On Saturday, May 30th, and Sunday , May 31st, our troop went whitewater rafting at Ohio Pyle. We left early Saturday mornign with the hopes of a great day ahead of us, and we were not dissapointed! Most of the older scouts went on the intermediate course, while the younger scouts chose an alternative route to gain experience. That night, when all teh scouts assembled together, we set up our tents for the night and had a great campfire. Everyone agreed that this was an excellent trip worth repeating in the future.

In January we started our service project for the men's shelter.  The TLC prepared and served dinner for 36 men at the Pleasant Valley Men's Shelter on the Pittsburgh Northside.  We were able to take a tour of the shelter which was very interesting.  I learned about the different facilities at the shelter.  It has a kitchen, dining room and washers and dryers.  This was a worthwhile project.  The men at the shelter appreciated our help.  The TLC has decided to make this a regular troop project. A different patrol will be responsible for one meal each month.

Troop 81 traveled to Put-in-Bay, Ohio on Labor Day Weekend 2008.  After a three-hour trip, we boarded the Jet Express Ferry to take us to Put-In-Bay on South Bass Island.  The twenty-minute voyage was windy, but exhilarating.  Once on the Island, we joined nearly 1200 other Scouts from around the country in a Camporee to commemorate Perry’s victory over the British fleet in the War of 1812.  The campsite was amazing, situated at the base of the Commodore Perry International Peace Monument and overlooking the bay and marina on Lake Erie.  Bicycles were our mode of transportation as we covered the Island, visiting a winery, natural caves, a marine research center, restaurants, and shops.  Weekend festivities also included a firearms demonstration and parade.  Troop 81 proudly marched down Main Street with other troops in a formation that extended over a mile.  The balmy evening was topped off by stargazing and a special performance by the Toledo Symphony Orchestra.   The Camporee was hosted by Troop 360 of Port Clinton, Ohio, and their preparations, including the food, were first rate. 

Troop 81 participated in the annual Valley Forge Encampment and Pilgrimage on Presidents Day weekend, 2008.  This event, which commemorates the bitter winter encampment of the Continental Army, is the oldest continuous Scout event in America.  When we arrived we set up our tents in a large open field along with hundreds of other Scouts.  The next day we got up bright and early and after breakfast, took busses out to a large outdoor amphitheater, and waited there to be addressed as to how the day would run.  After we left the amphitheater we went through several stations including very interesting and painful first aid methods used at Valley Forge.  After all of the stations we got to tour the Visitor Center museum at our own pace and warm up a bit inside as well.  After the museum we took busses back to our campsite and ate dinner.  We packed up as much as possible that night, then packed the rest up Sunday morning and left as early as possible.  All the Scouts agreed that it was a great campout.