Rechartering the Troop

Happy Holidays!
In preparation for the annual Rechartering of our
Troop I will be going through the roster. If you have or know someone
that you have not been seeing regularly at Troop meetings and outings
please have them contact me ASAP; if they want to remain as registered
Scouts.

All the best,
Mr C

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WAYS TO STAY WARM IN WINTER

The most important thing that anyone brings with them on a winter camp out, or any camp
out, can't be bought in any store or made at home. It is a positive mental attitude.
Don’t go camping without it!

Keep warm by following the guidelines that spell the word: C-O-L-D

CLEAN - Clothing should be clean. Since
insulation is only effective when heat is trapped by dead air spaces, keep your insulating
layers clean and fluffy. Dirt, grime, and perspiration can mat down those air spaces and
reduce the warmth of a garment.

OVERHEATING - Avoid it. Pace your activity to avoid
overheating which causes you to sweat. Sweat will dampen your clothing and cause
chilling later on.

LOOSE LAYERS - Use loose layers to keep warm.
Warm air is trapped between the layers, keeping you warmer than one single bulky layer. By
adding or removing layers, you can regulate your body temperature. Wear loose fitting
clothes that will not restrict the blood flow and that will ventilate or wick the
moisture away from your body.

DRY – Keep all clothing, bedding and your body dry.
Damp clothing and skin can cause your body to cool quickly, possibly leading to frostbite
or hypothermia. Keep dry by: avoiding cotton clothing, brushing snow from your cloths
before it melts, and loosening the clothing around your neck and chest.

WHAT KIND OF CLOTHES TO BUY

Choose your clothing wisely. Make sure it will protect you from the wet, wind and cold.
Clothing should be bulky enough to trap air and loose enough so you can move freely. The
appearance or style of your clothes is NOT important. Fancy, expensive skiwear is often
not the right choice.

Wool, Fiberfill, Holifill, Polarguard and Thinsulate are good choices
because they keep you warm longer when wet. Wool clothing is ideal in cold weather because
it is durable and water resistant and even when soaked it can keep you warm. Wool makes
excellent blankets, socks, hats, mittens, sweaters, and even pants. Army surplus stores
have good wool clothing for winter camping. If wool irritates your skin, you may be able
to wear wool blends or wear it over clothing made of other fabrics. Many synthetics are
also good in winter for use as windbreakers and insulation.

Footwear is important in winter camping. Use the layering system on your feet.
Start with a pair of silk, nylon, polypropylene or thin wool socks. Then layer on a pair
of heavier wool socks. Make sure your boots are big enough to wiggle your toes, with
two pair of socks on. If your feet get wet, change your socks as soon as possible.

One method that can be used in wet conditions is to put plastic bags on your feet,
either between the two layers of socks or directly on your feet. NEVER wear cotton socks
under plastic bags as they will get wet from your perspiration and your feet will feel
cold. Thin synthetic socks under the plastic bags with heavy wool socks over them
are the best combination.

Mittens keep your hands warmer than gloves. In very cold conditions, wear glove
liners in your mittens. Additionally, a good pair of gloves lined with Thinsulate is a
must for many tasks around camp. Extra gloves and/or mittens are an absolute
necessity as gloves and mittens tend to get very wet and/or lost.

Stocking hats are great to wear outdoors and at night in your sleeping bag. Even
better is a stocking hat (ski mask) that covers your head and neck, and all of your face
except your eyes, nose and mouth. A coat with a hood is also helpful, as is a scarf around
your neck that can be used to cover your face if needed.

TIP from Grandpa: "If your feet are cold, put on a hat!"

Long Underwear is an essential part of the layering system. Do not buy cotton or
cotton blends. Cotton is a summer fiber; it keeps you cool.

HELPFUL HINTS – DURING THE DAY

1. Eat food high in calories – beef, nuts, stews, cheeses



Eat lots of snacks.

2. Prevent heat loss. Your body loses heat from:

• Wind – wear clothes that protect you from the wind


• Wet – you MUST STAY DRY


• Radiation - wear a hat. 50% of your body heat escapes from your head


• Breathing - keep your face and mouth covered if it is really, really cold


• Conduction – avoid contact with cold objects. Keep your gloves on and drink warm
  fluids

1. Keep your neck, ears and head covered. Up to 50% of your body heat escapes through your
   neck and head. Wear several layers on your neck and head, just as the rest of your body.


