Welcome to all our new scouts and families. We have 10 new scouts joining from Pack 4, Pack 67 and Pack 32. The first troop meeting that includes new scouts will be Thursday 3/4 at 7pm-830pm. Parents are welcome (but not required) to stay for this first meeting. An adult leader will offer parents an overview of troop operations, and a scout will offer a quick presentation on the short list of personal camping gear that each scout should have. Other kickoff details for new scouts were recently provided via email. If you didn’t receive the email, please let Phil Bedard know at pbedard1 [Email address: pbedard1 #AT# gmail.com - replace #AT# with @ ].

Pancake Breakfast

Thanks to all for the hard work at the Pancake Breakfast. It was the biggest crowd to date. Fantastic results; nearly $6000 profit, which will fund some much needed troop equipment purchases, and it will make the upcoming high adventure trip much more affordable. Great performances by all - ticket sellers, ad sellers, parent help on the ad sale logistics and day of event, chefs, waiters and clean-up crew. Special thanks go to Stacey Barie, the Brundrett family, Pat Gallagher and future “Hell’s Kitchen” host Peter Lanciano, for supervising key aspects of this event.

Merit Badges

Keep an eye out for kickoff announcements on a variety of merit badges this spring, to include Personal Fitness.

Camp Resolute and Maine 50 Miler Canoe Trip: Plans are moving forward on the troop’s participation in a couple of week long summer events; Camp Resolute in July, and the Maine 50 Miler Canoe Trip in August. Dates and details are posted on the troop website, and more will follow. An important date to remember: March 4th. That is the date that the $100 Maine canoe trip deposit is due. Our reservation and pricing will be based on the deposits that we turn over to the outfitter next week, so please submit on time. The un-subsidized price for this trip is approximately $590 per person. This prices reflects the cost of motor coach transportation, backcountry meals for 1 week, opening/final night campsite at the outfitter’s campground, outfitter shuttle vans to/from wilderness drop point, canoe/paddle/PFD rental, troop adventure t-shirt, and special troop equipment required for the event. The only out of pocket cost to scouts is a couple fast food stops on the way up/back.

While $590 may seem expensive, it is less than what BSA High Adventure camps charge for similar events ($700-$1000). Plus, we include cost of transportation. Compared to similar BSA trips, our Troop-led adventure offers even more high adventure, better food and more personalized and advanced training for our scouts. It’s a good deal. And we are fortunate to have had a successful fundraiser to further reduce the price. Estimated pricing for the 2010 Maine Canoe Adventure is:

Adults: $350
Scouts who sold $100 worth of pancake breakfast tickets: $350
Scouts who sold >$100 worth of tickets $350 less value of tickets sold over $100
Scouts who did not sell at least $100 of tickets $450
Scouts who did not participate in any aspect of fundraiser $590

The exact price will be based on the final head-count and final cost of trip supply/food purchases, but should be relatively close to the forecast above. The “per person” price could come down further if the headcount is higher than expected.
On this same date, we will also be giving a presentation and information session for Camp Resolute to all interested parents and scouts. This presentation will include just released pricing and medical form information. Camp resolute fees are NOT due at this time.

Note that our troop participation at Camp Resolute is open to all scouts in the troop, including first year scouts. But due to the level of outdoor and wilderness training required for the Maine canoe trip, only 2nd year scouts, parents and leaders are invited. However, a high adventure cancellation or open slot may occasionally be offered (at the discretion of the Scoutmaster) to a first year scout if the parent/scout expresses interest and the scout has advanced camping skills/experience. See Phil Bedard if you would like more details.

Court of Honor - Congratulations to Tim and TJ: Congratulations to our newest Eagle Scouts Tim Brundrett and TJ Fasulo. Both were honored at the last Court of Honor. Thanks to all the families and volunteers who worked to make the evening a great success.

Lanciano Cabin NH Winter Weekend

A big thanks again goes to the Lanciano family for hosting us at their cabin for another exciting winter event this past weekend. The snow prayers worked, as there was nearly 3 feet of snow at the cabin!

