I've had a few questions about Merit Badges (MB) and how they work. I'm including this link... it explains them pretty well.
http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php?title=An_Introduction_to_Merit_Badges
Some MB's we start as a Troop. The Scout is then responsible for doing the homework and completing the MB on their own. Recently the Troop has completed Family Life and Physical Fitness. Scouts can work on MB's at anytime (following the guidelines on the link above).
New Scouts should be concentrating on completing the requirements for achieving the 1st Class rank. Achieving 1st Class in the first year since joining the Troop is a goal that should be set. It is very attainable if the Scout is attending Troop meetings and outings.
YIS,
Mr. C
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Meeting at Echo Lake
Our meeting tonight will be held at Echo Lake. 7pm-Suits
-Towels
-Camp info
-Scout Spirit.
Tragic Loss of a Scouting Friend
I wanted to share with all of you a remembrance of James Walker, the man that was the manager of the Army Barracks here in Conway. He was murdered by a young man attempting to rob his store.
My son, Ethan, and I have been in his store hundreds of times. Jim regularly distributed fliers and put up posters for us as we were building the Pack in Conway. I was always kidding him about his small Scout corner, but, he always seemed to have something that I couldn't do without. It had become quite a regular occurrence for Ethan and I to run in on the weekend while out running errands. We were always greeted as old friends.
When Ethan crossed-over to the Troop he wanted to get a Boy Scout neckerchief. Jim had none in the store. After pausing a moment he remembered the mannequin that he had displaying his own personal Scout uniform... he removed the neckerchief and gave it to Ethan. This is the neckerchief that Ethan wears to all of his Scouting functions. Just a plain red neckerchief... a thoughtless kind gesture. It shows the true nature of the man. A man that his children will not have to guide them as they grow up.
It has come to my attention that James was a member of Troop 150... I am ashamed to say that I never realized that.
Rob Troon, Scout Master for our brother Troop in Tamworth, tells me Jimmy started his journey in Scouting as a youth member of Troop 151 during the mid-late 80's and '90. For his last year as a Scout, he moved up to Troop 150. He turned 18 as a Life Scout and proudly displayed his uniform in the store the whole time he worked there. His scouting days were mentioned at his funeral, and the center picture was from Hidden Valley.
Scout Master Troon has the wonderful idea of hosting an annual campout between our two Troops in remembrance of this fine person. It would be very nice, as fund-raising time is upon us, if we could make an extra effort and raise funds to go into the Walker children's scholarship fund... now that is something worth raising money for.
As Mr. Troon and I work out the details please keep the Walker family and children in your thoughts. They will have some dark days ahead of them without their Dad. I trust that Scouting will be able kindle a small flicker of hope for them in the future.
Your in Scouting,
Andy C
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Friday Night
Looking forward to seeing everyone for the swimming and cook out on Friday.
Meeting at the Conway Lake Public Beach @ 5:30 pm to do the BSA Swim Test.
Cookout at the Getchell's following the swimming.
Mr C
Meeting at the Conway Lake Public Beach @ 5:30 pm to do the BSA Swim Test.
Cookout at the Getchell's following the swimming.
- Bring swim suit and towel.
- Duty Roster and Menus for Mondays campout.
- If I do not have your Permission Slip and Medical form there will be no camping for you.
- Also please make sure you give Mr. Getchell the money you owe for the campout.
Mr C
Powered by ScribeFire.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Missed meeting... sorry!
Good morning, sorry to have missed everyone at last Thursdays Troop meeting... Ethan's concert went well. They will be getting together and playing next at a benefit concert at the Brass Heart Inn on June 6th, it promises to be a good time.
Sounds like the meeting was a success and that you got a lot accomplished. We will continue the cooking theme for the next meeting.
Reminders:
Make sure you are arriving on time and staying through the whole meeting.
If for some reason you can't make the meeting or are leaving before the closing it is your responsibility to contact your Patrol Leader to find out what you missed.
As we had discussed at the Patrol Leaders Council we are going to have our game time just before the opening of the meeting. The meeting will start promptly at 7pm and will close at 8:15. Game time will be at approximately 10 minutes of 7.
