It's Memorial Day Weekend . . . Time for the Annual Bike Trip
May 26, 2023 Dear Scouts, We are off to Nantucket this weekend as part of our annual Family Bike Trip, which rotates between Cape Cod (rail trail and Camp Greenough), Martha’s Vineyard (Family Campground), and Nantucket (Camp Richards). This trip is structured with the purpose of introducing new families and scouts into our troop. Cross-over scouts and families (siblings) and families of all our scouts are invited. The design is for families and new scouts to “see in actions” how the scouts work in patrols, set up camp, cook, and in this trip, bike together. Our older scouts who usually hold positions of responsibility ranging from Senior Patrol Leaders (SPL) and Assistant PL (ASPL), and all those in the PLC (Patrol Leadership Council) usually attend so that new scouts have an understanding of who is who in the troop, the jobs that are needed to keep the troop moving and to ask questions as they start the journey through the ranks and learn more. The bike trip is also an opportunity for adult families and siblings (all welcome) to come and have some fun. This weekend we will take the ferry to Nantucket. Scouts will have their bikes and a day pack and all the gear (tents, food, stoves) will be loaded into the truck/trailer to journey to Camp Richards. There are opportunities to visit the whaling museum, life saving station, beach, biking and of course ice cream. Most likely there will be other scouts at Camp Richards and it’s a good opportunity to talk to other scouts from other troops. I hope and encourage all our scouts to attend and realize this has been a very busy (perhaps too busy between cross over, drop off (different dates), and the bike trip. In the past, the Cross Over was the same date as the Drop Off / Swap Off (DOSO), and we usually don’t schedule more than one major troop activity in a month and do our best to spread them over the year. This year’s DOSO was coordinated by our budding Assistant Scout Master Lucien Aibel. Lucien asked how he could help out and dived in as a veteran of many DOSO events. It is fantastic to have Lucien (a former SPL) take this on. We have a special troop with many older scouts (now adults) jumping in to help. You see them at meetings, at service projects and trips like this weekend, where both Cameron and Lucas will be coming and Jonah came (in a sling) to help with bike safety! Fantastic group of young men! Advancement Corner Many of the scouts have been working hard to earn ranks. I encourage all scouts under First Class rank to focus on advancements. First Class is an important rank and requires many skills to master. It also means you are eligible for some high adventure trips and Order of the Arrow. It also means you can function within the troop with more independence and have the skills to set up camp, cook/clean, provide first aid and know your way (navigation) and know what is out there (animals) and what to stay away from (poisonous plants), and how to build things that help (lashings & some pioneering) - it’s a big rank! In our troop, we do our best to give out the badge when it's earned (most of the time we have some, sometimes not). Congratulations! The following scouts have successfully passed their Boards of Review, and have earned ranks:
YiS, Mr. Duggan, Scoutmaster
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Dear Scouts,
Last week, I made a mistake in my welcome to the new Webelos scouts, so I want to again welcome Ryan, Ben, Owen and Pablo. Pablo is the younger brother of Eagle Scout Simon Cadavid, and we are really glad to have him. Welcome to the troop Pablo ! A shout out Happy Birthday to a terrific scout, a role model in every way, Jonah Carter. He will be celebrating his 18th Birthday and check out the Troop 132 Facebook page for a picture of Jonah with the troop. I think we all know and can say he’s an outstanding scout in a class of outstanding seniors. I cannot say enough good things about these scouts. They earned many skills, overcame many obstacles, and always put the troop first. We are really blessed to have these young men part of our troop and I’m very grateful. Happy Birthday Jonah and remember (this applies to everyone), that you are always part of this troop and always welcome to any meeting or event. We sure would love to have you guys as ASM’s as time permits in your busy life ahead so please keep that in mind and we expect you back ! We wanted to again thank the Board and Liaisons of the Scout House, who recognized the hard work you all did at the Scout House cleanup day. We are happy and grateful that the entire Board was so keen to let you know how much they appreciated your efforts. And for our next service project, scouts are trained and ready for the Town’s Drop Off / Swap Off (DOSO). This year, because of the many events in one month it is optional but will be highly attended. Of course, be friendly, courteous and kind as you greet citizens, but when in doubt about any thing that can be dropped, ask an adult volunteer - that’s their job, not yours. Many scouts have been working hard on advancement. So as a reminder: Don’t forget your book. Fill it out. Record dates in the back; Get sign off; and after any Board of Review (or blue card sign-off), see Mr. O’Neil, our Advancement Chair. (If you leave it to me then there’s a good chance it might not get done). Learn, review and be tested and recognized for learning these skills. Each meeting, each event we are on, there are opportunities just waiting for you. Advancement Corner Congratulations to Sebastian, Luke, and Jonah Y for making Scout; and Evan for making Tenderfoot. I see many of you making excellent advancement progress (and some of you confirming past advancement to make sure your records are up to date). Great job - it should a good Court of Honor in June – and again in September! I’m off this weekend to a small family gathering on the Cape and won’t be able to make the DOSO. I really like the DOSO and meet and see many old friends but I’m leaving it in good hands of Lucien. Lucien as our ASM is running this event and very proud that he stepped up! He has been at every Drop off and knows the drill. Listen to him and follow his lead; don’t forget, a scout is ‘obedient.’ Coming soon is the Annual Bike Trip, more service opportunities (Lincoln’s Eagle project, the Concord Library Book Sale), Automotive Maintenance MB training; Surf Outing, our final Court of Honor of the year, the Iceland Adventure, summer meetings and Summer Camp! Keep up the good scouting and do your good turn daily! YiS, Mr. Duggan, Scoutmaster Dear Scouts,
Our troop under Grady’s leadership welcomed new Webelos scouts, Ryan, Ben and Owen and parents to our troop. They all crossed over a very solid rope bridge, which actually supported me! We warmly extend our greetings and hope to see you on many trips including the family bike trip to Nantucket where you can get to know the troop better. A special shout out to the scouters (adults) who made the cross over really special and there are many but Mr. McWilliams did a fabulous job with the “adult” meal; Mr. Galluccio for membership work, Mr. Muno for helping the scouts with their meal (the brisket was great); and many of others who all contribute to the running of the troop. Several photos have been posted to the troop FB page and if you are not in the group just request access. All Scouts! This weekend is Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day to all those on earth and those in Heaven. Be sure to thank her and show her your appreciation for the many unrecognized things they do for you. You cannot measure how much your moms do for each you. Sometimes it might not feel like they are helping but they always have your best interest in their heart. My mother who passed away many years ago, much before her time, said to me “mothers are your best friend.” They are. They always look out for you, even when you think you might know more then them or feel independent and don’t always take their advice. They have your best interest in mind and no one knows you like a mother. Show or better tell them how much you appreciate them this Mother’s Day. Many scouts are working on advancements and ready for Scoutmaster Conferences and Boards. Grady set up time before the meeting if you are getting stuck or need anything to help you along the journey. We are all here to help. For the next Troop Court of Honor in June we will need everything completed by May 23,2023 as Mr. O’Neil will be traveling. If you have questions or don’t have badges that you thought, come to the meeting and talk to him about what you need. Let’s work together and get these requirements complete so you can be recognized for what you earned. Next weekend is the Town of Concord Drop Off / Swap Off (DOSO). This year it’s not a mandatory event since this was split off from the Cross-Over (when they were together it was easier to manage), but since the date shifted, it’s optional but highly encouraged. Don’t forget this is an opportunity to earn service hours, help the community, work with your fellow scouts and get first “dibs” on any item you want. Everyone benefits. Lucien is our honcho. Yup. He’s 18 and now in charge of the event. Pay attention to his direction and give him the support he needs. He will need crew chiefs and follow his overall lead. Thank you Lucien for stepping up! Don’t forget to signup for the Annual Family Bike Trip over Memorial Day Weekend (this year to Nantucket); the Automotive Maintenance Merit Badge Training (June 4, 2023); and the Service Project supporting the Concord Free Public Library Book Sale (June 10). The troop received a big THANK YOU from the Scout House Board this week. The thank you was for the clean up event in April and was signed by several board members in appreciation for our work. Well done Scouts! Keep the Scout House “Clean”! The klondike derby sleds are now taking a break over the summer at Grady’s and the two-man saw was super sharp and we will need some practice. I expect to bring this to camp where we will all get trained on how to do this. Never too early to practice for 2024 Klondike wood cutting competition ! Enjoy the weekend and many thanks to all scouts and parents for a great Cross-Over! Do your good turn daily. YiS, Mr. Duggan, Scoutmaster Dear Scouts,
We have an upcoming camping trip called the Cross-Over, as well as many other activities planned for May and June. It's important to be welcoming and polite to our new scouts and their families during these events. The Cross-Over is the first overnight trip with the troop, and later in the month, we have a bike trip, which will be the second chance for the new scouts to bond with the troop and their families. Remember to bring your book and work on your advancements, as each event is an opportunity to apply what you learn in meetings and on the trail, and get signed off. We'll have another troop court of honor in June, and I'll be checking in with many of you to see where you stand and what you need. Take advantage of this weekend, bring your book, and work with your patrol leaders, your ASPLs, or your SPL to either learn and be tested, or figure out what you need to do next. I'm excited to spend some time with you and the new scouts! Do your good turn daily. YiS, Mr. Duggan, Scoutmaster |
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