1996/97
June 4, 1997
Trip to State House, After School on Monday June 9: Our trip to the State House, to visit Senator Fargo and, possibly, Representative Locke, will be this coming Monday. Middle Schoolers will get picked up by a Weston school bus (which the troop is renting) at the Middle School at 2:45 pm. Fifth graders will need to get to the Scout House by 2:50 pm, so that they can be picked up by the same bus. Mr. Brewster will meet the Middle School students. Mr. Lee will meet the fifth grade students. We will be back at the Scout House by 6:00 pm. There will be no meeting on Monday night.
Nantucket Trip, June 13-15: Our bike trip to Nantucket will start at 3:00 pm sharp on Friday afternoon, June 13. Please be there on time, as we must leave promptly in order to be sure to make the 6:10 pm ferry in Hyannis. Looks like a lot of boys and parents are going to be going. Right now we have 10 boys and 5 parents, but more are expected to signup. If your son was not at the meeting on Monday, June 2, and he is interested in attending, or if a parent is interested in attending and has not already told Mr. Lee of his/her interest, please contact Mr. Lee so that we can get an accurate count on the number going. The cost, as announced in the last newsletter, will be $40, including the ferry ticket (with bike) and food. We recommend that you bring a bike with you, rather than rent, as the campground is 3 miles from town, and there may be some logistical difficulty in getting a rental bike. But if you do not bring a bike, the cost is reduced to $31 to reflect the lower ferry charge. We will be back in Weston about 4-5 pm on Sunday. We are returning on a 12 Noon departure from Nantucket.
Eagle Service Project Opportunity at Golden Ball Tavern: Here is a great Eagle Scout project opportunity. Joan Bines, the Director of the Gold Ball Tavern Museum, is looking for an Eagle candidate to lead a project developing a colonial-era scavenger hunt on the grounds of the museum. The museum believes this would be an excellent way of educating children as to the outside environment surrounding the tavern in the Colonial era. The project would involve designing the scavenger hunt in conjunction with Ms. Bines and the museum staff; research into what might be appropriate items to include in the scavenger hunt; construction of signs to be placed at locations around the grounds; creation of written materials to be used for the scavenger hunt. This sounds like an excellent project, as it would include lots of possibilities for leadership of a group of other scouts. Call Mr. Lee if you are interested.
Another possible Eagle service project, separate from the above, would involve clearing of natural debris from the wooded parts of the museum property.
May 22, 1997
Trip to State House Rescheduled: We set this Thursday for trip not aware of 5th grade Horizon's Trip. Plan now is to go either the evening of June 2, during the time of our regular meeting, or the following Monday, June 9, immediately after school dismissal. Stay tuned for details.
Memorial Day: Plans for Memorial Day have come together late. Scouts are invited to the Baptist Church at 9am for donuts. From there, everyone marching in the parade will go to the Town Hall.
May 19, 1997
Trip to State House Is This Thursday, May 22: Our trip to the State House to complete our work on Citizenship in the Nation is this Thursday evening. Meet at the Scout House at 7:30pm. We will travel to the State House on a Weston school bus, and be back at the Scout Houses at 9:30pm. The Senate is in late night session this week working on the budget, and we expect to be able to meet our state senator, Susan Fargo. In any event, we will have a tour of the State House, while it hums with legislative activity. Don't miss this one! Call Mr. Lee (521-7039) with questions.
May 13, 1997
Whitewater Rafting Trip, May 17: Attached is the Information & Permission Form for the trip. It gives all the details. Right now there are still spaces left in the two rafts we have reserved. Call Mr. Lee ASAP if you want to go, and have not told him. Also see the information and release forms under the Forms menu on the main page.
Helping Out at Pinewood Derby Runoff on Sunday, May 18: You can earn service hours, and help run an important event, the Viking District Pinewood Derby Runoff. Call Louise Brightman at 617-527-0163 if you can help.
Knox Trail's 1998 Philmont Cavalcade, July 12-23, 1998: Knox Trail is organizing a trip to Philmont for 15 scouts next summer. You must have completed 8th grade by next summer or be 14 years old by January 1, 1998, and you must be First Class by the time you attend Philmont. The cost is $1250 per scout (working figure that may change with airfares), and covers transportation, tours, admission fees, lodging, and crew equipment. Included on the trip will be a variety of outdoor activities in the Colorado Springs area prior to Philmont. You are encouraged to signup now, as the spaces may go fast. A copy of the Council's circular (Acrobat file) can be found on the Forms page.
Be a Staff Member at Camp Resolute, Weekends this June: Earn service hours (if under 14) or cash (if 14 or over). Camp Resolute runs parent/son weekends in June, and needs youths as staff members to fill various positions, including lifeguards, kitchen staff, dining hall stewards, and general program staff. Could be a good line on your college resume, and earn you some money at the same time. An application form can be found on the Forms page. Call the Council office with questions.
