Troop 301 leaders,

Remember, our first PLC of the new scouting year is on TUESDAY September 7th at the CHURCH.

All leaders need to be there!

If you have a REALLY good reason you can’t make it, you need to send a representative AND inform both myself and the SPL why you will not be there as well as whom you have assigned to fill in.

See you then and check the calendar as our WEBMASTER has put up many of the upcoming dates.

Mr. Bauer

Troop 301,

It seems that many folks must have asked this question or interpreted “active” different ways. As a result the latest NAVIGATOR news paper council has chosen to quote it back to all. The statement is as follows:

(As found on page 21 of the 2010 Boy Scout Requirement Book.)

A Scout will be considered “active” in his unit if he is:

1. Registered in his unit (registration fees are current).
2. Not dismissed from his unit for disciplinary reasons.
3. Engaged by his unit leadership on a regular basis (informed of unit activities through Scoutmaster conference or personal contact etc.).
4. In communication with the unit leader on a quarterly basis.

 (Units may not create their own definitions of active; this is a National standard.)

Are you an active scout?

If I have not had a talk with you in the last 3 months, it seems that National thinks you are not.

Let’s fix that!

E-mail me or call me at (631) 584-7186

The scout has to put in the effort but I am reaching out to you.

We can’t waive this requirement!

Mr. Bauer

Troop 301,

Camp Minsi, the Second Summer Camp

August 7-11, 2010

Troop 301 will be organizing a second summer camp this year to Camp Minsi (http://www.campminsi.org) in Pocono Summit, PA.  The troop will be staying in the Weytrex Lodge, which sleeps 19 scouts and 19 adults.  Weytrex is quite luxurious with hot and cold running water, a bathroom including a shower, electric lights, a sink, refrigerator, and indoor picnic tables.

Highlights:

• Saturday starts with a 25 mile bicycle ride along the Lehigh River Gorge, followed by pizza and ice cream
• Sunday at Camp Minsi will be a quieter day with possibilities for Merit Badge sessions, and maybe archery or canoeing
• Monday morning is a Mud Hike at Minsi, after the showers the troop will be off to a Scranton Yankees minor league baseball game
• Tuesday is a trip to hike through Bushkill Falls, rumored to be about ten miles

Throughout there will be group games, camp fires, and some time to explore. 

Cost: $100 per person, which includes the bike ride, the ball game, food, and facility fees 

Additional costs: souvenirs, etc.

Directions to Camp Minsi (http://www.campminsi.org):  Route 940 in Pocono Summit PA:

From PA Interstate 80:

Follow Interstate 80 west. Exit onto Route 380 North. Take Exit 3, (old exit 8). At the stop sign at the top of the ramp, turn left. Follow route 940 West for 1.1 miles. Camp entrance is on the right across from police station. 

To sign up:  You need to get a signed permission slip (print one out at http://www.t301.org/forms/) to Mr. Bindert or Mr. Dodd along with the $100 activity fee. 

If you have questions or comments:  This trip has been thoughtfully arranged by the committee and the Assistant Scoutmasters. Mr. Tokarski, Mr. Etarri and Mr. Becker can likely answer questions you may have.

Tentative Itinerary is here.

SIGN UP NOW!!!!!

Mr. Bauer

Scouts…You may have already received this but the automated e-mail system got corrupted when someone hit “unsubscribe”. Mr. Spear from the church requested our help. See Dean’s message below.

Troop,      

I need 4-6 boys to go to the church at 9:00 Saturday morning (7/31/10).

You will need to bring   mowers, weed wackers and gardening tools etc. to use. We will be cleaning up around the church.  

Please respond to me at dean.bauer@t301.org if you are going to attend.      

Thank you,              

Dean Bauer            

Troop Quartermaster

Troop 301,

It seems that several boys were not able to complete their COOKING MERIT BADGE at summer camp.

Mrs. Dodd offers the following:

Several parents have contacted me regarding the Cooking merit badge.
Apparently, many of our scouts were not given a “complete” on this badge
and they are asking that I finish it with them.denise.dodd@t301.org) or phone me
(862-8459) so that I can coordinate a date and time with all of them to
meet with me and check their requirements?

To make sure I sign off for all the boys who have “partials” would you
please post a note on the Troop website asking scouts who received a
partial to send me an e-mail (

Thanks in advance for approving this for me – it is appreciated!

Enjoy the day!

DD

Our friends at Troop 7 have a trip scheduled to see the Staten Island Yankees play for the 100 years of scouting event and have opened it up to us as they have some extra spots.

The details are below:

Staten Island Yankee campout,  Troop 7  has 9 more tickets left on a first come first serve basis. This is not open to scouts only, but all kids must be accompanied by an adult.

