TROOP 89
NEWSLETTER
MARCH, APRIL,
MAY 2000
Spring is in the air, and with it comes the annual Troop 89 spring events. The troop will have one more camping adventure - at Purgatory Chasm State Park - before it welcomes new recruits crossing over from Cub Scout Packs 113 and 200. Their first camping adventure with Troop 89 will be the annual Greenhorn camping trip at the Camp Massasoit Scout Reservation in Plymouth. This traditional trip will have a new twist this year as backpacking elements will be introduced. Then, of course, the entire troop can look forward to the popular Bike Trip, which will be held on Martha’s Vineyard again this year.
Coordinators: Mr. Steve Fernandes, Troop Committee Chairperson, 359-XXXX
Mr. Mike McGowan, Scoutmaster, 359-XXXX
Mrs. Jane Lomax, Assistant Scoutmaster, 359-XXXX.
Openings have recently opened or are expected to open in the following adult capacities:
- Committee Chairperson,
- Publicity Coordinator,
- Troop Communications (newsletter, trip information, web site).
In addition, the following key merit badges (merit badges that are required for the Eagle Scout rank) need new counselors:
- Personal Management Merit Badge,
- Communications Merit Badge.
Other merit badges which do not have a counselor assigned to them are listed in the main room of the Scouthouse.
Any adult who is interested in helping out with any of the above, or who has any questions about the above, is encouraged to contact Mr. Steve Fernandes, Mr. Mike McGowan, or Mrs. Jane Lomax. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
BASIC ADULT LEADER TRAINING (KANTANKYE 36):
Faith Baptist Church, Stoughton, Massachusetts, 4 April 2000, 11 April 2000, 25 April 2000
Camp Squanto, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 6 May 2000, 20-21 May 2000
Registration fee: $20.00, check written to "Old Colony Council, BSA"
Registration deadline: 24 March 2000
Course Director: Ms. Gxxl Fxxxxxg, (781) 341-XXXX
Course Information: Mr. Bxb Kxxxxxl, (781) 341-XXXX (after 6:00 PM)Troop 89 Contact: Mr. Mike McGowan, Scoutmaster, 359-XXXX.
All adult leaders and interested
parents are highly encouraged to attend the Basic Adult Leader Training Course,
called Kantankye, scheduled for this
spring. This is a five part,
district run course. Kantankye
provides an excellent orientation to the Scouting program and is especially
recommended for new parents. A registration form with additional details
is enclosed was enclosed with each
newsletter; contact Mr. Mike McGowan for additional registration forms.
Any successful troop relies on a healthy number of trained adult leaders;
please consider joining the ranks of the trained Troop 89 adult leadership by
attending the Kantankye course.
Food Bag Distribution: 8 March 2000
Food Bag Collection: 15 March 2000, 22 March 2000
Coordinator: Mrs. Patti Schwartz, Service and Good Turn Coordinator, 359-XXXX.
Troop 89’s Scouting for Food collection will be held in March. Scouting for Food bags, along with instructions, will be distributed to each Scout at the Wednesday, 8 March 2000, Scout meeting. Bags will be collected at the Wednesday, 15 March 2000, and 22 March 2000, Scout meetings. Any adult who is willing to help deliver the collected food from the Scouthouse to the Medfield Food Pantry at the United Church of Christ is asked to please contact Mrs. Patti Schwartz. Good luck with this year’s collection!
Purgatory Chasm State Park, Sutton, Massachusetts
25-26 March 2000
Anticipated trip fee: $15.00, cash only please.
Payment deadline: 15 March 2000
Coordinator: Mr. Rick Wile, Troop Trip Coordinator, 359-XXXX.
Purgatory chasm is an old Troop 89 camping trip which has become popular again in recent years. The State Park allows the troop to erect a traditional campsite in the woods off the main road. Minutes away is the namesake chasm. A dry ravine torn open long ago by erosion and still littered with rocks of all shapes and sizes, Purgatory Chasm is a cave explorer’s delight. This is a trip especially suited for the younger, smaller guys, as they are able to crawl through numerous caves with greater ease than their older counterparts. Scouts will need to bring their flashlights, since some of these caves have not seen daylight in millennia. More information will be distributed later.
Camp Massasoit Scout Reservation, Plymouth, Massachusetts
15-16 April 2000
Anticipated trip fee: $15.00, cash only please.
Payment deadline: 5 April 2000
Coordinator: Mr. Rick Wile, Troop Trip Coordinator, 359-XXXX.
