March
9,
2006
Parents meet
the troop
After the meeting
starts and the activities are under way we plan to have a parent meeting to
discuss the organization and running of the troop and to look for parent
involvement in specific areas, committee roles and in assisting with
activities such as summer camp and outdoor events. We also need to finalize
numbers for our upcoming memorial day weekend trip to Philadelphia, if you
haven’t seen the itinerary given to your scout it looks like a great trip
and there is always a ton of things to do and see in the city of brotherly
love. Please
make an effort to attend this important meeting, as without parent
involvement we will undoubtedly have to cut back on some of our activities.
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 10, Troop meeting, First year advancement at 7:00 pm, meeting 7:30pm
8-9pm adult/ Parent meeting to discuss
activities and policies. Meet parents of new scouts.
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