March 2004

SCOUTING FOR FOOD (March 4, 11, 18, 19)

Your neighborhood

Coordinator: Mrs. Patti Schwartz, Good Turn Coordinator, 359-8250.

Troop 89 is currently conducting our local Scouting for Food campaign.  Each Scout has been asked to have 5 of his neighbors donate nonperishable food to help restock the Medfield Food Cupboard.  Please return food on March 11 and 18. 

Scouts are encouraged to help sort and stock shelves at the Medfield Food Cupboard on March 19 at 2:30 at the UCC church.  The time spent helping counts toward service hours.

SCOUT HOCKEY NIGHT (March 12)

Providence

Trip fee: $7

Payment deadline: January 15

Coordinator: Mrs. Jan Rahn, Activity Night Coordinator, 359-6729.

Providence Bruins vs. Philadelphia Phantoms.   This is a special game promoting Boy Scouts, so uniforms will be required.  We need adults to drive – call Mrs. Jan Rahn if you are an adult planning on attending so that carpooling may be set up.

 

MEDFIELD SPORTSMAN’S CLUB (March  13-14)

Sportman’s Club, Medfield

Trip fee: $15, cash

Payment deadline: March 4

Coordinator: Mr. Dave Thuma, Assistant  Trip Coordinator, 359-6572.

Handouts were in last month’s newsletter.  If you need the original handout, see www.troop89medfield.org

 

MARCH ACTIVITY NIGHT (Tuesday, March 23)

   Archery USA, Dedham

Trip fee: $10, cash

Payment deadline: March 11

Coordinator: Mrs. Jan Rahn, Activity Night Coordinator, 359-6729.

Note the date change for Activity Night in March.  We will be going to USA Archery in Dedham.  Archery USA is located in the Papa Gino’s plaza on Rt. 1, one mile north of Rt. 128, just past BJ’s Wholesale.  Bring extra money if you plan on eating next door at Papa Gino’s.  You must be signed up by March 11 to attend, no walk-ins that night.

***  There will be no meeting on Thursday, March 25th  ***.

 

DALE STREET PLAYGROUND (Saturday, March 27)

Dale Street Playground

 

Help at a work day at the Dale Street Playground.  Wear your Class B T-shirt.  Starts at 7 a.m. and goes until ?.  Any service time you can offer this project would be appreciated!  Details on Thursday night.

 

GREENHORN TRIP (April 2-4)

Camp Massasoit, Plymouth, MA

Trip fee: $15, cash

Payment deadline: March 18

Coordinator: Mr. Dan Gilliland, Trip Coordinator, 359-8717.

Handouts were in last month’s newsletter – here’s the quick version. If you need the original handout, see www.troop89medfield.org. The Greenhorn Trip is primarily dedicated to training our new scouts the basics of Troop 89 outdoor camping, but it will provide an opportunity for other members of the troop to work on their own outdoor advancement requirements as well.  This year, the archery range will be available to the troop on Saturday. All new scouts and their parents are invited to attend. First year scouts will leave the scout shed at the legion at 9:30 AM Saturday. All other scouts will leave Friday at 7:00PM. There are no cabins, so the entire troop will sleep in tents or, if they choose, under the stars. 


 

 

 

2004 SUMMER CAMP (1-7 August)

Camp Squanto Scout Reservation, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Trip fee: $250.00

Payment deadline: April 29

Coordinator: Mr. Jim Schwartz, Assistant Scoutmaster & Summer Camp Coordinator, 359-8250.

Additional information is available in last month’s newsletter.  Please see www.troop89medfield.org

 

Troop 89 will be attending summer camp at Camp Squanto in Plymouth from Sunday, August 1st  through Saturday, August 7th.  We will provide additional information in future newsletters and handouts.  In the meantime, we recommend that parents schedule appointments for summer camp physicals now in order to avoid conflicts as the summer approaches.

 

As mentioned previously, several adults who have attended in the past are participating in other Scouting activities this summer.  As a result, we are in need of adults to attend for the week.  While a few adults have indicated that they are willing to spend part or all of the week at camp, we are still looking for parents who are interested in helping Troop 89 during the week.  Please contact Mr. Schwartz or Mr. Schaub.