Baiting Hollow Summer Camp Reminders

• The week promises to be a scorcher so boys need to stay hydrated. Remember that every boy needs to bring a refillable and closeable TRAVEL DRINKING MUG or WATER BOTTLE or CANTEEN. There will be water jugs on site to refill them from. We will not be providing water bottles this year. MARK THE DRINK HOLDER WITH THE BOYS NAME AND TROOP 301.

• Friday’s lunch will be “cooked” on site with the camp providing the food. Many boys need to cook for several people to fulfill a requirement so ALL SCOUTS need to bring MESS-KITS to eat lunch cooked by the boys at that time.

• Scout Skills for Tenderfoot through 1^st Class will be taught this year on site by the older boys during periods 4 and 5 (with the help of adult leaders). Boys figuring out their schedule who are not yet first class should keep this in mind and avoid merit badges given during those times. BRING YOUR SCOUT HANDBOOK SO ADULT LEADERS CAN SIGN OFF.

• Check-in is at 1:00 so plan to show up about noon. Ryan Gavorsky is the SPL for Summer Camp and will help assign tenting locations. ALL BOYS regardless of if they are taking the swimming merit badge must have their medical form and TAKE THE SWIM TEST IN THE LAKE! This happen immediately after registration so don’t be late.

• ALL SUMMER CAMP PATROL LEADERS REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR PATROL FLAGS THAT WERE CREATED FOR SUMMER CAMP!

• ALL “regular” Quartermasters bring your patrol boxes with all contents to Summer Camp. Mr. Calamia will be doing patrol box inspections to see what is missing so we start next year with COMPLETE patrol boxes. Left behind equipment from previous campouts is being brought to camp.

Come prepared and this will be a great summer camp.

Mr. Bauer

Troop 301 Florida Sea Base

April 15^th through April 21^St

Cost is $725 plus Airfare

Airfare cost is TBD

To participate a scout must be 13 years old on or before April 15th

Scouts are scheduled to be in School on April 15th so if you plan to attend your scout will miss 1 day of school.

• $100 deposit per person must be paid before July 30th
• $400 payment due on September 1st
• Final payment is due before January 15th 2011
• Airfare payment schedule and costs TBD

If you wish to participate please contact Joseph McGarry at joe.mcgarry@t301.org  or by phone at 631-863-2195

For More information you can visit

Http://www.bsaseabase.org

http://www.bsaseabase.org/Adventure/coralreef.aspx

Coral Reef Sailing

Florida Sea Base is anxious for your arrival and participation in the Coral Reef Sailing Program for the upcoming season. To aid in your preparation for the trip, we would like to go over some programmatic and physical aspects for the week that you will spend with us.

When you arrive at the Florida Sea Base between 1 PM and 3 PM, you will check in at the Registration office. You will then be met by a Sea Base staff member who will lead you through the orientation process for your adventure ahead. You will then go to the quarterdeck for the issuing of snorkeling equipment. Each participant, both youth and adult, will be issued a mask, fins, snorkel, and a Sea Base dive bag that you will use for the remainder of your week long adventure. You will also receive a bag to transfer all of your personal belongings into to take on your vessel. You will be assigned a storage locker for your effects you will not be taking with you. Everyone will then participate in a BSA swim review and a snorkel instruction lesson so you are comfortable with your gear and swimming in the ocean. If you have your own snorkeling equipment, you may prefer to bring it. Masks, snorkels, and fins sometimes give you a better fit if it is your personal equipment. After dinner, you will board your vessel and stay your first night on board the boat at the dock, or you may sail into the sunset if time permits. You will also have the option to have our professional photographer take your crew’s photo. The first evening you will have dinner at the base. You will be housed your last evening in bunk beds in air-conditioned bunkhouses. Hot water showers, coin operated laundry facilities, and pay phones are available for your use. The Ship’s Store carries souvenirs and many items you may have forgotten.

The following morning, you will untie your vessel from the dock (if you haven’t already left the night before) and head off for five days of unforgettable adventure aboard a large sailing vessel. The next night you will sleep aboard your vessel, anchored in a safe harbor … the third night will be spent back on base. The next 2 days will be spent snorkeling and fishing on your return to Sea Base. Your vessel has a head (that’s a nautical term for a bathroom) and a small galley (kitchen). The food on your sailboat is fresh, frozen or canned and can usually be supplemented by fresh catches while fishing underway. Breakfasts consist of eggs, cereal, French toast, etc. Lunches are sandwiches; dinners are steaks, hamburgers, and spaghetti. Advise your leader if you have special dietary needs. The program is very flexible in nature. You may decide to stop and snorkel many times in one day or just sail as much as you can, many crews like fishing more than snorkeling and the Captain can cater to those wishes. Your crew might plan on performing a service project for your vessel while underway or at the dock. As with all service projects, leadership and teamwork are essential.