COURT OF HONOR will be at 7pm Thursday May 31st
See you all at Thursdays Troop Meeting,
Mr C.
Sounds like the meeting was a success and that you got a lot accomplished. We will continue the cooking theme for the next meeting.
Reminders:
Make sure you are arriving on time and staying through the whole meeting.
If for some reason you can't make the meeting or are leaving before the closing it is your responsibility to contact your Patrol Leader to find out what you missed.
As we had discussed at the Patrol Leaders Council we are going to have our game time just before the opening of the meeting. The meeting will start promptly at 7pm and will close at 8:15. Game time will be at approximately 10 minutes of 7.
COURT OF HONOR will be at 7pm Thursday May 31st
See you all at Thursdays Troop Meeting,
Mr C.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
May is cooking!
Good morning to all, I trust everyone is finally catching up on some sleep after our Camporee.
On our agenda for this month is cooking.
We had planned a pre-Mothers Day, Scout cook out for this weeks meeting, but, it just isn't going to be feasible to pull this off time wise.
Mr. Selmi has generously offered his professional services to talk about menu planning and food preparation with the Scouts over the next few meetings. Mrs. Owen has offered to come in and do a few hands on cooking demonstrations during the meetings.
Hopefully this will all culminate into a Scout planned cookout in the near future.
See you all Thursday,
Mr C
On our agenda for this month is cooking.
We had planned a pre-Mothers Day, Scout cook out for this weeks meeting, but, it just isn't going to be feasible to pull this off time wise.
Mr. Selmi has generously offered his professional services to talk about menu planning and food preparation with the Scouts over the next few meetings. Mrs. Owen has offered to come in and do a few hands on cooking demonstrations during the meetings.
Hopefully this will all culminate into a Scout planned cookout in the near future.
See you all Thursday,
Mr C
Monday, May 07, 2007
Camporee a 'Sucesss'
Thanks to everyone for joining us for the Camporee. I hope that everyone had as much fun attending as we did hosting the event.
Please fire me off an e-mail so that as we conduct the postmortem of the event I can use your feedback to make future events even better.
I had heard the criticism that there were no directional signs to the event. I understand that it may have been difficult to locate the site that is why I tried to provide the 'turn, by, turn' directions as well as the Google Earth link to this site to all of the Unit Leaders well in advance of the event. I apologize if you had a hard time finding us. In the future I would pursue the additional expense of obtaining a sign permit.
I also heard a little 'grousing' from a few Unit Leaders about having their Scouts participate in the Scouts Own Service. This is something that will take a lot of convincing to try to get me to change this... I think that 'Reverence' has even a larger role to play in the lives of our Scouts. The fact that the role of Chaplain's Aide was not filled by many (any) of the Units attending the Camporee is something that we should all take a look at as Scouters. It may be difficult to say that we, as Unit Leaders, are fulfilling the 'Promise of Scouting' without providing an outlet for our Scouts Duty to God.
The other thing that I might suggest for future events is that we hold our Outdoor Leader trainings at these venues. The Leadership is in attendance, most of the Training Staff for the District is there... something to think about?
I look forward to hearing from everyone.
Enjoy the warm weather. I look forward to seeing everyone Tuesday night.
Yours in Scouting,
Andy
Please fire me off an e-mail so that as we conduct the postmortem of the event I can use your feedback to make future events even better.
I had heard the criticism that there were no directional signs to the event. I understand that it may have been difficult to locate the site that is why I tried to provide the 'turn, by, turn' directions as well as the Google Earth link to this site to all of the Unit Leaders well in advance of the event. I apologize if you had a hard time finding us. In the future I would pursue the additional expense of obtaining a sign permit.
I also heard a little 'grousing' from a few Unit Leaders about having their Scouts participate in the Scouts Own Service. This is something that will take a lot of convincing to try to get me to change this... I think that 'Reverence' has even a larger role to play in the lives of our Scouts. The fact that the role of Chaplain's Aide was not filled by many (any) of the Units attending the Camporee is something that we should all take a look at as Scouters. It may be difficult to say that we, as Unit Leaders, are fulfilling the 'Promise of Scouting' without providing an outlet for our Scouts Duty to God.
