White Water Rafting
1919 - Devil's Den, Gettysburg
AT Vista - Pole Steeple
Underwater Exploration - Florida Keys
1918 - Troop's Victory Garden
Troop 103 - Sailing the Florida Keys
Retiring the Colors - Fort McHenry
Troop 3 at the Capital
White Water Rafting
2011 Events
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You can view all photos of each trip in 2011 by clicking on the thumbnail images below. |
| Caroling at Homewood at Plumb Creek - 12/13/2011 |
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You are cordially invited to join Troop 103 for Mother &
Son Christmas Caroling (other
family members & friends of Scouting also welcome) Date: Tues.,
Dec. 13, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. Location: Meet in rear at Emergency Entrance #1 (by time clocks) Attire: Class
A Uniforms (Scouts) Seasonally Festive & Smart (all others) ~ Hot chocolate & refreshments immediately following ~ |
| Planning Weekend - 11/18/2011 - 11/20/2011 |
 Scouts are encouraged to research ideas for monthly activities prior to this event. Make next year's activities fun and adventurous by getting ideas from previous publications of Boys Life magazine or activities posted on other troops web sites. |
| Wilderness Survival - 10/21/2011 - 10/23/2011 |
Click here for Photos and Video
Participants may complete requirements for Wilderness Survival Merit Badge and enjoy a weekend of fun! For more information see the attached brochure: Wilderness Survival Brochure Please note that when preparing for the wilderness survival weekend that food is not included in the registration fee. Units must bring their own food for the weekend. |
| Fall Camporee - September 30, 2011 - October 2, 2011 |
Click here for Photos and Video
Troop 103 is Organizing this year's Blue and Grey District Fall Camporee at Camp Conewago. The theme for the fall Camporee is First Aid and Emergency Preparedness. Activities will be centered on training and education relating to this topic. Merit badges will not be offered. |
| Great Falls, C&O Canal & Biking Weekend - 9/16/2011 |
History meets the Bike Path!Ride along the historic C&O Canal in a boat pulled by mules. Experience rising 8 feet in a lock. Hear park rangers in period clothing describe what life was like for the families that lived and worked on the canal. Enjoy life at a slower pace. Please complete the permission slip and review the Itinerary Information listed below. |
| 9/11 HEALING FIELD EVENT SCHEDULE |
| Due to limited on-site parking, visitors are encouraged to park at South Hanover Wal-Mart behind Sheetz or Hanover First Church of God, 600 Fairview Drive. Free shuttle service will be provided. |
| Summer Court of Honor - Sat., Aug. 27, 2011 |
Sat., 8/27/11:7:00 pm: SUMMER COURT OF HONOR St. Joseph Catholic Church Picnic Grove Bring: |
| It's Popcorn Time Again!, Fall 2011 |
2011 Camp Masters Popcorn Sale
To help your family offset the expense of summer camp, the Troop will participate in the district sale of items from Camp Masters Popcorn and Sensational Candles. We are encouraging each Scout to sell at least $275 of popcorn, candles, and magazines. Approximately 35% of each sale will go directly into your scout account. If everyone in the Troop Sells at the $275+ level, an extra 5% will be earned for a total of 40%. We will have to work as a team to reach that level. More details are available at the following link and will be presented to the Troop at the next scout meeting. |
| Mary Ann Furnace Trail Clearing - Sat., Aug. 27, 2011 |
7:45 am: Meet at Codorus State Park Office
Wear:
Jeans/Long Pants
Old Shoes or Work Boots
Bring:
3:30 pm: Court of Honor Setup, Rehearsal(St. Joseph Catholic Church Picnic Grove)Please complete the permission slip and review the Itinerary Information listed below. |
There is a great outing coming up this week that includes both fun and great learning experiences. Thurs. - Sun., Aug. 11-14, 2011 If you have not already indicated that you plan to attend, then respond indicating your attendance. Have permission slips and money ready at Tuesday's scout meeting.
Please complete the permission slip and review the Itinerary Information listed below.
| Sub Sale - Orders Due: June 21, 2011, Delivery:June 29, 2011 |
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Start Selling Subs now and save up for Summer Camp and other weekend events. This is the second of three sub sales that we will have before summer camp.
