t thhee signaler - troop264olney.net · nursing home visits resume! january26th( ... asst. patrol...

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Website: http://www.troop264olney.netJanuary 5-‐6 Winter Campout-‐Philadelphia 7 Troop Meeting 9 District Roundtable 10 Venturing Roundtable 14 6th Annual Webelos Visit Night 17 Troop Adult Meeting (8 PM) 18-‐20 USNA NESA Jamboree 21 BOR/TLC/Patrol Meeting No School (MCPS) 22 No School (MCPS) 26 Nursing Home Visit (Vikings) 28 Winter Court of Honor (7:30 PM) February 3 Scout Sunday 4 Patrol Meeting 8-‐10 Ski Trip 11 Troop Meeting 13 District Roundtable 14 Venturing Roundtable 17 Eagle Court of Honor (Justin Stine

& Jonathan Godfrey) 18 TLC/BOR Patrol Meeting Presidents’ Day (No School MCPS) 21 Troop Adult Meeting (8 PM) 23 Nursing Home Visit (Hawks) 25 Troop Meeting

BSA Troop 264 Brookeville-‐Olney, MD

Eagle Court of Honor Justin Stine & Jon Godfrey

February 17th The Eagle Court of Honor for Justin Stine and Jonathan Godfrey is set for Sunday February 17 in the early afternoon. Details are still being assembled but get this on your calendars! It will be held in the parish hall at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Olney, the same place the troop meeting is held. Come show your support for Justin and Jonathan! Attaining Eagle rank is the pinnacle of Scouting, and is an achievement the scout can be proud of for a lifetime. Nationally, it is said that only 2% of scouts reach Eagle rank, and most boys do not join scouting. That makes this a noteworthy event indeed. Great Year for the NCAC Scouting

Council! The results are still coming in but here are some early highlights: • Journey to Excellence Gold Council • 1,302 new Eagle Scouts • 50,982 Merit Badges • 194,226 Service Hours • 8 Lifesaving & Meritorious Action Awards • 78% Youth Retention Rate

The Signaler-‐Troop 264’s Official Newsletter

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

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3

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5 Winter campout – Philadelphia (Vikings)

6 Winter campout – Philadelphia (Vikings)

7 Troop meeting Open: Crusaders Skill: Eagles MB: Hawks

8

9 District Roundtable (Eagles)

10 Venturing Roundtable

11

12

13

14 6th Annual Webelos Visit Night Open: Red Bulls

15

16

17 Troop adult meeting, 8 PM, Brookeville Academy

18 USNA NESA Jamboree



21 “Last Chance BOR” / TLC / Patrol meeting No school (MCPS)

22 No school (MCPS)

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24

25

26 Nursing Home Visit, 11 AM (Vikings)

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28 Winter Court of Honor, 7:30 PM Open: Eagles

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January 2013

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

3 Scout Sunday Super Bowl

4 Patrol meeting

5

6

7

8 Ski Trip (Justus / Hawks)



11 Troop meeting Open: Hawks Skill: Crusaders MB: Eagles

12

13 District Roundtable (Vikings)

14 Venturing Roundtable

15

16

17 Eagle Court of Honor for Justin Stine and Jonathan Godfrey (afternoon)

18 TLC / BOR Patrol meeting Presidents’ Day No School (MCPS)

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20

21 Troop adult meeting, 8 PM, Brookeville Academy

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23 Nursing Home Visit (Hawks) 11 AM

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25 Troop meeting Open: Vikings Skill: Red Bulls MB: Hawks

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February 2013

“Journey Through Bethlehem” November 30th-December 2nd

Contributed by Mr. Paul F.

From November 30, 2012 to December 2, 2012, nine Scouts and Scouters from Troop 264 participated as actors in the Journey Through Bethlehem at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Olney, MD. The boys played various roles re-‐creating the town of Bethlehem at the time of Christ’s birth. They spent many hours putting together with lashings the various wooden sets. Wille S. and Peter K. played both the Slave and Roman Soldier roles. Joshua F., Ryan K., and Dr. Paul Fowler (Asst. Scoutmaster) played Roman soldiers. Asst. Scoutmaster Martin Predoehl and Mr. Andrew Predoehl (T264 Eagle) played Shepherd roles. Jacob W. played the part of Temple Guard. Brenden F. played the part of the

Weaver. Scouts that participated were working on their Duty to God Award, Religious Medallion, Religious Medallion device as well as other required service projects. The boys had a great time and were seen by almost a thousand visitors! Service Hours: Joshua F (15), Jacob W(15), Peter K (15), Willie S (12), Ryan K (15), Brenden F (18)


5

Holiday Sing-A-Long December 15th

Contributed by Mr. Dale B.


