The preparations for the Court of Honor on February 6, 2020 are underway and you are invited! The event will take place in the Large Hall at Saint Mary’s. Dinner and the program will begin at 6:30 PM. Scouts are asked to arrive between 5:45 and 6:00 PM (no later than 6:00 PM) to help with preparations and to get last minute instructions. This will be an Eagle Court of Honor to recognize Ashby Norris. Awards earned by all other scouts since the last Court of Honor also will be presented.
I ask each family to provide both Tara Spiegelman and me the number of guests your family will bring. To help minimize double counting, please tell us the total number AND break down by scout; adults; and children (under 12). Please respond by Thursday, January 16th. Please let me know if your family is unable to attend as well.
While the dinner is being provided by the hosting Eagle Scout family, the Norris family, the troop families are asked to provide a dessert item (cookies, brownies, etc.) and a 2-liter bottle of your favorite chilled soft drink (diet soda, regular soda, seltzer, water or juice . . .).
Please reach out to Tara if you have any questions.
We look forward to a great night recognizing our sons’ accomplishments!
The annual Winter Weekend is almost upon us. This year we will continue the HUT TRADITION and camp at the Lonesome Lake Hut located in the Mt Washington State Forest in NH. No Tents needed! Bring snowshoes if you have them. The area views are SPECTACULAR!
All scouts will meet at 8:30 and depart from the Parish Center on Saturday February 22nd at 9 am. Scouts will return from the event for pickup at the Parish Center at 1 pm on Sunday February 23rd All scouts should eat breakfast before they depart, as there will be no meal stop on the ride up north.
There is a $45 fee for this camping trip to pay for the cost of the luxurious hut accommodations. Your permission slip and payment for this event is due at the beginning December 12th Troop Meeting. We need to enforce this deadline for this camping trip as the Troop will need to confirm numbers and make its payment in full the following week.
If your son attended Camp Resolute or the Maine High Adventure trip this past summer you do not need to complete a new medical form UNLESS something has changed in your son’s medical history. For all others, the annual BSA medical form is attached and is required under BSA rules. Unlike summer camp and high adventure forms, only a parent signature is required (we just need Parts A & B – Part C is for trips in excess of 72 hours). Part A is an informed consent, release agreement, and authorization that must to be signed by every participant (or a parent and/or legal guardian for all youth under 18). Part B is general information and a health history.
Troop dues and medical forms are due no later than the December 5th troop meeting. The combined troop and re-charter dues have increased by $20 this year to $145 per scout ($125 for additional siblings). This fee combines the Troop dues ($43); the annual BSA National Registration fee ($60); Boys’ Life ($12) and the Mayflower Council program activity fee ($30). The increase is due to an $27 increase in annual BSA National Registration Fee that was announced last month.
Please drop off your check at the start of the troop meeting. If your son(s) can’t make the meeting but would like to continue in the troop, please mail the dues to the Troop Treasurer, Mr. Tony Bogner. Please make all checks payable to Troop 4. As a courtesy to the troop and to assist in our planning, if your son does not plan to continue in our program, please have him contact me to convey his decision.
We’re wrapping up our Christmas Wreath sales supporting our high adventure trips. Before finalizing things, we wanted to reach out to everyone for any additional orders from our troop families. Unlike our annual pancake fundraiser, scouts asked not to solicit sales of wreaths door to door. Of course, if you, a friend, neighbor or family member would like to purchase a wreath, we would accommodate their request. If anyone is interested in purchasing a wreath(s), please send a note to Mr. Comisky with size and quantity prior to tomorrow night’s meeting. Wreaths come 22″ or 28″ inch and are $15 and $20, respectively.
Thank you to Adrian, Paul, James, Ashby, Andrew, Jason, Neil, Shane and WIlliam for taking orders for Christmas wreaths these past two weeks.
Please let Mr. Comisky know if you can help with wreath distribution. Distribution will take place at the Small Hall (our weekly meeting area) on Sunday, November 24th between the hours of 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM.
The November camping trip will take place Saturday November 16 and Sunday November 17 at the Troop Campsite in Milford. We will meet at St. Mary’s parish center at 8:30 AM (depart by 9:00 AM) Saturday, November 16 and will return to the parish center for a 11:30 AM pickup (leave the campsite at 10:30 AM) on Sunday the 17th. Scouts should bring their regular camping gear and bag lunch for Saturday. As always, scouts can come/leave early late, etc., if they have conflicts with sporting or other local events. We will need a few parents to drive to/from the event.
If your son plans to attend, please return the permission slip by the November 14th troop meeting along with a check for $15 to cover the cost of the food for the weekend (dinner/breakfast). If your son can’t make the Nov 14th troop meeting but wants to attend, please call or email Brian Weber before the 14th so we can include him in planning for the event.
Parents, Scouts,
Welcome back! It’s hard to believe that summer has come and gone already. If you haven’t been on the website recently, next Thursday, September 12th, is our first Troop meeting. We will meet in the Small Hall at Saint Mary’s from 7:00 to 8:30. We have a great year planned and look forward to some fun!
From Friday September 20th to Sunday September 22nd, Troop 4 will be camping at Nickerson State Park located in Brewster, MA on Cape Cod. We will meet at the parish center at 4:00 PM on Friday, September 20th for a 4:30 PM departure. We will return for pick up at the parish center by 10:30 AM on Sunday, September 30th. Nickerson State Park offers 1,900 acres of wooded trails and ponds to explore. We will bring our bicycles and, on Saturday, will ride along the 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail, a paved trail through 6 Cape Cod towns.
There is a $10 fee per person to attend this trip to help defray the cost of the site rental and food. We will be cooking as a Troop. Permission slips are due no later than the September 12th Troop meeting. However, because of the logistics associated with transporting the bicycles, please RSVP as soon as you are able.
I hope to see everyone next week.
Brian/Mr. Weber
The annual Winter Weekend is almost upon us. The tradition was started last year up at Lonesome Lake Hut. This year we will look Read the rest of this entry »
Please join the Troop in congratulating our newest Eagle Scout, Anthony Matondi. On September 20th, Anthony completed his Board of Review which concluded that Anthony has met or exceeded the requirements of scouting’s highest rank.
Congratulations Anthony!
The Order of the Arrow (OA) is the National Honor Society of Scouting. Brian was elected into the OA by his peers in Troop 4 last Spring. Since becoming an Arrowmen, Brian has attended 2 weekend long “ordeals” and Camp Resolute. After demonstrating his knowledge of the traditions and obligations of the OA he was inducted into the Brotherhood of the OA in a ceremony over the summer.
Congratulations, Brian!
Alex Hastings and Sam Lanciano attended a week of Training at Resolute in August. They both received Official BSA Lifeguard Certification. They both worked really hard beginning at 5:45 AM every morning to supervise the Webelos polar bear swim time, and they continued to work in the water all day with the grueling lifeguard course until crashing in bed at nightfall.
Congratulations!
We had a great trip in the Douglas State Forest this past weekend The day started cloudy and damp and soon became sunny, warm and dry! During the trip, there were many archaeological sites to be seen and abundance of wildlife around. There were also several horse riders and Troops from Oxford MA and Mystic CT sharing the trails. It was also a trip of many accomplishments for our scouts. Here is a quick run down.
Here is the breakdown.
Day 1
Route 1 = 8.8 km x 0.62137 = 5.46 mi (2 1/2 hours)
Route 2 = 6.29 km = 3.91 mi (2 hrs and some exploring)
(add in the many trips for water and you can round out Day one to a 10 miler)
Day 2
Route 3 = 3.35 mi (1.5 hrs and lots of site seeing)
Total = 13.35 mi.
Most of all – Troop Support….several parents volunteered to help the boys get to their destination. Even though we used a few of the many parents who volunteered….your support is why Troop 4 continues to excel in advancement and adventures. Thank You.
Troop 4 Milford
Ron Gorham
Scoutmaster
Thanks, Evan, for clearing out the hydrant at the corner of Forest and Grove Streets!
