Troop 132

Greetings Scouts,

We have a busy schedule and some updates so please read through this.

Mt. Greylock hike and Ramblewild combo was a great success. We had beautiful weekend weather and great adult help and a good scout turn out. Going to Ramblewild on the second day, and having the place to ourselves was super. Everyone was well rested to take on challenges of climbing. Thanks again to our honcho Ms. Mcleod and to Ms. Jones, Ms. Attwood, Mr. Sprague, Ms. Flinn and Mr. McWilliams.

Our first Christmas Tree Pickup meeting for the year was held this past Monday. Save the date; January 8, 2021. Save the entire day as this is our one mandatory event. All scouts are needed and the more parents and help we get the lighter the load.

This week, Lucas made some good choices due to the heavy rain that we received on Tuesday and moved our meeting indoors. He also planned with Mr. Cancio to present preparations for Mt. Washington trip this November.

Good work Henry for getting your Eagle Project proposal ready for signature and approval by the District.

Here’s a note for Eagle Scouts; Please take a look at this article. https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2021/10/28/eagle-scouts-be-prepared-to-apply-for-nesa-scholarships-soon/

Gear Return Policy: Lincoln (with your Scoutmaster’s (my!) endorsement is updating the Gear Return Policy, which will be published next week. The main point is being Trustworthy . . . with gear. That means treating it properly and returning it better than when you took it. That is the goal.
Keep an eye out for the updated policy shortly.

New Scout Corner
Bring your books to meeting and get ready for the mile run.

Seabase Update
There is some planning going on and stay tuned for some meeting scheduled to prepare yourself. Stay tuned.

Service Project – help with 5K
We did not have our Drop Off / Swap Off swap off drop off event this year. However, you can still earn some service hours and do a good turn. Thanks to all who volunteered for today’s 5K Sleepy Hollow 5K Run, and to Ms. Jones, who volunteered to honcho this activity.
 
I have some sad news to share. Colin and Ryan Brooks mother, Melissa Brooks, passed away unexpectedly last weekend. Colin and Ryan have not been active in our troop over the past year or more but were part of our Troop. We don’t have very many details at this time. We will have a card to sign at the next meeting.

 If we hear of the arrangements, we will get the word out and coordinate with those that would like to attend from our troop. There is also a link to a Sign-Up Genius to provider dinner meals; https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040d4eaca829a02-dinners .  Please keep the Brook’s Family in your thoughts and prayers.

Our next meeting is at Emerson Field. Wear class B as we will be working on fitness requirements for advancements. Bring your book, a headlamp and dress for running a mile.
 
Do your good turn daily!

YiS,
Mr. Duggan, Scoutmaster 

Greetings Scouts,

Get ready for Ramblewild. Dress warm. With the warm fall we are not used to high temperatures in the 50’s and then dropping to the upper 30’s. You can always take off more clothes so be sure to bring what you need. At least it does not look like rain.

PLC Schedule:
Going forward, we will meet the 2nd Monday from 6:30-8:00 at Monument Hall. This meeting will include pizza and all leaders shall be ready to report out what they are doing and working on and if they need any help. Some of these meetings might include training as well.
Plan for the following dates: November 8, December 13, January 10, February 14, March 14, April 11, May 9, June 13.

Earning the Cyber Chip
We have a revised Electronics Policy that was voted in by the PLC in October. Here’s what it is. Please ready and follow it. Always remember this in context of the scout law.

1. Our events; camping, service projects, and meetings shall be electronics free unless specifically authorized by the SPL with SM approval as exceptions (examples include obtaining updated weather forecast, looking up information, taking photos)
2. Scouts shall have a cell phone with them, with parent/guardian numbers, to arrange logistics under the rules described.
3. Scouts shall have the cyber chip renewed annually.
4. Troop Facebook page is our site to post updates.
5. Cell phones are a tool, not unlike a pocketknife and needs to be treated that way.

Cyber Chip Homework: We are planning on troop and patrol work for a meeting in November (Nov 23 Troop meeting).  Meanwhile, we ask the following:

For grades 6-8, please go here and follow the requirements 2 & 3 https://www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/cyber-chip/grades-6-8/
 
For grades 9-12, please go here and follow the requirements 2&3
https://www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/cyber-chip/grades-9-12/
 
I will obtain the cards for requirement 1 and we as a troop will do the remaining requirements in November.
 
All please cut and paste this contract and have it signed by you and your parents /guardians.  Please bring this to any of our meetings now through November 23, sooner the better.
Troop 132: Digital Technology Contract.

My parents allow me to use digital technology if I agree to it safely and responsibly. Technology is a tool and should be used responsibly. I understand that I must follow these principles below, or that the device will be taken away from me.