May 10, 1997
Meeting Moved to Tuesday, May 13: We've moved the meeting on Monday to Tuesday, May 13, in view of Town Meeting on Monday night. We'll be working on Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge, and planning for the Whitewater trip on Saturday.
May 1, 1997
Spring Camporee Starting Time Changed: We're going to start our trip on Saturday morning, at 7:30am at the Scout House (instead of 6:00pm on Friday afternoon). We'll be arriving at Nobscot Reservation at about 8:15am, in time to setup camp prior to the activities that begin at about 9:00am. The boys will be driven home at about Noon on Sunday.
Whitewater Rafting is a Go! We'll be leaving the Scout House at 7:00am on Saturday, May 17, and heading for Charlemont, MA (about 100 miles west along Route 2), where we will go down a 10-mile long, class 2-3 section of the Deerfield River through the Zoar Gap. Six of us will be in each raft, plus a guide. There is a 50 lb minimum weight requirement. We expect to be back in Weston, with boys driven to their homes, at about 6:30pm. As of now, we have made a reservation for only 12 persons, but could raise that number if we get enough advance notice. The cost for this trip will be $50. So, please let Mr. Lee know if you plan to attend.
Nantucket Trip Moved to June 13-15 We moved the trip back by one week (it had been June 6-8). Mr. Lee had a conflict on June 6-8 (his daughter graduates on June 6). We'll leave from the Scout House at 3:30pm on Friday, June 13, drive to Hyannis Port, and take the 6:10pm Hyline passenger ferry, arriving at Nantucket at 8:00pm. We'll take our bikes across (or you can rent a bike there if you want), and ride our bikes to and from the campground. We'll arrange for a van to transport our packs. We'll be doing a major tour of the island by bike on Saturday. We'll leave Nantucket on the 12:15pm ferry on Sunday, June 15, and be back in Hyannis Port at 2:00pm, and home in Weston by about 4:00pm. The cost of this trip has not yet been set, but it will be approximately $35-40, including the ferry charges (for passengers and bikes) and food. We will be camping at the boy scout reservation on Nantucket. Adults are more then welcome to come along with their sons. Right now we have a group reservation with the ferry for 15, but that could easily be increased.
April 28, 1997
Spring Camporee, Nobscot Reservation, May 2-4: We're meeting at the Scout House at 6:00pm this Friday. We should be at Nobscot Reservation at about 7:00pm, ready to hike into our campsite. The troop will be inspected on the way into the campsite. To maximize our score, be sure to have with you each of the following:
Rain gear easily accessible;
1 liter or greater water container (filled)
packs neat, with all items secure (no danglers)
your copy of the official Boy Scout Handbook
In addition, each boy must know where the troop's first aid kit is located (last year we lost points on this one), and must be carrying his share of the troop's equipment (cooking gear, food, tent, rain fly). Finally, the youngest scout must know which direction is north, and prove how he knows it!
There will be scoutcraft demonstrations and competitions on Saturday, and the Order of the Arrow tapout will be held on Saturday night, following the main campfire, at which the troop will present a skit or song (which we will work on at our meeting tonight).
The necessary permission slip is attached. Copies will also be available on Friday evening at departure time.
The fee for this trip will be $25.00, including $10.00 for the fees charged by the Council and food.
Whitewater Rafting on the Deerfield River: We are all set to go whitewater rafting through the Zoar Gap on the Deerfield River on Saturday, May 17. This will be a day trip, starting early Saturday morning (we have not set the precise time, but it will be about 6:30 or 7:00 am), with the boys returning home about 7-8pm that evening. We will be going to Charlmont, Mass., which is on the Vermont line in western Massachusetts. The stretch that is available for rafting at this time of the year is the Zoor Gap, which is an intermediate level section. Boys must weigh at least 50 lb to be allowed on the rafts.
Bike Trip to Nantucket: Our big bike trip to Nantucket is scheduled for June 6-8. We'll be leaving the Scout House at approximately 3-4pm in order to make a ferry from Hyannis Port. Precise times will be available at a later time. We will be camping at the Boy Scout Reservation on Nantucket (best overnight accomodation buy on the island), and spending the day Saturday biking around to the various beaches and sights. This should be a fabulous trip, as the weather should be warm, the days long, and the tourists not yet there. We'll be getting home about 6pm on Sunday. We'll probably take one car (e.g., Mr. Lee's suburban) across on the ferry, to move the packs to and from the ferry. Parent volunteers are needed for this trip. Call Mr. Lee if you can go (891-6561; leave message only at 521-7039).
