Congratulations Tommy!

Dear Scouts,

This has been a challenging weather summer and fall. We had to cancel some summer meetings due to the rain and now a hurricane is moving up the coast. In some ways, we have been lucky with the weather in late summer (September) for sailing but in my experience, fall sailing is the best. Good winds, cooler air temperatures and warm water. I know the sailing overnight is a favorite trip and we wanted to combine this with our hikes to the Atop New England (ANE) climbs by ascending to the highest point in Rhode Island!! At least check this off the box.  We will do our best to look for opportunities for a day trip before they pull the boats out of the water and see if we can get a trip in.

Looking ahead we have the Drop Off/Swap Off (DOSO), which has moved from October to September. This is new and we will do our best to support them.  As older programs we supported (the Drop Off, for example) emerge from post-COVID schedules, we are adapting to what we can do but it’s challenging and want to be realistic with our scouting trips as we all know you all lead busy and well-scheduled lives. So please be patient while we adapt.

This Monday our PLC will meet and I’m hopeful we will adjust the schedule as far out as next summer and at least have save-the-dates lined up if we don’t already have detailed plans.

Our focus this entire year is on helping those who want to advance with a goal of reaching First Class rank. This is a big milestone for scouts and our troop. Once a scout is First Class, they will have more opportunities for holding Positions of Responsibility like Patrol Leader, Scribe, Historian/Librarian, Den Chief, Quartermaster, ASPL, SPL and to participate in some adventure trips. The PLC will help define what we need as we move forward this year.

Congratulations to Tommy Dohoney for earning Eagle Rank on Monday September 11,2023. Tommy was well-prepared. He did an outstanding job answering thought provoking questions on his scouting journey from merit badges, his positions of responsibility and his project. He answered questions openly, honestly and with maturity and we are all very proud.

One big highlight was that after the Board met and interviewed Tommy, he went into the hallway where he surprisingly met by Freddy and Lucas. What a wonderful surprise and show of support. It was a very rainy night and Lucas and Freddy took time from college, drove out to support Tommy and arrived just in time while the deliberations were in process. This is scout spirit in action!

What is scout spirit? Living the oath and law and putting it into action. Freddy and Lucas demonstrated this and are role models. They were loyal, friendly, kind, cheerful and even brave (traveling in rain and wind!).  Tommy was very appreciative of this support and just a wonderful demonstration of the way that scouting makes a difference. Well done, Tommy, Freddy and Lucas! 

Do your good turn daily!

YiS,

Mr. Duggan,  Scoutmaster