Tuesday, January 30, 2007

GND Klondike

I need to confirm who will be attending this weekends Klondike; Feb 3rd & 4th. (Patrol Leaders CALL YOUR PATROLS). I, currently, have 13 guys signed up. It looks as though we'll be able to field two Patrols for Saturdays games.

I need to hear from everyone attending by Wednesday night.

We will have a gear 'shake-down' at Thursdays meeting. Bring your appropriate winter gear and your (signed) permission slip. If your gear has not been inspected and I do not have your permission slip in hand at Thursday nights meeting you WILL miss out on this event.

Cost: $8.00 per person for registration (includes a patch); plus cost of food.

We will be leaving the Scout shed Saturday morning at 7:30 am and returning to the Scout Shed by 11 am on Sunday.

The Klondike will be held at NHCTC in Berlin.

We have been invited to stay overnight with T207, should be a great time. Some night games and perhaps a movie or two.
If the weather is mild there may be an opportunity to sleep under the stars.

This promises to be a great 'fellowship' weekend with other Scouts. There will be some friendly competition and LOTS of fun.

Each Scout will bring a bag lunch and snacks for Saturday. Dinner can be cooked on site or be purchased from the 'OA Cafe'.

We'll have oatmeal or something quick for breakfast prior to closing and returning home on Sunday.

I look forward to hearing from you all.

Sincerely,
Mr C.

Survive or Die

Reprinted from;
AMC Outdoors, November 2006

The difference may be only a few ounces of essential gear.
You are stranded, injured and alone. Night is falling, conditions are deteriorating, and there is no way out until the next day. Or longer. Are you equipped to survive? Your chances will be vastly improved if you carry these essential items and know how to use them.

STAY DRY AND WARM Hypothermia will kill you quickly, especially if you’re wet and the wind is blowing. Always carry at least two heavy-duty garbage bags or a space blanket to protect you from the elements in an emergency situation. When selecting your bags, go thick, go large, and go bright. Look for high-capacity versions designed for hard use, such as contractor or lawn and leaf bags; a thickness of four millimeters is best. Most trash bags are green, brown, or black—difficult for rescuers to see. Try to find a more visible color; orange DOT contractor bags are ideal, though harder to find. Space blankets are usually brightly colored, but can be fragile; look for a more durable material.
To create an emergency rain or wind jacket with a trash bag, cut a slit no longer than your face about eight inches down from the closed corner. Pull it over your head, using the corner as a hood. If conditions are not too severe, cut two small holes for your arms. If conditions are bad, pull a second bag up over your legs to create an emergency bivy. If the situation is really grim, stuff dry leaves or moss in the bags with you for insulation. Use a space blanket in similar fashion by wrapping it tightly around you, but be aware that they are much harder to work with in windy conditions and are more difficult to fully seal from the elements.

KNOW HOW TO MAKE A FIRE Always carry materials to start a fire, both for warmth and as a potential rescue signal. Bring along matches in a waterproof container and opt for “stormproof” versions, which readily ignite and stay lit in windy or wet conditions; some will even burn underwater. Peter Kummerfeldt, a leading survival expert, recently reviewed nearly 20 matches for survival scenarios; his top pick is REI Storm Proof matches (0.65 ounces per box, $4).
Also consider carrying a “metal match,” which creates a shower of long-lived sparks when struck briskly with a metal scraper. When thrown on easily lit kindling, the sparks are sufficient to ignite a flame. Butane lighters should not be relied on as your only means for fire. They will not work if wet, are difficultto dry out, and can be challenging to operate with cold, wooden hands. If you do carry one as a backup, opt for clear models that allow you to see the fuel reservoir and have an adjustable flame for maximum torching.
To get a fire going, you’ll also need kindling. Shredded paper birch bark or other dry forest material will work, but if everything is soaking wet you’ll need a backup: Vaseline-coated cotton balls. Knead Vaseline into a few large cotton balls, leaving the inside dry, and carry them in a tiny waterproof container. (Make sure they are 100 percent cotton; synthetic versions do not burn well.) To light, tear the ball open and easily ignite the dry interior with a flame or sparks. A single ball will burn furiously for six minutes or more.

