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Foil-pack cooking over a campfire
Foil-Pack Cooking

Foil-Pack Cooking

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Want to leave the pots and pans in the chuckbox? Then give foil-pack cooking a try. Wrap food in a piece of heavy-duty foil and fold over the edges to make a packet from which liquids and steam can’t escape. Place the foil packet on a bed of coals and turn it at least once while it cooks. When you unwrap your dinner, you can eat it right out of the foil.

Tools for Foil-Pack Cooking

Not much is needed for foil-pack cooking… Just 18-24″ of heavy duty aluminum foil, a marker to id your meal pack and a pair of long tongs to work your foil-pack over the fire. …that’s it!

Note: If you don’t have heavy-duty aluminum foil, just use two sheets of normal foil.

Foil-Pack Ingredients

ProteinCarb / StarchVegetableSpice / Seasoning
Ground BeefFrozen Hash BrownsCarrots, SlicedDiced Onion
SausageChopped PotatoesBroccoliLemon Wedges
Ham SteaksCooked PastaCherry TomatoesPineapple Rings
Hot DogsCooked RiceMushroomsChopped Apple
ChiliSliced Sweet PotatoesFresh/Frozen CornSalsa / Hot Sauce
Tuna / Tilapia FiletCorn ChipsGreen / Red PeppersSalt / Pepper
EggsBaked BeansFrozen VeggiesButter / Olive Oil
Tofu / TempehCanned PeasDiced CeleryWorcester​​​shire Sauce
Boneless Chicken BreastInstant Stuffing (moistened)Chopped / Sliced ZucchiniGarlic (fresh or powder)

Creating Your Foil-Pack

With your 18-24″ sheet of foil, lightly spray the center with non-stick cooking spray, arrange your desired ingredients and fold to create tight seal. The recommended folding method, the “drugstore wrap” (shown below) will provide you with the tightest seal and even cooking of your food.

Cook Your Foil-Pack

Ideally, you want to place your foil-pack over a good bed of hot coals, not over roaring flames from newly added wood to your campfire. Flip and rotate your foil-pack every 8-10 minutes to help ensure your food cooks evenly.

Estimated Cook Times (minutes)
Ground Beef15-20
Chicken Pieces20-30
Hot Dogs5-10
Pork Chops30-40
Raw Carrots15-20
Ear of Corn6-10
Whole Potatoes45-60
Potato Slices10-15
Whole Apples20-30

Enjoy!
Frost Points & Winter Camping

Frost Points & Winter Camping

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Between the months of November and March, Troop 279 often cabin-camps in rustic lodges and heated shelters. However, to encourage scouts to experience winter camping at its finest, during every campout scouts have the opportunity to earn “Frost Points”. If a scout chooses to sleep outside, one point is awarded for each degree below freezing recorded during that night. The degree of temperature is determined by the “official” weather bureau station nearest the campsite; however, a leader’s thermometer reading is accepted. Degrees (points) are then accumulated during each calendar year.

Requirements

  1. Six or more continuous hours must be spent between sunset and sunrise in a lean-to, snow shelter, tent, or in the open.
  2. No stoves or heaters are permitted in the tents or shelters.
  3. Open fires are permitted, if they do not constitute a hazard to the shelter or the surrounding area and are permitted by the camping facility.
  4. Scouts may earn Frost Points at organized troop activities with leadership supervision, adhering to the principles of two-deep leadership and the Guide to Safe Scouting.
  5. Scouts may earn Frost Points at home and backyard camping for those who miss outings due to illness, etc.. As above, Scouts must have parental supervision and adhere to the Guide to Safe Scouting.
  6. All equipment to be used by the scout (tent, ground pads, sleep-system, clothing layers, etc.) must be reviewed by an adult and approved to be appropriate for the outside temperature.

Though Frost Points are not an official BSA award, scouts take great pride in the points they’ve accumulated, which serve as an acknowledgement of their cold-weather camping skills. Additionally, each year at our January “Casino Weekend“, scouts can cash-out their Frost Points for prizes.

Winter Camping Tips

Some tips to keep in mind when you and the troop take on winter camping.