Venture Campout Report

Thanks to Jim Malnati and Bob Garber for restoring the tradition of an annual Venture Campout. The older ventures recently coordinated a successful winter cabin campout at Nobscot Scout Reservation. They’ve come back with a full report of the facilities. This BSA property offers nice cabins with wood stoves, and an extensive and varied trail system. We’ll try to continue the tradition of an annual venture-only cabin campout.

Troop Day Hike

will be Saturday, March 20th at the Mount Wachusett State Reservation in Princeton MA. We will meet at the parish center for a 9:00 AM departure. We will return for pick up at the parish center by 4:00 PM that evening. Scouts need to bring: a bag lunch, poncho or rain coat if it looks like rain that day, boots, a hat and gloves/mittens. A spare pair of socks is a must to bring. 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 about $10. Scouts need to bring a day pack (school pack will work fine) to carry their personal and troop gear for the day.

Mount Wachusett is a great place to hike and explore. We will divide the scouts into age/ability groups and cover distances that are comfortable for each group. Mount Wachusett is the highest Massachusetts peak east of the Connecticut River; with a 2006 foot elevation. It’s higher elevations includes one of the most southern New England remnants of the great northern boreal forest, and a patch of very rare old growth oak forest. Mt. Wachusett is also a premier location in New England for watching hawk and eagle migrations.

At the end of the hike we will have some of Troop 4’s famous fried dough!

If you son will be attending the hike, please complete the attached permission slip and return no later than the March 11th 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 @ ] 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.

SCOUTS - Camping Merit Badge Trek Plan Opportunity

For scouts looking to fulfill the camping merit badge “trek plan” requirement, here is a great opportunity. The troop will give credit to any scout who drafts a compliant trek plan for the March day hike. Use the web, where you can find trail maps, road maps and town/park details. Your plan must include a trail map with a suggested 5mile hiking route (you can find a good map at the state’s website for this park), a road map (e.g., google map) with your suggested driving route from Milford to the park, local emergency numbers (police/fire), address of nearby hospital, troop leadership contact information (can be found on this newsletter), and your suggested schedule/itinerary for the day. In the very unlikely event that we have trouble on the trail, a good trek plan, left behind at home and on our car windshields, would help guide friends/family and rescue workers to our aid. Every troop trek should leave a good trek plan behind. In addition to merit badge credit for all entries, a great prize for the best Trek Plan will be awarded.
Please call the Phil Bedard at 508-561-7058 or email at pbedard1 [Email address: pbedard1 #AT# gmail.com - replace #AT# with @ ] if you have any questions.

_____________________________________ 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 can’t stay

___ drive back from the event, but can’t stay

___ attend and drive to/from the event

Permission Slip is due at no later than the March 11th troop meeting. Call Phil Bedard at 508-561-7058 if your scout would like to attend the day hike trip, but can’t attend the March 11th troop meeting.

For Adults Driving (this information is needed to apply for BSA tour permit):

Vehicle Make: _______________

Vehicle Model: _______________

Vehicle Year: ________________

Drivers License #______________ Required for first time troop drivers only. Note that this is the license number, not plate number.

There is no fee required for this hiking trip.

Saint Mary Parish Hall Use Policy

_____________________________________ 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 ____________
Scouts:
My son (please check) will be leaving ____ Friday (only ventures) ___ Saturday (all scouts eligible)

Parent Drivers:
I will (please check) ___ not be attending

___ attend and drive to the event on Friday & can take ___ scouts, including my scout (this option is for venture scouts only)

___ attend and drive to the event on Saturday & can take ___ scouts, including my scout (any age scouts)

Parking at the base of the mountain is limited, so if we have too many drivers, you may be invited to leave your car behind and enjoy the ride as a passenger.

Permission Slip is due at no later than the Feb 4th troop meeting. Campout planning is based on forms received at the beginning of this troop meeting. Call Phil Bedard at 508-561-7058 if your scout would like to attend the camping trip, but can’t attend the Feb 4th troop meeting.

For Adults Driving (this information is needed to apply for BSA tour permit):

Vehicle Make: _______________

Vehicle Model: _______________

Vehicle Year: ________________

Drivers License #______________

There is no fee required for this camping trip.