The other thing that I might suggest for future events is that we hold our Outdoor Leader trainings at these venues. The Leadership is in attendance, most of the Training Staff for the District is there... something to think about?
I look forward to hearing from everyone.
Enjoy the warm weather. I look forward to seeing everyone Tuesday night.
Yours in Scouting,
Andy
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
CONGRATS
It is my understanding that the Indian Patrol has successfully had their vacation Patrol meeting. They have completed their flag and planned their menu for the Camporee... GREAT JOB!
REMINDER... we are having a Troop Meeting on Thursday... we'll be outside (YEA!)
Agenda;
Continued Scout Skills
Menu approvals
Camp duty roster
Sign-up for Camporee (DON'T FORGET THOSE HEALTH FORMS!!!) No consent, No health form = no participation.
Camp $$$ needs to come in to Mrs. Owen and Mr. Tinkham... also get those MB sheets back to these folks... 1st come 1st served.
You should all be working on getting Hike-a-thon pledges... remember 75% of the funds raised by you helps you pay your way to camp.
REMINDER... we are having a Troop Meeting on Thursday... we'll be outside (YEA!)
Agenda;
Continued Scout Skills
Menu approvals
Camp duty roster
Sign-up for Camporee (DON'T FORGET THOSE HEALTH FORMS!!!) No consent, No health form = no participation.
Camp $$$ needs to come in to Mrs. Owen and Mr. Tinkham... also get those MB sheets back to these folks... 1st come 1st served.
You should all be working on getting Hike-a-thon pledges... remember 75% of the funds raised by you helps you pay your way to camp.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Quick message re; this years Wood Badge Course.
21 participants signed up at the Program Kick Off on Saturday. This leaves only a few slots left. PLEASE let me know that everyone that wants to go from GND has already signed up and sent in their application.
I can't think of any one thing that you can do for yourself that will impact not only you in your personal and professional life, but, the in youth that you serve in Scouting. You owe it to yourself to take this Wood Badge course.
When I think of this in this context it completely blows my mind:
As a single individual you have the opportunity to change the future though the lives of the youth you serve. This is what B-P refers to as 'leading a legacy' and 'leading change'. By providing a positive impact on only one boy think of the ripples you begin in this boy's life. Now think of all of the boys in your Unit... Lot's of ripples. Now consider the impact that your new Wood Badge energy can impart to all of the adults in your Unit. We're no longer talking ripples here... we've started some WAVES!
BE the source of the wave for changing the future.
Yours in Scouting
Andy C
I can't think of any one thing that you can do for yourself that will impact not only you in your personal and professional life, but, the in youth that you serve in Scouting. You owe it to yourself to take this Wood Badge course.
When I think of this in this context it completely blows my mind:
As a single individual you have the opportunity to change the future though the lives of the youth you serve. This is what B-P refers to as 'leading a legacy' and 'leading change'. By providing a positive impact on only one boy think of the ripples you begin in this boy's life. Now think of all of the boys in your Unit... Lot's of ripples. Now consider the impact that your new Wood Badge energy can impart to all of the adults in your Unit. We're no longer talking ripples here... we've started some WAVES!
BE the source of the wave for changing the future.
Yours in Scouting
Andy C
Monday, April 02, 2007
SPRING CAMPOREE
Great Northern District Spring Camporee
May 4th-6th, 2007
Hosted by Troop 150, North Conway, NH
Location
Whittaker Woods and John H. Fuller School in North Conway Village.
Traveling South on Route 16/ 302; pass the Memorial Hospital on your left, cross a set of rail road tracks, Whittaker Woods will be on your left, White Mountain Oil and The Big Apple will be on your right. Take a left at the first set of lights you come to John H Fuller School will be on your left.
Program Highlights
· Hike-a-thon
· Service Project
· Camp Fire Program
· Scouts Own Service
· Nighttime navigation and hike
· MUCH more
Competitions
· Iron Chef
· Fire Building
· Best Troop/ Patrol
· Campsite Inspection
· Scout Decathlon
· Scout Skills
· Survival/ Search and Rescue
· Orienteering
· Knots
· Pioneering
Fees / Registration $8 per person
Contact
• Scoutmaster Andy Chalmers at 447-1393 or achalmers@verizon.net
• All troops are responsible for carrying current medical forms for all Scouts.
