cpr training, march 21 the signaler - troop 264 newsletter ... · 10 11 troop meeting service:...

The Signaler - Troop 264 Newsletter

1

Website: http://www.troop264olney.net E-mail: [email protected]

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines (Refer to calendars for specific times.)

Venturing Crew 264 – 6:30 to 7:30 PM 1st and 3rd

Mondays 7:00 to 7:30 PM 2

nd and 4th Mondays

Scheduled Venturing Crew activities will be shown on the calendar pages in red.

Eagle Courts of Honor

Eagle Courts of Honor are presently scheduled

for our recent Eagles as follows:

Scott Maxham and Jim Bickel – April 9, 1:30 PM

Mill Creek United Methodist Church, adjacent to

Muncaster Road

Chris Chirigos and Gerad Sherman – May 15, 4 PM

Lathrop E. Smith Environmental Education Center

5110 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD 20855

AAAPPPRRRIIILLL 222000111111 ––– TTTHHHIIIRRRTTTYYY---OOONNNEEE YYYEEEAAARRRSSS OOOFFF TTTHHHEEE SSSIIIGGGNNNAAALLLEEERRR --- VVVOOOLLLUUUMMMEEE 333111,,, NNNOOO... 444

The

Signaler

April 4 Patrol meeting 9 Eagle Ceremony – Scott and Jim – 1:30 PM 11 Troop Meeting 14 District Roundtable 15 Sharp Street Food Bank, 4:15 PM 16-18 Crew 264 – Horsemanship / Equestrian 18 TLC/BOR 18 -25 Spring break (MCPS) 19 Signaler meeting 21 Troop adult meeting at Brookeville A., 8 PM 24 Easter 29 – May 1 Webelos Weekend May 1 Webelos Weekend (last day) 2 Patrol meeting 6-8 1st

N. Tier Canoeing, Janes Island 9 Troop meeting 12 District Roundtable 14-15 Dam release raft trip (WV) 15 Eagle Ceremony - Gerad & Chris Ch. 4 PM 16 TLC / BOR 19 Troop Adult Meeting at Brookeville A., 8 PM 20 Sharp Street Food Bank 20-22 2nd N. Tier Canoeing, Janes Island 20-22 OA Spring Ordeal 23 Troop meeting 24 Signaler meeting 28 Legion Flags 28-30 Appalachian Trail backpacking 30 Memorial Day (no school)

Due to scheduling issues, Laurel Caverns is moved

to June 3 – 5.

CPR Training, March 21

http://www.geocities.com/crossroadstroop264


2

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

3

4 Patrol meeting

5

6

7

8

9 Eagle Court of Honor

Scott M. and Jim B.

10

11 Troop meeting Service: Foxes

Open: Sharks

Skill: Orcas

MB: Vikings

12

13 14

District Roundtable

15 Sharp Street Food

Bank, 4:15 PM

16

Crew 264

Horsemanship

(starts 3 PM)

17 Crew 264

Horsemanship

Palm Sunday

18 Crew 264

Horsemanship

(if needed)

TLC/BOR

Spring break

19 Signaler meeting

7 PM

Spring Break

20

Spring Break

21 Troop Adult meeting

at Brookeville

Academy, 8 PM

Spring Break

22

Spring Break

23

24

Easter

25 Troop meeting Service: Orcas

Open: Crusaders

Skill: Ninjas

MB: Hawks

Spring Break

26

27

28

29

Webelos Weekend

(Greenspons)

OA Spring Ordeal

(also May 20-22)

30 Nursing Home Visit

(Crusaders)

Webelos Weekend

OA Spring Ordeal

(also May 20-22)

April 2011


3

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Webelos Weekend

(Greenspons)

OA Ordeal

2

Patrol meeting

3 4 5 6 Northern Tier canoe

practice

7 Northern Tier canoe

practice (Crews C, D)


practice

9 Troop meeting Service: Vikings

Open: Crusaders

Skill: Hawks

MB: Sharks

10

12 District Roundtable

(Hawks)

