The Signaler - Troop 264 Newsletter HE IGNALERNovember 7-9 OA Ordeal November 10 Troop meeting...

The Signaler - Troop 264 Newsletter

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Website: http://www.troop264olney.net E-mail: [email protected]

OctoberOctoberOctoberOctober 2002002002008888

Volume 28, Number 10 TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS OF THE SIGNALER

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines (Refer to calendars for specific times.)

October 6 Patrol meeting October 9 or 14 District Roundtable (Hawks) October 13 Troop meeting October 17 Sharp Street Food Bank October 20 TLC / BOR October 22 Signaler meeting October 23 Troop Adult meeting October 24 Signaler deadline October 24-26 District Camporee “Construction” October 27 Troop meeting November 1 Navy Game at Annapolis November 1 Scouting for Food bag distribution November 3 Patrol meeting

November 8 Scouting for Food bag collection November 7-9 OA Ordeal November 10 Troop meeting November 11 or 13 District Roundtable (Sharks) November 14 Sharp Street Food Bank November 14-16 OA Ordeal (alternate date) November 15-16 Primitive campout November 17 Patrol meeting November 20 Troop Adult meeting November 24 TLC / BOR November 26 Signaler meeting November 27 Thanksgiving

Mütter Museum, Eastern State Penitentiary, and Battleship New Jersey

October 4 – 5, 2008

Troop 264 has arranged to travel to Philadelphia, PA to visit three museums and historic sites. The first stop will be at the Mütter Museum, http://www.muttermuseum.org/, which is maintained by the College of Physicians. The Mütter Museum has been called “a museum of all that can go wrong with the human body” and originated as a collection of medical specimens in the mid-1800s. It was (and still is) used to help train physicians about uncommon ailments. There are displays of medical instruments that you wouldn’t want to see in your doctor’s office today, as well as fluid-preserved specimens, models, and a giant colon that contained 40 pounds of “substance” upon removal (after its owner died). Also a collection of items removed from people’s throats. Not for the squeamish. You’ll be glad to be just a visitor, and not one of the permanent residents of this place. And speaking of “permanent residence”, in midafternoon we will travel to nearby Eastern State Penitentiary for a tour of this now closed prison. The “state pen” was used for 142 years to house society’s worst offenders. The third leg of this trip is a tour and overnight stay aboard the Battleship New Jersey, docked across the river in Camden, NJ. Scouts and scouters will eat supper and breakfast in the ship’s galley, and will sleep in sailors’ berths. These bunks aren’t very tall and head-bonking may be the main sport during the night. Return is Sunday morning. (continued after the calendars)

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 Mütter Museum /

State Penitentiary /

Battleship New Jersey

(Vikings)

5 Mütter Museum /

State Penitentiary /

Battleship New Jersey

(Vikings)

6

Patrol meeting

7 8 9 District Roundtable

(Germantown)

(Hawks)

Yom Kippur

No School

10 11

12 13 Troop Meeting

Open: Leopards

Service: Foxes

MB: Vikings

14 District Roundtable

(Rockville)

(Hawks)

15 16 17 Sharp Street Food

Bank, 4:15 PM

No School

18

19 20

TLC / BOR

21 22

Signaler meeting

7 pm

23

Troop Adult Meeting

at Brookeville

Academy 7:30 PM

24 “Construction Zone”

District Camporee

(Bogan)


District Camporee

(Bogan)


District Camporee

(Bogan)

27 Troop Meeting

Open: Vikings

Service: Hawks

Skill: Sharks

28 29 30 31

2008

October

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1

Navy Game

Scouting for food bag

distribution

2

3

Patrol meeting

4

No School

General Election

5 6 7

Order of the Arrow

(Ordeal)

8

Order of the Arrow

(Ordeal)

Scouting for food bag

collection at Safeway

9

Order of the Arrow

(Ordeal)

10 Troop meeting

Open: Hawks

Service: Sharks

MB: Foxes

Skill: Leopards


(Rockville)

(Sharks)

1/2 Day School K-8

12

½ Day School K-8


(Germantown)

(Sharks)

14 Sharp Street Food

Bank, 4:15 PM

Order of the Arrow

(Ordeal) - Alternate

weekend.

