Another scouting year is off and running. There have been “outings”, community service events, Courts of Honor, and fundraisers! This is only the middle of October!
The scouts have planned another calendar year with activities and events.
I would like to thank all of the adult leaders, committee members and parents
that have already stepped forward to assist with these events. If we all do
a little, we can insure that everyone can have fun without being overworked.
But, we are always looking for new ideas and input to help make the program more exciting for the boys and simplified for the adults. Bring any input you would like to share to the monthly Committee Meetings, held on the second Thursday of each month at 7 PM at St. James Church. Occasionally the date or location needs to change due to a church or school event. Please consult the Troop Web Calendar on a regular basis for any schedule changes.
Marsha Kofman, Committee Chair, 429-0794, rdhetal@yahoo.com
The start of the Scouting year has come and gone. Here we are half way through Oct now. The Troop has many things planned. Make sure you check with your son every week after the troop meetings. Remember all info that goes home will be place in his mailbox. It is his responsibility to check it before going home. You can also check the Troop Website. That should have the latest info for everyone to download. The calendar is updated as things change.
A couple of the events we have participated in already have had great feedback.
I have heard for a couple of people on Pearson Road that the Scouts did a
great job in picking up the trash there. They are very happy and thankful
for the service we are providing them there. A great job was done by the
Scouts, Leaders, and parents who helped with this service project. At the
NH Jamboree, Troop 401 worked at a station, and from what I heard, kept it
going very smoothly. Everyone who went through the station had no problems
and was very happy. Again thank you to all who were there and helped out.
Coming up next month we have our annual Turkey Campout. This will be held
at camp Wah-Tut-Ca. We have a cabin to use and tent sites. If we have the
crowd we did last year we will definitely need the tent sites. I can tell
you right now that Mr. Milton has been working on some great recipes for cooking
the turkeys. I can't wait to get there and try them. This should be a great
weekend. Some of the Scouts may remember this camp. We have stayed there a
couple of times but only in Feb. This is where we have
gone ice fishing in the past. Don't worry we are not planning on doing any
ice fishing this time. Well unless there is enough ice, but I don't see that
happening this time.
I would like to congratulate everyone who has earned their next rank and/or
merit badges. You scouts really worked hard this past summer. Keep up the
great work. This makes things easier for us to help you along. You will also
find that it does get easier to earn these ranks. If anyone is in need of
some service hours for their next rank or for a merit badge, please help the
Scouts who are working on Eagle. There are a few Scouts who have a project
going and could use some help with it. Remember that soon this could be you
and you will be asking for help. I sure that they will turn around and help
you out.
By now you should have noticed a slight change in the make up of the patrols.
Yes this was done on purpose. Each patrol should have 3 adult advisors to
help them out. This should make things easier for everyone. Remember Scouts
you need to work as a patrol. The best way to do this is to have a patrol
meeting and find out what everyone wants to do. If anyone has any questions
on this or anything that the troop is doing please get in touch with me. This
can be good, bad, or indifferent. Again thanks to everyone for all the help
so far. Please keep it up and your sons will have the best program we can
give them.
YIS
Mr. Courtemanche, Scoutmaster, 424-5968, a76eagle@aol.com
October
10/25 – Rev Gage Yard Clean-up
10/27 – Scoutmaster Conference
10/27 – Popcorn Orders Due
November
11/1 – Den Chief Training
11/03 – Board of Review
11/12 – PLC Meeting
11/13 – Committee Meeting
11/15 – Scouting for Food Bag Distribution
11/19 – Roundtable
11/22 – Scouting for Food Bag Collection
11/21-11/23
11/24 – Pie Bake at St. James
11/24– Scoutmaster Conference
December
12/1 – Board of Review
12/7 – Holiday Parade
12/7 – Distribution of Wreaths
12/10 – PLC Meeting
12/17– Roundtable
12/11 – Committee Meeting
12/15 – Box Wrap at St. Joseph’s Hospital
12/15 – Pie Bake at St. James
12/22 – Scoutmaster Conference
January
1/2-1/4 - Whip-O-Will Wilderness Campout
1/5 – Board of Review
1/7 – PLC Meeting
1/8 – Committee Meeting
1/21 – Roundtable
1/23-1/15 Campout at Split Rock
1/26 – Scoutmaster Conference
Thank you to those that turned in your “paperwork” passed out at the beginning of September. The updating of the cars, insurance, telephone & cell phone numbers, helps to expedite the annual registration of the members of the Troop.
