The Troop 1954
Wednesday Newsletter

 

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Hi Folks,

Thanks to everyone who helped out at last night's meeting. 

Once again, I want to thank everyone who showed up for Trevor's Eagle Project.  It was a great job and many hands made work light.  It's nice that he did something that everyone will be able to see for years into the future.

This Thursday we cross-over three Webelos II to our troop.  The cross-over will be at the Scout Hut at 7:00.  I'd really like as many people to show up as can.  Let's really try to be there for these new scouts.  As I mentioned last week, I'll give one point to a patrol for each patrol member who shows up.  BTW, we've probably got as many patrols as we can currently house so the new scouts will be joining existing patrols; two to the Ferocious Ferrets and one to the Biohazards.  I'd really like it if we had some representatives from these two patrols there.

As is our custom, we'll be making some changes in the patrol coaching staff for this six month period.  I'm still working on this issue, but you'll see a couple of those changes listed below.

We're coming up to the registration deadline for Silver Pines.  If you want to go, let me know really fast.  Here's the basic information again:  Silver Pines will be held from June 5-11 this year at Green Dixon.  Silver Pines is the National Youth Leadership Training program.  This is an outstanding, week long camping experience for youth who who want to play leadership roles in their troops.  It's a boy led experience.  Parents are invited not to attend!  Scouts are eligible if they are at least 13 (by the date of the camp), are at least First Class, have been to at least one BSA summer or winter camp, have not previously done Silver Pines, and are approved by the Scoutmaster.

Registering and Paying for Silver Pines: The program cost for Silver Pines is $185.  The deadline for application is May 1 and $50 deposit must accompany the application.  There are only 64 spaces so it's to our advantage to make decisions about this fast and get registered.  The troop committee has determined that some funds are available to assist families in paying for Silver Pines.  However, we need to know soon how many scouts are interested so we know how to distribute these funds.  So, please email me at r.warms@txstate.edu as soon as possible to let me know if you are interested.  Further, I don't see this on the current application, but you should know that in the past, scouts have also been required to have complete uniforms (that means shorts, socks, belts, the whole works).  That may be an additional expense if you don't already own this stuff.

Patrol Award: Currently a three way tie between Ferrets, Biohazards, and Fromage.  Winner will hopefully be determined by attendance on Thursday's cross-over

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

Attendance
SPL Ben Painton presiding, assisted by ASPL Sean M. Fink
   
Vicious Badgers  Patrol Leader, Daniel Frediani  Coached by ????
Patrol motto: Badger Badger Badger Badger MUSHROOM MUSHROOM
Mason
Daniel
Tony
John
Thomas
 
 
Ferocious Ferrets  Patrol Leader, Justin Williams  Coached by Ms. Patty
Patrol motto: We are the Ferocious Ferrets.  We sleep we eat and we sleep some more.
Jaimie
Perry
Edwin
Justin
 
Biohazards   Patrol Leader, Nathan Hicks.  Coached by Mr. Myers
Alexey
Nathan
Philip
Ben
Mason
 
   
Crimson Fromage     Patrol Leader, Josh Rose.  Coached by Mr. Bandy
Patrol motto: A Light Sprinkling of Genius with a Chance of Doom
Sean
Josh
Ben
 
Highly Flammable Piffs     Patrol Leader, Dane Rasmussen.  Coached by Dr. J.
Patrol motto: Don't Misunderestimate Us!
Kirkland
Lee
Corey
Johnny
 
Non-Patrol Scouts    
Trevor
 

Point System Scoring

Patrol

Attend.

Uniform

Behavior

Spirit

Meeting

6 Mo

V. Badgers 5 4 0 0 10 28
F. Ferrets 5 5 0 0 13 31
Biohazards 5 5 0 0 11 29
Fromage 5 5 0 0 10 25
Piffs 4 4 0 0 10 27


Note: Scouts with more than three consecutive misses will not be counted against patrol attendance scores.  Such scouts are not removed from their patrols.  They are simply not counted for attendance points until they return.  Also note that when all patrols score the same on a category, it doesn't matter what they score.

Behavior, subtract for each incident.

Fails to come to order when scout sign given -1
Fighting with each other -1 per incident
Bad language -1 per incident
Failure to treat others with respect -1
Asked repeatedly to do any task -1
Fails to clean up -1
Shows poor sportsmanship -1

Spirit: Add for each, highest score is a five.

All members cooperate with game +1
Members make progress on meeting’s task +1
Members show enthusiasm for tasks +1
Members show good organization (listen to PL and Coach) +1
Members exemplify Scout Law +1


 

Announcements

 

1) Crossover for our new scouts coming in from Pack 1954 will be at 7:00 on Thursday, April 28th at the Scout Hut.  We would really like a good turn out for this event.

2) If you haven't yet turned in your merit badge choices for summer camp, please do so as soon as possible.  I must have these choices by the weekend or your on your own!  The issue is that registration is on line and most of the "more desirable" classes are expected to fill very fast.

3) All patrols, be prepared to do you skits and whatever next week.

4) We need to have a Patrol Leaders Council real soon.  Look for more info as I get it.

 
Essay

In the "Gotta Love It" department (folks I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried):

From the Dallas Morning News, April 26, 2005

Councilman apologizes after calling Boy Scout 'Count Dracula'

DATELINE: DALLAS

A City Council member apologized to the father of a Boy Scout after calling the teenager "Count Dracula" for erecting bat houses in a park.

Ira Richardson said he has received an outpouring of support for his 14-year-old son, who built the houses as part of a project to earn an Eagle Scout badge.

After hearing about the project, Council Member Mitchell Rasansky voiced concerns during a neighborhood meeting. Rasansky also appeared at City Hall last week with plastic fangs and with a plastic bat attached to his suit.

In a letter of apology, Rasansky said he had "great respect and admiration for all Boy Scouts." Rasansky said he was only joking when he said the boy was from Transylvania and mentioned taking a "wooden stake and a cross" to the park.

Before building three bat houses, the teen received permission from a homeowners association, the city parks department and the Boy Scouts.

There were no plans by parks officials to remove the houses. A spokeswoman for the Boy Scouts said the teen will receive his badge.

 

Upcoming Events


April 28, Webelos II cross to Scouts, 7:00, Scout Hut.

April 29 – May 1 – Order of the Arrow Ordeal Weekend.  Those that got tapped and others that are going that weekend need to pre-register for meals by calling the scout office. It is cheaper if you pre-register. You do not have to pay until the scouts get there. Ms. Patty will be transporting that weekend and will meet anyone needing a ride at the scout hut at 5 on Friday.

May 6, Friday night – Equipment check for Philmont Crew. Time and location to be announced.

May 13-15, Scarborough Renaissance Fair Camp Out

May 15 Final Summer Camp Payment Due

June 3-5, Big Bend Camp Out. We'll be leaving EARLY (6:30) on Friday morning.  Big Bend does not accept reservations so we have to be able to get there early in the day.

June 5-11, Summer Silver Pines

June 24 to July 3, Summer Camp, Camp Alexander, Colorado

July, date TBA, Blanco River Camp-out

August 13, River Clean Up service activity

September 9-11 Pedernales Falls Camp Out