HELP RESCUERS FIND YOU Always tell somebody where you’re going and when you expect to be back, otherwise the amount of time it will take for rescuers to find you increases dramatically. Carry a whistle to help alert others of your situation; a loud whistle can be heard more than a mile away in good conditions. Blow it in series of three, a standard indication of need. Your brightly colored garbage bags or space blanket will make you more visible, but you should also always bring a signal mirror to alert passing (or searching) aircraft. Weighing as little as half an ounce, pocket signal mirrors can reflect a beam of sunlight several phone for rescue.
- Matt Heid is senior editor at AMC Outdoors.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

TROOP MEETING 1-11-07

7pm

OPENING (5 mins)
-Sign-in
-Debrief from the camp out

PATROL MEETINGS (30 mins)
DON'T FORGET YOUR PATROL BOOKS
work on Patrol Flags... need them completed for the Klondike, bring design ideas
*** I only have one (1) Patrol's list of members and positions

ACTIVITIES (30 mins)
Scouter/Tenderfoot
-Fitness
-Whip and fuse
2nd and 1st Class
-estimating measurement (height and width)
-stoves
Star, Life
-Merit Badges

GAME (20 mins)

CLOSING (5 mins)
Announcements

POST MEETING (5 mins)
ALL Troop & Partol Leaders

8:30 pm out the door...

REMINDERS
Registration fee $22
Please pay Mr. Gamache prior to the Court of Honor.
If you have money in your Scout account and want it deducted from the account please write Mr. Gamache a (legible) note requesting the payment be removed from your account.

Court of Honor
(this is the awards night in Scouting)
Jan. 25th @ JHF 7pm
Invite your family and friends!
Friends of Scouting presentation (Troop goal is to raise $1500)
Camp Presentation... wow hard to believe it is time to start thinking about that!
Final chance to sign-up for participating in the Klondike will be tonight.

Next outing... Klondike Feb 3-4th

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Camping at the Littleton Cabin this weekend.

If you are planning on attending you must hand me a completed Permission Form at Thursday night's meeting.

We will be leaving the Scout Shed @ 9am on Saturday morning.

While we are expecting unseasonably warm temps please BE PREPARED for winter conditions.

We will be working on completing allot of 2nd and 1st Class requirements... this outing really shouldn't be missed.

We will be returning to the Scout Shed around 10am on Sunday morning.

When preparing for this trip please refer to pgs 204, 207, 225-6 of your Handbook (don't forget to bring your handbook).

We will be planning the menu during the Patrol meetings on Thursday night.

There will be a $5 food fee for those wishing to participate.

Monday, December 11, 2006

Pizza & Pool Party

Our annual event to share with the Webelos. Check the calendar for details.

Scouts Take 1st Place in the annual Holiday Parade

In spite of the sudden on-set of cold weather the guys were able to show their Scouting Spirit.
I was VERY PROUD. Great job guys!

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Scouting for Food

Super job on the Scouting for Food

1100 food items collected and distributed on one weekend... NICE WORK!

(we are now probably closer to the original 1200 piece figure as I am still getting donated food dropped off to me)

Many thanks to the MacLeod family for all of their help!

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Scouting Pictures

http://http://homepage.mac.com/davidmmacleod/BOYSCOUTS/Menu18.html

Dave MacLeod has done a FANTASTIC job of capturing the Troop in action over the last few years. He has also spent a good deal of time putting this all together for us to enjoy.

THANKS DAVE!!!!!

Court Of Honor Pictures

http://web.mac.com/davidmmacleod/iWeb/Site/Court%20of%20Honor%20October%202006.html

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Great job today!

You guys did a super job and I'm very proud. It meant an awful lot to the Veterans to have such a super turn out.

Tomorrow morning Ethan and I are going to be meeting w/ Dr. Waltz to pick up the remaining grave markers at cemeteries around the Valley. We are meeting at the N. Conway Catholic Cemetery at 10am. Any and all that would like to join us would be quite welcome.

Thanks again to all!
Andy C

Tuesday Nov. 16th

On our regular Troop meeting night we will be assembling early to attend the local performance. This is a special event. Please arrive at 5:45pm the show begins promptly at 6pm. Scouts must wear their uniform. The cost of the performance is $5 for each registered Scout/ Scouter (student price is normally $10).

YOU MUST HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THIS PERFORMANCE IN ADVANCE AT ONE OF THE LAST TWO TROOP MEETINGS.
If you didn't make the meeting and get onto the sign-up sheet you must e-mail me by Tuesday
We will have a brief Troop meeting after the play to go over last minute planning for our Scouting for Food drive.

Scouting for Food


Mr. MacLeod is still looking for Scouts to fill the Saturday, Nov. 18th
Noon to 2:00pm and the 2 to 4:00 pm slots.

