Camp Eastman, July 11-17

Want to do another week at Summer Camp or the June week at HHSCR didn’t work for you?  Head to Camp Eastman (Nauvoo, Illinois) July 11-17 where our Scoutmaster, Trent Hancock, will lead the Provisional Troop.  The Provisional Troop welcomes any Scouts registered for camp who aren’t attending with their own units.  There are already a few T2K Scouts signed up for the provo troop during this week. First-time campers are highly encouraged to sign-up for the First Year Camper Program, where they will complete several early rank requirements.  Cost is $325 per scout.

Check merit badge offerings here: https://www.mississippivalleybsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-CE-Merit-Badge-Schedule.pdf

Full information about camp here: https://www.mississippivalleybsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021-Scouts-BSA-Camp-Leaders-Guide.pdf 

Scouts register individually on Camp Eastman’s website: https://registration.mississippivalleybsa.org/summer-camp/login 

 

First Aid Merit Badge Workshop

Troop 2000 will be offering Scouts the opportunity to earn the First Aid Merit Badge - plus - the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class first aid rank requirements related to this badge. It is highly suggested that any Scout that does not already have this badge to seriously consider this opportunity including brand new scouts just joining the troop. 

Summer Camp 2021 Howard H. Cherry

Registration is open for summer camp. Troop 2000 will be attending Howard H. Cherry Scout Reservation the week of June 20 - June 26. The base cost is $290 if you sign up by 4/29 (troop deadline). Base increases to $315 until 5/14. After that it is $340. You will have to have enough funds in your Scoutbucks account in advance of the troop registering you. Checks can be sent to our treasurer if there isn't enough there (more info on registration form).

May Climbing Campout

 

The troop will be traveling to Savanna, Illinois May 14-16, 2021. We will be working on the Climbing merit badge through a 6 hour program on Saturday.

  

Cedar Rapids MBU

If you're interested in attending the virtual Cedar Rapids MBU being put on by Boy Scout Troop 37, please check this out.

Lake Darling Campout | April 16 - 18

Our April campout will be at Lake Darling State Park. The main activity for this weekend will be a 10 mile hike on the lake’s main trail loop. Other camp activities could be planned for non-hikers who remain at camp if we have enough adult support; a shorter hike distance for example. Scouts using this 10 mile hike for their Hiking MB will need to submit a hiking plan to their MB counselor.  

Exploratory Survey - Watershed Awareness River Expedition (July 11-16)

 

Troop 2000 is opening an “exploratory survey” to see who may be interested in participating in a watershed awareness river expedition (Iowa Project Aware). The goal of the survey is to only determine interest and scale of planning.  By submitting this survey you are indicating you are both “available” July 11-16 and “interested” in participating. However, this survey does not commit you to the activity.

SWIMMING MERIT BADGE

 Troop 2000 has scheduled a Swimming Merit Badge workshop at Diventures, North Liberty for March 28 from 2:00-4:30pm.  This will be a day of completing requirements and not a day of instruction. Scouts are encouraged to practice requirements ahead of time, prerequisite to participate will be completion of BSA Swim Test within the past 12 months. The workshop will be capped at a maximum of 12 Scouts (space and social distancing restrictions) and cost will be $5 payable directly to Diventures. If interested in participating, complete this survey by Friday, March 5....survey includes options for indicating date to work on written portion, or to indicate you already have the written portion done.

Swim Checks, March 6

 T2000 has secured the following date/time/location for swim checks: Saturday, March 6 from 2-4:30pm at Diventures (1895 W Penn St, North Liberty). Any Scouts or adults planning to do any of the following activities should have a valid swim check completed. (Valid swim checks are from within the last 12 months - T2000 last did swim checks at the June 2020.)

March 26-28 Modified Lock-in and Merit Badge Clean-Up

 Troop 2000 has the opportunity to have a modified lock-in and will combine it with a merit badge clean-up event at Mid-Prairie HSEC, 1592 Angle Road SW, Kalona, IA. This event will be a hybrid offering, some items on-line and some items in person.

APO MBU 3/13/2021 (virtual)

 

If you're interested in attending the virtual MBU being put on by the University of Iowa Alpha Phi Omega chapter, please check this out.

Astronomy Virtual Campout

The February Campout (virtually done in your own yard, campout outdoors counts towards rank/badge requirements... camping indoors does not) from February 19-February 21, 2021.   One focus is for scouts to earn the Astronomy Merit Badge.  

First Aid Merit Badge - 1/31/21

Due to current COVID restrictions, this merit badge opportunity will be rescheduled to a future date.