The traditional Greenhorn Trip will again be held at the Camp Massasoit Scout Reservation in Plymouth. Similar to previous years, the major focus of this event will be to train our new Scout campers. Unlike previous years, the troop will introduce backpacking elements into the trip; this will not be the standard “tailgate” camping trip. Scouts will learn what personal and patrol gear to bring and how to bring it at the meetings immediately prior to the trip. As always, all of our new parents are also invited and highly encouraged to attend as well. More details later.
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
13-14 May 2000; bicycle and gear loading: 12 May 2000
Anticipated trip fee: $40.00, cash only please.
Payment deadline: 3 May 2000
Coordinator: Mr. Rick Wile, Troop Trip Coordinator, 359-XXXX.
Troop 89 held its last two annual Bike Trips on the island of Martha's Vineyard, and we plan to return there again this year. This year's Bike Trip will be conducted in a similar fashion to those in the past. Scouts will load bikes and gear onto a U-Haul truck on Friday night. We will leave to catch the ferry at Wood’s Hole on Cape Cod very early Saturday morning and will return to Medfield Sunday night. Parents will need to meet us at the Scouthouse to pick up their son's gear and bicycles. Once again, more detailed information will be distributed later.
LEGION HALL CLEAN-UP
Parade: Medfield Town Hall, 29 May 2000
Clean-up: American Legion, 27 May 2000
Coordinator: Mr. Mike Short, Charter Partner Representative, 359-XXXX.
Troop 89 is very fortunate to be sponsored by the American Legion, Beckwith Post 110, Medfield. One way we demonstrate our appreciation is by actively participating in the Medfield Memorial Day Parade. This is, of course, an uniformed event. All Scouts, who are not out of town on vacation, are expected to represent their troop and its sponsor by marching in the parade. As always, we hope to see a strong representation of Troop 89 Scouts.
The parade ends at the American Legion Hall with a free cook-out for all participants. Parents will need to pick-up their sons here. To be sure that the Legion Hall and its grounds are in top shape for the parade and cook-out, Troop 89 will assist with a Legion Hall “clean-up” effort on Saturday, 20 May 2000. Scouts are encouraged to contact Mr. Short to help with this simple, but important task.
Scouthouse
1 March 2000, 26 April 2000, 24 May 2000
Coordinator: Mrs. Jane Lomax, Assistant Scoutmaster, 359-XXXX.
Advancement Nights provide an opportunity for each Scout to participate in Scoutmaster's Conferences and Boards of Review. They also allow the Scouts to focus on their individual advancement requirements. Any Scout who would like to take advantage of either of the Advancement Nights should contact Mrs. Lomax well before the particular night(s). Only those who contact or are contacted by Mrs. Lomax should attend Advancement Nights. Also, unless you are to appear in front of a Board of Review, you do not need to wear your uniform. All Scouts attending Advancement Nights should always bring their Scout Handbook.
Billiards Night: Mad Maggie’s, Norwood, Massachusetts, 29 March 2000
Golf Night: The Range, Foxboro, Massachusetts, 31 May 2000
Coordinator: Mrs. Lauren Harrington, Activity Night Coordinator, 359-XXXX.
Billiards Night and Golf Night are the two Activity Nights offered this spring. All Activity Nights are non-uniform events, and transportation is the Scout's responsibility. Times are 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM unless otherwise notified. Scouts will receive more information for these Activity Nights later this spring.
United Church of Christ, Medfield
7 March 2000, 4 April 2000, 2 May 2000, 7:30-9:00 PM
Troop 89 members of the Order of the Arrow are encouraged to learn more about the Chapter, the Lodge, and the Order by participating in the OA Section meetings.
Camp Squanto, Plymouth, Massachusetts
28-30 April 2000
Anticipated trip fee: $15.00, Scouts; 18.00, Adults; check written to "Tisquantum Lodge 164, BSA"
and mailed to Old Colony Council, 2438 Washington St., Canton, MA 02021
All Order of the Arrow members are also encouraged to attend the annual Tisquantum Lodge Spring Fellowship Weekend. More information and registration forms can be found at www.bsa.net/ma/L164
A BRIEF LOOK AHEAD:
TROOP 89 SPRING COURT OF HONOR AND FAMILY DINNER:
Date, place, and fee to be announced.
The 2000 Spring Court of Honor and Family Dinner will be held in early June. Please make plans to attend this family event. The Court of honor is the troop's forum for officially presenting awards to the Scouts who have earned them. Dinner will be served, and a slide show, documenting some of our excursions over the past year, will most likely be presented. Details will be announced as soon as they are available.
FLAG DAY FLAG RETIREMENT CEREMONY:
Time and place to be announced.
Coordinator: Mr. Mike Short, Charter Partner Representative, 359-XXXX.
