Battalion 3273 is going CAMPING!

Here's the email that Captain Howard sent on October 19

Saturday, October 23th, to Sunday, October 24th, 2010.

We're going to the Squamish River Forestry Site ( 49°54'55.16"N 123°17'39.49"W), near the bridge.

Rodger and I checked it out Monday and it's better than ever - picnic tables, firepits, and two pit toilets; all quite new. Oh, and no fees.

We leave Saturday morning at 8am - arrive at the church by 7:45. Eat breakfast before you arrive.

We return to the church between 3 and 4pm Sunday afternoon, after buying lunch at the Squamish McDonald's.

Cost: $15 (includes gas) plus money for McDonald's on Saturday.

Bring the usual wet and cold camping gear - If you need the list please contact Captain Howard. Be prepared for rain and cold nights. We'll have tarps, tents and a big fire so we'll be quite comfortable.

And bring your fishing rod (and licence if you're over 15 years old).

We'll be fishing, building fires, eating, and having good fun.

If you haven't already filled out the Battalion Registration Form/Permission Form, you'll need to do this before you go.

Any questions please call Captain Howard

Canoe Trailer Rebuild

Hi Guys,

It has come to the time that we need to rebuild part of the canoe trailer if we want to keep having it. Starting this Thursday, July 22 the plan is to remove the canoes, and gear, remove the wheels and maybe get the mounting bolts, brackets, etc. We will then need to remove the old axle and splash guards. Mount the new axle and its wheels and rewire the lights. If we can't get it all done on the Thursday we'll work on it Friday evening and Saturday daytime. We'll have a more detailed idea on Thursday, July 22 after we've started.

This is going to be a fun time. We're basically going to be able take the trailer apart and rebuild it. This is our Battalion's trailer and we're going to be able to make it better.

Also there are some bikes that are being given to us that we can fix up and do stuff with. A thought is to give them to Chilliwack Lake Camp, whose facilities we get to use for Brigade Camp BC, for campers to use (including us when we go there).

Please note that if the weather isn't suitable for working outside we'll be playing games inside the church building.

See you Thursday.

Lt. Garth

Thursday, July 15

Hi Guys,

Just a note that we will be canoeing this Thursday. Please be at the church early so we can leave right on time. The plan is to go canoeing on Sasamat Lake accessed from White Pine Beach area.

Lt. Garth

Summer Time

Hi guys,

It's now summer and that means no lineups, no uniforms, no formal meetings. Instead we're meeting every Thursday as usual at the church and doing all kinds of fun stuff. We want to know what you would like to do. Let us as leaders know. We can't read your mind.

Lt. Garth

message from Captain Howard

Hello everyone - Battalion leaders, boys and families:

Yesterday was absolutely the worst day I've had since coming down with this silly heart condition. It was even worse than the day I went to the hospital (for a week's stay). There was stuff to be done for the "Building Men" men's conference, and I needed the Battalion's help to get it done. After stuffing 125 Info Bags for me in less than 10 minutes, the guys put me in a circle and prayed over me. As the prayers were ending, I felt a burden being lifted from me - I was feeling better. By the time I got home, it was much better, and I had my first great sleep in days - only six hours, but no discomfort. I feel great, and it's all because the Lord responded to the prayers of His People, young though they are. God wants our prayers, and He wants to respond to them, but for whatever reason, He wants us to do the praying. It was wonderful to see His response to yesterday's prayers, so immediate, so complete. Thank you all.

Now, about this men's conference... guys, dads, husbands, this is really something worth taking in, even if it's just for Friday night or Saturday morning. I've been closely involved with all of it -from conception to planning to putting it together - I know this is going to be different from any other men's conference that I've ever been to. If you know me, you know that I'm very much about us being "men of action". It's all very good to be good, godly men, but that is only what we should be like - we must desire and work towards a Christ-like character. But, it's a life-long process and some of us may never arrive, at least not in this life. God has a "calling" for every Christian; a job that is uniquely designed for each of us to perform for the sake of His Kingdom. He calls us to that work - to that action - as soon as we believe, and for some, if not all, long before we ever become Believers in Jesus Christ. His calling is always according to our abilities, but focused on our potential, thus forcing us to lean on Him. We become men, or women, of action while we are still working on improving our Christian character. In fact, it is often through our calling that we feel the desire to clean up our act. This men's conference is about seeking His Calling, and about cleaning up our acts.

It is a conference designed for men, and as far as we're concerned (and that includes Dr Chuck Stecker), manhood begins at 13 years old, so our Battalion boys are invited. This is going to be a challenging event. I'd like to see you - you men and teens - there.

God bless you as He has blessed me. Thank you for your prayers.

Bright and Keen for Christ, guys.

- Howard

Shape N Race Testing

Hi Guys,

Just a reminder to get your cars all finished up. The plan for Thursday is to get the axles and wheels on and do some testing on our track. Then on Saturday March 20 it is time to race everyone else in BC. Check out the CSB BC webpage for info on where and when.

It was great seeing Captain Howard at Battalion after he had been in the hospital for a week. Remember to keep him in your prayers.

Lt. Garth

Shape N Race is coming!!!

Hi Guys,

Just a reminder that Shape N Race is coming up on Saturday March 20. For more information check out CSB British Columbia's new website at www.csbbc.org. If you go to the events page you will see stuff about Shape N Race. Also tell your parent(s) about Chuck Stecker coming. Dads may have an interest in it.

This Thursday the plan is to finish your cars with the last bit of sanding and painting. Don't forget them at home.

Lt. Garth