2. Hoods that extend beyond your face and has fake fur trim dramatically reduces the wind
   chill on the face.


3. Breath through a scarf. It will warm the air before it reaches your lungs and help keep
   you warm.


4. Outermost layer should be WINDPROOF and WATERPROOF – both coat and pants.


5. Mittens are warmer than gloves because they keep your fingers together. Wearing large
   waterproof outer mittens with wool glove liners is a great idea. Always carry extra
   mittens and gloves. Change them, if they get wet.


6. Wear 2 pairs of socks – a polypropylene sock liner and a pair of woolen or wool
   blend socks are the best combination. Make sure you can still wiggle your toes.
   Cramped feet will freeze very quickly.


7. Wear warm, insulated hiking boots. Do NOT wear sneakers or your toes will freeze off!
   In extreme weather, wear felt lined "snowmobile" boots – waterproof on
   the outside with felt or Thinsulate liners. Boots must be large enough to wiggle toes with
   2 pairs of socks. Cramped feet hurt and freeze!


8. Wear long johns (thermal underwear) – tops and bottoms. Bring an extra set to
   change into before going to sleep. It is important to change all your clothing
   before retiring.


9. Wear wool, if possible. If not wool, then wear Polar Fleece. Do NOT wear cotton. It
   retains moisture and gets wet easily. It will keep you cold….


10. Suspenders are better than a belt in the winter. The belt cuts off the warm airflow.


11. Wear the right amount of clothes. You should be comfortably cool – not hot. If you
    are hot you will get wet from sweat and become cold. Match your clothing to the exercise
    level. You need less layers when you are "working" than you do if you are
    "standing around"


12. You should never eat snow or drink lots of cold liquids. They will make your insides
    cold. Drinks lots of warm or tepid liquids.



13. Drink lots of liquids. You lose a lot of body fluids on the cold and never even know
    it. Try to keep your water bottle warm by keeping it close to your body.


14. Be active enough to keep warm without sweating. Standing still or sitting for long
    periods of time will not keep you warm.


15. Carry a whiskbroom to brush the snow off. The idea is to KEEP DRY. If your clothes
    become wet, change them immediately.


16. Attach your mittens to your coat. Losing a pair of mittens could spell disaster to your
    fingers! Always carry an extra pair.


17. Bring a campstool. Don’t sit on the cold ground.


18. Choose your campsite wisely. Avoid low-lying areas, such as, valleys, ravines, and
    canyons because cold air sinks and settles there. Also avoid the tops of a hill, vast open
    areas or other areas where the wind is strong. Wind makes cold feel even colder –
    wind-chill factor! Look for an area between these extremes, such as a small meadow, or a
    gentle sloping hillside.


19. Camp with a Southern exposure. It will get a lot more sun (solar energy) and will be
    warmer. Avoid the Northern exposures. They are colder. If you are in snow, look for the
    areas where the snow has melted – they get more sun.

HELPFUL HINTS – AT NIGHT

1. Insulate your sleeping bag from the ground with a full-length foam bed pad. A close cell
   pad should be at least ¾ inch, while an open cell pad needs to be 1½ inches thick. Place
   the bed pad on top half of a survival blanket silver side up allowing the exposed half to
   be pulled over the top of your sleeping bag as a cover.


2. Foam pads can be purchased at the Army/Navy store or Sports Authority for less than $10.


3. Put a survival blanket on the floor of your tent, silver side up. It will keep moisture
   and cold out. Survival or Emergency blankets are available at Sports Authority, EMS, etc.
   for about $10.


4. Make sure your bedding and sleeping clothes are dry. Air your bedding during the day to
   allow body moisture to escape. Sleeping bags will dry, even in freezing weather. The
   average adult loses one pint of body moisture while sleeping.


5. Never sleep with your mouth and nose inside the sleeping bag. Breathe outside of it.
   Your breath will make your sleeping bag wet.


