Newsletter 2011-05-22

Advancement

Many scouts are wrapping up Advancement to Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, 1st Class and Life. Board of Reviews are scheduled for May 26th and June 2nd. Your scout will be notified of his scheduled time. Advancing scouts must bring their scout handbook for each of the next two meetings, and be sure their uniform looks sharp, and includes neckerchief and slide. At each scout’s scoutmaster conference, the scoutmaster will provide advice to help scouts prepare for the BOR.

Summer Camp (Last Call)

We have nearly 30 scouts signed up for camp already – a banner year! We also have excellent adult leader coverage scheduled for the entire week. If your scout wants to get in on this great summer camp experience, please bring your payment (made payable to Troop 4) to an upcoming troop meeting. Medical forms are due at or before the June 9th Court of Honor. If you have questions on the medical forms, please contact the troop medical records officer, Brian “Bones” Weber at bpmkweber@comcast.net. Merit badge selection will take place at the June 2nd troop meeting. Please review the offerings listed in the summer camp parent/scout guide, which can be found on our website. Older scouts and adult leaders will be available at the June 2nd meeting to help your scout make good merit badge selections.

Merit Badges

Those working the Inventing Merit Badge, and who want to receive it at the next COH, need to bring their invention model, and their workbook written entries to the 5/26 troop meeting. The councilor will then contact your scout to arrange a final meeting to close out the discussion requirements. Those scouts working other badges, that want the badge to count toward upper rank advancement at this coming COH, must turn in their councilor signed blue cards to the scoutmaster no later than the end of the 5/26 troop meeting.

Troop Picnic Table

A big thanks goes to the venture scouts who worked with Mr. Hobart to construct an outstanding picnic table, complete with overhanging bar for lanterns, etc, at our Troop campsite. The construction team included James L, Ben, Christian, Richard and Mike M. This table is a great addition to the troop campsite. Please check out the upcoming photo to be posted on the website.

Senior Patrol Leader Election

The SPL eleciton has been scheduled for the June 2nd Troop Meeting. All interested candidates (Star and above) should come prepared to give a short speech to their fellow scouts about their candidacy just prior to the vote. This is an extremely important troop position, and those up to the challenge will acquire great leadership skills over their term in office, that will help them not only in Scouting, but also for the rest of their life.

Order of the Arrow

Congratulations to our new OA members who recently completed the Ordeal (DJ, Sam L, Justin and Alex H). Check out the upcoming photo on the troop website.

Troop T-Shirts

We’re looking for a few more customers. We will have one last opportunity to sign up at the June Court of Honor. Our plan is to purchase these before summer camp. If interested in purchasing one of these smart looking shirts for $10, please sign up and indicate your size (Youth M, L, Adult S, M, L, XL, XXL). These shirts are great for scouts, parents, and siblings. Class B shirts are also highly recommended for those attending summer camp. No payment required until delivery.

Memorial Day Grave Flagging

The town will be conducting its annual flagging of veteran graves on May 28th starting at 8AM. Those scouts and parents participating from our troop have been asked to help at the Pine Grove Cemetery. Participation counts as service time, so please check in and register with Troop 4’s cemetery flagging rep, Mr. Bruce Hastings, when you arrive so you can get service time credit. Class A uniform required. Pick up time will depend on the level of activity required, so check with Mr. Hastings upon arrival.

Court of Honor

A Troop 4 Court of Honor will be held on June 9th form 630 – 830PM as the St.Mary’s Parish Hall. We will be doing the troop’s famous “pot-luck” dinner. Families are asked to bring a dish and some drinks as follows: Last names A-J please bring a main dish. Last names K-R please bring a side dish/salad. Last names S-Z please bring a desert. All families please bring a cold 2 liter bottle of soft drink. At the Court of Honor, we’ll presenting all the badges of rank and merit badges that scouts have earned since the last court of honor. All family members are invited.

White Water Rafting Trip

The trip is from Friday, June 24 through Sunday June 26th. We will meet at the parish center at 9AM. We will return for pick up at the parish center by 330PM on Sunday. We will stop for fast food lunches on the way up and back, but scouts are welcome to bring a bag lunch if they prefer. Scouts also need to bring all the typical items that are found on the Troop 4 camping equipment list. The list is available on our website.

As we did two years ago, we will be using the Adventure Bound outfitters. They will provide the boats, wetsuits, all equipment, and even the expert guides that will ride in each boat. Friday is a travel day to our “resort” campsite, complete with pool, hot tub, game and movie rooms. Saturday is whitewater day. Our river course follows the Kennebec River. The outfitter provides lunch on the river. Monday is our return trip home. Scouts will be cooking patrol-style using camping stoves. Patrols will plan their meals at the May 26th troop meeting. The adult leader “Pedro Patrol” will also begin meal planning soon, and will contact all attending adults with a grocery assignment.

Final payments are due at the 5/26 troop meeting. Please make check payable to Troop 4. Amount due per person is $85, less what you have paid to date. An email with specific amounts due for each scout was recently mailed out. Also, please complete the attached permission slip, to provide us with emergency contact info, and so that we can start planning the transportation.

Please note that all participants also need a completed and signed waiver form. The form was issued with this newsletter email.

If you son will be attending the June whitewater trip, please complete the attached permission slip and waiver, and return it to the Troop Scribe at the June 2nd troop meeting (earlier is better). If your son would like to attend but won’t be at the meetings when forms and payments are due, please call or email Phil Bedard at 508-561-7058 or pbedard1@gmail.com. We will need a few parents to help with the driving to this event. If you can help out please indicate on the permission slip.

Memorial Day Parade

The parade will be held Monday, May 30. This is the only parade that the troop attends each year. Scouts should meet in the Stop and Shop parking lot near the 99 Restaurant at 9:30 AM in full uniform. Scouts may be picked up at Draper Park at Noon. Please notify Phil Bedard if your scout plans to attend. It’s important for the Troop to have a good showing at this important event.