BSA Troop 503 Adventures

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Introducing Troop 503 Happenings & Adventures

Welcome to the BSA Troop 503 blog! Our goal with this blog is to raise awareness of our troop and all the fun adventures and programs our troop is involved in. A little about our troop:

History: Troop 503 was founded in 1917 and one of the oldest in the country

Our Eagle Count: Over 165 scouts have made Eagle Scout status since the start of the troop and counting (we just welcomed 6 Eagle Scouts this past year)! Watch out for some posts on some of our recent Eagle scouts and projects!

Our Difference: Not all troops are the same and we consider ourselves a scouting group with a very active outdoor itinerary (at least 1 trip per month is available to the scouts). Our scouts have fun and stay very active outdoors.

Our Weekend Trips: We go on a lot of trips (all optional) including kayaking, rock climbing, snowshoeing, canoeing, skiing, biking, and of course hiking! Our trips generally start Saturday morning and go until midday Sunday (depending on where we go).

Our Longer Trips: Almost every year we do a longer summer adventure to the West Coast with the older scouts. Past adventures have included hiking many peaks in the Cascades, Sierras, and Yosemite as well as rafting some of the most spectacular rivers in North America including Colorado, Gunnison, Thompson and Alsek rivers.

Our Summer Program: We typically meet September through June, but we do have an optional summer week long program for interested scouts. Our troop generally goes for a week the end of July to the Wah-Tut-Ca Scout Reservation.

Our Weekly Meetings: We typically meet every Tuesday from 7:30PM to 8:30PM — September through June. We meet at the First Congregational Church in town. Our meetings vary from trip planning to badge requirements to just sometimes having fun.

Our Big Fundraiser: Every troop does a fundraiser to subsidize the cost of scout registration, insurance and trip costs. Our big fundraiser is selling wreaths! Thanks to all of you have supported us through making or buying wreaths! This is a troop effort and everyone has a role in making this program a success.

Interested to learn more about our troop or possibly even joining us? contact us at
bsatroop503winchester@gmail.com with your name and contact information and we will get back to you as soon as possible! W are also always looking for suggestions of how to make this bog better – be sure to send us a note with any suggestions!

Holiday 2020 Update: Season to Give to Others

Hello Winchester,

BSA Scout Troop 503 usually does our annual wreath fundraiser for the Winchester community this time of year. We are sad to announce that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be able to hold a wreath fundraiser this year. Rest assured that we will resume holiday wreath sales next year. For this holiday season, instead of donating to our troop, we ask that you consider supporting one of the other worthy local organizations that are in need this year.

We have assembled a list of local charities below (so keep scrolling) that would benefit greatly from your generous support. Even better — share this list with your kids and have them help choose (it’s great for them to understand about local needs and how they can get involved). Thanks everyone for your continued support to Scouting and all these other organizations in our local area!

Sincerely, BSA Scout Troop 503

WINCHESTER NON-PROFITS

1 – En Ka Pantry

-Offers non-perishable food and other items to local families in need.

-Can give either cash donation, drop off needed items at the EnKa Exchange location, or order items online to be delivered. Could also consider supporting En Ka in general as one of the oldest and largest local organizations, they support all local charities in need in the area. Check out their website for more info: https://enkasociety.wildapricot.org/En-Ka-Food-Pantry

2 – WFEE

-A local charity that aims to meet critical needs for all Winchester schools. This year, more than ever, they could use support as our school system adapts to ever changing conditions due to COVID.

-Offer cash donation directly to the organization, or my favorite – do a teacher donation and recognize these teachers have been working hard to teach all our kids this year. See site for more details:

https://www.wfee.org/teacher-tribute

3 – Winchester ABC (A Better Chance Program)

-A gem of a local program that offers academically talented male and female scholars of color with expanded educational and career opportunities (these students come live and go to school in Winchester).

-Consider becoming a host family for a future student or simply help provide financial support. Visit their site to learn more about this great program.

http://winchesterabc.org/index.php/donate

4 – Winchester Meals on Wheels

-Winchester Meals on Wheels is a privately funded organization that delivers meals supplied by Winchester Hospital, to residents who cannot cook for themselves.

-Latest postings of ways you can help (drive or help seniors with money management):

https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp2233802.jsp

5 – Wright Locke Farm

-A very special place in Winchester that offers so much for our community: workshops, nature walks, lectures, kids programs, non-profit space rentals, etc. While everyone is socially distant — this is truly a special place everyone can still go!