Citizenship in the Nation: We'll be working on this merit badge tonight, and again on May 12. Be sure to have read the merit badge pamphlet by the May 12 meeting. Copies are being handed out at tonight's meeting.
Swimming Sessions Rescheduled: May 10: Two additional swimming sessions were scheduled for the Babson College pool. One was held on April 18. The remaining one is Saturday, May 10, 3:00 - 4:30 pm.
April 14, 1997
Citizenship in the Nation: First session on merit badge was held at tonight's meeting. Next session will be at the April 28 meeting. Merit badge pamphlets never got handed out at the meeting, and so we will find a way to distribute them to you between now and April 28.
Whitewater Rafting on the Deerfield River: We are all set to go whitewater rafting through the Zoor Gap on the Deerfield River on Saturday, May 17. This will be a day trip, starting early Saturday morning, with the boys returning home about 7-8pm that evening. We will be going to Charlmont, Mass., which is on the Vermont line in western Massachusetts. The stretch that is available for rafting at this time of the year is the Zoor Gap, which is an intermediate level section. Boys must weigh at least 50 lb to be allowed on the rafts.
Eagle Project Ideas & Financial Support: The Weston Garden Club Provisionals (an adjunct to the larger Weston Garden Club) is offering to support community projects that they determine will make a horticultural or environmental improvement to the Town. They also indicate that they have ideas for such projects. This sounds like a perfect opportunity for someone to come up with an Eagle Project idea, and to get financial support for it at the same time! Proposals need to be submitted by May 30, 1997 to the Chairman of the Civic Committee: Jennifer C. Peterson, Civic Committee Chairman, 14 Maple Road, Weston, MA 02193. Garden Club mailing (need Acrobat to read).
April 11, 1997
Swimming Sessions Rescheduled: April 18 and May 10: Two additional swimming sessions have been scheduled for the Babson College pool. Both will be required for completing Lifesaving (plus another session on CPR, not yet scheduled). The first is Friday, April 18, 6:30 - 7:30 pm. The second is Saturday, May 10, 3:00 - 4:30 pm. With two sessions remaining, it probably would be possible to start and finish Swimming Merit Badge. As these sessions are not on Monday evenings, we will not be going as a troop. But if you need a ride, or have questions, please give Mr. Lee a call (891-6561; only leave messages at 521-7039).
Fishing this Saturday, 4/12: See you down at Nonesuch Pond at 9am.
April 3, 1997
Leadership Training Postponed to September: The Junior Leader Training course scheduled for this Saturday, April 5, has been postponed to next September. A combination of factors led your Scoutmasters to decide on this. Holding it next fall, immediately after the election of new leaders, is a better time, as then the training will be fresh in the new leaders' minds as they begin their new responsibilities. The Scoutmasters have also been especially busy with other things in the last week (Mr. S. is recovering from the flu), and with the storm resulting in Monday's meeting being cancelled, there has not been as much preparation for this event as we would like. The tentative new date is Saturday, September 13, which is the first Saturday after our kick-off meeting on September 8.
So you can sleep in on Saturday morning!
Fishing Outing Is Next Weekend, April 12: Our parent-son fishing outing at Nonesuch Pond is next Saturday morning. We'll meet at Camp Nonesuch at 9:00am, and be done by about Noon. We'll be using the Camp's canoes. Fishing last year was great. Just about everyone caught several, or came close. You get to Camp Nonesuch by heading west on Route 30. Just at (or over) the Natick Line there is a left turn that takes you under the Turnpike. There may be a sign for the camp at the left turn. Once you emerge on the other side of the Turnpike, you take the first left, at which there should be a sign. Follow that down to a parking lot, and then walk down to the Pond.
Bring the Permission Slip sent out with the newsletter, fill out the online version, or sign one at the Pond.
The Troop will supply the worms! You just need to bring your fishin' poles.
March 29, 1997
Swimming Monday night, March 31: We are going to the councilsSwim night at Babson again this Monday night. Be at the Scout House at 6:40pm. The boys will be driven home (at about 9:00pm). You can work on 2nd & 1st Class swimming requirements, Swimming Merit Badge, and BSA Mile Swim. Last week we had ten boys go to the swim night. Three ompleted Swimming Merit Badge, another three continued working on Lifesaving Merit Badge, three completed 2nd & 1st Class swimming, and one completed the BSA Mile Swim.
Junior Leader Training, April 5: We're holding a Junior Leader Training course for all interested boys, but particularly for those who aspire to hold leadership positions next year. Mr. Lee and Mr. S will be leading the course, which will be held on Saturday morning, April 5, from 8:30am to 1:00pm, at the Scout House. As we want our future leaders to be well fed, we'll have bagels and cream cheese and OJ to start, and pizza for lunch at the finish!
