Scoutmaster Minute: We completed another successful Merit Badge University under the excellent guidance of Matt Conner, our gracious hosts Paul and Kathy Taylor, and many Merit Badge Counselors. Last week during the Patrol Leadership Council (PLC) the team crafted a solid activities plan through mid-April, which will give the new Leadership team time to catch-up and grab the reigns of responsibility come April 1. I strongly encourage all Scouts to consider how best they can take on a leadership position to push their potential…no leader is perfect and learning never happens without trying…take the “risk”.

Don’t be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Rank Advancement
  • Kylen Jordan – Life (2/22/19)
  • Christopher Richmond – 2nd Class (2/19/19)

 

1. This Week Feb 26 – Leadership and OA Elections
Uniform: Class A
All Scouts seeking to hold a Position of Responsibility during the spring term (April-Oct) should plan to attend this meeting. If you are not able to attend and would like to be considered then I need to know before the meeting.
Holding a position of responsibility is especially necessary for rank advancement — Star, Life & Eagle — and it requires active participation to fulfill the requirement.
  1. Order of the Arrow: Election of Ordeal Candidates will be conducted with support from Troop 1137. Eligibility requires a Scout to hold the rank of First Class, a minimum of 15 days/nights camping. The OA recognizes Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. Those elected will fulfill their Ordeal later this spring.
  2. Senior Patrol Leader Candidates: All scouts interested in running for election as the next Senior Patrol Leader should contact Mr. Morley no later than the February 19 PLC meeting. Candidates must be the rank of Life or higher and be in 9th to 12th grade. Mr. Morley will schedule a time to meet with you, or call, to discuss your goals and ambitions as SPL. The time period for this leadership position is from  April 2019 to October 2019. You must be present to be elected.
  3. Patrol Leader Selection: All patrols should prepare for Patrol Leader elections. Scouts interested in running for Patrol Leader for their patrols should discuss their desire with their patrol members. To be elected patrol leader you must be present at the Troop election meeting!
  4. Troop Positions of Responsibility: Scouts interested in serving in other positions of responsibility should review the attached Position Guide for information on the various positions available and associated responsibilities. 
All scouts elected or appointed to a position of responsibility for the Spring term are required to attend the Junior Leadership Training (JLT) on March 31 at the CUMC Activity Field.
 
ATTENTION: Hiking MB  – Scouts are encouraged to review hike options in the 5mi, 10mi, and 15mi range for a outing in early March. Source like www.HikingUpward.org/maps. Your choices should be shared with the SPL, me, and ASM Staton.
 

2. Next Week Mar 5 – Fire 101 (Titans) @ Activity Field

Uniform: Class A
This meeting is being organized to ensure that all Scouts are well grounded on a specific element of the 10 essentials – Matches and/or a firestarter. The starter part is the essential item necessary to get the fire part to work correctly. More details to follow.
This will also provide some prep work for the Elizabeth Furnace campout on March 22-24.
3. Next Next Week Mar 12 – Scout Engineers (Pandas) 
Uniform: Class A
This meeting is being designed by the Pandas to provide some innovative thinking to Pioneering MB. Scout will also have time to begin planning for the March campout
We will also welcome our new members of the Nova Corp.

Pre-Shakedown: Each Patrol will review plans for the up coming Elizabeth Furnace campout March 22-24 which will follow a backcountry format. That means Scouts will apply the cooking skills used during last weeks Backcountry Iron Chef meeting for all meals. Patrols should begin consulting the attached idea Backpacking Meal Ideas (e.g., a loaf of bread does not travel well, but tortillas do great). Breakfast and Dinner will be in camp, lunch Saturday will be on the trail. 

For those working on various Rank requirements & MBs, this outing will including multiple cooking possibilities, hiking opportunities and options to exercise orienteering and pioneering skills amongst others.

Shakedown planning will be completed at the March 19 meeting with support from the Landsharks.

4. Meeting Outlook by Patrol
3/19 – Landsharks (Orienteering)
3/26 – Eagles (Scout Games)
4/9 – Phoenix (Scout Scavenger Hunt)
4/23 – Titans (Operation Rescue)
5. Elizabeth Furnace Campout  Mar 22-24
Uniform: Class A/B
 
Couple of items to for Scouts to take into consideration as it pertains to a variety of rank and merit badge requirements while planning for this campout.
  1. 1st Class
    • We will attempt to support the orienteering req in 4a and 4b as needed.
  2. Hiking MB
    • 4. Three 10-mile hikes (this location could be one of three, if 5mi is already complete)
  3. Cooking MB
    • 6d. While on a trail hike or backpacking trip, prepare and serve two meals and a snack from the menu planned for this requirement. At least one of those meals must be cooked over a fire, or an approved trail stove (with proper supervision).
  4. Camping MB 
    • 9b. On any of these camping experiences, you must do TWO of the following, only with proper preparation and under qualified supervision:
1. Hike up a mountain where, at some point, you are at least 1,000 feet higher in elevation from where you started.
2. Backpack, snowshoe, or cross-country ski for at least 4 miles.
3. Take a bike trip of at least 15 miles or at least four hours.
4. Take a nonmotorized trip on the water of at least four hours or 5 miles.
5. Plan and carry out an overnight snow camping experience.
6. Rappel down a rappel route of 30 feet or more.
There are a number of other requirements that could also be satisfied with a little planning, so Scouts should be aware that this outing provides a unique opportunity. That also assuming proper equipment.
6.  Key Dates
Feb 26: Troop Leadership & OA Elections/Positions of Responsibility
Mar 22-24: Elizabeth Furnace Campout
Mar 31: Junior Leadership Training
Apr 2: Court of Honor
Apr 6: Spring Cleanup @CUMC (Service Hrs)
Apr 26-28: New Scout Campout
May 24-26: Annual Canoe Trip
Jun 23-29: Summer Camp @ Goshen’s Camp Olmstead