Sundown Ski Trip January 15th, 2018 Deadline to register is January 2nd.

Troop 2000 has organized a ski trip on Monday January 15th and the Venturing Crew is invited along.

Deadline to register is January 2nd.

Isle Royale Meeting on Nov 12th.

Time to start reading up on Isle Royale. We will have an informational meeting coming up on Nov 12th at 6pm at the FCC. We will send out more information prior to that. We will also bring a loaded backpack to look over equipment needs. The same equipment will be good for Philmont whenever we choose to do that as well.

Isle Royale General Info

Next Crew Meeting November 12th at FCC

Our next crew meeting will be on November 12th at the FCC at 6pm. This will be a week early as the church is unavailable on the 19th. We will be discussing our upcoming Isle Royale trip in 2018 as well as possible trip to Philmont in 2019. It is time to start thinking about these activities. We will have to submit for Isle Royale spots in January and Philmont spots this November.

COPE Course Sunday October 8th

Crew 2016 has a fantastic opportunity to spend the day at the Howard H Cherry Scout Reservation and participate on the COPE Course (High Ropes Course).

COPE Day Coming Up

The crew will be doing the COPE (high ropes) course as a day trip on October 8th at the Howard H Cherry Scout Reservation. Details will be coming soon.

Crew Picnic Sunday September 17th.

Our Lake MacBride Potluck is coming up on September 17th. It will be at Sailboat shelter #1 from 11:00 to 3:00. We can eat first, then start our activities.

We need to get a count of who is coming so we know how many boats and how much food we need. Please fill out the google doc on the link below with how many people from your party will be coming, what food dish you plan to bring, and if you have a canoe or kayak we can use.

Please feel free to bring fishing gear if you want. We will have some extra available if you do not have any. Anyone age 16+ will need a valid fishing license to fish.




Map of Lake MacBride State Park

www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/parks/parkmaps/lakemacbridemap.pdf

Meeting August 20th at 6pm.

There will be a venturing crew meeting this Sunday 8/20/17 at the First Christian Church at 6pm. The crew will need to make some plans for the upcoming year. Please come with some ideas about activities you would like to do this year.

Meeting Sunday7/16/17 for Apostle Islands Group

The meeting this Sunday will be for the Apostle Island group only. If you are going on this trip please plan to attend. We will meet at the FCC at 6pm.

The August activity will be Girls in the Outdoors. Please see the earlier post about registration.

Girls in the Outdoors August 11-13th, 2017

Save the Date: Girls in the Outdoors Aug 11-13th at Camp Wakonda. Open to all girls who are 14-20 years old. Girls in the Outdoors is a three-day, two-night campout aimed at introducing outdoor skills to girls age 14-20 in a supportive learning environment where they have opportunities to try things hands-on. Outdoor skills offered include canoeing and water safety, horseback riding, challenge course, archery, firearm safety, basic shooting, leave no trace, conservation and management, outdoor gear & survival, orienteering and compass reading and game care. Registration is now open at http://www.hawkeyebsa.org/Event.aspx?id=1630

Crew Meeting Sunday June 11th at 7pm

There will be a crew meeting for those going on the Maquoketa Caves Campout this Sunday June 11th at 7pm at the FCC.

Maquoketa Caves State Park Campout June 16-18th, 2017

"Maquoketa Caves is probably Iowa's most unique state park. Its caves, limestone formations and rugged bluffs provide visitors a chance to "step back" into geological time thousands of years. Caves vary from the 1,100' Dancehall Cave with walkways and lighting system to Dugout Cave. The remaining caves are all different sizes and shapes. Some can be explored by walking while others can best be seen by crawling. In any case, a flashlight and old clothes and shoes are most helpful.

The park contains more caves than any other state park in Iowa. A beautiful trail system links the caves, formations, and overlooks while providing an exciting hiking experience. Many areas on these trails have seen new construction, making the journey to the caves safer and easier. Trail highlights include the dramatic "Natural Bridge" which stands nearly 50 feet above Raccoon Creek, and the 17-ton "Balanced Rock"."