March 19, 1997
Swim Nights, March 24 & 31: We'll be going to the Council Swim Nights at Babson College instead of our regular meeting on the next two Mondays. We'll meet at 6:40pm sharp at the Scout House (we've moved that up 5 minutes, so that we can be sure to get to Babson College by 7:00pm). By attending both nights, a scout can complete Swimming Merit Badge. Scouts that already have that merit badge can work on BSA Mile Swim. Lifesaving Merit Badge is also being taught, but as there are so many people already taking that class (you were supposed to have started this merit badge at an earlier session) that you may not be able to join that class, even to obtain a partial on that merit badge.
March 17, 1997
Overnight Camping Trip, March 22-23: Our next outing is this weekend, March 22-23. We're going to do a one-night camping trip at a new location at the Nobscot Scout Reservation. We will meet at 11 am on Saturday morning (eighth graders arrive back from Washington trip on Friday evening, and we want to give them time to catch up on their sleep). The boys will be driven home at about 12 Noon on Sunday. The focus on this trip will be cooking. To provide the maximum opportunity for everyone to cook meals for Cooking Merit Badge, we will divide into small cooking groups. This will be a perfect opportunity for younger scouts to learn the basics of outdoor cooking, and to complete the cooking requirements for Second Class. Each scout working on Cooking Merit Badge or First Class will be asked to purchase the food for the three meals he will be preparing on the trip (Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner, and Sunday breakfast). There will be no charge for this trip. A Permission Slip will be available for signature on Saturday morning, or you can print out our online version, fill it out and bring it with you on Saturday. Permission Slip
March 3, 1997
Cooking Merit Badge: Under the instruction of Mr. B., we learned how to cook biscuits in a dutch oven last week. This week we will work on building fires and using gas cooking stoves, and start planning the meals required for the badge.
You must plan breakfast/lunch/dinner for three days. The form to use is attached (need Acrobat Reader): Menu Forms for Cooking Merit Badge. You will be cooking at least some of the planned meals on the camping trip on March 22-23.
For your convenience, here are the requirements for the merit badge:
1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while cooking, including burns and scalds.
2. Plan menus for 3 straight days (nine meals) of camping. Include the following:
a) A camp dinner with soup; meat, fish or chicken; two fresh vegetables; drink; and dessert. All are to be cooked.
b) A one-pot dinner. Use foods other than canned.
c) A breakfast, lunch, and dinner good for a trail or backpacking trip where light weight is important. Use as much dehydrated or dry frozen foods as you can. Get them from local food stores (not specialty stores). You should be able to store all foods used for several days without refrigeration. The lunch planned should not need cooking at the time of serving. The dinner must include hot soup or a salad; meat, fish or chicken; vegetable and starch food or a second vegetable; baked biscuits; and drink. (The menus for the other two breakfasts and two lunches shall be the kind you can prepare in camp or on the trail.)
3. Do the following:
a) Make a food list, showing cost and amount needed to feed three or more boys using the menus planned in requirement 2.
b) List the utensils needed to cook and serve these meals.
c) Figure the weight of the foods in requirement 2c.
4. Using the menus planned in requirement 2:
a) Prepare and serve for yourself and two others, the three dinners, the lunch, and the breakfast planned in requirement 2. Time your cooking so that each course will be ready to serve at the proper time.*
b) For the meals prepared in requirement 4a, for which a fire is needed, pick a good spot for your fire. Build a fireplace. Include a support for your cooking utensils from rocks, logs, or like material. (Where local laws do not allow you to do this, the counselor may change the requirement to meet the law.) The same fireplace may be used for more than one meal. Use charcoal as a fuel in cooking at least one meal.
c) For each meal prepared in requirement 4a, use safe food-handling practices. Use the correct way to get rid of garbage, cans, foil, paper, and other rubbish by burning and using a tote-litter bag. After each meal, clean up the site thoroughly. * The meals in requirement 4a may be prepared for different trips. They need not be prepared consecutively. Scouts earning this badge in summer camp should plan around food they can get at the camp commissary.
Swim Nights: There are three swim times left. This coming Saturday afternoon, and two Mondays at the end of March. We will attend the latter two instead of our regular meetings.
|
Saturday |
March 8 |
4-5 pm |
|
Monday |
March 24 |
7-8:30 pm |
|
Monday |
March 31 |
7-8:30 pm |
You can probably complete Swimming Merit Badge by attending just two of the swim nights. Lifesaving was said to take four, but it may be possible to complete it in the three remaining nights. Let Mr. Lee know if you want to attend next Saturday, and he will help arrange for rides.
