From
the tent of the Mr. B
Welcome Back
Hopefully everyone had a good summer and is ready to return for our 2005/2006 Program. The Patrol Leaders Council met on Wednesday, August 17th, and has laid the groundwork for our 2005/2006 Program. Once again, we have a busy year planned.
Committee Members Needed
The current Troop Committee has seven members. During the August meeting we reviewed our future commitments and determined that over the next two years we will be losing four members whose son’s will be turning 18. Any parent who is interested in filling one of these vacancies should contact Committee Chair Donna Viau. The Troop Committee provides vital support to the Troop and its Program. Sign up now and we will provide “On the Job Training” to get you up and running.
Eagle Project Completed
Jon Viau has completed his Eagle Project and his Eagle Application has been submitted to the Council Office on August 26th. The application will be checked for accuracy of information and forwarded to the Nutfield District Advancement Committee who will schedule an Eagle Board of Review, probably during September or October. Jon will attend the Board of Review. Once he has passed, we will start to plan his Eagle Court of Honor to present him with his Award and he will become the Troop’s 18th Eagle Scout. The Eagle Court of Honor will be schedule for either late November or early December.
New Assistant Scoutmaster
Jon Viau, who turns 18 on Saturday, August 27th, has agreed to become an Assistant Scoutmaster. We are sure he will share his experience and make a fine addition to our Troop Leadership and program. Welcome Jon, it is great to have you continue as a member and leader of our Troop.
Cans And Bottles
Last month’s income from cans and bottles was $31.21 bringing our year-to-date total to $191.00. Once again if you helped, thank you. If you did not and would like to help in the future, it’s as easy as bringing your clean aluminum beverage cans and refundable beverage bottles to any of our weekly Troop Meeting.
Inkjet Cartridges
Last month we did not receive any payment for inkjet cartridges. This kept our year-to-date total to $65.16. There are still 28 additional cartridges for which we have yet to receive payment. If you have any empty cartridges from home, work, school, or wherever, please bring them to any Troop Meeting.
And Help Other People …..
Does that sound familiar? It should, it’s the second part of the Scout Oath; Duty to Others. Once again, this year’s program will include many opportunities to “To help other people at all times”. Helping Merrimack Valley Disabled and Special Needs Individuals at the Pioneer Special Field Games, our friends at the Veterans’ Outreach Campus in Haverhill, Scouting for Food for the Needy in Salem, Veterans in Salem, the patients at the Nursing Home Section of the Veterans’ Hospital in Manchester during our annual Christmas Visit, our Sponsors the Salem Lions Club, and Eagle Service Projects. Your help is needed in all of these activities. Not only will you satisfy the second part of the Scout Oath and get credit of Service Hours, but you will also get that “warm and fuzzy” feeling from helping someone in need.
Summer Camp 2005
Eleven members of our Troop had a good week during Summer Camp at Camp Onway in Raymond New Hampshire – weather and advancement. Scouts who attended earned thirty-nine Merit Badges, thirteen Partial Merit Badges, and eight Polar Bear Swim Awards. Kris “Robin Hood” M. took First Place in the Camp Archery Shoot with a score of 107. And to put the frosting on the cake, Dillon R. captured Third Place with a score of 80. Special thanks to Assistant Scoutmaster Dave Stone for his help and companionship during the week, to Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Kris M. and Senior Patrol Leader Luke M. for their leadership help, and to the parents who sent their sons. Jimmy C’s friend David V. from Troop 240 in Derry also spent the week at camp with us.
Den Chiefs
Cub Packs will be starting their programs and will be looking for Den Chiefs. If you have attended Den Chief Training and would like a Den, please contact Mr. Bohnwagner. Den Chiefs play an important role within Cub Packs and are a good resource of new Scouts for our Troop. For those Scouts who are not trained but are interested in serving as a Den Chief, training will be available on Saturday, November 5th. Details will be available in the October Issue of the Troop 409 News.
Permission Slips And Money
In an effort to avoid possible any financial loss on activities, when required, payment must accompany all Permission Slips. This payment may be from your Scout Account Funds, checks (Payable to Troop 409), or cash. Please note: payments for campouts must be cash so that food money can be distributed to Scout(s) who will be purchasing the food needed. The payment or part of it may be forfeited if you do not participate. Also all Permission Slips must be returned by deadline to participate.
First 2005/2006 Indoor Troop Meeting
We will hold our first indoor Troop Meeting of the 2005/2006 Program Year on Tuesday, September 6th at the Barron School at 7:15pm. During the meeting we will review everyone’s advancement status, discuss the 2005/2006 Program, start our planning for SalemFest, and conduct Boards of Review for those Scouts who are ready.
Popcorn Fundraiser
Once again this year we will be selling Trails’ End Popcorn and Mr. Bryer has volunteered to be our Popcorn Kernel and will be coordinating the fundraiser. Last year because of Mr. Bryer’s effort and that of 13 Scouts, the Troop sold $1676.00 of popcorn. His goal this year is sell at least $2675.00 and to have all Scouts participate. Order Forms and information will be available at the September Troop Court of Honor. We will be selling from Tuesday September 20th to Tuesday October 25th. Orders and money must be turned into Mr. Bryer by the Tuesday, October 25th Troop Meeting. Popcorn will be available for delivery at the November 22nd Troop Meeting. In addition, Mr. Bryer is planning some “Show and Sell” opportunities during the fundraising period. This fundraiser has a potential to provide our Troop with much needed funds; please make an extra effort to sell. The top salesman will receive a $50.00 EMS Gift Card, the Patrol with the best sales average will be treated to a special activity, and each Scout who participates will be credited with 10% of his sales total into his Individual Scout Account in addition to the prizes being offered by the Council. Also every Scout who sells at least $225.00 worth of popcorn will have the opportunity to present Kernel Bryer with a “Cream Pie” in his face at the January 10th Troop Court of Honor. Last year he “accepted” eight pies. If the Troop sells at least $2,500.00 the top salesman gets to present Mrs. Viau with a “Cream Pie” and if the Troop sells $5,000.00 or more Mr. Bohnwagner will also accept a pie.