A great time was had by all at the Troop’s Roasted Beast and Webelos Campout at the Troop 4 campsite on the weekend of November 18th. We had 35 Troop 4 scouts, 8 Webelos and many parents participate. The Venture scouts did a superb job managing the field kitchen, efficiently smoking 30 pounds of meat, trying their hand at “trash can cooking”, and preparing and serving a variety of tasty side dishes. Scouts also organized and led a variety of fun contests and events, including the archery range, obstacle course and campfire stories. A big thanks goes to the Troop 4 scouts and adult leadership for organizing a great campout, and for obtaining the many supplies and equipment needed. A BIG THANK YOU goes out to the Webelos from Pack 4, 32 and 67 for attending. We hope you all had a great time!
First you need to log in.
Next, create a new post.
Give the post a descriptive title that ends with either the year or month and year. For example:
Next, click on the “Upload/Insert” link. In the screen shot above, the link is just below the post title and permalink. This opens the “Add Media” window shown below. You can drag your picture files from another folder window into the gray rectangle, or you can click on the Select Files button. Leave the “Resize images” box at the bottom checked.
After your images have been uploaded, the “Add Media” window will look something like this:
At this point, you can add captions to one or more of the pictures if wish. To add a caption, click on the “Show” link to the right of the picture and then enter your text into the “Caption” field:
When you are finished adding captions, click on the “Save all changes” button at the bottom of the “Add Media” window. Then you can close the “Add Media” window.
Next, insert a picture gallery into the post by typing the gallery code shown in the screen shot below:
Now add categories to the post. In the screen shot above, the categories “News” and “Photos” are selected. Selecting the “News” category causes the post to appear in the left column on the home page of the site. Selecting the “Photos” category causes the post to appear on the site’s photo archive page.
Finally, click on the “Publish” button.
This is normal body text.
Scouts ranked First Class or higher are eligible to run for Senior Patrol Leader. Elections will be held at the June 3rd Troop Meeting. If interested in running for this prestigious post, please prepare a short speech (~1min) to the troop to announce your candidacy, which you read to the troop on June 3rd just prior to the election. They elected winner will meet with the troop adult leadership for training over the summer, and will be able to choose his staff over the summer, too.
The Lions Club has generously donated 25 tickets to the troop for the 1pm June 13th PawSox game against Louisville. If interested, please contact Phil Bedard. Up to 4 tickets per family will be given on a first come first serve basis.
The troop will once again decorate the town’s nativity scene in Draper Park. The troop is looking for scout volunteers to help decorate. We have a head start this year because we already chopped down a stack of pine boughs at the last campout. We plan to use these to decorate the nativity scene on Saturday December 5th, at 930AM. Please meet at Draper Park (near the general on the horse). We will wrap up by 1030AM. Pick-up will be at the same spot.
Please Complete and Return no later than the Dec. 17, 2010 troop meeting
Or email Results to Phil Bedard at: pbedard1@gmail.com
Scout name: ___________________________
Camp Resolution July 18-23, 2010 |
50 Miler Maine Adventure Aug 14-21, 2010 |
|
---|---|---|
My son PLANS to attend | _______________ | ______________ |
My son MIGHT attend | _______________ | ______________ |
I can help at Camp Resolute (# days/nights) |
______________ | |
I might be able to help at Camp Resolute (# days/nights) |
______________ | |
I PLAN to attend the 50 Miler | _______________ | |
I MIGHT attend the 50 Miler | _______________ |
My son will not be attending either camp/trip for 2010: __________
Parent name: _____________________________
Please remember that this is only for planning purposes. Decisions are not final until the deposit/fee due dates of March 4, 2010 for the 50 Miler Canoe Trip and April 15, 2010 for Camp Resolute.
Congratulations are in order for Anthony “TJ” Fasulo for passing his Eagle Board of Review on October 27 to become the Troop’s newest Eagle Scout. We’ll celebrate his achievement at our next Eagle Court of Honor in February. Be sure to congratulate TJ the next time you see him. Great job TJ!
The Troop meeting on October 29 will be a Halloween party. Click here for details.
There will be a backpacking shakedown and packing contest at the October 15 troop meeting. Click here for details.
The Troop Four Short-Term Backpacking Checklist has been updated.
The Personal Fitness merit badge kick-off originally scheduled for September 27 has been posted to Sunday, October 4th, at 1:00 PM.
The troop will support the scouting for food event by receiving and sorting incoming food that other troops and packs have collected. The event will run from 12:30 to 3:30 PM. Mr. Hastings will be onsite to work with the senior attending scout to coordinate our troop’s activity.
Meet at the food pantry on Exchange Street.
Click here for Mr. Bedard’s 2009-2010 kickoff letter for Troop 4 families.
This service event is important to support the troop’s sponsor. We’ll meet at the St. Mary’s cemetery Irish round tower at 10am on Sunday Nov 22nd. Bring work gloves and a rake. It would be helpful if another adult or two could bring a truck to haul leaves and debris to the woods. Note that this event will start immediately after the troop campout, so those at the campout have the benefit of automatic enrollment. Call Mr. Bedard if you have any questions.
Troop 4 Takes Gold, Silver, Bronze at Milford Triathlon
Michael Tusino passed his Eagle Scout Board of Review on August 25 to become Troop 4’s 18th Eagle Scout.
The troop will honor Mike at an Eagle Court of Honor scheduled for October 22.
Congratulations, Mike!
The date for the September committee meeting has been changed to Wednesday, September 2.
5min – Training: Status / New council YP directive / Maine canoe requirements (Barie)
5min – Merit Badge: Councilor list review / fill gaps / summer-fall plans (Gallagher)
5min – Web Site: Need to recruit day/day web maintenance. S.Eddins will still give tech support (Bedard)
5min – Treasurer Report: Recommend a quick status, and defer the more detailed annual budget review to Sep meeting, after 09/10 books close. (Laviolette)
5min – Adult Leadership Status / Needed volunteers (Lanciano/Bedard)
– Need to fill various roles:
Campout Event Planner _______________
Web Site maintenance _______________
Pancake Bfast _______________
Pancake Fundraising roles _______________
Recruiting coordinator _______________
Venture coordinator _______________
5min – Church relations (Kirchner)
5min – Advancement Status (Bedard)
5min – Eagle advising process / call for volunteers (Bedard/Kirchner)
5min – Hi Adventure Status (Hastings, Gallagher, Croteau)
5min – Scout training plans (Bedard)
5min – Resolute status (Sgammato)
5min – other topics
30-60 min – Annual planning – ALL Please bring your calendars so that we can avoid conflicts.
The Troop Four Court of Honor scheduled for Wednesday June 9th will be at the St. Mary’s Parish Center. We expect to award merit badges, many badges of rank, and other awards. The evening will begin with dinner at 630pm, and will conclude around 830pm. Scouts should arrive on time and in full uniform, to include neckerchief and slide. The dinner menu is the popular Troop 4 “pot-luck” dinner. Scouts and committee members will be contacting parents with a request to bring a dinner item or dessert, and a 2 liter bottle of soft drink.
The Memorial Day Parade will be held Monday, May 31. 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 the parade’s conclusion (~1130AM). 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.
Please note that the April 1st troop meeting will be held at the Milford high school pool as the troop conducts our spring swim night. Meeting drop-off and pick-up is the same as a normal troop meeting. New scouts will have an opportunity to try their hand at the BSA Swim Test. This is good practice for the test given at summer camp. Scouts can also knock off some 2nd and 1st Class water related requirements. Pool games, belly flops, and pizza/soda will round out the night. There is no cost for this event, but it’s important to arrive on time, as the pool folks will attempt to collect a fee from all those that arrive after we’ve started.
This Court of Honor will feature TWO Eagle Scouts; TJ Fasulo, and Tim Brundrett. Tim is our most recent Eagle Scout, having just passed his Board of Review on January 19th. Congratulations!
Families should arrive at the ceremony at 630pm. Please be on-time, as it’s a busy night, and we will be starting immediately. Scouts will be contacting families to bring a two-liter bottle of soft drink and a small desert. Dinner will be served.
The venture kitchen staff should report for KP no later than 630 AM sharp. Cooks should wear a Troop 4 T-Shirt. The wait staff (all other scouts) should arrive between 700 – 730AM for set-up and waiter training, and must be in regular Class A uniform. Looking forward to seeing you there!