13

14 Dam Release raft trip

in WV (Foxes)

15 Dam release raft trip

in WV (Foxes)

Chris Ch. And Gerad

S. Eagle COH 4 PM

16

TLC/BOR

17

18 19

Troop Adult Meeting

at Brookeville 8 PM

20 Sharp Street Food

Bank, 4:15 PM

OA Ordeal

Northern Tier practice

21 Northern Tier Canoe

practice (Crews

A,B,E)

OA Ordeal


practice

OA Ordeal

23 Troop meeting Service: Sharks

Open: Hawks

Skill: Crusaders

MB: Foxes

24

Signaler meeting

7 PM

25

26

27

28 NO Nursing Home

Visit

Legion Flags

AT Hike (Orcas)

29

AT Hike (Orcas)

30 Memorial Day

(no school)

AT Hike (Orcas)

31

Laurel Caverns

Troop Picnic and

Court of Honor

-- June 3 – 4 – 5

Sunday June 12,

1 pm

May 2011


4

Thanks from Max and David

David Light and Max Simpson would like to express their appreciation to all of the families from Troop 264 who

attended their Eagle Court of Honor on March 20. A special thank you to the following scouts and scouters for their

participation and assistance with the ceremony:

Holland M., Tripp K., Justin S., Jim B., Anthony J., Michael R., William S., Peter B., Jonathan G., Kevin C., Jeremy

N., Bradley N., Ryan K., Scott M., and Timothy P. (Troop 615, Ellicott City, MD) .

Mrs. Ann Carr, Mrs. Helen Justus, Miss Elizabeth Justus, Mr. Rick Justus, Mr. Dale Bickel, Mr. Bob Irvin, Mr. Martin

Predoehl, Mr. Mark Russell and Scoutmaster Dennis Bogan.

Adopt A Soldier Program Serving Our Troops Since 2005

The Adopt A Soldier Program was initiated in January 2005 by Boy Scout Troop 264 in Brookeville-Olney, Maryland.

The 60+ scouts and their families wanted to express their appreciation for our military personnel, both home and abroad,

by sending letters of encouragement and care packages with a few comforts of home. Since its inception, over 150

soldiers and three K9 units have been adopted by the scouts, and more than 500 care packages have been sent. Boy

Scout Troop 264 has been assisted by, and has received donations from various Cub Scout, Girl Scout and Brownie

Troops, and other local organizations. We thank all who have contributed and those who continue to participate in our

mission to support our troops.

On a monthly basis, the Scouts and their families prepare care packages for our adopted soldiers with candy, gum,

powdered drink mixes, assorted snacks, magazines, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, lip balm, etc., accompanied by cards and

letters.

Anyone who would like to assist the Scouts by donating any of the above items is asked to contact Mrs. Josey Simpson

at 301.512.5439 or email: [email protected]. Your participation in our Adopt A Soldier Program is

very important and your efforts are greatly appreciated. Please continue to keep the young men and women who

sacrifice so much for your freedom and for our country in your thoughts, in your prayers and in your hearts.

God Bless America ... Land of the Free ... Because of the Brave

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

Sharp Street Food Bank – Friday April 15, 4:15 PM

Participants at the March 16 food bank. All get 2 hours except Holland (1 hr):

Sam J. Mr. Kirk J. Sean L. Mrs. Cheryl L. Derek L (Sean's Cub Scout brother) Holland M. Mrs. Aimee M

The next Sharp Street Food Bank will be at 4:15 PM on April 15 and all are welcome to come and assist with the

food setup. Bring donations of unexpired canned goods too!


5

Horsemanship / Equestrian – Venturing Crew 264 – April 16 - 18

Crew 264 has arranged for 10 crew members/scouts to do the Horsemanship merit badge, and the Venturing Equestrian

equivalent, starting the afternoon of Saturday April 16 at Kings Valley Stables near Damascus, MD. All available

spaces are presently filled. Details will be passed along to the participants as they become available.

