Oct.

3, 2006

Troop 103 News Bits

Russian River Trip
The trip was as a whole, ever so exhilarating! We arrived there was late with not much time left except set up tent and go to bed. The next morning, as the sun poked through the eaves of the foliage, we had a hurried little breakfast and packed our bags (literally) before setting off to the Russian River. After a few set of jolts, we were on our way down the river. We went without any hesitation, twisting through narrow parts, pulling through shallow ones, and paddling through deeper ones. Finally, we settled down at a nice shady cove, with no other people. After scouting out the area, Christian, David, and Young Jun found out that, near a rock on the other side of the river, there was a sharp drop off. So, with the boundaries confirmed, people were allowed in the water. But the low water temperature and the lack of sun discouraged most people from getting into the water. Surprisingly, a few scouts did brave the cold waters to wade in. The rest were on warm dry land, enjoying a nice snack. After a few moments, we were back onto the canoes. About a couple more river lengths, the first groups started to arrive at the second bridge. Lo and behold, after we caught up with Mr. Brown and Patricks canoe, we were treated to a surprising sight! It seemed that the two lifeguards in the front, in trying to ambush Mr. Brown and Patrick, had lost their canoe to Patrick. Then along came James and Mr. Howard, Mrs. Rawlins and Mrs. Huie, the former canoe splashing the latter. As the latter canoe left to wait at a small beach with those who went ahead, we snuck up onto the vehicular bridge, and waited. After waiting for a long time, with Patrick as a decoy, our efforts paid off. The next boat, which happened to be one with Mr. Berggren, got soaked by a couple water bottles. Then, after drying off, they joined us on the bridge. For the next couple boats, we had to wait doubly as long. When they came though, we caught Richard Nelson and Jonathan Persson, who then got paddlesplashed by previous people. After them, came the two pontoon canoes with Sean, David, Christian, and Young Jun. They then, being not as gullible, rammed Patrick out into the open and followed. This was a good tactic, because we wasted half our water on Patrick and half on Christian and Seans canoes. Finally, right after, came Mr. Perrson and Mr. Leffertss canoe. By then we couldnt splash because of lack of water. Afterwards, we rejoined the rest of the canoes down a ways. After a couple more twists and turns, we came to a nice beach, where we enjoyed our lunches and played in the sand. While playing, we managed to bury Patrick, James, Christian, and Sean, who emerged as sand monsters. Our trip ended by stopping at an inlet, where we were driven back to our campsite. After a hearty dinner and rest time with cards and riddles, we had a

campfire. We enjoyed many songs and skits from various people both acting, telling, and singing. Before we turned in for the night, we still had time for a nighttime game of capture the flag. The next day we drove back home. - Alex Kwok, Historian

Cherry Valley Summer Camp

Cherry Valley was an awesome summer camp. This camp was really organized. Since we got there so late on Sunday, all we did on that day was hike the two miles from two harbors to camp, have orientation, dinner and opening campfire. During the hike we were given two troop friends named Markhym and Jeff who helped us along the week. The next day we really got into the action. At 7:00 we had troop inspections and then at 7:40 we had breakfast. Flags were at 8:45 and then at 9:15 was the start of swim checks, ours was at 10:25. Then lunch was at 1:00 then we had merit badges at 2, 3, and 4. Dinner was at 5:55 and followed by Commissioner team building games at 7:00. These games got all the scouts excited and they all joined in without wining! They really enjoyed them. Tuesday was all the same until 9:25, when the first merit badge class started; the next was at 10:25 and the last at 11:25. We had free time from 2:00-5:00, dinner at 5:55 and Tribe of Torqua Inter-Troop Activity Night, the Tribe of Torqua ceremony was for the SPL. Wednesday we had the troop go on the 8-mile hike to Parson's Landing and they didn't enjoy that because they spent more time hiking than in the water. Three kids over 14 years went on the ACE hike, which was the 16-mile hike to Shark Harbor. We had dinner at 5:55 at 7:30 the flag ceremony with the Commissioner campfires.

