August 2008 News
Committee Chair’s Corner
Marsha Kofman, Committee Chair, rdhetal@yahoo.com, 429-0794
Summer is the best time for family outings and fun. Hope you have made time for plenty of both.
With the memories of summer camp still vivid in our minds, we are starting to gear up for the upcoming scouting year. The calendar of events has been planned by the Patrol Leaders Conference and it looks to be an exciting year with some new events and destinations.
Although the scouting program is lead by the Scouts, it does require the active support of the adults. Many thanks go to Bob Golemo, Tim Retelle, Dean Killkelley and Ed Meighan for spending the full week at summer camp. Without them and their generous donation of their “vacation time” to be at camp, our scouts, would not have been able to attend Hidden Valley Summer Camp. Thanks to Kevin Seeley for continuing to plan summer hikes for the Hiking Club. The Canoe Trip was planned by Mr. Sanborn and he “ordered” just enough rain for the river and lake to be “at just the right level.” Many thanks to all.
The District sponsored Popcorn Sale has begun. This fundraiser provides the scouts with great earning potential for their scout accounts to help them pay for scouting events, dues, summer camp and scout gear. I would like to thank Mrs. Erica Beck for volunteering again to manage the Popcorn Sale this year. Many thanks.
I encourage each and every adult to become involved in the Scouting program to support your son and the other scouts. As much as we try to get to know each of you and your areas of specialties, we ask you to come forward if you can provide some assistance with the operation of the troop, a Merit Badge, or have resources that the scouts could benefit from. What you will get back in return will be amazing.
Enjoy the rest of your summer and see you at the Family Picnic at Baboosic Lake (thanks to the Seeley’s) on August 24th and the Family Ice Cream Social on Monday, August 25th at St. James Church at 7 PM. Bring a friend who might be interested in joining Scouts.
Marsha Kofman, 429-0794, rdhetal@yahoo.com
Scoutmaster’s Minute
Hello everyone I hope you have had as good a summer as I have. Hikes, backpacking, canoeing, summer camps, and service projects have kept us busy and active this summer. It was great to see and I just want to thank everyone especially the adults that pitched in.
Two of our
older scouts attended NYLT (National Youth Leaders Training) this summer.
This is a weeklong training held at
As you all know, the annual Canoe trip is one of my favorite events of the year and this year was even better than last. We had 22 boys and 14 adults attend this year’s trip and it was fantastic. It was a safe and fun trip and I was very pleased with the teamwork and responsible approach taken by each and every scout.
There are a few special moments I did take note of:
Fear Factor – Brendan set an example for many of us Saturday morning. You see a couple years ago he capsized in a small boat with his dad. This made him very nervous in a canoe especial when we mentioned anything about swamping. Well Brendan made the decision to swamp a canoe with his dad. He faced his fear and conquered it!
Power Porting – As we waited for pod 4 to land Saturday afternoon, we all realized that Ryan and Holden were out near the middle of the fast moving river as they approached the landing spot. As we all started to yell, ”Paddle hard, Paddle hard”, the two of them dug in and powered that canoe dead center in the middle of the landing.
Panic Porting – Right behind Ryan and Holden came Max and Mr. Brodell. They were not as far from shore but we all thought they were going to cruise by. As most of us on shore started to panic, Max ruddered perfectly and turned right into port.
Watered Down - As with any trip like this I am always concerned with someone ending up in the water. Well, I am pleased to say not one scout found himself in that position. I am afraid, though, I cannot say the same for one leader who will remain nameless. LOL
Can’t wait for next year,
Mr. Sanborn
Training Opportunities
·
Wood Badge training – September 12-14th, 26-28th
(leadership skills course recommended for all Scout positions). If you are interested in attending,
please check out the flyer at
http://www.nhscouti ng.org/openroste rs/DocDownload. asp?orgkey=
1811&id=30125
on the NH scouting website and sign up now before it is too late.
$210 provides all your food, training materials, a t-shirt, a woodbadge critter
to call your own, and a fun, worthwhile training experience held over 6 days.
· New Leader Essentials – October 11th
You can obtain applications and more information from Troop Training Chair, Robin Rich or from the DWC web page (www.nhscouting.org).