All scouts that are participating in this year’s Christmas Tree Pick-up need to be at the Parish Center no later than 8:30 AM on Sunday January 3rd. The troop trucks leave at 8:30AM sharp, so please be on time. We will have a crew picking up trees in our assigned precinct, and also a crew unloading trees at the Transfer Station. Scouts will rotate so they can try both jobs. At the conclusion, parents can pick up their scouts at the parish center at 11:30AM. Adult truck/trailer drivers: we need a vehicle count so that we can get the proper paperwork for each vehicle. Please email Bob Garber at bobg.home@comcast.net to let him know if you have a truck you can drive. We also need 1 adult to volunteer at the Transfer Station. Email Bob is you can help with either. Also, to raise visibility for this event, we’ve attached a flyer that can be handed out, or posted in your neighborhood (see last page of newsletter). Please remind your neighbors.
The Troop Knife Contest will be at the December 17 troop meeting. Scouts can bring a knife that they can use under the troop/BSA rules and enter it in the competition for sharpest, best looking, and most functional. There will be prizes for the winners.
Troop 2, 4 and 18 have combined forces to bring famous author Michael Tougias to St. Mary’s parish on our regular troop meeting night of Dec 10th. Mr. Tougias has written many books with a survival theme, including Fatal Forecast (see summary below). Please arrive between 630-645pm. The show starts promptly at 7pm. All scouts must bring a two liter bottle of soft drink for the refreshment table. The other troops will provide snacks and paper goods.
An overview of the book/presentation:
Fatal Forecast:
“A Breathtaking book, the story is both marvelous and terrifying.”
– – – LA Times
What happens when a 90-foot wave hits two 50-foot boats 200 miles out to sea in November? Fatal Forecast chronicles one of the most incredible survival stories ever told. Using slides from the actual storm and rescue, award-winning author Michael Tougias tells the story based on his new book, Fatal Forecast: An Incredible True Tale of Disaster and Survival at Sea.
This week’s troop meeting (Dec 3rd) will be a swim night at the Milford High School pool. Bring swim attire and a towel. No uniform required, and there is no fee for this event. Younger scouts will cover important 2nd & 1st class requirements related to swimming and water safety. We’ll also have pool games, diving, and of course, pizza/drinks to end the night. Normal meeting time: 7pm start (sharp) & 830pm pickup.
The troop will demonstrate these new backpacking skills on the weekend of October 23-25. The troop will travel to the Taconic Mountains in the MA/NY/CT tri-state area. This trip will feature a combination of cabin camping at the AMC’s Northwest Camp and tent camping along the Appalachian Trail. Experienced backpacking scouts desiring a faster pace and very challenging route may choose to leave on Friday afternoon directly after school. This group will meet at the St. Mary’s parish center for an immediate departure at 3pm. They will arrive at the trailhead at dusk for a very short ½ mile backpack to the cabin before dark, followed by a challenging hike to a wilderness campsite on Saturday.
First year scouts, and other scouts not able to leave on Friday will meet Saturday at the parish center for an on-time departure at 8AM. This group will travel on a 5-mile route over the Appalachian Trail to the same AMC cabin. This 2nd group may break into ability groups depending on the number of attendees. Both groups will backpack out on Sunday morning, stop for a fast food lunch on the ride home, and arrive home for a parish center pick-up at 4pm.
Our destination is home to many interesting features including the highest peak in Connecticut, and the highest land point in Connecticut. A nickel to the scout who can explain how these can be two separate places. We will also traverse exposed ridges, deep ravines and rocky summits.
The option for a Friday or Saturday departure may change based on the number of attendees and leaders. It is therefore very important that all scouts and leaders planning to attend turn in the permission slip no later than the Oct 1st troop meeting in order to allow for the required logistics planning. Early submittals via email to pbedard1@gmail.com are strongly encouraged.
Due to the challenging nature of this backpacking trip, all attendees must be physically fit. New scouts unaccustomed to strenuous activity should begin a fitness program now in order to be ready for this trip. Consider starting the personal fitness merit badge to get in shape. Same goes for older scouts/adults that want to participate. Please direct any questions on this topic to any of the Troop 4 Personal Fitness Merit Badge Councilors listed on the troop website.
All attendees (scouts/adults) will cook their backpacking meals individually, using only boiled water for meal preparation. Veterans of the Mt. Washington trip will provide detailed instruction on meal preparation and ingredients each person must buy. Ingredients can be easily purchased at a local grocer at low cost. Scouts should also bring some money for a fast food lunch on Sunday’s return. Detailed meal planning and packing instruction will take place at the October 8th troop meeting. All scouts must then bring their fully packed back-pack to the October 15th troop meeting where a “shake-down” will be performed to ensure each scout is well prepared. Scouts must “be prepared” by bringing every item on the checklist provided at the 10/8 meeting – no exceptions. On 10/15, each backpack must brought to the meeting in “ready-to-hit-the-trail” condition. Also, a nominal $5 fee (check payable to Troop 4) is required to defray the cost of the AMC Cabin.
Again, if your son will be attending, please drop off the permission slip no later than the beginning of the October 1st Troop Meeting, or email the form earlier to Phil Bedard.
This is a fun event… with lots of scout led games and contests. No uniform is required for this meeting.
All scouts should could come with a small snack item (dessert, chips, etc…) for the party food table. The Troop will supply the drinks.
There will be a Costume Contest…with prizes, so come with an interesting costume.
Prizes for…scariest, funniest, most medieval (lightning patrol insisted on this one), most realistic, and most original.
A Troop Eagle Court of Honor will be held on Thursday, October 22 for all the awards and badges earned since the June Court of Honor. Dinner will be served. The dinner will start at 6:30 PM and awards will start about 7:15 PM. The evening will conclude around 8:30 PM
Scouts attending the October backpack trip have been instructed to come to the October 15 troop meeting with their packs full packed, and food ready to go. If there is fresh food involved for some parts of their meal, the need not bring that on thursday. The intent of this early shakedown is to make sure scouts are fully prepared for this exciting trip, and also so we can leave the parking lot right on time on Friday afternoon, as we’re racing the sunset.
To make this effort a little more interesting, we are adding a contest with some interesting prizes. The troop has decided that we no longer need our 1 man lightweight backpacking tents. These are nice tents, but turned out to be too small for boy scout trips, where we typically double up scouts in a tent…so they have been going unused. But they are great for 1 person. So we will give away two tents to winners of the following contests. This is open to all scouts, whether they are going on the campout or not. Scouts just need to come packed up as if they were going in order to enter the contest.
(1) Best packed backpack for a 2night trip.
Judging criteria:
* Contains all required checklist items.
* Creativity in reducing weight.
* Little/no unnecessary items.
* Critical pack contents are protected from water.
* Pack contents are efficiently and securely packed
* Fancy/expensive gear is NOT part of the criteria. Do the best with what you have or can easily get.
(2) Best backpacking meals
Judging criteria:
* Packed compactly, without excessive packaging
* Packed in an orderly fashion
* Nutritious/high energy/sufficient calories
* Appears tasty
* Limited unnecessary weight (emphasis on dry or dense foods)
* Total weight is NOT a criteria, as bigger scouts need to eat more to get the required energy on the trail.
Participating scouts should line up their packs along the wall in the main hallway when they arrive on Thursday night. If any questions… scouts can call/email Mr. Bedard at any time.
Milford High School track
This Venture-only meeting will include road-to-eagle planning discussions. Mr. Bedard will have the detailed advancement records for each Life Scout available that night to assist in our planning. Scouts with active Eagle Service Projects should also come prepared to brief the group on the project status and plans for completion.
