COMMITTEE CHAIR CHAT

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,” requires support from the adults in their lives. That does not just mean filling out an application to show your support. It means rolling up your sleeves and participating. 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.

            There are also many things that need assistance from behind the scenes. If you don’t like being in the spot light or leading the scouts, we even have things for you!

            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.

Thank you

“A Scout is Thrifty.”  Fundraising is how monies are raised to pay for the troop programs.  Thank you to Mrs. Berube for coordinating the District Popcorn Fundraiser.  Thank you to Mrs. Meighan for coordinating the Troop Wreath Sale.

Happy 100th Birthday to Scouting

Boy Scouts of America celebrates the start of the Scouting Program on February 8th. This is the month in 1910 that Baden Powell first began the Scouting Program.

            To honor this, celebrations are incorporated into most of the religious programs during the month of February. Please check your own church calendar and participate in those activities. Be proud that you are a Scout and attend in Full Class A Uniform.

            St. James United Methodist Church celebrates Scout Sunday on February 14th with a special service. We ask that if you are not attending your own churches celebration, that you attend this service at St. James Church. Your attendance, in uniform, will show your appreciation to the church and its members for sponsoring this Troop. Without St. James support, Troop 401 could not exist.

            If you would like to participate in any of the special service that Reverend Lovejoy will be running that day, please contact Mrs. Sanborn, 423-9835, the Troop Charter Representative.

            Mark your calendars now!!

Snow Storm Reminders

A quick reminder of the policy from St. James Church:

If school is cancelled, then the Scout meetings are cancelled as well. The church parking lot is usually cleaned out last. Our cars may make this an impossible task. No School due to snow, no Scout Meeting.

Merit Badge Blue Cards

Scouts, remember to obtain a Blue MB Card from the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster before you start a Merit Badge.  Also speak with them if you would like to do a Merit Badge but you don’t know who the Merit Badge Counselor is for that Merit Badge.

Silent Auction

April 10th may seem like a long ways off, but it is just around the corner.  We will need everyone’s help!!

* Thanks you to those parents that helped to stuff over 250 envelopes to businesses for the Silent Auction.

*We are in need of parents to make follow up calls to businesses that forgot those letters on their desks. 

*We need people to do some pick up of items within the surrounding areas.  As the items are confirmed, we need adults to pick up the donated items and deliver the receipt and donor tickets to these local businesses. 

*Posters: Mr. Brodell of Ace Printing, will once again will be doing the printing for the auction. He will be creating the posters to be placed in stores, businesses and places of employment. Each scout will be given posters to place in businesses, with permission of the owner or manager.  (Scouts: Be Prepared and deliver the poster with some tape in your pocket so you can put it in place right there after they say yes!)

*Sign boards will be placed around town closer to the event. Trucks and strong backs will be needed.

*Mrs. Beck is collecting a list of the baked items you will be donating. We learned from previous years and we are trying to create a variety of dessert items.  We also had some requests for non sugared items, like fruit, veggies and cheese and crackers. Some of the attendees are not able to eat the sugared items.

*Raffle items:  Please let Mrs. Meighan know what you will be donating for a Gift Basket / Raffle item so that brief descriptions can be created. This was a great success last year and there was a phenomenal amount of creativity that was tapped into. We are going to try to avoid any duplicates of the baskets. If you have any questions, please ask.

*Day of Auction: We will need shifts of people to set up, fill up, arrange, sell, clean, count, put away, sweep and everything else.  Look for signup sheets for a specific job and time slot. Be sure YOU are signed up. 

Remember:  This fundraising event is what has paid a large portion of the scouting program for the past 2 years. Without this major fundraiser, the events would have a considerable price tag.  Everyone needs to do a little bit in order for this to be successful.  It cannot be left to just a few to run.  Every scout is benefiting from this event.

Marsha Kofman,  SADB Fundraiser Chair (Interim)

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

Important Reminder!!!

***Check your email ATLEAST 2 times per week for Scout updates***

***Always check the day of an event in case unforeseen changes comes up***

WHAT IS GOING ON?  WHAT DID YOU SAY?

WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO?  HOW CAN I HELP?  AND MORE!

Committee Meetings

            The Troop 401 Committee meets on the second Thursday of each month. The next meeting will be on February 11th at 7 PM, at St. James Church. All parents are encouraged to attend and participate.     See you at the next meeting.

Round Table Meetings

            Arrowhead District Roundtable meetings take place at the Latter Day Saints Church in Nashua (nest to Greeley Park) on the second Wednesday of each month.  All leaders are encouraged to attend these monthly training meetings. You will be kept up to date on the future events and other opportunities within the scouting program in Daniel Webster Council.  If you would like additional information, please contact the Committee Chair or Scoutmaster.

Dues Reminder!

Don’t forget you need to be current with your dues to participate in Troop 401 events. You can use your Scout Accounts to pay your dues.  Have YOU paid your dues???

Calendar Criticals

Silent Auction: 4/10 Please plan on taking on a task for this event.  It is very successful and a huge part of cutting parents costs but many hands are needed.

