Today I took my son and five other Boy Scouts from his troop to an all day volunteer project at a local archaeological site. As part of their Archaeology Merit Badge, they need to volunteer 8 hours of service to excavating at an active site, and sorting, cleaning, and preparing artifacts for display.

We visited Farmington, a once 500 acre hemp plantation. The Speek family owned the farm along with about 50 slaves who worked the fields. Today, the main house and a smokehouse are all thats remaining standing. We spent the day digging in what they believe to be the foundation of one of the slave houses.

It was very interesting. The boys (and myself included) were able to be a part of the project. We uncovered countless pieces of ceramic pottery, dishes, cups, pieces of glass, lots of animal bones and teeth (cow and pig), a very interesting cache of quartz pieces all together, and a very old cast iron key. The day before they had found a couple of arrow heads dating back what they believe to be 3,000+ years. The other articifacts date back to the late 1700's to late 1800's.

Since the boys had spent the last couple of months doing online research of national and internationl sites and much classroom time discussing terminology, process, and field careers, this was the icing on the cake and what they had all been anticipating for months. It was exciting to see their curiosity and  high level of interest in the history and process of interpretation. And I have to say that the archaeologist was very attentive, patient, and eager to help them achieve their merit badge.

Our last requirement left now is to work on designing a display for use in a museum. The archaeologist we've been working with has given us the opportunity to work on some display drawers at the Farnsley Moremen Landing on the Ohio River. We visited that site last month when they were celebrating "100 years of Ohio River History". So, we're really looking forward to being a part of the project there.

I don't expect much, but it IS our first day of snow. I love the snow. We just don't get very much in Kentucky, so any little bit does much to boost our happy gauge. The kids are shooting to get their studies finished by noon so they can go out and freeze, I mean play in what little there is. It's very windy and blistering cold...about 11 degrees I think. So, it's not sticking much. Mainly blowing around. But, that won't matter to them until they've been out in it for an hour or so.

Big week for Briar ~ he worked long and hard to learn all the different parts of his Scout badge. Last night he had his Board of Review and made 2nd Class. Congratulations Buddy!

Connor and I have Cub Scouts tonight. We are meeting with the other dens to make crafty gifts for our visit to the nursing home on Sunday. We will be singing Christmas Carols and handing out our creations to the residents. We'll also pick up popcorn orders to distribute next week ~ our major fundraiser for the year.

Clara and I had our Junior meeting yesterday. We're getting ready for an Awards Ceremony next week, so the girls turned in their list of achievements completed since last summer. She's finished her Sign of the Star, Sign of the Sun, several links to her Diva Reading Worm, and several badges ~ Horse Fan, Horse Rider, Camp Together, GSing in the USA, Outdoor Fun and Art in 3D.

Guess what! My Cub Scout was just awarded his Bobcat rank last Thursday night! I'm so excited for him. He was beaming!! On top of that, our Wolf Den had the honor of performing the flag ceremony for the Pac Meeting that night. There were a couple minor glitches, but for the most part, it went GREAT!

Also on the Scouting subject, my Boy Scout is one Board of Review away from reaching his 2nd Class. We're so proud of him for taking all the initiative and work towards it on his own....with no parental nagging!!!

And lastly, our Girl Scout has her Awards Luncheon coming up in two weeks. She's working hard to finish off several badges she's been working on, and two of her Signs...the Star and the Sun.

Congratulations Kiddos!!

Proud MaMa

Oh! I can't tell you how proud we are of our son. We picked him up on Sunday at the church around 7pm. They were all smelly and worn out...but beaming with smiles of accomplishment!! Yes, it was a hard hike for most of them, but so rewarding.

They left Friday evening at 6pm, drove 4 hours, camped in the bus, and got up at 6am to have breakfast. It took them all day to climb the 10 mile hike up the mountain. They plateaued around 3,500 feet, and camped at the top.

Briar said the food was awesome!!  I smile because I still have a hard time imagining his patrol of 11, 12 and 13 year olds making "awesome" food, but.....I'm sure that when you've been hiking with 25 pounds on your back all day, anything can taste awesome.  They had instant oatmeal and poptarts for breakfast both days; packed their own trail-safe lunches and snacks, and made Chicken Fettucine for dinner on Saturday night. I'm so impressed!!

Briar's Scoutmaster gave him much praise for carrying his own pack all weekend and not needing any help. Apparently, there were a couple boys that did overpack and needed some assistance from the troop "pack mules". I'm glad to know that he didn't pack too many pairs of underwear!! The only advise he had was too pack more hiking socks and make sure his boots fit well. He ended up with some blistering. But, I think after talking about it, we figured out that he had put two layers of liners on and didn't use any talc powder until it was too late. Other then that, he did great.

It was a very good thing that we did a little shopping before he left. He had some money left from vacation and a giftcard to Dick's from his birthday. We ended up getting under armor "cold gear" long-sleeved shirt and leggings, and a pair of "cold gear" gloves. Those were a great investment! During the evenings, it got down to mid 30's and he said he didn't even need to use his fleece blanket to keep warm.

All in all, our prayers were answered and everyone got home safe and healthy. We're looking forward to next month's trip to Red River Gorge.

Home For Him,

Deborah

My Boy Scout is going on his first 20 miler trip this coming weekend. Woo Hoo!! Yes, I'm a little nervous for him, but very excited. This isn't just a hike alone. It's a backpacking trip. So they're all packing 20+ pounds on their back. This particular trip is in the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. They will be spending Saturday going up a mountain with a 2,000+ ft elevation change, and Sunday going down. Apparently, even as hard as it is, the boys choose to put this trip on their calendar two times during the year...October and March. Below are the links if you're interested in seeing where 'bouts they're going...it's beautiful country.