Click here for the Order Form |
| Summer Camp Info for Parents |
Click here to see photos from the event.Below are dates and information in preparation for Summer Camp
Tues., June 28: Parent Informational Meeting. Parents of scouts (especially new scouts) are invited to the Scout Meeting to discuss the Brownsea Program for new scouts, review summer camp packing and answer any camp-related questions. This would also be a good time to finalize Health Form status, review Family Dinner Reservations, etc.
Please note the following:
- Low Profile Plastic Storage Tote, Backpack, Hat. These items do not appear on the Packing List but are recommended. The low profile plastic storage tote fits under your cot and contains your gear and keeps it dry.
- Old Shoes. Brownseas will seign in the Chesapeake Bay. Brownseas and others who expect to do the sunrise/sunset Bay Hike should bring a pair of old, closed-toe shoes that can be discarded afterward.
- Swimming Merit Badge: Please note the special packing requirements related to the Swimming inflation requirement (long pants, long-sleeved button down shirt, etc...) for Brownseas and other scouts taking Swimming Merit Badge;
- Bicycles: Scouts wishing to bring bicycles to summer camp should bring them to Gear drop-off on July 5th (see below). First year scouts (Brownseas) should not bring bicycles.
Sun., July 10: Departure after the 8:30 am Mass concludes. Those not attending the 8:30 am Mass should report by 9:15 a.m. SCOUTS SHOULD BRING A SACK LUNCH, WEAR A BATHING SUIT & CLASS B SHIRT AND BRING A BACKPACK WITH TOWEL & WATER BOTTLE. Swim tests will be conducted immediately upon arrival.
Fri., July 15: Family Night. Parents and family are invited to join us for Camp-wide Retreat at 6:15 p.m. on the Main Parade Field followed by a hot dinner at 6:30 pm in the Dining Hall, social hour in our campsite (Minsi) and an evening Campfire Program at 8:45 pm. The cost is $7.50. A dinner reservation form is required. Please bring both when you drop off your scout's gear.
Questions? Contact Paul Seymour, Troop 103 Summer Camp Coordinator, (717) 634-0542, or email him at p4s58@hotmail.com.
| OA Conclave - 6/11/2011 |
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| Poe Paddy Outing - 6/3/2011 |
Please complete both permission slips and review the Itinerary Information listed below. |
| May 30, 2011 - Hanover Memorial Day Parade |
Click on the photo to the left to see the photo gallery.
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| May 13-15, 2011 - Laurel Caverns and Geology or Forestry Merit Badge |
Place:
Laurel Caverns in Farmington, PennsylvaniaVideo
Photos: Click Image
Links:
An Account of the Outing:
The Troop went underground to explore the many deep chambers and caverns in southwestern Pennsylvania.The camping area at Laurel Caverns rests on top of a ridge at 2600 feet above elevation. At this altitude, the leaves on trees are just beginning to unfold.
The Troop arrived at about 8:15PM Friday night just as a heavy rain had passed over the ridge. The sunset to the west was showing beneath the clouds in the distance. We had just enough light left to setup camp. The moon was out and was bright enough to cast shadows on the ground as a heavy breeze could be heard through the forest.
In the morning for breakfast, scouts prepared eggs, ham, and cheese on a muffin. They prepared bagged lunches for the afternoon.
At about 9:15AM the scouts walked a quarter-mile distance to the Laurel Caverns Visitor Center where scouts would partake in one of the merit badges being offered. Our scouts split into two groups and attended the Forestry Merit Badge or Geology Merit Badge.
One scout (M.E.) described Forestry Merit Badge as follows: Four Boy Scouts of Troop 103 participated in a Forestry merit badge class at Laurel Caverns, PA. All earned their Forestry merit badge after completing all the necessary requirements for the badge. In order to earn the badge, the scouts had to complete a packet on the trees native to our country and answer questions about the protection of our forests and demonstrate knowledge of trees and other plants. After they completed the packet, the scouts went with their merit badge counselor and collected leaf samples of many different local trees. All four scouts enjoyed themselves and would recommend the merit badge to all other scouts who plan to visit Laurel Caverns.
Another scout conveyed the his experience about the Geology merit badge to his family. The parent's account of his explanation was "As part of the merit badge the scout showed the rocks he picked up at the caverns. There was such a variety. I was really amazed! One rock looked like a ball of yarn((gypsum mineral). My son said it was used in the making of drywall/sheetrock, and another was red shale(sedimentary rock); the kind you can only find here in PA. Never seen or heard of it in Indiana (family's home state). He did bring home a limestone(sedimentary rock) and some pumice(igneous rock). The fossil he brought home wasn't anything unique, like a snail, but it had lines embedded on it like it was a plant fossil. The sand stone was actually shedding sand in the bag. What was really educational, was they had labeled every rock on the bag with not only the name of the rock but with it's category: sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphous. An example of metamorphic rock was the marble rock he found. The categories signify how the rock formed, and how it is found."