Upcoming Events
August
24 – Welcome Back Family Picnic
25 – Annual Troop Ice Cream Social
September
9/6 –
Hiking Club –
9/12-14 – Joint Webelo Campout at Souhegan Sling Site
9/20 –
9/27 –
Backpacking Club:
October
10/4 –
American
10/10-12 –
10/17 – Adopt-a-Road
10/18 – Hiking Club: Purgatory Falls
10/20 – Court of Honor
10/24-26 – Fall Camporee
Announcements
Summer’s End Family Picnic
End the
summer with sand in your toes! The Troop’s Family Picnic will be Sunday, August
24th from 2:30 to dusk. Don’t miss the Scouts vs Adults tug-o-war! It all happens at the
Enjoy competitive games, roped off swim area and beach, 2 canoes for canoeing the lake, basketball court, tennis court, playground and horseshoes. Please bring basketballs, tennis equipment, etc.
The Troop will supply the charcoal and coolers with ice for your drinks. Your family should bring a Potluck item, drinks, meat and picnic supplies for your family. Please RSVP to Kelly at kellyseeley2002@yahoo.com or call 424-0734.
ICE CREAM!!!!
The Annual Troop Ice Cream Social is Monday August 25th at St. James. Scouts and their families are invited. You may bring a friend to see if they are interested in joining Scouts.
Please bring a school supply to donate to the St. James Community Food Pantry.
Arrowhead District Roundtable
Scheduled
for the second Wednesday of each month, the meetings take place at the
All adult leaders are encouraged to attend this valuable training. Parents are also welcome to attend these meetings to learn more about the scouting program.
Next Roundtable:
September 10th - Slicing and Japanese lashing, October 10th - Discussion of youth chaplains aid and quartermaster roles.
Save
September 20th as the date to attend a very special event. Our
Troop has the honor of planting a 14-19ft American Liberty Elm in
Committee Meeting
The Troop 401 Committee meets on the second Thursday of each month. The next meeting will be on September 11th at 7 PM, at St. James Church.
All parents are encouraged to attend and participate. Thank you to those who attended the July 29th meeting and to those attending the August 21st meeting. See you at the next meeting.
Hiking Club & Backpacking Club
Mark your calendar with the following hiking/backpacking dates. Please forward any hiking trail suggestions to Mr. Seeley at kseeley2005@yahoo.com.
Hiking Club
9/6 –
10/18 –
Backpacking Club
9/27-28 –
Pictures Needed
Nathan D. is working on updating the Troop’s pictoral history album. If anyone has any pictures that they’d like to contribute to the album, please contact Nathan at hmcnate@comcast.net.
Community Service
Whip-O-Will Clean-up
A BIG thank you to Mr. Thompson and his amazing mowing machine. He had the grass cut in record time. Austin, Eric, Brendan and Tyler did a fabulous job with the woodpile making a huge difference. Tom, Ricky, Ethan and Logan rounded out the landscape dream team with their hard work. Thanks also to Mr. Brodell, Mr. Retelle, Mr. Golemo and his temperamental weed-whacker and the Seeleys.
Fundraising
Grocery Receipts
Please bring in all the receipts that you have collected during the summer. Mrs. Prive will be bringing a HUGE truck to collect them all!!! Last year we brought in over $500, let’s beat that record this year!
Popcorn Sales
For those selling popcorn in the first round of sales, your sales sheets and all money is due on August 25th. Mrs. Beck, our Popcorn Wizard, will be at the Ice Cream Social to gather your sales.
This is an excellent way to earn money for your Scout Accounts. This will allow you to pay for your own Scout activities, equipment and summer camp.
If you can’t make the August 25th deadline, don’t despair, there will be another order placed in late October.
Thank you to Mrs. Beck for, once again, organizing the Troop’s popcorn sales. If you have any questions, please contact her at ingaa@msn.com or call her at 759-6784.
Past Events
Hidden Valley 2008
Howl At the Moon –
An off and on rain soaked weekend (kind of describes our summer) greeted the Volantes, Seeleys and James R. for a backpack and canoe portage trip to the secluded North Pond at this rustic State Park on July 19th and 20th. The group managed to stay dry long enough for the Berubes to join us on a 5 mile hike along the ridgeline followed by a dip in the water at Lake Sunapee Beach.
Rhododendron
Rally – Little
A warm
summer day greeted the hikers of Troop 401 as they climbed to the summit of Little
Monadnock. Lunch on the summit included
mountain blueberries and was framed by a lovely view of
Camp Rolling Rapids –
The Rain
actually disappeared for 48 hours and allowed a large contingent of Troop 401
and families to go and – RUN - the flooded
Troop Birthdays
Troop Birthdays for September are:
Jacob 9/27
Newsletter Contact
Kelly Seeley, Newsletter Coord., 424-0734, kellyseeley2002@yahoo.com