Summer Camp @ Hidden Valley:  week 3, $310 total, $50 Non-refundable deposit due by 3/8

1/28/2010	5:30 pm	Library Book Sale Set Up
1/31/2010	4:00 pm	Library Book Sale Breakdown
2/1/2010	7:00 pm	Troop Meeting
2/5/2010	6:00 pm	Klondike Freeze out
2/6/2010	7:00 am	Klondike
2/8/2010		Boy Scouts 100th Birthday
2/10/2010	7:00 pm	District RT All leaders should attend
2/11/2010	7:00 pm	Committee Meeting
2/12/2010		Lincoln's B'Day
2/13/2010	9:30 am	Ice Fishing
2/14/2010	8:30 am	Scout Sunday @ St. James
2/17/2010	7:00 pm	OA Meeting
2/22/2010		Feb. Vacation
3/8/2010	7:00 pm	CAMP DEPOSITS DUE
3/9/2010		NO School
3/13/2010	10:00 am	Shaw's Ticket Sales
3/14/2010	12:00 pm	Shaw's Ticket Sales
3/15/2010	7:00 pm	Troop Meeting COURT OF HONOR
3/19/2010	8:00 pm Friday	YMCA Lock in
4/10/2010	All Day	SILENT AUCTION
4/26/2010		April Vacation
5/20/2010		Half Day of School

HEY, THAT IS REALLY COOL!

Article contribution By Mr. Milton

Survival kit

You should always carry a knife, matches in a waterproof container, a compass, and a few band-aids. These items are enough under normal circumstances. However, in order to live up to our motto: "Be Prepared", you should carry a personal survival kit every time you go into the wilderness. I carry lint and some small tinder and a flint and steel (I practice with these and have become proficient) these can be used multiple times, a match only once. Always look to add items that have multiple uses, single use or may be used, items should be left at home. Always carry a cup, plastic is always used these days but try heating water in a plastic cup once and you will get my point. I am just as guilty – I like my blue plastic cup – but not on a hike. Metal cup= cooking pot, scoop, trenching tool, scrapper, signaling device, burning ember transporter, heating pad, cooling pad, or just a cup for water.

	Waterproofed matches, or flint and steel
	50 yards or meters of 25 lb test fishing line
	5 fish hooks of various sizes. Needle and thread
	1 small fishing lures
	Pencil and small notebook, or book
	5 yards or meters of snare wire. Or a wire saw
	Water purifying tablets
	2 folded 10 yard or meter strips of tinfoil
	Whistle
	50 feet or meters of parachute cord
	Roll of surgical adhesive tape. Or duct tape – not the whole roll
	10 band-aids, large size, a need for smaller ones can be cut from these
	Roll of dental floss (can be used for making shelters)
	Compass
	25 extra strength Tylenol (with permission of you parents)
	4 bouillon cubes
	10 hard glucose candies
	10 Teabags
	Small penknife

These should be packed into your tin cup and sealed with duct tape. Put this on the bottom of your pack and don’t remove it. Add items you feel comfortable and have the skills to use. Remember multiple use and weight are an important factor.

What’s Cookin’

(also) By Mr. Milton

STIR-FRIED PORK & VEGETABLES WITH RICE

Easy recipe for a camping trip, mix and match other vegetables and meat, whatever you have.

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes                                                           Cooking Time: 25 To 30 Minutes

4 Servings of pork and vegetables, about 1/2 cup each
4 Servings of cooked rice, about 2 cups each
Chicken broth, reduced sodium 2 cups
Hot water 2 cups
Rice, uncooked 2 cups
Vegetable oil 2 tablespoons
Broccoli cuts, frozen, 2 cups

cumin
Carrots, cleaned, sliced thinly 1 cup
Onions, minced 1/4 cup
Garlic powder 1 teaspoon
Canned mushrooms, drained 1/2 cup
Ground pork 1 pound + 7 ounces
Soy sauce 4 tablespoons

1. Heat broth and water to a boil in sauce pan; add rice and return to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until tender, about 15 minutes.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in skillet. Add broccoli, carrots, onions, and garlic powder. Cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from skillet. Add mushrooms. Cook for 1 minute and set aside.

3. Heat second tablespoon of oil in skillet. Add pork; cook until pork no longer remains pink. Drain liquid.

4. Add soy sauce and stir until mixed; add vegetables to pork mixture. Cook until heated, about 1 to 2 minutes.

5. Serve pork mixture over cooked rice.

Rappers of Troop 401!

The wrappers for the St. Joes box wrap once again did an awesome job!  There was a ceiling high pile of boxes that were attacked and wrapped in less than 1 hour!  The experienced wrappers were like lightning.  You could feel the heat of their speed.  The newbies got some practice in and will also be quick as a flash next year.  Great job guys!  Many needy families received the gracious gifts of the St. Joes staff in your masterpieces!!!

HELLO PARENTS, SCOUTS, VOLUNTEERS & ALL OTHERS!

Please feel free to contact me anytime with words of wisdom, creative ideas, pictures etc. that you would like to add to the scout newsletter.  Each entry is due by the second Wednesday of each month for placement in the following month’s newsletter.

Melissa Thomson, mlissat@comcast.net, 429-2805