"I believe that today, as for the past 100 years, there is no finer program for preparing American boys for citizenship and leadership than the Boy Scouts of America."

Yesterday morning, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates -- an Eagle Scout himself -- addressed Scouts at the 100th anniversary National Jamboree.  Click the title to read an excellent speech to our seven boys there, and their 44,993 friends.

Seven Troop 76 Scouts Head to National Jamboree 2010

Seven of Troop 76's finest headed to Ft. A.P. Hill, Virginia for the BSA National Jamboree 2010. Tony Robucci, Joe Jevnik, Josh Rodin, Nate Lungarini, Ross Harmon, Keiko Kaplan, and Ryan Carr met dark and early Saturday July 24 at Rentschler field to join the CT Rivers Council contingent.

After a 6am departure and some sleep, they toured Philadelphia on their way to DC and their final destination in Virginia.  Wishing them a great trip...and more pictures to come.

Super Summer Camp 2010!

Yesterday the troop completed a fantastic week at Camp Mattatuck for summer camp 2010.  All you scouts did a great job: successful on merit badges, great weather (Tuesday aside), good competition, way too many activities -- but all fun -- zero homesickness, and only one scout to the hospital (Michael is fine, more on that later).

In addition to the 42 scouts from the troop, we picked up two provisionals (Timmy and Andrew), who were both outstanding.  Don't tell Travis from Mountain Biking, but they gave him a run for the money as best Provisional Ever.  And not including SPL Nate Lungarini, who took the week off to lead the troop, we had four other scouts or alumni on staff (Will Oliver, Luis Torres, Ryan Carr, and Joe Amarante).

A few highlights:

• Mountain Biking lunch at Lost Lake and Bouldering Lunch
• Saw-off with Troop 90 from Cheshire (longstanding tradition)
• COPE games on Thursday night, coupled with the scouts again letting the adults win at volleyball (11-2)
• An awesome Family Night, thanks to an outstanding dinner organized by Mrs. Sullivan, and followed by the troop contributing 3 skits to the campwide campfire
• Domination of the Iron Chef (Ms. Kim and Mr. Burger) and Paul Bunyan (Richard Havighorst and Mr. Johns -- who else?) competitions
• Derek Cedar catching a 16" bass, and Harrison Braidich a 28" pickerel
• Tim Carr being the first to find Ursa Minor and Ursa Major on the Astronomy Star Hike
• Josh Rodin winning Little Splash at the dive competition
• Mr. Mundt (aka Spiderman) winning the "Bottomless Cup of Coffee" for winning the Scoutmaster Dive competition (3 years running)
• Truly excellent scout leadership, thanks to the Patrol Leaders, Ventures, Summer Senior Patrol, and not least of all new SPL Nate Lungarini really stepping it up.

Sure, a few things could have gone a little better.  We could have won at Water Polo (4-1 loss).  But our teamwork was much improved vs. 2009.  And next year we won't cram so much into the evening activities.

Everyone will be glad to know that Michael Rattray is fine and healthy after a brush with dehydration and heat exhaustion on Friday.  It was a really hot week with a lot of walking and constant activity.  He was his usual happy self when I ran into him Saturday afternoon.

Thanks to all the adults who helped keeping things running smoothly, both in the troop and supporting the camp staff.  I was up there this morning to drop off our staffers for Week 3, and heard the thank you's in person.  I'm sure no troop there has as much fun as we do (scouts or adults).

More pictures are available at the troop's Flickr site. Instructions are on the opening page of the troop's Google Group's site.

Bailey's Pedaling for Peace

Keep up with Troop 76 alums and Eagle Scouts Nate and Ben Bailey as they pedal across the country this summer.  They started out from Portland, OR and as of July 2 are in Bend.  After 3,000 miles and two months of pedal power, they'll end up in Harrisonburg, VA where they'll both be at Eastern Mennonite University this fall.  A pretty cool adventure.