The annual review of the Troop Code of Conduct and your permission to photograph the scouts for publicity is a reminder for all, of the Troops visibility in the community and the expectations of appropriate scouting behavior at all times.
I am still missing some paperwork from a few. You know who you are! Please get them to me ASAP so I can stop chasing you! Thank you. Marsha Kofman, Committee Chair, 429-0794, rdhetal@yahoo.com
Troop 401 Polyester T-Shirts Available
There are four polyester T-shirts still available for purchase for $20 each. Three are size medium, and one is a large. These shirts look just like the regular cotton Troop 401 class B’s, except that the material is 100% polyester, which is great for outdoor activities as it dries quickly, and keeps you cooler in the warm weather. If you are interested in purchasing one of them, please see Mrs. Collette at any time. (429-1045, kmc120852@aol.com)
Medical Forms Update
During the next week, some families may be receiving a blank class 3 BSA medical form in the mail. If you receive one, it is a gentle reminder that you or your son is in need of an updated doctor’s physical in order to be eligible to go the camp next summer. The boys must have a doctor’s signature that a physical exam has been performed anytime between August 8, 2002 and August 8, 2004. Adults over 40 must have a documented physical that is less than one year old as of July 18, 2004 in order to be at Hidden Valley, and less than one year old as of August 8, 2004 in order to be a leader at Camp Bell. Of course, you don’t have to wait until this summer to update your class 3’s, feel free to schedule the appointment, complete the form, and turn it in at any time! The earlier, the better! You won’t receive multiple reminders that way! Even if you are not going to camp, updating your form is a good idea to keep us up-to-date on any issues that we should be aware of. The medical forms are kept as confidential as possible, and only held by the leaders in the troop.
If you have any questions regarding the status of your medical form, please don’t hesitate to ask. For those of you who update your forms yearly, I always have blank forms with me at each meeting, so just ask if you need one.
Thank you,
Kathleen Collette, 429-1045, kmc120852@aol.com
Training
Monthly Round Table meetings take place at the Church of Latter Day Saints in Nashua on the third Wednesday of the each month at 7 PM. (Please note the date change.) Valuable information regarding the upcoming events and training is discussed. Refreshments are provided. For more information or carpooling, please contact Mrs. Kofman. All adults are welcome.
Den Chief Training will be held November 1, 2003 at the American Legion in Hudson, NH from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The cost is $6. If interested in this training, please contact Mrs. Rich at 880-8222 or r-rich@comcast.net.
SERVICE PROJECTS
MERIT BADGES
Family Life Merit Badge: For all those scouts interested in working on this merit badge, please contact Mrs. Kofman, 429-0794, rdhetal@yahoo.com This MB is ongoing.
ADVANCEMENTS
You should all be aware that it is the Scout’s responsibility to let the Advancement Chair, Mrs. Gontarz, know when you are ready for a Board of Review. Ordinarily, the Boards of Review are scheduled for the first Monday of every month. However, if you cannot make it to one of these “First-Monday” reviews, one can be scheduled on an “off-night.” Be sure to give Mrs. Gontarz enough time to contact Committee Members to set up the Board. Mrs. Gontarz can be reached at 424-9534 or kgontarz@juno.com
Fundraising News
Deadline: November 17
Contact: Mrs. Petrovic, 424-6621 or margie@thepetrovics.net
District Roundtable Meeting will be on the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 PM at the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Nas hua.
Committee Meetings will be the second THURSDAY of the month from 7-9 PM.
Next one is November 13. All adults are welcome.
Camp
Wah-Tut-Ca
Chef Milton has great plans for this year’s annual turkey feast camp out—talk about some extraordinary ways to roast a turkey! The permission slips are available at the meetings or on the website. The dates are Friday, November 21 to Sunday, November 23 at the Northwood BSA Camp (near Deerfield, NH) the cost will be $13 per person. There is one lodge, which will hold 20 people and tenting campsites available for those who have proper cold-weather gear. Sign up early!