Troop 2000 has the opportunity for a private workshop for the First Aid Merit Badge on January 31 from 9am to 4pm at Pathfinder Outdoor Education Center in Cedar Rapids. This merit badge is foundational for many early rank advancement requirements and other merit badges - it is highly suggested that any Scout that does not already have this badge to seriously consider this opportunity.  The workshop day will cover all requirements for the badge.  

Scouts should plan on packing and bringing along their lunch and of course a refillable water bottle. Face masks will be required, in addition Pathfinder will implement extensive COVID precautions for screening, hygiene, PPE, distancing, and compliance that Scouts and adults will be required to follow. Family-by-family carpooling is an option, but the Troop will not be coordinating it. Adult two-deep leadership will be needed. Cost is $5 per Scout, adults no cost. Sign up closes January 17: https://forms.gle/ReeUuPeuikwrrJ716

Cardboard Campout 2020 - Now Virtual

 

Our annual Cardboard Campout has shifted to a virtual campout on December 4-6. Craft your sleeping shelter made out of cardboard (we’re working to get cardboard provided, and if so, would arrange for contact-free pick-up), or sleep indoors. The choice is yours, but a night spent outside counts as a night of camping for Order of the Arrow, rank, and Camping Merit Badge purposes. A night spent indoors does not count for any of those. Join in Zoom sessions to discuss strategies for warmth in a cardboard structure, participate in an outdoor activity on your own (hike, build a fire, sledding, build a snowman, etc), and work on cooking rank or merit badge requirements. 

Any previous sign-ups for this event are removed and the sign-up form is edited to reflect the virtual campout. If you need cardboard, sign-up early as supplies could be limited. Deadline to register is November 28. https://forms.gle/wWfJrs8xz755wt6S6

November 13-15 Campout at Cedar Valley Park

Our next social distanced campout will be November 13-15 at Cedar Valley Park, West Branch, Iowa. This campout will include 5 and 10 mile hikes on the Hoover Trail, conservation service opportunity, and a Leave No Trace program with Cathy Harney and our Troop Outdoor Ethics Guide. The Leave No Trace principles help minimize impact on the land by teaching Scouts’ outdoor ethics decision-making skills. Cost for the weekend is $30 for scouts and $10 for adults. Deadline to register is November 7.

Where: Cedar Valley Park, Shelter #2, 199 Park Road, West Branch, Iowa

Activities:  5 and 10 mile hikes on Hoover Trail (those doing Hiking MB should submit written hike plan to Trent ahead of time), conservation service opportunity (picking up trash and branches), and Leave No Trace program

When:   November 13th-15th. Drop off at Cedar Valley Park between 5-6pm.  Eat dinner before you come, snacks available for Friday evening.

What to bring:  Be sure to bring two face masks (in case 1st gets wet/dirty), a large water bottle, reusable cup if you want warm drinks, gear for cold weather, plenty of dry clothes,  board games, cold weather camping gear.  Please see our camping section for what to bring on a cold weather campout.

COVID precautions: Scouts must occupy a tent on their own, or with someone from their household. Masks must be worn when 6’ social distancing is not possible. Hand sanitizer will be available and usage highly recommended. The Council has loosened the carpooling rules. If families work our arrangements with each other, Scouts can ride in a vehicle outside of their own as long as masks are worn. The troop won't be brokering rides. So, please work this out ahead of time as not everyone is comfortable with this yet.

Cost: $30 per Scout, $10 per adult.  Includes snacks, 3 meals on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday.

What we need:  Adult volunteers. 

Deadline:  Must be registered by November 7.  No refunds after the deadline.

Registration:  To register, click on the following link: https://forms.gle/7x436pMaqo8rtDm57

Scout Swim Day - 11/29

Due to current COVID restrictions, this opportunity is canceled. We may be able to reschedule it for a future date.

Troop 2000 will host an upcoming Scout Swim Day on Sunday, November 29 from 1:30-4:30pm at Diventures in North Liberty. Scouts that need to work on swimming or water rescue requirements for rank advancement (Second Class 5b-c, First Class 6a, 6e), work on Swimming Merit Badge, or that want to update their Swimmer Test can sign up here. For social distancing precautions we're limited to a capacity of 12 swimmers for this event - if sign-up exceeds 12, we will group swimmers into time blocks of 1:30-3pm or 3-4:30pm. Cost is $5 per Scout swimming and sign up closes November 23.

October 16-18, Belgum Grove Campout

Update - Belgum Grove Camp Out pushed back one week!

