Our scouts and leadership had much to cheer about at the Flintlock District Annual Recognition Dinner this week. Troop 132 was awarded a Journey to Excellence Gold ranking for the year. This ribbon will be a nice addition to our Troop flag. Thanks to Nick, Will, Ben, Reid, and Lucien for helping with the opening and closing of the dinner.
More importantly, Mr. Gekle was awarded the Flintlock District BSA Leader of the Year for all of his efforts ensuring our scouting success in Concord. Many may not fully appreciate all of the behind the scenes work he has done as the Troop Committee Chair. He really is the “glue” that keeps us together and moving forward with our active troop program. Curtis’s good judgment and calm manner have made all our scout work easier. Mr. McWillams also received a District Service Award in recognition for all of his work with the Cub Scouts in Concord and his extra help with our Troop. Troop 132 appreciates his ongoing support and helpful advice. If you see either of them at the next Troop meeting or event, make sure you give each a hardy handshake and thank you. Or, even better, give a helping hand at our next Troop event. A little help from every adult makes the load on everyone a little easier. Last week we attempted a quick evening surprise hike. It was a good idea, but walking through a flood plain during spring can be a wet experience. We do need to learn how to assemble quickly so we can move from following safety protocols to having fun. Be prepared. We also learned the lesson of good cheer when things don’t always go as planned. Don't forget, Xander needs help with his Eagle project.
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Please support Xander's Eagle project and the bike trip next Saturday. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Troop meeting this Tuesday.
There is a lot to cover this week so please take some time to read through.
Scout House Clean up
Last year the Troop (not Eagle projects) built two benches and refurbished another for the Great Meadows. The benches look great and were funded by donors as memorial benches to loved ones. A small group of scouts, Nick, Will, Ben, and Luke helped with effort and the familes were very appreciative. Jared Green, Superintendant, is also very pleased with our support of the Great Meadows. Check them out next time you are hiking or XC skiing in Great Meadows. We have been asked to build another bench and we are coordnitated with the family. We will need help and we will keep you posted. Scouting can make a difference. Town Meeting Two scouts, Ben and Freddy, along with the Concord Girls Scouts led the flag ceremony for the Town Meeting. Troop 132 has been doing this for years. Well done. Eagle Tips and Our Troop’s Mission Attached you will find the Ten Tips for Scouts thinking about Eagle and an Eagle Project Checklist. You can find more BSA material online. Here’s your Scoutmaster and Mr. Rzepczynski’s tried and true tips. The biggest theme – Be Prepared, Do your job (no excuses) and seek help (there is plenty available). Eagle is not the end game and our mission. In fact, most if not all of our Eagles stay on to help the younger scouts because they are good scouts. Being a good scout is the aim. Here’s the BSA Scouts mission: “The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.” Please read the tips. They might help or at least, they can’t hurt. I’ve underlined oath and law. These are the keys and marks of a good scout. No one is perfect and we all make mistakes, but this is our mission and focus as a Troop. To achieve the mission we use the patrol method in an outdoor environment. That’s what we do. This weekend we will be having our annual Scout House cleanup. Sunday 0800-1000 (8am -10am). This is an opportunity to get some work done for the Scout House and if you need any advancement work. I am happy to take a break for SM conferences. Please let me know when you arrive. Afterward, the PLC will be hosting a planning session from 10-12. This will help plan the year.
Many thanks to Mr. Rzepczynski and Mr. Sprague who helped me a great deal while I was away on business travel. Thank you. April will soon lead to May and we have a lot of activities planned. Look at the announcements and plan ahead. This Monday night two of our Scouts, Ben and Henry will help with the flag ceremony at the Town Meeting. Nick Higgins and Will will pass the batton and make sure Ben and Henry know the process and it is great our scouts can help in this small but significant way. If you are working on your Citizenship of the Community merit badge, you should attend the Town Meeting and learn about a topic and the process. |
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November 2023
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