Patrol News Briefs
Submitted by Robert Frost, Viper Patrol:
Hiking Merit Badge
The following people are participating in the hiking merit badge: Mike Phillips, Joe Prive, Mason Glover, Denis Gvozdev, Shawn Driscoll, Scott Shidlovsky, Steve Shidlovsky, Shawn Collette, Ryan Collette, Robby Frost, William Comstock, Francisco Resendez and Mr. Resendez, Jarren Wilder and Mr. Wilder, Mrs. Shidlovsky and Michelle Shidlovsky, Derek Trippett, Mr. Trippett, Diane Pollock, and Mr. & Mrs. Collette.
Hike 1. This hike was on August 31st in Merrimack. We started at St. James Church and we hiked the side roads around Merrimack and ended at Axels Ice Cream for a refreshing treat. The weather for this hike was perfect as it was very warm and sunny, and we all had fun. On this hike we packed a couple of water bottles and a few snacks for lunch. We learned that Merrimack is a fairly large town that hiking on pavement can be painful, and last but not least, that water is not a want it is a need!
Hike 2. This hike was on September 7th on Ogunquit Beach in Maine. The weather was a little dreary with threatened rain showers, but they held off until we were almost done. Again we packed a couple of water bottles, a few snacks, bathing suits for swimming, and some of us brought a lunch, others bought lunch at Perkins Cove, which we reached at the 7-mile mark. Half way through the hike Scott Shidlovsky, Shawn Driscoll, Ryan Collette, Derek Trippett and I took a quick, unscheduled break and went swimming in the ocean-clothes and all! We were “refreshed” and ready for the rest of the hike, but a bit “sandy.” We walked to Perkins Cove, where we had lunch and then explored some of the side streets to round out the 10 miles. Our intention was to return to the beach for a dip, but nature had other plans for us. With about a half mile to go, we were all caught and drenched by a heavy downpour. It was rather miserable, but not as miserable as it was for the outdoor wedding party that we passed along the way. We learned to wear rain ponchos that don’t absorb rain, that hiking can be great fun if planned well, and that sand sticks to wet skin and damp shorts, and can make walking long distances somewhat unpleasant.
Hike 3. This hike was on September 14th at Mount Monadnock on the ten-mile Pumpelly Trail. The weather was great! The views were great! The climb was long and rather steep at times, but climbing rocks was great fun. We all learned that you need to bring more water for the more difficult hikes, that comfortable hiking boots are a must for mountain hiking, and that sometimes trails are not well marked! The Pumpelly trail only used cairns (small piles of rocks) to mark the trail. In places where there were no loose rocks around, this was a bit of a problem, and called for some directional decision making.
Hike 4. (Yay the big 20 Miler!) This hike was from Dunstable, MA to Acton, MA along the Nashua River Rail Trail on September 21. The Nashua River Rail Trail is actually an old railway track that has been paved over for the benefit of bikers, hikers, skaters, and cross-country skiers. It’s very flat, but very well used and we were constantly moving out the way of bicyclists and skaters, who had the right of way. The weather was a perfect 65 degrees, and bright and sunny! On this hike we all packed lots of water and Gatorade because we didn’t want to run out of water this time. We also packed a lunch and plenty of snacks. We found an ice cream place at about the 17-mile mark, and took a very long break. We learned to bring extra socks for hikes like this because hiking on pavement for twenty miles is tough on the feet! We also learned not to get in the way of the bicycles seeing as how there were many more of them then there were of us! Most people don’t elect to walk the 22-mile trail if they could bike instead! We had a special treat awaiting us at the end of the trail---Mr. Comstock was there with cold drinks for everyone---a very welcomed sight!
Hike 5. This hike was on September 28th on the Mine Falls trails in Nashua. We began this hike at 6:30 AM so that we could be back in time for Kevin Porbunderwala’s Eagle Court of Honor. The trails follow the river and are rather scenic, quiet, and flat. We mapped out a 10 mile course that began and ended at the Ledge Street School, so we had a combination of road walking and trail walking. The weather was cloudy and threatening to rain, but it held off until we were done. On this hike we learned not to almost fall into a river, not to drink a lot of water too fast, and not to think some hikes are going to be easy. We all thought that this hike would be so easy after the 20-miler the week before. However, it was still 10 miles of walking, and still took us about four hours to complete.
Although many of us have completed the hiking requirements for this badge, some still have a couple of hikes left to do. There will be two more hikes taking place, one on October 26 and one on November 2. If you’re up for a walk, anyone is welcome to come!
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
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The deadline for articles to be included in the next newsletter is November 17 at the Troop Meeting or you may email articles and notices to Mrs. Becker at pab514@netzero.com.