 

The total cost for the week is $250.00 per Scout.  The full payment is required by Thursday, April 29th.  Please write checks to Troop 89, BSA.  An additional $20.00 per Scout late fee must be charged after this deadline.  Please talk to Mr. Schaub if cost is an issue

 

 

ADDITIONAL SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITIES

Camp Squanto Scout Reservation, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Coordinator: Mr. Jim Schwartz, Assistant Scoutmaster & Summer Camp Coordinator, 359-8250.

 

In addition to Troop 89’s week at camp, Camp Squanto offers additional opportunities available to Troop 89 Scouts.  These specialty camp weeks are offered directly by Camp Squanto and are not coordinated by the troop.  Costs listed below are based on early registration.

 

·         Eagle Week offers Scouts First Class or higher and an opportunity to focus on merit badges required for the Eagle rank.  Since these are difficult merit badges, it is recommended that Scouts be 14 years of age and a STAR Scout by the time Eagle Week starts.  This special week is held from August 10-15.  It is considered a separate specialty camp week and costs $250 ($200 when combined with a week with the troop).

·         Junior Leader Training conducted by Old Colony Council is scheduled for July 4th through July 10th.  Key topics include the patrol method, decision making, team work, and having fun!  It is considered a separate Specialty Camp week and costs $250 ($200 when combined with a week with the troop).

·         Scouts may attend a second week of camp as part of the Provisional Troop for a reduced rate of $200 if they spend a week with the troop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

*** Attention! ***

 

We are going electronic!  In an effort to save money, time, and trees we are going to start sending the monthly newsletter packet via email.  Anyone who wishes to receive the newsletter and calendar via email, please send an email to SueSchaub@comcast.net with  (1) your email address and (2) whether you wish to still get a snail mail copy.   Parents are welcome to submit their address as well.  

 

We are already saving $5-10 a month thanks to those of you who have chosen to go completely electronic!

 

 

NOTES for SCOUTS

 

·         See note about email above.

 

 

NOTES for PARENTS

 

·         See note above concerning email.

·         April 3 – Mom’s night out.  Come and enjoy a night of food, libation, and talk.  This will be a great night

for “new” moms to meet the “old” moms.  Hosted by Patti Schwartz, 3 Stuart St.  Please RSVP to her at 359-8250 by April 1.

·         We have the following positions available:

-          Committee Chair -- Mr. Mike Short would like to let some other  parent have the opportunity to serve the troop.  The Committee Chairperson’s job is more administrative in nature – they mainly are responsible for running the monthly adult Committee meetings.  Occasionally additional duties are required when a representative from our Troop is needed to attend a Council event or sign papers.  Summer Camp Coordinator -- for Camp Squanto.  This does not mean you need to attend camp (although that would be helpful!), just organize and plan.

-          Summer Camp Attendees -- We need some adults who can stay the whole week at Squanto and be able to assume a leadership role, but you are also welcome to join us for only a few days.

-          Advancement Assistant -- Assist the Advancement Chair as needed, particularly with Courts of Honor.

-          Chaplain – The Troop Chaplain ensures that religious observances are included in troop activities, serves as a resource to the Chaplain’s Aid (Scout) for preparing religious services for trips and troop activities, and helps Scouts learn about the religious emblem program for their faith.

 

For information on any of these positions, call Mr. Rick Schaub, 359-6693 or Mr. Jim Schwartz, 359-8250.

 

 

 

 

NOTES for ADULT LEADERS

 

·         Upcoming training available:

-          New Leader Essentials – March 4, 7:00 p.m., Foxboro Company Cafeteria, Foxboro

-          Boy Scout Leader – March 11, 18, April 1, 7:00 p.m., Foxboro Company

-          Outdoor Leader Skills – May 1-2, Camp Squanto

-          Committee Training – March 20, 8:00 a.m. – 11:30, Weymouth, free

 

These sessions are recommended for Scout Masters, Assistant Scout Masters, and Committee Members.  To be certified as Boy Scout Basic Leader Trained you must complete New Leaders Essentials and Boy Scout Leader Series.  (If you have a conflict with dates, a session may be skipped and taken later.)  Talk to Mr. Rick Schaub for more details, 359-6693

 

·         More training.  Wood Badge training will take place over two long weekends in the fall at Camp Squanto.  This is the advanced training course for all adult leaders covering leadership, organizational, and practical skills.  Dates are September 18-20 and October 9-11, cost is $200.  Call Mr. Rick Schaub, 359-6693 for details.