The annual NH Winter Sports Weekend is almost upon us. The Lanciano’s have once again graciously invited the troop to their mountainside cabin in Alexandria NH. Venture scouts (high school) are eligible to depart with the advance part on Friday. Ventures will meet and depart at the St. Mary’s Parish Center on Friday February 26th at 6pm. All other scouts will meet and depart at the Parish Center on Saturday February 27th at 800am. Scouts will return from the event for pickup at the Parish Center at 3pm on Sunday. All scouts should eat a meal before they arrive, as there will be no meal stop on the ride up north.

The weekend will be filled with winter activities such as snowshoeing, cross country skiing, shelter building, and other activities. The annual winter relay will be the Jamaican Bob Sled Relay; a high speed team challenge down the mountain. The winning sled team gets a snowmobile tow back to camp, losers have to walk! Scouts will design the course, and assign leaders to man the obscure corners for safety, and to catch short-cutters.

Ventures should eat dinner prior to arrival, and plan for an outdoor patrol breakfast on Saturday. All scouts should bring a bag lunch on Saturday, and will cook patrol style meals for Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast. We’ll stop for a fast food lunch on the ride home. Meal planning will be done by scouts at the Feb 4th troop meeting. Meals will be cooked by patrols outdoors over their wood fire.

NEW THIS YEAR! - Your Saturday night patrol meal will be part of the 1st annual Troop 4 Outdoor Cooking contest. A fabulous patrol prize will be awarded to the winning patrol, and a bonus prize if you can top the adult dinner (good luck on that!). Details will be discussed in a special contest meeting scheduled for the Jan 28th troop meeting.

Scouts will be sleeping in the heated luxury of the Lanciano cabin ground level (aka basement). While no tents are required, scouts should bring their full complement of winter camping gear (see website checklist), including sleeping pad and sleeping bag. If you have a plastic sled, bring it along.

A permission slip for this event is due at the beginning of the Feb 4th Troop Meeting, in order to allow meal planning. Remember, as with all camping trips, if you sign up to go, and something comes up at the last minute, you must make arrangements to provide your assigned food items to your patrol leader. If you can’t go to the Feb 4th meeting, and want to go on the trip, you must call/email Phil Bedard before Feb 4th so that your patrol leader includes you in the plan.

Pancake Breakfast Update

It’s almost here. Thanks to all the scouts who are working hard to sell tickets and advertisements. All scouts should have picked up their initial 20 tickets to sell for the breakfast. It’s not too late to get more tickets, and cash in on the outstanding prizes to be given out to the top salesmen. See Mr.Bedard or Mr.Gallagher if you need more tickets. Cash/checks (payable to Troop 4) from ticket sales must be turned in at either the Jan 28th or Feb 4th troop meetings.

The pancake breakfast is one of more important troop events of the year. All scouts are expected to sell their initial $100 allotment of tickets and to participate at the event. The SPL has put together a plan with roles for all scouts. Plans will be discussed at the next troop meeting. If you can’t attend because of a serious schedule conflict, you MUST contact the SPL. 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!

January Winter Camping Trip and Christmas Tree Pick-up Report

The coldest troop campout on record! Sub-zero. Great time and performance by all. See the troop website for photos and the recent entry containing the full report.

Despite a snowy morning, we had a great turnout at the annual Christmas Tree pickup. The troop had a dozen scout volunteers (12 fold increase from last year!) and we raised $450. Thanks to all who helped out, including the adult drivers.

Pioneering Merit Badge

The Pioneering Merit badge continues at troop meetings. Most scouts have completed the basic knot & lashing requirements, and will be moving on soon to the ‘construction’ related requirements. The goal is to have participating scouts complete this badge by season’s end.

Merit Badge Night

The troop will be holding a merit badge night at the January 28th troop meeting. Scouts will receive a refresher on the merit badge process, and an introduction by merit badge councilors on a variety of eagle, and non-eagle required badges. Featured badges include, but may not be limited to, woodworking, home repair, cooking, citizenship (all 3), personal fitness, cycling, dog care, surveying and personal management. Scouts will have the opportunity to sign up for two badges on this night; one eagle required, and one regular.