Camping Trip, March 22-23: We're going to be using our cooking skills on this upcoming camping trip. Between this trip and the Spring Camporee, everyone attending should be able to complete the field requirements for cooking merit badge. We had tentatively planned on a winter camping experience, but at the moment it looks like winter may have departed this area for the year. Right now the tentative plan is to go to Nobscot.
February 10, 1997
Next Meeting not until February 24: We don't meet until Monday, February 24. That meeting will be the first of four in our sequence on outdoor cooking. Attendance at all four meetings and the outing on March 22-23 will be necessary to earning Cooking merit badge. It will also be an opportunity to complete the cooking requirements for Tenderfoot through First Class.
2nd Ski Trip a Big Success: Had nine boys attend. See writeup on Outings page.
February 3, 1997
2nd Ski Trip, February 7-9: We're repeating the successful trip taken last month. We'll be leaving from the Scout House on Friday at 5:30pm, staying at Old Hutmen Cabin in Jackson, New Hampshire, and skiing at Wildcat Mountain. We'll be home (boys will be driven to their homes) at about 5pm on Sunday (we'll be quitting skiing at about 1:30 on Sunday). Anyone who wants to learn to ski is strongly encouraged to come along. Wildcat is a great place to learn, as it has a long beginner trail served by a slow chairlift. Lessons for beginners are included in the cost of the weekend. Costs will be $5 more than what we charged last time (as we had to dip into the treasury slightly for the last trip): $70 plus $15 for those 13 or over plus $25 for anyone renting skiis (e.g., a 13 year old renting skiis would pay $70 + $15 + $25 = $110). This covers lodging, breakfasts, Saturday dinner, and skiing. What it does not cover are lunches at the ski areas on Saturday and Sunday, Friday dinner on the way up (e.g., McDonalds), and a snack on the way home on Sunday. Your son either needs to pack these meals, or bring along about $30. Any boy renting skiis needs to have his parents fill out ski rental forms, which are attached:
Wildcat Rental Form - First Page
Wildcat Rental Form - Second Page
Every boy needs to have a permission slip, a copy of which is also attached:
Ski Trip Permission Slip
Swim Nights at Babson: The council has announced the dates of this year's swim nights. Some are late Saturday afternoon, others are Fridays and Monday nights. We'll be cancelling our meetings on those Monday nights, and attending the swim nights. These swim nights are an excellent opportunity to earn Lifesaving and Swimming merit badges, as well as pass the swimming requirements for Second and First Class ranks. Here is the schedule of the remaining nights. The first conflicts with our ski weekend, and so the remaining four are going to be essential to those wishing to obtain Lifesaving:
|
Saturday |
February 8 |
4-5 pm |
|
Friday |
February 28 |
7-8:30 pm |
|
Saturday |
March 8 |
4-5 pm |
|
Monday |
March 24 |
7-8:30 pm |
|
Monday |
March 31 |
7-8:30 pm |
Cooking: Our theme for the next group of meetings is outdoor cooking. We'll be learning about all sorts of ways to improve our outdoor cooking, from Dutch Oven cooking to using reflector ovens. We'll cover the requirements for Cooking Merit Badge as part of the program. The program will cover the four meetings on February 24, March 3, March 10, and March 17. Make sure you attend all, and go on the Winter Camping Trip, on March 22-23, if you want to earn the merit badge.
Winter Camping Trip Rescheduled, March 22-23: To avoid a conflict with the second session of Merit Badge College, held on March 15, we are moving this trip back a week. The plan is to leave Saturday morning, and camp one night somewhere in New Hampshire where there is still snow! We'll hike in on Saturday on snowshoes and cross-country skis, and pitch our tents. We'll be applying the cooking skills we learn in the program on cooking starting next month. This Saturday comes on the heels of the 8th grader's arrival back from Washington, and so we're planning on a late morning departure, and a fairly close by location.
Junior Leader Training, April 5 (8 am - 1 pm): We're holding a Junior Leader Training course for all interested boys, but particularly for those who aspire to hold leadership positions next year. Mr. Lee and Mr. Sallay will be leading the course, which will be held at the Scout House. As we want our future leaders to be well fed, we'll have bagels and cream cheese and OJ to start, and pizza for lunch at the finish!
January 25, 1997
Merit Badge College, March 1 and 15 (9 am - 3 pm): This is a great chance to earn up to three merit badges on just two Saturdays. As many as 24 different badges are offered. To signup, you need to complete the attached application, and send it with the necessary check (e.g., $18 for three badges) to: Charles Wizniewski, 18 Pleasant Street, Hudson, MA 01749. . So do it today! Look his number up and call him if you are running late getting it in.
Open House, January 27: We're holding an Open House for new 5th and 6th grade boys during the first portion of our regular meeting this Monday night. The Open House will run from 7:30 pm through about 8:15 pm, and include a brief slide show, instructions on knot tying, and a knot tying relay game. Following the Open House, we will be finishing up on some advancement, and holding Boards of Review. Make sure to attend Monday night, in uniform.