  • Fail to Plan = Plan to Fail
    • Remind Scouts about having the correct gear months in advance. Then remind them again as you get closer to your winter outing.
    • Hold “shakedown” events to review each scout’s gear and packing methods.
    • In the days before the trip, check the forecast regularly and adjust your plan accordingly.
    • Make sure the SPL and PLs have a “Plan-B” to address the unknowns (ex: unpredicted weather, equipment failures, injuries, etc.).
  • Always bring a bit more than what you think you’ll need – water, food, clothes.
  • Make sure that you have a good knowledge of the signs of frostbite and hypothermia. You should be able to recognize it in others and in yourself. Tell someone right away if you or another scout is showing signs of cold-related problems.
  • Keep out of the wind if you can. A rain fly for a tent can be pitched to serve as a wind break. The wind chill factor can often be considerable and can result in effective temperatures being much lower than nominal.
  • Bring extra WATER. It’s easy to get dehydrated in the winter. You aren’t visibly sweating, so you don’t think to drink water, but since the air is so dry, you lose a LOT of water through breathing. Drink lots of water!
  • Keep a pot of hot water available for cocoa or Cup-a-Soup – these warm from the inside.
  • Always eat hot meals (breakfast, lunch, & dinner.) Dutch ovens are the best – they keep the food hot longer. Meals should be one-pot meals to keep cleanup to a minimum. Don’t get too fancy with the meals – it’s hard to chop onions & carrots at -10F with gloves on. Prep all meals at home in the warmth of the kitchen.
  • Shelter the cooking area from wind (walls of tarps, etc.)
  • Fill coffee/cook pots with water before bed. It’s hard to pour frozen water, but easy to thaw it if it’s already in the pot.
  • Remember C. O. L. D.:
    • C: Clean – dirty clothes loose their loft and get you cold.
    • O: Overheat – never get sweaty, strip off layers to stay warm but no too hot.
    • L: Layers – Dress in synthetic layers for easy temperature control.
    • D: Dry – wet clothes (and sleeping bags) also loose their insulation.
  • Remember the 3 W’s of Layering
    • Wicking for inside layer – Wicking should be a polypropylene material as long underwear and also sock liner.
    • Warmth for middle layer(s) – Warmth layer(s) should be fleece or wool.
    • Wind/Water for outer layer – The Wind/Water layer should be Gore-Tex or at least 60/40 nylon.
  • COTTON KILLS! Do not bring cotton. Cotton absorbs and retains sweat and water. Staying dry is the key to staying warm. Air is an excellent insulator and by wearing several layers of clothes you will keep warm.
  • If you’re camping in the snow, wear snow or rain pants over your regular clothing – STAY DRY!
  • Bring extra hand covering – mittens are warmer than gloves.
  • Bring 2 changes of socks per day. (…and actually change your socks!) Dry socks equal dry feet, which means warm feet.
  • Everyone must be dry by sundown. No wet (sweaty) bodies or wet inner layers of clothing.
  • Use plastic grocery bags or bread bags over socks. This keeps your boots dry and you can easily change those wet socks.
  • Keep your hands and feet warm. The body will always protect its core, so if your hands and feet are warm, your core will also likely be warm. If your hands or feet are cold, put on more layers, and put on a hat!
  • Dress right while sleeping. Change into clean, dry clothes before bed. Your body makes moisture and your clothes hold it in – by changing into dry clothes you will stay warmer and it will help keep the inside of your sleeping bag dry. Wearing wool socks and long underwear (tops and bottoms) in the sleeping bag is OK.
  • Put on tomorrow’s t- shirt and underwear at bedtime. That way you won’t be starting with everything cold next to your skin in the morning.
  • Wear a stocking cap to bed, even if you have a mummy bag.
  • Put tomorrow’s clothes in your bag with you. This is especially important if you’re small of stature. It can be pretty hard to warm up a big bag with a little body, the clothes cut down on that work.
  • Put a couple of long-lasting hand warmers into your boots after you take them off. Your boots will dry out during the night.
  • Fill a couple of Nalgene water bottles with warm water and sleep with one between your legs (warms the femoral artery) and with one at your feet. Or use toe/hand warmers. Toss them into your sleeping bag before you get in. Some of the toe/hand warmers will last 8+ hours.
  • Eat a high-energy, high-protein snack before going to bed. The extra fuel will help your body stay warm.
  • Use a sleeping bag that is appropriate for the conditions. Two +20F sleeping bags, one inside the other. This will work to lower the rating of both bags.
  • Use a bivvy sack to wrap around your sleeping bag. You can make a cheap version of this by getting an inexpensive fleece sleeping bag. It isn’t much more than a blanket with a zipper but it helps lower the rating by as much as 10 degrees.
  • Use a sleeping bag liner. There are silk and fleece liners that go inside the sleeping bag. They will lower your sleeping bag’s rating by up to 10 degrees. Or buy an inexpensive fleece throw or blanket and wrap yourself in it inside the sleeping bag.
  • Most cold weather bags are designed to trap heat. The proper way to do this is to pull the drawstrings until the sleeping bag is around your face, not around your neck. If the bag also has a draft harness make sure to use it above the shoulders and it snugs up to your neck to keep cold air from coming in and warm air from going out.
  • Down and synthetic down sleeping bag work by creating air pockets to trap heat. Don’t throw a heavy blanket overtop your down bag. It will compress the down, minimizing your bags effectiveness.
  • Don’t burrow in – keep your mouth and nose outside the bag! Moisture from your breath collecting in your bag is a quick way to get real cold. Keep the inside of your bag dry.
  • A zipped up coat pulled over the foot of a sleeping bag makes an extra layer of insulation.
  • Don’t sleep directly on the ground! Get a closed cell foam pad to provide insulation layer between your sleeping bag and the ground. A foam pad cushions and insulates. The air pockets are excellent in providing good insulation properties. Use more than one insulating layer below you and make sure you don’t slide off them during the night.
  • In an emergency, cardboard makes a great insulator. Old newspapers are also good insulation. A layer of foam insulation works too.
  • Bring a piece of cardboard to stand on when changing clothes. This will keep any snow on your clothes off your sleeping bag, and help keep your feet warmer than standing on the cold ground.
  • A space blanket, silver lined tarp or a piece of Reflectix on the floor of the tent or under your sleeping bag will reflect your heat back to you.
  • No cots! Better to lay on 30F earth instead of -10F air.
  • Remember your buddy(ies)-system! Multiple scouts sleeping in a shelter will be warmer then just one.
  • Sleep in quinzees or igloos. These are warmer than tents since you’ve got an insulating layer of snow between you and the outside air, instead of just a thin nylon layer.
  • If in tents, leave the tent flaps/zippers vented a bit, it cuts down on interior condensation and frost.
  • Finally, drain your bladder before you go to bed! Your body has to expend energy to heat the extra fluid. Also, having to go in the middle of the night when it is 5 degrees out chills your entire body. Drink all day, but stop one hour before bed.
Earning Your Cyber Chip

Earning Your Cyber Chip

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Though no longer required by Scouts, BSA, Troop 279 still STRONGLY encourages scouts to complete the Cyber Chip requirements. There are several resources below that will help you work through the Cyber Chip.