Agenda
(1) Finance – Roll out of new budget discussed at last meeting (Deb, 5min)
(2) Training Status, incl discussion of ideas for Hi Adv training (1staid/CPR) – (Stacey, 5min)
(3) Advancement Status / Participation Policy / Invite recent Eagles as ASMs? – (Phil, 5min)
(4) Summer Camp debrief, and 2010 camp kickoff – (Tom S, 5min)
(5) High Adventure – debrief of subcommittee meeting (Pat, 5min)
(6) Safe Scouting Incident / Path Forward (Phil/Peter- 10min)
(7) Pancake kickoff (e.g., dates, incentives, establish subcom) – (Peter/Phil, 5 min)
(8) Season Kickoff Plans (venture meeting / new scout leader meeting) – (Phil, 5min)
(9) Committee/ASM volunteers to take logistics lead (CMs), or supervision lead (ASMs) on key Q3/4 activities – (Peter/Phil, 10min)
– Pig pickup/dropoff (for Nov campout)
– Cemetery Cleanup
– Xmas Tree pickup
– COH setup subcommittee (may need fresh blood here)
– Webelo recruiting events
– Treberchet supervisor (fall wood project)
– Venture nights (at least once per month)
– Scouting for Food
(10) Eagle Project Financing proposal (Phil/DaveK, 5min)
(11) Church relations (DaveK, 5min)
(12) Troop Mtg / Campout projects for the season (All, 5min)
– Repair collapsing cabinet
– New ditty bags for chef kits
– Treberchet
– other?
(13) Venture activities/ideas (BobG, 5min)
– shotgun night (LA volunteered again)
– speakers
– other?
(14) Equipment (Phil, 2min)
– vote on gifting of the cheapo bpack tents (texsport 1man)
(15) Other topics (Peter)
Please note that the June 11 Court of Honor begins at 6:30 PM.
Many scouts have active assignments, such as speaking roles, at the Court of Honor. Scouts with active assignments should arrive 5-10 minutes early. Please check in with the SPL when you arrive.
Please see the Guidance for Completing Camp Resolute Forms page for important information on how to fill out the camp forms.
Submit the following to Phil Bedard by June 18:
Note that the physical exam must be within 1 year of the date of the first day of camp, July 19.
If your doctor gives you a separate form, that can be attached. However, you must still turn in all 6 forms above. Please get the doctor’s signature on the BSA form.
Adults staying overnight at camp must turn forms in, too. Only the first 4 forms apply to overnight adults.
Note that there is not a separate immunization form this year, like there was last year. Immunization data is now incorporated into the BSA Annual Health and Medical Record.
Please be sure to turn in the forms completely, and by 6/18.
If your forms can not be turned in at that time, please plan to remain at camp on sign-in day until the medical session is complete, which could be 2-3 hours after arrival.
If forms are not in order, the camp will not allow your scout to register. If you get them in on time, the troop will screen them for problems. Thanks for your help.
The Memorial Day Parade will be held Monday, May 25. 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.
Policy Reminders: Scouts are NOT allowed to leave the premises (e.g., walks to the nearby convenience store) during troop meetings. Scouts are also reminded that fixed blade knives are not allowed at any troop events, except by specially trained and approved Life Scouts.
The Troop will conduct Senior Patrol Leader elections at the June 4th Troop Meeting. The new SPL will then appoint his Assistants, and begin work on the selection of the entire troop leadership over the summer. This shift to an end-of-season election will allow the adult leaders to provide training to the new troop leadership over the summer in order for us to hit the ground running at the start of the new season. Any scout that demonstrates Scout Spirit, and is Star or higher, is eligible to run for this important office. Prospective SPLs must also commit to attend most troop meetings and outdoor events in our 2009/10 season. Please notify the current SPL if you would like to run for the position.
There is a $51 fee ($84 for adults) to allow us to stay one of the trip nights at the AMC Lake of the Clouds Hut (includes 2 hearty meals). Those planning to attend must turn in this fee no later than the June 4th troop meeting.
Many Troop 4 Scouts have volunteered to serve as part of the Milford Relay for Life staff on Friday May 15th. Those who replied to the earlier “call for volunteers” will receive a staff T-shirt. Other family members and scouts are encouraged to join. The troop’s participation will run from 6pm-midnight. Scouts should check in with a Troop 4 leader upon arrival. We need four scouts to serve in the color guard at the opening ceremony. Please notify Phil Bedard at the May 14 troop meeting if you can arrive at 5:45pm to participate in the opening. Although the Troop is not registered as a formal team, we would like to pool some donations to submit through our sponsor’s team (St. Mary’s). Any desired donations should be made payable to the American Heart Association. Donations provided to any Troop leader will be passed on to the St. Mary’s team. Hope to see you there.
At our April 16th Troop Meeting, the troop will host representatives of the Knox Trail Council’s Friends of Scouting organization. The troop invites parents to arrive for pickup a bit early at 8:15PM to listen to this brief 10 minute presentation and learn about this great organization.
Click on “NEWSLETTER” at the top of the page to see the March 22, 2009 newsletter.
Click on “Newsletter Archives” at the lower right of the page to see all previous newsletters.
For Venture Scouts only. Time TBD.
Due to some unique circumstances, the upcoming Thursday March 5th troop meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, Mar 2nd. This one-time shift to a Monday night was made to ensure we had some extra adult leader support required for the opening night for our new scouts. Additional leaders will be on hand to provide orientation to both our new scouts and their parents.
Troop 4 is proud to announce that Gabe Lanciano and Jonathan Lincoln have passed their Eagle Board of Reviews, and are now Eagle Scouts. The Troop will celebrate their achievements at our June Eagle Court of Honor.
Congratulations, Gabe and Jonathan!
Click on NEWSLETTER at the top of the page for the latest Troop Four Family Newsletter.
The 2009 Pancake Breakfast was a big success, earning over $3,000 for Troop 4!
Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Milford, will celebrate Scout Sunday on February 8, 2009, at the 10:30 a.m. Mass. All scouts and leaders are invited to participate and to join in the procession in uniform. Attendees should gather in the chapel (lower church) by 10:00 a.m. Boy Scout Troop 2, chartered by Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, cordially invites all scouts and leaders and their families who participate in Scout Sunday to join them in the Bell Tower Room for light refreshments immediately following the Mass. Please inform Phil Bedard if you plan to attend (note: this is the same weekend as the NH Winter Sports Weekend).
[Updated April 2, 2009]
From Mr. Croteau:
I have come up with an itinerary and route for the August backpacking trip. The route is intended to provide a variety of different elements to keep it interesting for those that attend. I have worked with the Appalachian Mountain Club folks and the NH Forest Service to put this together. The route starts at Dry River Campground, consists of some wooded hiking along a stream on the dry river trail (I’m told there’s water holes to swim in), an overnight in the forest, then hike above tree line to summit Mt. Monroe, hike to and stay at the AMC hut Lakes of the Clouds (a prepared dinner and breakfast), then summit Mt Washington (get a bowl of chili and use rest rooms) and end at Pinkham Notch.
The dates:
Friday August 7th – arrive at Dry River Campground
Saturday August 8th – leave in the am and hike into the forest on Dry River Trail (5.4 miles)
Sunday August 9th – Hike Mt Eisenhower Trail, to Crawford Path, Summit Mt Monroe, and stay at Lakes of the Clouds AMC hut (4.3 miles)
Monday August 10th – breakfast at 7am, Crawford path (1.1 mile), Summit Mt. Washington, Tuckerman Ravine Trail to Pinkham Notch (4.4 miles)
Depart for Milford on Monday evening August 10th
This route accomplishes a number of things. We backpack the majority of the food we need for the first day (dinner and breakfast) and consume it in the forest and before we lug it up any significant elevation. That lightens our pack for the hike to Mt Monroe and then we stop at the AMC hut, where we get fed a family style dinner and breakfast. Our packs are lightest here with only lunch for the summit and descent of Mt Washington. It also gives us a fairly good variety of forest and above tree line views of the Presidential range.
The AMC hut charges per person and I have already reserved 20 spots. I have to pay 60 days in advance, so I’ll need a definite commitment by June 5th for those that are coming. The AMC hut cost is $85 per adult and $51 per scout.
The one logistical issue to work out is how to get from Pinkham notch to Dry River Campground on Monday. We may have to drive and leave a couple of vehicles to Pinkham so we can get back to Dry River Campground. That’s my current plan.
For the scouts, the Personal Fitness Merit badge is a prerequisite to attend. This hike should be fun and will be challenging.
