Evening Everyone,

I wanted to take some time to recap our Troop’s 2018 Summer Camp experience.

First, the good stuff I can’t wait to share…

The Dining Hall.   The food was 100% better than last year.   So that was a big help.  It was very hot and humid the majority of the week.   And then the rain came, too.   It was a difficult week, but a rewarding week.   There were amazing highs, and disappointing lows.   Here is a run-down of some of the highlights…

Merit Badges:  your Scouts earned 52 Merit Badges this past week, and we had only one partial.  They ran the gamut from our First Year Scouts earning Nature and Leatherwork, to 3 Scouts earning Forestry, 1 Scout taking Wilderness Survival (without anyone else from our Troop in the class), 1 Scout taking Fish and Wildlife Management, and a few Scouts knocking out Eagles badges like Swimming, First Aid, Emergency Preparedness, and Environmental Science.   I spoke to many of the MB Counselors or their directors during our week in camp, and our Scouts behaved, for the most part, as Scouts in the classes.   We have all the blue cards, and they will be turned in to Mrs. King to process.   Scouts will be recognized for their achievements at our next Court of Honor, scheduled for August.

Camp Honors:   Once again the drum sounded calling those who earned their Pipestone honors.  21 out of 22 eligible Scouts earned it, with one just falling short, but already saying he will get it next year.   Pipestone is an honor.   It honors those campers who have finished the requirements for their year.   Scouts are allowed to talk to their parents about the ceremony, and Scouts from their “year”.   They may not discuss it with younger Scouts.   Thereby maintaining the programs mystique, without any spoilers.  If ANY parents have ANY questions about the program, please see me, Mr. King, or Mr. Longworth as we are all 5^th Year Pipestone holders who have volunteered to help run the program over the past few years and have a good insight in the program.

Open Program:   Scouts had many opportunities for exploration during the afternoons at camp.  As always, the Trading Post was a major attraction.   I always try to nudge the Scouts away from big dollar purchases at the Trading Post.   They do not accept returns on most items, unless there is a defect in the item.   So Scouts buying knives, hammocks, and other more costly items would really be better served to go through a retailer back at home that offers warranties and returns.   (They are kids and no matter what we say, that shiny knife w a black spider on it is waay cool, and they buy it.)

Shooting Sports offered Cowboy Action Shooting on Tuesday night.  Limited by time and day light to 40 participants, Scouts and adults shot at various targets using 22 caliber revolvers, lever action rifles, and a 20 gauge shotgun.   BSA and NRA certified range officers worked individually w Scouts while on the range.  Rifle, shotgun, archery, and tomahawks were always available.   Joe Tharp won us a watermelon in an archery contest one night.

The Waterfront offered swimming, canoeing, rowing, kayaking, and again this year, the Iceberg.

Outdoor Skills added a new climbing tower that Scouts of all ages were able to utilize.

Tuesday was also a Carnival night on the reservation.  Scout could play many carnival inspired games at the Outdoor Skills area.

Scouts also worked on their Merit Badges during Open Program.

Other events:  There were two main campfires while in camp, Sunday night and Friday night.   There was a Vesper Service on Wednesday night.   The Order of the Arrow held a Tap Out ceremony on Wednesday.   Travis Wood was selected by his fellow Scouts to be an Ordeal candidate to the order.  Good Luck Travis!    Cody Walter was a first time ceremonialist at the ceremony and did a fantastic job.

What else?  We had one sprained ankle that required an x-ray.  Scout is ok.   Various Scouts had blisters.  Mrs Brenner and Mr. Peterson handled all the medical issues this past week.   I had to leave camp Tuesday night for a personal medical issue and returned Wednesday morning in time to catch up with our first years taking a break at the Trading Post.

And now the not so fun stuff…

1. Personal Gear. Scouts must have their names on everything they bring.  Hats, shirts, ponchos, books…  all of it.  We have to search for owners of misplaced gear all the time.  Also, it leads to Scouts getting upset over missing gear.
2. Packing for camp.  Scouts really need to know what is in their packs and where it is.   I always found that working with my son insured he knew where is gear was those first couple years.   Gather the gear with your Scout, but let them pack it.
3. Merit Badge Prereq’s. We have pushed this for months.  The work done at home helps the Scouts at camp.   The prereq’s are there for a reason.    Usually they involve requirements that take time that counselors do not have at camp.   We stress them to the Scouts multiple times in the lead up to Summer camp each year, and each year there is some sort of issue that comes up.
4. Scout Spirit. Every year Every Scout hits the breaking point.   At some point in time the heat, the rain, the homesickness, the tiredness etc etc all come together to make mundane moments explosive.   Tempers flare, words are said, gear goes flying and feelings and pride are hurt.   In these instance, sometimes a calming word from an adult helps, other times it does not.  IN all these instance we are aware of, we try to work through the issue.   We cannot catch 100% of these moments.  If any of your Scout feels like they were in a situation like this that was not handled by an adult, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

Which leads me to this difficult discussion.