15 Primitive campout

(Bogan)

Order of the Arrow


weekend.

16 Primitive campout

(Bogan)

Order of the Arrow


weekend.

17

Patrol meeting

18 19 20 Troop Adult Meeting

at Brookeville

Academy 7:30 PM

21

22

23 24

TLC / BOR

25 26

½ Day School

Signaler meeting 7

PM

27

Thanksgiving

No School

28

No school

29

30

2008

November


(Philadelphia Trip, continued from page 1) Reservations have been made for the 18 scouts and scouters on the overnight Battleship New Jersey stay, and it is likely that no more can be accommodated there on such short notice. An alternative would be for additional scouts and scouters to visit the Mütter Museum and the state pen as a day trip, assuming that adults can drive there and back on Saturday. Contact Mr. Bickel, [email protected], (301) 774-0416 for any questions about this trip.

Popcorn sales – Now to November 17

It’s fall, so time for popcorn sales again! We don’t want to compete with our local Cub Scout packs, so please sell popcorn only to people that do not have access to boys in a Cub Scout Pack. The Troop does not participate in the prizes associated with popcorn sales. Please see Mr. Matyas, [email protected] for order forms. Order forms, preferably with the payment, should be returned to Mr. Matyas by Monday, November 17. The popcorn can be picked up on Monday, December 8.

Troop Dues are Due by October 15!

It's that time of year again! Time to collect troop dues. Dues are $50.00 per scout, per year. The adults are asked to pay $10.00. Each patrol will designate a responsible adult to collect dues from the scouts (this includes first year scouts) and return them in an envelope to Mrs. Wilbur by October 15. Please make out checks to: BSA Troop 264. Questions concerning dues can be directed to: Gina Wilbur, [email protected], (301)774-9287.

Sharp Street Food Bank – Friday October 17

Thanks to the following scouts and adults who helped sort food in September: Participants: Holland McCabe Mrs. Aimee McCabe The October food bank will be held on Friday, October 17, at 4:15 PM, at the Sharp Street Church, just across from Sherwood Elementary on Route 108, east of Olney. Usually the sorting takes about an hour. Please assist if you can.

District Camporee – Construction Zone

October 24 - 26

The District Camporee will be held October 24 – 26, at Our House, on nearby Zion Road, to the west of Olney off Route 108. The theme this year will be construction, with activities such as wiring and plumbing. The ever-popular climbing wall and BB guns are expected to be available too. It appears that the cost will be $15


for campers registered by October 8, $20 thereafter, and $6 for Saturday day-only participants. More details will be provided in October troop meetings.

Navy Game – November 1

The Navy Game is set for November 1 at Annapolis, vs. Temple University. The game starts at 3:30 pm. We are going to do what we did last year. For those that want to, you can tour the Naval Academy in the morning (time TBD) and then lunch would be on your own. Or if you don't want the tour, you can just show up at the game. Get there early (3pm) to see the midshipmen march in and the jet flyover. Also, you can get free entry to a Navy soccer game at noon the same day by showing your football ticket. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $13 for Scout/siblings. Please RSVP by Mon. Sept. 29 to Mr. Keith Evans at [email protected]. The game is a couple weeks earlier than in years past.

Scouting for Food Collection – November 8

Local Cub Scout packs will be distributing Scouting for Food bags on Saturday November 1. The following Saturday, November 8, rain or shine, they will pick up the donated food bags and bring them to the Olney Safeway. Troop 264 runs the collection point, sorting out the food items and packaging them in crates. Last year the troop packed about 400 crates of food. We’re hoping to beat that this year. Scouts are needed for the sorting and packing over a several hour period. Even if you can only work for an hour or two, it will help. This activity can count toward SSL hours for Montgomery County schools. Additional details will be announced at troop meetings later in October and in the November Signaler.