Signed up: Gina H. Sophie E. Elizabeth J. Barton H. Jim B. Anthony J.

William S. Matt M. Allison M. Jacen S. Mr. Dale B. Mr. Bart H.

Mrs. Laura H. Mr. Tom M. (Gerad S. on standby)

Webelos Weekend – April 29 – May 1

*** Last date to register – Monday April 10 ***

Date: April 29 –May 1, 2011. (Arrive Friday between 5 pm and 9 pm).

Eat before you come or bring a bagged lunch.

The campsite should be broken down by Sunday 9 am.

Location: Cedar Ridge Community Church, 2410 Spencerville Road (Rt. 198), MD

Registration: See (or call or email) Mrs. Greenspon to help with the Webelos Weekend. We need many volunteers.

Mrs. Greenspon also needs names of scouts and scouters that are planning on coming. Food payment at the time of

registration would be appreciated.

The Registration Cost/per person is: $10 each for Cubs and Cub Parents

[Make check payable to: NCAC-BSA, and on the MEMO line please write

―Montgomery District Webelos Weekend 2011‖]

Food Cost per person is: $10 each for everyone. [Includes: Saturday Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Sunday

Breakfast] Make checks payable to ―Pam Greenspon”.

Please make this Is a separate check from the registration cost.

Trash: GIGO (garbage in, garbage out). Everything you bring to camp must go home with you.

Uniforms: Wear your uniform, but remove pins, patches, and special items that might be lost. Tie your neckerchief.

Leave your neckerchief slides at home – they are easily lost.

Latrines: Portable latrines will be provided.

Things to bring:

Tent (Troop 264 can provide these, if needed).

Bagged lunch for Friday dinner or eat dinner before you come.

1-2 gallons of water. (Gallon Gatorade jugs with handles work well.)

2 pieces of firewood. (If you have some at home)

Sleeping bag and personal items

Clothes appropriate for the weather – rain or sun. Remember sun block and extra socks.

Chair(s) for campfire

There will be many activities, possibly including: orienteering, obstacle course, monkey bridge, cooking demo, knot

tying, fire building, net challenge, and games.


6

Interested in Helping on WEBELOS Weekend? Would you like to help the troop with WEBELOS Weekend? We will need many scouts to help set-up the site, run

activities, teach skills to the WEBELOS, break down Sunday morning, etc. So if you know already that you can help,

please call or email me as soon as possible. If you are not sure, please think about it. We can use the help. Contact

Person: Pam Greenspon, 301-774-5394 or [email protected]

T264 scouts will be running the Webelos II knot tying competition this year. Practice up!

Contact Person: Pam Greenspon, 301-774-5394, [email protected] The sooner the better!

Northern Tier Crews’ Canoeing Practice – May 6-8 or 20-22

Preparations for the practice canoeing weekends at Janes Island State Park near Crisfield, MD are continuing apace.

Canoes have been lined up for both weekends. Northern Tier Crews C and D are paddling out on the first weekend,

while Crews A, B, and E will paddle out on the second. This is an excellent opportunity to get some practical

experience at making a canoe go where you want it to, getting in and out, and figuring out group dynamics. All

persons attending Northern Tier this summer must participate in this outing.

We will be camping in backcountry sites which are nothing more than tent pads on the ground. We will have the

opportunity to practice cooking on portable stoves, to pack light, to paddle down winding water channels through the

marsh, and to get dirty. Details will be passed along to the crews as they filter in over the next month.

Raft Trip - Potomac North Branch at Jennings Randolph Lake – May 14 - 15

Scouts and Scouters – Mark your calendars for the North Branch raft trip hosted by the Fox Patrol with River and Trail

Outfitters. The location is southwest of Cumberland, MD, near Keyser, WV.

This is a dam release trip with Class III rapids on a two and a half hour river run. The Jennings Randolph recreation

area features the five and a half mile long lake with hiking trails and scenic overlooks.