5. Bullying. Kids pick on each other and can be mean, it happens.  Even in Scouts, we are not immune to this.   Bullying has many forms, and sometimes kids interrupt situations differently.  What one Scout regards as funning or playing around, another Scout may feel they are being bullied, especially if they are targets of this in school or in their neighborhood.   Bullied is a word I don’t use lightly, or take lightly, and it was used by a Scout to describe some behavior this week.   I have spoken to ALL the Scouts involved and will follow up as needed.   I have not had a chance to speak to all the parents, but I will soon.  I will be talking about this with all of our Scouts at the next meeting, on Monday July 2^nd.   We can not tolerate this kind of behavior and will work with all parties involved to make this a good learning moment for all involved.   Our Troop is governed by the Scout Oath and Law.  ANY and ALL accusations of bullying will be investigated by our Troop Adult leadership.   BSA has adopted policies to address this issue, here is a link to their info on it:  https://www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/bullying/

In summary:

This was such a rewarding week overall.   The good far outweighs the bad, but the bad must be addressed.   At our next Troop Committee Meeting, this Tuesday, June 26^th, we will discuss these issues and what we can do better as adult leaders to serve our Scouts.   We will look at the other issues we encountered and come up with corrective actions to overcome them in the future.   There is always room for improvement.

So, Congratulate your Scout for their achievements!   They all grew so much over the week.  All the adults who attended saw the work they put in and can attest to their growth.

I want to thank the adults whose help made Summer Camp 2018 possible:

Mrs. King and Mrs. Venditti:   for taking care of merit badge sign ups and making sure we were all paid up!

Mr. Peterson:  for attending the beginning of the week, working with out first years, and dispensing medicine.

Mr. Polen.    For 7 years now he has attended with his sons from WRC to his 5^th year of Pipestone.   His help is invaluable.  His attitude and fun loving nature is infectious.

Mr. Kellman.  Very glad you made it and we shared a memorable Friday night in the woods.

Mr. Lott.  Thank you for your guidance and in depth knowledge of Scouting.

Mr. Longworth.   You are our constant rock.   I can never thank you enough or repay you for your steady hand and encouraging words.

Mr. King.  You are the mainsail of this ship.  Without you we would not sail as we do.

Mrs. Brenner.   There are no words.  You are a true Scout at heart, and to me, an ideal Scouter.

The Stutzman’s for helping with our med bag issues.
Mrs. Carter for the fantastic photo, as always.
Mr. Luckring for hauling the trailer to camp.

If I forgot anyone, man am I sorry.

For Mr. Polen…
356 days till 7R Week 1, Summer Camp 2019, June 16^th, 2019!!

Hope everyone’s gear is coming clean, I finally have mine done and mostly put away

ANY questions or concerns, please let me know

Mr. Durkin

Scoutmaster Troop 933
330-806-1574 Cell/Text

Here is our condensed Troop Schedule till Summer Camp:

Time is growing SHORT!!

We have NO MORE meetings till Summer Camp.

DUE ASAP   Med Forms (parts A, B, C, and copies of insurance card).  If cannot have forms by then, please make arrangements with Mrs. Brenner.

Also due:  Pipestone Wood!!   See our SPL Brandon to have it checked.

Sunday, June 17 – 23^rd: Summer Camp @ 7R

And for our Arrowmen… the OA Schedule

Friday, June 1 -3^rd: OA Spring Ordeal @ 7R

Friday, Aug. 17 -19^th: OA Fall Ordeal @ 7R

The 2018 Merit Badge list and prerequisites are posted to our Summer Camp page!

Click on links, and a PDF will open in another window.

All NEW Scouts will take Nature and Leatherwork.   There are prereq’s for Nature and Leatherwork requires that projects be purchased at the Trading Post.  So extra money will need to be sent to cover those.

Here is a very cool map of Seven Ranges Scout Reservation

Seven Ranges Scout Reservation – https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1RTrt6kV0hzpUyzEGMrX4VDKebQfVyt3u&usp=sharing

Are you getting excited???

UPDATE

We are camping this weekend.

Here are the 8 Scouts that signed up on the board:
(See FB group or email for list)

These three adults will be camping:  Mr. Durkin, Mr. King, Mr. Hall

We are going Saturday to the Troop 68 Pancake Breakfast and Patch Show @ the Church of the Cross UMC, 5100 Cleveland Rd (Rt3), Wooster, OH 44691.