Troop 89 plans to participate in the American Legion’s annual flag retirement ceremony. Interested Scouts and adults should contact Mr. Short.
2000 PATROL LEADERS' COUNCIL (PLC) WHITEWATER RAFTING TRIP:
Kennebec River, Maine
Date and fee to be announced.
Coordinators: Mr. Rick Wile, Troop Trip Coordinator, 359-XXXX.
Mr. Mike McGowan, Scoutmaster, 359-XXXX.
The tentative PLC Scout trip for 2000 is whitewater rafting down the Kennebec River in Maine. Anyone who is a member of the PLC and who is interested in attending this trip should contact Mr. Wile and/or Mr. McGowan in May.
Camp Squanto Scout Reservation, Plymouth, Massachusetts
30 July 2000 –5 August 2000
Trip fee: $205.00/per Scout, checks written to “Troop 89, BSA”
Payment deadline: 3 May 2000
Coordinators: Mr. Mike McGowan, Scoutmaster, 359-XXXX,
Mr. John Stenquist, Treasurer, 359-XXXX.
All Scouts, especially our new recruits, are encouraged to attend Summer Camp. As usual, we will be camping at the Dakota campsite at Camp Squanto. However, this year we will attend Week 5 at Camp Squanto, between 30 July 2000 and 5 August 2000. This year’s Summer Camp fee is $205.00 per Scout for those who sign-up and pay by the Wednesday, 3 May 2000, deadline; the fee after this date is $225.00 per Scout. Additional weeks are $125.00 per Scout per week. Scouts who wish to attend Summer Camp during a week other than Week 5 with the troop may do so for $215.00 per week ($235.00 if paid after 3 May 2000); please indicate what week you are planning to attend when you pay. Troop 89 adults usually stay free of charge or pay on a meal by meal basis. Checks should be written to Troop 89, BSA. Merit Badge sign-up will take place in early June. More information will be forthcoming in the coming months.
OTHER ITEMS:
Coordinator: Mr. John Stenquist, Treasurer, 359-XXXX.
Troop 89 is looking for working personal computer equipment donations (486 or better PC, monitor, printer) to operate at the Scouthouse. Already, the newsletters, trip information, attendance sheets, patrol rosters, the Troop 89 website, accounting, etc. are all conducted on personal computers. To increase the Scouts’ role in the above, a Scouthouse P.C. would be ideal. Also needed is software such as Microsoft Word and Front Page; for legal purposes, we would need to hold the software license as well. Thank you.
GENERAL REMINDERS:
TROOP 89 SCOUTHOUSE PHONE NUMBER: (508) 359-7189
TROOP 89 ON-LINE: www.bsa.net/ma/t89
Regular Meetings are uniformed events held at the Scouthouse between 6:45 PM and 8:30 PM on Wednesday nights. Meetings will start sharply at 7:00 PM. Some Scouts may need to arrive early and leave later if their patrol is assigned to prepare and close-up the meeting space. As a rule, if the Medfield School System is not holding school on any particular Wednesday, either due to holiday, vacation, or cancellation, a Scout meeting will not be held.
Troop Committee Meetings are monthly forums at which logistical and financial planning and management take place. They are ordinarily held at 7:00 PM and are now held at the American Legion. All adults interested in attending Committee Meetings or becoming Committee Members are highly encouraged to contact Mr. Steve Fernandes, Troop Committee Chairperson, at 359-XXXX.
Patrol Leader Council (PLC) Meetings (also referred to as Leadership Meetings) are monthly forums for the Scout leaders to conduct their planning efforts as well as discuss other troop matters. Except when otherwise directed, these meetings will be held at the Scouthouse Committee Room. Meetings are generally held between 7:00 PM and 8:30 PM. Membership of the Senior Patrol and all Patrol Leaders are expected to attend these meetings or, if they are unable to attend, designate a substitute to attend in their place. Every effort should be made to attend these meetings - this is an important part of the positions' responsibilities.
Although weekly message information is now listed on the troop web site, phone call and conversation in school are still the best methods of communication by which details and last minute changes will reach everyone. PHONE CALLS ARE THE SCOUTS' RESPONSIBILITY. All Scouts should receive a phone call or other message by 8:30 PM Tuesday night each week. If any Scout is not contacted by this time, he must contact his Patrol Leader or the Senior Patrol Leader for that week's message.
SCOUT LEADERSHIP 75% ATTENDANCE RULE:
All Scouts holding a leadership position or office are expected to attend a minimum of 75% of all Scouting activities during the Scout year. Scout leaders who fail to meet the 75% requirement, without prior approval from the Scoutmaster, risk removal from the position. Furthermore, as this leadership responsibility is a key advancement requirement, each Scout must maintain this 75% minimum attendance record if he hopes to achieve the goal of obtaining the Eagle rank.