2nd Ski Trip, February 7-9: We're going to repeat the successful trip we took last weekend, staying at Old Hutmen's Cabin and skiing at Wildcat. If there is interest in trying a new area, we could go to Burke or Sunday River. We'll be discussing this at Monday's meeting.
Court of Honor, February 3 (7:30 pm - 9 pm): Our Court of Honor will be held next Monday. Make sure that you have completed any advancement by this Monday, January 27.
Swim Nights at Babson: The council has announced the dates of this year's swim nights. Some are late Saturday afternoon, others are Fridays and Monday nights. We'll be cancelling our meetings on those Monday nights, and attending the swim nights. These swim nights are an excellent opportunity to earn Lifesaving and Swimming merit badges, as well as pass the swimming requirements for Second and First Class ranks. Here is the schedule:
|
Saturday |
January 25 |
4-5 pm |
No Lifesaving |
|
Saturday |
February 8 |
4-5 pm |
|
|
Friday |
February 28 |
7-8:30 pm |
|
|
Saturday |
March 8 |
4-5 pm |
|
|
Monday |
March 24 |
7-8:30 pm |
|
|
Monday |
March 31 |
7-8:30 pm |
The announcement in the Knox Trail News said that you needed to attend four sessions to receive Lifesaving. That is up from last year, but it may be because a new instructor is teaching the merit badge. Lifesaving is not being offered this Saturday, January 25, but will be offered on the other five nights. One of the nights conflicts with our Ski Trip, leaving only the required four nights in which to earn Lifesaving. So mark those four on your calendars!
Cooking: Our theme for the next group of meetings is outdoor cooking. We'll be learning about all sorts of ways to improve our outdoor cooking, from Dutch Oven cooking to using reflector ovens. We'll cover the requirements for Cooking Merit Badge as part of the program. The program will cover the four meetings on February 24, March 3, March 10, and March 17. Make sure you attend all, and go on the Winter Camping Trip, on March 22-23, if you want to earn the merit badge.
Winter Camping Trip Rescheduled, March 22-23: To avoid a conflict with the second session of Merit Badge College, held on March 15, we are moving this trip back a week. The plan is to leave early Saturday morning, and camp one night somewhere in New Hampshire where there is still snow! We'll hike in on Saturday morning on snowshoes and cross-country skis, and pitch our tents. We'll be applying the cooking skills we learn in the program on cooking starting next month.
Junior Leader Training, April 5 (8 am - 1 pm): We're holding a Junior Leader Training course for all interested boys, but particularly for those who aspire to hold leadership positions next year. Mr. Lee and Mr. Sallay will be leading the course, which will be held at the Scout House. As we want our future leaders to be well fed, we'll have bagels and cream cheese and OJ to start, and pizza for lunch at the finish!
January 16, 1997
Ski Trip: Wildcat received 10 inches of new snow today. All that rain down here was powder up there! We've got a good sized group going this weekend, including two boys that are going to be learning to ski for the first time on the trip (Alex W. and Ben B.). Mr. B. is heading up early with George B. and Jack S. The rest of us are travelling in Mr. Lee's big suburban. Mr. Lee will have copies of the rental agreements for parents to sign when we meet on Friday afternoon at 5:30pm at the scout house, but if you want to print out the form now and bring it with you signed, here are the forms:
Wildcat Rental Form - First Page
Wildcat Rental Form - Second Page
November 18, 1996
Fifth Grade Parent-Son Weekend (aka "Catapults at Nobscot"): Dec 7-8 Our troop is inviting all fifth grade boys to participate in a parent-son overnight camping trip. The event, open to all Weston boys, whether they are scouts or not, will be held Saturday, December 7 through Sunday, December 8 at the Nobscot Scout Reservation in Sudbury, Mass. Campers will sleep on Saturday night in the troop's cabin, which is heated by a wood stove. The highlight of the weekend will be an introduction to pioneering skills on Saturday afternoon. Using logs and ropes, the boys will learn how to build large catapults from which they can launch water balloons. Weather permitting, we will have a competition, in which the two patrols--supplemented with 5th graders--will each construct a catapult, and lob water balloons toward the Scoutmasters, who have volunteered as targets. This activity will take place at from about 12 Noon to 3pm. Even if you cannot stay overnight, consider joining us for this activity.
Service Day, this coming Saturday: We will rake leaves at the Scout House, and participate in Scouting for Food by sorting collected canned food at the South Street Fire House. We'll meet at the Scout House at 8am on Saturday, November 23, and finish up at the South Side Firehouse at about 12:30 or 1:00 pm. We'll have a grill, with hotdogs, soda, and chips at the Fire House. We'll arrange rides to get the boys home at between 12:30 and 1:00 pm. Some of us will accompany the food to the Natick food pantry to which it is being given, and that group will be driven to their homes at about 2 pm.