-They offer a few ways to give back – purchase a mask! Or donate to the food justice, scholarship or all season barn efforts. Or if not interested donating now – at least sign-up for their farm-to-go food items! Check out the website for all the ways you can support this gem in our town:

https://www.wlfarm.org/

6- Winchester Connect and Commit

-This is the service-learning club at WHS and they are selling BUCKET HATS at this year’s virtual spirit fair! They are $20 and come in both black and white.

-Proceeds will help fund student-run service events or be donated to a charity chosen by our members! Here’s the link to the online store to purchase a hat for the holidays: Link

7 – The Winton Club

-This group focuses on fundraising for Winchester hospital. The funds raised have been used to purchase equipment, benefit women’s and children’s health care, and provide linens for the hospital.

-Can provide cash donations or donate wanted items by the hospital.

https://thewintonclub.wildapricot.org/COVID

8 – Jenks Center

-Location organization helps engage seniors in nutrition, social, health and transportation services

-Consider being a phone pal with a local senior. COVID is isolating a lot of our community and this helps to keep them in contact with people and engaged outside their home. Commit to calling a senior at least 2 times a month and sharing a joke, telling a story or just checking in. Visit the website for more details:

https://www.jenkscenter.org/copy-of-health-services

9 – Griffin Museum

-So we all know about this building (probably the most photographed buildings in Winchester!). Have you been inside? The museum strives to encourage a broader understanding and appreciation of the visual, emotional and social impact of photographic art. But this comes with a cost!

-Help the museum with a cash donation or buy a brick and mark an occasion or remember someone had an impact on you (Bricks will be permanently displayed on their patio). See website for more details: LINK

10 – Winchester Public Library

-Not only a beautiful building, but a gem of treasures inside. Come help support the staff and all the resources available to this town through a donation.

-Can provide a cash donation and become a friend of the library. See website to learn more: LINK

11 – Comfort Cuddles by Erin

-A sister of a local Winchester resident, Erin purchases and makes all the blankets herself. She makes blankets for children fighting life threatening illnesses such as cancer, chronic illness, heart defects, etc. At only 20 years old, she has already shipped over 200 blankets to kids all over the US. Love this story and her work.

-If interested in helping fund her efforts, you can VENMO her at: @ComfortCuddlesbyerin If you do not have VENMO, you can contact her to send money the old fashioned way (check). Read more about her project here: LINK

12 – Winchester Got Lunch

-Provides healthy lunch foods during the summer for students who may rely on subsidized school-year lunches or who are nutritionally challenged due to unforeseen circumstances. WGL is volunteer run and relies solely on donations of which all proceeds go directly to purchase food for kids

-Donate cash or volunteer time (summer months) to help this amazing local group provide meals for those in need. See website more details how to get involved: https://winchestergotlunch.org/

OTHER MASSACHUSETTS NONPROFITS RECOMMENDED BY RESIDENTS

13 – Council of Social Concern

-Offer citizens in need access to child care services and food pantry for basic needs.

-Offer donation of cash or wish list items. Scroll to the bottom of their website for a wide range of items they need. Donations may be dropped off at the Food Pantry at 2 Merrimac Street in Woburn Mondays–Fridays between 9:00-4:30: LINK

14 – Mission of Deeds

-Mission of Deeds (MOD) gives beds, furniture, and household items, free of charge, to people in need located in Middlesex and Essex Counties as well as the Suffolk County communities

-So many ways to get involved with this great organization – money, time, goods, valuables, etc. Check out their website to see all the ways you and your family can get involved: https://www.missionofdeeds.org/donate/goods-items-accepted-not-accepted/

15 – Northeast Animal Shelter

-One of the largest no-kill shelters. Provide dogs and cats opportunity for a new life. They have placed over 140,000 dogs and cats.

-Adopt a pet, foster a pet, volunteer or provide a cash donation.. Lots of ways to help: https://www.northeastanimalshelter.org/

16 – Mystic River Watershed

-Their mission is to protect Mystic water quality, restoring important habitat, building climate resilience, transforming parks and paths, and inspiring youth and community members

-Be sure to at least sign up for their newsletter to hear what they are doing and ways to get involved. There are a lot of ways the family can get involved from cash donation to volunteering for one of their upcoming “clean-ups”. Check out their website for their latest events and volunteer opportunities: https://mysticriver.org/

17 – Boys and Girls Club of Woburn

-An organization I know a lot of Winchester families are involved in supporting. One of the oldest clubs around, they help support youth programs and activities for families in the area.

