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This past Sunday, Grace Episcopal Church, which is our chartering organization, held a special worship service for our troop. We have been blessed to call Grace our home for our entire sixty year history. It was open to all faiths, and helped all that attended to remember the last point of the Scout Law, which is not to say the least, that A Scout is Reverent. I know in the technology driven world that we live in it is easy to overlook faith, and many find this difficult to grasp, something that is intangible and not always easily defined. It is my belief that Reverend Scranton did a great job of reminding us that there is a higher power and something larger than man. On behalf of the entire troop I want to thank Reverend Scranton and the congregation for a wonderful celebration of faith, and for all the kindness and support the troop receives from Grace Episcopal Church.
A very bright and future Eagle Scout asked me several years ago what I thought was the most important word of the Scout Law. I was stymied by the question, and he eventually told me it was the word “Is”. Obviously the master became the student and I have taken this to heart. You can put on the uniform, you can walk the miles and climb the mountains, but ultimately you have to walk the real walk of integrity, demonstrate true compassion, humility and sacrifice which defines a real Scout on his way to becoming a man of substance. I am constantly impressed by the Scouts and their interactions with each other and the adults. There is a bond among these young men, and a willingness to have each other’s back that is forged in the challenges they face as a troop, a patrol and as an individual Scout in the incredible backyard that we call home. I believe there is a higher power that guides our Scouts and Scouters and a reverence for this power anchors the Scout Law. In closing, I ask that you take a moment and reflect on, A Scout is…
We are Troop 486!
Scott Burnside
Members of Troop 486 joined American Legion Post 475 and others in the Glendora Veterans Day Ceremony to honor our military heroes and Veterans; both fallen and living. Because of these brave U.S. military men and women, we have the freedoms we have today. Fly your American flags with pride and gratitude in their honor.
Flat Feet vs. High Instep
If you have relatively flat feet, the traditional cross over pattern will generally suffice for the comfort of the top of your foot. If you have a high instep, you may need to allow additional space at the top of your foot. You will need to lace your boot with the laces going straight up your boot.
Lock and load
If you ever have had black toes or heard of someone developing black toes due to wearing improper fitting hiking boots, pay close attention. Hiking boots generally have a transitional type of lacing system at the top of your foot. Instead of continuing the criss-cross pattern of lacing, tie a surgeon’s knot to lock your foot into your boot. 
A surgeon’s knot is just an additional overhand knot on the lace. When you pull down on both laces, the surgeon’s knot will grab and will not let go. This is the lock portion. Try another locking technique by lacing around and down through the eyelet or hook instead of coming up from below the eyelet.
Load Portion
Thread your laces up on the next 2 eyelets or hooks. Do not use the traditional criss-cross pattern of lacing. Now, cross over the laces going underneath the vertical lace on the opposite side of the shoe and pull up on both laces. You will notice the load portion of this lacing technique. The boot will become quite snug at this point. If you have another hook or eyelet use the traditional cross over technique and tie an overhand knot to secure the boot. Don’t tie your laces around the top of your ankle too tight, as you might cause additional discomfort.
Practice, Practice, Practice lacing your boots
Hiking uphill or downhill often requires different lacing techniques for your hiking boots. Use the lock and load technique for downhill hiking. Uphill requires more bend in your ankle. If you lace your boots back and forth in the traditional off-the-rack style, this technique generally does not work well for continuous uphill hiking. Different boots and different feet require different lacing techniques. Practice using different lacing techniques and your feet will thank you.
(Originally submitted by Glen Thompson, November 2015)
This Saturday (11-07) Troop 486 will be joining other city residents/volunteers and participating in Glendora Trails Day. This is a great opportunity to give back to our community and help keep our local hiking trails looking their best.
We always have a good number of Scouts that participate, and those that do will earn service hours. Family and friends are encouraged to participate as well, so please come out and join us.
We will meet at 7:30am in the West parking lot of the church.
Please be sure to bring the following:
- Work Gloves
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Daypack
- 10 Essentials
- Water
- Snacks
We look forward to seeing you there.