Map w directions:  https://goo.gl/maps/rzrDF6YYRaJ2

This is one of Troop 68’s fundraisers for the year.  So it’s going to be cool to help them and get a good breakfast

The MAPS Museum program was geared to Cubs and young Girl Scouts.   I spoke to the person in charge @ MAPS and they did not recommend it for Boy Scouts.   Brandon, Andrew, and I made this decision this evening.

So, here is the plan.

Fri, Feb 23^rd:   Meet at Scout Building 6 – 630 pm.   We will set up tents for those staying out.
Bring cracker barrel.

Sat, Feb 24^th:  Get Up.
Any Scouts NOT camping must be at Scout building by 7:45 am.

We will leave @ 8:00 am for the Pancake Breakfast, ALL YOU CAN EAT.
Pancake breakfast is $5.00.  Scouts MUST bring $5.00.
Patch Trading/Show is FREE if in uniform.
Bring money to shop, bring patches to sell/trade.
We will stay at show a few hours to let Scouts eat/trade/buy/sell/look.
Leave Wooster, head back towards Scout building.  Stop for lunch.  Scouts will need money for lunch (Wendy’s in Dalton probably since Dairette is still closed.)
Return from lunch, around 1:30 – 2:00 pm, will have activities.
(Mr. Durkin will get a nap hopefully.)
6:00 or so.  Dinner, pizza etc to be provided.
After dinner, movies, games, etc. Scouts not camping are welcome to stay till 9 or so.
Lights out

Sun Feb 25^th:   Get up, break camp, pickup by 9:30 am

So again, Scouts need $5.00 for breakfast, and money for lunch @ Wendy’s or someplace comparable.  Dinner will be provided by the Troop.

If your Scout is listed above, please confirm they are going/not going.   If your Scout is NOT on the list above, but wants to go, please let me know ASAP so we have an accurate head count.

Our four brand NEW Scouts are totally invited to come out if they choose.   Come for the day, come for the afternoon and dinner and movie, JUST LET ME KNOW so we can plan for you.

Also, we will STILL need drivers to get to Wooster.   Mr. King has a prior engagement and will be busy in the AM, and cannot go.  I can drive to Wooster, and take a few Scouts.  We need at least two other parents to go along.   Please let me know.   If we cannot get drivers, we will only camp at the building and find stuff to do around there.   I think the Scouts will enjoy the breakfast, and have a good time at the Patch Show.

Thanks again!

Mr. Durkin

330-806-1574 Cell/Text

Evening Everyone,

Once again I come to you the week of the Ski Trip w bad news.   The weather this week is not looking good at all.   Temps in the 50’s and rain.  I cannot in good conscience put Scouts who are not regular skiers on skis on a hill of ice.   I will not risk our Scouts.  I won’t.  If this was three weeks ago and it was cold and snowing, we are there…  (I am blaming that groundhog…)

So now what?   Well first, NO Scout is out any Scout Account money.   Whatever fee or lost deposit will  be taken care of by the Troop.

Second, we need to come up with an alternate plan, and we talked about this at the Troop Meeting tonight.   We presented the situation to the Scouts, talked about it at length, and as a group come up with three alternatives.

1. MAPS Museum in Green. They are having a Scout program this weekend.  While it is geared towards younger Scouts, we will check on its availability for Boys Scouts.   Cost for that program is $5.00.

If we cannot participate in the program, it is $6.00 for Scouts 12 and under, $10.00 for older and adults.   Group rates are $5 and $9 respectively and you need 16 or more.

Then they wanted to go to lunch @ Wendy’s or a comparable place, Scouts will need money for that, too.

2. Sky Max Trampoline in Canton.  Jumping is $13 for an hour.  We spoke to Council on this already tonight.  It is not technically against the Guide to Safe Scouting for Boy Scouts, but Council’s Rick Management team strongly discourages units using the facility.  They cite the American Association of Orthopedic Doctors not recommending their use.   Then they wanted to go to lunch @ Wendy’s or a comparable place, Scouts will need money for that, too.
3. Troop 68 Pancake Breakfast and Patch Trading Show in Wooster. All you can eat pancake breakfast.  $5.00.   Patch show free w uniform.   Scouts would need money if they want to shop the show.  And if they are in to trading patches, they need to bring their traders.  The show will have rules for Scouts trading w adults and w other Scouts.  We would have to figure out lunch, probably the same plan as above.

The Scouts voted for the SkyMaxx.  After talking w Council, our Charter Organization Rep, Mrs. Brenner and Mr King and Mr Longworth, and thinking very hard on it, I am overriding that decision.  Again, I cannot in good conscience send our kids there in to a potentially risky situation w so little safety measures, especially considering Council’s stance on it.

So, first choice is we will go to the MAPS Museum.   If that does not pan out, then the Pancake Breakfast and Patch Show will be our fall back.

Regardless of the alternate, we ARE CAMPING this weekend.   We will have pizza and movies at the building.    I am sure a fire will be built outside.