OA Ordeal – November 7-9 or 14-16

Back in June, members of Troop 264 selected nine Scouts for induction into the Order of the Arrow, which is Scouting's national honor society and recognizes those youth and adult campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. You can read more about OA in your Boy Scout Handbook at pages 426-427. The Scouts that will be candidates at this Fall Ordeal are: Daniel Agre, Jimmy Bickel, Jonathan Godfrey,

Anthony Justus, Tripp Karitis, David Light, William Santos, Gerad Sherman and Jacen Sherman. With only two weekends available to complete their Ordeal this fall, most of these Scouts plan to participate on 7-9 November, choosing to miss the Scouting for Food program rather than our annual Primitive Campout scheduled for November 15-16. A Scout TOAR (Troop Order of the Arrow Representative) will be selected from all active members of the OA in Troop 264. Assistant Scoutmaster Rick Justus, inducted into the OA many years ago, has volunteered to be the Adult (TOAR). ~ Mr. Rick Justus


Primitive Campout – November 15 - 16

The annual primitive campout will be held at a local site (to be announced) on Saturday/Sunday November 15 - 16. Patrols will construct primitive shelters using rope and natural materials, and sleep in them overnight. Cold weather should be expected. There will be a patrol cooking contest for Saturday supper. And the return of the potato cannons is anticipated. The November Signaler will contain more information.

Summer camp roster at Camp Bowman

Here’s a list of the scouts and scouters that attended summer camp this past July: Daniel Agre Jacob Anderson Kevin Carr Anthony Justus Tripp Karitis Jacob Levy Brandon Orzel Justin Stine Patrick Vaughn Enrique Alonso Peter Barth Conor Ellis Austin Hall Peter Kirk Ryan Mercado Patrick Stoll Brent Pizzamiglio Miguel Alonso James Bickel Joshua Fowler Kyle Harris Ryan Kreps Jeremy Neufeld Jacen Sherman William Santos Mrs. Ellis Mr. Long Mr. Sherman Mr. Anderson Mr. Bogan Mr. Fowler Mr. Kreps Mr. Predoehl Mr. Ramienski

Gear Day was September 13 Missing Gear Amnesty Announced

Thanks to all who assisted in 2008’s gear day. The annual accounting went smoothly, and patrols had worn out or lost gear replaced. All ready for the next camping year. Anyone with troop or patrol gear, that didn’t make it to Gear Day, please bring it to Chris Freedman at any meeting. It will be redistributed to patrols that need it. Spend a few minutes now and collect gear that may lurk in odd corners or closets, apart from the rest of the patrol gear. This was Chris Freedman’s last Gear Day as Quartermaster, before he heads off to college. We need a scout who can work with Chris and ultimately take over this important troop function. Any scout that has interest, please contact Chris Freedman, [email protected].


Troop 264 Flag Oversea

My Dad is a Navy pilot and flies for VR-1, which is the squadron responsible for flying the Secretary of the Navy and other high-ranking Department of the Navy personnel. In August, my Dad and his good friend, Lieutenant Commander Ben White, took the Commandant and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps to the Middle East to visit their marines in Afghanistan and Iraq. Before he left, my Dad thought it would be a good idea to take our troop flag with him to have it signed by military members serving over there to show our support for their efforts. Mr. Bogan gave him a flag and it traveled to Bagram and Kabul, Afghanistan, as well as several places in Iraq, like Baghdad and Fallujah. Many members of the Marines and the Army signed it, including a bunch of special operations guys. Even General Conway, the Commandant and SGT Major Kent signed it. After leaving Iraq, the flag also stopped in Ghana, Africa. I’m really proud of all of the people serving in our military and thankful that they took the time to appreciate our troop. Jake Anderson Leopard Patrol


Seneca Rocks / Astronomy Weekend / Cass Scenic RR

August 30 to September 1

We left Olney at 6:30 AM on Saturday, August 30 and arrived at the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center about 10:30 AM. We browsed through the few exhibits at the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center, and some scouts watched a ranger’s presentation which included live snakes. Scouts and adults then took the trail (1.3 miles each way) which led across the North Branch of the South Fork of the Potomac River and, after numerous switchbacks, up to an observation deck adjacent to Seneca Rocks and 900 feet above the Discovery Center in the valley below. A good view from here, but the rocks

themselves were obscured by intervening trees. Four of us – Ryan King, Mrs. King, Jim Bickel, and myself – followed the steep 4WD maintenance/horseback trail still higher to the top of the ridge, perhaps an additional quarter mile distance.