Come spend the weekend at Maquoketa Caves State Park. Weekend events will include time for cave exploration, hiking trails, cooking, and a visit to the interpretive center. There may also be an opportunity to go to a drive-in movie.

Who: All crew members, advisors of Crew 2016

When: June 16-18th.

Drop Off: First Christian Church June 16 at 5:30pm. Please eat dinner at home

Return: Late Sunday Morning/Early Afternoon.

Where: Maquoketa Caves State Park, Maquoketa, IA (90 miles)

What to bring:

Bring your crew camping essentials (as discussed) for camping including a water bottle and drinking cup. Bring your hiking boots, clothes for crawling in a cave and getting dirty, raingear, and games. You may also want to bring a daypack for the trail hike.

Cost: $30

Deadline for Registration: Sunday June 11th. No refunds after deadline.


Registration Link: Click on the link below to sign up for this campout.

https://goo.gl/forms/fx3lP9GUITSrePLX2

Crew Meeting Sunday May 21st at 6pm

There will be a regular crew meeting on Sunday May 21st at 6pm at the First Christian Church.

Swim Test Sunday April 23rd and other info

As the Crew discussed at the last meeting, they would like to be able to do some canoeing/kayaking at upcoming events like a campout at lake macbride which also includes the Apostle Islands Trip. Therefore, we need to conduct a swim test for all crew members including any adults who plan to participate with any water events. If you can swim, you can be in canoe/kayak solo without an adult.

The crew would like to meet this Sunday. Of course there are a few conflicts, but we'll try to get the most there and have a makeup date another weekend. In order to maximize participation, I would like to have the crew meet at the pool at Coralville Rec Center at 4:30pm if that works for most of you. That's trying to catch a couple of girls who dance in CR on Sunday. Please let me know if you can make it. You will need to pay a pool fee.

We were able to secure reservations for a group campsite at Maquoketa Caves State park on the weekend of June 16-18th.

Hopefully, the crew will work out an outdoor event in May as well.

Swimmer

Jump feet first into water over the head, level off, and begin swimming.
Swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: side, breast, trudgen, or crawl. Swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke.
The 100 yards must be completed without stops and must include at least one sharp turn.
Rest by floating…Long enough to demonstrate ability to rest when exhausted.

Beginner

Jump feet first into water over the head, level off, and begin swimming.
Swim 25 feet on the surface.
Stop, turn, and resume swimming back to the starting place.

Non-Swimmer

Did not complete either of the swimming tests.

Crew Meeting on April 9th, 2017 at 6pm

Our next crew meeting will be on April 9th at 6pm at the First Christian Church at 6pm.

Now that we have had a handful of meetings, it's time to proceed with elections. I know some of you are out of town, but please let us know of your interest in a position. Below are the typical positions that are filled. There is also quartermaster, activity chair, webmaster, musician, guide and historian which we can add if needed.. Please look over the positions and their responsibilities. Our goal over time will be to have the youth lead and run the meetings.

Venture Crew Offices

President:

The Crew President works with the other officers to ensure that the Crew runs smoothly. The President presides over Crew meetings. The President also works with the Crew Advisers and other adult consultants, actively seeking advice when necessary.

Vice President – Administration

The VP-Admin takes charge of the Crew when the Crew President is not present. The VP-Admin also is usually in charge of membership and recruiting. He or she tracks advancement .

Vice President – Program

The VP-Program oversees the execution of Crew activities. He or she recruits and supports other Crew members who plan and carry out each activity. The VP-Program regularly surveys the Crew members to learn their interests. He or she keeps a calendar with activity dates.

Treasurer

The Crew Treasurer maintains the Crew financial records. The Crew Treasurer collects dues and keeps track of Crew member accounts. He or she works with other Crew members to organize fundraisers.

Secretary

The Crew Secretary keeps track of attendance and records meeting minutes. He or she is responsible for Crew communications in the form of newsletters, emails, phone trees, etc.


We can also discuss official uniforms and high adventure shirts.

We can also discuss trying to setup some dates for a couple of campouts.

For those of you who are interested in the Aposte Islands Trip, it is a go, so please register.