  1. Cyber Chip Requirements – The key to the Cyber Chip is completing the correct requirements, based on your school grade. You can use the Cyber Chip worksheet to help organize your work. NOTE: When first earning your Cyber Chip (not renewing), one of the requirements is to use the E.D.G.E. method to teach internet safety rules, behavior, and “netiquette” to either your patrol or to the troop. Please work with your Patrol Leader or your SPL to schedule this time with your patrol or the troop.
  2. The first, and most important requirement of the Cyber Chip is to read and follow the Internet Safety Pledge, which reads:
    • I will think before I post
    • I will respect other people online
    • I will respect digital media ownership
    • I won’t meet face-to-face with anyone I meet in the digital world unless I have my parent’s permission
    • I will protect myself online.
  3. One of the Cyber Chip requirements is to write and sign a “contract” that outlines rules for using electronic devices. The Cyber Chip worksheet contains an outline of rules for using the a computer and mobile device. The troop also has made available a good template to create a Digital Technology Contract. There are even more examples of tech contracts that can be found here.
  4. You must review and discuss with one of the scoutmasters, the Troop’s “electronics free” policy. This may be completed during your Scoutmaster Conference when nearing the completion of both the Scout and Star Ranks.
Cyber Chip Recharge Pin

In addition to earning the Cyber Chip for the Scout and Star Ranks, and your Cyber Cyber also needs to be “recharged” yearly. To recharge your Cyber Chip, you will need to go to Netsmartz and complete at least two more, grade-appropriate resources (i.e. watch two new videos) and recommit to net safety and “netiquette”.

Finally, the last step to earning or recharging your Cyber Chip is to meet with one of the scoutmasters to add the date to your Cyber Chip pledge card (example card pictured below).
Outdoor Essentials

Outdoor Essentials

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Prepared. For Life. It’s more than a motto for Scouting; it’s a way to plan and execute each outing, even if it’s just a Saturday morning hike. On an outing, the items listed below (stowed in a daypack) can keep you comfortable, warm, hydrated, safe and, most of all, prepared to face what nature puts in your path — whether you asked for it or not.

This list is based upon the Scout Basic Essentials included in the Scouts BSA Handbook (pg. 268) with a few twists.

  1. POCKET KNIFE – A pocket knife is the all-purpose tool of the outdoors. Use it to cut cord, trim a bandage, slice cheese, whittle a tent stake, open a can, tighten a camp stove screw, and take care of hundreds of other tasks. Choose a quality knife that includes one or two sharp blades, a can opener, a screwdriver and possibly a scissors. Invest in a good knife now, and it will serve you well through years of adventures. Scouts must first earn their Totin’ Chip before carrying a pocket knife
  2. RAIN GEAR – Be prepared to face the elements with rain protection in the form of a poncho or a shell jacket and pants. Rain gear can also be very beneficial to your clothing layering system, by providing a wind-stop layer.
  3. TRAIL FOOD – You will be very happy to have an emergency supply of trail food if a trip in the field lasts longer than planned or if your provisions run out sooner than you expected. Rely on foods that are compact, high in energy and unlikely to spoil — a small bag of GORP (good ol’ raisins and peanuts) or beef jerky, for example, and perhaps an energy bar or two (do not pack candy or junk food).
  4. FLASHLIGHT OR HEADLAMP – (or both) – You might intend to be home before nightfall, but things don’t always go as planned. A flashlight will illuminate a site as you set up camp in the dark or light up a trail as you find your way after the sun has gone down. Carry spare batteries, as well. A handheld flashlight can be heavy and sometimes awkward to use, but they are fine for trips not limited by the amount of weight you can carry. A compact headlamp powered by AA or AAA batteries, with an elastic band that fits around your head, will free your hands for hiking when visibility is limited, for dealing with emergencies after dark and for reading in a tent.
  5. EXTRA CLOTHING – Weather in some backcountry can change — sometimes with startling swiftness. Have the clothing you need to deal with the extremes of heat, cold and storms. For summer campouts close to home, you can probably find most of the clothing you need in your closet. Using a layering system allows you to stay comfortable by adding or removing clothes as the weather changes. During hot or wet weather, something as simple as a dry pair of socks can drastically improve your outdoor experience. Falling temperatures and the possibilities of snow require more attention to what you wear and the additional clothing you carry.
  6. FIRST AID KIT – Having basic first-aid items on hand will allow you to treat minor injuries and to provide initial care if more serious emergencies arise. Zippered into a self-sealing plastic bag, a personal first-aid kit has what you need to treat a blister, clean a wound and bandage a cut. Use the list provided in your Scouts BSA Handbook (pg. 108) to create your personal first aid kit.
  7. SUN PROTECTION – Sunburn is among the most common injuries suffered by people who enjoy being outdoors. Repeated sunburns can cause long-term skin damage and the potential for skin cancer. While people with fair skin are the most at risk, everyone should be aware of the dangers of too much sun and should take steps to protect against it. Use sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15. Wear a broad-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt and long pants to provide more complete protection. UV-blocking sunglasses are also a good choice.
  8. MAP AND COMPASS – Staying found is an important responsibility for anyone traveling outdoors. Learning to navigate on trails, over water and across open country can bring a great sense of enjoyment and confidence. Carry a map of the area you are exploring, along with a simple compass to help make your way through unfamiliar terrain. Even when they aren’t essential for route-finding, practicing with navigational tools can be fun. Practicing will help prepare you for times when you might need to rely on these tools.
  9. MATCHES AND FIRE-STARTERS – Plan your clothing, shelter and meals well enough that you won’t need a campfire. But be prepared to build one in the event of an emergency. Carry several different kinds of fire sources so if one fails, you’ll have a backup. Matches, butane lighters, tinder aids, traditional fire starters are all good examples. Scouts must first earn their Firem’n Chit before carrying matches and fire-starters
  10. FILLED WATER BOTTLE/CANTEEN – How much water you’ll need depends upon what you will be doing and whether you can replenish your supply along the way. Hot and humid conditions increase your thirst, but you need to drink plenty of fluids in cold, dry weather, too. An inexpensive option is to simply rinse plastic water or soda bottles and fill them with drinking water. Or, you can choose a wide-mouthed plastic bottle that’s easy to fill and clean. Other options include a hydration bladder/pack or collapsible water jug. REMEMBER to fill your water bottle prior to departing, because an empty water bottle will not quench your thirst. 🙂