On our return, we met the Andersons and the Evans, who had separately come up later that morning. (They climbed the hiking trail later in the afternoon.) By then, our campsites were available across the highway at the Seneca Shadows campground, so we set up camp at Group Site D. The Halls, Andersons, and the Evans set up camp in the “suburbs”, three adjacent but separate campsites a two minute walk from downtown Group Site D. Jim cooked up fried chicken in Dutch ovens for supper for his Cooking merit badge, and there was corn and garlic bread to supplement the meal. Scouts started cleaning up while Jim disposed of the cooking oil by pouring it on the fire. That much oil made a tall bright fire, with thick black smoke ascending into the sky.


At nightfall we set up the telescopes the Evans and Halls had brought. But good viewing the sky wasn’t to be that night. There was a semipermanent trailer across the road whose occupants were cooking outside, accompanied by what must have been every floodlight they had. That light could not be well blocked out. [Memo: next time select Group Site F.] Drifting clouds overhead opened and closed holes to the sky, while heat lightning flashed, mostly to the southeast, but sometimes overhead. After a few hours, we gave up and went to bed.

Sunday morning, August 31st, after breakfast, we drove an hour southwest to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, WV. Here we wandered through the exhibits, all of which were placed in an electrically shielded room so that their electronics could not affect the radio telescopes. It was at this point that the Russells and Alonsos caught up with us, having left Olney early Sunday morning. A bus tour followed, leading us past a number of radio telescopes of different sizes. Upon return, we set up lunch on the picnic tables outside the NRAO center.

Eight miles from NRAO, we visited the Cass Scenic Railroad at Cass, WV, taking the 2:30 PM train to Whittaker Station. This former logging railroad now takes passengers on trips using steam engines. We seated ourselves in the passenger car just ahead of the engine, which was going to push the train up the mountain. After an hour and two switchbacks, we arrived at Whittaker Station, where the railroad had constructed buildings of a type one would have seen in a logging camp, as well as several train cars, including a log skidder, said to be one of two left in the country. After half an hour or so, we returned to Cass, and then to camp, where Jim cooked up a chicken and rice meal.

It had been rather gray most of the afternoon, not very promising for optical telescopes. But toward nightfall the sky cleared, and by 9 PM was free of clouds. The telescopes were set up in a darker location, and this night we could see quite a lot. Constellations, the Milky Way, meteors, satellites, and through the telescopes, Jupiter and its moons, stars, globular clusters, and nebulae. Mr. and Mrs. Evans did a great job explaining what the objects were that the scouts were seeing, and picking out new objects to gaze at. By midnight, weary scouts drifted off to their sleeping bags.


Monday morning, September 1, a simple breakfast. We packed up and were ready to leave by 9 AM. However, some of us stopped at Smoke Hole Caverns on the way back and took the one hour tour through the cave. Smoke Hole Caverns is an obviously commercialized cave, but still it had some nice features, a small underground lake, stalagmites and stalactites, and an underground artesian well (well water under pressure). After that, we returned to Olney, but not without a stop at the Moorefield, WV McDonald’s for lunch. ~Mr. Dale Bickel

Participants (nights camped)(trail miles hiked): Jacob Levy (2)(2.6) Austin Hall (2)(2.6) Justin Stine (2)(2.6) Ryan King (2)(3) Jake Anderson (1)(2.6) William Santos (2)(2.6) Peter Kirk (2)(2.6) Jim Bickel (2)(3) Michael Russell (1)(0) Enrique Alonso (1)(0) Miguel Alonso (1)(0) Sophie Evans (2)(2.6) Mr. & Mrs. Hall (2)(2.6) Mr. & Mrs. Evans (2)(2.6) Mr. Bickel (2)(3) Mr. Kirk (1)(0) Mr. Russell (1)(0) Mr. & Mrs. Anderson and daughter (1)(2.6) Mr. Stine (2)(2.6) Mr. Santos (2)(2.6) Mrs. King (2)(3)

Philmont Crews Selection on September 8

After the regular troop meeting on September 8, the Philmont bound scouts and scouters divided themselves into two crews consisting of 8 scouts and 4 adults. These crews will start planning meetings and activities designed to help them work efficiently as a crew, sharing all tasks.