Cumberland Gap National Historic Park (http://www.nps.gov/archive/cuga/trails.htm)

 Info about the trail (http://www.dcr.net/~troop269/report.htm)

First off, I just want to thank Dechertimes2 for your comment on my blog from the other day. I know I haven't been too good at it for the last couple weeks.    I'm afraid I'll have another 10 days of no blogging coming up with us leaving for vacation on Thursday. Ugh!! But, when we get back into town, things will get back to "normal". The truth is...I miss it!! =]

This has been an eventful week for the younger two. Both have graduated to their next level in scouting. Clara's Bridging and Awards Ceremony was Wednesday night. She "received her wings" and flew up to Juniors. She's SO excited. She came right home and wanted to get all her new patches on her new vest and start digging in to her new handbook and badgebook. Her troop is planning an all-dayer at Holiday World for the end of June, and a weekend cabin-camping trip to Marengo Cave for July.

The Bridging Ceremony was very unique this year. We had a cook-out at a nearby park with a stream and bridge. The girls decorated the bridge with streamers and balloons. So when it came time to "fly-up" (as we say in Girl Scouts), each of our Daisy's and Brownies took their turn crossing the bridge to the other side to be greeted by their new troop sisters. It was so sweet. They were all just beamin'!

Connor's cross-over was not as "girlie", but still a very proud moment for us all. He has offically ended his Tiger days, and is now a full-fledged Wolf! Plus, it looks like mom is going to be leading his den next year. (I must be insane.=]) We're already planning a summer family campout with his den as well.

Our oldest has decided to miss his campout this weekend so he can go to his 5th Grade Graduation at church. That was a hard decision, but he said, "Well, I only graduate from 5th grade once!" lololol......I can't EVER remember graduating from the 5th grade!! But hey, there is pizza and a party involved here! =] 

On March 17th, our Girl Scout troop hosted an event called Every Girl's Story. There were 300 girls and leaders in attendance. Miss America 2000 Heather French Heather was our Guest Speaker and we also had Zoe Jackson come from the Frazier Arms Museum Interpretive Drama Department to portray the lives of Clara Barton and Annie Oakley. The evening began with a sit-down program in the auditorium and was followed by four different Breakout Sessions. During the activities, they were able to complete the Her Story Try-it. This is the report Clara wrote about it....

                              (Heather and our troop!)

Every Girls' Story

By Clara

     Hi, my name is Clara. I'm from Girl Scout Troop 1769. Back in September of 2005, we started planning a big event that was called Every Girls' Story. Girl Scouts, moms and leaders from all around our council were invited to come. It would be held at Northeast Christian Church on March 17th.

     Every girl has a story. Every girl has a talent that she uses to make the world a better place. At "Every Girls' Story" we learned about Annie Oakley and Clara Barton from the past. And, believe it or not, Heather French Henry was there!! (also known as Miss America!!). Before Heather talked to us, a good friend of mine, Megan Winrich, sang a song she called "I'm Proud to be a Girl Scout". When Miss America came out, she talked about what it was like when she was a Girl Scout. We got to see her sash and the Miss America 2000 crown. Afterwards, I got to have a snack and have a picture taken with Heather. She signed my vest and let me try on her crown. In one of our Brownie activities, we made up a different Sleeping Beauty story and acted it out. The funniest thing was when one of the little girls that came pulled the fire alarm and we all had to go out of the building for 10 minutes. But, when we came back in we all had some more fun.

     At the end of the night, girls and leaders from different troops won door prizes. After we cleaned up, we left to go home. I saw Miss America's RV out in the parking lot. I said to my mom on the way home, "This was the best night of my life, because Girl Scouts is really important!"

While things were fairly quiet here on the homefront this weekend with myself and the two younger ones, Bruce and Briar were on their first Boy Scout weekend away....The Rugged Road Challenge. It is a troop signature event that is held twice a year on a privately owned 350 acre wooded property. It is a "controlled" environment where the boys are split into patrols and sent out to establish their own base camp, and given a list of "challenges" to achieve for the weekend. Each scout is given opportunities individually and corporately to showcase his skills and earn points in the areas of shelter building, fire building, canoeing, open-fire cooking and cleanup, orienteering, and marksmanship (hatchet and rifle).

Briar was so excited when they got home to share that his patrol (the younger guys) came in first place! And, even more exciting, he came in with the top score in target shooting hitting three out of three clay pigeons (You'd be proud Grandpa!!). Ofcourse, this was an awesome beginning for him into a new troop and circle of friends. Bruce said he was just shining for the rest of the day!!

They arrived home around 5:00pm today, tired and smelly, but smiling!!

Congratulations Briar!! Good job Son!!

For a Cub Scout, the Blue and Gold Banquet is the time of the year you look forward to the most. It's the time of the year when you receive the rank that you've worked on earning since September.

Our youngest son Connor, earned his Tiger rank this time, the first rank for a Cub Scout.

              It was quite a proud moment!!

Briar, our oldest, has been in scouts now for 5 years. He not only earned his Arrow of Light Award and Webelos 2 rank, (pictured below).....

but he also crossed over to his new Boy Scout Troop..

            (That's him on the far right. =] )

What made the evening even more special was that both sets of their grandparents were able to come and celebrate their achievement.

Good Job Boys!! You worked really hard!!