Join the Brrr Scouts
January, 1997

There is just no doubt that it is Winter. The wind chill is, as often as not, below zero. The town and woods are covered with that peculiarly crunchy snow that comes with very cold weather, and all the creatures you see have the same chilly, enduring air about them.

When you think of the Boy Scouts, you no doubt think of cool Spring evenings spent around toasty campfires, or Summer Camp near a lake full of canoes, or, perhaps, of hikes through Fall's brightly colored forests. You may not know that winter has its Scouting events as well --- we become the Brrr Scouts and have only a little less fun than we do during the other seasons of the year.

Last weekend, for instance, the troop went to High Gear and climbed the walls. First, we had to get into a safety harness, and attach a belaying rope, then the idea was to climb up a 30 foot wall, using only tiny hand and foot holds to keep from falling. The expert who showed us how it was done made this short vertical hike look ridiculously easy, and we all thought that it would be a breeze to follow his example.

It turned out to be surprisingly difficult, and as each Scout made his way up the wall he was peppered with warnings and advice from his friends below. The Scouts who did scramble to the top of the wall were the heroes of the moment and were greeted with many a pat on the back when they returned to solid ground. At the end of the session, I even gave it a try. Amid much speculation about my breaking the belaying rope if I should fall, I covered myself with glory by making it all the way to the top. As with bike riding, I guess all those hours I spent climbing trees as a kid have never been forgotten, though my fingers and toes were certainly sore the next day.

Activities like the wall climb last weekend, helping out at the big Cub Scout Winterfest at Clarion County Park next weekend, and going cabin camping, as we will early next month, add a little adventure to life while we wait for spring, but the thing that really keeps the troop going during the Winter season is our regular weekly meeting. Next week's meeting will be especially exciting. We are holding our first Open House. If you have ever been curious about the actual boys I write about in these articles, here is your chance to meet them. The main purpose of the Open House is to show interested fifth grade boys a little of what Scouting is all about, and to encourage them to join our troop, but everyone is welcome!

Here is what will happen. At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29th, we will start greeting our guests at the Owens-Brockway clubhouse just off Grand Avenue on the glass plant grounds. During the next two hours, we will play games, lash together some "fishing poles" and catch mousetrap "fish", sing a funny song, see a skit involving a banana and just have a good time. I will also be describing Scouting and telling of the adventures that come with being a Scout. The meeting will be over by 9 o'clock and, hopefully, our troop will grow to about 20 Scouts from its current 12.

If you have any questions concerning the Open House or Troop 51, please give me a call. If you are at all interested in Scouting, especially if you are in fifth grade, come to our Open House. If nothing else, it will be warm in the clubhouse, and you will have an evening of fun with the Brrr Scouts!