The Troop/Crew 1954
Wednesday Newsletter

 

Wednesday, January 11 2006

Hi Folks,

Believe it or not, this is issue one of volume four of the Wednesday Newsletter.  How time's fun when you're having flies.  I don't know.  Somehow it's more entertaining to watch the guys getting older than it is to watch the adults getting older.  But, we're all one step at a time.

We had a good crowd last night and it was really nice to see everyone...scouts and adults.  We've got a lot of exciting things coming up this year, so stay tuned!

Here's what's happening:

First, Summer Camp.  We'll be at Camp Daniel Boone in North Carolina this summer.  Lots of opportunities for high adventure stuff.  Lots of good places to go on the way there and the way back.  I was thinking a trip to Graceland, but I think the camp leaders have better ideas.  Anyhow, we're at camp the week of June 24 to July 1, so that means the trip will probably be from about June 21 or 22 to July 3 or 4.  Like most prices, the cost is up this year.  We don't know the exact figure but count on between 400 and 500 dollars.  We have to put down money immediately so if you know you are or are not planning to go, please let me, Cece, or Ms. Patty know as soon as possible.

Second, we have two camping opportunities this month.  On the weekend of the 20-22 some of us are going to John Knox camp to do high ropes courses.  Some are going to Bastrop to participate in the annual orienteering meet.  Both of these should be great activities.  On the ropes course we'll do a little team building but we will be focusing mostly on the personal achievement high ropes stuff.  Please come to the meeting on Tuesday ready to let us know which adventure you're going to go on.

Scouts will be working on scout skills for the next few weeks.  We started this past meeting with rope work (and there will be a contest at the beginning of the next meeting to see if Alexey's team really can beat everyone else).  We will be having a fire building contest the week after next.  Patrols will have to light a fire without using matches or a lighter, and boil a cup of water to win.  We will be awarding both edible prizes and points to the winning patrols.

In February we have Report to State and Merit Badge University as well as our camp out at Lost Pines.  Merit Badge University is now closed, so if you didn't register, you're not going.  We will probably send a small delegation to Report to State.

As always, the Troop 1954 events calendar, this and all back newsletters,  and all sorts of other useful information is available on our website at www.sanmarcos1954.org

Patrols and Attendance
SPL Tony Frediani presiding, assisted by ASPL Justin Williams
 
Chingy Hobbits  
Aaron D.  
Daniel F.  
John M.  
   
   

 

Ferocious Ferrets  
Tony F.  
Perry H.  
Edwin M.  
Justin W.  
   
   

 

Mullets  
Nathan Heath.  
Nathan Hicks  
Philip L.  
Mason R-K  

 

Whitey Tighties  
Alexey D.  
Ace G.  
   

 

Venture Crew Members  
Sean F.  
Ben W.  
Thomas  
Johnny  
Josh  
Kirk B.  
Zach P.  


 

Other Types  
Ben P.
 

 
News of the Scouting World
 Army Investigates National Scout Jamboree Deaths

Michael Felberbaum
Associated Press

The electrocution deaths of four Boy Scout leaders at the National Scout Jamboree last summer were found to be accidental, an Army spokesman said Friday.

"We'll be closing the case as an accidental death case," said Chris Grey of the Army's Criminal Investigation Command. "We found no culpability for criminal acts in the death of the these individuals."

The Army plans to formally close the investigation within two weeks after an administrative review, Grey said.

The four men were electrocuted July 25, 2005, as they put up a dining tent near a power line during the gathering at Fort A.P. Hill. The 10-day Jamboree is held every four years and draws more than 40,000 Scouting enthusiasts from around the world.

The dead were Scout leaders Ronald H. Bitzer, 58; Mike Lacroix, 42; and Michael J. Shibe, 49, all of Anchorage, Alaska; and Scott Edward Powell, 57, of Perrysville, Ohio.

The four were helping two workers from Tents & Events Inc., a Fishersville, Va., company that is now closed. Witnesses said the four were erecting a large tent when its center pole touched overhead electrical lines.

The Boy Scouts of America said it will request a copy of the report to "try to understand what happened," said spokesman Gregg Shields.

"We didn't have any hint of any criminality," Shields said. "This is accidental, and we're going to look into ways to prevent accidents and make all scouting events as safe as possible."

Michael Harman, a lawyer for the tent company, said, "I've always thought it was just an accident."

The Scouts have held the Jamboree since 1937. The next event will be held in 2010 to coincide with the group's 100th anniversary.

The deaths of the four leaders were followed by days of intense heat that sickened more than 300 Scouts and visitors.
 
Upcoming Events

January 20-22, John Knox Camp Camp-Out (ropes course)

February TBA, Lost Pines (climbing tower and canoeing)

February 18, Merit Badge University

March 13-17, Enchanted Rock Camp-Out

March 30-April 2, Camporee

April 4, Troop Elections

April 11, Spring Court of Honor

May 5-7, Inks Lake

June 2-4 Big Bend

July TBA Summer Camp