Home of Troop 9 Boy Scouts of Weymouth, Massachusetts

Chartered by Pond Plain Improvement Association since 1912

TROOP 9 NEWS

February 12, 2008
www.troop9weymouth.com

Current Calendar
Thurs. 2/14- Troop Meeting- Guest Speaker
Thurs. 2/21- Vacation, Activity Night (TBA)
Sat. 2/23- Pack 9 Blue & Gold, Webelos Crossover
Wed. 2/27- Committee Meeting
Thurs. 2/28- Troop Meeting- Wildebeast Patrol
Sat. 3/1- Merit Badge University- Day 1
Thurs. 3/6- Troop Meeting- Spartan Patrol
Fri. 3/7- Camp Norse Campout
Thurs. 3/13- Troop Meeting**- Mad Cow Patrol
Sat. 3/15- Merit Badge University- Day 2
Thurs. 3/20- Troop Meeting- Killer Rabbit Patrol
Sat. 3/29- Merit Badge University- Day 3
**Board of Review Night, Class A’s required

 

Rank Advancements
Scouter: Zach R
Tenderfoot: Daniel M
Tenderfoot: Tyler M
Tenderfoot: Zach R
Congratulations to the above scouts for advancing in rank over the last few months. These and several more scouts are close to their next rank, so keep up the good work. Don’t forget to get your scout book signed off when you complete a requirement, because that’s the number 1 reason for delays in rank advancement.
For the last several meetings and over the next few meetings, all scouts will sit with several committee members to review their advancement status. This is so that the scouts know what they need to do and so that we have an updated record that coincides with what is signed off in their book.

Belated Happy Birthday last month to:
Malcolm G2

Happy Birthday this month to:
Daniel M 2/3
Bob H 2/16
Peter O 2/23
Mark M 2/24
Evan M 2/27

Summer Camp
Troop 9 will be attending summer camp at Camp Squanto from Sunday, June 29th to Saturday, July 5th. The fee for camp is $295 if paid by May 15th, and $315 if paid after May 15th. Additional weeks at camp are $225 and include Provisional, National Youth Leader Training or Eagle Week. National Youth Leader Training is only offered the same week Troop 9 will be attending summer camp, so interested scouts would need to make a choice.
More Summer Camp Info
Any scouts interested in National Youth Leader Training or working on staff at Camp Squanto should contact Old Colony Council for the required information and paperwork, and also let me know.
Any scout interested in the position of Summer Camp Senior Patrol Leader must let me know by February 28th and must be able to attend a pre-camp meeting on Match 24th.

Outdoor Program
Busy is an understatement when describing Troop 9’s outdoor program over the last four weeks.
We started first with a cabin campout at Camp Nobscot in Sudbury. This trip has become a troop favorite in recent years, and I suspect it has more to do with the cabin than the half mile hike to the cabin. A few scouts took the more scenic route, but everyone did eventually arrive and we had a good weekend of Klondike Derby preparation, sledding, advancement and game playing.
At the Klondike Derby on February 2nd, the three scout patrols of Troop 9 did an excellent job competing against nine other scout patrols. The results found the WildaCow Patrol of Joe P, Matt No, Matt Ne, Brian M, Ian M, Zach Z and Kristopher S claiming third in the event competition, the Spartan Patrol with Jason G, Pat G, Steven B, Trenton G and James C taking first in the event competition and the Killer Rabbit Patrol with Tom P, Joe C, Mike C, Brian D, Jon R, and Zach R taking first in the race. Mike H, Chris B and Eric M did an outstanding job of improvising and running the Turkey Shoot station. Great job to all and as a reward, they will be having take-out for dinner on an upcoming campout. The cabin campout at Camp Cachalot went well this year with no swan dives off bunks or scouts getting sick, and there was Mr. D chess tournament to participate in.
After missing out on a ski trip last year, we once again returned to the slopes this past weekend and enjoyed some beautiful weather and fantastic ski conditions at Loon Mountain in New Hampshire. While we still have not conclusively identified the lingering odor in the house, the accommodations were fine for sleeping and eating between days of skiing and snow-tubing Saturday night. I hope everyone had a good time and will be looking forward to a troop ski trip again next year. Special thanks goes out to the drivers whose patience and perseverance not only made this trip possible, but got everyone home safely through some blinding snow squalls and several miles of icy conditions.

Recruitment
If you know of anyone scout-age who may be interested in joining Troop 9, please let us know or invite them to any troop meeting.