Thursday was like Tuesday, but at 7:00p.m. We had the flag ceremony and then the Highland games, at 8:00pm we went on this honor trail where we had the commissioners talk to us to try and learn to use what we learned this week to become better people. Friday was like Tuesday until flag ceremony and closing campfire at 7:30. Saturday by 8:00 we had to put all luggages on the Panther Post, Torqua Ceremony at 8:15, 9:00 was the closing campfire, and at 9:30 we started on the hike to Two Harbors. At 11:00 we loaded up the boat and departed. We arrived back between 1:30-2:00. Besides the hike, where they hiked more than they swam, the scouts kept saying this was the best camp ever, even those who have been to 3-4 camps! We had a duty roster where everybody basically did waiter duty three times during the week. Since the camp gave out beads for things you did, there was an honored few that were willing to become KYOB WARRIORS and earned their brown bead. They also had beads for the opening campfire-red, scouts own-yellow, service project-white, troop friend night-orange, hike day-black, commissioner games-green, mine tour-dark green, kitchen duty-light blue, honor trail-blue, sea lab tour-dark blue, ocean adventure-turquoise, prayergold, and flag ceremony was clear with sparkles. During troop inspections we were checked for tent cleanliness, wildlife precaution, fire plan, troop equipment, safety hazard, H-squad, duty roster posted, environmental quality, litter free, tents, patrol method, program planned and posted, promptness, uniform inspection, brotherhood, flags, morale, and yells. We first got an 84, then a 95, then and a 98. Then the last day we received a 100. -Greg Garrison

Ambush In The Russian River

Troop 103 staged and executed an impromptu war game during the Russian River Canoe Trip. There were two teams in the war game. The red team (attack team) was made up of Andrew, Jonathan, Patrick, James, and Alex. The blue team (defense team) was made up of the rest of the scouts. The red team arrived at the second vehicle bridge earlier. They scouted out the area and picked a high ground for ambush. Their targets were the unsuspected blue team, soon to arrive in different canoes. The red team wasted no time. They quickly stocked up their ammunition with water bombs and pedals. Patrick would work as a decoy and block any canoe fleeing from the attack. The rest of the team hid out on top of the bridge waiting for the blue team to arrive. The first couple canoes were curious tourists. They saw the troops movement with wide eyes but could not figure out what was the intended military target. Moments later, the first canoe of the blue team arrived. The scouts in the canoe were talking and did not notice the trap was set. The red team ran from the hide out and hit them with water bombs. The scouts in the canoe quickly surrendered without a fight. The red team readjusted its troop position and waited for the rest of the blue team. Patrick moved his boat to the west side of the bridge to block the escape route. Everything was all ready, and the red team was waiting patiently for the ambush. Moments later, they saw the rest of the blue team approaching. Everyone in the red team laid low and kept still and silent. Everything stayed still except the sweat running down the stern face of the red scouts. One could feel the tension mounting, but the time seemed to be ticking away ever so slowly. The scouts in the blue team spotted Patrick first. They interrogated why he was alone and what was he up to? Patrick mumbled back. Another blue scout asked a different question and sounded suspicious. The red team became very anxious and hoped their opponent had not discovered the trap. Finally, the first two canoes of the blue team went right under the bridge. Patrick also moved his boat underneath the bridge to block the blue team. At the same moment, the rest of the red team rushed to the west side of the bridge and waited for the ambush. They saw a canoe came out underneath the bridge and immediately hit it with the water bombs. But it was Patrick. He looked up to his comrades above and asked Why me? Meanwhile the blue team recognized the trap. They pushed their canoes forward and rammed at Patricks boat. The red team immediately hit the canoes with a barrage of water bombs. Many of the blue team got hit and wet all over. There were serious fire exchanges and water splashing between the two teams. Even some of the blue team became confused, switched side and attacked on their own. Finally after some serious fighting, the dust and water settled down. The scouts licked their wounds, shook hands, and continued on their journey. Andrew K, Editor

Pictures of Ambush In The Russian River

Andrew and Jonathan hid behind the road barricade waiting Two canoes of the blue team rammed Patricks boat and for ambush attempted to escape. The scouts in the canoes were all hit with water bombs

Red team hit the first canoe of the blue team. It was a total surprise.

Serious water fighting exploded between the red and blue teams. The battle was so fierce and chaotic that one could not tell which scout was on which team.

The red team accidentally hit Patrick with water bomb while he was pushing and shuffling with the blue team underneath the bridge.

Even Mr. Perrson could not escape the water attack. He finally drove away his attackers with his ever so powerful foot cannon (kicking water with his foot).