SEASONAL OBLIGATION EXEMPTION:
A Scout leader may take a temporary leave of absence from his leadership position and responsibility to support another seasonal obligation, provided he notifies the Scoutmaster in advance. Such advance notice should be in writing and should list the conflicting activity as well as the period of time that the Scout will not be available to participate with the troop. The 75% rule does not apply to such Scouts, and their leadership position will be available upon their return. The Scout will receive no credit for leadership while he is gone, however, and he holds the responsibility of arranging for a Scoutmaster approved replacement to act in his absence.
TRIP SIGN-UP AND PAYMENT DEADLINE POLICY:
All Scouts must sign-up and pay, in full, by the deadline established for any particular trip. Scouts who do not sign-up and pay, in full, by the deadline indicated, risk losing the right to attend that particular event unless they are given permission by the Scoutmaster or Trip Coordinator due to unusual circumstances. If, by the deadline, an inadequate number of Scouts have signed-up and paid for any particular trip, the trip will be canceled, even if interest should increase after the deadline.
All sign-up and payment deadlines are listed under each trip heading in the newsletter and on the individual calendars as well. The trip fee information accompanying each deadline date is tentative. Due to the advanced planning nature of these events, the trip fees remain subject to change, as more specific information becomes available.
ADULT LEADERSHIP MATTERS:
Committee Meetings: American Legion (unless otherwise notified): 6 March 2000, 3 April 2000, 8 May 2000, 7:00 PM.
The troop's current adult leadership positions are as follows:
|
Scoutmaster: |
Mike McGowan |
359-XXXX |
|
Assistant Scoutmaster: |
Brie Hall |
359-XXXX |
|
Assistant Scoutmaster: |
Jane Lomax |
359-XXXX |
|
Assistant Scoutmaster: |
Bob Meaney |
359-XXXX |
|
Assistant Scoutmaster: |
Andrew Merck |
359-XXXX |
|
Assistant Scoutmaster: |
John Merck |
359-XXXX |
|
Assistant Scoutmaster: |
Peter Mitchell |
359-XXXX |
|
Assistant Scoutmaster: |
Jim Schwartz |
359-XXXX |
|
Assistant Scoutmaster: |
Brandon Wilhelm |
359-XXXX |
Troop 89 Committee:
|
Chairperson: |
Steve Fernandes |
359-XXXX |
|
Advancement Chairperson: |
Linda Stenquist |
359-XXXX |
|
Trip Coordinator: |
Rick Wile |
359-XXXX |
|
Treasurer: |
John Stenquist |
359-XXXX |
|
Fund Raising Coordinator: |
Jim O’Malley |
359-XXXX |
|
Quartermaster: |
David Biedrzycki |
359-XXXX |
|
Scouthouse Operations: |
Jerry Kazanjian Sr. |
359-XXXX |
|
Activity Night Coordinator: |
Lauren Harrington |
359-XXXX |
|
Service and Good Turn: |
Patti Schwartz |
359-XXXX |
|
Publicity: |
Louise Kazanjian |
359-XXXX |
|
Uniform Exchange: |
Chris Greenaway |
359-XXXX |
|
Newsletter Support: |
Kim Mitchell |
359-XXXX |
|
Chaplain: |
Maureen McGowan |
359-XXXX |
|
General Committee: |
Marcie Hall |
359-XXXX |
|
Warry Lomax |
359-XXXX |
|
|
Ted Miller |
359-XXXX |
|
|
Cheryl O’Malley |
359-XXXX |
|
|
Troop Unit Commissioner: |
Ken Prager |
359-XXXX |
|
Troop Charter Partner Rep.: |
Mike Short Sr. |
359-XXXX |
Despite the present size and strength of the Committee and band of Assistant Scoutmasters, new parents are strongly encouraged to become involved with Troop Committee matters and even consider becoming committee members or Assistant Scoutmasters. The people listed above will not be around forever and will eventually need to be replaced. It will be far easier for all involved to start making transitions now, while they are still around, than to wait until after they are gone. Think about it. If you would like to learn more about how you can help Troop 89, or if you have any questions about the adult leadership roles of the troop, please contact Mr. Steve Fernandes, Troop Committee Chairperson, at 359-XXXX. Thanks.
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 terrific spring season!
This newsletter was written, assembled, and issued by John Merck with assistance from Kim Mitchell. Send comments or questions via email to jjmiii@sprynet.com.
Troop 89, Medfield, Massachusetts |
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