At noon, scouts took a break for lunch at the visitor center and assembled at 1:30PM for the Upper Caverns expedition. Garrett, our guide, reviewed our paperwork and checks to see that we have the appropriate clothing and footwear before entering the caves. We entered the caves at 2:15PM to begin spelunking to the depths of the earth. Our adventure included the negotiation of underground pitches and squeezes. Some passageways were so tight that we sometimes crawled on our bellies using an army-style crawl to get through them. This included navigating through features named "The Flue" and "Liberty Tubes". Other exploration included walking along and up through a subterraneous stream. We eventually stopped at "Petit Falls", the largest waterfall in the cave system, and listened as it splashed on the cave floor and meandered its way through the tunnels and crevices. Other named features included "The Stomach", "Ballroom", "Dining Room", "Devil's Staircase", and "Avalanche Passage". We stopped at one point to watch as scouts repelled down shafts.
Other interesting things included historic writings on the cave ceiling that date back into the 1800s. We came across a lone bat (The Eastern Pipistrelles) hanging from the ceiling. It appeared that it had White Nose Syndrome", a fungus that irritates the bat and causes it to wake up early from hibernation while it is still winter and when the insects they feed upon are not available, thus causing the bats to starve to death. Our tour ended at 4:45PM and we headed back to camp to begin preparations from dinner.
Scouts made Cheeseburger Macaroni for dinner followed by cherry cobbler.
A few thunderstorms blew through after 7:30PM and scouts made their way to the vehicles to take shelter as they passed. By 9PM the rain was steady and scouts retreated to their tents.
On Sunday morning we quickly broke camp, dressed in complete uniform and traveled to Joan of Arc Church in Farmington, PA about 20 minutes away. After the service we had breakfast at the church's pavilion that included donuts, juice and chocolate milk.
On our way home we stopped and visited British Major General Edward Braddock's Grave site. Braddock was killed in 1755 while attempting to capture Fort Duquesne during the French and Indian war. Volunteer colonist George Washington was his aid.
See the photo gallery to learn more details about this outing.
Cost:
$ 61.00 if taking Geology Merit BadgeOR
$ 54.00 if taking Forestry Merit Badge
Itinerary and Permission Slips:
- Camping - We will be camping on the grounds at the Laurel Caverns facility.
- Merit Badges - Scouts will have the option of taking Geology Merit Badge or Forestry Merit Badge (subject to a 6 scout minimum requirement)
- Itinerary and Packing List
- Upper Caving Release Form (ages 9 and up) ; and
- Laurel Caverns Campground Awareness Form
- BSA Consent Form
| Ethan Grove, Troop 103's 76th Eagle Scout - May 10, 2011 |
I am proud to report that Troop 103 Life Scout Ethan Grove was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout tonight (5/10/11), becoming Troop 103's 76th Eagle Scout and the first Grove Eagle Scout. Ethan's Eagle Scout Board of Review was especially challenging in that he was asked "why" more than any scout that I have seen; his responses were excellent. Ethan's Eagle Scout Leadership Project involved planning and supervising the construction and placement of 4 wooden benches and 2 wooden kayak racks at Codorus State Park, all awaiting your use and enjoyment. Please join me in congratulating Ethan and in thanking Codorus State Park and Ethan's family, friends, leaders and others who helped make Ethan's accomplishment possible. Attached is a photo of Troop 103's 76th Eagle Scout towering over his proud (and relieved) mom.
