Troop 301,

As many of you know, BSA offers a lottery system for troops and boys to attend one of three (currently) HIGH ADVENTURE camps.

The troop needs to know who will be interested in doing one of these trips so we can get in on the lottery.

Please click on the links to learn more:

The general BSA link is: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HighAdventure.aspx

The three current choices are SEA BASE, NORTHERN TIER and PHILMONT.

Each has different options so we need you to tell us what you are interested in.

Sea Base information can be viewed at:

http://www.bsaseabase.org/  (Participants must be 14 years old by September 1 of the year of participation. AGE REQUIREMENTS FOR SEA BASE CANNOT BE RELAXED. PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST OR EXPECT EXCEPTIONS!)

Northern Tier information can be viewed at:

http://www.ntier.org/ (Limitations here depend on the trek chosen but Canoe trips involve lifting and carrying 70+ pound canoes for extended distances. Smaller boys will likely have issues)

Philmont information can be viewed at: (Philmont has many programs and there is a height vs. weight ratio requirement due to the strenuous nature of the hiking/climbing treks)

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HighAdventure/Philmont.aspx

In general, Philmont is a back packing/hiking oriented program in New Mexico that features outstanding views and personal challenges.

Northern Tier has a wide variety of programs in Minnesota but is best known for fantastic and challenging canoe trips.

The Sea Base program is a sailing oriented event that is based out of Florida or the Bahamas.

Let us know your High Adventure passion.

Scouting is about the outdoors and fun!

Mr. Bauer

Troop 301,

BSA requires that all scouts wear helmets on the rafting trip.

“Properly designed and fitted helmets must be worn when running rapids rated above Class II.”

This can be found at : http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/toc.aspx

You will need to bring a bike helmet or skateboarding helmet.

The Rafting place DOES NOT rent helmets!

They do rent full wetsuits for $7 and half wetsuits for $4.

Below is the flyer Mr. Bindert published on the trip.

Whitewater Rafting

May 28-30, 2010

Memorial Day Weekend Troop 301 will be camping at Camp Minsi in Pocono Summit, Pennsylvania (operated by the Minsi Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America) and rafting the Lehigh River in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. 

This annual trip is exciting and great fun.  Pocono Whitewater provides the rafts, the safety instruction, and the river guides.  We provide our own propulsion (paddling…).

Tentative itinerary:

• Friday afternoon – leave Saint James for Camp Minsi.  Have dinner at home or eat on the road.  Approximate travel time is 2 ½ hours.

• Friday evening – setup camp
• Saturday morning breakfast – the Troop will have a continental breakfast at Camp Minsi
• After breakfast we’ll collect ourselves, our lunch, sunscreen, helmets, a towel, and a set of dry clothes for the ride to Pocono Whitewater.
• Saturday 10:00 AM – the rafting adventure begins with a safety orientation and a short bus trip to the drop in point of the river.
• Saturday’s lunch must be carried onboard the raft.  Bring your lunch and keep it dry.
• After the rafting trip concludes, there will be a short bus ride back to Pocono Whitewater where you can change into dry clothes.
• Saturday evening dinner is included.  We’re eating at Dominick’s Pizza, which is on the way back to Camp Minsi.
• Sunday morning the troop will break camp for the return to Saint James.  There are a number of restaurants serving breakfast on your way home.

This year Troop 301 is requiring that everyone wear helmets on the river.  You are encouraged to bring your own.  If you forget yours, you CAN NOT rent one from Pocono Whitewater.  Without one you won’t be permitted to raft.

Fee:  $45 per person includes camping, continental breakfast Saturday, rafting Saturday, and a pizza dinner Saturday night. 

Additional costs: wet suit rental fee (about $4 - $7 – your choice, depending on weather), helmet CAN NOT BE RENTED, Sunday morning breakfast, and souvenirs

More:  Make sure to eat Friday night.  Bring lunch for Saturday to be eaten on the river, and keep it dry.  Bring an extra set of dry clothes to Pocono Whitewater Saturday because you are guaranteed to come off the river wet!  And don’t wear cotton on the river.  Choose Silk, Wool, or Synthetics.

Signup requires a complete Troop 301 permission slip and payment or authorization to use scout account funds.  See Mr. McGarry or Mr. Bindert to sign up. (THE TRIP IS FULL!)

Be Prepared….and have FUN!

Mr. Bauer

Troop 301,

We WILL be marching on Monday May 31st in the Memorial Day Parade in St. James.

You need to be in FULL CLASS A’s (no hats other than scout hats).

We need to meet at the Capital One bank on the corner of Lake and Woodlawn at 9:30 am.

Plan on staying for the memorial service after the parade unless you need to head to the Smithtown parade and are marching in the band there.

