It was a busy weekend for several leaders of the troop.  On Saturday and Sunday, many gave up their weekend to take a 16 hour wilderness first aid course that Sherm Sewell set-up.  This bodes well for the troop in undertaking hikes and backpacking trips for when help is a long time in coming.  Thank you for taking the time to complete the training. 

Participants included:

Mike Howe

Jim Woodward

Nick Anastasiades

Rob Bisbee

Jane Mahoney

Jane Richardson

Doug McKay

Paul Guertin

Lon Paulsen

Jessica Paulsen

George Griffith

Sherm Sewell

Also on Saturday Arrowhead District had new leader training course scheduled.  Garry Crane was teaching the fundamentals of the Venturing Program and Greg Anthony was training Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters in New Leader Essentials.

Tuesday Night’s Meeting

·         Campout Permission Slips and Food Money is due at the start of the meeting. (Do not bring checks and please bring exact change if possible for the scout shopper in each patrol).

·         The patrols will finalize their patrol duty roster and menu (be sure to bring your menu paperwork from last week’s meeting) and check their patrol cooking equipment.

·         Patrol songs and skits to submit

·         Bring any old merit badge books you want to donate.

·         Bring outgrown uniforms to recycle for troop members.

This Weekend’s Campout!

This weekend the troop has a campout scheduled at Camp Wanocksett in Jaffrey.  It is great to have a start to the outdoor camping season after a long winter.  Everyone should be prepared to hike on Saturday to the summit of Mt. Monadnock.  Be sure to plan on bringing  hiking boots (no sneakers allowed), wind/rain gear, hat and mittens.  It is mud season and we most likely will encounter some snow and ice along the trail.  The rest of the troop program after hiking includes some active games of capture the flag, ultimate frisbee, a chance to work on advancement and  a hearty patrol cooked meal after an active day outdoors.  The permission slip is attached and on the troop website.

New Member Recruitment

What is the main reason a boy does not join scouting?  Answer: He is not asked. 

Please reach out to neighbors, friends, playmates, PTA organizations, clubs and anyone else you are in contact with potential members.  We do want to grow the troop and have more boys benefit from all that scouting has to offer.

A couple of weeks ago I gave a presentation at the University of Scouting and in preparation I reached to past members of the troop for some insights.  I plan to share these over the next few months with everyone.

This  is from one of our Eagle Scouts from about 20 years ago.  

Greg,

Good to hear from you - I'm guessing (and hoping) that you get a great response to this request.  There were so many moments in scouting that remain vivid memories for one reason or another.  A few of the most significant:

  1. My reluctant acceptance of the lodge Chief position, something that I didn't believe myself ready (or particularly willing) to accept.  I was running for vice-chief but there were some (I'm still not entirely clear who) that really wanted me to serve as Chief.  Steve Hoyt eventually convinced me to take the position and I am grateful that he did.  My exposure to the Council executive board, leading the lodge at the National conclave, organizing the 50th anniversary banquet, and other related responsibilities taught me lessons about leadership, organization, delegation, motivation and cheerful volunteer service that continue to serve me well.

  2. A more subtle but potentially more significant experience was the West Point trip.  I tend to downplay the role this had in the sequence of events that led me to the Air Force and eventually teaching on the faculty at USAFA, but to a certain extent the positive interactions that I had with the cadets on that trip were the first steps that determined the greater course of my education and career.

  3. I remember well the extreme disappoint I felt when we turned around on Pamola Peak instead of crossing the knife edge to the summit of Katahdin, but the lessons about teamwork and understanding the limits of your group were called upon several times while hiking and backcountry snowboarding in Colorado.

  4. A final memorable and proud moment that I credit in-part to lessons learned in Scouting happened in college when a student organized group of us went whitewater rafting during the peak of spring runoff.  We had 6 or 7 self guided 4 person rafts.  I couldn't exactly get the group organized, but recognized the potential disaster of 2 dozen untrained paddlers setting off in high water without a plan.  I designated my raft as sweep and spent the day collecting, reuniting and belatedly training at least half the group after they capsized and were separated from their own rafts.

Of course there were countless other learning experiences and influential friendships that tend not to crystallize as singular moments.

I hope you find these useful.

Cheers,

Jon Homer

Adult Leader Rountable Meeting

Wednesday Night 7-8:30 at the LDS Church.  Topics include BSA annual program planning and information on upcoming events.

Friends of Scouting

Hello- I would like to first thank everyone who has participated in the Friends of Scouting program and contributed to the program.  Without the support that has been shown over the past few years the District and in turn the Troop would not have as great programs as we have had.  We are just about 2/3 of the way to our goal as a Troop, but we still have a ways to go; I know we can make it!

It is very important that everyone who is able to participate, whether at the $50 or $5000 level, knows that every bit goes towards quality programs for BSA.  If you have not had the opportunity to get a contribution form please see Adam Wolff at a Troop meeting or e-mail him directly at wolffad@hotmail.com to have one mailed to you.  If you have a company match through your company and donate that way, please be sure to indicate on your pledge form that you are from Arrowhead District and Troop 19 and also let Adam know the pre and post match amounts so we get proper credit.

Thank you,

Adam Wolff

What are you doing this summer?

Our Chief Scout Executive is spot on regarding how worthwhile summer camp is. 

Into the Woods

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT that first weeklong camp experience that can be difficult to put into words. It’s the midnight hush of the deep woods, the sweetness of the distant wood-smoke, and the warmth from the campfire as it glows orange against the thickening darkness.

For our Scouts, there’s always plenty of fun—honing skills as they sleep under the stars, cooking outdoors, hiking, fishing, canoeing, bicycling, reading a map and compass, learning about GPS and geocaching, and practicing first aid.

Summer camp represents a healthy alternative that not only builds strength and stamina but also brings our Scouts closer to nature and the environment we all share. It’s an important time of transition for many Scouts as they begin the journey into manhood and learn the importance of leadership, respect for others, and the core values we teach behind the Scout motto, slogan, Oath, and Law.

Our patrol method helps Scouts work through summer camping’s many challenges, such as keeping fed, warm, sheltered, and safe. Through this problem-solving, they grow, mature, and bond with one another.

Let’s also not forget that sharing the adventure of summer camp knows no boundaries. Many Scouts who attend summer camp—more than 60 percent—are there for the very first time. These new Scouts serve as our lifeline as we build growth for Scouting through the next century. And drawing Scouts to camp opens the door to recruit new adult leaders who are willing to join units so that they can spend time at camp with their son and his friends.

That’s why I’m challenging our volunteer leaders to have their troops geared up and ready to offer a wonderful summer camp experience to as many Scouts as possible in 2011 and beyond. It’s vital to our mission to get our Scouts into the outdoors, at whatever level they can participate.

So clean out the trailers, organize the chuck boxes, and mend the tents. Get your Scouts to summer camp!