• No Troop will be allowed on site without a completed Unit Roster.
• Registration is open to any Troop/Crew within any District.
All units will receive an information packet at Round Table… see you there. -Andy C
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Interesting... what does this say about Scouts?
Scouting has benefited the lives of countless individuals.
Scouting accounts for 64 percent of Air Force Academy graduates, 68 percent of West Point graduates, 72 percent of Rhodes Scholars, 85 percent of F.B.I. agents, 26 of the first 29 astronauts.
The pilots of both the Challenger and the Columbia space shuttles were Eagle Scouts.
Scouting accounts for 64 percent of Air Force Academy graduates, 68 percent of West Point graduates, 72 percent of Rhodes Scholars, 85 percent of F.B.I. agents, 26 of the first 29 astronauts.
The pilots of both the Challenger and the Columbia space shuttles were Eagle Scouts.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
THIS IS WHY WE USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM...
News 14 Carolina 24 Hour Local News HEADLINES Rescuers search for lost Boy Scout: "Rescuers search for lost Boy Scout
Updated: 3/18/2007 7:13 PM
By: News 14 Carolina Staff & Associated Press
12-year-old Michael Auberry
More than 100 rescuers are looking for a lost Boy Scout in Doughton Park in Wilkes County.
Officials say 12-year-old Michael Auberry from Greensboro has been missing since Saturday afternoon.
Auberry was camping with his Boy Scout troop this weekend when he went missing.
Auberry was last seen at the Daughton Park Trails.
Rescuers have been searching around the clock since Saturday for Michael.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol also sent a helicopter to help with the search.
Doughton Park is near the Blue Ridge Parkway.
'I think we have multiple concerns,” said Incident Commander, David Weldon. “You have cold temperatures, you've
The park is about 5,900 square acres.
got a young boy that's out in the woods that's not familiar with the area, in this mountainous area a lot of things look the same. And the concern is he may be disoriented, and walking around and that's why we're concentrating as hard we can today.'
Michael does have some survival training and officials say he’s wearing the right kind of clothes.
So far, rescue workers say they’ve found some food scraps and part of his mess kit."
Updated: 3/18/2007 7:13 PM
By: News 14 Carolina Staff & Associated Press
12-year-old Michael Auberry
More than 100 rescuers are looking for a lost Boy Scout in Doughton Park in Wilkes County.
Officials say 12-year-old Michael Auberry from Greensboro has been missing since Saturday afternoon.
Auberry was camping with his Boy Scout troop this weekend when he went missing.
Auberry was last seen at the Daughton Park Trails.
Rescuers have been searching around the clock since Saturday for Michael.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol also sent a helicopter to help with the search.
Doughton Park is near the Blue Ridge Parkway.
'I think we have multiple concerns,” said Incident Commander, David Weldon. “You have cold temperatures, you've
The park is about 5,900 square acres.
got a young boy that's out in the woods that's not familiar with the area, in this mountainous area a lot of things look the same. And the concern is he may be disoriented, and walking around and that's why we're concentrating as hard we can today.'
Michael does have some survival training and officials say he’s wearing the right kind of clothes.
So far, rescue workers say they’ve found some food scraps and part of his mess kit."
Scouts in the news
cbs5.com - Bay City News Wire: "SANTA CLARA CO.: BOY SCOUTS HELP IN MT. HAMILTON POT GROW SITE CLEANUP
03/18/07 11:05 PDT
Volunteer Boy Scouts and Sheriff's Office Youth Cadets are joining law enforcement this morning in an effort to clean up marijuana grow sites that have damaged formerly pristine natural areas near Mt. Hamilton, a Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office spokesman said.
According to Sgt. Ed Wise, several areas on and near the University of California, Santa Cruz property at the Lick Observatory were used for marijuana cultivation last year, causing erosion and leaving garbage and possibly chemical contaminants around nearby creeks.