Currently we have spots for 20 people for this trip (we may be limited to only 20), so I need to know who plans to go soon. Please RSVP to me within the next month if you intend to go.
P.S. For those that need the PF merit badge, work on your plan and fitness log; it should be easy with Lacrosse and spring sports starting up. Remember it takes three months to complete. You need to start now if you plan to attend the trip in August.
Parents—Troop Four can really use your help in January! More volunteers are needed for the Christmas tree pick up and for Pancake Breakfast ad sales.
The January 8 Troop Meeting will be at the Milford Police Station. Scouts will be working on the Fingerprinting Merit Badge. Click here for details.
The upcoming January camping trip has been rescheduled for January 3-4. The permission slip is now due at the December 18 troop meeting.
Click on NEWSLETTER at the top of the page for the latest Troop Four Family Newsletter.
Parish Center
Agenda:
1. Parish Center Winter Closures and alternate TM events (Dave K / Phil B)
2. Jan camping trip – coverage issues (Phil)
3. Troop meeting adult leader coverage in January (Phil)
4. Pancake Breakfast Long Lead Activity Status/Plans (Pancake chair)
o Ticket printing
o Ad Sales
o Prizes
o Scout participation requirements
o Ad in church bulletin / local papers
5. June Whitewater Plans (Phil)
6. Spring Event ideas (All)
7. Troop Financial Status / Budget (Deb L)
8. Re-charter Status / Issues (Phil)
9. Advancement Status (Phil)
10. Court of Honor … Eagle? (Ken/Michelle)
11. Volunteers for Eagle Board of Reviews in Dec/Jan (All)
12. Webelo Recruiting Status (MarkS / Phil)
13. Eagle Project Status (Phil)
At the November 13 troop meeting, we will be collecting care package items for Mr. Bedard’s nephew’s Army squad in Afghanistan. If you’re interested, bring one or two small items. We’re a large group, so it will add up quick.
For ideas about what to bring, check out this list of armed services care package suggestions.
Click on NEWSLETTER at the top of the page for the latest Troop Four Family Newsletter.
Troop 4 has two activities for Webelos during November:
Click on the links above for more information.
The September 27 Physical Fitness Merit Badge meeting has been tentatively rescheduled for October 4, 10:00 – noon, at the high school track.
[Updated April 3rd]
Troop 4 will be attending the Knox Trail Council’s Camp Resolute in Bolton, Mass. as our week long local summer activity this year. We will be camping from Sunday, July 19 through Friday July 24. At Camp Resolute, a troop reserves one of about 12 troop campsites for its scouts. Each troop has its own site and we camp as a troop. We have reserved the “Nomolos” site. Scouts sleep in 2-man tents on wooden platforms. There is a cot with a mattress for each scout. Meals are eaten in a dining hall along with the other scouts (about 150) in camp for the week.
A typical camp day consists of merit badge classes in the morning run by camp counselors. The classes are fun and scouts get the opportunity to learn about many outdoor merit badges. Each Scout selects the classes that he would like to attend. The afternoons are reserved for individual scout activities and interests. Many of these activities are explained in the camp guide.
We will be working with the newer scouts on Tenderfoot through First Class requirements during the afternoons and evenings. After dinner, there will be troop activities and camp wide games.
Please review the Camp Resolute Scout and Parent Guide as it contains hints and information about Camp Resolute, and includes required forms. Also, there are a few items in the guide where Troop 4 will do things differently from the guide and a few items listed that we will explain further:
Check In: Troop 4 will meet in the Camp Resolute parking lot between 12:30 and 1:00 PM on Sunday, July 19. At 1:00 PM, we will proceed to our Troop campsite (the “Nomolos” site). Parents and other family members are welcome to help the Scouts move in. Families can stay and tour the Camp during the afternoon, or leave as soon as their entire Scout’s gear is at the campsite. If you can not meet the check in time, please call or email Phil Bedard. Please call or email if you need directions to the camp. It is about a ½ hour drive from Milford.
Check Out: is Friday night, anytime after 5:00 PM and before the Camp Resolute barbecue at 6:30 PM. Parents and families are encouraged to stay for the barbeque – information regarding purchase of tickets to attend (scouts are free) is in the Camp Resolute Guide. The troop will take part in the camp barbecue. Because summer camp ends on Friday, we will not be able to have the awards ready for a Court of Honor at camp. Instead, we will announce all the awards completed at camp at the barbecue and give out the actual awards at a Court of Honor in October. The Camp puts on a great closing campfire that the Scouts and their families may attend after the barbecue on Friday night.
Each year the Council has a professional photographer take each troop’s picture (the pictures are ready for pick-up Friday night). For those wishing to purchase a troop photograph, the troop will be collecting the $10 fee upon arrival on Sunday July 19 at camp. Please make checks payable to TOP Photography.
Emergencies: If you have an emergency and need to contact your son, you can call the Camp number listed in the guide. At check-in on Sunday, we will have several cell telephone numbers of the different Adult Troop 4 Leaders attending camp that you can call.
Visitors are welcome any time. Please follow the Camp check in procedures and they will assist you in locating our Troop in camp.
Families must complete a release form to allow their scout to use firearms at the ranges and for their photos to be taken during camp. Please download the form, sign, and submit along with your health forms to Phil Bedard prior to June 18th. As an alternative to a troop meeting, you can send via US mail to Phil at 22 Harmony Trail, Hopedale, MA 01747
There is a new medical form this year. You must complete all three parts (A, B and C). Part B must be signed by your doctor. For scouts that require medication to be dispensed at camp, there is also an “Authorization to Administer Medication to a Camper” form that must be completed. In addition, the Troop procedures for submitting the medical forms are different from the ones stated in the guidebook and different from what the troop has done in the past. The completed and signed forms MUST be delivered to a troop meeting, or mailed or dropped off at Phil Bedard’s house, NO LATER THAN Thursday, JUNE 18th. The Camp wants the forms before to review them and speedup the check-in process.
The BSA medical forms MUST be: signed off by the doctor, signed off by the parent, and have the medical insurance company name & policy number listed. Many doctor’s offices use a standard form. If such a form is provided by your doctor, please attach it to the BSA form for additional detail to avoid unexpected problems. But even if attached, please note that the doctor MUST SIGN the BSA medical form (BSA rules). Please double check your forms carefully. Each year the troop has to return many incomplete forms for update. The camp will not in-process any scout with incomplete forms. Common mistakes include no parent signature, missing medical insurance information, no doctor phone number, and no doctor signature. The effort for the troop to obtain and process all these forms is very time consuming, so please do all that you can to submit them accurately and on-time. Thanks!
Medical forms for adult leaders are required as in past years. The Council wants these forms before camp also, so please forward them to Phil Bedard by June 18th via a troop meeting, or mailed to 22 Harmony Trail, Hopedale, MA 01747. You can leave them in the scout drop off box near my garage door if you prefer.
The Troop will have many of our regular adult leaders attend in shifts to cover the week. However, if we are low on leaders for a particular part of the schedule, we may contact you to see if you can spend a day or night at camp. We will have an adult leader with you, and all you will be required to do is be present. Meals are at the dining hall and there are hot adult showers. Many adults actually commute to/from work for a day or more.
If you are staying overnight or volunteering for a day, the troop must (per Massachusetts law) submit your name, date of birth, and social security number and other information to the Council so that they can have a CORI check done. If you are asked, and are able to help with the adult coverage, please complete and sign the CORI form and return to Phil Bedard by May 28th (mail or drop off at 22 Harmony Trail, Hopedale 01747). This goes for registered adult leaders as well. Do not forget to attach a photocopy of your picture ID to the form. The information is needed by that date as the troop must submit all CORI forms before June 1 to the Council.
Scouts should review the merit badge course listing in the 2009 Camp Guide. Some merit badges have prerequisites that need to be completed before camp in order for the scout to complete the badge at camp. If a scout does not complete the badge at camp, he receives a “partial” completion and can finish the merit badge later with a Troop 4 merit badge counselor.
This year the troop will be pre-registering scouts online before camp. Have your son(s) follow these steps:
If your son is completing prerequisites before camp, notes indicating completion are required from the troop counselor for the badge. Please email Phil Bedard before the last June troop meeting once your son has completed any required prerequisites.