BUT we will also again NEED ADULT CHAPERONE’S and drivers!   If we cannot get drivers, we will just stay at the building and work on Scout skills, rank advancement, play games, and then have pizza and movies.

I will make calls tomorrow, and then send out what we are 100% doing w the game plan.

Again, I am very sorry about this.  Going forward, the PLC decided we will work on scheduling potential Skiing/Snow Sports activities earlier in the winter, perhaps over Christmas break or in January.

ANY questions, please let me know

Thanks

Mr. Durkin

330-806-1574 Cell/Text

Evening Everyone,

Staying warm?   It is too cold out…   But NOT next weekend!!!

The Hetuck District Klondike is Friday, January 12^th – 15^th, 2018.   It is at the N Lawrence Fish and Game Club.

We are staying in tents, at the Scout building.

Here is the head count total for this coming camp out.
We have 8 Scouts camping both nights and participating in Klondike.
We have 5 that are coming in Saturday and spending the day with us, but not camping.
We will have three adults camping also.

This is a District level event and the cost is $20.00.   So, if you are only coming in for the day, it is still $20.   Covers lunch, patch, program materials, and gear auction Saturday night.    There was over $1,200.00 worth of gear in the auction last year.   Our Scouts did really good w what they won.

We will need to know how everyone is paying on Monday.  Check or money due at meeting.

Be Prepared.

Scouts staying overnight and eating breakfast and lunch will need to pay $5 – 10 or so extra for those two meals.   The PLC will decide the exact amount and let us know Monday at the meeting.   (Or I will send out an amended email tomorrow.)  They will need to set menus.  I highly suggest simple, filling meals.  NO pancakes.   LOL.   (Ask your Scout about their pancake adventures on camp outs lately.)

Lunch is provided.  It will be Pulled Pork sandwiches, mac and cheese, chips, and hot chocolate.   Hot chocolate will be available thru the event before the auction, too.

We will go over cold weather camping at Monday’s meeting.  BUT in the meantime, if this is your Scouts first camp out where the temp will not get above 32 degrees, you must ensure they are prepared.  Any Scout without the correct gear, will be sent home or their parents will have to bring them the correct gear.    Winter gloves and an extra pair, warm socks (EXTRAS).  Stocking hat and face mask if you have one.   Warm coat.  Wicking layers.  Thermals/long johns.   Extra blanket.

Any questions, please let us know!!

We will have fire in building going all weekend.   And at the fire ring, too.

If anyone has any needs, please let us know, we can work on outfitting your Scout w the gear they may need.

Talk to you all Monday.

Mr. Durkin
330-806-1574 Cell/Text

161 Days till Summer Camp!!

Just wanted to highlight upcoming events during the holidays and thru February 2018!! 

There is LOTS Going on!!!

January 1st:  NO Troop Meeting.  New Year’s Day

January 8th:  Troop Meeting.  7 pm @ Scout Building.

January 10^th:  Hetuck Roundtable and OA meeting.  7 pm @ St Mike’s.

January 12-14th:  Hetuck District Klondike.  NLFGC.  $20 plus food (say $5).

January 15th:  PLC Meeting.  7 pm @ Scout Building.

January 22nd:  Troop Meeting.  7 pm @ Scout Building.

January 29th:  Troop Meeting.  7 pm @ Scout Building.

February 3rd:  BPI.  Dalton High School.  Adult Leader Training.

February 5^th:  Troop Meeting.  7 pm @ Scout Building.

February 12^th:  Troop Meeting.  Troop Elections.  7 pm @ Scout Building.

 February 14^th:  Hetuck Roundtable and OA meeting.  7 pm @ St Mike’s.

 February 17^th:  Troop Leadership Training.  0800 – 4 pm or so.  Scout Building.  New PLC training, and it is MANDATORY.

February 17^th:  Cub Pack 933 Blue and Gold and Webelos II Crossover.  Saturday Evening.

February 19^th:  Troop Meeting.  7 pm @ Scout Building. 

February 23-25^th:  Ski Trip Boston Mills

February 26^th:  PLC Meeting.  7 pm @ Scout Building.

 ALL events are SUBJECT to change. 

Afternoon

Reminder, our next camp out is this coming weekend.  It is the Cow Pie Invitational.

November 3rd – 5th @ the Courtney Farm in nearby Beach City, OH.

Cost is going to be $10.00, and is just for the Scouts food.  There are no other costs associated with this camp out.   We have 11 Scouts signed up on the board at the Scout Building.  There are 5 adults going, too.

Meet at the Scout Building @ 6:00 pm Friday.

PLEASE pack for the weather we will be having.   Right now it looks to be on the colder side, with rain on Saturday AM.

We will go over this again at the meeting Monday.

Mr. Durkin