The youth volunteers, along with deputies from the Sheriff's Office Marijuana Eradication Team and the state Department of Fish and Game, will be cleaning up plastic pipe and tarps used in the operations and trash at the grower campsites.
With a new grow season approaching in the spring, officials hope to deter marijuana cultivators from returning to the area and further damaging the land and waterways, Wise said."
03/18/07 11:05 PDT
Volunteer Boy Scouts and Sheriff's Office Youth Cadets are joining law enforcement this morning in an effort to clean up marijuana grow sites that have damaged formerly pristine natural areas near Mt. Hamilton, a Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office spokesman said.
According to Sgt. Ed Wise, several areas on and near the University of California, Santa Cruz property at the Lick Observatory were used for marijuana cultivation last year, causing erosion and leaving garbage and possibly chemical contaminants around nearby creeks.
The youth volunteers, along with deputies from the Sheriff's Office Marijuana Eradication Team and the state Department of Fish and Game, will be cleaning up plastic pipe and tarps used in the operations and trash at the grower campsites.
With a new grow season approaching in the spring, officials hope to deter marijuana cultivators from returning to the area and further damaging the land and waterways, Wise said."
PARENTS/ COMMITTEE MEETING
We will be having a Parents and Committee Meeting in conjunction with the Troop meeting on Thursday night.
We'll be going over camp details and looking for help on the Committee... see you all there!
We'll be going over camp details and looking for help on the Committee... see you all there!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Summer camp sign-up
Well guys it is that time of year again.
Time to sign up for camp at Hidden Valley Scout Reservation.
I need a head count of everyone that is planning to attend. Please e-mail me, ASAP, and let me know your intentions.
We will be going the last week of July (the 29th- Aug 4th). I will be there the entire week.
This WILL BE A BLAST. We will do a camp presentation for parents and new Scouts during our Troop meeting on the 22nd.
Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend this Thursday's Troop Meeting; I have a Scout meeting (for next fall's Wood Badge course) in Manchester that I am expected to be at... have no fear there will still be a Troop meeting.. our SPL will handle things just fine (I expect best behavior and help from everyone).
Camp costs this year are $285... if we send a $50 deposit per Scout by the 15th (this is why it is imperative that I know who is planning on going right away). If you do not have money in your Scout account, the Troop can handle the deposit fee, as this is short notice for many. We just need to know now if you will be joining us.
We will need to make payment in full by 5/15 to take advantage of the best rate ($285). There are ways for Scouts to earn money for camp: Participation in one of the Troops fundraisers or raising pledges for participation in the Hike-a-thon (on 5/5). If a family has participated in these events, has an active Scout in our Troop, and still has difficulty coming up with the full amount for camp please speak with me prior to April 1... we want to see everyone at camp.
In the near future I will be forwarding camp gear lists and a list of activities to choose from... I know July seems like a long way off right now, but, we'll be sleeping in those green canvas tents before you know it.
All the best,
Mr. C
Time to sign up for camp at Hidden Valley Scout Reservation.
I need a head count of everyone that is planning to attend. Please e-mail me, ASAP, and let me know your intentions.
We will be going the last week of July (the 29th- Aug 4th). I will be there the entire week.
This WILL BE A BLAST. We will do a camp presentation for parents and new Scouts during our Troop meeting on the 22nd.
Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend this Thursday's Troop Meeting; I have a Scout meeting (for next fall's Wood Badge course) in Manchester that I am expected to be at... have no fear there will still be a Troop meeting.. our SPL will handle things just fine (I expect best behavior and help from everyone).
Camp costs this year are $285... if we send a $50 deposit per Scout by the 15th (this is why it is imperative that I know who is planning on going right away). If you do not have money in your Scout account, the Troop can handle the deposit fee, as this is short notice for many. We just need to know now if you will be joining us.
We will need to make payment in full by 5/15 to take advantage of the best rate ($285). There are ways for Scouts to earn money for camp: Participation in one of the Troops fundraisers or raising pledges for participation in the Hike-a-thon (on 5/5). If a family has participated in these events, has an active Scout in our Troop, and still has difficulty coming up with the full amount for camp please speak with me prior to April 1... we want to see everyone at camp.
