Troop 132

Senior Patrol Leader Christian did a nice job leading his first on-line Court of Honor (COH) and our second on-line Troop COH. It was a very nice event shared by many. Congratulations to Matt, Emmett, and Marcus for earning the Friendly, Courteous, and Kind 3-Point awards, and congratulations to those scouts who earned new ranks and to the many merit badge recipients. Special thanks to all our adult Scouters (volunteers) and especially Mr. Sprague, Mr. Rzepczynski, Mr. Cancio, and Mr. Gekle who were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the Troop. Mr. Anthony cast a brass scout emblem and mounted it ironwood with their names as a way we can recognize and show Troop appreciation. We are lucky in our Troop that we have such wonderful, selfless volunteers who contribute in so many ways to
making scouting opportunities available to our scouts. There are so many that contribute but these awards are a small way that we can say thanks for the many years and hundreds of hours of service to the Troop. Thank you so much. I’m personally very grateful and I know all the scouts have benefited from their
guidance and support.

We had four Eagles (Lucas, Kevin, Nolan, and Simon) who were recognized and I know there are more working towards that rank. These scouts are role models for the Troop and they are often the first to sign up for Eagle service projects to help others. I’m proud to say this is part of our Troop’s culture to give back to others what they have received and benefited from. Well done.

We have a good schedule of upcoming spring events and looking forward to summer camp. Keep up the good scouting. If you have some thoughts on merit badges that we should be offering as a Troop, please let your patrol leaders and senior scouts know so we can judge interest and determine how we can
meet that need.

Congratulations to our newest Eagle Scout Simon! Simon was in his board of review during our sledding meeting and did a fine job answering a battery of questions about his scouting career. Questions include his merit badges, positions of responsibility, and his Eagle project.  Special thanks to ASM Mr. Rzepczynski for all his guidance, review, and mentoring that he provides to all our scouts, especially our Life Scouts as they prepare themselves for Eagle.

Remember to clean out your street’s hydrants! That would be doing your good turn.  Have a good winter break from school.
 
Our next meeting is our virtual Court of Honor.

We had a good meeting last Tuesday where we watched “Alone In The Wilderness”. This is a great documentary of a man going into the Alaskan wilderness and building a cabin and living with the land. What he can do with an ax, hand saw, and some very basic tools is just amazing. He makes wooden hinges, a dutch door, and a wooden lock. He also lives in a very scout-like fashion, leaving little or no trace and using the resources that he has. Good choice leaders.  We should all be inspired to learn and perfect our outdoor skills as he has done and rely on nothing more than your skills and what you have. All good lessons.

PLC Reminder:
We have an upcoming PLC meeting Monday, February 8, 2021, 6:00-7:30 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86064755321?pwd=dGhieUlGU3hzVVdLRGFXdzNFdEdiUT09 
Meeting ID: 860 6475 5321 Passcode: PLC
I would like to ask the PLC to come prepared with goals they aspire to achieve during their term.
 
Scholarship Reminder:
Troop 132, Concord, MA established a Scholarship Fund on June 5, 2019 to recognize the contribution of senior scouts who have contributed to the culture of the Troop. When fiscally able, the Troop will award up to $1,000 annually from its Christmas Tree drive in the form of a scholarship. No single applicant will be given an award larger than $500.
1. Graduating seniors from a high school or home school who have been Active members of the Troop for at least the two years prior to the anticipated graduation date. Preference for the scholarship is given to scouts with high Active Troop engagement.
2. The scout has demonstrated living by the Scout Oath and Law in and outside of Scouts. The senior scout has contributed towards the culture of the Troop.
3. Must be a full-time student.
The application is here in the announcements and I would encourage all our senior scouts to apply.

Sledding Next Meeting;
We plan on doing our own sledding this year and will meet at the high school hill at 6 pm on Tuesday night. Bring your sled. For those interested, there is a Snow Sports Merit Badge that is worth earning. Please bring this up to one of your senior leaders if you are interested.
 
Snow; There are 18” of opportunities to help neighbors and I’ve asked each scout to go down their street and find a hydrant to shovel out. Put your thoughts into actions and do your good turn daily.