6. Change your clothes before going to sleep. Your daytime clothes will be damp from sweat
   and are dirty. This will cause you to chill.


7. Put on clean socks and polar fleece booties for sleeping.


8. Wear a hat to sleep. 50% of your body heat escapes through your head.


9. Your sleeping bag needs to be a cold rated (at least -20 degree) bag. If not, use two
   bags, one inside the other. Alternatively, put a polar fleece blanket, sewn on 3 sides
   inside your bag for extra warmth.


10. NEVER sleep on an air mattress in the cold.


11. Keep your boots warm and dry at night. If necessary, after cleaning and drying them, put
    them inside a plastic bag and then in the bottom of your sleeping bag.


12. In the morning, put boot warmers in your boots before putting them on.


13. If you have removable boot liners, remove them before going to bed. They will dry
    quicker that way.


14. Wear a sweatshirt with a hood at night to keep your neck, head, and shoulders warm.


15. Dress and undress in your sleeping bag.


16. Keep your clean clothes inside your bag or underneath it.


17. Fluff your sleeping bag before getting inside.


18. Nibble on high calorie food before going to sleep. Pepperoni or cheese is a good choice.


19. Still shivering? Put on your rain gear – pants and jacket. It will act as a vapor
    barrier to hold in your body warmth.


20. Use the latrine BEFORE getting in that sleeping bag! No one wants to get up in the
    middle of the freezing night. But if you have to go, get up and go!

OTHER HINTS

1. It always takes longer to do things in the cold – Plan accordingly.


2. Cooking time will double. Always use a lid on your pot to trap the warmth.


3. Start hot water for cleaning, before you start cooking.


4. Wear rubber gloves to wash dishes. They keep your hands dry.


5. Try to keep your menu to "one-pot" meals. Chili, stews, pasta and beans are
   good choices.


6. Always collect twice as much firewood as you think you need. Remember it takes twice as
   long to cook, so you use more fuel.

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Pool and Pizza Party 12-20 5:30pm

I need a head count for everyone planning on attending the pizza and pool party. I have all of the Webelos (thanks Mary). We will be meeting at 5:30 pm at the Attitash Grand Summit Hotel (this is the hotel that uses the same Bear Peak entrance) come right in the front door. We'll go as a group to the pool. We'll swim for an hour and then have pizza. Pick up will be at 7:30/ 8pm. If you want to bring a buddy let me know that as well... I know that you all have friends outside of Scouting... don't keep Scouting a secret. THIS YEAR EVERYONE NEEDS TO SIGN A WAIVER OF LIABILITY... if your parent hasn't sent this with you then you don't swim. See you all Thursday night, Mr. C

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Jan Outing

Patrol Leaders please remind your Patrol members;
-come prepared to be outside for the Troop meeting
-bring your 10 essentials
-be prepared to make the commitment for the January outing ($10 and permission slip)

There will be a popcorn prize distribution and party before the close of the Troop meeting. Yahoo!

January Outing... winter campout!
This is going to be GREAT FUN and an event not to be missed. This is a VERY IMPORTANT outing if you are planning on being able to do some back-country outings with the Troop this winter... you should make every effort to go.
Friday Jan 4th
departing 6pm from the Ham Arena parking loteat bag dinner en routearrive at Hidden Valley Scout Res... crash in cabin(maybe a small campfire; cracker barrel, a few stories...)

Sat 5th
breakfast... pancakes and bacon
set-up camp for those cleared to sleep outside
hike up Mt Shannon... summit lunch
Afternoon snow shoe/ ski trek to the outback
survival shelter building... how to survive in the winter lost in the NE wilderness
campfire cooking for dinner
night-time navigation/ hikebonfire, cracker barrel, smores and campfire stories

Sun 6th
Sunrise Sunday Scouts Own Service
bag omelets for breakfastpack out
Return for a noon pick-up at the Ham

If you want to go you need to commit to this at Thursday nights meeting... I need a permission slip and $10 from everyone.

If you need help coming up w/ gear and want to go PLEASE let me know ASAP. I can help, but, I need time to make this happen.

After Thursday there will be no opportunity to get your name added to the list... e-mail me if you can't make the meeting and want to go (you will have to arrange to get your permission slip and money to me).

