Going to the Rock
In November 2009, Troop 560 traveled to Sand Rock, Alabama for a weekend of climbing. While on this trip, scouts learned the basics of climbing in an adventurous mountain location of Northeast Alabama.
Climbing merit badge is lots of fun and a very popular choice among scouts. Prior to climbing in this pristine area, each scout was required to demonstrate first aid basics, the Leave no Trace principles and be properly dressed. The following sections of the climbing merit badge have 1-5 skill requirements that were practiced & then demonstrated successfully by each scout. The sub-sections of this badge are: location, verbal signals, ropes, knots, harnesses, belaying, climbing, and rappelling.
In addition to adventurous climbing experiences at Sand rock, visitors enjoy breathtaking views of the night sky as well as the twinkling city lights in the valley. Seeing these scouts in action in the Sand rock picture gallery will make you want to join the next trip to the rock.
The Joys of Summer Camp
In June 2010, Troop 560 of the Pine Forest District, traveled to Lebanon, TN for summer camp. The camp is located 20 minutes east of Nashville, TN, the country music capital of the world. Upon arriving, scouts check-in and locate their assigned wall-tents. A wall-tent is a fabric tent mounted on a wooden floor. Wall tents are not quite like the tent dear old dad used when he was a boy.
Camp days begin and end with Assembly. Assembly focuses on the respectful raising & lowering of the US Flag as well as morning & evening announcements. After morning assembly, it's onto breakfast and the day's activities.
Healthy, satisfying meals are served 3 times daily in the mess hall. Additional snacks and souvenirs may be purchased in the Trading Post. Activities include, archery, rifle range, water sports, climbing, basket weaving, metalworking and many others. Summer camp gives scouts a week of activities designed support badge completion in a fun safe environment.
Campfire is held on the first and last evening of camp. Campfire nights are set aside to open and close camp each year and highlights hilarious skits dramatized by camp leaders. All too quickly, it is time to close another year of summer camp. Scouts say goodbye to new friends and summer camp counselors promising to return next year. Please see the summer camp photo gallery to get a true picture of how much fun summer camp is for boy scouts of all ages