Finances: Mr. Sponaugle (troop treasurer) has put together coupon books for monthly payments. This spreads out the cost of the trip over the next 9 months so that scouts and scouters don’t have to face a sudden large bill. It also will be used for covering various reservation deposits and fees associated with the trip. At this time, some Philmont-bound scouts and Scouters aren’t taking full advantage of this opportunity. See Mr. Freedman to pick up your coupon slips if you have not already done so.


Who’s who for Philmont 2009:

Crew A Crew B

Daniel Agre Mr. Jon Agre Holland McCabe Mr. Mark Freedman Jim Bickel Mr. Dale Bickel Chris Freedman Mr. Bill Karitis Alex Cole Mr. Rick Justus David Light Mr. Chris Simpson Anthony Justus Mr. Gary Sherman Tripp Karitis Mr. Mike Vaughn Scott Maxham Max Simpson Chris Mercado Victor Santos Michael Mercado Patrick Vaughn Gerad Sherman Peter Wilbur

Troop 264 at Pack 434 on September 10

This past month our troop sent a few scouts and scouters to the Pack 434 scouting night [Greenwood Elementary]. At this event we taught the Cub Scouts, Webelos and prospective cubs about camping. We were able to set up a mock campsite with a camping area and cooking area. Tripp and I taught the scouts about what to bring when camping and the different kinds of tents. Holland and Willy taught the scouts about cooking and the importance of camp hygiene. This was a really fun event and it seemed to spark a lot of interest in boy

scouting. Thanks to everyone who came out and helped. ~ Victor Santos

The following came and helped teach camping:

Victor Santos Mr. Bogan Willy Santos Mrs. McCabe Tripp Karitis Mr. Karitis Holland McCabe


Small Boat Sailing Merit Badge on September 12 - 14

The Small Boat Sailing MB was offered

last month by the Baltimore Sailing

Center, http://www.bcsailing.org. __________________ Friday: We left Olney, after school, in order to get to Essex to learn sailing. We arrived 20 minutes late, but since the class was small, the teacher started a little later for us. We sat in the classroom which was a portable. There were 13 scouts, we accounted for six of them. We talked about the points of sail and vocabulary. We then left for home. Saturday: We left Olney in better traffic to reach Essex, again, in order to actually sail on the water. Wind was very low, and we performed our capsize drills, and finally went to sail. The boats were single-man, single sail, and about 11 feet long. They were fiberglass and had an open floor that had no rear wall. The area where we were sailing was waist deep no matter how far out you were. I was amazed at how speedily you could move against the wind with very little wind. We broke for lunch and returned to sailing. Then we went ashore, took down our sails, and went home. Sunday: We left Olney in good traffic and reached Essex. There was even more time for sailing Sunday, and the wind was blowing stronger, at 5 mph according to the weather reports and 6 mph according to the wind meter. We rigged our boats as before and went to sail again, this time with more skills needed to be practiced. We finished those skills, ate lunch, went to sail more, landed again, de-rigged, talked about first aid, received our blue cards, and went home. ~ Jim Bickel

Merit badges were completed by: Ryan King Jim Bickel Jacen Sherman William Santos Tripp Karitis Justin Stine This merit badge will likely be offered again next May and September.