The plan is to depart on Saturday morning May 14 and arrive at the campground late morning. The outfitter provides a

barbeque lunch prior to the trip. After rafting we will return to our camp sites and explore the area prior to dinner.

More information on the area is available at the following link: http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/recreation/jenran.htm

Monday April 4 is the last day to sign up (assuming space remains available). The cost for rafting and camping will be

$100 per person.

~ Mr. Art Maxham [email protected]

Legion Flags – Saturday May 28

This is the expected date for Legion Flags this year, on Memorial Day Weekend. The exact date and time will be

announced. Scouts and members of the Norman Price Post #68 of the American Legion, the sponsors of Troop 264,

spend a couple of hours visiting various local cemeteries to honor local veterans who have passed on. Class A uniforms

are required for scouts and scouters. The American Legion provides a meal for the scouts and participants afterward.

mailto:[email protected]


http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/recreation/jenran.htm


7

With many scouts doing the Appalachian Trail backpacking this Memorial Day weekend, we ask that all scouts and

scouters that are available come to this memorial to local veterans. Cub scouts, parents, and siblings are certainly

welcome too. Troop 264 has participated in Legion Flags with the American Legion for many years, and we want to

continue this worthwhile tradition. Please show your support for our veterans!

Appalachian Trail Backpacking – May 28 - 30

The Appalachian Trail hike is coming up over Memorial Day weekend, and fast! We are doing 19 miles on the AT from

the I-70 footbridge to the Pennsylvania border over a few days. This would be a great prep hike for Northern Tier and

Philmont. More information expected at the beginning of May.

~ Tyler H.

Laurel Caverns – June 3 - 5

Scouts — If you have not done this outing before, you will find this trip well worth the cost and effort!

You may pick up two merit badges this weekend!

This is also open to Venturing Crew 264 members as well as new scouts registered with the troop.

By popular demand, and for the fifth year in a row, Troop 264 is headed back to Laurel Caverns at Uniontown,

PA, three hours distant from Olney. Mr. Barth has made initial reservations for up to 26 scouts and crew members

(hereafter scouts, to keep this readable) to do the Climbing Merit Badge (climbing and rappelling inside the cave!)

at 9 AM on Saturday June 3. Even if you already have the merit badge, you can do the climbing and rappelling

again (you just have to pay the money, of course). New scouts can only participate if they are registered with the

troop before June, and ALL scouts, will be expected to KNOW the knots and first aid requirements listed below.

We will have some knot and first aid sessions between now and June.

Saturday afternoon at 2 pm, scouts and adults will explore the DARK parts of the caverns with a guide, using

flashlights. Scouts 12 and older can do the Lower Caving, scouts under age 12 on May 1 MUST do the Upper

Caving. For Sunday morning at 9 AM, Mr. Barth has arranged for interested scouts to do either the Forestry merit

badge or the Geology merit badge (scout‘s choice). The merit badge should be complete by about 1 PM and return

to Olney is expected at about 4 PM.

Scouts doing the Saturday morning Climbing merit badge must travel up to Laurel Caverns Friday evening, so that

we can be ready to go at 9 AM Saturday. We will stay at the Caverns‘ campsite, just a few hundred yards walk from

the caves. Real Plumbing including showers is available in the campground.

Because of the nature of the activities, costs are higher than the usual campout. But hey, it‘s not every camping trip

scouts can get up to two merit badges in a weekend! And climb and rappel inside a cave!

This was a fun trip last year and should equally be so this year. Contact Mr. Al Barth, [email protected] , at the

earliest opportunity if you are interested.