Who Is This Eagle Scout?
I was born on April 22nd, 1944, in Jackson, Tennessee. My father was an Eagle Scout, so I became very interested in Scouting. I was so driven, I attained my Eagle Scout rank when I was only 13 years old! I considered Scouting the most important activity of my youth. I became a successful businessman and competitor; intrigued by aviation. In 2002, I set a world record by flying solo around the world in a hot air balloon. In 2005, I set another world record in an airplane by flying around the world without stopping or refueling- 67 hours, 1 minute, 10 seconds. Who am I?
See Mr. D with the answer. Last month’s featured Eagle Scout was Mike Rowe of “Dirty Jobs” fame.

Spring Camping Trips
The April campout will be moved closer to home, but where exactly will depend on where the scouts want to camp. We are still waiting to hear from West Point, but if we don’t get invited to West Point, we’ll also camp closer to home in May. We have a reservation for one of the Boston Harbor Islands for the weekend of May 30th to June 1st.

Quartermaster Corner
Well, with the 2 cabin campouts behind us now it is time to put your plans for the next patrol style campout into action. I am sure everyone has been planning thoroughly for the last 2 months and has all kinds of great ideas. I can't wait to see what you have come up with. I would also like to take a minute to remind everyone that the best place to look for ideas for meals and activities is in your scout book under camping and cooking. There are some great meals and such all figured out in writing for ease of planning. Also I would like to give everyone a basic run down of the concept of patrol cook just for refresher sake:
1. meals should be well rounded and include the basics of the food pyramid
2. at least 2 meals a day should involve cooking in some fashion
3. dinner must include an appetizer or 1st course followed by the main course and a dessert and should be multi step preparation to include everyone in the learning of the skills
4. all patrols will have the same equipment at there disposal -1 camp stove, 1Grill, 1 griddle, 1 utensil box, 1 patrol cookset, 1 lantern, 1 patrol fly, 1 cutting board
5. other troop equipment is available as requested on a first come first served basis with 1 weeks notice IE: special grills, tripod, Dutch oven, camp oven, charcoal grill, etc.
Now that all the patrols have their patrol flags I will be awarding the Quartermasters Award again starting with the next campout.
Finally, I would like to congratulate all the patrols on such a good showing at the Klondike Derby. 3 out of 6 trophies coming home with the troop including 2 first places. GREAT JOB! Keep up the good work.
MR. G (G2)
Merit Badge University
Merit Badge University is back Saturday mornings March 1, 15 and 29. MBU is an excellent opportunity to start any of the Eagle required merit badges or look for an unusual merit badge that may interest you. The application and $20 registration fee should be turned in Thursday, February 14th at the troop meeting.

New Rank Requirements
All scouts in the process of working on their Eagle Scout are advised that there is a new Eagle Scout application that needs to be filled out. Forms will be available online soon.
For scouts under First Class, please be advised that in an effort to address personal safety and bullying issues, the Boy Scouts of America has made some changes to the rank requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class. The pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide in the front of the scout handbook addresses several of these requirements, as does an article from Mr. H in the Youth Protection section of this newsletter. While these changes are not retroactive, we strongly recommend that all scouts review these requirements with their parents. These changes are effective now and are:

1. Tenderfoot requirement 9b has changed. It now reads: 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.
2. Second Class requirement 8b is new. It reads: Explain the three R's of personal safety and protection.
3. First Class requirement 12 is new. It reads: Describe the three things you should avoid doing related to the use of the Internet. Describe a cyberbully and how you should respond to one.
   

Adult Help Wanted
First, we would like to thank all of the parents who have volunteered and made themselves available to drive or pick-up at one of our campouts. Often, we do not know if we have enough room in the vehicles of those attending the campout until just before we leave Pond Plain, so your patience as we sort things out is greatly appreciated.
Next, Troop 9 has a good group of scoutmasters and committee members, but we are always looking for and need more, especially where many of us do not have sons in Troop 9 or our sons are now in high school. While we do not foresee a mass exodus of adult leaders in the near future, there will be a time when some will seek a reduced role and the baton will have to be passed. The more adults we have, the more likely Troop 9 will keep going strong through any transitions.
Honestly, the monetary pay is non-existent (and may actually cost you a few dollars), but the rewards of being a part of your sons’ experiences with Troop 9 and working with and in support of the scouts more than make up for it. Not sure what role you can fill, then talk to any adult leader or come to the next committee meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 27th.