• Trustworthy: I will not do anything illegal or unethical online. I will not cyberbully, produce inappropriate images, or illegally download any copyrighted materials.
• Loyal: I will not gossip about friends or cyber-bully others. I will not disclose any sensitive personal information. (Like my home address or passwords)
• Helpful: I will point out fake news, scams, and unethical behavior online, and point users to reliable sources whenever possible.
• Friendly: I will not swear at or bully others, even while gaming or doing something competitive.
• Courteous: I will treat all other people online, whether I know them or not, with politeness and courtesy.
• Kind: I will have empathy in my dealings with others. There’s a real person with feelings out there reading my message or comment.
• Cheerful: Digital technology is a tool for learning, entertainment, and connecting with friends/family. I will use it in moderation and remain cheerful while offline.
• Thrifty: I will be thoughtful about the purchases I make, the data usage charges I rack up, and the way I treat my devices. I will be responsible for paying any unreasonable costs caused by my actions.
• Brave: If I witness any instances of cyberbullying, illegal activities, or suicidal threats, I will go directly to my parents.
• Clean: I will not use my devices to view R-rated content. Piracy, pornography, drugs, gambling, and any other topic falling under that umbrella are strictly off-limits
• Reverent: I will not spread hateful, inappropriate, or untrue content online.

Scout Signature:  ________________________________________  Date: _____________
Scout Name: ______________________________________________________________
Parent/ Guardian Signature: _______________________________ Date: _____________

New Scout Corner
Many of you received a plastic bag with matches and fire starters. Keep this with your backpack and bring this to the November 13 Scout Skills at Camp Acton. I will have a couple more of these at the next meeting. You should always have some fire starter material like this and this will help you get started.

Don’t forget to bring hour books to all events.
 
Next meeting is at Emerson. Wear class B as we will be working on fitness requirements for advancements. Bring your book, a headlamp and dress for running a mile.

Do your good turn daily!

YiS,
Mr. Duggan, Scoutmaster 

Greetings Scouts,
Scouts met Tuesday and broke into patrols. This is where patrol leaders can get an idea of who is working on what requirements, get names, contacts, emails and phone numbers. This also enables the patrol leader when planning to provide opportunities for those who need cooking and other rank advancement requirements.
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Advancement Corner
As a reminder, you need to bring your books to meetings and most scout events. This is where you can track and manage your own path.
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There are “logs” in the back of all scout books for you to record camping and service hours. Use this to keep track so that it makes it easier for everyone when you are preparing for conferences and boards of review.  

New Scout Corner
In November, we are planning on having an outing at Camp Acton so that you can work on fire building, cooking and knife, ax, saw safety as well as knots (while some troop high adventure scouts will be hiking in the White Mountains. We are doing this for your benefit as some scouts could not attend camp and even those that did attend, did not have the Trailblazer Program that focuses on those skills. These skills are important for all scouts regardless of rank. The tentative date is Saturday November 13, with the idea that scouts would bring foil packs for lunch and cook on a fire. Mark your calendar and stay tuned for updates. We will be looking for some adult help as well.

The Troop Committee met last Wednesday. Encourage your parents to come and participate on the first Wednesday  of each month. There are lots of ways for scouters (adults) to help provide opportunities for our troop. We have been asked to help with the Sleepy Hollow 5K, Turkey Drive and Christmas Tree Pick up so the next couple months, we can all help our community.
Do your good turn daily!

YiS,
Mr. Duggan, Scoutmaster 

Greetings Scouts,

​Thank you all for the certificate of appreciation and gift card. That was very unexpected and I’m very grateful for all your support. I’ll put that to good use and that was very thoughtful and kind.
Congratulations to all our scouts for earning rank advancements and the many merit badges that reflect all your hard work and accomplishments. I can see many of the merit badge sashes filling up and you have a lot to be proud of.

Thank you again to all the scouters (adults). Through all their combined efforts we are pleased to offer so many scout opportunities like sailing, camping, hiking and service projects. If all of us do what we can it always helps the troop function.

A special thanks to our outgoing Senior Patrol Leader and high school senior Henry (who is playing football). That is quit a workload and he has done a fantastic job leading the troop. His commitment to his fellow scouts is evident in how well the troop works and the respect he has earned from all the scouts. Thank you Henry!

Advancement Corner
Here’s a couple tips for Scoutmaster Conferences, Boards of Review and making sure your rank is up to date.

1. You don’t always have to complete all your rank requirements and then ask for a Scoutmaster conference. Don’t wait. If you have questions at any time, just ask and we talk and sort out any issue or challenge.

1. Generally, after you have completed all your rank requirements and I review and sign off the  Scoutmaster conference, then I will ask to schedule a Board of Review.
   1. Let me do that (my job). I will schedule it as soon as we can after the Scoutmaster Conference.
   2. Your job is to make sure your uniform is up to date, you bring your scout book and have that updated, and you are prepared for your Board of Review.
   3. Your job after the Board of Review and signatures is to take a copy of your rank page with all the dates completed, and email our Advancement Chair, Mr. O’Neil [email protected]

New Scout Corner
 Cameron and Tommy  are your patrol leaders and if you did not receive your scout rank please let them and me (Scoutmaster Duggan) know. I’m sure it might have been that Mr. O’Neil did not hear from you or get a copy of your scout rank completed in your scout book.

Do your good turn daily!

YiS,
Mr. Duggan, Scoutmaster