Newsletter 2016-03-08
Post date: Apr 24, 2016 10:28:55 PM
The Boy Scouts of America is a Teaching Organization. Scouts are trained at troop meetings and in the big classroom of scouting, "THE OUTDOORS". Troop meetings give the scouts the opportunities to learn leadership by acting in their appointed or elected positions, by making presentations to the group and playing skill development games. In order for the Scouts to progress effectively in the program they need to attend the meetings and outings. Older scouts are expected to teach and guide the younger scouts. This doesn't happen if the meetings and campouts are skipped. Each upper level of advancement has a minimum time to be spent in grade and the requirement "to be active in your troop and patrol". In Troop 1441 being active is defined as attending 75% of the meetings and 50% of the outings and events. Pre-excused absences are permitted by coordination with the Scoutmaster ahead of time. Often special projects are given to compensate for the lost time. All this is saying is.... "it is important to be active in Scouting", if you want to advance. Some Scouts take a different trail and are in it for the fun and not advancement. They still need to learn the basic skills that make the unit run. Leadership positions are part of the developmental plan and the requirements for each must be met satisfactorily to quality for advancement. Each has its own set of requirements which include presenting seminars to the troop periodically in their specialty, attending campouts where their specialty will be used and teaching their skills to other scouts. Certain positions i.e., Den Chief, need confirmation from the Den Leader that the scout has served satisfactorily.
Attendance at the Philmont training activities is absolutely necessary for participants. This training is not about your basic scouting skills but how you will work and coalesce as a crew on the trail for 9 days. Scouts and adults need to work together understanding and putting into practice the jobs each will do to make the trek an enjoyable one.
SERVICE PROJECT West Hillandale Swim Club Saturday March 12 8:30 AM - 4PM
The Troop is participating on this Service Project to give its Scouts the opportunity to earn community service hours for both school and Scout advancement. This will be a Class "B" uniform activity so bring clothes that can get dirty, bring work gloves. Each scout participating will be given a pass to the pool to be used this summer and the troop will hold a pool party later in the year. Lunch will be served. Assistant Scoutmaster Hank Keegan will be the adult in charge of the event. We need the leaders and parents to assist. I know some of you have already responded, for the rest of you please respond yes or no by e-mail as soon as possible. COME DIRECTLY TO THE SITE, .(915 Schindler Drive), across from Key Middle School.
THOMAS POINT CAMP OUT MARCH 19 and 20.
The Troop is conducting a Rank Advancement/Fishing overnight camp out at Thomas Point Park south of
Annapolis. The weather can be all over the map so come prepared. Meals will be by Patrol. Permission Slip attached.
NO TROOP MEETING ON THURSDAY MARCH 24TH
TROOP MEETINGS EVERY THURSDAY .
TROOP MEETING THURSDAY 3/31 TROOP ELECTIONS FOR SPL AND PL'S.
PHILMONT SHAKEDOWN HIKE SATURDAY 4/3 OR ALT SUNDAY 4/4
TROOP MEETING/WINTER COURT OF HONOR, THURSDAY 4/7
TROOP 1441 MULCH SALE SATURDAY 4/9, 9 AM to 5 PM
The troop will be conducting its Annual Mulch sale for the benefit of the Scouts participating in the Philmont High Adventure Program this summer. Profits from the sale will be prorated to the scouts in the crews based on the number of hours they work on the sale. Scouts not going are asked to volunteer to work on the Sale and sell mulch to help their fellow troop members.
There have been some changes to the sale process this year. There was not sufficient transportation for deliveries last year based on our large volume of sales. This year we expect the customers to take their mulch with them or for orders of 30 bags or more pay a fee to Country Boy for a delivery the following week.
DISTRICT CAMPOREE APRIL 22 -24 GREENBELT STATE PARK.
PHILMONT SHAKEDOWN OVERNIGHT Saturday 4/30 - 31
John J Wnek
Scoutmaster Troop 1441 BSA