- Jeff |
| Summer Camp Preparation - April Due Dates Approaching |
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Parents,
Attached please find important summer camp information, most of which was distributed to the scouts at the troop meeting this past Tuesday, March 29th: 1. Summer Camp Balances Due Tues., April 19th. $305 balance is due by Tuesday, April 19, 2011, for discount rate; this is $15 less than was previously advertised. See flyer link for details. Sub sale participation can help reduce the expense and John Helfrick (jehelfrick@comcast.net), our Treasurer, will be able to provide scout account balances for payment assistance as April 19th approaches. Any other requests for assistance should be directed to the Scoutmaster. 2. Merit Badge Program Planning Sheet for use by scouts in scheduling merit badge selections. This does not apply to new scouts, who will be in the Brownsea Program featured in Scouting Magazine this past March and may be viewed at https://scoutingmagazine.org/issues/1103/a-brownsea.html. Other scouts should begin to plan which merit badge classes they'd like to take, which involves coordinating individual scout schedules with the main programming schedule (see below). Scouts will have an opportunity to break into small groups at the April 4th and April 12th PLC/troop meetings to plan their schedules. 3. Merit Badge Program Schedule for use by scouts in seeing when different merit badges are offered. This does not apply to new scouts, who will be in the Brownsea Program featured in Scouting Magazine this past March and may be viewed at https://scoutingmagazine.org/issues/1103/a-brownsea.html. 4. Description of Program Opportunities - describes the merit badges, recommended ages/prerequisites, etc. 5. On Line Merit Badge Registration. Paul Seymour (p4s58@hotmail.com), our Summer Camp Coordinator, will be handling the on line Merit Badge Registration, which we expect will begin shortly after April 16th. Scouts should be prepared to submit their merit badge choices and schedule preferences to Mr. Seymour by April 12th. 6. Updated Health Forms. Updated Health forms (with physical exams) must be completed for scouts whose physical exams will be more than a year old by the time we attend camp (July 10-16, 2011). These forms were not distributed to the scouts but may be obtained from the troop website (www.bsatroop103.org) . 7. Questions? Contact Paul Seymour, Troop 103 Summer Camp Coordinator, (717) 634-0542, or email him at p4s58@hotmail.com. Thank you, - Jeff Jeffrey Rosenzweig, Scoutmaster BSA Troop 103 135 Broadway Hanover, Pennsylvania 17331 (717) 968-6533 (c) sm@bsatroop103.org Summary of Links |
| April 16, 17, 21, 22, 2011 - Flower Sale |
Boy Scout Troop 103 of Hanover is having an Easter Flower Sale on Friday, April 22nd from 8AM until 4PM at the St. Joseph's Elementary School located at 236 Baltimore Street, just three blocks south of the Hanover Square. The scouts will be offering a wide range of flowers and baskets. Please help support your local scouts by picking up Easter flowers for Mom or someone special on Friday from 8AM until 4PM at the St. Joseph's Elementary School located at 236 Baltimore Street, Hanover. |
| Sub Sale - Orders Due: April 26, 2011, Delivery:May 4, 2011 |
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Start Selling Subs now and save up for Summer Camp and other weekend events. This is the second of three sub sales that we will have before summer camp.
Click here for the Order Form |
| April 8-10, 2011 - Horseback Riding Weekend |
Scouts camped out at the "Grove" and enjoyed Saturday horseback riding at Hidden Valley Ranch. They toured the town, saw a Bald Eagle feeding nearby, and witnessed one of the largest zip-line courses in the area.
Please complete both permission slips and review the Itinerary Information listed below. |
| 3/18/2011 - Climbing / Orienteering Weekend Outing |
Scouts took on the challenge of the premier indoor rock climbing facility at Climbnasium that has extensive bouldering areas and toprope climbs to 40 feet in height. 
Additionally, the Troop attended an Orienteering program at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center. At Kings Gap there are three permament Orienteering Courses. Teams are given a map with instructions for various courses (White - Beginner, Yellow - Moderate, Orange - Advance). Each course starts and finishes at the same location. Troop 103 chose the Yellow Course Map that showed ten (10) specific control points marked on the map for just that course. Control Points are also marked in the field with a white post with numbers and letters marked near the top of the post. The Yellow course was about 2.5 miles long. Scouts are given a start time and attempt to complete the course in the best time. The path that they take from control point to control point is chosen by the scouts. They choose the best path based on features shown on the map like steepness of terrain, obstacles like rock formations, the existing trails between both points, etc.
Finally, scouts had the opportunity to see the SuperMoon. A SuperMoon occurs when the Earth, Moon and Sun are all in a line, with Moon in its nearest approach to Earth. SuperMoons can cause tidal forces that are 18% greater than average. A SuperMoon is 12% larger and brighter than an average full moon. See the last photo for a view of the moon as it appeared on 3/19/2011 at 8:23PM EDST.
Please complete both permission slips and review the Itinerary Information listed below.
