May 2010 Troop 30 Newsletter

 

Our last parent committee meeting for the season is scheduled for Monday, June 7th, at Woodside during the troop meeting from 7-8:30pm.  We’ll be finalizing the adult schedule for summer camp as we need to submit our final roster by June 9th.  We also still need a few new adult volunteers to start transitioning into assistant leadership roles for the fall (more details below).

 

Parents, please note:  Our scouts would like to work on the Cinematography Merit Badge, but we currently do not have a counselor.  Please take a moment to review the requirements and let Mr. Davis know if you are willing and available to work with the troop on this badge in May/June.

 

Scouts, please note:  The updates to the 2010 Rank Requirements are posted on the troop web-site under Checklists.  The 8-page pdf file makes a 16-page booklet when printed double-sided, landscape.  All scouts with pre-2010 books should print this file and add it to their book.  The new requirements are effective January 1, 2010 which means scouts can use the old requirements to finish whatever rank they were working on 1/1/2010, but must use the new requirements for their next rank advancement.  For example, if you were 2nd Class on 1/1/2010, you can use the old requirements to finish 1st Class, but must start using the new requirements for Star.  If you are unsure of your rank on 1/1/2010, please check with Mrs. Fallacaro.

 

Calendar Summary for Upcoming Meetings/Trips/Activities:

May:

·         May 10:  Troop Meeting at Woodside, 7-8:30pm

·         May 15:  Car Wash at Masonic Hall Parking Lot, 10am-4pm

·         May 17:  Troop Meeting at Woodside, 7-8:30pm

·         May 21-23:  Hiking/Fly-Fishing at World’s End State Park

·         May 24:  Mini-Golf at Morrisville, 7-8:30pm; Summer Camp Due

·         May 31:  No Troop Meeting

June:

·         June 7:  Parent Committee & Troop Meeting at Woodside, 7-8:30pm; SPL Elections

 

Web-site Calendar:  Please continue to check our web-site calendar for the latest information.  Click on any event to see a description; more details will be added to events as plans are made. 

 

Class B T-shirts are in!  They will be available at the May 10 and 17 troop meetings.  If you pre-ordered, please plan on picking up your shirt at one of these meetings.  We now have all sizes (Adult-S, M, L, XL) in stock; cost is $15.

 

Parents and scouts, please sign up to help out at our Car Wash fundraiser on Saturday, May 15th from 10am-4pm at the Masonic Hall parking lot.  We’ll need lots of scouts and adults to cover shifts all day.  We’re also asking families to bring supplies instead of having the troop buy buckets, sponges and towels and then having to store them.

 

Our May camping tip will be at World’s End State Park (PA Rt. 154) on May 21-23.  The troop will spend 2 nights tent camping, doing a 10 mile hike on the Loyalsock Trail and get some fishing is as well.  The cost is $35 per scout (no charge for adults).  Please sign up by the May 17th troop meeting.  For information sheet and permission slip – click here.

 

Instead of our regular troop meeting on May 24th, the troop will meet at Double Eagle Golf at Snipes Farm in Morrisville (860 W. Bridge St.) for a fun evening of miniature golf.  Everyone is responsible for their own transportation.  Please bring cash payment with you.

 

Summer Camp July 4-10:  The Ockanickon Summer Camp Parents Guide has been updated for 2010 on our web-site.  Experienced campers will find useful links to the Master Schedule and Merit Badge Prerequisites on page 5.  Summer campers are also reminded to bring with them to camp a signed liability release form for the possible rafting trip at Bucks County River County on Friday, July 9th.

 

This year everyone, scouts and adults, that will be staying overnight at summer camp (more than 2 nights) will need to provide the new BSA annual medical form.  For Ockanickon’s most up to date health policies and a link to the new form, please click here.  Note that Part B of the form requires a physical and doctor’s signature and Part C asks for a copy of your medical insurance card.  Mrs. Flatley will be collecting and reviewing the forms for completeness.  Please provide 3 legible copies by the end of June; forms may be turned in at any troop meeting.

 

The payment schedule for our scouts is:

$323 if paid by 2/22 (Discount rate applies to Crossovers until 5/24)

$341 if paid after 2/22, and by 4/19

$354 if paid after 4/19, and by 5/24

$376 if paid after 5/24

Note:  Please add $8 for an 8x10 troop photo, if you would like one.  Checks should be made payable to Troop 30.  NO REFUNDS AFTER 4/19 UNLESS A REPLACEMENT IS FOUND!!  Any questions, please contact Mrs. Pepin.

 

Adult Volunteers Needed: 

 

  • Assistant Scoutmasters:  No one person is expected to be able to make all the Monday meetings and attend all the trips as well as all the planning meetings and Scoutmaster Conferences.  We are looking for at least 2 new Assistant Scoutmasters that can attend some of the weekly troop meetings and/or some of the weekend camping trips to help support our Scoutmaster.  No experience is necessary, just a willingness to help our boys pursue the goals of scouting.  Most of the training required can be taken online.  Any questions, please contact Mr. Fallacaro or Mr. Greenberg.

 

  • Summer Camp:  Adult volunteers are still needed for all or part of the week at summer camp.  Mr. Fallacaro plans to be there the entire week.  Ideally, we would have one more full-time adult for the entire week, and 3 or 4 part-time adults to help for 1, 2 or 3 days each.  The troop will cover all fees for these adults; youth protection training is required and available online.  Adults camping less than 72 hours should still provide Parts A & C of the BSA medical form, but are not required to submit Part B which requires a physical and doctor’s signature.

 

General Reminders:

Scrip is a way you can benefit from being a part of Troop 30; the funds you generate go directly towards your own son’s scouting expenses.  Basically, you buy grocery store gift cards in advance through Troop 30 and get 5% back in an individual account maintained by our treasurer. You can apply these funds to offset any Troop 30 costs.  For example, you purchase $200 of Giant scrip by writing a check made payable to Troop 30, and then Troop 30 buys the Giant gift card for you and puts $10 in your son’s individual account.  The next camping trip he attends that may cost $35, you can pay only $25 and use your $10 from his scrip account for the rest.

 

Our treasurer, Mrs. Harriman, will be available the first troop meeting of every month for families that wish to purchase scrip.  You must purchase a minimum of $100 and specify whether you want to use it at Giant or McCaffrey’s.  Checks should be made payable to “Troop 30”.  Mrs. Pepin will purchase and distribute the cards at the following meeting.

 

Some ground rules for meetings at Woodside:

The Vineyard (fellowship hall) is ours; at least three other groups meet in the building on Monday, so please be mindful of those groups.  No scouts will be permitted to roam the halls. Scouts may not go outside unless directed by a senior patrol member or an adult.  Please leave the facility in equal or better condition than you found it.

Specifically:

·         Stay off the stage at all times, there will be amps there.

·         AV equipment may only be used by a trained person. Since none of us are trained yet, please do not touch.

·         Kitchen may only be used by a trained person. Since none of us are trained yet, please do not touch.

·         We can go outside the Vineyard for small group meetings.  However, outside lights in the back may not be turned on by township ordinance.  (only special events)

·         Fires outside should be contained per proper fire safety protocol.  (Don't burn the grass that they just planted.)