Reaching First Class

Dear Scouts,

Welcome back from camp. I’m looking forward to reviewing with you all the rank requirements and merit badges you earned. Please bring your books even to summer meetings so we can make sure your records are up to date. Your Scout Book contains pages in the back for service project hours, camping nights, hiking and biking. I strongly recommend that you take a few minutes an update those records. Some of the older senior leaders will be more than happy to show you what they have done and with so many scouting opportunities you will be surprised by how many camping nights and hours of service you have participated in during scouting.

Our last meeting got rained out so this week, we plan on taking the troop from Emerson to Bedford Farms and celebrating the Patrol Cup!

This coming year will be challenging and a great opportunity for the senior leaders to influence the troop. With only seven current senior (Star or higher) scouts, they will be holding a couple positions of responsibility as we re-organize into most likely two patrols.

For scouts currently ranked at less than Star, I would recommend focusing on First Class as a goal. First Class rank is not easy and is the culmination of many skills that build from the Scout, Tenderfoot and Second Class ranks. By the time you reach First Class you can cook, set up camp, apply first aid, navigate and identify animals and plants that might impact your camping and hiking. These are great skills to have in life.

For scouters, those adults who help our troop, there’s a course called IOLS, introduction to Outdoor Leader Training required for all ASM’s. This is basically the same as First Class rank for scouts. In the past, we had the adults get signed off by the senior members of the scouts, which is great way to help seniors teach and review and for scouters to learn from our scouts. Every camping trip we have can be an opportunity and I’ll share a checklist for IOLS for those interested in pursuing this. Just email me as we need more adults trained as well.

Tommy turns 18 tomorrow and has submitted his application to Eagle. Good work Tommy! We are looking to form a small Venture Crew, 133V for those scouts 18 who would like to participate. I’ll have more information over the summer but our venture crew would be able to attend all our trips plus others until they turn 21. This is a timely direction for our troop.

See you Tuesday and remember to do your good turn daily.

YiS,
Mr. Duggan, Scoutmaster