_____________

A quick summary of the activities and costs follow. Two costs are shown for the individual activities: the first is for the

scout while the second is for the adult observer (an adult not participating in the merit badge, but who is watching the

merit badge activities). Waiver Release Forms must be completed by each Climbing Merit Badge participant, and by

each Cave Exploration participant as follows:

• Each scout participating in the Climbing MB must complete the waiver form at

http://www.laurelcaverns.com/ClimbingandRappelling.htm, along with a parent or guardian.


http://www.laurelcaverns.com/ClimbingandRappelling.htm


8

• Each scout AND each adult participating in the Saturday afternoon Cave Exploring must

complete the form at http://www.laurelcaverns.com/awarenessandreleaseform.htm (Lower Caving) or

http://www.laurelcaverns.com/uppercavingreleaseform.htm (Upper Caving). Completed waiver forms must be given to

Mr. Barth by May 23.

____________

_____ $44 / $9 -- Climbing Merit Badge. Scouts have the opportunity to complete the Climbing merit badge in

one day. Scouts act as climbers and belayers on a climbing wall, and rappel three times off of a 40 foot high ledge

inside the cave, all under the guidance of Boy Scout certified climbing instructors Scouts must complete the First

Aid and the climbers‘ knots requirements for the merit badge BEFORE arriving (we will work on them), and may

be asked to demonstrate such knowledge before climbing. This activity will take place on 9:00 AM Saturday

morning, until about 12:30 PM.

Scouts who already have the Climbing merit badge may participate (and they too will be expected to

know the same knots and first aid requirements), but priority will be given to those scouts working on the merit

badge. But as there are 26 spaces potentially available for scouts, we expect to be able to accommodate all

interested scouts.

_____ $20 / $20 -- Cave Exploration. After lunch on Saturday, scouts and scouters will descend with a guide

into the UNLIGHTED portion of the cave, armed with flashlights only, to see what lies below. At the

bottommost point of the tour, Lower Cave participants will be more than 400 feet below the elevation of the

entrance. Most passageways in the cave are 40 feet high and similar in width, but there is a short section near the

beginning of the unlighted section that is narrow with some crawling required. No observers here, scouts and

scouters tread the same path and hard hats for all. Expect to see bats and climb over rocks big and little, and have

fun too. No one was left behind in the cave last year, but we‘ll try harder this time.

Scouts age 12 and over by April 25 are eligible for Lower Caving, scouts not yet 12 MUST do the less strenuous Upper

Caving. But don‘t be fooled into thinking this is a kiddy walk. There are boulders and narrow places to be traversed.

We will require at least 2 adults in both the Upper and Lower Caving activities. No difference in cost for scouts and

scouters since this activity is for fun, not a merit badge.

____$17 / $9 – Geology Merit Badge. (Sunday morning at 9:00 AM.) If we have at least 6 paid scouts (and I‘m

sure we will), those scouts have the opportunity to complete the Geology merit badge by 1:00 PM. This give you

the opportunity to walk through a few areas of the cave that you did not see Saturday. At least 2 adult observers

are required. OR

____$10 /no charge for observers – Forestry Merit Badge. (Sunday morning at 9:00 AM.) If we have at least 6

paid scouts, those scouts have the opportunity to complete the Forestry merit badge by 1:00 PM. At least 2 adult

observers are required.

____$12 / $12 – Camping is $6 per night for two nights, right at the Laurel Caverns site. There are flush toilets

and coin-operated showers available. Participants for the Climbing merit badge must arrive Friday night, since the

Climbing merit badge program commences promptly at 9:00 AM on Saturday.

____$21 / $21 – Meals and patch. $21 per person for meals on Saturday (breakfast and supper) and Sunday

breakfast. We will do troop cooking. Participants should bring a bag lunch for Saturday since there is not enough

time to return to the campsite between the Climbing and Cave Exploration activities. Part of this cost also

includes a Laurel Caverns patch for all participants.

http://www.laurelcaverns.com/awarenessandreleaseform.htm

http://www.laurelcaverns.com/uppercavingreleaseform.htm


9

To sign up, contact Mr. Al Barth, [email protected] . A few Geology, Forestry, and Climbing merit badge

books are available from the troop library (see Brandon O.), or may be purchased at the Scout store, or ordered

online through http://www.scoutstuff.org . It‘s important to read the merit badge books (particularly for the

Climbing MB) so that you understand what‘s expected. Scouts that are prepared will spend more time climbing

and rappelling instead of reviewing the book material with the counselor.

