Welcome to Troop 1501's new website!

We are in the process of adding additional information in coming weeks, with leaders and designated Boy Scout Web Masters having the ability to add/maintain content. Login information was provided in a recent e-mail to all with current e-mail addresses in Troop Master.  If you did not receive the login information or have any questions, please call me (Steve) at 703-402-0026.

• Overview of the Troop: Started in 1966, the Troop has recognized over 115 Eagle Scouts, with 6 earning Eagle Scout in 2011. Currently, the Troop has 35 Scouts. We are a Scout Led Troop, with active Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster support to ensure each Scout has every opportunity to both have fun and achieve the requirements for Eagle. Although there are lots of great troops in our area, what separates Troop 1501 from the others is our "mid-size" ... not so big that they get lost, but big enough to be able to do 1-2 high adventure camps every summer, in addition to the local Boy Scout Summer Camp. Because of that "just right size" of Scouts and Scoutmasters, Scouts have lots of opportunities to actively participate and lead activities. During the year, we are not so regimented and do mostly "car" camping...which puts us in the middle of the Troops with trailers for carting all of the dutch oven stuff and Troops that focus exclusively on backpacking. We have fun on all our campouts...even in the rain...learn new things, get good exercise and we always eat well! Durning a recent wet camping trip, we learned to start fires with wet wood using cotton balls and vaseline...after learning the skill we had a competition for who could build a tall enough fire to cut through the rope stretched across the campfire area first!

• Scoutmaster: Mr. Brian Hamilton e-mail Troop1501ScoutMaster@gmail.com

• Meeting Location/Time: Messiah Methodist Youth Center Room(downstairs in the back of the church), Tuesdays at 7:30-8:30

• Summer Reports 2011: Highlights from Goshen Summer Camp and 2 High Adventure Camps!!!

• SUMMER CAMP, SUMMER CAMP, SUM-SUM-SUMMER CAMP! GOSHEN On July 17th sixteen Scouts and four Adults made the trip to Camp Olmsted on Goshen Reservation for Summer Camp. The week was filled with Leadership training, Merit Badges classes, Campfires, Hiking, and Swimming. The Scouts (Thomas, Matthew, Stuart, TJ, Domenick, Christian, Justin, Greg, Jamie, Bryce, Mitchell, Brian, Anders, Michael, Ryan, and Devlin) jelled together and formed two pretty cohesive Patrols, while the Adults (Mr Hertsch and Mr Rahme with some help from Mr Collins and Mr Lewis) had fun being along for the ride. Now the 100 degree temperatures did lead to one case of heat stress, and the physical activities did result in one broken bone (only a little toe), but the group had a great time in a fantastic setting. The annual Pirate’s Breakfast was held once again in the middle of Lake Merriweather, where the fog was so thick we couldn’t see the shoreline and had to make our way back using our finely honed mariner’s skills. Later that same day we held a Troop Shoot at the rifle range where we all tried to see how many shots we could cover with a quarter. On the 23rd the buses brought us back to Fairfax County where parents assembled to pick up a lot of dirty laundry (and a few tired Scouts). This was the second year in a row for Troop 1501 going to Goshen and, based on the reactions from the Scouts, there could be a third trip in the near future. That will be settled at the Troop Planning Conference.
• SEABASE SCUBA DIVING!  High Adventure Camp in Florida Keys A group of five scouts (Justin, Louis, Gaston, Christian L, and Nick J.) headed to Islamorada Florida for a week of scuba diving. We dove twice a day and snorkeled every afternoon. We spotted sharks, barracuda, sea turtles, rays and beautiful tropical fish. We even managed a night dive where you see very different critters. We were led by three great leaders, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Nichols and Mrs. Arze who did a great job of coordinating the trip. We had such a great time we are planning a live-aboard trip for next summer in the Bahamas. If you are interested contact Mrs. Hamilton.
• NORTHERN TIER!  Atikokan Ontario Canada – Venture Crew Yes - it was that awesome, ask any of the other Scouts who attended; Nick S., John G., Kyle S., Brian U., and David G. We have attached a link to our Northern Tier 2011 video that Eric J. made from Crew 712's High Adventure trek to Atikokan, Ontario Canada. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PLFbK23WXg

• THREE NEW EAGLE SCOUTS!!! Three Troop 1501 Scouts were recognized for earning the coveted rank of Eagle Scout in September 2011...bringing the total to 6 New Eagle Scouts for 2011!!!  Eric J., Derrick S., and Ian S. held their Eagle Court of Honor on Saturday September 13th at MUMC. For their Eagle community service projects, Eric repaired and painted the Hunter Forest neighborhood playground while Derrick removed graffiti and trash to beautify Cardinal Forest Park. Ian led the cumbersome process of moving and re-shelving Franconia Elementary School library books and equipment to a new building. Our State Delegate, the Honorable Dave Albo, spoke as the distinguished guest espousing the value of earning Eagle Scout. Of note, all three Scouts barely met the requirements prior to their 18th birthday. For one Scout, only two days remained in his 17th year before this Scout met and passed his board of review! Congrats to the three amigos!!

• WEB-SITE MAINTENANCE: This web-site is now tied directly to the Boy Scout Troop Master database and assists our Leaders, Parents and Scouts in managing each Scout's awards and advancement, mailing lists for announcements, and both scout and leader training. It also provides links and information to support camping gear selections, camping menus, trip planning, skills testing, training, ...  We are in the process of having our younger Scouts interview the older Scouts to develop a knowledge base of information to assist current and future Troop 1501 Scouts.  With active Scout, Leader and Parent inputs, this web-site will become a rich resource to all of us.

YIS;
Steve Pitcher
e-Mail: Steve_Pitcher@verizon.net
Cell Ph: 703-402-0026