If you are a youth that hasn't registered, please bring a completed youth application(on our website) and a check for $18 made out to Boy Scouts of America.

Apostle Island Trip July 19-24th, 2017

Crew 2016 is going on a 3 night/4 day kayaking/camping trip in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore located at Bayfield, Wisconsin on Lake Superior. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a U.S. national lakeshore consisting of 21 islands (Apostle Islands) and shoreline encompassing 69,372 acres on the northern tip of Wisconsin on the shore of Lake Superior. It is known for its collection of historic lighthouses, sandstone sea caves, a few old-growth remnant forests, and natural animal habitats. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has more lighthouses than any other National Park Service area (eight historic towers on six islands).



The Apostle Islands on Lake Superior are heralded as a world-class location for sea kayaking, and with good reason. A unique mix of wilderness, ancient geology and a rich natural and cultural history, lends itself to an exceptional paddling experience. We will kayak open waters, view lighthouses, tour remote islands, and paddle through sea caves.



We will enjoy a guided kayaking tour through Living Adventure Inc. http://www.livingadventure.com


WHEN:

We will depart Coralville on Wednesday July 19th and travel to Bayfield, WI where we will camp over night on the shore of Lake Superior at Little Sand Campground. We will get up early on July 20th and head to Living Adventure for orientation and training. Once, we have been properly trained and outfitted we will depart from there on our guided tour of the Apostle Islands. We will paddle back in on July 23rd. We will then most likely drive part way home and complete the trip home on July 24th.

PADDLING ITINERARY:

We have a great kayaking itinerary.
Day 1: Paddle from Bayfield to Oak Island for the first night...a beautiful sand spit on the south side of the island.
Day 2: Paddle by Raspberry, probably Otter and then on to Rocky Island for the night and basecamp there
Day 3: Depending on weather, may get out for a circumnavigation of Devil's Island (Lighthouse); otherwise lots of other great choices for the day including Bear Island and then back to Rocky Island
Day 4: Paddle into Little Sand Bay via Sand Island sea caves, lighthouse

COST:

The estimated cost for this trip will be $650* dependent upon finalization of travel costs. Final costs will be worked out when travel details have been confirmed. This total includes all food for the kayaking portion of the trip, dinner upon our return to mainland, and breakfasts. This does not include fast food meals traveling to and from our destination and spending money.. Please plan to send money for at least two fast food lunches, and snacks as you see fit.

REQUIREMENTS:

In order to participate in this trip. Youth must be at least 14 years of age and must pass the BSA swim test as a full swimmer. We will need to have formal swim testing of all participants. You will be considered registered when the online form has been filled out below and payment made. Priority will be given to registered members of our crew followed by other family members who are 14 years old or greater. A maximum crew size of 12 has been recommended by living adventure.

All participants must complete parts A, B, and C of the BSA Healthform

All participants must complete the Living Adventure Liability Waiver

All participants must complete the Living Adventure Healthform

Participant Packing List

Crew Gear List

DEADLINE:

Deadline for Crew Member Registration before opening to other family members: March 23rd
No refunds after deadline unless another crew member/adult takes your place. Please only sign up if you are committed.

REGISTRATION:

To Register Click on the Link Below:

https://tinyurl.com/Crew2016ApostleIslands

Sunday Meeting March 19th Cancelled

Due to a busy Spring Break/traveling and other conflicts, we will cancel the crew meeting on Sunday March 19th. We are looking for an alternate date.

Sunday Ski Trip March 1st (no school)

Crew 2016 is invited to come skiing with Troop 2000 on March 1st (assuming there is still snow). Please click on the link below for details and registration information. If you attend, you will also need to complete part A and B of the BSA healthform available in the link above. Deadline to register is Feb 12th.

Troop 2000 Sundown Ski Trip Informatoin

Meeting

The next meeting for Crew 2016 will be coming up on Feb 19th at 6pm at the First Christian Church, Coralville, IA. We will be discussing Crew Shirts, dates for a few campouts, locations of campouts, Summer Kayaking or Canoeing trip, and other things. Please come prepared with some ideas and dates that will work. The Summer trip will most likely need to be scheduled around the weekend of July 20-24, 2017.