November 11, 1996
Service Day, Saturday, November 23: We will rake leaves at the Scout House, and participate in Scouting for Food by sorting collected canned food at the South Street Fire House. We'll meet at the Scout House at 8am on Saturday, November 23, and finish up at the South Side Firehouse at about 12 Noon. Some of us will accompany the food to the Natick food pantry to which it is being given, and that group will be driven to their homes at about 2pm.
Environmental Science Merit Badge, November 18 and 25: Mr. Petcavage will be at the meetings on November 18 and 25 to work with scouts on this merit badge. Let's make a real effort to complete your field observations, and get the results to Mr. Petcavage.
Jamboree 1997 Discussion, November 18: Mr. Wolcott will be at our meeting on November 18 to show us a video of the 1993 Jamboree and discuss the upcoming 1997 Jamboree.
Open House, November 25: Our meeting on November 25 will be open to Webelos scouts and other boys interested in joining boy scouts. We will be working on a model of the catapults to be built on our Nobscot outing on December 7-8. The Webelos scouts are invited to attend the outing, as well. They can attend Saturday afternoon's catapult competition, and they are also welcome to stay overnight at the troop's cabin.
November 4, 1996
Life-to-Eagle Seminar: This was held at our meeting on November 4, but only Justin W., Peter W., and George L. attended. If any of the other Life scouts are interested, Mr. Lee would be happy to sit down with them and go over the same material with them. Give him a call.
Scouting for Food: Saturday mornings, 11/16 and 11/23: Our troop is participating in Scouting for Food this fall, assisting the two Cub Scout Packs. We will distribute bags and flyers on the morning of 11/16, and pickup food on the morning of 11/23. Everyone is expected to help. This is a very important activity for the troop, both because it offers an opportunity for service to others, and because it will help market Troop 157 to the Town and the cub scouts.
Next Meeting: November 11: Yes, we are meeting next Monday, notwithstanding it being Veteran's Day. Mr. Wolcott or another leader from Troop 153 will be here to show a video of the 1993 Jamboree, and talk about attending the 1997 Jamboree. We will also begin work on knots and lashings in preparation for the Pioneering Weekend at Nobscot.
October 28, 1996
Nobscot Cabin Trip, December 7-8, to Focus on Pioneering: At the Patrol Leader's Council Meeting tonight, it was decided to focus the Nobscot outing on pioneering, with each patrol constructing its own catapult (which depending on the weather might be used to heave water balloons or other objects). Meetings in November will include skills sessions focusing on pioneering. November 4 will be basic knots. November 11 and 18 will be square and diagonal lashings. November 25 will be construction of a small model of the larger catapults to be built on the weekend.
Trail to Eagle Seminar, November 4: A seminar for Life scouts will be held as part of the meeting on November 4. We will go over the logistics of completing merit badges and the Eagle service project. Don't miss this opportunity to get some guidance on completing the trail to Eagle.
Jamboree Video, November 11: We will see a video on the 1993 National Jamboree at our meeting on November 11. Next year's Jamboree will be held at the same location. Mr. Wolcott, Scoutmaster of Troop 153, will show the video and talk about the upcoming Jamboree, which we are invited to attend (from July 27 through August 7).
Advancement in November: Plans are being made to work on several merit badges in November, including Citizenship in the Nation, Family Life, Personal Management, and Environmental Science (which we started last Spring). In general, we will be conducting an advancement session at each of the four meetings in November, with each session divided into a merit badge session and a First Class requirements session (at which we will work with the younger scouts on requirements for Scout through First Class).
Uniforms: Let's not forget that uniforms (shirt, neckerchief, and neckerchief slide) should be worn to all meetings. With the new council patches, and everyone's new patrol patches and office patches, we all need to sit down and do some sewing. This does not need to be a parent's responsibility, as all of us should be able to learn to do the simple hand stitching required for sewing on badges.
Lonesome in the Whites, October 26: With perfect sunny weather, we hiked up the Basin-Cascade and Cascade Trails to Lonesome Lake, making two pretty challenging stream crossings on the way up (only the Scoutmaster got wet). After a leisurely lunch and siesta at the lake's edge, we hiked around the lake, back down the shorter, Lonesome Lake Trail, and then back to our car along the Pemi Trail, which follows the Pemi River through Franconia Notch. One could not have asked for a more beautiful day than we experienced on Saturday.
