February 2005

Happy New Year! 

The hustle and bustle of the Holidays is a distant memory.  The New Year holds many new and exciting adventures in all aspects of our lives.  Family, school, sports, work and scouts, are just a few.

The Boy Scouting Program, although it is a “boy run program,” it requires support from the adults in their lives.  That does not just mean filling out an application to show your support.  That means rolling up your sleeves and learning how to tie a bowline, or build a fire using only one match; learning how to provide First Aid miles away from the nearest medical facility or even a cell phone tower to get help.  This means learning about Coin Collecting, how our government works, team work, snow boarding, and swimming.  You may say that you don’t know anything about scouting, you weren’t a scout.  The only thing you need to be able to do, is know how to have fun.  We can direct you to the training programs so you too can join in on the fun with your scout.

Ask questions about the scouting program of your scout and the adults at the meetings.  Find out how you can join in on the fun and help improve the program with you special and unique talents. Everyone has them.

February

2/4          Eagle Fundraiser Dinner

2/4          Klondike Freeze Out

2/5          Klondike Derby

2/7          Board of Review

2/8          District Eagle Banquet

2/9          PLC Meeting

2/10        Committee Meeting

2/13        Scout Sunday at St. James

2/16        Roundtable

2/21        Court of Honor

TBD        Scoutmaster Conferences

2/26        Ice Fishing

March

3/5          New Leader Essential/Troop Specific training

3/7          Board of Review

3/9          PLC Meeting

3/10        Committee Meeting

3/12        Lowell Textile Mill (Date may be changed)

3/12        YMCA Lock in

3/16        Roundtable

3/21        Easter Bread Bake

3/25        Snow tubing

3/28        Scoutmaster’s Conference              

April

4/1          District Dinner

4/4          Board of Review

4/9          District Hikeathon

4/13        PLC Meeting

4/14        Committee Meeting

4/15-17  District Spring Camporee

4/17-18  Isaac Davis Campout

4/18        Scoutmasters Conference

4/20        Roundtable

The patrol assignments for February were not received in time to publish.                            

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOUTING 

Scouting was founded by Sir Baden Powell on February 10, 1910.  To mark this date in history, we celebrate on Scout Sunday, which is the first weekend in February.  Most churches and synagogues have special services to celebrate.  Our Lady of Mercy has marked 2/7 as their day of celebration.  If you would like to attend this service, please be in full scout uniform and meet in the back of the church at 9:15 AM to join in on the celebration.

Sunday, February 13^th is the Scout Sunday Service at St. James United Methodist Church, Troop 401’s chartering organization.  The Troop and Pack will join together to participate in this ceremony.  Please arrive in full Class A uniform to participate at 9:15 AM.  We would like to encourage as many attendees as possible to show our appreciation to St. James for chartering and supporting our Scouting program.  If you have any questions, please speak with Mrs. Kofman, the Troop Committee Chair or Mrs. Mithoefer, the Troop Charter Representative with St. James Church.

Summer Camp Reminder 

Although the snow & ice is piling up, summer camp will be arriving soon.  The deposit for summer camp of $25.00 will be due at the beginning of March. Just as a reminder you should check your Scout account to see what money you will have available to pay for camp. Please see Mrs. Wong, the Troop Treasurer for this information.

Committee Meeting

The Troop 401 Committee meets on the second Thursday of each month. The next meeting will be on

February 10, 7 PM at St. James Church.  All parents are encouraged to attend and participate.    See you at the next meeting.

Klondike Derby/Freeze-out

Klondike will take place Saturday Feb 5 with the Freezeout on Friday Feb 4 at Pelham Fish and Game club. Cost is $12 which will include food. We will leave Friday night after dinner- about 6pm and return to church Saturday about 3:30.   You may just come for Saturday.  If you try to sleep out and get too cold- there is a heated indoor place to sleep in case of emergency.  

We have the option of cooking our own breakfast or paying $3 and buying breakfast at the order of the  

 

Cold Weather Preparation  

To stay outside for the day- you need to wear layers of clothing that do not hold sweat (wicking), that are wind and water proof to protect from wind and snow,  and that layer over each other so you can peel off if you start to sweat when exercising and put back on as you start to feel cool.  Wicking fabrics are synthetics such as polyester, wool, polar fleece, nylon, etc. —NOT COTTON!!