Scouts usually need $30.00 to $35.00 for the week for snacks, supplies, handicraft items, etc. Scouts can bring plenty of snacks to camp, but please be sure that the snacks can be kept in the Scout’s footlocker or duffel bag.
All Scouts are required to have the full uniform (official pants are not required) including the Troop neckerchief. Official BSA shorts are suggested, but not required. The Scouts usually wear T-shirts and shorts during the day for activities. It is a good idea to buy “Troop 4 “T-shirts for use at camp. We are currently sold-out of most sizes, but we will replenish supplies before summer camp.
The list in the Camp Guide is a good list to follow. Here are some explanations for some of the items on the list: The mosquito netting is the size that fits over a camp cot sized bed (can get at Wal-mart or sporting goods store). The Scouts sleep in 2-man wall tents with a wooden floor and a camp cot for each Scout. The dowels are to hold up the netting are good to bring, but are not necessary as you can use sticks at the campsite that work just as well. Bring twine to attach the dowels/sticks to the cot. For extra clothes, one change per day is adequate. Slippers are not necessary, but beach sandals are a good idea. A mattress cover is not necessary, as a piece of plastic will do just as well to cover the cot mattress. Swimming Merit Badge Clothes are needed only if the Scout is planning to take the swimming merit badge.
Clothes and gear can be kept in a duffel bag or footlocker while at camp. A backpack can be also be used to carry some of the equipment for the week.
The camp sign-up and payment process is the same format as last year. The troop is required to collect the camp fees from the scouts and remit the total camp fee for the troop to the Council. The regular due date for scouts is the April 16 troop meeting. The due date for “new Scouts” – scouts who joined from last November to now – including crossovers from Webelos, is the May 28th troop meeting. Checks should be made payable to “Troop 4” (the troop remits one check to the Council with the list of scouts). Note that scouts can still sign up for camp after the dates listed but each fee is about $30.00 more.
As mentioned, the camp is owned and run by the Knox Trail Council. This year’s fee is $305.00 per scout. The “brother fee” for a brother that is also attending $240.00. Please see Phil Bedard if the fee is a hardship. All hardship requests are confidential.
Please call or email Phil Bedard if you have any questions. The troop has had many great adventures at Camp Resolute and this year will be another fun and adventure filled week. See you there!
The Camp Resolute Leader’s Guide contains information for the adult leaders of the troop.
Scouts: be sure to bring your scout handbook to the campout this coming weekend. We will be doing advancement and scoutmaster conferences, in preparation for the upcoming boards of review, and it’s important that we be able to ensure all requirements are properly signed off and dated in each scout’s handbook.
The May Camping Trip will be Saturday, May 2nd and 3rd at the Troop campsite near St.Mary’s Cemetery in Milford. We will meet at the parish center at 10:30 AM. We will return for pick up at the parish center by 11:30 AM on Sunday. Scouts need to bring a bag lunch and the items listed on the Troop 4 camping equipment list. There is very limited parking at St. Mary’s so it’s important for scouts to meet at the parish center and carpool.
Campouts at our troop campsite are great opportunities to practice camping and cooking skills, pioneering activities and even night time fun at the nearby park. This trip is a perfect introduction to camping for new scouts, and for those who need to come/go because of team sports events. For food, scouts need to bring a bag lunch for Saturday, will be cooking patrol-style over an open fire for dinner and breakfast. Scouts will plan these patrol meals at the next troop meeting.
If you son will be attending the May campout, please complete the permission slip and return it to the Troop Scribe at the April 16th troop meeting. All first year crossover scouts are strongly encouraged to attend as this is a great introduction to camping and pioneering skills. If your son would like to attend but won’t be at the April 16th troop meeting, please call or email Phil Bedard at 508-282-0283 or bedard18@verizon.net We will need a few parents to drive to/from and/or stay for the event. If you can help out please indicate on the permission slip.
The Maine Whitewater Trip is from Saturday, June 20 through Monday June 22nd. We will meet at the parish center at 9 AM. We will return for pick up at the parish center by 3:30 PM on Monday. 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.
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, and climbing wall. 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 June 4th troop meeting.
The steeply discounted price for Boy Scout troops is $80 per person. There will be no other expense for this 3day trip except for some pocket money for fast food on the ride up/back. Those interested in attending must submit an $80 check payable to Troop 4 by May 14th. This is a firm deadline, as we have to submit payment to the outfitter to confirm our slots soon after. As with all our trips, parents are welcome (but not required) to join us on this high adventure event.
Please note that all participants need a complete and signed waiver form.
If you son will be attending the June whitewater trip, please complete the permission slip and waiver, and return it to the Troop Scribe at the June 4th troop meeting. But note that payments are due earlier on May 14th. 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 508-282-0283 or bedard18@verizon.net We will need a few parents to drive to/from and/or stay for the event. If you can help out please indicate on the permission slip.
The Milford Christmas tree pick up will be Sunday, January 4. This is a combination fund raiser and service project that we participate in with other scout units in town. We are looking for one or two more parents with pick up trucks or trailers to drive around our assigned territory in Milford to pick up the trees and transport them to the town disposal area. It starts about 8:00 am and ends about noon. We will be camping this weekend so we really need a few scouts and parents who won’t be camping to help out. Please call or email Bob Garber at bobg.home@comcast.net if you can participate. We had to schedule the camping trip the same weekend because that was the best fit for all of our winter activities.
To make sure to get a tree pick-up at your home, call Mary-Ellen at 508-478-2851.
A $5.00 donation is requested.
Meet at the Food Pantry on Exchange Street.
At the Maspenock Rod and Gun Club. This session is only for those who started the badge at Resolute this past summer.
At the High School track. Contact Mr. Croteau for details.
Our next Court of Honor is scheduled for June 11th. This will be an Eagle Court of Honor for our two most recent Eagle Scouts, Gabe Lanciano and Jonathan Lincoln. In addition, many other scouts will receive merit badge, advancement and other awards. Please respond ASAP to the invitation you recently received from the Troop’s COH planner (Michelle Garber, mic.garber@comcast.net), so that we can plan appropriately for the meal. Scouts and their families are asked to arrive at 6:30 PM for dinner. Awards will start after dinner about 7:15 PM and the evening will be done by about 8:30 PM.
The April 9th meeting will be held at the high school pool as the troop conducts our spring swim night. Meeting drop-off and pick-up is the same as a normal troop meeting. New scouts will have an opportunity to try their hand at the BSA Swim Test. This is good practice for the test given at summer camp. Pool games, belly flops, and pizza/soda will round out the night.
The Troop Day Hike and Orienteering Contest will be Saturday, March 14 at the Hopedale Parklands Forest. We will meet at the parish center at 9:00 AM and leave about 9:30 AM for the park. We will return for pick up at the parish center by 5:00 PM that evening. Scouts need to bring: a bag lunch, poncho or rain coat if it looks like rain that day, wear boots, bring a hat and gloves/mittens. A spare pair of socks is a must. If the weather is cold, bring a warm coat as well. Scouts should bring at least one quart/liter of water (no soda, juice, punch, etc.). Do not bring water in disposable water bottles – get a canteen or hiking water bottle at Wal-Mart, Target, etc. for less than $10. Scouts need to bring a day pack (school pack will work fine) to carry all their gear for the day.
The Hopedale Parklands Forest is a great place to hike and explore. There are miles of trails and hills that surround the Hopedale Pond and the Mill River. After hiking in to a remote hill top shelter, we’ll set up base for our Orienteering Contest. We will divide the scouts into age/ability groups. Using orienteering maps, scouts will plot strategy, and then seek out as many orienteering markers as possible in the allotted time. The troop has conducted these orienteering contests before with great success. At the end of the hike we will enjoy some of Troop 4’s famous fried dough!
If you son will be attending the hike, please complete the permission slip (click here) and return it to the Troop Scribe at the March 2nd troop meeting. All first year crossover scouts are strongly encouraged to attend as this is a great introduction to our outdoor program. If you son would like to attend but won’t be at the March 2nd troop meeting, please call or email Phil Bedard at 508-282-0283 or bedard18@verizon.net We will need a few parents to drive to/from and/or stay for the event. If you can help out please indicate on the permission slip.