Additional Scoutmaster Recommendations

The 10 items listed above are the bare-minimum for going outdoors, but with a few more items, you can greatly improve your safety, comfort and enjoyment in the outdoors.

  • WHISTLE – There are many uses for a whistle, but one of the most useful ways to use a whistle is to stay alive. In an emergency situation, when you need to signal for help, a whistle can be heard further away than your voice, and takes much less energy to use. The most recognized distress call with a whistle is a series of three short blasts (about 3 seconds each with a second in between). Allow a few seconds in between each series to allow your sound to travel and so you can hear if anyone is responding.
  • INSECT REPELLANT – The outdoors are great, but they are enjoyed so much more if you’re not having to swat, swoosh, and chase bugs away. When it comes to types of insect repellants, there are numerous choices. Some for your skin, some for your cloths, some pre-treatments and some for the air around you. To help decide which is best for you, REI has a great guide for choosing insect repellants.

  • PREPARATION – Know what you’re doing out there. Be well-trained. Also, for each trip, know where you are going and what your plans are. Feel free to ask your SPL for details and he’ll be happy to share the information. The more people know what we’re doing and where we’re going, the less time we waste milling around aimlessly.
  • A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE – The best thing you can bring on any trip—helps you truly enjoy any outdoor adventure and it is the key to survival in any sticky situation.

Grubmaster Guide
Grubmaster Guide

Grubmaster Guide

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Buying Food for Your Patrol

Attention Grubmasters:  Managing the food-buying task for your patrol is a very important job!

Your patrol members are going to be hungry and unhappy if you don’t buy enough food and leftover food is often wasted if you buy too much.  A Scout is Thrifty is an important Scout Law to remember.  You must keep track of which patrol members are going and if they have paid their money. Knowing your budget, planning your meals, and managing your funds are a big part of being successful in this leadership task.

Plan the menu with your patrol

Get a firm count of how many patrol members are going at the outing prep meeting. If you have 10 patrol members and 7 have said they are going, your budget is $140, not $200. Once you know the number going camping, use the Menu Planner and plan to buy only as much food as your patrol will need.  Buying too much food will cost your patrol extra money and is often wasteful.  Stay within your budget.

Save all your receipts

Place them in an envelope labeled with your name and Patrol, and the total cost of the food, ice and supplies. Buying food for the patrol is supposed to be a break-even proposition. As Grubmaster, it is your responsibility to stay within your food budget.  Spending beyond your budget must be approved by your patrol members.

Packing the food

Do you like squished bread for sandwiches?  Pack the food in ways to protect it in the coolers and totes so it can be safely transported to the campsite.  If needed, the troop will provide a cooler and food tote for the Grubmaster

Remove excess wrappings to reduce weight and trash at the campsite. Zip-lock type plastic bags are an excellent choice.  Instead of purchasing bagged ice, fill one or more clean one-gallon jugs ¾ full of water and freeze several days before departing. Remember to keep the jug’s cap off during the freezing process. By having frozen water jug(s), you can avoid melting ice making your patrol’s food in the cooler all soggy and, if need, you’ll have another source of cold drinking water

At-home preparation will also make cooking at camp easier and quicker.

  • Scrambled eggs? Scramble the raw eggs at home and placed in a tightly sealed container.
  • Diced meats and veggies (chicken, carrots, celery)?  Wash and dice at home and put in separate zip bags.
  • Bacon, ground burger or sausage?  Pre-cook at home. Works great and eliminates grease to make clean-up easier.

It is easier to prepare meals inside in a nice warm kitchen with running water than outside in a barren cold campsite with pouring rain!

During the campout

Patrol leaders – if your Grubmaster will be preparing any food at home, prior to the campout, be sure to remember this effort when planning the duty roster for the weekend.

After the campout

The Scout who bought the food is responsible for removing all food from the food totes and coolers and disposing of it.  Spoiled or ruined food is thrown out.  Food that is okay should be offered to be split among the patrol members.

The Parent’s role

Parental advice, input, and transportation are important to the Grubmaster’s success.  The Grubmaster is the Scout.  He is expected to plan and purchase for the outing.  This means that the Grubmaster goes to the store, not just the parent(s).  Parental advice about nutrition and price comparison at the store is important. 

