Matthew Norman is the latest Troop 156 Eagle scout! Matthew has been in scouting since first grade, joining Boy Scouts and Troop 156 in the 5th grade.

Along the way Matthew spent many summers at Camp Yawgoog in RI, backpacked the AT, went on countless campouts, and enjoyed all that Troop 156

does to have fun, give back, and develop leadership skills. For his Eagle project Matthew worked with the town and a local Mt Bike group to build a trailhead

kiosk behind Smith Middle School. Congratulations Matthew!

Troop 156 had a blast camping at Gay City State park. The scouts had lots of fun playing whiffle ball in camp, exploring the trails on a 5 mile mountain bike trek and launching pressurized water bottles in the field. They mixed in some rank advancement and an impressive presentation for the silver spatula award with Michael's patrol taking home the win. Pete also put on an impressive display of dutch oven cooking over the campfire coals. Saturday evening finished off with a lively campfire program, including a flag retirement ceremony with a monster flag.

After many years of trying to get an invitation, we finally made it back to the annual West Point Camporee.  Only Mr. Vincelette had been previously, and he had us expecting a really special experience.  It was, although for different reasons.  A late season nor'easter brought back a last bit of winter which added a lot of adventure but unfortunately cut the weekend short.  Troop 156 was well prepared and faired very well, but many other troops suffered from failed tents, wet clothes, and some hypothermia.  We were out participating in the activity stations late Saturday morning when we were disappointed to hear that everyone was being sent home early.

Before:

During

After:

And some other troops that didn't fare as well:

On December 15, the scouts of Troop 156 completed their annual Scouting for Food service project. Despite a little smaller troop this year than last, participation was great.  We collected 3,139 pounds of food which will be distributed through Hands on Hartford to make the holiday season a little brighter for hungry people in the community.  Hopefully everyone sampling the expired food comes through unscathed!!  

14 Scouts, 8 adults and a 2 Webelos attended our annual Deer Lake campout.  The weather was great, with a few scouts and adults choosing tenting in the near freezing temps (and quiet) over the cabin. Scouts and a few adults fit through Fat Man Squeeze on an afternoon hike following a morning fire building competition.  The traditional trash can turkeys along with typical Thanksgiving sides were on the menu.  The silver spatula competition was for desert, and featured two variations on dutch oven brownies, home-made soda, caramelized pineapple, and Graham's dutch oven "volcano cake" as the winner.  Dad entries included pumpkin pie baked inside a pumpkin in the fire and homemade ice cream.  

7 Scouts, 6 adults and a Webelos 1 enjoyed great weather for a weekend backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail.  This year's trip was to a section of the trail in Connecticut that featured Lion's Head and Bear Mountains.  Scouts were reminded of the importance of packing light on the hike up the mountains, but were able to enjoy a beautiful campsite by Brasse Brook.  After dinner there was another fireless campfire program, due to the campfire ban on the AT, featuring lots of bad jokes and some classic stories.  Everyone got a taste of cold weather camping as Saturday night temperatures dipped into the mid 20's, but were well rested for the quick hike downhill back to the trailhead on Sunday morning.