Troop 132

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.

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

1. Scout House Clean up. Well done and many thanks. We posted some pictures on the Facebook page and I’m very pleased by the use of the patrol method and our senior leadership. All of the scouts who volunteered worked hard and they worked well together. My “bud” for next year would be to start even earlier in the day so the patrols can cook breakfast. This way the scouts get more experience cooking and perhaps, sign off on some rank and merit badge requirements.
2. Congratulations to Simon (Star) and Nathaniel (Tenderfoot)  who had their boards of review.
3. Thanks to the parents who helped with the cleanup and the parents who participated with the boards of review. This is a great way to know the scouting program and get to know the scouts.
4. Henry did a nice job re-organizing the lockers with the patrol leaders. This is a continuous job and his job is to remind the patrols to clean and put away their gear. It’s the patrol’s gear and not the Troop's gear, so the patrols need to remember to take care of the gear.
5. The Scout House is grateful for the Troop's effort!

Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) Annual Planning Meeting

1. Scouts met and reviewed the Troop surveys and feedback. Next year's theme is Aquatics.
2. The PLC decided to work on their cooking and basic weather skills going forward.
3. The scouts created a draft calendar for the events through next year, which includes some new outings which will need some work to see if we can actually do them.  For example – Camden Snowbowl Toboggan run was one such new event. A mix of some favorites and new (fishing) activities.
4. Thanks to Ms. Liazos who helped with the PLC.
5. The calendar resulting from the PLC will be published soon for planning. Not all of the details are worked out, but enough to save date/time.

Elections

• Thanks to Nick & Ben who were your most recent SPL’s. This is always a tougher job than it seems and takes months to master. The troop thanks you for your service.
• The following leaders are committed to all the upcoming events and summer camp: SPL - Nolan, ASL’s - Ben and Simon, Patrol Leaders - (Hotel) Lucian, (Yankee) Freddy, (Uniform) Jonah. Hotel, Yankee and Uniform are the patrol code flags and patrol names. Congratulations Scouts.
• Troop Guide is Christian.  Buglar is Nathanial and we have a new historian position with Thomas.  Thomas will need to take some time to define his role, with he is bringing a lot of enthusiasm. All good here.

Great Meadows Bench
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.