May 2007
Committee Chair’s Corner
Marsha Kofman, Committee Chair, rdhetal@yahoo.com, 429-0794
I would like take a moment and thank the numerous leaders and parents that have come forward to assist with the Disability Awareness activities; we have been running as part of the introduction to the Merit Badge. The resources, that so many of you have accessed, have been phenomenal. The objective of these activities was to demonstrate to the scouts and adults the challenges some face with activities we do daily. We were also trying to demonstrate the similarities everyone has to each other. A million thanks, to those adults that went above the call of duty to assist with this Merit Badge. Any scout interested in finishing the Merit Badge, please contact me to schedule a meeting.
The annual Frank Daley Campout at Wasserman Park, on June 15-17, is growing into the event that Mr. Daley would have wanted. The three Troops in town gathering for a joint campout. Troop 15 has asked us to help celebrate their 50th Birthday as a troop. There is still planning and preparations to be done. Please check with the leadership to lend a hand.
The success of a Troop event is not dependant on just one or two people. It takes everyone to help make them successful. Thank you to those that have helped. For those who have not helped, come join in the fun.
If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to contact me.
Marsha Kofman, Committee Chair, rdhetal@yahoo.com, 429-0794
Scoutmaster’s Minute
Mike Marston, Scoutmaster, marstonm@comcast.net, 424-0017
Troop 401,
As both the school year and most active part of the Scouting year are winding down, it is time to finish up all those Merit Badge and rank requirements.
The last Court of Honor before the summer will be on June 18th, so get Blue Cards in, set up Board of Reviews with Mr. Tucker for rank, and get those scoutmaster conferences done. The summer is a great time to get started on a new rank and new challenges.
Key outings we have coming up in the next couple of months are the Frank Daley Campout at Wasserman Park, June 15-17 and our first overnight canoe trip to Patuckaway State Park, June 22-24. The Frank Daley event will be as Mr. Daley dreamed it would be. We will be there with the other troops in Merrimack (as one). Also the Webelos from the troops will be invited.
Both of these will be great camping and outdoor activity outings. Mark them on your calendars and plan to attend. We are hoping to squeeze in another campout in May with the focus of completing the Project required for the Pioneering badge we have been working on.
YIS
Mr. Marston
Patrol Assignments
The patrol assignments for the months of May and June are below.
May
14 Set Up/Opening Scorpions
Skill/Game Senior Patrol
Closing/Clean Up Pine Tree
21 Set Up/Opening Pine Tree
Skill/Game Scorpions
Closing/Clean Up Senior Patrol
28 Memorial Day
No Meeting
June
4 Set Up/Opening Senior Patrol Skill/Game Pine Tree
Closing/Clean Up Scorpions
11 Set Up/Opening Scorpions
Skill/Game Senior Patrol
Closing/Clean Up Pine Tree
18 Set Up/Opening Pine Tree
Skill/Game Court of Honor
Closing/Clean Up Senior Patrol
Upcoming Events
May
17 Adopt-a-Road, Reeds Ferry School Sign
31 Library Book Sale – Set up
June
3 Library Book Sale – Break down
13 PLC 2007-08 Planning
14 Committee Meeting
15-17 Frank Daley Campout
18 Court of Honor
22-24 Overnight Canoe Trip – Patuckaway State
Park
Announcements
Committee Meetings
Meetings are scheduled on the second Thursday of each month. We meet at St. James Church, at 7 PM in one of the classrooms. All adults are welcome to participate in the meetings.
When the Scouts plan an outing, parents are always needed to call and make the reservations, to provide transportation to the event, or even suggest a new activity. So become an active participant in your son’s scouting adventure.
Hope to see you there!
Whip O Will
The Troop is scheduled to perform our Community Service at Whip O Will from August 2nd to 12th. With all of the rain, the fields have had lots of water to do lots of growing. We need to cut the grass, weed whack, and stack the wood in the axe yard. This is an area we have used throughout the year and we need to help maintain it. Let Marsha Kofman know when you are going to be able to be available.
The Spring Floods have caused some damage. Please contact Anita Creager (ASM for T-424) and Ranger for Whip O Will, as to any assistance you might be able to provide. Creager424@aol.com.
Thank you in advance for your time and work to help maintain this local and convenient location.
Troop Historian Seeking Items
Michael Dougherty, troop historian, is seeking photos and programs from past Eagle Courts of Honor and troop Courts of Honor. From this collection, he hopes to form a troop archive of these important documents. If you have any to donate, please give them to Michael or to Mr.
Marston. If you can label the back of photos with names/dates, that would be very helpful. Thanks!
Merit Badges
Scouts, remember to obtain your blue cards for your next Merit Badge from an Assistant Scoutmaster or the Scoutmaster BEFORE YOU START THE CLASS.
Scouts, have you started Merit Badges with Mrs. Kofman? Do you need to be signed off or schedule an update? Please call 429-0794, or speak with her at a Troop Meeting.
Well it sure looks like someone has been busy! As I’m getting more and more merit badge applications (blue cards) turned in, it looks to be a very full Court of Honor for June. To date we have approximately fifteen advancements in rank, and twenty five to thirty merit badges to pass out. I have heard a lot of good things about the new scouts. Keep up the good work! Make sure all you scouts thank the leaders who take so much time out their lives to work with you on these and try to have fun as well.
A special note to boys approaching Eagle, as you turn in your merit badges to me, please be aware that I do not go to the Scout council on a weekly basis. If you are planning on submitting your Eagle forms soon, please check with me first to verify all your merit badges and to be sure I have submitted your merit badge applications and any other paperwork before you do.
Mr. Tucker
Service Projects
Community Service Projects…
Events scheduled to mark your calendar:
The Adopt a Road Clean-up will be Thursday, May 17. Meet at the Reeds Ferry School sign. Bring gloves and a hat.
May 31, Thursday – Merrimack Public Library Set-up for Book Sale @ 6 PM.
June 3, Sunday- Merrimack Public Library Breakdown from Book Sale @ 4:30PM. Mr. Marston will be overseeing this event.
Remember, if you do a Community Service Project with your Church, Youth Group or other organization, let the Scoutmaster know of your Service Hours.
Fundraising
Fishercats Fundraiser
The Troop will be running another fundraiser this year thanks to the NH Fishercats. Be sure to keep Saturday, August 25 free on your calendars. The Troop has reserved 200 tickets for this date to watch the Portland Seadogs play the NH Fishercats. We will also be working the concession stand again this year. Check the board for sign ups. If the boys sell 20 tickets they can earn a Free Ticket to the game. Start making your list of your Baseball fans that would like to go to a game!!
Patrol News & letters
On Being a Scout….
“Scouting is not a program designed to take boys into the woods to camp and hike: it is a program designed to prepare them to take their places in today’s competitive and increasingly changing American society. It has had a profound effect on my life, and on the lives of so many others. I am grateful for everything Scouting has taught me. Our country is grateful for what Scouting has taught millions of its finest citizens”. –The Honorable Togo D. West, Jr., U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Distinguished Eagle Scout