Newsletter 002, 18 September, 2006
Well, here we are already publishing a second newsletter.
Past Newsletters will be archived at the troop's website http://www.biztaxpros.com/troop804
During the last meeting (18 September, 2006) the Boy Scouts:
…Completed the second half of their physical fitness requirements for the Tenderfoot rank. All boys who were present participated, and all who participated showed the required improvement necessary to complete the requirement.
…Ian Shaughnessy acted in his first official capacity as treasurer by collecting dues.
…The improvements we could and/or should make for our next camping trip were discussed, and suggestions for changes were solicited from the boys.
The Webelos den worked on leather neckerchief slides during their meeting, and the Tiger den completed another "go see it" activity at the DeLand public library during their meeting.
The Cub Scouts will be having their pack meeting next week at the church, and all family members are invited to come participate.
Our popcorn sale is still going well. There are a few boys who are hotly competing for the official Boy Scout and Cub Scout awards which will go to the top selling Scout and Cub. There are still some Cub Scout store-front sales groups forming, and anyone interested should contact their den leader or pack leader.
Our Webelos den leader, Susan Salveson, has arranged with the Tractor Supply store on Glenwood Road and SR 17 to set up a popcorn table inside. There are other troops scheduled mostly on the weekends, but there are ample opportunities during the week to set up for sales. Susan's number is seven-three-six--two-seven-nine-three. She has only one small table, so it would be prudent to bring a card table and perhaps a chair.
We are planning a fundraising breakfast at the church on 21 October, 2006 from about 6am to 12pm. Tickets will be pre-sold by the boys for $4, and will be $5 at the door. Please invite everybody you know. Four tickets were issued to each boy during the meeting. There will be more available during the next meeting if needed.
We are beginning to get some requests from our fellow citizens for service from the Boy Scouts in exchange for monetary donations. Boys who participate will, of course, receive the individual benefit of their labors in their personal accounts.
On a related note, if there are any financial hardships regarding the purchase of uniforms, camping fees, dues, or any other matter, there have been some offers made to assist those who truly would benefit from such an offer. There are also opportunities for group service project as mentioned above. Please see Scoutmaster Eckhardt. No boy should ever feel excluded or unable to be involved in the troop because of any financial reason.
Our first campout was a great success. All eleven Boy Scouts participated, and all earned their Totin' Chip (the recognition of the successful completion of knife, saw, and hatchet/axe training, and the accompanying right to carry and use these tools,) and Firem'n Chit (a similar recognition as regards fire safety and techniques.)
Samuel Lopez led his Timber Wolf patrol in the planning and preparation of a great hamburger lunch on Sunday afternoon, and CJ Long and the Wolverines did the same for Saturday night's dinner. There was a church gathering on Sunday morning that was attended by those who did not leave temporarily for their own churches. The topic was Ezekiel chapter 8 and the purity of thought, and Romans chapter 8 and walking after the spirit. The meeting also included a few tangential conversations, as such events involving boys tend to do.
The most pleasant portion of the campout was that it was the first chance we had as a troop to really get to know each other better. Through some campfire discussions and good-natured ribbing, the unique personalities of each of us became more apparent to us all. It was made abundantly clear that our troop is comprised of some first-rate boys, and that every one of them is truly a good boy, some well on their way to becoming good, upright men.
Some of each of the boys' nicest qualities became apparent during the campout:
Samuel Lopez; mature and competent,
Ian Shaughnessy; studious and well-read,
Blake Salveson; friendly and knowledgeable,
Joshua Lopez; funny and quick-witted,
Jerry Araquipa; playful and spirited,
Evan Sieg; courteous and eager to please,
Davis Phillips; fun and ready with a story,
CJ Long; ready to lead and eager to befriend,
Matt Shaughnessy; inquisitive and eager to advance,
Jordan Youell; active and helpful,
Joshua Youell; artistic and thoughtful.
Although we are all from different backgrounds and were each given different gifts by God, it was obvious that we are united both by being members of the body of Christ and the adventurous scouting spirit.
Scoutmaster Eckhardt miscalculated the time it would take to finish the church meeting, prepare and eat lunch, and pack up camp by about an hour, causing some parents to have to wait a while (for which he apologizes), and as a result, the packing and policing and other portions of the "leave no trace" practices were not followed. Our next campout will last about an hour longer to accommodate the proper packing and care of the campsite.
As an ending note, it is completely understandable that boys and young men (as well as their families) can be stretched thin by the plethora of activities from which they must choose. God and family must come before all other activities, and no one should feel obligated to wear themselves out by trying to attend every single activity there is to do with the troop. Scoutmaster Eckhardt has had to miss meetings and reschedule Boy Scout activities as well, and has even missed some baseball games and practices as well. If 100% participation is not possible, any boy who enjoys scouting activities should feel welcome to participate to the extent that it is possible for him and his family.