Easter Vigil Ceremony:  Thanks to the scouts who supported our St.Mary’s Easter Vigil ceremony.  Troop 4 scouts played a key role by building and lighting an outstanding campfire that was at the center of the ceremony.  This was a wonderful event, and perhaps could be an annual tradition.

Trip Report – The Pemigewasset Wilderness:   The troop recently returned from an outstanding camping adventure in the Pemi Wilderness in central New Hampshire.  Scouts hiked several miles into the backcountry where we set up camp, and then proceeded to explore the area.  We saw much  evidence of the Hurricane Irene’s fury in this area, which washed out large sections of trail, and the area’s bridges across the river.  Several scouts opted for the extreme edition of this trip, and approached our troop camping area by first ascending the snow capped (4 inches of snow fell overnight) and 5000 foot Franconia ridge.

Advancement:  For those that wish to advance at the next Court of Honor, your deadline for completing rank advancement requirements is the start of the May 24^th troop meeting.  Those that finish by this time will be scheduled for their Board of Review at one of the next two following troop meetings.  Deadlines for turning in completed merit badge blue cards (signed off by your councilor!) is also May 31^st.  Scouts must turn in their own cards to the Scoutmaster….don’t rely on someone else to turn it in.

May Camping Trip  will be Saturday, May 19th and 20^th, at the Troop campsite in Milford.  We will meet at the parish center on Saturday morning at 9:30 AM.  We will return for pick up at the parish center by 11:30 PM on Sunday.  Scouts need to bring a bag lunch and the items listed on the Troop 4 camping equipment list, including their scout handbook.  The list is available on our website.  In lieu of a bagged lunch, scouts may instead select a genuine MRE (meal ready to eat).  MRE’s are military style rations.  A batch was recently donated to the troop by a generous Scouter. 

This local campout at our secluded Troop campsite is very convenient for scouts that have sports games to attend.  Scouts can check out to attend their game, and then return after it is over.  Be sure to indicate on your permission slip if you arriving late, or need to leave for a period, in order to attend a game.

Speaking of Sports…. The scouts have selected SPORTS as the theme of the campout.  The tentative schedule includes Ultimate Frisbee, a Troop softball game, football, waffle ball, and other sports activities.  We will use this opportunity to kick off the Sports merit badge for those scouts interested.  In addition to Sports, Chief Rocketeer Alex Hastings and his patrol of mad Biohazards plan to launch the Big Kahuna, the six foot rocket that has been in construction at recent troop meetings. 

Any scout desiring to reach Tenderfoot, 2^nd Class or 1^st Class rank by the end of the spring season should attend, as we will be covering many of the remaining advancement requirements at this event.    

We will be cooking patrol style over open wood fires for dinner and breakfast.  Scout patrols will create their own menus and duty rosters at the May 10th troop meeting.  Dutch ovens and dutch oven recipes will be available for scouts that have interest in this cooking technique.  Scouts need to bring a bag lunch for Saturday. 

In addition to the SPORTS theme activities, the troop will also cover advancement requirements and conduct an entertaining Troop evening campfire.  Prizes will be awarded for the best patrol skit, song and stand-up comedy act.  

If your son will be attending this campout, please complete the permission slip and return it to the Troop Scribe at the May 10th troop meeting.  If your son would like to attend but won’t be at the May 10^th troop meeting, please call or email Phil Bedard at 508-561-7058 or pbedard1 [Email address: pbedard1 #AT# gmail.com - replace #AT# with @ ] before May 10th.   We may 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.  Note that the troop’s Milford campsite has very limited parking, so adults that plan to attend are encouraged to carpool.

Order of the Arrow    Recently elected members to the Order of the Arrow should strongly consider registering for the Spring Ordeal to be held at Camp Resolute on May 11-13.  Scouts can register at http://www.chippanyonk.org/.  Please contact Life Scout Dev Sgammato, our OA Representative, if you have any questions about the OA, or the upcoming Ordeal.

Troop Hats    Still some left.  $15 each.  If you would like one, stick a note in the scribe box, and we’ll have them the following week.

Eagle Court of Honor   Save the date.  An Eagle Court of Honor is scheduled for Thursday, June 14^th, 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.

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 May Campout Permission Slip on the next page.

Troop Four Permission Slip

For the Troop Four Camping Trip at our Milford Troop Campsite on May 19-20, 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

___ drive to the event, but am not staying

___ drive back from the event, but am not staying

___ attending, and driving to/from the event

Note that the drive from the parish center to the campsite is less than 5 minutes!                                                   

Permission Slip is due at no later than the start of the May 10th troop meeting.  Earlier Call Phil Bedard at 508-561-7058 before May 10th if your scout would like to attend the trip, but can’t attend the May 10th troop meeting.

