Troop 453

WHOOOO WEEEE!

Summer Camp was a complete blast!  I had more fun then the guys did… perhaps.  Griswold Scout Reservation, and Camp Bell are top notch facilities and program.  The weather was perfect, mostly, Sunday and Monday, were hot, hazy, and humid, but, the campsite was up on a ridge, with breeze and so not too bad.  The weather cleared and we had temps in the mid-seventies, with breeze, and little humidity.

Camp Bell is one of a few camps left that let the guys cook all their meals in the campsite.  The guys came to really enjoy this.

The program unlike most merit badge mills is aimed at adventures and experience and incidentally you complete some requirements on merit badges.  Much better priorities, and the guys responded well to the format too.

Had 5 scouts, and 3 adults show up for the departure on Friday, night. Set up went easily. We cooked a Spice Cake and Apple pie filling dump cake.

We had breakfast burritos for… well breakfast. The events on Saturday were centered on a Highland Games theme. The guys put together an ad hoc patrol, called “The Lawn Chair” patrol pretty easy going. None-the-less they entered all but one event. The guys did well at Volleyball, but, were decimated by the same Troop at the tug of war. They challenged the adults and got beaten again. As I hear it, Ron stood in the back, grunted, and took up the slack that Dwayne, Amanda, and I created, hmmm. The event planners put together a device for simulating log rolling, and after watching a lot of guys sustain minor injuries from it, I made the executive decision that we wouldn’t do that — oddly, the guys were good with that. Two adults and a cub scout joined us. Kevin is a monster at “ladder ball” he won First Place in that event — one of those skills he can use in the future. Sandwiches for lunch. The afternoon involved a bagpipe demonstration, our guys decided to listen at a distance. Otherwise we hung around camp and carved stuff out of the fire wood. I took a nap. Tacos for dinner. The campfire was 2 and a half hours long… just a bit much. I think 40 people were inducted into the OA. I made a chocolate and cherry pie filling dump cake. Em and I slept under the stars both nights.

Pancakes and sausages for breakfast. We packed up and were ready to go a little early, but, hung around for the closing ceremony. We had beautiful weather and I think the guys had a great time.

Ok, our plan is to just not go there:  Everything is about preventing exposure.

Sunburn is linked to skin cancer, all kinds of skin cancer.  A single serious burn — one with blisters, can be enough to cause skin cancer.

• Seek the shade, especially between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
• Do not burn.
• Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.
• Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours.
• Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
• Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
• See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

http://www.skincancer.org/Facts-about-Sunburn-and-Skin-Cancer.html

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

• Spray all exposed skin and your clothing with insect repellant (spray outdoors only, do not use on face, use just enough to cover all other exposed skin, don’t spray under clothing, don’t apply over wounds or irritated skin, wash skin after going inside)
• Wear light-colored clothing to make it easier to spot ticks
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants with the cuffs tucked into shoes or socks
• Wear high boots, preferably rubber

http://www.tickkey.com/ The only tick removal device on the planet that uses natural forward leverage to remove the entire tick, head and all, quickly and safely without touching or squishing even the toughest engorged ticks.  There are all  kinds of devices for this important task, the advantage this one has is it fits on a key chain and almost everybody has their keys with them always.  Get the tick out as quickly as possible is the point.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/ld_tickremoval.htm

Permethrin – This is a contact insecticide. That is, it kills ticks or other insects when it comes in contact with them. It is used on clothing. As a treatment for clothing, Sawyer Permethrin does not harm fabrics and is odorless when dried. Use by itself or with skin applied repellents to build the ultimate protective barrier. A contact insecticide, Permethrin is non-toxic to humans. When used at “military specifications,” Permethrin remains effective for up to 52 weeks and yields significant spatial repellency.  Each can of Permethrin Spray is $9.50.

Controlled Release Lotion w/ DEET – The most significant improvement in Insect Repellents since the advent of DEET, one application of Controlled Release formula can be effective for up to 20 hours against mosquitoes and 17 hours against ticks. Controlled Release is the new technology in Insect Repellents which will change the way you use insect repellents.  Each bottle of Controlled Release Lotion is $8.50.

Poison Ivy

http://www.poison-ivy.org/

Poison ivy, western poison oak, and poison sumac have the poisonous sap (urushiol) in their roots, stems, leaves and fruit. The sap is released when the plant is bruised, making it easier to contract Rhus-dermatitis in the spring and early summer when leaves are tender. The sap may be deposited on the skin by direct contact with the plant or by contact with contaminated objects, such as shoes, clothing, tools and animals. Severe cases have occurred from sap-coated soot in the smoke of burning plants. Because urushiol is inside the plant, brushing against an intact plant will not cause a reaction. But undamaged plants are rare because “Poison oak, ivy and sumac are very fragile plants,” says William L. Epstein, M.D., professor of dermatology, University of California, San Francisco. Stems or leaves broken by the wind or animals, and even the tiny holes made by chewing insects, can release urushiol.

After the oil has touched the skin, it usually takes some time for it to penetrate and do its damage. Before this happens, it is wise to wash the skin thoroughly several times with plenty of soap and water. Care should be taken not to touch any part of the body, for even tiny amounts of the oil will cause irritation. If poisoning develops, the blisters and red, itching skin may be treated with dressings of calamine lotion, Epsom salts, or bicarbonate of soda. Scientists have developed a vaccine that can be injected or swallowed. But this is effective only if taken before exposure. If you don’t cleanse quickly enough, or your skin is so sensitive that cleansing didn’t help, redness and swelling will appear in about 12 to 48 hours. Blisters and itching will follow. For those rare people who react after their very first exposure, the rash appears after seven to 10 days.

Buji Skin Products
Tec Labs, Makers of Tecnu
Sumactin, Rash Remedy
Zanfel, skin wash

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