In the near future I will be forwarding camp gear lists and a list of activities to choose from... I know July seems like a long way off right now, but, we'll be sleeping in those green canvas tents before you know it.
All the best,
Mr. C
HOUSE KEEPING
A few items that need to be taken care of;
All ornaments need to be returned to Mr. Gamache by Thursday's Troop meeting. If he does not have the ornaments in-hand by the end of the meeting you will be charged for them ($15/ ornament).
We are missing 3 new Troop tents... they need to be returned on Thursday's meeting. Upon return they will be inspected and then signed back in by the Quartermaster... DO NOT JUST PUT THEM IN THE SHED.
Registration fees ($22) need to be paid. Again, if money is to come out of your Scout account (for any reason) you must write a 'check' so that Mr. Gamache knows to take the money out of your account. If you haven't paid your registration or event fees you will not be able to attend any further outings, nor will you be able to advance. Please... no one has the time or energy to expend chasing you guys for money. Remember a Scout pays his own way.
New Scouts need to get their applications back to me. You are not covered by BSA insurance if I do not have a completed application in hand. This also applies to all Scouts Crossing over from a Pack. A note to the guys Crossing over from Bartlett; the $1 transfer fee does not apply to you. As Rechartering did not take place on time for that Pack so we are required to completely re-register the boys from that Unit.
I still need health/ permission to treat forms for most of you guys... we need those on file if you are to be at any Scout function/ Troop meetings without your parents direct supervision/ participation. If an accident were to happen we need that form on hand so that we can get you proper medical attention in a timely manner. A link to the Class 1 medical form can be found on the blog.
Hope you are all outside and enjoying SPRING!
Yours in Scouting,
Andy
All ornaments need to be returned to Mr. Gamache by Thursday's Troop meeting. If he does not have the ornaments in-hand by the end of the meeting you will be charged for them ($15/ ornament).
We are missing 3 new Troop tents... they need to be returned on Thursday's meeting. Upon return they will be inspected and then signed back in by the Quartermaster... DO NOT JUST PUT THEM IN THE SHED.
Registration fees ($22) need to be paid. Again, if money is to come out of your Scout account (for any reason) you must write a 'check' so that Mr. Gamache knows to take the money out of your account. If you haven't paid your registration or event fees you will not be able to attend any further outings, nor will you be able to advance. Please... no one has the time or energy to expend chasing you guys for money. Remember a Scout pays his own way.
New Scouts need to get their applications back to me. You are not covered by BSA insurance if I do not have a completed application in hand. This also applies to all Scouts Crossing over from a Pack. A note to the guys Crossing over from Bartlett; the $1 transfer fee does not apply to you. As Rechartering did not take place on time for that Pack so we are required to completely re-register the boys from that Unit.
I still need health/ permission to treat forms for most of you guys... we need those on file if you are to be at any Scout function/ Troop meetings without your parents direct supervision/ participation. If an accident were to happen we need that form on hand so that we can get you proper medical attention in a timely manner. A link to the Class 1 medical form can be found on the blog.
Hope you are all outside and enjoying SPRING!
Yours in Scouting,
Andy
Friday, March 02, 2007
-URGENT HOCKEY UPDATE-
This is a follow-up email to the calls made earlier this evening. The Civic Center has called with a change of venue.
The new itinerary;
-4:30 pm Meeting @ the Conway Rec Ctr
-Drive to Portland
-Dinning AL Fresco in the scenic parking garage... (bring Bag dinner)
-Enjoy the hockey game
-General Public leaves the Civic Center
-Troop 150 stays to skate and watch a movie
-Lights-out
-Rise and shine early
-Vacate the Civic Ctr.
-Meet for breakfast at Denny's (bring $$$)
10:30- 11 am Return to the Conway Rec Center
WHAT TO BRING
-bag dinner
-money for breakfast
-skates
-toothbrush
-change of clothing
-something to wear to sleep-in
-sleeping bag pad
-sleeping bag or blankets
-great attitude
Scouts do not need to be in uniform
Any questions please call me @ 447-1393 or Mr Dewar @ 383-0885
See you all tomorrow,
Mr. C
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