Note: There are several tips for parents on the back of the Menu Planner to help you during your shopping trip. Tips for parents include:

  • Let your scout do the shopping.  While it’s okay to give your scout a ride to the store (and a little free advice), the scout needs to choose the food and make the decisions.
  • Follow the patrol’s plan.  At least five days before the campout, the patrol is supposed to develop a menu and shopping list for your scout to use.  Our menu planner worksheet helps facilitate the planning process.
  • Make sure you know how many people to shop for. Again, our menu planner worksheet should list a firm head-count for the patrol members attending the outing.
  • Shop early. Part of the logic behind the five-day-out policy is that it gives you several weeknights on which to shop.  You shouldn’t have to shop the day of the campout.
  • On the day of departure, you may pack your cold items in a personal cooler for the weekend or your scout may borrow one of the troops coolers.  Dry goods are best packed in a tote or box to avoid items getting damaged during transport to the camp site.
  • For ice, it is recommended to fill a gallon water jug ¾ full of fresh, clean water and freeze it.  For best results start the freezing process several days prior to the campout.  During really hot months, multiple frozen jugs may be necessary. Avoid bagged & loose ice. They end-up making the cooler a soggy mess by the end of the weekend.
  • Plan to spend between $15 to $20 per scout for a weekend campout. That includes a Friday cracker barrel, three meals on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday. For longer or shorter trips, adjust accordingly.
  • Don’t overbuy items like milk, fruit, and vegetables.  While we all want our scouts to eat right – and we strongly encourage them to plan balanced menus – the fact is that we end up throwing away a lot of healthy stuff on Sunday.
  • Don’t buy things we already have. Your scout’s patrol should have checked supplies in the scout trailer before going shopping; we usually have items left over from previous campouts that can be reused.
  • Control costs. You can do this by purchasing store brands, avoiding individually-packaged items, and picking raw ingredients over prepared foods.
  • Turn in your receipts when you drop off the food. The sooner we get your receipts, the sooner we can reimburse you and close out the event budget.
  • Don’t worry. Since the BSA was founded in 1910, there have been absolutely no recorded cases of scouts starving to death on a weekend campout.

Planning Meals

Preparation Time

Plan your meals so they can be prepared, eaten and cleaned up within the time constraints of the weekend program.  A camp-out with a planned activity schedule will offer a limited specific time for meals (Fall Camporee). Other outings may allow more time for meals.

Budget

A weekend campout food budget is usually between $15 to $20 per Scout.  Other outings will have their cost determined early in the planning process and communicated to the Scouts.  Always save all your receipts and turn them in at the next Troop meeting.

Menu Requirements

  • Review your menu to see that it is balanced nutritionally. Represent the four basic food groups at every meal.
    • Group 1:  Breads, cereals, rice, pasta (up to 11 servings per day)
    • Group 2:  Fruits (4-5 servings per day) & Vegetables (4-5 servings per day)
    • Group 3:  Milk, yogurt, cheese (2-3 servings per day) & meat, fish, eggs, beans (7 oz per day)
    • Group 4:  Fats, oils, sugars (use small amounts) 
  • Sodas and canned-drinks are not allowed. Water is always available as dehydration is a major concern due to the physical activity at outings.
  • Store-bought donuts, pop-tarts, candy and Sunny-D are not allowed.
  • Food preparation is always directed toward fulfilling the requirements of the 1st Class or cooking merit badge.
  • Stay within your budget.
  • Ensure you plan for patrol members with dietary restrictions. It is EXTREMELY important to get their input for satisfying food substitutes (i.e. meat, dairy, gluten-free, etc.).

Breakfast Ideas

EntréeSidesBeverageFruit
Cold Cereal
Regular Oatmeal
Scrambled Eggs
French Toast
Breakfast Burritos
Omelets
Pancakes
Bagels & cream cheese		Toast
Bagels & CC
English Muffins
Canadian Bacon
Sausage
Bacon
Ham		Orange Juice
Apple Juice
Grape Juice
Milk
Hot Chocolate
Water		Bananas
Raisins
Strawberries
Fruit Cups
Apples
Oranges
Tangerines

Lunch Ideas

EntréeSidesBeverageDessert
PB&J
Grilled Cheese/Ham
Hoagies
Cold Cut Sandwich
Sloppy Joes
Soup / Chili
Franks & Beans		Bananas
Apples
Oranges
Crackers
Energy Bars
Fruit Cups
Cheese / Salami		Troop Cooler
–Iced Tea
-Fruit Punch
-Lemonade 		Cookies
Fig Newtons
Snack Pies
Twinkies

Dinner Ideas

EntréeSidesBeverageDessert
Beef/Chicken Stew
Spaghetti
Mac & Cheese / Franks
Hamburger Helper
Pot Roast
Tacos
Foil Meals		Salad/Dressing
Bread/Rolls
Potatoes
Dumplings
Corn
Carrots/Green Beans
Coleslaw		Troop Cooler
–Iced Tea
-Fruit Punch
-Lemonade		Cake
Cobbler
Canned Fruit
Snack Pies
Pudding
Jell-O

Cracker Barrel Ideas

Cold Weather CampingWarm Weather Camping
Jerky
Pepperoni
Cheese
Peanuts
Crackers
Pretzels		Grapes
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Apples
Oranges
Plums