Footwear- Wear 2 layers of socks if your boots are big enough and allows enough room- polypropylene, nylon, smart wool, WOOL IS BEST and BRING 2 more dry socks!  Cotton socks stay wet and make your feet cold.  Extra innersoles in the bottom of your boots keep your feet insulated from the snow and ice below.  Those packages of toe warmers can come in handy and can be bought at any store.

BOOTS ONLY—no shoes or sneakers.

Gloves or mittens- waterproof ones are best on the outside with a liner pair inside.   Ski gloves are usually very good. Mittens are often best since fingers together can warm each other.   BRING AT LEAST ONE BACKUP DRY PAIR!!!  Two if possible.

HAT is REQUIRED!    WOOL or fleece.  Wear a neck warmer, baklava, scarf or face mask if available, especially if winter coat does not have a hood.

To Sleep Outdoors in Winter

Sleeping pad to protect from cold below is necessary.   Closed cell foam or self- inflating pads like Thermarest are best.   An air mattress is not recommended.

Use a 20 degree sleeping bag or lower.   Increase the properties of a lesser bag with a fleece liner, adding a second sleeping bag or wool or fleece blanket on top and below sleeping bag.  Fleece liner inside bag fills up space inside bag and keeps warm air pocket closer to your body.  Wear a hat and dry socks to bed- use neck warmer or scarf if your sleeping bag does not have a neck roll, to keep heat from escaping from opening.

Sleep with your face out so the moisture from your breath does not build up IN your sleeping bag.  If your face is cold- use a scarf or face mask while sleeping.

Some people insulate bottom of tent or under tent with cardboard or hay.   Fill Nalgene bottle with hot water and bring into sleeping bag at night- warms your sleeping bag and keeps water from freezing during the night.

Drink and eat something warm, and get some exercise to warm the body before going to sleep.

Put on dry clothes before getting into sleeping bag!   Damp, sweaty clothes will keep you from getting warm.   Cold as it is- you must change!!

Family Life Merit Badge is an on going program.   I will be starting a new group on Monday, (date to be announced) at St. James Church at 6:00 PM.   Bring a signed Blue Card, a notebook, pen and the Family Life MB Book. Please let me know who will be attending.

This is an ongoing MB.  If this time does not work for your schedule, please speak with me.  Any questions, please call Mrs. Kofman at 429-0794.

New Leaders Essentials/ Scoutmaster Training will be March 5 at First Church in Nashua starting at 7:30 am.  If you have already attended New Leader Essentials you need to come at 10:30 AM.  Cost is $6.   The outdoor preparation meeting will be Thursday April 21 and weekend outdoor training will be May 14-15.   Contact Robin Rich if you wish to register or have questions.

University of Scouting:   Sat., March 19, Alvirne High School, Hudson, NH   Six sessions of classes will run from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.   Each participant should choose a first and second choice for each session.   A mid-way will also be run during sessions 3 and 4.  Please bring your own bag lunch.  Food is not being provided this year.  Cost is $12 per person before March 4 or $20 per person after that date.   Class listings and registration forms are available on-line. 

The next Court of Honor will be held February 21, so remember to contact Mr. Tucker if you need a Board of Review for your next rank advancement.   If you have completed merit badges, remember to have the blue cards signed by the counselor, a troop leader and then turn it in to Mr. Tucker.  

Announce any Eagle projects that you need help with in this spot.  Send Mrs. Becker the date, time and any other information needed so that all members of Troop 401 will get the word.

Announce any Eagle Fundraising projects that you need help with in this spot.  Send Mrs. Becker the date, time and any other information needed so that all members of Troop 401 will get the word.

Patrols:  We haven’t heard what you have been doing this year.    Won’t someone please send a note to fill this space?   

A Scout is Thrifty:  A Scout works to pay his way and to help others.  He saves for unforeseen needs.  He protects and conserves natural resources.  He carefully uses time and property.

A Scout is Brave:  A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid.  He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.

1.  A new star is added to the American flag on the date a new state joins the union.      True or False

2.  When an American flag touches the ground it should be burned.      True or False

3.  The American flag should never be carried flat during a parade.     True or False

4.  The American flag has always had thirteen stripes.  True or False  

5.  When the National Anthem or the bugle call “To the Colors” is played during the raising of the flag, the color guard should secure the flag as soon as the flag reaches the top and hold the salute until the music is completed before marching away.   True or False

For answers, see Mrs. Becker or read next month’s newsletter.

The deadline for articles to be included in the next newsletter is February 16.