Ski Trip - February 2019

Troop 9 is heading up to Devil's Head Resort on Friday February 15 to go skiing.  The trip is open to skiers of all levels and their families.

The cost of the trip will be $115 per scout and $125 per adult who ski.  This includes a 2 night hotel stay, ski rental, lift ticket, and lessons for those skiing.  It also includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday. We will stop on Friday night for dinner and scouts will need to pay for that meal.  The cost is $50 per adult for those not skiing.  Also if a participant cannot stay 1 or 2 of the nights, the fee will be $20 less per participant for each night not stayed.

The trip will be a 4.5 hour drive from Champaign to Reedsburg, WI.

The troop will be staying in the Super 8 in Reedsburg, WI.  We will prearrange a set of hotel rooms and occupants for all participants ahead of the trip.  Typically we will appropriately assign four people to one room.

The troop will ski at Devil's Head Resort. This is about a 30 minute drive from the Super 8.

Contact Info:

Super 8 Address: Super 8, 1470 E Main St, Reedsburg, WI 53959
Super 8 Phone: 608-524-2888
Devil's Head Resort Address: Devil's Head Resort, S 6330 Bluff Road, Merrimac, Wi 53561
Devil's Head Resort Phone: 800-472-6670

Schedule:

Friday 3:00 PM - Depart from Holy Cross. Some drivers may depart later.
Dinner - Each vehicle will stop on their own for dinner on the way up. 8:30 PM - Arrive at Reedsburg, WI Saturday
Breakfast - Hotel will provide breakfast. 8:00 AM - Depart for Devil's Head Resort
9:00 AM - Lifts open
Lunch - Troop will provide lunch in the lodge. 5:00 PM - 8 hour tickets expire
5:30 PM - Travel back to the hotel
Dinner - Troop will provide dinner at the hotel.

Sunday Breakfast - Hotel will provide breakfast. 9:00 AM - Depart Reedsburg, WI Lunch - Each vehicle will stop on their own for lunch on the way back.
1:30 PM - Arrive in Champaign, IL

Menu:

Friday dinner: Eat on the road.  Participants should bring money to buy their dinner.

Saturday breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Saturday lunch: Sandwiches, chips, fruit, and drinks will be provided by the troop at the resort.

Saturday dinner: Pizza at hotel.

Sunday breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel or eat on the road.

How to dress for skiing:

short-sleeve t-shirt
long-sleeve shirt
sweater
outer jacket / shell (something wind & water repellant)
wind / water proof pant
long underwear
full length socks
gloves

That will provide you with enough cover for any weather conditions.  I expect you will start out cold, but as the day progresses, you will end up in just your t-shirt under your outer shell.  Be prepared to adjust several times during the day.  You probably won't need the sweater at all during the day, but best to be prepared and you might wear it at the end of the day if everything else is soaked through with water.  Also, remove layers as needed to avoid sweating.  Anything getting you overly wet will make you cold and miserable.

Pants should be some sort of wind / water proof pant.  Long underwear can be worn underneath if you're cold.  Be sure to strip layers if you're too warm to avoid sweating.  On a warm day, I typically end up wearing just the wind/water proof pant.

Socks should be a single pair of full length (not ankle length) sport sock.  Don't double up, it only restricts circulation.  When you put on your boots, make sure there are no wrinkles in the sock.  Wrinkles also restrict circulation and can also cause muscle cramps.

Forecast is predicting very warm temperatures, so expect that whatever you ski in will be soaked at the end of the day.  Bring a full change of soft, comfy clothes to the resort to change into after skiing.

Finally, for new skiers, I recommend to bring a pair of "throw-away" gloves if this is your first trip.  Beginner slopes sometimes use a "rope-tow" to get skiers to the top and that will tear up gloves after a few hours.  Also, due to expected warm temperatures, I suggest everyone bring a spare set of gloves so you can swap if one pair gets soaking wet.

In general, wet clothes lead to cold bodies, and that's no fun at all.  Staying dry is essential to enjoying this outing.  Feel free to ask any questions.  The only dumb question is one never asked.

What to bring:

• Change of clothes
• Warm socks (2 pair)
• Weatherproof jacket
• Gloves
• Warm hat
• Long underwear
• Winter boots
• Ski/snow pants
• Swimsuit
• Sunglasses/goggles (goggles on sale at Dick's for 40% off right now)

CU At Home One Winter Night 2019

What is One Winter Night?

One Winter Night is an annual event that provides a powerful opportunity for our community to learn about homelessness, raise awareness for our friends without an address, and experience a bit of what it might be like to be outside, overnight, in the coldest part of a Central Illinois Winter.

Box dwellers commit to spending 12 hours outside in a cardboard box, along Neil Street in downtown Champaign. Box dwellers come from all works of life, local government leaders, police officers, pastors, business leaders, students, grandmas and grandpas, moms and dads. Each box dweller team is committed to raising at least $1,000 to help C-U at Home continue doing all we do to help our community in 2019.

We invite the whole family downtown to join us -view our documentary, visit the kid's corner, or attend any of our speaker presentations.

Troop 9 is participating in this event.  

Several Scouts showed an interest in being a "box dweller" and it's perfect timing since it's the weekend after Klondike.  So sleeping out in the cold will be old hat for them!  Each Scout and Scouter who participates will receive the Messenger of Peace emblem to be worn around the purple WOSM patch on the uniform.

Here are the details:

• Scouts and Scouters should RSVP via the Signup Genius link below
• Scouts who participate should solicit donations from friends and family.
  Donation link is below.  A great goal is $50!
• We will meet Friday February 1st at 5:00pm at the One Winter Night event headquarters in downtown Champaign.
• From there we will go to our designated spots to set up our boxes
• Boxes and tape will be provided
• Scouts should wear cold weather clothing and bring their cold weather sleeping gear
• One small meal will be provided by Champaign/Urbana Canteen Run
• Breakfast will be provided Saturday Morning at the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen
• The event headquarters will be open all night with snacks and warm drinks to warm up as needed
• Throughout the evening, CU At Home will feature presentations at the event headquarters from local experts about homelessness in our community
• Event staff and security personnel will be on sight all night

Signup Genius Link

Link to make a donation - share with friends and family

Link to CU At Home page

Link to One Winter Night Event Page

2019 Klondike Derby

The Penguin March is on!

2019 Klondike Derby
January 25-27

Camp Robert Drake, Oakwood, IL

The Troop will camp Friday and Saturday night.  Scouts will compete in Scout Skill challenges at program areas throughout Camp Drake.

New Challenges await older Scouts at the Klondike Derby this year!

Practice Scout Skills and Teamwork!

The Day ends with the big Sled Race down the plateau.  It's tons of fun to see!

Departure Plan

Friday January 25

Load Trailer: 5:00pm

Hit the Road: 5:30pm (approx)

Return Plan

Sunday January 28, 9:00am (approx)

Cost

$20 per Scout / $10 per Adult

Includes all meals and transportation

RSVP

Signup Genius link

Permission and Medical Forms

Scouts must have permission slip, payment, and parts A & B of the BSA medical form completed and turned in by Wednesday January 23.  Link to forms below

Gear and Clothing

We've discussed cold weather camping at the last couple meetings.  Scouts MUST wear boots.  Shoes will not be allowed.  We may adjust gear and clothing as we get closer to the event and have a better idea of the weather.  Link to packing list below.

Link to Packing List

Link to Permission Form

Link to BSA Health Form

Link to How to Sleep Warm