perfection.

• Station 2 (Personal Fitness): Led by the Ravens Patrol, the new scouts completed the first half of their personal fitness requirement. To complete the requirement the scout must

New Scout Outing, Page �2

NSO March 7-9

show improvement in one of the following areas after 30 days: Push ups, sit ups, pull ups, standing long jump, or the quarter mile run. After 30 days pass, the new scouts will get the opportunity to finish this requirement.

• Station 3 (Axe yard): At this station, led by the Diamondback Patrol, new scouts learned how to safely use and care for knives, hatchets, and saws. In completion of this station, the new scouts earned their Totin’ Chit. The Totin’ Chit allows scouts to use their pocket knives on outings.

• Station 4 (Cooking/Lunch): As the rest of the troop prepared their lunches, the new scouts worked on their cooking requirement with their Troop Guides by making grilled cheese. Yum!

• Station 5 (Knots): Led by the Wolverines Patrol, new scouts learned new knots and lashings to fulfill several requirements. Along with knots, they learned other skills like how to whip and fuse a rope.

• Station 6 (Citizenship): At this station, led by the Vikings patrol, new scouts learned much about the basics of scouting and citizenship. Here they committed to memory the Pledge of Allegiance, the scout sign and handshake, and the scout oath, law, motto, slogan, and outdoor code. It seems like a lot, but luckily, the new scouts were fast learners.

•Station 7 (First Aid): The final station before Scout Master Conferences was led by the Raptors Patrol. At this station scouts learned the basics of first aid. From cuts to burns, the scouts and Troop Guides had a good time.

The stations were over but the fun wasn’t! As new scouts worked on Scout Master conferences, a large amount of 313 scouts started a game of two-hand-touch football. It was a lengthy and tiring game but everyone had a blast.

New Scout Outing, Page �3

NSO March 7-9

Before we knew it families began showing up and it was time for dinner. The fantastic meal of chili and hot dogs satisfied everyone. The meals were even better with the addition of the sides and desserts kindly brought by the families. As dinners were finished, the campfire was prepped and lit for the highlight of the night. The skit lineup was well prepared and incredible. Classic skits such as the biker skit (performed by the Ravens Patrol) got the crowd laughing. The reoccurring skit starring Sven the tree climber (Andrew D.) kept the scouts wanting more. Lancelot (Tim M.) and Concorde (Justin S.) put a new “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” twist on the two person castle skit. And lastly, the fan-favorite bean skit (starring Hayden R., Ben L., Justin S., and Mark M.) had the audience rolling on the ground with laughter.

After a long campfire of fun, it was time for the new scouts to truly become a part of Troop 313. As the campfire began to die out, we experienced a visit from our Native American friends. Guided by them, troop 313 older scouts united to form a bridge to support the weight of the new scouts as they climbed across one by one to receive their admittance into the troop. A cheer of congratulations ended the campfire.

As the night began to die down and the families began to leave, troop 313 ended the festivities with the annual capture the flag game. After tons of fun, the scouts went off to bed.

Sunday morning, the scouts had breakfast and began packing up to go home. The flies and tents came down, the gear was packed, and the area was policed for trash. After the campsite was better than we had found it we headed home. Another great NSO!

New Scout Outing, Page �4