CPR training on September 15

Thanks to Mrs. Cindy King for the inspiration for and arrangement of the special CPR training class on the 15th. About 25 scouts, siblings, and adults took part in the CPR training session offered at St. John’s by Ursus Livesaving and Aquatics. Every participant had his or her own practice dummies, and repeatedly practiced the ABCD steps (Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Defibrillator) under varying conditions (victim breathing, not breathing, responding to inquiries, child, adult, infant, etc.) There was also instruction about the proper way to perform the Heimlich maneuver. All knowledge that may save a life someday.

New Boy Scout Rank Advancement Changes

The National Youth Protection Committee recommended additions to Boy Scout rank requirements that became effective January 1, 2008. These changes are intended to help the Boy Scouts advance the importance of Youth Protection training beyond the initial Boy Scout joining requirements, and keep youth informed and actively engaged in understanding the key elements of personal safety and protection. Henceforth, any Scout must complete these requirements to advance to the next rank, in addition to the rank requirements in the book. Notation for these new requirements should be made in the margins of the page in the Scout Handbook listing the completed requirements. These changes will be posted in the next printing of the Scout Handbook.

Tenderfoot Rank -- Revised requirement 9:

• Explain the importance of the buddy system as it relates to your personal safety on outings and in

your neighborhood. Describe what a bully is and how you should respond to one.

Second Class Rank -- New requirement 8b:

• Explain the three R’s of personal safety and protection.

First Class Rank -- New requirement 12:

• Describe the three things you should avoid doing related to use of the Internet. Describe a

cyberbully and how you should respond to one.

Video Training for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class

Scouting.org has videos available to help scouts with the rank requirements of Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. These short videos include the new requirements listed immediately above.

Link: http://www.scouting.org/applications/rankvideo.aspx


Adopt a Soldier Program

Halloween is just around the corner and the shelves are stacked with plenty of treats we can share with our adopted soldiers. The next time you are out shopping, please consider picking up a bag of snack size Halloween candy to include in our next batch of care packages. We currently have 10 adopted soldiers on our list, and we can start sending chocolate again now that cooler weather has arrived. A special “Thank You” to all of our scout families who continue to donate so generously to our Adopt A Soldier Program. The success of this program depends on you, and our adopted soldiers truly appreciate our efforts. If you have any questions or need additional information about our Adopt A Soldier Program, please contact Mrs. Simpson (Shark Patrol) at (301) 512-5439, send an e-mail to [email protected], or visit our website: www.troop264olney.net.

God Bless America … Land of the Free … Because of the Brave

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Limited Edition Troop 264 32 oz. Water Bottles

$5.00

All proceeds benefit our Adopt A Soldier Program

Thank you for Supporting Our Troops!!

To Get Leadership Credit for Den Chief Service

If you are serving as a Den Chief for leadership credit, prior to your BOR must notify Mr. Matyas. You should obtain a note from your Pack Den Leader and/or cubmaster. This letter should include: (1) the dates you served as a Den Chief (at least six months); (2), The Pack and Den you served with; and (3) include the signature(s) of the Den Leader, Cubmaster, and /or Pack Committee Chairperson and the date they signed off. Submit this letter to Mr. Matyas prior to your BOR. (301)-570-0610, [email protected]. To earn the Den Chief Service Award, you must serve the pack faithfully as a den chief for one full year.


Getting Credit for Troop Activities

It’s important that everyone who participates in Troop 264 campouts, trips, and community service activities gets credit for their hard work. The Signaler provides the permanent record of everyone who attends these events. Patrol leaders need to take responsibility for collecting the names of participants in their patrols and send those lists, preferably by email, to the Signaler staff by the monthly deadline. E-mail lists to [email protected]. This month’s deadline: October 22.

Do You Need to Review Your Knots?

If you need to review your knots prior to your next BOR or the next campout, check out the site below. It is very good for visually demonstrating how to tie knots. Click on the Scouting Emblem for knot demonstrations. http://www.animatedknots.com/

Troop Activity Policy

Please be reminded that it is troop policy (and common courtesy) for a scout or scouter to pay the costs associated with an event he or she has signed up for but did not attend, without being asked. No-shows increase the costs to the troop and the participants, require the troop to reserve unneeded space and transport excess equipment, and results in wasted food and materials. We realize that situations inevitably will occur that prevent a scout from attending events, and ask that the scout or scouter contact the person organizing the event right away. If the conflict is raised early enough, adjustments can often be made where food has not yet been purchased or reservations have not been finalized.