Notes on Meals

BreakfastSunday morning is busy with packing and preparing for the trip home, so a simple breakfast is best. Something warm is good during the cold months. Have a hot drink (cocoa or tea), fruit and an easy to fix main dish that doesn’t need a lot of clean-up.  Consider having bagels and cream cheese, muffins or oatmeal.
LunchLunch should be another simple meal as there is often not a lot of time to prepare, serve and cleanup.  Have a build-your own sandwich with some soup and fruit. Depending on the weekend’s activity, your Saturday lunch may be a “brown-bag” or packed lunch, where you prepare it in the morning and take with with you on your activity.
DinnerA full dinner is welcome at the end of an active day. Typically there is more time to prepare, serve and clean up so a nice meal can be planned. This should include fruit or salad, a main course, some side dishes of vegetables or starch (potatoes, pasta, etc.) and even a dessert. A carefully planned and prepared dinner can really brighten up a weekend.
Cracker BarrelLights-out is at 10pm. Having a small snack prior to bed-time, especially during cold weather campouts is a great addition to your meal plan. Avoid sugar-loaded snacks. Instead, focus more on hydrating snacks for the summer and protein snacks for the winter. Going to bed with a little food in your stomach will make for a better night’s sleep on a campout.

The Goal

The goal for every outing is that each patrol is responsible for its food and meals, and that each scout is provided with tasty balanced meals at each appropriate dining time.

Adult Leaders

Adult leaders and parents camp and eat together.  They do not camp or eat with the Scout Patrols.  They intervene only when the safety or health of a Scout is at stake. The Scout Patrol Leader is responsible for seeing that all arrangements for patrol cooking are completed.  An adult leader or parent may mentor (demonstrate once) or offer advice (talk to) the Patrol Leader, Grubmaster, or Scouts, but they do not do the cooking or cleanup for the Patrol.
How to Restore and Season Rusty Cast Iron Cookware

How to Restore and Season Rusty Cast Iron Cookware

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It’s easy! Whether the troop inherited vintage cast iron covered in rust or your patrol forgot to dry your skillet after washing, the following will show you the couple steps that it takes to easily restore your cast iron to like-new condition.

First, what is cast iron cookware? Cast iron, is the troop’s heavy-duty cookware, usually the dark, heavy-metal skillets, griddles and dutch-ovens. Cast iron is known for its heat retention, durability, ability to be used at very high temperatures, and non-stick cooking when properly seasoned. Seasoning is the process of treating the surface of the cookware with heated fat or oil in order to produce a corrosion-resistant and stick-resistant coating. When properly seasoned and cared for, cooking with cast iron is extremely easily, providing great culinary results!

How to Remove Rust on Cast Iron

A little (or a lot) of rust on your cast iron cookware is no reason to panic. Follow these simple steps to refurbish your cast iron finish, and you’ll be set for your next campout.

Step 1: Scrub and wash your pan

Scour the rusty sections with steel wool. Then wash the pan with warm, soapy water. This step may remove portions of the seasoning, but that’s okay because we’re preparing to re-season the pan.

For stubborn rust, soak the pan in a solution of half white vinegar and half water. Find a container that’s big enough to hold the rusty cookware and completely submerge it into the solution. Let it soak no longer than one to four hours. The acid in the vinegar will dissolve and loosen the rust. After an hour, rinse and re-scour the cookware with your steel wool in warm soapy water. When the rust is all gone, rinse your cookware rigorously.

Step 2: Dry thoroughly

Completely dry your cast iron skillet with a paper towel or lint-free cloth. You can place it on the stovetop on medium-low heat for a few minutes to make sure it’s completely dry.

It is critical that your cast iron cookware is completely dry before continuing with the next step!

Step 3: Apply Oil

With the cast iron still warm from drying, add a very thin layer of cooking oil (Crisco is recommended) to the entire surface of your cast iron with a cloth or lint-free paper towel. Go easy on the oil! You want just a thin layer, not enough to drip or run when you tilt it. Thin layers are important for baking seasoning into the pan.

Step 4: Bake for 1 Hour

Preheat your oven to 350–400 degrees F. Place aluminum foil on the bottom rack of the oven to catch any excess oil. Put your cookware upside down on the center rack. This helps prevent oil from pooling on the cooking surface. Bake for 1 hour. After 1 hour, turn the heat off and allow the cast iron skillet to cool in the oven. This allows the seasoning to further cure and adhere to the iron.

Seasoning and Rust FAQs

I tried to season my pan and now it’s sticky and gummy. Now what?

This will happen if too much oil is used to season your cast iron or if you didn’t heat it for a long enough time. It’s easy to fix! Just pop it back in the oven for another hour, or until the stickiness is gone.

My cast iron looks dull and burnt. How do I fix it?

Cast iron will become dull if it’s heated without any oil on the cooking surface, or if it’s heated without enough oil in the pan to cook the food. The dullness comes when the oil on the pan burns off before cooking. To fix this, just re-season the pan. If your cast iron still looks dull after re-seasoning it, repeat the process until it achieves a slight sheen.

Tips for Preventing Rust

Want to avoid a having a rusted cast-iron skillet in the first place? Keep the following tips in mind:

  • Never soak the pan. Since cast iron is so vulnerable to rust, it’s best to limit your pan’s exposure to water as much as possible.
  • Never, EVER wash with soap! Soap will remove the seasoning you’ve built up from your cast iron and make it much more susceptible to rusting. Cleaning your cast iron cookware is as simple as washing it in hot water, drying it completely and re-applying a thin coat of oil. …that’s it!
  • Don’t let the pan air dry. Wipe off any excess water with a towel immediately after rinsing. To get your skillet bone dry, pop it on the burner to remove extra moisture.
  • Lightly oil after use. Once dried, rub your skillet with a thin layer of vegetable oil after every use before storing.
  • Avoid certain foods: Acidic ingredients like tomatoes or vinegar can eat into seasoning and lead to rust. If you have a well-seasoned pan, this shouldn’t be a problem-but avoid that cooking that tomato sauce in your brand-new skillet.
  • Use often: Cast-iron skillets love to be loved. They’ll start to rust if they’ve been cooped up for a long period of time without much air-circulation or use. This is often the case in coastal climates, where the salty air can have a big impact.