October 21, 1996
Day Hike to Franconia Notch, October 26: This weekend's outing has been scaled back to a day hike on Saturday to one of the trails from Franconia Notch, New Hampshire. Most likely route will be to Lonesome Lake Hut, and then on the Fishin Jimmie Trail to the top of North Kinsman. This is an expecially interesting and scenic trail, as it takes us by two mountain lakes, an AMC hut, an AMC shelter, and up some gorgeous moss-covered trails on the ascent of North Kinsman. Boys will be dropped off at their homes in Weston by about 6pm on Saturday. Boys will bring a bag lunch. There will be no fee for this trip.
At the meeting, we discussed what should be brought along on a day hike. If the weather is reasonably warm, you could hike in shorts and a long sleeve shirt; if colder, long pants would be better, or shorts over your long underwear. In addition, you should bring: pocket knife, compass, nylon cord (25'), map (will be supplied), signed permission slip (will be available Saturday morning), day pack (could be a lightly loaded regular pack), flashlight, water bottle (minimum 2 liters), personal first aid kit, hiking boots, extra hiking socks (wool or synthetic blend, not cotton), long underwear (top and bottom, polypropylene), wool or fleece sweater/jacket, rain pants, rain jacket, wind breaker (rain jacket can serve as wind breaker), warm hat, gloves, trail snacks, bag lunch.
Patrol Leaders Council Meeting Is Next Monday, October 28: We will plan the December outing (probably to the Nobscot cabin) and the meetings between now and then. This is a very important meeting, as we have a lot to plan.
October 8, 1996
Next Meeting is Monday October 21: Focus at this meeting will be on preparation for the backpacking trip to the White Mountains on October 25-27. The older scouts will lead a training session on backpacking.
Backpacking Trip: October 25-27: We're going to take off on Friday night, and stay at Old Hutman's Cabin in Jackson, New Hampshire. Our destination on Saturday will depend on the weather, but tentatively is Hermit Lake shelter at the base of Tuckerman Ravine on Mount Washington. This a fairly easy hike up, and will serve as a base camp for shorter hikes. The Hermit Lake shelter is a large lean-to structure maintained by the AMC. It's a popular spot in the spring, when skiing is at its prime at Tuckerman's Ravine.
September 30, 1996
Memorial Service for Mr. Fagley: A memorial service was held on Saturday, September 28, for Mr. Fagley. Most of the members of the troop attended, including all of the adult leaders. Many of us were in uniform. Mr. Fagley's contributions as an Assistant Scoutmaster will long be remembered. He will be missed.
Canoe Trip: October 4-6: We leave Friday night at 5:30pm on our Saco River canoe trip. We'll camp Friday night at Woodland Acres Campground, our canoe outfitter's own campground. We will put into the Saco at Canal Bridge (on Route 5) on Saturday morning. Saturday night's campsite will be along the Saco. We'll finish our trip on Sunday morning, and take out at Woodland Acres Campground in East Brownfield. We'll cover a total distance of 15.6 miles. We should be home in Weston by about 2-3pm on Sunday afternoon. This stretch of the Saco should be a lot of fun. The water moves along more quickly than on the stretch we were on two years ago. There are even a couple of Class I rapids (easiest class).
Anyone going on the trip must have passed BSA Swimmer or the equivalent ("Jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth, level off, and begin swimming; swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes; sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke; the 100 yards must be swum continuously and include at least one sharp turn; after completing the swim, rest by floating").
Troop Committee Meeting Recheduled to October 23: Owing to a conflict, the Troop Committee meeting is rescheduled to Wednesday, October 23, at the Lee's home (94 Bakers Hill Road).
September 16, 1996
Backpacking Demo/Seminar: Our meeting on September 16 was devoted to "what do we take along on our backs". We had the good fortune to have an A.T. thru hiker (Trailname, "Confused") stop by on his way north to Katahdin. We emptied his pack, item by item, and debated whether it made sense to carry.
Meeting Rescheduled: Our next meeting, which had been scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, 1996, has been moved back to the regular slot, Monday, September 23, 1996, at 7:30pm. The meeting will take place after sundown on the 23rd, and thus does not conflict with observance of Yom Kippur.
Kayak Trip Cancelled: Our trip to Warren Island, Maine, and kayaking in Gilkey Harbor, had to be cancelled owing to the severe weather forecast for the Maine coast this past weekend. It would have been a great trip, and we'll do it next fall.
September 9, 1996
Troop Divides into Two Patrols; Leaders Elected: The troop divided into two patrols (10th graders in one, and the younger boys in the other). Justin W. was elected Senior Patrol Leader. George B. and Austin S. were elected Patrol Leader and Asst. Patrol Leader, respectively, for their patrol. Mike L. and Colin Harley were elected Patrol Leader and Asst. Patrol Leader for their patrol. The patrols will select a name, and work on flags and insignia at a future meeting.