April 2004

 

Committee Chair’s Corner

As the warm weather reminds us, summer is closer than we think. That means lots of outdoor activities. For scouting that means even more outdoor activities, such as Historical Re-enactments, Community Service cleanup Projects, Bike Trip, and planning for Summer Camp at Hidden Valley Scout Reservation just to name a few. 

 

When the Scouts are on outings, 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. Join us at the monthly Committee Meetings on the second Thursday of each month at St. James Church at 7 PM to find out how you can be more involved. You’ll have a great time. The next meeting is May 13th!

 

I would like to take a moment to thank all of the volunteers who give of their valuable time to work with our children in scouting. Community leaders, teachers, coaches, Fire and Police Officers, Doctors, Engineers and parents, who have become involved as Scout leaders or  Merit Badge Counselor. Some of these individuals have children involved in the Scouting program, others do not. But, each of them works with the Scouts not to only benefit their own child, but to help all of the scouts in the program. They are helping to make a better tomorrow.

 

Remember, if you have a question; feel free to ask questions of any Leader. They can help guide you in the right direction to get the answer you need.

 

Marsha Kofman, CC, rdhetal@yahoo.com or 429-0794

 

Scoutmaster Minutes

Hello Troop 401

 

We have a few more trips planned for the troop. I hope everyone has a chance to partake in them. We have a new trip coming up. That is the cycling trip on Cape Cod. This sounds like a great trip.

 

Over the next weeks we will be going over what you will need to bring to Hidden Valley and what merit badges you want to earn there. Mr. Marston has attended a couple of sessions with the staff from Hidden Valley. There will be a camp meeting coming up and at this meeting all the decisions will be made. So you should start thinking what merit badges you want to work on there. The afternoon activities will also be selected.

 

At the next PLC we will be going over the calendar for next year. There were some good ideas brought up over the past few weeks. Don't forget to tell your patrol leader or the senior patrol if you want something on the calendar for next year.

 

The summer of 2005 will bring the next National Jamboree. This will take place in VA the end of July 2005. If anyone would like to go as a participant with the NH Troop let me know. They are taking applications now. The cost is going to be somewhere around $1100 for the trip. They do have some kind of financial assistance if needed. I'm sure you will have a great time if you go. Troop 401 will probably be going to visit the Jamboree for a couple of days along with visiting a few other areas. We have done this the last 2 Jamborees and have had a great time. There will be more info on this at a later time.

 

If anyone has any questions or comments please let me know.

 

YIS

 Bill Courtemanche, Scoutmaster Troop 401,

 a76eagle@aol.com, 424-5968

 

Upcoming Events

 May

5/3           Board of Review

5/7           St. James Cleanup  

5/7           Adopt-A-Road  

5/12         PLC

5/13         Troop Committee Meeting

5/14-16    OA Spring Fellowship Weekend

5/19         Roundtable

5/22-23    50 Mile Bike Ride on Cape Cod

5/24         Scoutmaster Conference

5/30         Eagle Court of Honor for Jeremy Gontarz

 

June

6/7           Board of Review

6/9           PLC

6/10         Troop Committee Meeting

6/11-13    Frank Daley Campout

6/14         Court of Honor

6/16         Roundtable

6/25-27    White Water Rafting Trip

 

July

7/4           July 4th Parade

7/11-17    Hidden Valley Scout Camp

 

August

8/1-7        Camp Bell

8/30         Ice Cream Social

 

Patrol Assignments

Below are the patrol assignments for the next month.   

 

May 3      Set-up                                    Bison

                 Opening                  Lizard

 Skill Instruction                       Badger

                Bike Backpacking

 Closing                                   Dragon

                 Clean up                 Viper

 

May 10    Set-up                                     Lizard

                Opening                                   Badger

                Skill Instruction                        Dragon

                                Bicycling

                Closing                                    Viper        

                Clean up                  Bison

 

May 17    Set-up                                     Badger

                Opening                                   Dragon

                Skill Instruction                        Viper

                                Bicycle Safety

                Closing                                    Bison      

                Clean up                  Lizard

 

May 24    Set-up                                     Dragon

                Opening                                   Viper

                Skill Instruction                        Lizard

                                Different Bike Types

                Closing                                    Viper        

                Clean up                  Badger

 

May 31    No Troop Meeting

 

Merit Badges

 Family Life Merit Badge

Scout’s, who have already started the Family Life Merit Badge or are interested in starting, please see Mrs. Kofman.  Remember, this is an ongoing Merit Badge. Don’t forget to bring your Blue Card!