All our vessels carry a fishing license that will cover you during your week aboard. Generally, the fishing tackle aboard Coral Reef sailboats is two heavy-duty trolling rods and reels with 40 to 50 pound test line. These are supplied as well as a small tackle box with several large saltwater lures and a variety of hooks and weights. This should be more than adequate to catch any of the large saltwater fish. If you are a gung-ho fisherman you might want to bring a medium weight freshwater rig – no more than 2 per crew. This tackle can be used while at anchor in several locations.

The fishing tackle aboard Coral Reef sailboats is two heavy-duty trolling rods and reels with 40 to 50 pound test line. These are supplied as well as a small tackle box with several large saltwater lures and a variety of hooks and weights. This should be more than adequate to catch any of the large saltwater fish. If you have freshwater fishing gear, you may bring a maximum of two medium weight freshwater casting rigs and tackle, however, these can ONLY be used at anchor.”

Your vessel has limited fresh water, so you will typically take “Joy” baths. A “Joy” bath consists of bathing in the saltwater with Joy dish soap and then having a friend pour a bit of fresh water over your head. Upon your return to Sea Base, you will return your snorkeling gear, clean your boat, prepare for the evening luau, patch presentation, and reflection. Some crews like to bring Hawaiian type shirts for this…we may do the Limbo.

Crews often ask about spending money. $100.00 per person is adequate unless you want to buy a lot of souvenirs or eat lunch and/or dinner off the boat. Fishing licenses are included for all participants on Coral Reef vessels.

EQUIPMENT LIST & IMPORTANT INFO REGARDING YOUR ADVENTURE

The sea will EAT ANYTHING that can fall or blow off including your glasses, sunglasses, favorite hat, and unbreakable mug. If you forget to bring clips, strings, etc., we have several types of personal gear fasteners in the Ship’s Store. All of your stuff, except pad and sleeping bag, should fit in a bag the size of a pillowcase. If you can’t stuff it in a small bag, you have too much stuff! Do not bring suitcases (especially with wheels) for on-the-boat storage, due to space limitations a soft duffel bag works best. The Sea Base has lockable storage for those items you won’t actually need on the boat like uniforms, extra travel clothing, suitcases, etc. Storage is limited, however, so bring only what you need.

BEING PHYSICALLY FIT

Every participant in the Florida Sea Base High Adventure program needs to be physically fit for the strenuous demands that will be placed on their body. You will be in the water a great deal, so go swimming often with your crew at your local pool. Do some light exercises to increase your stamina. You will be frequently lifting your body in and out of the water onto boats and docks. Get in shape! Stay in shape! People weighing over 300 pounds are not eligible to participate in Sea Base Adventures.

WHAT TO BRING

NOTE: Make sure you can successfully pass the BSA Swim Test.

NOTE: Make sure your name is on the crew roster your leader is going to send us.

NOTE: Don’t forget to bring a photocopy of front and back of insurance card.

PARENTS

Do not send mail. Sea Base offers programs to hundreds of Scouts on the sea, on the land, and on an island. We cannot deliver mail from home to Scouts unless it is mail of urgency, i.e. glasses, medicine, etc. left at home. In case of an extreme emergency, contact can be made with the following numbers: 305-664-4173 Days or 305-664-7766 Nights.

For a downloadable version of this post click  Florida_Sea_Base_2011

Troop 301,

Many of you have known Spencer and Travis Ochs as well as Mr. Ochs for years. Just a week ago Travis celebrated his Eagle Scout at the last court of honor.

Those of you that attended the court of honor last week may have noticed that Mrs. Ochs was missing and was watching the celebration via webcam.

Mrs. Ochs was very sick and it was her wish not to burden anyone else with her illness.

Saturday afternoon (6/19/2010) that illness took her life.

She will be dearly missed by many.

Steve, Travis and Spencer will be struggling through the next days and weeks with graduations for both boys on this Thursday.

She was an athletic, health minded, energetic and giving woman. Pancreatic Cancer took that all away in a very short period of time.

The wake for Mrs. Ochs will be at St. James Funeral Home @ 829 Middle Country Road from 7-9 on Monday and 3-5 and 7-9 on Tuesday.  There will be a funeral service at St. James Lutheran Church from 11-12 on Wednesday. 

Please make every effort to support the Ochs family in their time of need.

We have been asked to help provide food and refreshments for after the Wednesday service.

If you are able to contribute a dish please, contact Debbie Bauer @ 862-9733 and let her know what you will be bringing.

The troop has also ordered flowers for the family. 

If you would like to contribute monetarily, please let Mrs. Bauer know that as well. If there are contributions we will make a donation in Mrs. Ochs’ name to the National Cancer Research Center.

A scout is HELPFUL COURTEOUS and KIND.

POST FUNERAL NOTE:  Travis gave a eulogy that made us all proud.  A great tribute to what Mrs. Ochs was all about and keeps her here with us always.

Mr. Bauer

(Picture taken of Tracy Ochs upon the completion of Travis’ Eagle Project at Burke Park on 10/24/2009)