-Many opportunities to get involved – donate money, volunteer, or attend one of their events (when they offer events again…). Check their website for latest opportunities: LINK

18 – The Wonderfund Holiday Gift Drive

-A non-profit that wants to provide the 53,000 children involved with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) with gifts to open during the holidays.

-Can either donate gift cards for older kids or choose items to purchase for younger kids. Se website for more details:

https://www.wonderfundma.org/

19 – Catie’s Closet

-Provides children in need access to clothing and other essentials.

-Can give either money, time or toiletries/clothing. See website for all the ways you can be involved with this local group:

https://www.catiescloset.org/help-the-kids#give-clothes-give-confidence

20 – Greater Boston Foodbank

-Committed to increasing our food distribution to provide three meals a day to every person in need in Eastern Massachusetts

-Can volunteer time or money. So many area families in need now. See their website for more details: https://www.gbfb.or g/ways-to-give/

21 – St Anne’s Gift Drive

St. Ann’s Home and School provides a continuum of care approach for troubled children and their families.

-Doing a gift drive for the children at the home: LINK

22 – Rosie’s Place

The first women’s shelter in the United States. They provide a safe and nurturing environment that helps poor and homeless women maintain their dignity, seek opportunity and find security in their lives-Donate toiletries, purchase items from their online craft shop, purchase holiday cards (proceeds go back to their group), donate time or just provide a cash donation. See their website for all the details: http://www.rosiesplace.org/

Weekend Adventure Review: Oct Canoe

Adventure: Canoeing on the Mystic Lakes

October 2020

By Polar Patrol

Trip Attendance: Approximately 15 scouts attended the canoe adventure this past weekend

Trip Activity: Troop met early in the morning to start their canoe adventure. Report from kids was a quick and easy paddle day – no wind or currents.

Review of Adventure: Easy access at Medford boat club to get into the water for a beautiful local paddle adventure. Foliage was beautiful this time of year.

Tip for next trip: Be sure to pack snacks and water – no stores along the river to purchase what you need

Unexpected Obstacles: Lots of sticks and branches in the water so be careful where choosing to paddle

Trip Highlight: The loss of Peppa pig mascot for Polar Patrol (Peppa had an unexpected drop into the Mystic during the paddle)

About Polar Patrol: Made up of 6th and 7th graders, in their “off time” the patrol likes to battle it out on the Risk board.

Eagle Scout Shout Out

Austin Clift restores Lynch Nature Trail

Project Details: The primary goal of my Eagle Project was to establish a safe, engaging nature trail for Lynch Elementary School students in Winchester.

When: The work was done from June 1st through June 11th in 2016.

Why this project: This trail was covered with debris and you could barely access it from the surrounding woods. The teachers felt it was important to give the children the benefit of learning in a natural environment but found it risky to bring classes along the trail due to the poison ivy, tripping hazards, and steep slope of the stream bank. My project gives the school (and the general public) the opportunity to use the trail and access the stream safely.

Process: We commissioned and painted a trailhead sign along with markers along the trail. General trail clearing was done and poison ivy along the trail was removed. Downed trees were used as seating and to define the trail. Additionally, abandoned concrete parking stops were moved and used to create a staircase for the students to easily and safely access the bank of the stream.

Contributors: The troop, family and friends were huge helpers for this project!

Learning Lesson: The project went fairly smoothly once it was started; the paperwork and figuring out logistics were the most difficult aspects, rather than the physical labor. For work days, I recruited members from the troop as well as friends and family.

Eagle Rank: I became an Eagle Scout on June 16th, 2016 as a senior in high school.

Anything else want to share: I found that the way to be most productive and efficient was to give each team a task with general guidelines and make sure to not micromanage.

Eagle Scout Shout Out

Spencer Casey updates Lynch Elementary School Courtyard

Project: The project occurred at the Lynch Elementary School during the summer leading to my 11th year in High School. There is an outdoor courtyard within the elementary school used by the first few grades that was neglected and untouched overtime. The goal of the project was to remove invasive plants scattered along the border of the outdoor courtyard, such as thorns and weeds. Next, we would churn the soil using a rototiller, place a black tarp to prevent future weeds from growing, plant annuals that require little water, and install a wooden border along the outskirts of the courtyard to protect the newly planted plants. I was also tasked with fixing loose cobblestone, bringing any invasive plants to a secure dumping location, trimming bushes, and safely removing animals living in the shrubs.