District Roundtable

Our Boy Scout Roundtables feature informative discussions on topics from youth leadership training, using OA more effectively in your troop, and summer camp experiences. Each month Bill Lanson and his crew provide wonderful presentations, from wood carving to Dutch oven cooking, to help your unit leaders provide new ides and opportunities for your troop. Come see what great new locations your troop might want to visit! Because of the recent redistricting, there are now TWO dates and places that the Roundtables will be held at 7:30 PM, on the second Tuesday and Thursday of each month. (Note that the second Tuesday and Thursday may not fall in the same week!)

Tuesday: M.J. Berman Hebrew Academy, 13300 Arctic Avenue, Rockville, MD 20853 OR

Thursday: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 18900 Kingsview Road, Germantown, MD 20874

Only one session needs to be attended. Patrols are assigned to cover this event on a rotating basis, as listed on the calendar in this Signaler, and must send one adult to take notes and report back at the Troop Adult meeting. To find out more about the Roundtable, or to sign up to make a presentation, contact Bill Lanson at (301) 774-8040 or [email protected].


INFORMATION PAGEINFORMATION PAGEINFORMATION PAGEINFORMATION 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 the last page of each Signaler edition. Also, you can look at any past edition of the Signaler for this information.

Signaler Submittal Deadlines: Information Due to Reporters: October 22 Signaler distribution Date: November 1

Articles Due to Signaler Staff— October 22 – No articles accepted after October 22.

Editor: Jim Bickel 301-774-0416 [email protected] Webmaster Mr. Bickel 301-774-0416 [email protected] Reporters: VVictor Santos 301-260-8605 [email protected]

3 Signaler Adults: Mrs. Evans 301-260-1042 [email protected] Mr. Bickel 301-774-0416 [email protected] Adult Advisors: Scoutmaster: Mr. Bogan 301-774-2768 [email protected] Treasurer: Mr. Sponaugle 301-774-4814 [email protected] OA: Mr. Rick Justus 301-774-7833 [email protected] Advancement Chairman: Mr. Matyas 301-570-0610 [email protected] SPL: Patrick Vaughn 301-260-1735

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 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 presently 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).

The Signaler Staff

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. Dress Code for BOR: Class “A” shirt, neckerchief, slide and scout pants (khaki or black pants can be substituted).

A scout hat is preferred.


ADVANCEMENT INFORMATION PAGE

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.

SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCES

Any scout needing a Scoutmaster Conference for advancement up through 1

st class, needs to contact

one of the following for a conference: Mr. Kennedy 301-774-5014 Mr. Greenspon 301-774-5394 Mr. Laing 301-570-4235 Mr. Long 301-924-4365 Mr. Pitts 301-774-3208 Mr. Predoehl 301-774-0974 Mr. Culbertson 301-774-7049 Mr. Zuccaro 301-774-0824 Scoutmaster Conferences for Star, Life, and Eagle must be held with Mr. Bogan - (301-774-2768). 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.

The Troop 264 Newsletter

19

Permission Slip for Mütter Museum, Eastern State Penitentiary, Battleship New Jersey

October 4 – 5, 2008

I give permission for my son _______________________________ to participate in the Troop 264 trip to the Mütter Museum, Eastern State Penitentiary, and the Battleship New Jersey on October 4 – 5, 2008. In an emergency, please notify ___________________________ (indicate name and relationship to your son) at ___________________________ (phone). If this person cannot be reached, I authorize qualified medical personnel to administer any necessary aid or treatment to my son for illness or injury. My son is allergic to the following medications or foods: ____________________________________.

The Signaler - Troop 264 Newsletter HE IGNALERNovember 7-9 OA Ordeal November 10 Troop meeting...

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Transcript of The Signaler - Troop 264 Newsletter HE IGNALERNovember 7-9 OA Ordeal November 10 Troop meeting...