Venture Scouts will be planning and leading this activity. Ventures will perform the course setup on March 7th using GPS devices, and will also lead the actual event on March 14th. Venture attendance at one of these two dates is required. Attendance at this hike counts toward the outdoor participation requirement (>= 50% of events) to advance to the next rank. Ventures must coordinate their attendance through event leaders Mike Tusino and TJ Fasulo.
Due to some unique circumstances, the upcoming Thursday March 5th troop meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, Mar 2nd. This one-time shift to a Monday night was made to ensure we had some extra adult leader support required for the opening night for our new scouts. Additional leaders will be on hand to provide orientation to both our new scouts and their parents.
Please note that the Feb 12 Troop Meeting will be held at the Midtown Fitness Club on 51 Sumner Street in Milford, MA. Info and directions can be found on http://www.midtownfamfit.com. The meeting start and end times will be the same as a normal troop meeting. Please arrive on time.
Scouts will have the opportunity to take the initial personal fitness merit badge test, receive demonstrations and try out the latest in fitness equipment technology, and play team wall-ball on the club’s racquetball court. Please come dressed in workout clothes and sneakers (wear a troop t-shirt if you have one).
Please print, fill out, and bring the form below:
The breakfast is scheduled for Sunday, February 1st from 8:00 AM until noon at St. Mary’s parish center. This is our big fundraiser to raise funds for our outdoor adventures. All scouts should have picked up an initial 20 tickets to sell for the breakfast.Each scout is expected to contribute a strong effort on this sale and should sell at least 20 tickets. Scouts can get as many tickets to sell as they want. See Phil Bedard or Jim Brundrett if you need more tickets. THIS IS THE PRIMARY TROOP FUNDRAISER FOR THE YEAR… PLEASE HELP.
There will be some great ticket sale prizes for all scouts, regardless if they go on a future high adventure trip or not! There will be prizes (knives, backpacking stoves, etc) for scouts who sell the most, second and third amount of tickets. Some scouts have already reported very strong sales – great job! Aside from the top three sellers, all other scouts who sell tickets will have a chance at the drawing of 3 additional great prizes!
There is an additional effort to sell event advertising to local vendors. Scouts should see Mr. Brundrett and his team of Venture and 1st Class scouts if you would like to help. We are also in big need of parent help. Any parents that can donate a couple of late afternoon hours should contact Mr. Jim Brundrett at spidr2@comcast.net.
Patrick Bedard passed his Eagle Scout Board of Review on Tuesday night.
Congratulations, Pat!
A memo containing final details (updated July 22) for the Camp Tahosa trip has been posted to the web site. This memo contains critically important information about schedules, packing, uniforms, luggage, personal gear, etc. Please read it carefully.
Also, everyone traveling to Tahosa must attend the planning and inspection meeting on July 24.
We expect to award many merit badges, badges of rank, and other awards. The evening will begin with dinner at 630pm, and will conclude around 830pm. Scouts should arrive on time and in full uniform. The dinner menu is the popular Troop 4 “pot-luck” dinner.
Each family attending should bring one main dish, one bottle of soda/water/juice and a desert. The troop will supply paper plates, cups and fine plastic cutlery.
We will have some extra guests but not as many as when there is an Eagle court of honor.
A main course can also include a large salad but keep in mind these are boys and few salads will be required/eaten to make the masses happy.
Some scouts do have dietary restriction such a no peanuts so if you do something fancy just keep that in mind and plan a sign. For those of you in a rush on the way home pizza is always a big hit.
St. Mary’s parish center will be closed for our next scheduled troop meeting on January 8th. However, the troop has lined up an alternate merit badge activity at the Milford Police Station at the normal troop meeting time. Officer Jay Ball will be conducting a fingerprinting merit badge class. This is a great opportunity to earn a merit badge in just ONE meeting. All you need to do is print out the worksheet that can be found at http://www.usscouts.org/mb/worksheets/Fingerprinting.pdf, and do a bit of on-line homework to complete the “history of fingerprinting” requirement #1. Bring the partially completed worksheet to the Jan 8th meeting, where Officer Ball will then work with all scouts that attend to complete the remaining requirements. Due to space constraints at the police station, this meeting is recommended only for those scouts who have not yet completed the fingerprinting merit badge. Attending scouts should meet the troop’s adult leaders in the Police Station front lobby at 7pm. It is very important that scouts arrive on-time for this meeting (a few minutes early is even better) in order to fill out some preliminary paperwork. Pickup will be at 8:30 in the same location. Older venture scouts that have already earned this badge may take the week off, though there is rumor that your SPL may arrange a venture-only activity. Stay tuned for a possible note from Brad.
The Troop Four Knife Contest will be at the December 18 troop meeting. Scouts can bring a knife that they can use under the troop/BSA rules and enter it for a variety of contests (sharpest, best looking, most functional, etc.) There will be prizes for the winners.
The meeting will also include a Yankee Swap. Scouts who want to participate should bring a small gift wrapped with a cost of less that $10. The activity is basically a grab bag and the scouts do a “swap” as each gift is unwrapped. It’s a lot of fun. We will have some refreshments at the meeting, too.
The troop will provide beverages, but if each scout could bring a small snack/desert item to add to the junk food buffet. (e.g., chips, cookies, etc). Please help our cleanup crew by avoiding things that could make a mess on the parish center floor… like small or sticky candies. Thanks!
Also… no uniform required. Scouts should come in costume in order to get in on the costume prizes. Awards for scariest, most original, most grotesque, and funniest. Prizes will also be awarded to the winners of the various contests that venture patrol came up with.
Ventures… please try to arrive 10 minutes early to help set up.
This special Court of Honor will honor our newest Eagle Scout, Pat Bedard. Awards earned by all other scouts since the last Court of Honor will also be presented. There will be a dinner before the awards ceremony. Families are requested to bring a desert item and a 2-liter bottle of soft drink.
Troop elections for Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders, and Assistant Patrol Leaders.
Parish Center
The June 8 Family Newsletter has been posted to the web site. Click on “NEWSLETTER” at the top of the page for important information about our last troop meeting, summer camps, the upcoming camping trip, and more.
At Camp Resolute
At Camp Resolute
For all folks attending one or both summer camps—Resolute and Camp Tahosa final payments are due this Thursday. We are making non-refundable payments to the camp and airline only a few days later, so Thursday’s deadline is firm. Thanks for your help. Also… we will be planning for the June Berkshire campout at Thursday’s troop meeting, so permission slips and $8 payments for this trip are due at that time as well.
The Milford Lions Club is once again donating Pawsox tickets to our troop. 50 tickets are available for scouts and their families. The game is on June 8th at 1:05pm. Please email Phil Bedard (bedard18@verizon.net) if interested with the qty of tickets desired, and we’ll issue them on a first come first serve basis. For now, the maximum number of tickets per family is four. Tickets will be distributed at the June We’ll hand them out at the June 5 Court of Honor.
Go Sox!
Click on “NEWSLETTER” at the top of the page to read the latest Family Newsletter. It contains critical information about upcoming events, summer camps, money due dates, form due dates, etc. Please read it carefully.
Mr. Croteau is starting a new round of Personal Fitness merit badge sessions this Saturday, May 17. Click on the link under “UPCOMING EVENTS” for more details.
For those interested in working on the Personal Fitness merit badge this summer, Mr. Croteau will hold a mandatory meeting at the Milford High School track on Saturday May 17th at 1pm. This meeting will include the initial fitness test. Please dress in workout clothes. The session will end at approximately 2:30pm.
Maiden name if applicable, SSN, and DOB. Mail to Phil Bedard, 22 Harmony Tr, Hopedale, 01747.
To Phil Bedard (22 Harmony Trail, Hopedale)
Via e-mail to Dave Callis at dfcallis@msn.com
St. Mary’s Parish Center
Troop 4 would like to congratulate our two newest Eagle Scouts, Alex Morte, and Brian Zanella. Both Brian and Alex successfully completed their Eagle Boards of Review last night, which caps their Boy Scout career with the highest honors possible.