When: The project took about 4-5 months to complete. In March of 2017, I surveyed the courtyard and drew up a plan to follow in the coming months. Since students were still in school at the time, we weren’t allowed to begin working. Additionally, with the snow and cold weather, work wasn’t ideal. Once school commenced in June, we started the project and finished in about 2 weeks. It took us a total of 4 sessions to complete the work and each session consisted of about 4-6 hours.

Why this project: The choice to pursue the Eagle project was unique since I didn’t attend the Lynch School as a student so I had no real “personal” connection to the school. However, the school is located very close to my house, and it was a convenient space to bring lots of cars and load equipment onto the parking lot compared to other projects that occur on a trail or in a nature reserve. Additionally, the staff at the school were very kind and emphasized the fact that the courtyard was in need of immediate repair, so I felt obligated to choose it as my project.

Process: The project was definitely harder than I expected. I was in a great position as an Eagle Scout candidate since I finished my prior requirements early in my High School career, however, it still took about a year just to complete the paperwork. With dozens of revisions and signatures necessary, I spent many meetings working with the heads of the troop such as Jim Woodard to perfect my documents. And while the paperwork was completed on my own, I could not have achieved the project without the help of the troop and my family.

Contributors: My Dad was a very large contributor to the project. I received most of my rides from him, and we spent many weekends shopping at Lowe’s and Home Depot to buy supplies. Beyond this, Noah M. and Matt W. attended every session which I was incredibly thankful for. Matt helped with a lot of the heavy lifting especially when we uncovered numerous balls of roots lodged deep into the ground. With that said, I remember seeing most of the scouts if not all help me out at one of the four sessions for hours on end. Every scout was incredibly vocal in letting me know whether or not they could attend, and many of the parents were helpful in providing a ride or providing tools for the project (such as Ken Pruitt’s rototiller).

Learning Lesson: Patience is very important when dealing with the Eagle Scout Rank. It certainly doesn’t come easy, and it will take a lot of meetings, weekend interviews, and calls to perfect every step of the way. I also highly recommend leaving your Eagle Project as the LAST requirement of the rank. I personally would have hated to have completed my project, receive recognition for my work, and be left with 5 merit badges to complete. The completion of the project is a huge sigh of relief and very rewarding after long and arduous years of work leading up to the rank.

Feedback: Upon completing the project, I had many positive comments made during the end of the summer in late August from teachers and other faculty. Not only was the project beneficial for the kids, but it was also great to observe by the teachers from the classrooms. In the fall of 2017, my contact from the school sent me an email regarding how the flowers were blooming and the kids looked visibly happier.

Eagle Rank: I officially received the Eagle Scout Rank in the 11th grade of High School in 2018 when I was 16 years old.

Anything else want to share: If you’re an aspiring Eagle Scout, make sure you pursue a project that you enjoy. Obviously benefiting a community or group should be the purpose of the project, however, you don’t want to be stuck regretting how you could have done something else. Make sure you formulate a few tentative ideas for your project before you jump in, and think about which of those options you would feel most comfortable writing about and working on for many months on end. At that point, you will have found a perfect project to delve into.

Weekend Adventure Review: Deerfield River

Adventure: White Water River Kayaking in Deerfield River (Mass)

January 2020

By Spencer Dean, Polar Patrol

Date:  October 5th and 6th 2019

Trip Attendance: There were about 15 scouts on the trip, most were from Iron Chefs Patrol(8th grade). A few were from the 6th & 7th grade patrols

Trip Activity: We canoed the Deerfield River to a field along the river. It was white water canoeing so it was scary at times when you got stuck or hit some rocks but overall it was fun

Camping Characteristics: Car camping near an RV park

Review of Campsite:  It was right on a beach but there was a forest nearby. It was beautiful especially in the morning with the fog over the river. One issue for campers might be that the bathroom was far away

Best gadget/Camping item: My dad brought a mini power gas cooker to cook food

Funniest Trip Moment:  Someone threw a rock in the water and it splashed someone (and they were not happy about it). A scout also ate all the breakfast for the adults

Trip Highlight: The abandoned railroad — it was so spooky but it was super cool to explore

Best Meal: Tacos by the Paw patrol; they looked so good

Learning Lesson:  Don’t park your car on top of a hill that makes it impossible for you to bring up the canoes. Also bring desserts, kids kept eating the adults’ desserts

Anything else to share: The canoe trailer broke, so we had to keep exiting off the highway to find stores to fix it. Our trip almost got cancelled because of the broken trailer – but we figured it out and the trip went on!

