April 24

Summer Camp 2006,

We need to make our bookings for Camp Barton this summer; we will be at the Onondaga campsite from July 2 to July 8. We need by May 8 for scouts to signup, payment of $220, and signups for any of the high adventure programs (Helmsman, Woodsman, SCUBA, mountain biking). It is really important that we get our numbers confirmed and that everyone has made payment of $220 by our May 8^th meeting. Scouts can, of course, use their funds accumulated from fundraising sales and camperships are available (please contact Tony Brock for details). Further information on camp can be found at the following links.

http://www.lightlink.com/bbm/barton.html (camp Barton homepage)

http://www.badenpowellcamps.org/BP health and medication form.pdf (new medical form - old ones OK) Medical forms due by June court of honor. Physical needed every 3 years, medical release needed every year.

http://www.badenpowellcamps.org/2006brochure.pdf (color brochure for camp)

If you have any questions please contact Mark Tate mark@bigbro.biophys.cornell.edu or call 266-9422 (evenings)

Mark Tate,
Assistant Scoutmaster

The Communication and Citizen in the Community merit badges should be completed by June 5th, see Mr. Kuckuk or Mr. Grossman for assistance. The Reading merit badge can be either completed by June 5th or continued over the summer, see Mr. Grossman fro assistance. 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.

All merit badges earned and completed by June 5th will be awarded at the summer Court of Honor picnic in Steward Park.

If you would like to come on the Memorial Day weekend trip please contact either Mari Tiwari mari_tiwari@yahoo.com or call 257-4228, or Steve Lampke slampke1@twcny.rr.com as we are trying to finalize the schedule and make bookings. A harbor cruise, visits to the science museum, Skywalk observatory, Freedom Trail and others are among the activities being planned so it is vital we get the bookings made on time.

Our weekend is currently looking something like the downloadable chart and our costs are expected to be around $105 for adults and children over 13 and around $85 for children under 13. The costs include all activities listed, food and camping. There may be additional costs incurred for parking or public transport. If you wish to spend extra on retail food during the downtown visit then that is at your discretion.

The activity groupings are subject to change by the group taking part and the timings shown are not fixed until the group has decided.

Scuba/snorkel instruction

What a great event! Eighteen scouts and adults signed up for scuba and snorkel instruction and everyone had a really good day, with all qualifying for the patches. Many, many thanks to our outstanding instructors, Ross Boyer, Andrew Kurtz and Paul Moore. Pictures are on our photos page, sorry the underwater ones are a little off. My apologies to Ross Boyer, I described him as ex-Army Reserve, he is in fact still serving and doing a wonderful job for his country. We have three people interested in taking the full six week certification course and are looking for three more. If anyone is interested please contact Jery Stedinger jrs5@cornell.edu or call 257-8016.

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!

5.8 - Scout Meeting at FCC. Barton sign up and payment due. First year patrol and Merit badges at 7:00, meeting starts at 7:30

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

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