May 14

Memorial Day Trip

I guess there is just too much going on this year for a large enough group to go on our planned trip to Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Thanks Mari for all your work in planning the trip. Next year we will try and organize a trip and, hopefully, get a good contingent going.

Camp Barton

Everything is set for scouts attending Camp Barton in the first week of July. We have 17 scouts and three adults signed up for what should be a great week. As in the past, we will have a midweek trip down to Union Fields on the night of the July 4th fireworks spectacular, parents are welcome to join us and we will play Frisbee, watch the display and have ice cream in celebration of our independence. For more information contact Mark Tate, mwt5@cornell.edu or call 266-9422.

Merit Badge General Information and Update

Submitted by Mr. Grossman, Merit Badge Coordinator

General Information:

The merit badge requirements for the ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle may be found in the Scout Handbook and at www.meritbadge.com.
In general, first-year Scouts do not participate in group merit badges, except at Camp Barton or on special weekend events like the Auto-Ree. This is so they can concentrate on completing the basic requirements for advancement to the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. Exceptions may be made on an individual basis and should be discussed with Mrs. Stedinger and Mr. Grossman.

Merit badges may be done either with a large group, a small group of two or three Scouts, or individually. It shows good scout spirit to invite another scout or two to earn a merit badge with you if you are earning it outside the troop. This is helpful, friendly, and kind to the other scouts and respectful of the counselor’s time. Working on a merit badge with one or two other Scouts also helps avoid a one-on-one (adult/scout) situation, which goes against the Boy Scout Youth Protection Rules.

If a Scout is interested in a particular merit badge, he should look at the requirements at www.meritbadge.com, talk with a Scoutmaster, and then contact Mr. Grossman (see contact information below) if assistance is needed in finding a counselor.
If a Scout is planning to attend Camp Barton, Mr. Tate will discuss the Scout’s advancement plans and suggest merit badge choices for camp.

Update:

The Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge group is in progress with nine Scouts. Mr. Burbank is the counselor. This is an Eagle-required merit badge. The group will meet next on 4/16 from 7:00-7:30 p.m.
Two other Merit Badge groups may be run this spring if enough Scouts are interested – Orienteering (www.meritbadge.com/mb/080.htm) and Reptile/Amphibian Study (www.meritbadge.com/mb/096.htm). Both of these will involve some Saturday events. Scouts should contact Mr. Grossman (see contact information below) by 4/16 if they are interested in either of these merit badges.
If any Scouts would like to finish a partially completed merit badge before the Court of Honor in June, he should contact Mr. Grossman as soon as possible (see contact information below).

Contact Information for Mr. Grossman:

Home Phone: 277-5556
E-mail: RDG@TC3.EDU
Before or after most Monday Troop meetings

Wilderness Survival Experience, July 15-20

For the past 7 years, the Wilderness Survival Experience has been offered at Camp Tuscarora. It was even featured in the December 2004 issue of Boys' Life magazine! Imagine learning the skills of the Native Americans: how would you survive if you were ever without your equipment? This high-adventure program offers scouts the opportunity to build and sleep in their own natural shelters; collect and purify water; carve their own fire-by-friction set and light fires without matches; sample the abundance of wild edible plants that can be found in any environment; try their skill at primitive hunting weapons and traps; practice the arts of stalking and camouflage; and expand their awareness of the natural world. In addition to the exciting wilderness activities, scouts also have the opportunity to earn 4 merit badges by the end of the week: Environmental Science, Wilderness Survival, Indian Lore and Mammal Study. Join us for a week of fun-filled adventures and life-long lessons. This program runs this summer from July 15-20, and it's limited to 8 scouts (13+ years old, First Class rank or higher), so be sure to sign up soon!

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Joe Zapach, Clydester2@aol.com.

Leadership growth opportunities for Scouts,

NYLT - National Youth Leadership Training for scouting youth will be available for boys interested in taking a more active role in the troop and getting great experience in leadership training. Courses will be held at Camps Barton and Tuscarora August 3-5, and 10-12, 2007. More details to follow or contact Jery Stedinger jrs5@cornell.edu or call 257-8016