____________________

FIRST AID SUMMARY FOR THE CLIMBING MERIT BADGE: KNOW THESE!

Heat Reactions result when the body can no longer keep cool.

Heat Exhaustion: Person feels dizzy, faint, nauseous, headache, pale or sweating heavily, treat for Heat Exhaustion.

Lie down; raise feet, cool person with wet cloth and fan. Sip water slowly.

Heat Stroke: Occurs when body‘s heat control system shuts down. Skin may be wet or dry but will flushed and hot.

Pulse will be very fast and person may be unconscious. Cool rapidly through immersion or with cold packs. Treat for

shock and seek medical attention ASAP. When victim is able to drink give them all the water they want.

Hypothermia: Occurs when a person is so cold they can no longer keep warm. In extreme cases death can result.

Hypothermia can sneak up on climber/camper, especially on a cold windy day. A person with hypothermia will be

shaking, possibly teeth chattering. As the condition worsens the person will get more confused. If you see these

symptoms on a person they need to be warmed up. Move person to tent or shelter and remove wet clothing and place in

a blanket or sleeping bag. Give them warm drinks only if the person is alert enough to drink. In extreme cases the

person must be actively warmed. Place them in a sleeping bag and climb in with them.

Frostbite: Cold weather, especially if it is windy, brings with it the threat of frostbite. Frostbite occurs when a portion

of the body becomes frozen. The area of frostbite will stiffen and become grayish white in color. This area needs to be

warmed back up if there is no danger of refreezing. Put cold feet on someone else‘s bare belly or put hands in your

armpits to warm them up.

Rope Burns: Rope burns or friction burns can occur anytime climbers allow the rope to pass too quickly through their

hands, or when a fast moving rope comes in contact the body. A rope burn is characterized by raw red skin and

sometimes blistering. If a burn does occur treat the area with mild soap and water to prevent infection. The best

protection against rope burns is to wear gloves.

Stings and insect bites: Carefully scrape away the stinger with the edge of a knife blade or credit card. An ice pack

might reduce pain and swelling. Hydrocortisone cream applied to insect bites will help with itching. In cases where

there is a severe reaction, get medical help.

Tick Bites: Pull tick out with tweezers by grasping close to skin and gently pulling until it comes loose. If the tick has

been embedded for more than a day or was difficult to remove, see your doctor.

Snakebite: Snakebite is rare and seldom fatal. Get medical help ASAP. Remove rings and any other jewelry that might

be a problem with swelling. Have victim lie down and keep them calm, this will slow down the spread of the venom.

Apply a broad constricting band 2-4 inches above the bite to slow spread of the venom. Make sure that the band is not

tight enough to cut off the blood circulation completely. Periodically check for pulses on both sides of the band.

Abrasions and Blisters: For abrasions clean disinfect and cover the wound. For blisters, stop immediately and apply

moleskin to protect the blister. If the blister breaks, treat it like an abrasion or minor cut.

Sprains: A sprain is caused by a twisting, wrenching or lifting movement that tears or stretches tissues surrounding a

joint. Elevate the area for and apply a cold compress for 15-20 minutes. If your first aid kit has an ice bandage apply

that to the affected area.


http://www.scoutstuff.org/


10

Fractures: Broken bones can be either closed (simple) or open (compound). If you suspect a fracture don‘t move the

injured area to test for pain. Look for these signs:

1. Tenderness to touch over the site of the break.

2. Swelling or bruising at the fracture site.

3. An unusual or abnormal shape, position, or movement of bone or joint.

4. A grating sound or feeling

5. Inability to move the injured limb.

6. The victim may have heard or felt a bone snap.

7. A compound fracture will have all the above plus an open wound.

Splint the injured limb and get medical help ASAP.

~ By Mr. Ron Hoggard for the Climbing MB, 2007

KNOTS FOR THE CLIMBING MERIT BADGE: KNOW THESE!

