How to Keep Bearings to Avoid Spiritual Vertigo

"A World War II fighter pilot teaches youth some essential truths to fly by—and to live by."

The Duty to God Program follows the pattern:  Learn, Act & Share

Learn

Each part of [The Duty to God] book begins with a learning activity that helps the young men learn what Heavenly Father wants them to do and why it is important. When a young man knows the “why” behind his priesthood duties, the Holy Ghost inspires him to act, and his actions can increase his faith and testimony.

Parents, consider working on the learning activities with your son soon after he is ordained to a priesthood office. Ask your son to share with you what he is learning about fulfilling his duty to God.

Court Of Honor Coming Up....

On March 30th, parents and families are invited to participate in a Court of Honor.  We will recognize the activities and achievements the Scouts have made over the last three months Scouts finishing up merit badges and other advancements will need to complete and report their accomplishments by Spring Break.

♫Through the river and under the woods♫

Little did we know, as our journey to the Ape Caves peacefully began, the depth of the battle amongst mind, body and nature we would face. Did the wilderness-wise elk we passed on our drive towards the living volcano snicker under their breath with insight into our pending fate?

Slipping out to stretch our stiff legs in preparation for our hike to the cave entrance, the silence of the lonely mountain forest roared in our ears. Rain was our ceiling and snow our floor as the slippery walk warmed our muscles.

Scouts pose with lights out in the Ape Caves.

After a brief refueling we reached the ice-cold metal stairs which seemed to pull us into the depths of the hollow lava tube. Even the ice stalagmites that littered the ground of the entrance seemed to cower from the darkness. Guided by small beams of light through the tube, echoes of voices broke through the steady surround sound of water’s constant drip from above filling puddles below. How could water penetrate the seemingly solid, lava-sealed rock wrapped around us?

Looking down from a sturdy ledge in the Ape Caves

The true challenge began as towering piles of rock invaded our path--stretching the limits of our mental focus as we navigated over large boulders and dark pits. One must look ahead and not be foolish or hasty lest he finds himself trapped by his chosen path and he must backtrack in order to progress again. A prepared Scout’s rope lifted us over a stone-cold lava fall. Obstacle after obstacle—would we ever escape this cave that swallowed us whole?!....

This skylight gave us hope!

….Shortly after a being teased by a skylight in the ceiling we eventually reached hope: the welcoming site of stairs crawling up into welcoming light—to which we willingly climbed. A self-inflicted bombardment of flying snow helped us endure to the end of this peaceful, but self-lengthening, snowy trail back to the vehicles. Peaked in anticipation of the finish, our hearts sunk to see a flooded creek disabling the trail. Although already soaked by rain and frozen by snow, there was only one option. With varying degrees of dryness, we all made it over (or through) the swift water only to find another flooded stream to overcome. Pushing through our discomfort, we finally made it to the finish line!

Soaked to the bone, cold and tired we enjoyed the toasty ride home….filled with new knowledge, confidence and experiences revealed only through our adventure to the Ape Caves.

Venture Scouts Playing Ball

John teeing off. Probably on Sterling.

Is that a dodgeball Brian?

Ploghoft about to smear some scouts.

Shawn shows promise for districts.

Nice follow through Bronson.

Sterling just before getting blasted. Keep smiling.

Heemeyer in battle mode

Thanks to Brian Ploghoft for gettin us some time @ Lewis & Clark Grade School to play ball last month. We were feelin pretty studly so we sported a Dodgeball attitude. Actually a excellent workout for young & old dudes. No one got hurt [maybe next time] and we all seemed to have fun. It did seem like organized mayhem.

So far this year we started with a planning meeting and schedule drafting. Last week we went with Doughty to Ocean Crest Chevrolet to check out how cars get fixed. Sorry no pics. Everyone seemed to like it. Grab a schedule & get on board. We are having fun!!!

Aleutian Ballad Halloween & Cape D

Sportin views from Cape D

Slummin at the D

Dude wheres my pumpkin?

Is there supposed to be water in there?

This is a really cool boat. As Bronson found out when they say the boat leaves at 7:00 they mean it. Sorry Bronson but you looked funny runnin down the dock.

The only warm spot on the boat.

No hawkin loogies on the dude!
Seriously they had an awesome presentation.

