Summer is the slow season for Troop 89. There are no regular Scout meetings held during the months of June, July, and August. However, we do continue to hold camping activities. Members of the Patrol Leader's Council (PLC) will embark on a whitewater rafting adventure in late June. July brings Troop 89 back to Camp Squanto for Summer Camp. An August Hike in the White Mountains National Forest is traditionally reserved for August. Scouts interested in the Hiking and Backpacking merit badges will have the opportunity to work on requirements for these badges not only on the August Hike, but on small scale hikes scheduled in July and possibly June as well. Meanwhile, our continuing efforts to renovate and upgrade the Troop 89 Scouthouse should enjoy another boost during the otherwise slow summer period. Finally, the summer months, particularly August, give us an opportunity to focus our attention on the approaching 1999-2000 Scout year.

Mr. Mike McGowan has agreed to be the Scoutmaster for Troop 89 for the 1999-2000 Scout year. The League of Assistant Scoutmasters and the Troop Committee all wish Mike good fortune in this important role. Of course, new members to the Troop Committee and Assistant Scoutmasters are always welcome. Adults interested in learning more about Troop 89 are encouraged to attend any of the monthly Troop 89 Committee Meetings; these are always open to all parents.

Congratulations to Jonathan Bell for successfully completing the rigorous Eagle Scout requirements. Troop 89 will honor Jonathan at an Eagle Court of Honor held on the third of June. Naturally, we hope all Scouts and their families will be able to attend this very important ceremony.

EAGLE COURT OF HONOR;
JONATHAN BELL, EAGLE SCOUT
American Legion
3 June 1999, 7:00 PM
Coordinator: Mrs. Jane Lomax, Assistant Scoutmaster, 359-XXXX,
RSVP: Mr. Steve Fernandes, Troop Committee Chairperson, 359-XXXX.

Congratulations to Jonathan Bell for his outstanding achievement of earning the rank of Eagle Scout. As is the traditional custom, members and friends of Troop 89 will gather to formally present this prestigious award to Jonathan. The Eagle Scout rank is by no means an easy accomplishment, and it is only right that all of Jon’s brother Scouts are present with him during this special ceremony - attendance is considered mandatory for all Scouts. We also highly encourage all Scout families to attend as well. Refreshments will be served immediately after the ceremony.

AMERICAN LEGION FLAG RETIREMENT CEREMONY
American Legion
12 June 1999, 9:00 AM
Coordinator: Mr. Tom Kerr, Assistant Scoutmaster, 359-XXXX.

Scouts are encouraged to participate in the annual Flag Retirement Ceremony at the American Legion. Interested Scouts should contact Mr. Kerr prior to the ceremony.

1999 SUMMER CAMP:
Camp Squanto, Plymouth, Massachusetts
11 - 17 July 1999
Merit Badge Sign-up: 9 June 1999, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM. (New Scouts at 6:30 PM; all others after 7:30 PM)
$7.00 Photo fee and Medical Form Submission Deadline: 7 July 1999; Leadership Meeting: 7 July 1999
Coordinators: Mr. John Merck, Acting Summer Camp Scoutmaster, 359-XXXX,
Mr. Mike McGowan, Assistant Scoutmaster, 359-XXXX,
Mrs. Jane Lomax, Assistant Scoutmaster, 359-XXXX.

Forty-one (41) Scouts have signed-up for Summer Camp this year. At present, at least four adults are planning to attend camp for the entire week as well. Other adults are more than welcome to join us or visit throughout the week.

Each Scout who is currently signed-up for camp will find, enclosed, information regarding merit badge sign-ups as well as the required medical form. Additional information, including equipment lists, will be distributed at the Merit Badge Sign-up Night on 9 June 1999. Please feel free to call any of the adults listed above with any questions.

We all hope and expect that we will all have a great time down at Summer Camp again this year!

This is a rather traditional trip which we try to offer each August whenever possible. The troop leaves Medfield for the North Chatham area of New Hampshire/Maine on Thursday night. Depending on the number of Scouts and adults who sign-up for this trip, the troop will split into two pre-arranged groups based on age and experience.