Entertain Your Brain

Global Warming
Global Warming is a hot topic nowadays. One can easily find news related to the topic week after week after week. Is it an academic debate, as the Bush Administration claims, or is it a real weather phenomenon that will hit home soon? This newsletter will devote several articles, starting from this issue, to educate the scouts about Global Warming and the implications to our society and us. Hopefully, when the scouts grow up and become the movers and shakers of our society, they would face Global Warming with better understanding. They would take bold actions to adapt to the new climate and environment, and alleviate any problems caused by the phenomenon. Most leading scientists both at home and abroad generally agree that Global Warming is a human induced weather phenomenon. There are plenty of evidence to show the phenomenon is real, not a temporary weather pattern, and is caused by Green House Gases emitted from human activities. Green House Gases can stay in the atmosphere for a long time and trap radiation that would otherwise dissipate into the space. This results in rising temperature in the atmosphere. Here are some of the facts that support Global Warming complied since the last decade: Average temperature of global surface has raised approximately one degree F in the twentieth century. In some extreme places like the Arctic, the temperature has warmed by four to five degree F since 1950. The top ten warmest years all occurred since 1990. Green House Gases (Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide) discharged by human activities to the environment is the main cause of the temperature rise in the last 50 years. If the temperature increase continues the same trend, the temperature would be 3 to 10 degrees warmer by 2100.

What are the possible consequences caused by the Global Warming? They are generally related to the rise of temperature. Here is a list of consequences: Rise in sea level. This is caused by the melting of the ice sheets and glaciers in both poles Change in weather pattern. It is uncertain how the warmer temperature would affect the weather pattern. Since the phenomenon is quite new, we still have to compile and include the weather data into the forecast model to get a better prediction Increase intensity of hurricane. The warmer ocean water will feed more energy and moisture to the hurricane and make them more powerful. Intensify severe weather. Some scientists suggest that Global Warning might intensify the severe weather like the 2003 European heat wave that killed thousands of people. Interrupt the circulation of mid-ocean current. Some scientists argue that when the ice sheets in the Arctic melt, the fresh water would reduce the salinity of seawater in North Atlantic Ocean. This would interrupt the circulation of deep sea current in the area. It is not clear how this would impact the other oceans in the globe, and the global weather pattern. Impact to agriculture. Sun belt would expand and move north. Farmer would grow more heat-resistant

crop like corn and less heat-sensitive crop like wheat. Impact to water supply. Existing reservoirs and dams were built based on past hydrological history. If the hydrology pattern change, communities would be hit by floods or droughts Impact to human health. Warmer temperature increases the population of mosquitoes, flies, rodents, and other insects and animals. They carry infectious disease that would transmit to human. Also, the warmer temperature would increase air pollution. It would lead to more asthma and lung disease. More forest fires. Higher temperature and change of weather pattern might create more forest fires. Burning of the forest would release more Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere. Ice-Albedo Feedback Some scientists suggested that the melting and shrinking of ice sheets in the Arctic would reduce the reflection of solar radiation. In other word, more radiation would be absorbed by the earth resulting in warmer temperature. However, it is not clear what percentage of the rising temperature is contributed to the Ice-Albedo Feedback. Green House Gases released from the thawing permafrost.

Scientists discovered that frozen tundra and permafrost trap a large amount of Green House Gases. When the permafrost defrosts, it releases the trapped gases. It is not clear how much gases are trapped in the permafrost, and how much would be released when the permafrost defrost. Is it an irreversible process? Some scientists suggested that there might be a threshold for the rising temperature. If the temperature rises beyond the threshold, more Green House Gases would be released into the environment. More gases, in term, would trap more heat and raise the temperature even further. The cycle would continue and form a downward spiral in raising the temperature higher and higher. However, this is still a theory that needs to be verified. Even more, scientists have yet to agree on what this threshold temperature is. But the idea of a threshold and the irreversible process would put all governments and communities in notice. We have to take immediate actions to resolve or alleviate Global Warming before we would run out time.

Reference: http://www.pewclimate.org/globalwarming-basics/fact_sheets.cfm http://www4.nationalacademies.org/onpi/w ebextra.nsf/web/climate?OpenDocument

Puzzle: String of numbers

(Answer on page 12) There is a string of 2006 digits. The string starts with number 2. Any two consecutive digits must be divisible by 17 or 23. What is the last digit of the string?