O/A Ordeal Weekend
During the weekend of Friday September 9th to Sunday September 11th, the Passaconaway Lodge of the Order of the Arrow will hold its Fall Weekend at Hidden Valley Scout Reservation in Gilmanton Ironworks New Hampshire for Ordeal and Brotherhood Candidates. Jake G. and Matt J. will become Ordeal Members and Kris M., Mr. Mitchell, Luke M., Mr. Morris, and Jon Viau are eligible of their Brotherhood Membership. Enjoy your weekend and the experience.
September Troop Committee Meeting
Because the first Sunday of the month falls during Labor Day Weekend, the Troop Committee will meet on Sunday, September 11th at Mr. and Mrs. Morris’ home in Salem. As usual, the meeting will start at 7:30pm. We will be discussing our 2005/2006 Program and future fundraising needs and ideas. Parents are always welcome to attend. The only thing we ask is that they contact either Troop Committee Chair Donna Viau or Mr. Bohnwagner to make them aware of their intentions.
Salemfest 2005
As part of this year’s recruiting we will participate in the “tabling portion” of SalemFest on Saturday, September 17th. We are planning to distribute information and have a display of our activities and program. SalemFest will take place in the Lower Parking Lot at Salem High School from 11am to 4pm. We will be setting up our display at 10am and should be done by 5pm. Each Patrol will be asked to be responsible for a portion of the display. Planning will start at the September 6th Troop Meeting. This will be the first step of this year’s recruiting plan. The other two steps are an Open House, and the Buffalo Hunters’ Encampment.
Troop Court Of Honor
On Tuesday, September 20th, we will hold our first Troop Court of Honor of the new program year. We have many Merit Badges and Awards to present which were earned since the June Court of Honor, including those from Summer Camp. We will also be discussing our plans for the 2005/2006 Scout Year and Popcorn Sale with parents. Refreshments will be served at the end of the evening. The program starts at 7:15pm. Please wear your uniform shirt and neckerchief and encourage your parent(s) to attend.
Patrol Leaders’ Council
The September Patrol Leaders’ Council will be held on Wednesday, September 21st. It will be held at Mr. Bohnwagner’s home from 7pm to about 8:30pm. We will be finalizing our 2005/2006 Program, Troop Leadership Reorganization, and finalizing our plans for the Buffalo Hunter’s Encampment. PLC Members have a responsibility to attend. This is an important meeting; all patrols should be represented.
Battle Road Hike
On Saturday, September 24th, we will hike the 10-mile Battle Road Trail from Lexington to Concord Massachusetts. The trail retraces the steps for the British Redcoats from the first battle of the War for Independence on the Lexington Green to the Old Bridge in Concord. We will be leaving from the Barron School at 8am and should be returning home before suppertime. Participants will need to wear their Troop T-shirt, dress for the weather and bring a bag lunch and beverage and also drinking water. You may also want to bring spending money. Participants have the option to purchase a patch and/or medal.
Permission Slip and money are due by the September 20th Troop Court of Honor.SM/ASM Meeting
On Monday, September 26th, we will hold our monthly Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmasters Planning Meeting at Mr. Bohnwagner’s home. The meeting will start at 7pm and should last about an hour and a half. The agenda for this meeting will be to fine tune the 2005/2006 and Recruiting Programs. All Assistant Scoutmasters should make an effort to attend.
Troop Open House
On Tuesday, September 27th, we will hold a Troop Open House, our second step to recruit new Scouts. It will be held as part of our regular Troop Meeting. Second-Year Webelos from the Salem Packs, friends, and anyone who showed interest at SalemFest will be invited to attend to find out about our Troop and Program.
Buffalo Hunters’ Encampment
During the weekend of October 1st and 2nd, we will hold a Buffalo Hunters’ Encampment at the Atkinson Community Center Conservation Field (across from Mr. B’s home) in Atkinson, New Hampshire. The cost will be $15.00. We will be leaving from the Barron School at 8am on Saturday October 1st and should return home before lunch on Sunday, the 2nd. Each patrol will plan and prepare its own lunch Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. Saturday evening’s dinner will be a group feast with each patrol cooking a part of the menu. Second-Year Webelos will be invited to join us for the weekend or to visit during Saturday. Family members are invited to be our guests for Saturday’s dinner. Permission slip
and money are due by Tuesday, September 27th.Getting Email?
Email is becoming a more and more valuable communication tool for our Troop. Have you been getting our Email? Do you read it daily and share it with others in your family? Do you and/or your parent(s) have an Email Address and do we have it? Have you changed your Email Address? So if you want to get into our Flashmail Files and share your address(es) with us, please contact Mr. B. Our goal is to get to as close to 100% as possible to save mailing costs.
Web
Site Content
Assistant Scoutmaster Mr. Joyal is looking for input from the patrols to populate the Patrol Pages. We would also like to add a Scrapbook Page containing photos of our activities, however to use images of Scouts, Leaders, and/or Parents we need to ask that the “Release for Use of Photographic Image on Internet” form be completed and returned by the end of June. If you have something you would like to post to this web site, please send it to us.
Last Updated: 09/14/2005