Troop 406 Update

July 2, 2009

TIME FOR SUMMER CAMP!

AT CAMP SPENCER

NEWS -

July 9– Troop Meeting – Plan on attending. See June 25.

July 12 – Troop Picnic – Plan on attending.

July 18 – Personal Gear Drop-off – You MUST

July 19 to 25 – Summer Camp 2009 – The troop will be going to Camp Spencer for Summer Camp 2009!

Aug 15 – Grace Lutheran Community Appreciation Day – The troop will once again provide dining flys for the participants. We will also be demonstrating a Scouting Skill and recruiting for Boy and Cub Scouting. More on this as the time nears.

Sept 4 - 6 – Cape May Fishing – Always a troop favorite, fishing, crabbing, swimming, boardwalk, rides, what a great way to wind up summer!

You can still sign up for the National Jamboree 2010 BUT you are running out of time! Council has a limited number of openings. Our Lafayette District Troops are filled but there are openings in our adjoining district, Continental (Pottstown/Boyertown area). The Scoutmaster for that troop is none other than Bill Robinson of NYLT Silver Stag training fame. Sign up today!

Boy Scout & Varsity Scout Qualifications

Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts must be at least First Class Scouts. They must have completed the sixth grade or be at least 12 years of age by July 1, 2010, but not have reached their 18th birthday by August 4, 2010. All Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts must participate in a pre-jamboree training experience; file a complete Personal Health and Medical Record, No. 67-34412, prior to the pre-jamboree training; have been active in a troop or team for at least six months prior to July 1, 2010; and be approved by the unit leader and local council.

If you fit the description go to Jambo 2010 and take a look. If you have any questions talk to the Scoutmaster.

Eagle Candidates and those about to be, BSA has published two new Eagle Documents.
There is a new Eagle Application with a place to provide email addresses for letters of recommendation. This new form is required as of now.
There is a new Eagle Scout Service Project Book. This is new as of a week or so ago!
IMPORTANT - If you have already begun the approval process using the older book continue to use it until your Eagle project is completed. If you haven't yet collected any signatures use the new book. Both forms are available for downloading at our website. http://www.bsatroop406.org on the "Scout Forms" page. Also they can be downloaded from the NESA website.

Support our Troop 406 Eagles by attending their Projects and their Courts of Honor,

One day you too may be looking to celebrate your Eagle Rank.

John D – Eagle Project Completed Nov, 2008!

Seth W. – Eagle Board of Review June 1, 2009, Done!

Bob D. - Eagle Board of Review July 13, 2009

Andrew L. - Eagle Board of Review June 15, 2009, Done!

Michael Fa. - Eagle Project Completed June, 2009!

Justin D. - Eagle Project Completed June, 2009!

Everett C – Eagle Court of Honor, March 21, 2009 Done!

Tim R – Eagle Court of Honor, May 30, 2009! Done!

Phillip B. Project Approved June 9, 2009!

For all of Troop 406 Eagles – The on-line Eagle Honor Board Is Now Updated!

Have you seen the new Eagle Honor Board in the Social Hall? This is a very impressive project from Mr. Kilcoyne.

CONGRATULATE OUR EAGLES!

Old News...

Troop Camping Gear –

***We're missing one backpacking tent*** ***We're missing one backpacking tent***
This is a small tent in a gold bag. We know that it wasn’t stolen or lost but was taken home by a backpacking Scout and it is at one of our Scout’s homes. Please look around for it and return it.

PARENTS/MERIT BADGE COUNSELORS - The current merit badge counselor list, in rough form, is at 406 Merit Badge Counselors. Please review. If you can counsel and have not signed up, please add to the spreadsheet by going to 406 Merit Badge Counselor Form and fill out the easy, easy form.

Old Merit Badge Counselor Matrix - Click Here

Old Council Merit Badge Counselor List- Click Here

Recently most of our Scouts attended the Lafayette District Merit Badge College. This opportunity would not exist without volunteer Merit Badge Counselors. YOU TOO can be a Merit badge Counselor. 406 Merit Badge Counselors. Please review. If you can counsel and have not signed up, please add to the spreadsheet by going to 406 Merit Badge Counselor Form and fill out the easy, easy form. You will need to register with (not join) the BSA using an Adult Application and a MB Counselor Form. For the Adult Application see the Scoutmaster, Committee Chairman or Advancement Chairperson. For the MB Counselor Form with requirements see MB Counselor

Other Important Information...

Stories- None?

If you for some reason you haven’t received your patrol patch, or haven’t sewn your patrol patch on yet, this is where it goes - click on "Eagle Patrol".

Uniforms – You probably have noticed some Scouts wearing the new Scout uniform. The good news is you do not need to replace your existing uniform. You can mix and match the new and old designs. Take a look at New Uniform. The only immediate change will be our Troop will start using the new green epilette loops. The Troop will provide the new loops if you donate your red loops to our Venture Patrol.
BeaScout.org Campaign –
You may have seen a TV ad or a billboard advertising the Boy Scouts. This campaign directs all interested families to a new website dedicated to providing an easy path from the families to the Cub Scout and Boy Scout Packs and Troops. From this website you can search by zip code and read basic information about the Pack or Troop in your neighborhood. The program is "Words to Live By" referring to the scout Oath and Law. We look pretty good. Go ahead and try it at -http://www.beAscout.org type in your zip and see for yourself!

Scout Participation - At Parents/Committee Meetings there has been discussion about how much does a Scout need to participate in order to meet the requirements to advance in rank. This discussion revolves around the Scouts who participate in legitimate activities outside of Scouting the two largest being Marching Bands and Team Sports. Hanging on the corner with his buddies or computer gaming is not approved. Rather than bore everyone with all the discussion the results are defined as the following.

It is recommended that a Scout should attend at least 30 % of the Troop’s Meetings and other activities. Less participation than this will be detrimental to a Scout’s advancement. A Scout is required to attend the mandatory community service projects or an approved alternate. Each Scout’s participation can be reviewed by the Scoutmaster on a one by one basis. The Scoutmaster can decide whether an individual Scout has met the requirements of participation. Note that each Scout must present himself to a Board of Review in order to advance. The Board of Review is the last step in a Scout’s advancement approval, they must be satisfied that a Scout is "Active".

Links to other interesting Scout Stuff -

We are Troop 406, a uniformed troop. There may be a surprise uniform inspection at any time. The Patrol with the highest score will win a prize, maybe even a trip to Nelson's Ice Cream. Once re-chartering is completed your new membership cards will be distributed. The membership card is part of your uniform. It is advised that you laminate your card as Mom's washing machine will turn it into a useless white lump. Council will NOT reissue a new card until the next re-charter. If you joined after re-chartering, see the Scoutmaster for your temporary ID.

Unbelievably The Scoutmaster still has a really cool National Guard Beret. The beret is a size 7-1/2 (Small) black, lined, wool, made in the USA and has the basic light blue patch with 13 white stars on it. I think it should go to a Scout that does an exceptionally good turn. If you know a Scout who deserves and would like this beret please inform the Scoutmaster. All submissions will be considered. Keep on the lookout for Scouts doing good deeds! (I guess I am going to have this Beret forever or at least until the Jambo in 2010!).

Bring your empty ink jet cartridges for donation, Mr. Miller tells us that the used cartridges have earned us over $500.00! Probably $750.00 by now!

Yours in Scouting, Mr. Houseal, Scoutmaster Troop 406

610 310-0468 or email to khouseal_1@hotmail.com

Please send articles, news and comments to the Historian and Webmaster- Matt Spivey