Puzzle: Strategy of Sea Battle

The game Sea Battle has an 8 x 8 board. What is the least number of shots needed to hit an aircraft carrier (4 x 1 squares in size) that can hide in any place? 6

Candid Camera
Photographer: Alex Kwok, Karen Huie, and Jonathan Tipton-King

Scouts were applying the latest torture technique called water cementing to our willing victim Christian. He was screaming and laughing his heart out.

Chief Dancing with Wolf (he forgot his Native Roaches) greeted Cavalcade visitors crossing into the boundary of his reserve. No, it was actually Mr. Fahl waving to the scouts.

Scouts were enjoying the scenic beauty during the Cavalcade Trip. This place was truly a wilderness. Unfortunately, there were not enough outhouses.

Everybody has to be blind-folded before the escort can take you to see the Don of Catalina.

Someone drop a contact lens, can we form a line and look for it?

This is how the story goes. Christian was pulling the tent spike from the ground. David walked by. Christian fell back, and hit David with the back of his head. Jonathan saw the whole episode. He could not stop laughing and felt so embarrassed that he covered his face.

Photo Album
Photographer: Alex Kwok, Karen Huie, and Jonathan Tipton-King

Scouts played as a team in a tug-a-war Scouts had a good time in the Russian River Canoe Trip. Here they posted for picture with the backdrop of the camp.

Scouts got ready for sea kayaking. Do you know why cowboys always wear cowboy hat? This is how you can tell them apart from the visitors.

More group picture of the Cavalcade Trip Scouts enjoyed burying in the sand by the Russian River. It was even better than the famous mud bath in Calistoga.

Lord of The Rings and Star Wars Column

For this issues column on the Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, Ive added several things. For the Star Wars part of this column, I added a three-way journey into different parts of the Star Wars universe. These three parts encompass planets, technology (druids, starships, vehicles, and technology), and organizations within the galaxy. For the first one, I have chosen the planet Hoth, which was briefly featured in the 5th movie, as a battleground and base for the rebel forces. For the tech section, I chose the Star Destroyers, which were the primary fright tools of the Empire. These were used in the days of the Empire as a way to show their military might. Finally, for the organizations section, I chose the Chiss Ascendancy. This is a group of aliens not featured in the movies, which were a part of the outer galaxy. So, it is in this way that I hope to offer a better understanding, from what the six Star Wars movies offer. Also in this issue are the regular quizzes. - AK II

Lord of The Rings Quiz

(Answer on page 12) 1. What was Morgoths (Saurons master) 4. Who was king of the Hidden City of Gondolin? original name? a. Turgon a. Tuviniol b. Elendil b. Gilbereth c. Durin c. Angmar d. Idril d. Melkor 2. Where was Ar- Pharazons realm? a. Middle-Earth b. Valar c. Numenor d. Cirgoth 5. Who began the line of the Ship-King? a. Tarannon b. Ostoher c. Romendacil d. Anarion

3. Who was a king, who lost one of the 6. In what year was Minas Ithil (or Minas Morgul) taken? Palantiri? a. 2002 a. Arvedui b. 1 BC b. Elassar c. 2000 c. Elros d. None, it was never taken d. Thingol

Children of Hurin
This month both the BBC and Christopher Tolkien, along with his publishers, have announced that in spring 2007, he will be releasing a compilation of his fathers work, titled The Children of Hurin. This book will be based on The Silmarillion. It is about the two brothers Tuor and Trin, both cousins of Beren, who are both cursed by fate. Oddly, it is of interest that Melkor only pursues Trin, while Tuor is eventually his downfall.