Enjoy Cooking with Your Restored Cast Iron!
Rank Advancement & COVID-19

Rank Advancement & COVID-19

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One of the most frequently asked question raised at Troop 279 is; “how does the current COVID-19 social distancing requirements affect rank advancement?” Below is an excerpt from National’s COVID-19 FAQ page listing the temporary exceptions to rank requirements, valid through September 1, 2020. This deadline will be re-evaluated as needed.

Tenderfoot rank requirements

  • 1b. – Virtual patrol or troop campouts via video conferencing will be permitted.
  • 2a. – During the same day as your virtual patrol or troop campout, assist in preparing one meal with the help of those with whom you live. Tell your patrol or troop why it was important for each person to share in meal preparation and cleanup.
  • 2b. – During the same day as your virtual campout, demonstrate the appropriate method of safely cleaning items used to prepare, serve and eat a meal.
  • 5a. – Explain the importance of the buddy system as it relates to your personal safety on outings and in your neighborhood. Verbally commit to following the buddy system on your next troop or patrol outing.
  • 7a. – Tell how to display, raise, lower, and fold the U.S. flag.

Second Class rank requirements:

  • 1a & 1c. – Virtual patrol or troop activities via video conferencing will be permitted. 
  • 3b. – Using a compass and map together, plan a 5-mile hike approved by your adult leader.
  • 4. – Evidence of wild animals can be demonstrated with information or photos of your local area found online.
  • 5c. – May be completed virtually via video conferencing on dry land.
  • 7c. – Learn about the dangers of using drugs, alcohol and tobacco and other practices that could be harmful to your health. Discuss what you learned with your family and explain the dangers of substance addictions. Report to your Scoutmaster or other adult leader in your troop about which parts of the Scout Oath and Scout Law relate to what you learned.
  • 8a. – May be completed virtually using video conferencing.
  • 8d. – May be completed by comparing costs at three (3) online sites or locations.

First Class rank requirements:

  • 1a – Virtual patrol or troop activities via video conferencing will be permitted.
  • 2e. – On the same day as your virtual campout, serve as the cook. Supervise your assistant(s) in using a stove or building a cooking fire. Prepare the breakfast, lunch, and dinner planned in First Class requirement 2a. Supervise the cleanup.
  • 4a. – By drawing, computer software, or other virtual methods, plan an orienteering course that would cover at least one mile. Explain why measuring the height and/or width of designated items (tree, tower, canyon, ditch, etc.) is helpful. Explain how you would complete your course using a real map and compass.
  • 4b. – Scouts do not need to follow their route.
  • 5a. – Evidence of native plants can be demonstrated with information or photos of your local area found online.
  • 6e. – May be completed on dry land.
  • 9a. – Visit may take place virtually or by phone.
  • 9c. – Outings can include past or future plans.
  • 10. – Invite the potential new member to a virtual meeting or future activity using video conferencing. 
Social Distancing Merit Badge

Social Distancing Merit Badge

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For a limited time, Troop 279 will be conducting a troop-wide Social Distancing merit badge to have a little fun while we’re unable to meet in-person.

All troop leaders are honorary merit badge councilors for the Social Distancing merit badge. No blue cards are necessary for the Social Distancing merit badge, but all Youth Protection guidelines must still be followed while working with a councilor. To learn more about merit badges, please visit the Merit Badge page on the Troop’s website.

Upon successful completion, scouts will receive the Social Distancing merit badge patch to commemorate the activities, sacrifices and personal perseverance during these unique times.