Learn About Troop 503 Happenings & Adventures

History: Troop 503 was founded in 1917 and one of the oldest in the country!

Interested to learn more about our troop or possibly even joining us? contact us at
bsatroop503winchester@gmail.com with your name and contact information and we will get back to you as soon as possible! We are also always looking for suggestions of how to make this blog better – be sure to send us a note with any suggestions!

Eagle Scout Shout Out

Ian Bernardin built stairs for Mount Gilboa Trail

Project Details: I built a set of 8 stairs at Mount Gilboa, a conservation area in Arlington, to control erosion on a particularly steep slope. The steps, which consisted of wood frames filled with crusher run, were based on a similar design by Scouts in Arlington troops.

When: I began meeting with the Arlington Conservation Commission early in March of 2016, 3 months before the deadline for my project. I completed the project just in time, with only days to spare before my 18^th birthday.

Why this project: The Arlington Conservation Commission asked me to work specifically on the stairs, and so I followed those instructions.

Process: I was definitely surprised at how difficult the project turned out to be. The second half of my senior year was not as relaxing as it was for most of my classmates, and I had to skip senior prom to work on my Eagle Project the same weekend. I also ran into various surprises during my project, from completing paperwork to calling Digsafe to negotiating with some pretty angry neighbors in the Mount Gilboa neighborhood to relocate my project. Nevertheless, I was fortunate to get help from fellow Scouts and their parents along the way (among others), and I am definitely glad I made the sacrifices I did to complete the project.

Contributors: There were several: a kind neighbor who allowed me to use his power supply for the project tools; Lalicata landscaping, which offered me free crusher run to put in the steps; James Wheaton and his dad Neil among other Scouts and parents; and David White, the head of the Arlington Conservation Commission.

Learning Lesson: My senior year of high school, I still had a pretty unrealistic view of how much I could accomplish. Working on my Eagle Project gave me a much better sense of what kinds of intellectual, emotional, and financial measures the simplest projects can require.

Feedback: Though I have not spoken with any of the Mount Gilboa neighbors since I completed my project, my mother and I have visited the steps on several occasions. They are apparently still holding up well.

Eagle Rank: I officially obtained the rank of Eagle at my Board of Review in June of 2016, just after graduating from high school.

Anything else want to share: Though I spent 8^th through 12^th grade as a member of Troop 503, I grew up in Arlington. This dual town identity was an interesting part of my upbringing and I definitely noticed this aspect of my identity while working on my Eagle Project.

Weekend Adventure Review: Sept Kayak

Adventure: Sea Kayaking in Salem, NH

September 2019

By Connor Murphy, Polar Patrol

Trip Attendance: Approximately 25 scouts attended the adventure with strong attendance from the 6th, 7th and 8th-grade Patrols.

Trip Activity: We kayaked in Salem Harbor all the way to Folger Point. Some of the kids were in canoes and some in kayaks. There were both single and double boats. It was tiring, but fun.

Camping Characteristics: Did car camping at a busy camp spot.

Review of Campsite: We stayed at Winter park campground in Salem.

The pros: There was a convenience store and it was right on the water.

The Cons: The campsites were small and there was not a lot of privacy. There were also limited campfire spots (had to cook on a small campfire stove).

Best gadget/Camping item: “Potato Cooker” that the Iron Chef Patrol brought — they made really tasty potato fries

Funniest Trip Moment: When Noah dropped all the potatoes on the ground

Trip Highlight: Hanging out on the rocks by Salem Harbor at sunset

Best Meal: Iron Chef Patrol made kraft mac and cheese and burgers that looked really good!

Learning Lesson: The three lessons we learned from this trip include:

Make sure to go to the bathroom before getting in the boat
Make sure you know how you will cook your meal (will you make a fire or bring a grill to cook your food)
Be sure to bring appetizers so don’t eat the adult’s food

Anything else want to share: Would definitely do this trip again – but maybe get a better campsite – like the cement barricade spot across the way.