See you all Thursday,

Mr. C

Outings

As we are approaching our winter camping season I wanted to fire-off a 'quick' e-mail about Scouting.

As designed, to use the old cliche, Sc-outing is supposed to be more than 2/3rd outing.
We, as leaders, in the Scouting movement are tasked to provide a minimum of 10 camp out opportunities per year. These outings are to be included as part of a year round camping program (and no... cabin camping, lock downs or trips to the Civic Ctr do not count as camp outs).

Not every youth has to go on every outing, but, we'd like to see at least 75% of the boys participate. There is a great amount of effort that goes into planning and executing these outings for our boys. We want everyone to take full advantage of these opportunities.
Along those lines if your son needs camping gear (ie appropriate clothing, sleeping bag etc) please see me or one of the Scout Assistants, we'll help guide you any way we can. Funds from your sons Scout account can be used to reimburse for approved purchases. If your son doesn't have a winter rated sleeping bag and he commits to going on the camp out please let me know, the Troop can rent an appropriate bag.

On our outings we are making every effort to provide a camp out opportunity for everyone. Scouts that have achieved the rank of First Class will be allowed, and expected, to sleep out of doors. Younger Scouts that are approved by the leadership can join the 1st Class and above Scouts.

We all live in New England, we know what the changing seasons bring. Winter is an exciting time to work on camping, outdoor and survival skills. I and the other Scout Leaders look forward to sharing our experiences with your sons.

Here's to the cold weather and the snow!
Mr. C

TROOP COMMITTEE MEETING

TROOP COMMITTEE MEETING

Date: 10/11/07

John Fuller School

Present:
Ray O'Brien, Norm Gamache, Diane Gamache, Andy Chalmers, Steve Mannik,
Paul Getchell, Marion Owen, Ted LaLiberte, Scott Steesy, Cathy Steesy,
Rosemary Evans, Joanne Turner, Bill Tinkham, Bruce Consaul, and Bud
Selmi

Meeting was called to order @7:10 pm

The September minutes were approved

Reports:

SCOUTMASTER: Andy reported that the NH Jamboree was awesome. It was a
great learning experience. An outing is planned in early November

- a backbpacking trip. We need to purchase 4
backpacking stoves that are more cold weather friendly. We are a unit of honor, so there was a refund from summer camp.

TREASURER: Norm reported that the troop is in good shape. There was a balance of $7344 in the troop account.

FUNDRAISING:

CATHY - We made $4,724 through the "Show and Sell" and $921.75 in
donations. There is about $2000 in popcorn left. All take orders needed
by the 25th no excuses.Cathy made a motion to split the donations 50/50
between the boys and the troop and pro-rate it. This was seconded by
Bill and it passed unanimously. Popcorn sales were down, but donations
were up.

PAUL: the USFS activity will be a
communitty service project and we wil give the proceeds to the James
Walker Fund. (Moved by Cathy and seconded by Joanne) Paul had a list of
the things that he would need) Please sign up with Paul for a shift to
work.

BUD: $2848 will be awarded to us from Storyland from the Story land after hours event

ADVANCEMENT:
Three board of reviews will be held tonight. We will need to be ready
for the Court of Honor in two weeks. Tracy is in charge of the
refreshments.

TRAINING: Andy, Scott
and Ray have been trained for the Woodbadge. They had a great turnout
this year. This is a worldwide program and it is like the doctorate of
scouting.

RECRUITMENT / CROSSOVER: There will be nine boys coming from Conway

CHAPLAIN AIDE: Dimitry will be the scout aide and Mr. Dewar will be the adult.

NEW
BUSINESS: A proposal was made to set all of the meetings from now until
June for the 2nd Thursday of the month. All were in favor.

OLD BUSINESS:

Ray will be out of town on 11/8 so Norm will conduct the meeting.

We need a publicity person. It would be nice to have pictures at the Forestry event.

We are out of neckerchiefs and slides. We should get at least 24.

The troop website is conwayscouts.info

The meeting adjourned at 8:17pm

Next meeting: 11/8/07

Respectfully submitted,

Diane Gamache

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