Take 2 at an attempt for a social distanced camp out will be the weekend of October 16-18 October 23-25 at Belgum Grove (Bur Oak Land Trust). The main activities will be hiking, seed collection conservation opportunity, and a surprise activity on Saturday. Cost for the weekend is $30 for scouts and $10 for adults. Deadline to register is October 11 October 19th. 

READ MORE: 

Where: Belgum Grove (Bur Oak Land Trust), 3261 500th Street SW(F62), Iowa City, IA 52240 

Activities: Hiking, seed collection conservation opportunity, and a surprise activity on Saturday. 

When: October 23th - 25th. Drop off at Belgum Grove between 5-6pm on Friday. Eat dinner before you come, snacks available for Friday evening. 

What to bring: Be sure to bring face mask, a large water bottle, reusable cup if you want warm drinks, gear for cold weather, plenty of dry clothes, board games, cold weather camping gear. Please see our camping section for what to bring on a cold weather campout. 

COVID precautions: Scouts must occupy a tent on their own, or with someone from their household. Masks must be worn when 6’ social distancing is not possible. Hand sanitizer will be available and usage highly recommended. Council is not allowing carpooling at this time, Scouts will need to be dropped off/picked up from Belgum Grove. 

Cost: $30 per Scout, $10 per adult. Includes snacks, 3 meals on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday. 

What we need: Adult volunteers. 

Deadline: Must be registered by October 19. No refunds after the deadline. 

Registration: To register, click on the following link https://forms.gle/dZAD6W4Dzx9E7fd37

Horsemanship MB - Oct 10th

 

Troop 2000 has an opportunity to do the Horsemanship merit badge from 1-4pm on October 10th. This will be a busy day since we're collecting bags for Scouting for Food that morning. Carpooling is still not allowed, so families will have to provide their own transportation. It is about an hour away at this address: 1875 325th Street, Brighton, Iowa. It will be in an indoor pavilion. So, masks will be required when distancing is not possible. The cost is $10 per scout. Scouts must register by 10/7.

Click here to register

Wilderness Survival Virtual Campout (September 18-20)

Are you ready for a challenge? Think you can complete a merit badge in a 24 hour period? Let’s put it to the test….  Listed as one of the badges for social distancing that could be completed at home, Wilderness Survival Merit Badge will challenge a Scout of any age on survival skills and time management. Join Troop 2000 for a virtual campout in your backyard where you can do any or all of the following (participate in as much or as little as you like): earn Wilderness Survival Merit Badge, work on early rank requirements, work on outdoor cooking for rank requirements or Cooking Merit Badge, and/or Camping Merit Badge requirements.  Coordinated Zoom sessions will be planned for early rank requirements (September 18) and Wilderness Survival Merit Badge (September 19 & 20) - those wishing to work on Cooking MB or Camping MB should connect to a MBC on their own. Share pictures of your adventures to the T2K Facebook page!

Sign-up closes September 12: https://forms.gle/NxkoLDEoVx4x69yF6

September 18 (Friday)

5:30pm Zoom meeting, opening Zoom session

6:00pm Cook dinner outside, if desired

7:00pm Early rank Zoom session first aid (Tenderfoot 4a-b & Second Class 6a-d)

Need 2 Star Scouts that needs req 6 to EDGE teach & 2 deep adult leadership

Sleep outdoors in a shelter of your choice

September 19 (Saturday)

8:00am Cook breakfast outside, if desired

9:00am Early rank Zoom session knot tying (Tenderfoot 3a-c)

Need a Scout plus 2 deep adult leadership to EDGE teach

10:00am Zoom meeting, Wilderness Survival MB req 1-4

11:30am Cook lunch outside, if desired

12:30pm Build outdoor shelter for Wilderness Survival MB req 8. During this time, work on and send photos/videos of requirements 5 & 6

3:30pm Zoom meeting, Wilderness Survival MB req 7, 9 -12

6:00pm Cook dinner outside, if desired

7:00pm Zoom session to show structures built for Wilderness MB req. 8. 

Sleep all night in the structure to fulfill requirement

September 20 (Sunday)

8:00am Cook breakfast, if desired

9:00am Interfaith service.  All who built structures should join - and check in with MBC to verify they slept all night in their structure.

Lake Macbride Camp Out

Troop 2000's first attempt at a socially distanced camp out will be the weekend of August 14th. The main activities will be working on Early Rank Advancement, First Aid merit badge, Service Projects, Canoeing and general FUN! Cost for the weekend is $35.