Subject: MHAMailer052907

From: mattbib

Date: Tue, 29 May 2007

 

 

One month to go!

CREW MEETING THIS WEEK!

Crews should plan to meet after this week's troop meeting to briefly discuss plans and task that need to be completed before the June 28 prep meeting.

Read your Guidebook!
These weren't given to you so that they could sit on a shelf until it's time to pack. There's a ton of useful information in there that will help you to prepare for the trek.

Conditioning
If you haven't already begun, there's still time to start getting your body into shape for the trek. Keep in mind that the trek will be strenuous, including long and steep hikes, canoeing across large lakes, often against the wind, as well as carrying heavy loads, such as your personal and crew gear and canoes. To condition your legs you should begin walking or hiking at least a mile a day, preferably with some weight on your back. And for the canoeing I'd suggest push-ups and some resistance training (such as a rowing machine or lying face-down on a wight bench and lifting weights up from the floor. But really anything to help increase endurance for either activity would be a good idea. Additionally, all crew members must pass the BSA Swimmer Test in order to participate in some activities, such as whitewater. Be sure you are able to pass this test so as not to prevent your crew from participating in these activities.

Personal Gear
Remember, the only gear you are allowed to bring on the trek (not including clothing for the trip to and from MHA) are those items listed on Pages 18-19 of your green Guidebook. All participants must bring their gear, already packed, to the June 28 preparation meeting. We will have a shake down, going through all of your trek gear. As such, you should pack your trek gear separately from your to-and-from gear. Use some sort of duffel bags. Do not bring backpacks or other types of luggage that will make loading the fans difficult. There are a few items that you should pay close attention to:

  • Hiking Boots. You will need Hiking Boots to hike Mt. Katahdin. Sneakers and other footwear without ankle support are unacceptable. If for some reason you don't own hiking boots already, you need to acquire a pair as soon as possible so that you can break them in before the trek.
  • Wet Shoes. You will be stepping in water while canoeing. Make sure you bring shoes that you won't mind getting wet. Sandals and aquasocks are not allowed to be used as wet shoes.
  • Dry Shoes. As you should not be walking around in wet shoes, you'll want a second pair of dry shoes for use in camp and day hiking. Or, if you wish, you can just use your hiking boots as your dry shoes.
  • Rain Suit with Hood. Please do not bring ponchos. They're not durable and they're a hazard if worn on the water.
  • Weather is unpredictable. Be prepared. It can be extremely hot and dry or very cool and wet. Pack for all possibilities. And think "quick-drying". Jeans are probably the worst pants you could bring.
  • Additional Items not on the individual list but still a good idea to bring: personal first aid kit; moleskin; compass; canoeing gloves (to prevent hand blisters); seat cushion or cushioned knee pads (for kneeling in canoe).
  • Fishing Gear. Please let  your crew adviser (me or Mr. Caspar) know if you intend to bring fishing gear; be sure to bring money to purchase a fishing license.
  • Electronics. You may bring your cell phones for the ride to and from MHA. However other electronics are not to be brought at all. Leave your MP3 and CD players and games at home.
  • Uniform. We will arrive at Mt. Chase Lodge and MHA in our official uniforms. This includes shirts, pants/shorts, belt and socks. Don't worry about neckerchiefs. This means you should pack them neatly, probably "rolled", in your to-and-from bag. Troop activity shirts will be worn the day we leave from and arrive back to Silverside Church.

Otherwise, just use the lists in the Guidebook. Also consider sharing items with your canoe buddy in order to conserve space in your canoe's gear bag.

Crew First Aid Kits

I'll be restocking the first aid kits this week. That means Crew Leaders need to get me their lists of additional or replacement items that need to be purchased. Make sure I have this list by Wednesday.

Crew Leaders
Shane Chanpimol is the crew leader for Crew A and Nathan Caspar is the crew leader for Crew B. Crew Leaders will run the day-to-day crew operations while on the trail. There is a second in the Guidebook called "For the Crew Leader" that covers the organization of camping responsibilities.

Class 3 Personal Health and Medical Record Form & MHA Health and Medical Record
This must be turned in at the June 28 meeting. It must be completed in full and contain a licensed health care practitioner's signature dated sometime after July 10, 2006. Additionally this light yellow cover page must also be completed and signed by the participant or, for those under 18, a parent. Both forms must be completed and turned in.If you do not turn these in at the June 28 meeting you will not be going on the trek and you will not be refunded your money.

Crew Photographs and Log
It would be a good idea to have at least one person from each crew bring a camera in a waterproof case so that we'll have pictures to show at the fall Court of Honor. Additionally, at least one person in each crew should be assigned to keep a log of the trek, including names, places, times, activities, etc. Descriptions of memorable or funny events are also good. We'll combine these into a booklet to give to participants in the fall.

Feel free to e-mail me with any questions that cannot wait until this week's Crew Meetings. See you Thursday!

Matt Bib