March 16, 2006
 
Scuba/Snorkel Event TC3 pool - Saturday, March 22, 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.,
After a wonderful presentation to the troop last week, Ross Boyer is giving up even more of his time to provide instruction in Scuba and Snorkeling. Get certified and earn BSA Snorkel and BSA SCUBA patches. Scouts must have passed BSA swim test within last year, or take the test on Saturday! Young scouts and recent joiners are welcome. But we need your BSA medical form filled out, if we do not yet have it. TROOP PERMISSION SLIPS REQUIRED (Download here). Please turn in at the meeting on Monday March 17th to reserve a spot, or that Saturday on space-available basis. Contact Jery Stedingerjrs5@cornell.edu or call 257-8016 for more information
 


 
Adults Needed At Camp Barton July 6-12
The core adult leaders would appreciate support and assistance. We encourage adults to come out and stay for two nights and at least one day. Coming in the evening allows us to get you included in plans for the next day, which you can then enjoy right though the evening activities. Opportunities range from watching and listening, to participating in events and activities. Bring a sleeping bag and tooth brush. Please contact Robin Stedinger (257-8016robinstedinger@earthlink.net) if you are interested.
 
We are also looking for adults to participate in April campouts (April 5-6 orienteering and April 26-27 backpacking), and June in our traditional Fathers Day campout June 14-15.
 


 
Troop 2 gets another Eagle Scout!
Congratulations to Sam Brock, Sam passed his Eagle Scout board of review and joins the list of Eagle Scouts from Troop 2. Sam and family are grateful to Taughannock District Advancement Chair, Jim Lake, Scoutmaster Jery Stedinger and troop 2 parents, Rick Grossman, Bob Andolina and David Kuckuk for giving up their evening to interview Sam. The date for Sam’s Court of Honor will be announced soon.

 


 

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.  Exceptionsmay 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 Family Life Merit Badge group starts March 10.  Ben Brown blb3@cornell.edu is the counselor.  This is an Eagle-required merit badge.  The group will meet next on 3/17 at 7:00p.m.
  • Citizenship in the World is another Eagle required badge, Tony Brock tbrock@virtualcash.biz is the counselor. Scouts who have completed Citizenship in the Nation are welcome to take part. Classes are due to start once Mark Wheeler has finished running the nation badge.
  • 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

 


 

 

University of Scouting
March 29 is the Taughannock District University of Scouting: a day of training activities for adults who would like to learn more about how to be a leader, serve on a committee, go camping and hiking, ... If you are interested please see Jery jrs5@cornell.edu or Robin Stedinger robinstedinger@earthlink.net or call 257-8016 for more details. Both Jery and Robin are on staff at U of Scouting again this year.
 


 

 
Scuba/snorkel event
Get certified and earn a patch: on Saturday (March 22) the exact time to be arranged. Held at TC3 pool, in Dryden. Cost is $15 per scout, and scouts must have passed BSA swim test within the last year. If they have not done so, we may be able to arrange for them to take the test at the Ithaca YMCA .
 


 

 
The Greatest Scouting Camp
Summer Camp this year at Camp Barton, July 6 - 12.  Scout craft, swimming, archery, field sports, nature, sailing. Merit Badges, sports and ultimate Frisbee. Enjoy the fun with your friends. Camp Barton is the place to be! For more details ask any scout that has been before, your patrol leader or any scoutmaster – they will all tell you how much fun you can have.
 


 

 
Dates for your calendar
Mon, March 17, Troop meeting, First year advancement at 7:00pm, general meeting at 7:30pm
Sat. March 22, Scuba diving – TC3 pool, Dryden
Mon, March 24, Troop meeting, Order of the Arrow Elections
Tue, March 25, Troop Committee meeting, 7:30pm at FCC
Sat. March 29, University of Scouting - Adult training activity
Mon, Mar 31, Troop meeting, First year advancement at 7:00pm, general meeting at 7:30pm
Sat-Sun April 5-6, Campout - anticipate orienteering theme with Paul Beckwith
Mon, Apr 7, Patrol Leaders Council Meeting 7:30, First year advancement at 7:30 pm
Mon, Apr 14, Troop meeting, First year advancement at 7:00pm, general meeting at 7:30pm
Mon, Apr 21, Troop meeting, First year advancement at 7:00pm, general meeting at 7:30pm
Tue, Apr 22, Troop Committee meeting, 7:30pm at FCC
Fri. April 25, District recognition dinner - Adult activity
April 26-27 Campout/Backpacking hopefully in concert with Philmont shakedown
Mon, Apr 28, Troop meeting, First year advancement at 7:00pm, general meeting at 7:30pm
May 23-24-25, Memorial Day Weekend Trip - Philadelphia - families welcome, scouts may attend without families
Sat-Sun June 14-15, Fathers Day Campout
Mon June 16, Final Troop meeting & Picnic at Steward  Park 
Sun-Sat. July 6-12,  Camp Barton - The Greatest Scout Camp