Thank you to the scouts, scouters, and family members who came out to the Sing-‐A-‐Long at the Friends Nursing Home. The residents enjoyed our hour-‐long singing of Christmas carols and some residents were singing along too. Tyler H. played one selection solo on the piano, and did it well. Special thanks to Mrs. S. of Pack 1074 who played piano for us, and her daughter and Cub Scout son who joined us. Mr. Micah H. took the pictures you see below.

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Carolers: Peter B. Atticus M. Luke R. Ryan K. Tyler H. Peter K. Mrs. Carolyn R. Mr. Jim K. Mr. Dale B. Mr. Al B. Mr. Martin P. Mrs. Bernadette H. Mrs. Bernadette H.


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Primitive Campout Roster-Update Contributed by Mr. Dale B.


In the December 2012 Signaler, we listed the names of some of those scouts and scouters who attended the November 3-‐4 Primitive Campout, indicating then that the list was incomplete. Here are the additions to that roster. An asterisk “*” means the scout or scouter camped overnight, and gained 6 polar bear points. Atticus M.* Luke R.* Eric L.* Tommy B.* Jacen S. Mr. Gary S. Brandon O.* Mr. Pat O.*

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6th Annual Webelos Visit Night January 14th

The troop will hold its Sixth Annual Webelos visit night on Monday, January 14, 7:30 to about 9 PM, at St. John’s, in place of the regular troop meeting. This is a month earlier than last year, due to the efforts of the White Oak District to have Cub Scouts move into Boy Scouts earlier in the year. Webelos I and II Cub Scouts from local packs, and parents, are invited to visit. Boys who are not presently in Cub Scouts, but who may be considering Boy Scouts, are also welcome to attend, along with their parents. Each patrol will be demonstrating skills learned and used in Boy Scouts. Patrol skill assignments will be made by the TLC in January. Scouts and scouters in contact with local Cub Scout packs should make them aware of this opportunity and get this on their calendars. Questions can be directed to [email protected] . This has been a popular event every year to date and we expect it to be equally so this time. We want as many scouts as possible to attend and assist with the demonstrations. This is YOUR opportunity to show Cub Scouts and parents what Scouting has done for you, and how much fun there is beyond Cub Scouts. We hope it will kindle enthusiasm in the Webelos scouts to tread the same path beyond Cub Scouts, whether with Troop 264 or elsewhere. Information about Troop 264 is always available on the troop’s website, www.troop264olney.net, and in the recent Signaler newsletters therein, and via e-‐mail at [email protected] .

Winter Campout-Philadelphia January 5th-6th

22 scouts and adults are signed up to go on the Winter Campout to Philadelphia. We plan to make stops at the Mütter Museum, Eastern State Penitentiary, and Edgar Allen Poe’s Philadelphia house, before heading to camp at Elk Neck State Park in northern Maryland to camp Saturday night. Signups are now closed for this event, but look for the summary in the February Signaler!


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Nursing Home Visits Resume! January 26th

It’s time to restart the patrol rotation for the nursing home visits. The Viking patrol will lead off with the nursing home visit on Saturday, January 26 at 11 AM to Noon. The Hawk patrol will follow on February 23. Please make an effort to attend (and not excuses) on your patrol’s date, the visits really do mean a lot to the nursing home’s residents. Wear Class A uniforms.

USNA NESA Jamboree January 18th-20th

T264 has registered six scouts – Michael R., Adam R., Gavin M., William S., Matt McD., and Jonathan G. – and two adults – Mr. Mark R. and Mr. Dale B. – to attend the USNA NESA Jamboree at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. Two scouts are signed up to do the ½ day Military Skills option, and complete one merit badge. The remaining scouts will have the opportunity to complete two merit badges on Saturday. Friday evening consists of setting up a winter camp at YMCA Camp Letts. The Saturday military skills and merit badge activities will take place on the grounds of the Naval Academy itself, with a return to Camp Letts to camp Saturday night. Polar bear points probable so warm gear needed, bug repellant probably won’t be necessary. Fires permitted provided they are contained and raised off the ground. No additional scouts may sign up at this time. More details will be provided to those presently signed up, as the information become available.


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Winter Court of Honor January 28th

Completed merit badge blue cards turned in by January 21 will be awarded at the Winter Court of Honor, as well as rank advancement boards passed by January 21. Plan now to complete these requirements early. That means scheduling your BOR by the second week in January. It will also be time to dethrone Jeremy N. as the current SPL and to elect a new despot. To be candidates for Senior Patrol Leader, scouts must be at least 15 years of age and Star rank. Candidates may put themselves forward at the Court of Honor or may nominate others. Who will it be? Scouts decide!

