Monday, February 25, 2008

26 February 2008

This week, Scouter Odette has arranged for us to visit the Rothesay Fire Hall. Details of where and when to meet will follow.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Night Hawk Details

Attention All Scout Troops!!!
Central Kings Operation Night Hawk
To all Scouts and their leaders,
This is just a reminder that the 30th annual Central Kings, Operation Night Hawk is just around the corner. So when planning upcoming events, keep the weekend of May 23rd, 24th and 25th open so you don't miss out on this annual weekend of fun and adventure.
WHAT IS OPERATION NIGHT HAWK?
Night Hawk is a weekend full of fun and adventure. There are events such as; archery, canoeing, skeet shooting, and the night hawk itself.
Operation Night Hawk consists of a hike around a circuit on which there are approximately 21 check points which will test the Scouts on the skills and knowledge learned in the Scouting program. There will be security vehicles on the route at all times for the safety of the scouts.
WHERE IS NIGHT HAWK?
Schoales Dam is the headquarters for Operation Night Hawk; however, the campsite will be at Adair's Wilderness Lodge again this year. Registration will be at the campsite. Also please note that the road leading to this location is for the most part a rough gravel road, please ensure safe driving.
WHAT TO BRING?
Each troop must come totally self contained as far as camping gear and food. Drinking water will be provided. In addition each troop should have a skit, song or yell to do at the opening camp fire Friday night.
Leaders of each troop must come prepared to run a check point if need be. For each youth attending we require that you have one parental permission slip and TWO (2) physical fitness slips. Please note on the Physical fitness forms if a Scout has a severe allergy to a substance and an epi pin is required the Scout is required to have this present with them at Night Hawk. *Please note this on the form.* The appropriate Camping permit must be attained. Something to keep in mind is the campsite award, given to the troop with the best campsite. The most important thing to bring is a good attitude and team spirit.
Also a reminder for Saturday evening at Scouts Own that all Scouts and Leaders are to be in Full Uniform. This is conducted in a Horseshoe shape and formal etiquette is to be displayed.
In regards to Operation Night Hawk and the patrol size for Saturday Night, a patrol cannot start with less then 3 Scouts and no more then 5. A troop may not complete the night with less then 2 Scouts.

Operation Night Hawk is for Scouts, and recently several questions have been asked for a age limit, the committee has set a age limit of 15 for the maximum.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
There will be a $25.00 registration fee for all Scouts and a $10.00 registration fee for all Leaders and Ventures. This fee covers the mug ups on the hike, the skeet shoot and archery events, pins, hats, and latrines. We would appreciate confirmation and payment by April 15, 2007. Also please note that there will be no supper provided Saturday night as there has been in previous years. Thank you

MORE INFORMATION?
For more information contact:
Luke Whalen
25 Mill Brook Road
Mill Brook, N.B.
E4E 3V2
(506)433-6881 H
(506)433-0657 C
April Belding
109 Pleasant Ridge Rd
Pleasant Ridge, Kings Co, NB
E5P 4C5
abelding@nbnet.nb.ca
(506) 382-0400 H leave a message
(506) 433-0145 C

Central Kings Operation Night Hawk
Itinerary
Friday, May 26, 2006
6:00-9:00pm Registration and setup
9:00-10:00pm Opening Campfire
10:00-10:30pm Leaders Meeting
11:00pm LIGHTS OUT
Saturday, May 27, 2006
6:00-8:00am Wake up and Breakfast
8:30-12:00am Programs Begin (Skeet shoot, archery, and canoeing)
12:00-1:00pm Lunch
1:00-5:00pm Finish programs (Skeet shoot, archery, and canoeing)
5:00-6:00pm Supper
6:00-7:00pm Clean up and get ready for Operation Night Hawk
7:00-8:00pm Scouts Own at common area
8:00-9:00pm Load up and go to starting check point
9:00pm OPERATION NIGHT HAWK BEGINS
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Finish Operation Night Hawk and have awards ceremony and closing

Operation Night Hawk
Project Rules
The project leader will sign the teams report form and if changes on the form have to be made the leader will initial the correction.
Each project should have some sort of base to work out of. One suggestion is to have a lean-too or tent.
Each project is the responsibility of the leader in charge. The group that has the project area must set it up and when done clean it up.
Each leader should be aware that it is a long night, and should bring along some refreshments for themselves.
It takes everyone working together to make Operation Night Hawk a Sussex, so lets all cooperate.
The groups that have chosen a project should bring the required equipment for the activity.
In addition to the points awarded at your project (based on 10 points per project) each team may receive 10 additional points. They can be awarded 5 points for requesting permission to enter the site and another 5 for asking permission to leave the site. Please remember to award the teams these points if they have earned them.
All campfires (if they are permitted at the project sites) must be put completely out before the site can be left.
It is recommended that the check point operations bring a glow stick to mark the sign at there check point.