On Friday morning, the older group (sign-up numbers permitting), equipped with backpacks and everything else they need to survive for three days, are driven to a drop-off point beyond at least two ranges of mountains. Over the course of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, they make their way back to the base camp, crossing these ridgelines and camping overnight along the way. The younger group, in the meantime, will hike up many of the same mountains as the older group, but without the burden of heavy backpacks. After these day hikes, this group returns and spends the night at the base camp. For the most part, overnight backpackers will be limited to Scouts fourteen (14) and older, although we maintain the right to determine exactly who is eligible. Previous day hiking experience will be a prerequisite for overnight backpackers.

Two years ago, the troop camped very comfortably in a remote field in the woods opposite Route 113 from the Brickett Place (the old farmhouse where we have camped in the past); we will set up our base camp in this field again this year. After the older group returns to the base camp on Sunday, the entire troop may choose to visit such favorite swimming areas as the Emerald Pool and/or the Swift River in the Kancamagus Pass on the way back to Medfield. If the weekend weather is unfavorable (i.e. rain), we may consider returning before Sunday.

The success of this trip depends largely on the participation of Scouts and adults alike. Low numbers of Scouts and/or adults in the past have forced us to cancel all or portions of this trip. No previous hiking experience is required for the day hikes, although adult participants will want to be in somewhat decent physical shape. The views from the top of these mountains are spectacular (weather permitting) and are well worth the trip! Please consider attending this event.

ORDER OF THE ARROW ORDEAL WEEKEND:
Camp Squanto
27 - 29 August 1999 (tentative)
Coordinator: Mr. John Merck, Assistant Scoutmaster, 359-XXXX.

This will be the first of the two ordeal weekends offered during 1999; the other is tentatively scheduled for 17-19 September 1999. All O.A. Ordeal candidates who are tapped out during Summer Camp must attend at least one of these weekends to complete their O.A. membership. All previous O.A. Ordeal members are encouraged to pursue their Brotherhood during one of these weekends as well. Finally, all Brotherhood members are reminded that cheerful service to the O.A. does not end upon achieving the Brotherhood honor, and all Troop 89 Arrowmen should consider joining their fellow Scouts at the Ordeal Weekend(s).

Like Troop 89, Tisquantum Lodge 164 has its own web site. You can access it directly at www.bsa.net/ma/l164 or indirectly through the Troop 89 Online home page at www.bsa.net/ma/t89.

SCOUTHOUSE RENOVATION AND UPGRADE WORK:
Scouthouse
Coordinators: Mr. Mike McGowan, Scoutmaster, 359-XXXX,
Mr. Jerry Kazanjian, Scouthouse Operations Coordinator, 359-XXXX.

Work continues on the upgrade of the Scouthouse, and, although mostly cosmetic at this point, much work remains to be done. We also need to address what to do with the increasing accumulation of equipment and other miscellaneous items which have found their way to the Scouthouse.

Throughout the summer, work crews will be assembled to tackle the remaining work. If you are interested in helping with this effort, please call either Mr. McGowan or Mr. Kazanjian. Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Committee Meetings: American Legion, 7 June 1999, 2 August 1999, 7:00 PM.

The troop's current adult leadership positions are as follows:

Troop 89 Committee:

The Troop 89 Committee welcomes  as the new Troop Quartermaster. It is likely that Dave will soon be looking to recruit a few assistants to help him with this important position.

As mentioned before, the monthly Troop Committee Meetings are open meetings, and all adults interested in learning more about Troop 89 are encouraged to attend any of these meetings. Furthermore, any adult who would like to learn more about how he or she can help Troop 89, or who have any questions about the adult leadership roles of the troop, should please contact Steve Fernandes, Troop Committee Chairperson, at 359-8932. Working with Scouts and working with other adults committed to working with Scouts can be a very rewarding experience. Please consider what you can do to help ensure the future of Troop 89. Thank you.

Troop 89 is a strong troop with a proud tradition, but with many challenges ahead. As always, your commitment today ensures a bright future for Troop 89 tomorrow. Have a great summer!