Requirements

  1. Do the following:
    1. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter when practicing Social Distancing, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.
    2. Tell what you can do to prevent or reduce the occurrence of the following injuries or illnesses:
      • Irritability
      • Lethargy
      • Gaining weight
      • Cabin fever
    3. Define the following Social Distancing terms:
      • Flatten the curve
      • Self-quarantine
      • Incubation
      • R0 (pronounced “R-naught”)
      • Binge-watching
      • Slow the spread
      • Do the five
  2. List and explain at least 5 different ways to estimate a 6-foot distance. For example, “6 feet equals one Ryan Reynolds” or “the span between potholes in PA”.
  3. Rank the following 20 popular sports from Best to Worst for Social Distancing appropriateness:
    • Football
    • Baseball
    • Basketball
    • Soccer
    • Hockey
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • car racing
    • wrestling
    • volleyball
    • swimming
    • skiing
    • bowling
    • horse racing
    • martial arts
    • weight lifting
    • ultimate
    • bicycling
    • speed skating
  4. Do the following:
    1. Create a list of at least 5 common Social Distancing hashtags, for example #StayHome. Your list may not include #StayHome.
    2. Create a list of at least 5 new hashtags that you feel would help people understand, remember, or implement proper Social Distancing.
    3. Share your two lists with your counselor. Be prepared to explain your new hashtags to your counselor.
  5. Using Discord (https://discordapp.com/), Zoom (https://zoom.us/) or other remote conferencing software approved by your counselor, do the following:
    1. Install and configure the conferencing software on your computer or handheld electronic device.
    2. Help another person install and configure the conferencing software.
    3. Schedule and run a meeting that lasts at least 5 minutes and includes at least 5 people. The people must include yourself, your counselor, and at least one other adult.
  6. Demonstrate to your counselor your ability to socially distance yourself by doing at least 4 of the following Social Distancing activities:
    1. Wash your hands correctly
    2. Cough into your elbow
    3. Wave to another person
    4. Pass someone on a walking path
    5. Correctly put on and take off nitrile gloves
    6. Sew a face mask (https://boyslife.org/hobbies-projects/projects/168194/neckerchief-face-mask/)
    7. Order a take-out meal for your family using a phone or the internet. You or your parent may pay for the meal.
  7. Simulate Social Distancing by doing the following:
    1. Live in a simulated quarantine environment by not leaving your house or physically interacting with any other humans except your immediate family for 4 days. During this simulation, complete at least three of these tasks:
    2. Document what you did and present your accomplishments to your counselor, patrol, or troop in a 2-minute presentation
  8. List two types of germs. Briefly describe each one, and tell how they differ, what they do and how you can protect yourself from these germs.
  9. Find out about three career opportunities in the global health industry. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor and explain why this profession might interest you.
  10. Do TWO of the following. Take pictures of your activities. Send or share your images with your counselor and scoutmaster.
    1. Take a family walk or hike
    2. Camp outside in your back yard
    3. Cook a meal for your family
    4. Take a bike ride
    5. Sew a patch on your uniform or merit badge sash
    6. Use lashings to make a useful gadget or structure
  11. Show your counselor your current, up-to-date Cyber Chip.
    • Earn the Cyber Chip: Earning the Cyber Chip can help you learn how to stay safe while you are online and using social networks or the latest electronic gadgets. Topics include cell phone use, texting, blogging, gaming, cyberbullying, and identity theft. Find out more about the Cyber Chip at https://troop279.us/earning-your-cyber-chip/

Click here to download a copy of the Social Distancing merit badge pamphlet.

Adventure BINGO
Adventure BINGO

Adventure BINGO

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Try a little Adventure BINGO while we’re all practicing social distancing.

Complete the adventures with help from family members as needed.  Take pictures as you go!  When you get a BINGO (vertical, horizontal, diagonal only), send your pictures and completed BINGO sheet to ScoutTroop279@yahoo.com.

Click on the image below to download a PDF copy of the BINGO sheet.

Adventure BINGO
Adventure BINGO
Citizenship in the Community
Citizenship in the Community

Citizenship in the Community

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Mr. O’Neill is an approved Merit Badge Counselor for “Citizenship in the Community” for Troop 279 and has suggested the following during this time of social distancing.

If anyone wants to get started on their Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge, you can complete the following items while still maintaining social distancing. Mr. O’Neill can set up video chats with the scouts, but their parents will need to be included!

Requirement Notes:

5. With the approval of your counselor and a parent, watch a movie that shows how the actions of one individual or group of individuals can have a positive effect on a community. Discuss with your counselor what you learned from the movie about what it means to be a valuable and concerned member of the community.

The following movies are acceptable:

  • 12 Angry Men
  • Erin Brockovich
  • Follow Me Boys
  • It’s a Wonderful Life
  • Lean on Me
  • The Man Who Planted Trees
  • Pay It Forward
  • Stand and Deliver

7. Do the following:
a. Identify three charitable organizations outside of Scouting that interest you and bring people in your community together to work for the good of your community.
b. Pick ONE of the organizations you chose for requirement 7a. Using a variety of resources (including newspapers, fliers and other literature, the Internet, volunteers, and employees of the organization), find out more about this organization.

Note that there is an additional requirement to volunteer at least 8 hours in the organization you choose in 7b., which will need to be completed later.

8. Develop a public presentation (such as a video, slide show, speech, digital presentation, or photo exhibit) about important and unique aspects of your community. Include information about the history, cultures, and ethnic groups of your community; its best features and popular places where people gather; and the challenges it faces. Stage your pres-entation in front of your merit badge counselor or a group, such as your patrol or a class at school.

Presentations over the past year have included Mechanicsburg and Enola as the “community”.  There is also the broader idea of the “Harrisburg Area”, or the “Cumberland Valley” that can be used as your “community”.

Also, there is a requirement to choose an issue that is important to the citizens of your community and find out which branch of local government is responsible for this issue.

You will eventually have to interview someone from that branch of government, but for now, you can start to think about “your issue”.   Examples of issue address by previous scouts include:

  • Cars speeding on Wertzville Rd.
  • The need for a traffic signal at Orr’s Bridge Road and Mountainview Road
  • The Township’s need for a new municipal building (being built now on Sporting Hill Road). 

Think about the functions a local government serves, and come up with an issue that you feel is important.   Local government (Township, School District, and County) provides a wide range of services such as emergency services (police, fire, ambulance), trash and recycling, road maintenance and snow plowing, approval of development projects, traffic issues, courts and prisons, recreation, elections, libraries, schools, water and sewer services, and more.  When you are choosing an issue, think about how it is funded and how that relates to its importance. 

Remember, to start a merit, please email the Scoutmasters at ScoutTroop279@yahoo.com before starting. The Scoutmaster will be able to start a virtual blue card for you online through Scoutbook. The next time the Troop meets, you’ll be given your paper blue card.

Also, any communication with leaders or merit badge counselors, online or over the phone, must include a second leader or the parent of the scout.

Please visit the Troop’s website (troop279.us/for-scouts/merit-badges/) to learn more about merit badges.

Contact Troop 279

St James Presbyterian Church
1425 Orrs Bridge Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
scouts@troop279.us

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