PLEASE contact him ASAP
csetraining@aol.com or at 356-8129


This is a very important community service project. All of the food that we collect stays with local families.

Friday, November 10, 2006

COMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday, Nov. 15th @ 7:30 pm
Pike/ Conway Dahl office (old AD Davis location) 3277 Wht. Mtn Highway
This meeting is open to all parents and Committee members, please make every effort to attend... this is your Troop.
Agenda;
  • Calendar
  • Fund Raising
  • Chair Positions
  • Troop Handbook
This should be a very productive meeting... I'm looking forward to lots of great ideas and hoping to come out of this meeting with and even stronger Unit and a Committee that is ready to further the aims and goals of Scouting in the Valley.
We'll see you all Wednesday night.
YIS,
-AC

Thursday, November 09, 2006

VETERANS DAY

Does anyone know the significance of the phrase “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month"?

It's the time, day, and month when, in 1918, the peace treaty was signed bringing an end to the conflict we know today as World War I.
People notice and remember unusual coincidences like this.

In the years following 1918 many nations chose to honor those who fought and died in the War with special ceremonies held on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
In England , an Unknown Soldier was buried in Westminster Abbey. Westminster Abbey is the sacred and hollowed place where the people of Great Britain honor their heroes.
In France an Unknown Soldier was buried in Paris beneath the Arch de Triumph, a sacred place to the French.
In the United States , on November 11, 19 21, we created the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery .

Over time, other nameless heroes have been added to our Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Today, there is an unidentified soldier from WWI, WWII, The Korean War, and the Vietnam War. This sacred place has come to symbolize all those who have fought and died in the service of our country.

Our Congress made this day a national holiday, originally known as Armistice Day - to honor the end of the "war to end all wars".

Unfortunately, there were other wars. Armistice Day has been renamed Veteran's Day.

For a brief time, Veteran's Day was moved from November 11th.
Congress turned it into one of those Monday - 3 day weekend holidays. People, however, remembered the coincidental date. Fate or the hand of God perhaps, had marked forever the 11th of November - Congress had to change it back.
Veteran's Day should be a time when we remember, and honor, all that have served in these nations armed forces.

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Veterans Day


This year Veteran's Day, as I'm sure you are all aware, falls on a Saturday.

The schedule of events are as follows;
11 am church service at the North Conway Congregational Church (across from Your Paws Only).
We will leave the church following the service and march to the JHF School.
From the school we will parade to Schouler Park (in front of the train station).
At the park there will be a flag ceremony w/ two Scouts from Troop 150 aiding the Legionnaire's in folding the flag. The flag will be presented to a local widow to commemorate her husbands service to our country.
Following the service, around 2pm, the Scouts will be invited to attend a luncheon with the members of the Legion. This, from my understanding, will be a ticketed event. You should see me immediately following the ceremony at the park if you plan on attending the luncheon.

The boys and leaders will be expected to be in 'Class A' uniform.

Please remind the boys about the reverence that is due to the men and women that have sacrificed for our country. They are expected to be on their best behavior.

Saturday, November 04, 2006

FULL MOON HIKE

What a night for a hike... Absolutely beautiful! The moon was as bright as I have seen it. Cloudless and calm, what a treat!
Twenty-one joined us for our jaunt around the moon lit pond. I kick my-self for not bringing a camera... In reality this is not something I will forget for quite a while. It was gorgeous.

Total wild life count:
SPL- 1
Indian Patrol- 6 members
King Chickens- 3 members

Mountaineers- 1 member
Huskies- 1 member

Adult leaders- 3
Family members- 6

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Troop 150 takes 2nd place at the District's Fall Camporee!


Great work guys. I saw a lot of encouraging things during this Camporee. You guys are really beginning to work well together. The 'Trick out my Scout' was a great NEW skit.

A special thanks to the Dads that ran stations for the boys... it wouldn't have happened without you!
Thanks to Mr. Steesy... you, your truck and your dedication to the Troop is greatly appreciated.

Again a GIANT THANK YOU to all of the guys that gave up their weekend to come share it with us at the Camporee.

Hope to see you all at Thursdays meeting.

-AC

Monday, October 02, 2006

The Scout Outdoor Essentials

The Scout Outdoor Essentials

This is the minimum list that I would expect all Scouts to carry, to this I would add;
  • pen and paper
  • a LNT toilet kit