Newsletter 2012-5-28

June Canoe Camping Trip  will be Friday, June 22th through Sunday June and 24th, along the Saco River in New Hampshire and Maine.  We will meet at the parish center on Friday morning at 8:30 AM.  We will return for pick up at the parish center around 5 PM on Sunday.  Scouts need to bring a bag lunch and the items listed on the Troop 4 camping equipment list.  Be sure to waterproof your pack (industrial garbage bags work great).  The Saco River is great for swimming, so be sure to pack your swim suit and towel. 

This river is ideal for Scout canoe trips, as the current is steady (no dangerous rapids) to make the miles go by quick, the water very clear, and the river side wilderness campsites are first rate.   We plan to meet our outfitter around noon, and after a safety briefing, we’ll shove off to paddle the first leg of our trip.  The entire paddle should be about 30-35 miles.  On the last day, the outfitter will meet us to shuttle us back to our cars.

Scouts should bring a bag lunch for Friday, and we will be cooking patrol style over backpacking stoves for the next 5 meals (2dinner, 2bfast, 1 lunch).  Scout patrols will create their own menus and duty rosters at the May 31st troop meeting.  Scouts should pack $5-$10 for a fast food stop on the way home.

If your son will be attending this exciting canoe trip, please complete the attached permission slip and return it to the Troop Scribe at the May 31st troop meeting.  If your son would like to attend but won’t be at the May 31st troop meeting, please call or email Phil Bedard at 508-561-7058 or pbedard1@gmail.com before May 31st.   We will likely need a couple parents to join us so that we have enough vehicles.  If you can help out please indicate on the permission slip. 

There is a $55 fee per person for this trip to cover the cost of this trip, which includes canoes, paddles, life jackets, fuel, camping and shuttle fees.  Please bring a $55 check made payable to Troop 4 when you drop off your permission slip this Thursday.

Troop Hats

There are still some troop hats left.  $15 each.  If you would like one, stick a note in the scribe box, and we’ll have them the following week. 

Camp Resolute  If you would like to attend Camp Resolute this summer, but have not yet signed up, please do so soon.  Fee for first year scouts is $355.  The early bird period is over, so all other scouts must now pay $385.  Contact Phil Bedard or Brian Weber if interested.

Eagle Court of Honor     Save the date.  An Eagle Court of Honor is scheduled for Thursday, June 14th, at 630PM.  The COH will recognize recent Eagle Scouts Dan Avery and Matt Bedard.  Lots of other rank advancements and merit badges will be presented to the troop’s scouts.  The COH will feature a free catered dinner; Chinese style!  As with all Court of Honor events, families and siblings are encouraged to attend.

Eagle Service Projects!    Support your Eagle Scout candidates.  Please respond positively and attend many of the upcoming Eagle Service Project work parties that are being announced.

Star and Life Scout Service Time    There are many scouts that want to advance to Star and Life next fall.  To do so, you must complete the service time requirement.  Remember that service time MUST be scoutmaster approved.  Playing a significant role on one of this summer’s eagle projects is an ideal way to complete this requirement.  Talk to the various Eagle Scout candidates to see how you can help.  And then contact the scoutmaster with your SPECIFIC service plans BEFORE you do the service time. 

 

Memorial Day Parade    will be held Monday, May 28.  This is the only parade that the troop attends each year.  As usual, the Troop will assemble at 9:30 AM in the Stop & Shop parking lot (Quarry Square) adjacent to the 99 Restaurant.  Step off will be at 10:00 AM.  The parade will proceed up Main St and briefly stop at the Doughboy Monument in Calzone Park. The parade will end at the Draper War Memorial Park.  Scouts should come in full uniform (not troop t-shirts).  Scouts may be picked up at Draper Park at approximately 1130AM.  Please sign up with the Troop scribe at an upcoming troop meeting if your scout plans to attend.  It’s important for the Troop to have a good showing at this important event.  Attending scouts will get credit for the “participate in a flag ceremony” advancement requirement.

 

 

 

See June Campout Permission Slip on the next page.
Troop Four Permission Slip

 

 

For the Troop Four Canoe Camping Trip on New Hampshire’s Saco River on June 22-24, 2012

_____________________________________ has my permission to attend the event as noted above.  If I can not be reached in a medical emergency, I authorize the Adult Leaders to obtain the appropriate medical care, at my expense, if necessary. 

During the event I can be reached at the following telephone # ______________

If I can not be reached, please contact __________________________

at this telephone #______________________ Relationship to scout __________

Signed _____________________________________  Date ____________

Parent Drivers:

I will (please check)                   ___ not be attending

___ attending, and driving to/from the event 

Permission Slip is due at no later than the start of the May 31st troop meeting.  Email or call Phil Bedard at 508-561-7058 before May 31st if your scout would like to attend the trip, but can’t attend the May 31st troop meeting.

For Adults Driving

My vehicle has seat belts to accommodate ____ scouts, including my own scout

There is a $55 fee required for this camping trip.