Let’s support those that gave their lives protecting the freedom we all enjoy each day.

A scout is REVERENT

Mr. Bauer

Troop 301,

This Saturday you all need to dress in your complete CLASS A uniforms (looking your best) and attend the first of two EAGLE COURTS OF HONOR in a month’s time.

This one will be to honor JAMES DODD Jr.

Boys are being asked to show up at 1:00 pm to help with the setup of chairs and the tri-pods for the historic Eagle plaques.

The ceremony will be starting at 4:00 pm for the guests and you will be marching in at the very beginning of the Court of Honor so being late is NOT and option.

Mills Pond Elementary School is on the corner of Woodlawn Avenue and Moriches Road.

Please help out and support another Eagle from Troop 301.

A SCOUT IS LOYAL

Mr. Bauer

TROOP 301 2010 SPRING PICNIC
When: June 9th (rain date June 10th)
Time: 5:00 pm ( set up @ 4:00)
Where: Hoyt Farm
Why: To celebrate the end of our troop year

Gary Gavorsky, Kate Tokarski and Kristen Donahue (kbspouse@aol.com) will be organizing the picnic.

Please contact us and let us know how many in your family will be attending.

-We will need volunteers to set up & clean up
-We will need donations of salads (please contact Kristen w/ your salad)
-PLs and Committee members please bring desserts (please contact Kristen w/ your dessert)
- If there are any food allergies, please let us know ASAP!
- Frisbees, bocce ball, wiffle ball, kites & yard games are all welcomed.

The Park Ranger has asked that we do not bring super soakers, and dogs are strictly forbidden.

Troop 301,

Below is the the plan for the Blydenburg camp. Your SPL will explain more of the details. This agenda is downloadable here TROOP_301_Blydenburg_Campout_agenda

Remember that HIKING BOOTS are MANDATORY!

Blydenburgh County Park, Hauppauge, NY 11788 Read the rest of this entry »

Troop 301,

As this month ends with Whitewater Rafting, your SPL aptly picked boating and boating safety for this month.

May 6th = Safety Afloat (Alex with help)

May 13th = Nautical terms (Dean with help)

May 20th = Parts of the boat (Bobby and he hopes to bring in his boat to show you)

May 27th = Wrap up and review (all) and prep for trip and Memorial Day Parade

Support your troop leaders and stay focused.

A scout is Helpful, Courteous and Kind,

Mr. Bauer

Scouts attending Blydenburgh Park Campout,

Two things to note:

1) As many know, the Church donated to us an almost unused Coleman EVENT GRILL!

We will be using our new piece of 2004 equipment to prepare Hot Dogs and Hamburgers for those at the campout.

The scouts will need to plan for what they want to do for Friday dinner (keep it simple), cook a breakfast, bag lunch for Saturday hike and simple (no cleanup) breakfast on Sunday.

2) IMPORTANT! – For this campout and all weekend camps going forward, scouts must plan their meals around a total per scout cost of $10.

As part of the rank requirements through 1st class scouts must plan meals based on a budget as well as nutritional content. This means evaluating the best prices while minimizing wasted food and left-overs. Meals need to be well balanced and contain enough content to sustain the boys for the campout. (This means Ramen noodles as a main course is NOT acceptable).

A scout is thrifty

Mr. Bauer

Troop 301,

If you plan on going to Blydenburg May 14 thru May 16th you MUST have your permission slip in to Mr. Bindert by the May 6th meeting. I will announce and post more details on that trip later. http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/Home/departments/parks/Blydenburgh%20County%20Park.aspx

Whitewater Rafting will be Memorial Day weekend (May 28th, 29th & 30th) at Camp Minsi. You sign up but presenting your permission slip AND the $45 payment ASAP. They is a strict limit of 40 heads (scouts and adults) for the rafting part so when we reach 40, the trip is closed.

Please use ONLY the newest permission slip found on the forms page of this site and identify how you are getting to the campout. This is needed as tour permits are only granted if the number of scout butts are less than or equal to the number of available seats in the cars listed on the permit as going.

A Scout is Courteous

Mr. Bauer

Trivia – The family name in early Smithtown was Blydenburg and there is a Blydenburg Ave across from the Branch Shopping center. The “widow Blydenburg” is refered to in many historic documents yet when the Weld Estate with the lake/pond was combined with other land to make the park, the state named it “BLYDENBURGH”. Go figure. http://www.maggieblanck.com/Land/Smithtownphotos.html

Troop 301,

The car wash was a big success and we have the FD to thank for letting us use their location and water.

Let’s support the Junior Firefighters next Saturday when they hold a plant sale at the same time and place we held the car wash.

May 8th at the firehouse.

A scout is friendly!

Mr. Bauer