Fri., March 18, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. (St. Joseph Parking Lot) –
Bring Sack DinnerOrienteering: Sat., March 19, 2011: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Climbing: Fri., March 18, 2011: 6 - 10 p.m.
Climbnasium, Inc. (Indoor Climbing)
339A North Locust Point Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
(717) 795-9580
https://www.climbnasium.net/
Kings Gap State Park – Environmental Education CenterFull Moon Hike:
(717) 486-3799
Presented by the Susquehanna Valley Orienteering Club
https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/KingsGapEnvironmentalEducationCenter/Pages/Orienteering.aspx
Darlington Trail Full Moon Hike on Blue MountainCamping: Kings Gap State Park (Fri. & Sat. nights)
Sat., March 19, 2011: 7-9 p.m.
3.5 mile night hike on level terrain
Presented by Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club
Meet at PA 114 park and ride area just north of I-81, Exit 57.
Group Tenting Area No. 1
500 Kings Gap Rd.
Carlisle, PA 17015-9306
717-486-5031
| February 18-20, 2011 - KLONDIKE DERBY – MOUNTAIN MAN RENDEZVOUS |
Itinerary
at the 7:00PM Meeting: Ice; Gear Drop off on Tuesday; Sleeping Pads/Air Mattresses
6:30 p.m.: Grocery Shopping at Nells Shurfine
4:30 p.m.: Meet at St. Joseph Church on Grandview Rd.
Travel to Camp Tuckahoe in Dillsburg, PA (Oak Lodge)
11:00 a.m.: Approx. return to St. Joseph Church, depending upon Mass.
Photos of the Event
Camp Map
Forms to Complete
| February 5, 2011 - Scout Sunday (Saturday) and Court of Honor |
| January 15, 2011 Summer Camp Deposits due by January 25, 2011 |
| Summer Camp deposits of $25 are due by Tuesday, January 25, 2011. Deposits are required to secure your son's participation in this very important week of scouting fun and advancement opportunity. Deposits will be collected at the next two Troop Meetings. Please review the Summer Camp Deposit Flyer to see additional payment schedule amounts and dates beyond this current deposit. |
| January 29, 2011 - Rancho Kelly Outing |
Click here for photos of the events.
Parents of Troop 103 Scouts,
Last evening the decision was made to modify the upcoming Troop 103 Rancho Kelly campout at the Kelly Farm. Last week's snow and subsequent thawing and re-freezing has created an ice covering that will make access to the camping area at the top of the hill difficult if not impossible. We also discovered recently-downed large trees in the camping area. The predicted weather forecast (i.e., the current snowstorm) will compound access issues to the camping area.
The revised plan includes a day of sledding:
Saturday, Jan. 29:
- Jeff
| January 22, 2011 Blood Drive - Troop Service |
Troop 103 will be supporting the Jan. 22nd Blood Drive at Delone Catholic High School in McSherrystown from 8:00AM - 2:00PM. Scouts are encouraged to help to staff the drive. No sign ups are needed, scouts should just come when they can and help with providing refreshments to donors and other tasks as needed.
Scouts should also request potential donors to sign up and donate in the Hanover area at either of the two dates/locations noted below. Donor Locations: |
| Harrisburg Merit Badge College - Saturday January 22 and February 26, 2011 |
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Harrisburg Merit Badge College is a great opportunity to take some Eagle required merit badges: Classes offered are filling up fast and immediate action is recommended if you are interested in taking any of the following classes:
Citizenship in Community, Citizenship in Nation, Citizenship in World, Communications, Crime, Prevention, Fire Safety, First Aid, Genealogy, Finger Printing/Pulp & Paper, Music, Personal Management, Family Life, Emergency Preparedness, Engineering, Electricity, Theater, Disability Awareness, Sculpture, CPR Learn more at this link: http://newbirthoffreedom.org/mbc/harrisburg-mbc/ It includes a link to Register. Register today. I heard that some classes have already filled up. |
| January 9, 2011 - Alan Boyle's Eagle Award Ceremony |
Alan Boyle was recognized by the Troop, family and Friends for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout at an award ceremony on January 9, 2011.
Others attending the ceremony to recognize Alan included:
Alan's Eagle Project consisted of restoring the original springhouse in the Lutheran Retirement Village at Utz Terrace. The restoration included clearing away brush and replacing the roof on the 150 year old structure.
Click here to see photos of the event.