Troop
457 December 2002 Newsletter
November 23, 2002
To: Parents of Troop 457
From: Mr. Weber Troop 457
Re: Troop News
I wanted to share a number of issues with you that have either come up
recently within troop meetings or at our adult committee meetings.
Several of these require a response from you in
the next several weeks.
Changes in Summer Camp 2003
Recently, the Greater Niagara Frontier Council instituted a new policy on
how they will select troops to attend Philmont with the Council
Contingent. The new policy directly awards points for being a quality
unit award, having properly trained leaders, participating in Friends of
Scouting, participating in the Popcorn Sale, attending summer camp at Camp
Schoellkopf, and being a full uniform troop. Based on past practices
within Troop 457, we will receive full points for the first four
categories but none for the latter two because we have stressed going out
of council for summer camp and have had a relaxed policy on full
uniforms.
The question before us is whether we should alter how we do business to be completive for placement in the Council’s Philmont Contingent. I believe we should because I regard Philmont as the ultimate Scouting experience in providing tests of leadership, confidence, courage, determination, respect for nature, fellowship, and many other qualities that I do not know how to express in words. This is certainly not to intimate that Philmont is the only place these qualities can be honed, but in my short time in scouting, I have yet to experience a better venue for them. As such, I believe that having scouts from Troop 457 attend Philmont is very important to the Troop. I also believe that after their Philmont experiences, our Scouts have the responsibility to serve and display these qualities to the rest of the troop.
As such, and after consultation at the last adult committee meeting and the Troop meeting that followed, we have decided to attend summer camp at Camp Schoellkopf this summer. The week of summer camp will be July 13-19, 2003. While I know some of you may feel this is “step down,” I want to assure you that my experiences at Schoellkopf have been very positive. My son, Patrick, attended camp there several years ago on a provisional basis and did some merit badges such as climbing that are only offered at this camp. Other scouts in our troop who have attended Camp Schoellkopf have had similar positive experiences. The food is well regarded and boys will be able to earn a large number of merit badges for advancement. In addition, although we camp there with some regularity (two to four times a year), the boys will get to know the camp even better than they do now. If the policy stays in effect, we will probably be in an every other year rotation with going to summer camp outside of Council and going to Schoellkopf.
Full Uniform Policy
As reported earlier, another factor that will weigh in the Troop’s favor for sending a crew(s) to Philmont will be our adoption of a full uniform policy. Accordingly, it is the goal of Troop 457 to be a full uniform Troop. A full uniform consists of our current Class A shirts, official scout pants/shorts, and belt. If shorts are worn, it also means wearing official scout socks. Actually, I think this will be a harder change for our troop than the changes in summer camp. However, I will be buying my scout pants in the next several weeks and want to encourage other members of the Troop to do the same. If we are selected to attend Philmont, the consistent wearing of a full uniform will be one of the criteria used to select participants from the troop. The upcoming holidays might be a good time to pick up some pants for your scout.
The Difference Between Rough Play and Bullying
As our Scouts grow older, it is sometimes hard for these boys to remember what strength they have developed and how it can be considerably greater than some of our younger scouts. At most campouts and meetings there always is roughhousing and sometimes it is difficult to determine the difference between roughhousing and bullying unless you see the whole episode. This is further complicated by the fact that younger scouts often enjoy roughhousing with older scouts.
With that said, let me be absolutely clear that Troop 457 has a zero tolerance policy on bullying and will ask Scouts to leave the troop if a clear trend with any particular scout develops. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of our more physically able scouts to know where the line is between having some gentle fun and bullying. As many of you know, we had to ask a member of the Troop to resign several years ago because he could not differentiate between having fun with younger scouts and being overly aggressive. The Troop will not hesitate to take this action again if necessary. I would appreciate it if parents would discuss this issue with their sons and relay any concerns they have to me personally. I hope any scout in Troop 457 feels comfortable coming to me or any other adult leader about overly aggressive behavior of another Scout.
Roster and Scout Leadership Chart
I have attached the latest Troop 457 roster and Scout Leadership Chart for your use.
Next Adult Committee Meeting
Our next fun packed and adventure filled Adult Committee Meeting will be held on December 1st at St. John Lutheran Church. The meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. and conclude at approximately 9 p.m. An agenda will follow by email.
December Campout
Four of our six patrols are camping as patrols in December. The four patrols are Panther, Dragon, Lightning, and Cobra. Lightning and Cobra are camping together at Stonehaven in the new Environmental Lodge and the Dragon and Panther patrols are camping separately at Schoellkopf. I have attached a permission slip which needs to be returned at our next Troop meeting on December 4th if you son plans to attend with his patrol. We also need to make sure we have sufficient adult leadership for each group.
Future Troop Leadership
It has been my privilege to serve as Assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster of Troop 457 for the past five and half years. I can truly say that the experience has been one that I have treasured and learned from. I know I have received much more than I have given as I watch the young men of Troop 457 grow. However, I can see the end of my Scoutmastering days coming in the next year or so and now is the time start thinking about a leadership transition. While Troop 457 is blessed with many outstanding adult leaders, all of whom would do an outstanding job as Scoutmaster, seldom does somebody jump up and say they want this job. Accordingly, I would like your help. I would like to have each parent (family) anonymously nominate one or two individuals that they think would be a good fit for the position. I will keep a box at the meetings for your nominations. A nomination form is enclosed to remind you that I would like your help. Sometime over the holiday break, I will review your nominations and begin discussions with the leading candidates and determine their interest and availability. Once an individual has been identified, the timing of the leadership transition will be worked out. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to chat with me about this important issue please give me a call at home or drop me an email. Self nominations are very appropriate if you have the interest and desire!!
Winter Klondike 2004
Troop 457 has been asked to host the Winter Klondike in January 2004. This is a sign that our Troop is well respected within the Council. The organizing and running of the 2004 Klondike would be a major undertaking for our troop but one that I think would be very worthy of our enterprise. As a troop, we have enjoyed the Klondike for a number of years and a Troop of our size has the energy and manpower to put on such an event for others to enjoy. I have chatted with the Scoutmasters from the Troops that ran the past three Klondikes and all spoke to the positive qualities that it instilled in their troops.
This issue has been discussed at both the recent Adult Committee and the last two Patrol Leader Council Meetings where it received favorable discussion. Our scouts especially seem interested in running this event. However, the Klondike can not be pulled off successfully by a small group of people. It will take the collective energy of many scouts and parents from Troop 457. Examples of things that will need to be done include organizing the patrol events, assigning campsites, constructing prizes plaques for each event, running the warming hut, running the sled race, judging the chili cook-off, etc. etc. None of these in themselves are difficult but all will require a dedicated group of scouts and parents.
To determine if there is sufficient Troop 457 adult commitment to running the 2004 Winter Klondike, I would like you to fill out the Klondike interest form. Unless we have sufficient commitment by our parents, I will decline the offer from Council. I would like these forms returned no later than the December 11th meeting.
Eagle Court of Honor
On December 18th, Chris Arthur will be having his Eagle Court of Honor. The Court of Honor will take place during our normal meeting time from 7:30 to 9 p.m. This is the culmination of many years of hard work by Chris. I urge parents to attend with their sons to help celebrate this Troop wide event. Refreshments will be served after the ceremony.