A Journey into Star Wars Space

Planet- Hoth- The Hoth planet is an icy
planet located in the Hoth System. It is capable of subzero degree temperature or less and is mostly inhabitable. Only a couple groups of fauna and wildlife can exist in such cold temperatures. These include the Wampa Ice Creatures, Hoth Hogs, Snow Mice, Ice Scrabblers, and Tauntauns. The Hoth planet was first used as a pirate gem, for which, supposedly, pirates mined a rare spice. But, as they got closer, they were then chased off by a dragon-slug. After, the pirates used Hoth, smugglers started using the planet itself for smuggling rounds and hiding from the imperials. Both Luke Skywalker and Han Solo eventually recommended the icy planet for a Rebel Base. Echo base was then given to the task of Major Kem Monnon and his Alliance Corps of Engineers to build and construct. Echo base was constructed to be taken down at will, and supported a crew of several thousand military personal. In the middle of the base was a command center, from which Colonel Rieekan issued his orders during the evacuation and defense of Hoth Base, when the imperials attacked. product of the Kuat Drive Yards, the star destroyer was equipped with numerous weapons, a tractor beam, and hanger bays with staffing capabilities. There are multiple models of the star destroyer; of them are the Victory class, the Imperial Class, and the Super Class. Of these three designs the Imperial class was the most wide used. While the Super class, was only used in designing command flagships, such as Darth Vaders flagship, the Executor. The standard 1,600 m, Imperial class contains over 100 weapon emplacements, 60 turbo lasers, deflector shields, and 2 hanger launch bays. While the Executor contained 1000 weapons and held hanger bays enough for 144 ships, 200 combat ships, and two wings of tie fighters, and was 8000 meters long.

Organizations- Chiss AscendancyThe Chiss were a long-lost group of aliens, with blue skin and red eyes. They were a group who had an empire of over 200 worlds and a highly advanced fleet. Their government is an oligarchy governed the Chiss Ruling Families. Each special-function family had an Aristocra to govern and a 28 member parliamentary body governed the whole of these families. If a decision were to be made, it would first go through the system of governors, then to the ruling families. 10

Technology- Star Destroyers- The

star destroyer is a perfect example of a fear weapon, one that is used for frightening enemies of the Empire. A

There were four ruling families: Sabosen, Inrokini, Csapla, and Nuruodo. First was Csapla, who was in charge of agriculture and redistribution of resources. Then came Nuruodo, signifying the fact that the military had a big impact on their lives. There were also lesser-known houses. The Chiss were not usually violent, but would become it if they felt the need. Their defense included Phalanxes from each house, which caught anything that missed their main fleet. The Expansionary Defense Fleet, which handled colonization

and defense of the Chiss. Having representatives from each colony sent to their main planet, Csilla, to be trained by the Naruodo Family, formed their defense. The Chiss were also isolationists, due to the fact that they believed themselves superior. Sources: Star Wars Databank (Hoth, Echo Base, Star Destroyer) Star Wars: The Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels Wikipedia: Chiss Ascendacy

Editors Corner
Welcome to the Troop 103 Newsletter. In this issue, we have Alex Kwok and Greg Garrison each contribute an article in the Troop 103 News Bits. They are good article to read, and reminisce of the past events. In the picture sections, we have Mrs. Huie, Jonathan Tipton-King, and Alex Kwok to contribute numeric pictures. Unfortunately, we can only post twelve of those. We thank all the contributors for their contents and efforts. This Newsletter cannot continue without their contributions and supports as well as those from our readers. We start a new series on Global Warming. This becomes a hot topic lately in the news. We think it is important for the scouts to learn about this weather phenomenon, which was inadvertently caused by human by releasing excessive Green House Gases to the atmosphere. This is a problem that will not go away or get resolved without years of hard works and efforts from all of us. Hopefully, when the scouts grow up and become leaders of our society. They would take bold and necessary actions to adapt and alleviate any problems caused by Global Warming. In the next issue, we shall discuss the Kyoto Protocol and the ongoing efforts from governments and private enterprises both at home and abroad on reducing Green House Gases. Please stay tuned.

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Answer of Entertain Your Brain

String of Numbers
Solution: The two digit numbers that can be divided by 17 are: 17, 34, 51, 68, and 85 The two digit numbers that can be divided by 23 are: 23, 46, 69, and 92 If the string starts with 2, the subsequent digits are: 3 (23 is divisible by 23), 4 (34 is divisible by 17), 6 (46 is divisible by 23), and two possibilities after 6: The first possibility is 8, 5, 1, 7, and terminated at a dead end. The second possibility is 9, 2, and then repeat the same sequence again 3, 4, 6, 9, 2. Because the string has 2006 digits, it should avoid the dead end and repeat the same sequence 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, again and again. Number 2 occurs at every 1st and 6th digit of the string. Since the sting has 2006 digits, the last digit must be number 2.

Strategy for Sea Battle

Solution: The least number of shots needed to hit the aircraft carrier is 16, and the pattern is given bellow: x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Lord of The Rings Quiz

1) d 2) c 3) a 4) a 5) a 6) c

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