Operation Night Hawk
Rules and Regulations
1. No Individual campfires without the permission of Operation Night Hawk Headquarters. Please use Coleman stoves.
2. No alcohol or drugs are permitted within the operation area.
3. There is absolutely no cutting of green trees or shrubs permitted. Please use deadwood and downfalls.
4. You must be self-contained other that your drinking water.
5. All leaders are responsible for their Scouts behavior and conduct.
6. All other properties are classified as out of bounds. Anyone found destroying private property will be asked to leave the campgrounds with full payment being made to the injured party.
7. No troop will be permitted to leave the campgrounds until after the official closing and their area has been inspected by designated personnel.
8. Vehicles will not be permitted to park in the camping area. Please use parking area near Security.
9. All personnel must check in at Security.
10. No smoking in the tents.
11. Authorized vehicles only will be used during Operation Night Hawk.
12. What you bring in you must take out (Especially Garbage).
13. No Pets.
14. Venture Companies must be accompanied by an adult advisor.

Night Hawk Checkpoints
Below is a list of possible checkpoints. If you are interested in operating one of these checkpoints please contact April Belding or Luke Whalen to insure it is available.
1. First Aid: At the Schoales Dam Lodge, put on by the Saint John Ambulance
- First Aid Supplies
2. Tree Identification: Branches and leaves from trees in the area will be presented and the youth will have to identify them.
- leaves and branches from trees of the area
- pictures of some trees
- needles from evergreens
3. Trail Marking: Using the trail signs from the Scout Field Book the youth will be tested on their trail skills.
- rocks, twigs, other trail marking items
- some pre-made trail signs
4. Knots and Lashing: The Scouts will be tested on their knots and lashing.
- rope
- spars
5. Map and Compass: The Scouts will be required to use a map and compass, walk given bearings, or find bearings of certain objects.
- compass
- map
- flashlight to see map
6. Fire Lighting: The object will be to start a fire and possibly boil water on it as quickly and efficiently as possible.
- wood supply
- matches
- pot
- water supply
7. River Crossing: This is a rope crossing over a river where the Scouts must work as a team. It will be looked after by Ted, Elmor, Dale and company.
- Supplies provided
8. Log Cutting: A timed check point, the Scouts will be asked to use a buck saw to cut through a log.
- logs of a consistant diameter. - buck saw. - stop watch

Night Hawk Checkpoints
9. Bridge Crossing: This is a war game where the Scouts will attempt to cross a bridge without being caught by a group of older adults who mark them with flour.
- small, soft bags of flour
- flashlight for a target post for Scouts
10. Kim Game: This game tests the Scouts power of observation and memory.
- about 12 small objects
- blanket
11. Mine Field: Observation, patience, and agility, are important in this checkpoint as the scouts must navigate through a maze of string tied to bells in the dark, without ringing the bells.
- twine or string
- numerous bells
- stop watch
12. Animal Identification: Identifying animals by sight, sounds, and tracks is important when traveling in the woods and this checkpoint tests the Scouts on several different animals. Sound is the main identification key in this game.
13. Blind man's Pup: Teamwork and communication are the key as there will be one scout who has to erect a small pup tent using the help of other scouts.
- a small pup tent, with all appropriate fixtures (poles, pegs, etc)
- blindfold
- stop watch
15. Atomic Drop: Again, here, teamwork is the key. The scouts must disarm the atomic bomb without setting it off. A small tin can will be suspended inside a larger tin can which are both suspended from a tripod. The patrol must successfully lower the tripod to the ground without the smaller can hitting the larger can.
- a properly lashed tripod
- two different sized metal cans
- some string
16. Mug Ups: There will be two mug up checkpoints in which the Scouts will be tested on their manners while they warm up and attain some food to keep them going.
All checkpoints must have a shelter, a light which can be seen from the trail; this maybe a fire depending on the approval of the camp warden on that day. Each Checkpoint is responsible for them so therefore they must have their own food and drinks to make it through the night. A First Aid Kit is a must for all checkpoints and this kit
should be complete, a check may be done before setting out.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

We have moved to a blog!

Which will allow all leaders to post here, rather than just me. Keep checking this site for weekly updates!