January 30, 2006

Senior Patrol Leader election

Congratulations to Adam, his election address covered what the troop wanted to hear well enough to see off challenges from Sam B and Nolan. We were pleased to welcome several senior Webelos from Pack 4 and everyone was pleased to see the return of Jery and Robin Stedinger. Sam S and Kenny both completed their boards of review for advancement in rank and will be amongst those recognized for their achievements at the Winter Court of Honor 7:30 pm next Monday, February 6th at FCC.

Scout Overnight and Scout Sunday

Each year, around this time, we celebrate Scout Sunday. Those wishing to take part should be at FCC Saturday, February 4th, at 5:30 pm, for games, dinner, activities and after evening games, a campfire, and finally some rest. Bring outside clothes so we can play some night games. Flashlight tag? Capture the flag?
 
Lights out for everyone at midnight.  Parents can pick up their scouts at 9 am Sunday after breakfast, or at 11:15 am if the scouts wish to stay for the Scout Sunday church service at the Congregational Church. Scouts and their families are welcome to go to their own service, or to stay for the Scout-Sunday service at the Congregational Church that day. 

All scouts should bring $5 for dinner and breakfast. Scouts planning to stay for the service on Sunday should bring their uniforms.
 
Hey, lets have a great time with our scout friends. More information from your patrol leader or scoutmaster Jery Stedinger jrs5@cornell.edu or call 257-8016.

Winter Court of Honor

Join us Monday, February 6 in recognizing the achievements of our scouts. In addition to the awarding of merit badges and scout rank advancement we will have a presentation on the Friends of Scouting from our friend, Michael Kazarinoff. Refreshments will be provided so please come along. More information from your patrol leader or scoutmaster Mark Tate mark@bigbro.biophys.cornell.edu or call 266-9422.

University of Scouting 2006 - From Dave Martin, Chancellor
I am pleased to announce that Baden-Powell's 2006 University of Scouting will be March 25, 2006 at Chenango Forks High School, with the theme Building on the Foundation. The University Catalog and Registration Form is posted on the Council website http://www.badenpowellcouncil.org/, and will be distributed at the February RoundTables and at the Feb 4 Scout Show at Oakdale Mall.
 
New this year: This year we have a pool available where we will offer Kayaking BSA, Kayaking Skills for Trip Leaders, and Intro to Snorkeling/Scuba (offered twice).  For all these, bring swim suit & towel and current Class 1 medical; have passed Swimmer test within past 12 months; extra $5 to cover lifeguard expense.  Your older youth leaders (minimum age 14, with Scoutmaster/Venturing Advisor approval) may take courses that interest them (except the adult position training ones, e.g. New Leader Essentials, Youth Protection, Boy Scout Basic Leader Training, and the like) – they will not earn Merit Badges but they’ll gain skills and have fun.  Also new are Intro to Special Awards, Intro to Aquatic Awards, Finger Lakes Trail, Giving & Receiving Feedback, Certified Safety Trainer, Record Keeping, and Compass Game for Webelos.

 

Snowshoeing Campout

The troop went out on the Fingerlakes trail this weekend, the weather was mild and totally unsuitable for the, hoped for, snowshoeing campout. Everyone that went had a great time regardless. We have pictures of the scouts looking very industrious and making snowshoes as well as going on the campout, where they didn't need them, on our photos page. There was enough snow for the scouts to build a snow shelter but I think the Tamarack lean-to provided more substantial coverage.

Merit Badges

Our Merit badge coordinator, Rick Grossman, would like to announce a general info session for anyone wishing to take Reading merit badge this year. All those interested should meet at the First Congregational Church next Monday at 7:00pm for half an hour prior to the scout meeting. For more information on this or to discuss any aspect of merit badges, please contact Rick Grossman rdg@tc3.edu or call 277-5556 evenings and weekends.

Beginning at the end of February and running through the Spring, David Kuckuk will be running the Communication Merit badge each Monday from 7:00 until 7:30 at FCC. More details will be coming soon.

Recruitment - 2006 and beyond

Troop 2 is not alone in facing difficulties with maintaining numbers in the face of increasing alternatives to Scouting. Some of our recent events have been incredible experiences for the boys taking part and the value of scouting cannot be overestimated. To ensure that we grow our numbers we are looking for ideas from scouts, parents, troop alumni or anyone else interested in helping. If you know boys between 11 and 18 then talk to them about the troop and see whether they would like to come along and find out what's going on. If your scouts have friends at school then talk to them about overcoming their fears and asking them to come to a meeting - they might just enjoy themselves!  

Annual dues collection

If anyone has not paid their first dues payment yet please make arrangements to send it in. For those not reaching the $200 sales level in fundraising please note the second installment of $35 is now payable. Please send dues with your scouts to the next meeting or mail the payment (payable to BSA Troop 2) direct to our treasurer Tony Brock 257-8776

Upcoming events, January/February

2.4 - Scout overnight at FCC followed by Scout Sunday

2.5 - Scout Sunday at First Congregational Church

2.6 - Court of Honor at FCC. Come and celebrate scouting achievements within the troop, meeting starts at 7:30

2.13 - Scout Meeting at FCC. First year patrol and Merit badges at 7:00, meeting starts at 7:30

2.20 - School break

2.21 - Troop committee meeting, the Library @ FCC, starts 7:30

2.27 - Scout Meeting at FCC. First year patrol and Merit badges at 7:00, meeting starts at 7:30