 

Summer Time Merit Badges

Planning your summer activities already? There are Merit Badges that you can work on over the summer. See Mr. Courtemanche for some suggestions and a Blue Card before you start.

 

Announcements

New Adult Applications Due

The deadline to turn in the new leader applications will be Monday May 3rd. If you haven’t turned one in yet, please get them to me as soon as possible.   Marsha Kofman, CC, rdhetal@yahoo.com or 429-0794

 

WANTED

We need parents to become members of the Troop Committee to sit on Boards of Review for Advancements. 

 

Various Meetings

Committee meetings are open to all Troop adults.  They are on the second Thursday of each month at St. James Church, at 7 PM.  Hope to see you there. 

District Roundtable is on the third Wednesday of each month.  They take place at the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Nashua, at 7 PM.  All leaders and troop adults are encouraged to attend.

 

 Permission Slips

Permission slips are posted to the web site.  If you miss a meeting, you can still pick up a permission slip electronically.

 

Cape Cod 50 Mike Bike Ride and Campout

On May 21 to the 23rd we will travel to Cape Cod to camp, swim in the frigid Atlantic, and bicycle the full length of the Cape Cod Rail Trail (25 miles each way). 

 

We will camp Friday night near the start of the trail in Dennis and bicycle the trail R/T on Saturday.  There is a bike rental shop at the head of the trail so those who do not own bicycles can rent one (the shop has all types of bikes including two to four person versions).  We will depart Sunday AM and return to the church by early PM.  This event will be weather dependent.  Excessive rain and cold weather could be an issue.  Hopefully Mother Nature will work with us.  This event will qualify as the 50 mile hike required for the bicycling Merit Badge.  Once again a sign up sheet is on the bulletin board.  See Mr. Collette with questions or call him at 429-1045.

 

To All Hidden Valley Campers

This is a reminder that the camp balance is due by Monday, May 10th.  If you have prepaid the $25 deposit, then your balance due is $210.  If you didn’t pay the deposit, your balance due is $245.  Payment received after May 10 will have a $260 balance due.

 

Also, you might want to book a doctor’s appointment now if your son has not had a physical since July 17, 2002.  The camp physical must be signed by a doctor with the date of the last physical.   Any adults who will be participating as leaders also must have a doctor signed physical every year, if over 40 years of age.  Don’t you just love these requirements?   If you have any questions, please see Kathleen Collette, kmc120852@aol.com or 429-1045.

 

Training

For more information or registration forms, please see Mrs. Rich, r-rich@comcast.net, 880-8222.

 

Advancements

Board of Reviews will be held on May 3 and June 7.  Scouts are responsible for notifying Mrs. Gontarz, after completing their Scoutmasters Conference, if they need a Board of Review.  Scouts may contact Mrs. Gontarz at 424-9534 or by e-mail at kgontarz@juno.com.   
 
The next Court of Honor will be on June 14.  

 

Service Projects

These events have been scheduled, so mark your calendars. 

 

May 7, Friday - St. James Church yard clean-up, Time TBD and Adopt a Road Clean-up, Time TBD.

 

June 3, Thursday – Merrimack Public Library Set-up for Book Sale @ 6 PM.

 

June 6, Sunday- Merrimack Public Library Breakdown from Book Sale @ 4PM.

 

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

If you are in need of raising money for summer camp or your scouting events, there are some activities you can participate in to earn money.  Speak with Mrs. Kofman.

 

Patrol News Briefs

 

 

Newsletter Deadline

The deadline for articles to be included in the next newsletter is May 17.  You may submit articles at the Troop meeting or by contacting Mrs. Becker at 424-2954.