Festivities in their honor will occur at the next Troop 4 Court of Honor scheduled for June 5. Keep your eye on the Troop Newsletter for upcoming details.
Click on “EAGLE SCOUTS” at the top of the page for the complete list of Troop 4 Eagle Scouts.
The Mount Monadnock permission slip, the Camp Resolute fee, and the 2nd Camp Tahosa payment are all due at the April 17 Troop Meeting. See the April 13 newsletter for more information.
The April 13, 2008 Family Newsletter has been posted. Click on “NEWSLETTER” at the top of the page.
Scouts and adults going on the Alpine High Adventure portion of the Colorado trip should review the fitness and training requirements just posted to the web site.
Hello to All,
With the trip to Camp Tahosa here before we know it, it is time to start planning and training for our back packing adventure. Below I have out lined a few things that should be and in some cases must be done before we embark on the trip to insure that everyone is safe and happy for the week.
Each of you qualify to go on the trip based upon age and scouting experience. With that said each of you should know that this backpacking trip while a great experience is also fairly physically demanding. It is wise to start training and working your way up to carrying the load at high altitude. In general, your body will need to work 30% harder at everything including sleeping then where we live at sea level. Additionally, you will be carrying food as well as group gear for 5 full days including 15 meals and snacks. This load will be heaviest in the first 2 days while we are going up hill and lightest the last days when going down hill.
The absolute best way to start training is to go for walks up and down hills with your pack on carrying a minimum of 25% of your body weight in the pack. So for those that weight 210 pounds, like me, that means going for a walk with a pack that weights at least 52+ pounds. The reason for carrying 25% of your weight is that it will train you to carry 20% at high altitude which is a normal long distance pack weight assuming the minimum of gear, cloths , food and water are carried. All scouts and adults will have to carry a pack weighting 20% at high altitude for the 5 days. It is recommended that each of you get into the habit of walking at least 10+ miles a week with weight on you back.
I strongly urge each person to start training so that when we hit the trail we can complete the distance otherwise we will need to turn back. Recommended additional training should include core exercises like sit ups, push ups, Pilates 100, sand bag/dumb bell squats, swings and dead lifts. These core exercises will help strengthen your vertical and lateral muscles avoiding common injuries when back packing. It is best to do 2 sets of 30 for each exercise at least 4 times per week.
Lastly, for any of you who may be overweight like me now is a good time to consider reducing some of the extra weight. My goal is to get down below 200 before the trip that way I can carry less weight in general as well as that 10+ pounds I hope to shed.
For those who have not taken the physical fitness merit badge, Mr. Bedard should be contacted as it is a great time to get that badge done as the training will serve two purposes.
There will be two required long distance hiking/backpacking events to help get the group into shape. Yes that includes me also.
March 29th Troop Hike – The High Adventure Crew should plan on going on this trip and must bring a full back pack weighting 25% of their weight. If it does not weight that much we will add rocks to the pack to get the weight up there. Please bring plenty of water also. I would like all High Adventure Crew members on this trip if possible.
May 3 & 4th – The troop backpacking trip will have two groups, adult leadership permitting, so that the High Adventure Crew can get 20 miles under it belt in 2 days. This is a must attend event for all High Adventure Crew members no exceptions. If there is an issue attending this trip please contact me immediately. As with all troop outings, be sure to turn in your permission slip at the previous troop meetings to allow us to properly plan and coordinate the required transportation.
If for some reason someone can not make the March 29th hike, we will have another group hike during the bike trip in June.
Lastly, at this week’s meeting we will meet for a short period to review the above, have a weigh-in so we can define pack weights for the following hike. Additionally, over the next month I will send out e-mails on recommended personnel gear to pack along with an initial list of group gear that we will be packing. The trip on May 3 & 4 is a full shake down trip to get everyone organized and focused on training for the summer trip.
Backpacking along the continental divide will be a magnificent experience and one which I am sure all will remember and tell many about. The key to having a fantastic experience resides in the basic scouting phrase “Be Prepared” with your help we will be prepared to fully enjoy the experience of a life time high in the mountains where few dare go but the adventurous.
Peter Lanciano
PS. Younger scouts and adults that are attending the Tahosa Eagle Point program must also get in shape. While you don’t have to pile rocks in your backpacks like our Alpine Adventure scouts, you should also begin training, and make every effort to attend the troop’s Mar/May/June adventure trips. Working on the Personal Fitness Merit Badge is also a fine way to get in shape.
Mr. Kirchner’s final Scoutmaster’s Minute has been posted to the web site.
The date for the upcoming Court of Honor has been changed to June 5th.
Pictures from the Troop Four ceremony honoring David Kirchner’s years of valued service as Scoutmaster.
The March 12th, 2008 Family Newsletter has been posted. Click on “NEWSLETTER” at the top of the page.
A Troop Four Photo Gallery has been created. Click on “PHOTOS” at the top of the page to go to the gallery.
Pictures have been posted from:
Fall Camping Trip | Pancake Breakfast | Winter Camping Trip |
|
|
Cost and payment information is now available for the 2008 Camp Tahosa trip. Click on “Camp Tahosa 2008” under “SPECIAL EVENTS” on the right side of the page.
The January 24, 2008 Family Newsletter has been posted. Click on “NEWSLETTER” at the top of the page.
Please fill out the Summer Camps Survey and turn it in by the January 31st Troop Meeting.
The January camping trip is this weekend (January 5-6). You can use the Troop’s winter camping checklist to help you prepare. Click on “Camping information” under “TROOP RESOURCES” on the right side of the page.
Round 2 of the pancake sponsorship drive is this Wednesday, December 19. Click here for details.
To those working on the communications/sales merit badges… round 2 of our pancake sponsorship drive will take place on Wed 12/19 from 3-430pm. We will meet at the parish center. Round 2 will be a short event, so please be prompt. Other sponsorship sales dates will be announced at Thursday’s troop meeting. Scouts should come in uniform, and bring a pen/notebook to collect records of who you visited and who requires a followup visit. Hope you can make it. You MUST email me by Tue 8pm, if you plan to attend. An adult volunteer is needed, too. Not to sell… just to help supervise. Let me know if you would like to help.
There is a troop meeting this Thursday, December 20. The meeting will include our Yankee Swap. Also, please bring your January camping permission slip.
The December 6 troop meeting is the Knife Contest and the Toys for Tots drive.
The December 13th Troop Meeting has been rescheduled for December 20 because of the storm.
The December 20 troop meeting is the Yankee Swap. Also, the winter camping permission slip is due then.
There is no meeting on December 27.
Any scouts who would like to donate new toys to the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive please bring them to the December 6 troop meeting. One of our long-time sponsors, American National Power, is collecting for the marines this year.
Click on “NEWSLETTER” at the top of the page for the December 5 Winter Camping newsletter.
Click here for the November 28 newsletter.
Events on the web site calendar have been updated with information from the latest newsletters.
The web site calendar has been updated with the latest information about upcoming events, including:
See the event calendar on the right side of the page.
For many years the troop has been decorating the nativity in Draper Park with pine branches. We need a few scouts and parents to help out. We will meet at the troop campsite in Milford at 9:00 AM on December 1 and gather a supply of pine. We will drive over to Draper Park and add the pine to the nativity scene. The project will be finished by 11:00 AM. If your son would like to participate please let Dave Kirchner know before the end of November.
Parent Information Meeting for 2008 High Adventure Trip will be during the November 29 regular troop meeting. We will have information for the 2008 High Adventure trip to Colorado. For that evening we will be meeting on the on the third floor of the parish center (the scouts on the third floor too). Please use the front door of the parish center that night – St. Mary’s is using the first floor for a play practice.
Personal Fitness Merit Badge Class will start at the Milford High School track on Saturday Nov. 10 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. This meeting is great for scouts beginning this Eagle required merit badge, as well as for the scouts who have already started and want to gauge their fitness progress. Dress in warm workout clothes. Please email Mr. Phil Bedard at bedard18!!! remove this !!!@verizon.net if your son plans to attend.
Click on “Newsletter” at the top of page for the Troop Four November newsletter.