For Adults Driving

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

There is no fee required for this camping trip.

The troop will hold an Eagle Scout Court of Honor on June 14th to honor Danny’s accomplishments.  Please congratulate him the next time you see him around.

 Troop April Campout:  will be Saturday, April 28^th through Sunday April 29th at the Pemigewasset Wilderness Area in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We will meet at the parish center at 8AM so that we have sufficient day light for our backpacking adventures.  We will return for pick up at the parish center by approximately 500 PM on Sunday.  Scouts need to bring: a bag lunch for Saturday and all the items called for on the backpacking checklist on our website.  We will have a special backpacking preparation class at an upcoming troop meeting to help scouts prepare, and to pack light!

The Pemigewasset Wilderness Area is true wilderness camping.  Our trailhead leaves from the Kangamagus Highway.  From the trailhead, we will be hiking along a wild river for most of the day before settling into a remote campsite deep in the forest along the east flank of the Franconia ridge.  We have a chosen a relatively flat route which should provide a good introduction to backpacking for new scouts.   This is prime Moose Country…hopefully we’ll get a glimpse of Bullwinkle on this trip.

 Scouts will be cooking their meals (dinner and breakfast) patrol style using backpacking stoves.  Patrol meal planning will take place at the April 12th troop meeting. Note that April weather can be surprisingly cold, particularly in the White Mountains….so be prepared!

 If you son will be attending the campout, please complete the attached permission slip and return no later than the start of the April 12th troop meeting.  If you son would like to attend but won’t be at this troop meeting, please call or email Phil Bedard at 508-561-7058 or pbedard1 [Email address: pbedard1 #AT# gmail.com - replace #AT# with @ ] before April 12^th.    We may need a few parents to drive and stay for the event.  If you can help out and are up for a backpacking adventure, please indicate on the permission slip.

Swim Night:  The April 5^th troop meeting 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 advancement 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 pays the pool entrance fee.

Eagle Scout Projects:  Expect to see lots of emails soon from scouts looking for help on their Eagle Scout Service Projects.  Please do all you can to help.

 Pancake Breakfast:  A huge success!  Thanks to all the scouts, leaders, family and friends who made this year’s breakfast one of the best ever.

 Please call Phil Bedard at 508-561-7058 or email at pbedard1 [Email address: pbedard1 #AT# gmail.com - replace #AT# with @ ] if you have any questions.

 And be sure to frequently visit our great website at www.troop4milford.org

Troop Four Permission Slip      

 For the Troop Four backpacking trip to the Pemigewasset Wilderness Area in New Hampshire on April 28-29, 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 

___ attend and drive to/from the event

Permission Slip is due at no later than the start of the April 12th troop meeting.  Call Phil Bedard at 508-561-7058 before April 12th if your scout would like to attend the trip, but can’t attend the April 12th troop meeting. 

The pancake breakfast was a huge success.  While Treasurer Hastings is still verifying all the receipts, it is likely to be one of our best ever.  Some of the breakfast highlights:

(1) Outstanding pancake placemat adverstisement program.  This program provided 20% of our revenue.  This most impressive aspect of the ad sales was the unprecedented level of scout leadership.  More so than any other year, the sales planning, execution, tracking and followup were performed all by Scouts.  It was great to see the constant flow of scout emails and planning meetings each week that kept the sales team motivated, active, and extremely productive.  Kudos to the entire team for the proactive efforts, particularly those that made the final push during school vacation week.

(2) Strong work by the scout kitchen staff.   The demand this year was incredible, yet they kept the cakes flowing at a fast rate.  First rate clean up job, too.  We were able to turn over the kitchen to the 1 o’clock event in tip top shape.

(3) Floor staff was vrey well organized.  The scout run ticket booth, bake sale table, troop history table, mock campsite, scout store and youth activities like face painting all ran smooth as silk.

(4) Advance ticket sales were very strong.  Six scouts sold more than $300 worth.  And thanks to all those scouts who worked hard to meet their $100 target.  Many of these scouts may not be going on the high adventure, yet they still recognized that this money also funds all our troop camping gear that is used by all throughout the year.  Thanks for working hard for your troop.

(5) Last but not least.  Thanks to all the committee members and parents who helped with the behind the scenes logistical tasks, especially all the driving (e.g., food runs, ad sales chaffeur, etc) and the encouragement you gave the scouts along the way.  I would list you all, but am afraid to miss someone.

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