February 2006

 

Breaking news -- We just received word from the Annawon Council in Norton that they have an availabile slot for a crew (9 scouts, 3 adults) for Philmont THIS SUMMER.  The trek would depart on July 30 and return on August 12.  Estimated cost is $1250 per person.  Scouts must have turned 14 by January 1, 2006 to be eligible.  We need to know how many scouts are interested in this amazing opportunity.  All eligible scouts, please discuss this with your parents and let us know at the February 16 meeting if you are INTERESTED.  If you are interested but can't make the February 16 meeting, please call Mr. Schaub.  (Note, this will conflict with the Troop week at summer camp.)

 

Please note that there is no guarantee that we will be able to go to Philmont in 2007 (as was the case in 2006, the Old Colony Council has less slots than interested scouts), so this may be your last chance before 2008 for what scouts for decades have termed their "pinnacle" experience in scouting.

 

GENERAL NOTES FOR PARENTS:

  • Thank you to Mr. Ralph Marto for volunteering to be our new Treasurer.
  • We are now looking for a new uniform exchange coordinator – very easy job.  All you need is a place to store some extra shirts/pants/shorts and be able to show up at an occasional meeting (usually just for the start or end) to swap sizes.  Speak to Mr. Jim Schwartz for more info.
  • Mrs. Patti Schwartz needs a few parents to help with setup for the Eagle Courts of Honor – March 12 and April 9.  What she really needs is a permanent Refreshment Coordinator for Courts of Honor – another easy job.  We usually have about 3-4 Troop Courts of Honor and hopefully 1-2 Eagle Courts of Honor a year.  Let her know if you help either on a one-time or continuing basis.
  • If any adults are interested in attending Summer Camp this year, please let the Mr. Rick Schaub or the Mr. Jim Schwartz know.
  • Any adult who helps out at meetings or goes camping with the troop should have Youth Protection Training.  This is not only for “official” assistants, but anyone who works with the boys.  It is very easy to do online at www.oldcolonycouncil.org -- click on the Training menu and select “Youth Protection – Accredited” and follow the directions. When you get to the last page for registration – you do not need a membership number to complete the form, just leave it blank.  Once completed, please let Jim Schwartz know what date you completed it so he may keep accurate records.  Thanks!
  • On April 21, the District Dinner will again be held at the American Legion.  The adults from our troop cook and serve this dinner as a fundraiser for the troop.  Adults are needed to help Mr. Rick McKinney – please speak to him if you can help out that night.

 

GENERAL NOTES:

  • Thanks to all for another successful Christmas Tree Collection.  Over $5400 profit was raised!  This money is used throughout the year to provide awards/patches, purchase new equipment, repair existing equipment, pay for meeting space, and many other budget items needed to keep the troop running.

SKI TRIP (February 17-20)

Mt. Abram, Lock Mills, Maine

Trip fee: $115 per Scout, non-drivers / $90 drivers

Payment deadline: January 26, cash or check

Coordinator: Mr. Drew Merck, Assistant Scoutmaster.

Think snow!  All adults going on the trip should have completed the above mentioned Youth Protection Training.

 

SCOUTING FOR FOOD (March 2, 9, 10)

Your neighborhood

Coordinator: Mrs. Patti Schwartz, Good Turn Coordinator.

Scouting for Food bags will be handed out at the March 2 meeting and collected on March 9.  Then, come and help stock shelves at the Medfield Food Cupboard for service hours on March 10 after school at the UCC church.  Speak to Mrs. Schwartz to sign up for March 10.

MERIT BADGE UNIVERSITY (March 4, 11, 25; 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

Bellingham High School, Bellingham

 

The District offers a chance for Scouts First Class and above to work on up to three merit badges during these weekends.  Badges being offered usually include Salesmanship, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Geology, Energy, Coin Collecting, Collections, Cooking, Family Life, Electronics, Fire Safety, Electricity, and Cycling.  You must attend all three sessions.  The cost is $25.  Speak to Mr. Schaub if you are interested. 

EAGLE COURT OF HONOR (March 12, 3 pm, United Church of Christ)

All Scouts should attend in full Class A uniform to recognize Matt Malacaria, Douglas Schaub, and Greg Schwartz for their achievements.  Remember to RSVP to Mrs. Schwartz.

CHURCH OF THE ADVENT (April 7, after school; raindate -- April 8,  9 am)

Coordinator: Mrs. Patti Schwartz, Good Turn Coordinator.

As a thank you for to the church for being our meeting place for the past few years, we are helping them with spring cleanup.  Scouts are expected to come and help after school on Friday, April 7.  Raindate is April 8. Bring workgloves, tools will be provided.  Any adults who can help out, please let Mrs. Schwartz know.

 

HIGH ADVENTURE 2006 ALLAGASH (July 17-23)

Trip fee: $300

Payment deadline: $150 first payment by March 9

Coordinator: Mr. Art Davies, Allagash High Adventure Trip Coordinator.

At the January 19th meeting the Scouts voted for the Allagash High Adventure Trip this summer. The trip is scheduled for July 17th through July 23rd. The trip will cover the river portion of the Allagash; Churchill dam north to the town of Allagash at the confluence of the Allagash and St. John Rivers.  This trip is open to Scouts First Class by 6 April and age 13 by 1 July 2006.  The trip cost is $300.  Sign-up, first payment ($150), and the commitment contract are due by the 9 March meeting. The information packet including dates for meetings and training, the commitment contract, medical forms, etc. was passed out at the January meeting.  See Mr. Davies at a Scout meeting if you have any questions or need the information packet (or check the troop website).  Also, let Mr. Davies know if you are planning on signing up.  We would like to get a preliminary head count.

 

2006 SUMMER CAMP (July 30 – August 5)

Camp Squanto Scout Reservation, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Trip fee: $275

Payment deadline: April 27

Coordinator: Mr. Jim Schwartz, Committee Chairman

Troop 89 will be attending summer camp at Camp Squanto in Plymouth from Sunday, July 30th  through Saturday, August 5th.  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 always, we are looking for parents who can spend part or all of the week at camp.  Please contact Mr. Schwartz or Mr. Schaub.

 

The total cost for the week is $275 per Scout.  The full payment is required by Thursday, April 27th.  Please write checks to Troop 89, BSA.  An additional $20 per Scout late fee must be charged after this deadline.  Please talk to the Treasurer if cost is an issue.

 

 

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITIES

Coordinator: Mr. Jim Schwartz, Committee Chairman.

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.

  • 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 13-18.  It is considered a separate specialty camp week and the cost is $295.
  • Scouts may attend a second week of camp any time as part of the Provisional Troop for a reduced rate of $220 if they attend July 30-Aug 5 with the troop ($295 if this is their only week at camp).

 

 

 

Enewsletter problems/questions? Address change?  Please send an email to SueSchaub@comcast.net.