There is real gold in dem dar hills!
We now have a FINAL set date for the Troop 121 Gold Panning Trip. We will camp on County park land and we will pan in a real working gold claim area that is owned by Jerry McGee. More details to follow:
Jerry said he can not promise everyone will find gold but did say that he has gone to this claim for years and has never gone home without someone finding some gold. Jerry has the actual legal minieral rights to the gold claims but he generously said that any scout (or adult) on this trip can keep all the gold they find!!! He will have some glass tubes ready for us to bring the gold home.
The best thing about this is that the boys will learn a skill they can use in the great outdoors for their entire lifetime. Please mark your calendars for June 4-6 for the campout. The actual gold panning with Jerry McGee will take place on Saterday, June 5, 2010.
All that will participate will need a gold pan (you can get one for under $4.00). Mr. Walsh can pick this up in bulk once we get a final headcount. We will also all be given one of Jerry's books, (Follow the River) that has a couple of chapters on gold panning and will make the trip more enjoyable if everyone reads it before the trip. The cost of the trip is $5.00 per person (plus food and transportation) and the book is free. (or the book is $5.00 per person and the trip is free), either way, we should have a great time. (the book normally retails at $15.00 per copy.) Jerry is donating his time and land (and gold) for free and the book is given to us at cost.
There will also be a special "training session" at 7:00 on June 1, 2010, during the regular Tuesday scout meeting. This is the last meeting before the camping trip. This is required for everyone going on the campout (adults also please) as we would rather be panning and not training during our one day on the gold claim. Please e-mail Mr. Walsh and let him know if you are coming so that he can give Jerry a headcount and order the books. Also let him know if you want him to buy your pan(s).