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West Point Military Academy Camporee Spend a weekend in the Army!

April 26th-28th

Troop 264 has received its first ever invitation to the 51st Scoutmasters Council Camporee at West Point Military Academy in New York State, April 26-‐28, 2012. This is an intense weekend of military themed activities, with more than 200 Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, and Venturing crews, from all over the Northeast and further afield. As large a number of troops as that is, still more troops are rejected than accepted to the Camporee. In our initial application, we indicated that we would "embed" Venture Crew 264 members in our troop contingent, including our lady Ventures, if any are inclined to attend. In other words, this trip is open to registered Venturing Crew 264 members as well as scouts. If we have female youth, we will need adult female leaders too. We will be expected to provide a skit at the Saturday night campfire, so the Mighty Justus Players will have to rehearse their skit and polish it up. Limit 36 -‐-‐ We will take ONE charter bus to NY, so 36 people maximum. Adult leaders are limited to 1/3 of that or 12 maximum. That may mean some adult leaders who sign up, can't go. We may need to pick and choose adults to fit specific criteria (for example, female adult leaders should we need them.) All adults will have to have Youth Protection Training, which takes about 30 minutes online. Cost is presently estimated at $120 per person (subject to adjustment up or down), including bus, registration fees, and food. Because we need to have a final count by January 15, and as we only have two meetings in January (7th and 14th), you can sign up by e-‐mail to [email protected] . Include "West Point" on the subject line, if the e-‐mail has some other subject, or no subject, I may not see it right away. A check for $120 made out to BSA Troop 264 will be collected from those who make the roster at the January meetings, since we have to pay the registration fees and the bus cost early on. If we have more who sign up than the bus can hold, a waitlist will be set up. Dale Bickel: [email protected]


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Eagle “On Track” Timeline

To assist scouts with planning well ahead to reach Eagle rank, T264 has put together a guideline/worksheet that scouts and parents can use to help keep track of where the scout is in the process. It is intended to supplement the scout’s Handbook, and makes clear some aspects that may not obvious. The Timeline lays out the time-‐in-‐rank, leadership, and merit badge requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle, and provides suggestions as to when specific events should occur. Following this Timeline, scouts will have all requirements completed well before the scout’s 18th birthday, or if not, there may be sufficient time to address missing or incomplete items. This is not an official BSA form or requirement, nevertheless, we encourage its use by scouts of First Class rank and up. We suggest the scout bring an updated Timeline to Scoutmaster Conferences and Boards of Review, since it provides an (unofficial) record of the scout’s progress at a glance. Thanks to Mr. Doug Long, District Eagle Coordinator for the White Oak District, for his helpful suggestions on the draft form of the Timeline. Website: http://www.troop264olney.net/EagleOnTrackTimeline.html Document (PDF): http://www.troop264olney.net/documents/EagleOnTrackTimeline.pdf


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Position Troop Officers Senior Patrol Leader Jeremy N Assistant Patrol Leaders TBD

TBD TBD

Chaplain’s Aid Joshua F Librarian Jonathan S Scribe Michael R Quartermaster William S Historian Miguel A Instructor VACANT Troop Guides RJ G

Sam J Peter K

Order of the Arrow Rep Anthony J Buglers Kevin C

Peter B Signaler Editor Sam H Eagle Patrol Patrol Leader Brandon O Asst. Patrol Leader Brenden F Quartermaster Emmett H Crusaders Patrol Patrol Leader Bradley N Asst. Patrol Leader Ryan K Quartermaster Ryan K Hawk Patrol Patrol Leader Jonathan S Asst. Patrol Leader Justin S Quartermaster Peter B Viking Patrol Patrol Leader Matthew M Asst. Patrol Leader Kevin C Quartermaster Jim B Eagle Patrol Patrol Leader Asst. Patrol Leader Quartermaster Red Bulls Overseen by Jeremy N

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Information Page

Attention: Board of Review (BOR) Procedures

Some years ago we set up a new procedure for scouts to follow for requesting Board of Reviews. Being a large troop, we needed to give the adults sitting on the BORs some lead-time. Recently the procedure has been sliding and the adults are getting short notice because of last minute BORs being scheduled. Therefore we are restating our policy. FORGOT THE PROCEDURE? NO PROBLEM – It is almost always on one of the last pages of each Signaler edition. Also, you can look at any past edition of the Signaler for this information.