Camp Resolute and Maine 50 Miler Canoe Trip

Plans are moving forward on the troop’s participation in two summer events; Camp Resolute, and the Maine 50 Miler Canoe Trip. Dates and details are posted on the troop website. An important date to remember: March 4th. That is the date that the $100 Maine canoe trip deposit is due. Our reservation will be based on the deposits that we turn over to the outfitter at this time, so please submit on time. On this same date, we will also be giving a presentation and information session for Camp Resolute. More details will be coming prior to the event.

Court of Honor

Please note that the next two Court of Honors have been moved one day earlier, and will now be held on Wed 2/24/09 and Wed 6/9/09. This change was made to accommodate a request from the Parish Center. 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.

Venture Career Night

The troop is re-starting our Venture career night series. First up is Mr. Bob Garber, with a presentation about careers in technical writing. Mr. Garber is a technical writer for Cybex International, a provider of premium fitness equipment. Information on Cybex can be found at http://www.cybexintl.com/products/default.aspx.

Milford Youth Center Pajama Drive

The Milford Youth Center is partnering with the Boston Bruins and other organizations in the third annual PJ Drive for Massachusetts Children in Need. Members of our troop may also participate in this worthy cause by bringing a new set of PJs to the Jan 28th or Feb 4th troop meetings. The troop will bring all donations to the Youth Center collection box. Thanks.

Upcoming Event Dates & Reminders:

• Jan 28, Feb 4, Feb 11 Troop Meetings
• Feb 7th - Pancake Breakfast
• Feb 18th - no meeting / school vacation
• Feb 24th (Wed, not the typical Thursday) - Eagle Court of Honor
• Feb 26th - Feb 28th - New Hampshire Winters Sports Weekend
• Mar 4th - Troop meeting, Resolute presentation, Canoe trip $100 deposits due

Questions

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

Details on Tim’s Eagle Court of Honor will be released in the coming weeks.

Before my toes completely thaw out, I wanted to pass on some thoughts on our most recent winter camping trip. I don’t usually send out a “post-campout” note to the whole troop, but I was so impressed with the Troop’s performance and attitude, that I wanted to share my thoughts.

This trip was the coldest Troop camping trip in recent years. Temps dipped to around zero…and with a stiff breeze. Not only was the weather a challenge, but the trip included a trek with a full load of gear to the most remote corner of the Upton State Forest.

Scouts were well prepared, efficient, and despite the severe cold, managed to make it one of the most fun and ‘good eating’ trips in recent memory. Some specific things to commend…

All Scouts: Kudos for the cheerful attitude throughout the trip. Despite the cold, there was no whining, and scouts made the best of the challenging situation. You prepared well and worked hard to get the campsite in good condition to get us through the night. Nearly 20 scouts participated… the most for any winter hiking campout in quite some time.

Ventures had a strong showing at this event. We realize older scouts have busy schedules, so thanks for making this trip a priority. Your improvised hockey game, complete with home-made sticks, wood pucks, and the “sam”-boni rivaled the recent Fenway Winter-Classic. The hockey tournament was one of the highlights of the trip. Please continue to attend these events as frequently as you can, in order to demonstrate your leadership, and pass on your knowledge to the younger scouts. Great job on this trip.

Scout Leadership: Big improvements on this campouts. Patrols were well prepared, organized, well-led and well-fed…. as evidenced by the efficient camp setup, hearty meals, and the gathering of the large amount of firewood needed to get us through the cold night. Special kudos go to Ben, James and the patrol leaders for their careful selection of the optimal campsite. It was a great spot, with a commanding view of the lake, great tent sites, and good access to water and firewood.

Adult Leaders: Big thanks to Tom, Peter, Jeff and Tim. The adult team advised the scouts well, and the closing “lessons learned” session was super, and should be made a regular feature on all backpacking trips.
In closing…great trip! Thanks to all. Scouts did so well that Mr.Lanciano thinks you should all sleep outside again at the Lanciano Winter Weekend classic in Feburary. Maybe skip the tents this time for an extra bit of challenge….

Heh heh…. Just kidding.

Phil Bedard