Happy New Year Crew 628. Its been awhile since anyone has updated this blog but only cause we kind of forgot it was here. To summarize from mid last year to present we did a whole bunch of stuff. Most was pretty cool like the trip to the Tillamook Air museum and Cheese Factory and the camp out at Cape D that was cool but uncool because USCG bailed on our boat ride, then bailed on the make up ride. But the Lethins took us on an adventure on the Aleutian Ballad out on the Columbia which more than made up for the Coastie bailout program. Most of the weekly meetings were alright but it's hard to accomplish much with just and hour but we manage. There are lots of cool things coming up in the near future so stay tuned and stay active. We need all of our crew to be at the meetings and events so we can have maximum fun and learn the most possible. Thanks to our awesome leaders who make it happen as well as the support from parents and our Bishopric. If you have questions, concerns, comments, complaints, or need a schedule call Bro. Doughty @ 503 861 1219 or email me @ doughty1960@gmail.com Enjoy every day. Jeff

Crew 628 Dutch Oven Beach Party

So OK, it only turned out to be a mile or two from the beach. We meant to have it down there with a bonfire, but the weather didn't cooperate. May, in Oregon . . . go figure. JJ was our chili chef. Apparently he cut the recipe to 1/4th, but still put in the full amount of jalapenos. It was some zippy, but very manly, chili. I finished my bowl.


Even the chips were spicy. Scott and Bronson are feeling pretty tough here.


Crew Chief Jeff, Sterling, and Mitchell chowin' down!


Enjoying the chaos of Super Smash Bros Brawl.

Airbrush Fest 2008

Mike Burgess showed us how to airbrush and we got to try our hand at it. As you can tell, we've got skills (both in airbrushing AND in Spanish!)


Once we'd gotten educated on airbrushing and seen some of Mike's cool work, the group turned to Madden '08 on the PS3. Sweeeeet . . . Had it not been raining, we would've airbrushed a unicorn on the hood of my GTI. Oh well, maybe next time.

Trip to the Evergreen Aviation Museum

I'm pretty sure I've heard of Evergreen before, but I didn't know much. Turns out, they've got a lot more than this great museum. It's a huge corporation that does a lot of cool things with helicopters and jets.


Scattered throughout the museum they have these older 1st class seats where you can watch various videos about nearby aircraft. The guys are excited to get some for home use. Here's we're sitting near the Spruce Goose working on the scavenger hunt.



We arrived at the museum about 40 minutes early (we left around 6:15 AM and it took us a little over 2 hours to get there). This gave us plenty of time to stomp the squishy grounds and see cool planes like this!


They've got a little bit of everything at the Evergreen Aviation Museum. And, in a matter of months, they're planning to open a new space museum, too!

Evergreen Air Museum

Settling in for the IMAX movie "Fighter Pilot" It was loud, and there was lots of flying and explosions. In other words, it was GREAT!


Mr. Dowty (not related to our Doughty) told us a lot of cool things about some of their World War II planes. And yep, we actually did have a little sunshine (a tiny little bit).


.002 seconds later my head comes squirting out the other end . . .


Sean, Scott, and JJ keeping entertained while tour arrangements were made.

Evergreen Air Museum

I'm pretty sure you'd want to strap into this helicopter.


Yes, this is an actual aircraft. It was a kit plane that a guy spent an estimated 11,500 hours assembling. My right shoe got caught on the way in and it was really really stuck. So, perched halfway in the plane, I managed to untie it, get my foot out, and free the shoe. Anyway, even when they got some of the engine issues sorted out, they still didn't recommend you go any further from an airport than where you could glide back safely.


Mitchell, Sterling, and Bronson had fun with the simulator.


The Spruce Goose was OK, but the coin race was REALLY impressive!

Evergreen Air Museum

OK, so this is pretty much the coolest mens bathroom sign ever! (the womens says "Aviatrix")


View of the HK-1 ("Spruce Goose") from the balcony. It's got a longer wingspan than a 747! You can walk in and look at the middle deck of the plane, and for $50 you can go up to the flight deck. Maybe next time . . . :-)


Bishop Houghtaling, I found your shirt! Understanding why will require watching this. (and you should, because it's hilarious)


The museum moved up a couple BIG notches in my book when I looked at the floorplan and saw they have an SR-71 Blackbird. Sweet! Sometimes, missions in this bad boy would involve going Mach 3 (mach 3 = 2 283.62115 mph . . . thanks Google!) for 5 HOURS!