BOR Any scout needing a Board of Review should call Mr. Walt Greenspon @ (301) 774-5394 no later than two Sundays (8 days) before the scheduled Board of Review. Failure to give proper notification will delay your BOR until the next month. Get your Scoutmaster Conference prior to calling Mr. Greenspon. If your scout is scheduled for the BOR, he MUST bring an adult with him. That adult is needed to sit on a BOR for another scout. This way we can accommodate all scouts striving for advancement.

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Signaler Information

Editor Sam H 301-774-7831 [email protected] Webmaster Mr. Dale Bickel 301-774-0416 [email protected] Reporters William S 301-260-8605 [email protected] Signaler Adults Mr. Keith Hull 301-774-7831 [email protected] Mr. Dale Bickel 301-774-0416 [email protected] Scout Master Mr. Dennis Bogan 301-774-2768 [email protected] Treasurer Mr. Al Barth 301-570-0869 [email protected] Membership Chairperson Ms. Barbara Levy 301-570-2836 [email protected] Troop Committee Chairperson Mr. Mark Russell 301-774-1077 [email protected] Order of the Arrow Chairperson Mr. Rick Justus 301-774-7833 [email protected] Advancement Chairperson Mr. Gary Matyas 301-570-0610 [email protected] Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) Jeremy N - - Adult activity coordinators – please submit information about upcoming activities to Signaler Staff (electronically or hardcopy) by the deadline. Please contact a Signaler reporter if you would like to have a Scout generate the announcement for you. If any information about an activity or participants of activities have been left out of the Signaler, corrections will be made in the next issue. Please send any corrections to The Signaler at [email protected].

The Signaler is posted on the troop’s website, www.troop264olney.net. Notice is sent by E-MAIL when the new Signaler edition is posted. To get on the e-mail list, or to be removed or make corrections, please send an e-mail to [email protected] (Mr. Dale Bickel).

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Advancement Information

Board of Review (BOR)

Any scout needing a Board of Review should call Mr. Greenspon @ (301-774-5394) no later than two Sundays (8 days) before the scheduled Board of Review. Failure to give proper notification will delay your BOR for a month. If your scout is scheduled for a BOR, he must bring an adult with him. That adult is needed to sit on a BOR for another scout. This way we can accommodate all scouts striving for advancement. Scout dress code for BOR will include Class “A” shirt, neckerchief, slide, and scout pants (khaki or black pants can be substituted). A scout hat is preferred.

Scout Spirit for Advancement

We all recognize that Scout Spirit is hard to evaluate. We know Scout Spirit includes being helpful and cheerful, but it is

more than that…it’s giving back. In an effort to assist Patrol dads in recognizing Scout Spirit, the following guidelines are offered.

Our troop believes that prior to each advancement, participation in the following activities exemplify the essences of Scout Spirit:

• A minimum of 1 nursing home visit • Participation in at least 1 fundraiser • At least 4 overnight outings per year • Good deeds done outside of scouts The Patrol Dad, not a senior scout, is responsible for signing off on Scout Spirit prior to your Scoutmaster Conference.

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Scoutmaster Conferences Any scout needing a Scoutmaster Conference for advancement up through First Class, needs to contact one of the following for a conference: Mr. Greenspon 301-774-5394 Mr. Laing 301-570-4235 Mr. Predoehl 301-774-0974 Mr. Matyas 301-570-0610 Mr. Freedman 301-774-7766 Mr. Bickel 301-774-0416 Mr. Irvin 301-570-5548 Mr. Kennedy 301-774-5014 Mr. Long 301-924-4365 Scoutmaster Conferences for Star, Life, and Eagle must be held with Mr. Bogan - (301)-774-2768, [email protected]. Preparation for the scout’s BOR must include being prepared to answer skill, citizenship, first aid, and merit badge questions.

BOR for Star and Life Scout Advancements While ropes and compasses are provided for younger ranks, by the time you are ready for Star and Life advancement, you should be responsible enough to bring your own knot rope and compass for your BOR. We are requiring all scouts who are advancing to Star or Life to bring a knot rope and compass to their BOR.

Life and Eagle Scouts as Advisory BOR Members If you are a Life or Eagle Scout and would like to sit on a Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, or Star BOR, as a “Technical Expert”, call Mr. Greenspon on 301-774-5394. You would be the fourth person on the Board. While you wouldn’t have a vote, you would have input into the decision-making process and add invaluable knowledge and insight by asking questions that perhaps scouters wouldn’t think to ask. This is a great way to give back to and maintain the quality of your troop.

t thhee signaler - troop264olney.net · nursing home visits resume! january26th( ... asst. patrol...

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