Seatbelt Reminder
On every Troop 9 function, all scouts and adults MUST wear seatbelts when traveling in an automobile. The rule is one seatbelt per person and it makes no difference if you are in the front seat or a back seat.
Youth Protection
Are You Being Bullied?
So you’re being bullied, huh? That can feel pretty awful. But, no matter how bad it makes you feel sometimes, you should know you're not alone. That's right ... there are plenty of kids all over the world who go through the same things you do every day. And, even though you may feel helpless sometimes, there are a lot of things you and others can do to help stop the bullying. Give these tips a try.
Always tell an adult. It's hard to talk about serious things with adults sometimes, but they can help put a stop to bullying. Tell an adult that you trust and can talk to—your parents, your teacher, your school counselor, your coach, your neighbor. If you've told a grown-up before and they haven't done anything about it, tell someone else. And if you're afraid to tell an adult that you have been bullied, get another person—like a friend or a sister or brother—to go with you. Having someone else there to support you can make it a lot less scary. Tell the adults exactly what has happened—who did the bullying, where and when it happened, how long it's been happening to you, and how it's making you feel. If you talk with an adult at your school, ask them what they will do to help stop the bullying. It is their job to help keep you safe. Most adults really care about bullying and will do everything they can to help you.
Stay in a group. Kids who bully like to pick on kids who are by themselves a lot— it's easier and they're more likely to get away with their bad behavior. If you spend more time with other kids, you may not be an easy "target" and you'll have others around to help you if you get into a difficult situation!
If it feels safe, try to stand up to the person who is bullying you. If the person who is bullying you thinks you won't do anything about it, they are more likely to keep picking on you. This doesn't mean you should fight back or bully them back. Instead, tell the person bullying you that you don't like it and that they should stop! Keep it simple. Just say, "Cut it out, Sam!", and then walk away. If possible, try to talk to them in a calm voice. Kids who bully often like to see that they can make you upset. If you're afraid to talk to the person who is bullying you by yourself, then you might want to ask someone else to be there with you. Kids who bully are more likely to listen, and less likely to bully you, when you're with someone and not alone. If you're not comfortable standing up to someone who has bullied you, that's definitely OK! Just walk away. But be sure to tell an adult.
If you are being bullied on-line, don't reply. This may actually make the bullying worse. Instead, be sure to tell a family member or another adult you trust. If possible, block any more communications from this person. (For example, it might be a good idea only to accept messages from people you know.) Save evidence of the bullying. If you get a nasty e-mail, print it out or save it so that you can show it to an adult.
Join clubs or take part in activities where you'll meet other kids. Sometimes, it can help to join clubs or take part in activities that interest you. Think about joining a sports team, taking an art class, or joining a scouting group, for example. You can meet other kids who share your interests and you might make some good friends!

What NOT to do if you are bullied:
*DON'T think it's your fault. Nobody deserves to be bullied!
* DON'T fight back or bully a person back. This probably won't make things any better and it might get you into big trouble. Besides, you should try to act better than the person who bullies you.
*DON'T keep it to yourself and just hope the bullying will "go away." It's normal to want to try to ignore bullying and hope that it will stop—or hope that the person will start to pick on someone else. But, often, bullying won't stop until adults and other kids get involved. So, be sure to report the bullying.
* DON'T skip school or avoid clubs or sports because you're afraid of being bullied. Missing out on school or activities that you enjoy isn't the answer. You have a right to be there!
*DON'T think that you're a "tattle tale" if you tell an adult that you've been bullied. Telling is NOT tattling! It's the right thing to do.
*DON'T hurt yourself. Some kids who are bullied get so sad and depressed that they may try to hurt themselves because they think there is nothing else they can do. This definitely isn't the answer. Talk with an adult and tell them how you feel. They can help stop the bullying.

Scoutmaster’s Minute
For those who don’t know, I am an Eagle Scout from Troop 9. Shortly after starting college, my scoutmaster asked me to come back to Troop 9 to work with scouts on their final steps toward their Eagle Scout. I said yes, became an assistant scoutmaster and just got more involved as the years went by. To this day, I have never regretted that decision.
In my junior year of college, something happened to reassure me that the scouting program was worth my time and effort. A good friend of mine and her father were killed by a drunk driver as she went home to Vermont on winter break. One of the first cars to stop was full of scouts and an adult leader on their way to a ski trip. They provided first aid and comfort to my friend’s mother and younger sister until professional help arrived.
Many times over the years as frustration boils over, I’ve asked myself if it is still worth it. Each time, I thought back to my time as a scout, and then to that car of scouts on the road in Vermont, and then to the scouts and adults in Troop 9 at the time, and each time, I decided it is worth it.
Being a member of the Boy Scouts, whether as a scout or a leader, we will be tested with trials and tribulations (peer pressure, dealing with pigheaded scouts or leaders, etc). There comes a time where each of us needs to decide how to handle these trials and tribulations. Quitting and walking away from them is easier than hanging in there and dealing with them. In my opinion, the good things in life are rarely found the easy way. To me, Troop 9 is one of those good things.
Phil B

Looking Ahead
Camp Squanto COPE Course
May 15- Reduced Summer Camp fee deadline ($295)
May 17 Cemetery Flags
June 29-July 5- Summer Camp at Camp Squanto

Deadline for Next Newsletter: Monday, March 3rd