For all these knots (especially the Double Fisherman‘s Knot, which is not well illustrated below),

see http://www.animatedknots.com !

http://www.animatedknots.com/


11

Troop Picnic and Court of Honor – Sunday June 12

Early warning that the annual Troop Picnic and Simmer Court of Honor will be held on June 12, early afternoon, at the

Smith Center (adjacent to Meadowside Nature Center). Please put this date on your calendars. Scouts, work on

completing rank advancements and finishing ―partial‖ merit badges so that they may be awarded on this date. There

are two Boards of Review scheduled between now and then, on April 18 and May 16. Scouts must make arrangements

for a BOR with Mr. Greenspon at least one week before the BOR date.

Advancement Camp at Camp Twin Echo, near Ligonier PA – July 10-16, 2011

The list of merit badges for Advancement Camp 2011 has been posted at

http://www.gpc-bsa.org/Program/Camping/Advancement%20Camp.aspx . Scouts can pick up 6 merit badges out of

the eight offered each week. Cost is $290 for a week and that includes all meals.

Week 1, ―Tech Week‖, is July 10 to 16. This is the week BEFORE the troop goes to regular summer camp. That

means one night to wash laundry and repack before heading out to summer camp. This is the most likely week for

interested T264 scouts to attend.

Climbers’ Knots

http://www.gpc-bsa.org/Program/Camping/Advancement%20Camp.aspx


12

Week 2, ―Arts Week‖, is July 17 to 23 which is the SAME WEEK as T264's summer camp. Can't do both summer

camp and Week 2 at the same time, unless you‘re magic.

The merit badge camp is run by the Greater Pittsburgh Council at Camp Twin Echo, near Ligonier, PA (about 3 1/2

hours from Olney). There are tents already pitched for scouts to camp in. Most badges have prerequisite work that

needs to be done before the scout arrives, but at this time the requirements to be completed in advance have not yet

been posted. This is a great way to pick up several merit badges at one time.

We do not do this as a troop, scouts must register for it individually and arrange their own transportation. But over the

past few years there have been several scouts attending so carpooling may be possible.

T264 Summer Camp at Goshen Scout Reservation – July 16-23

Please complete the following form and give it or mail it to Mr. Doug Long at the address shown mid-page:

_______________________

TROOP 264 SUMMER CAMP 2011

CAMP BOWMAN

GOSHEN SCOUT RESERVATION

16 – 23 JULY 2011

Reservation confirmation has been received for Camp Bowman at Goshen Scout Reservation. This is a patrol cooking

camp. In my experience the boys and adults eat better when the boys do the cooking than in the camp dining hall.

The fee for Camp Bowman is:

Paid by: 25 April 23 May After 23 May

Boys: $310.00 $350.00 $370.00

Adults: $215.00 $250.00 $280.00

A charter bus will be available for a fee of approximately $75.00 in addition to the above fees. We encourage campers to

travel by bus. No other transportation will be provided by the troop. The camp is approximately 210 miles from Olney.

INFO: Doug Long 301-924-4365

4405 Skymist Terrace

Olney, MD 20832

REGISTRATION FORM

NAME: ____________________________________________ BIRTH DATE: _______________________

ADDRESS: _________________________________________

____________________________________________ BUS: Y / N _____________

____________________________________________

____________________________________________ T-SHIRT SIZE (Adult sizes):

E-MAIL: ____________________________________________ Boy: _______

TELEPHONE: _______________________________________ Adult: _______

PARENT(S): ________________________________________

PARENTS‘ SIGNATURES: ______________________________________________________

Parent(s) Attending: _____________________________________________________________


13

Merit badges expected to be offered: New scouts enter the First Year Camper program

Aquatics: Canoeing, Rowing, Swimming, Lifesaving, BSA Lifeguard (min 15 years old), Sailing (min 13 years old),

Waterskiing (14 and older), Motor Boating (now only available in the open program).

Scoutcraft: Orienteering, Camping, Wilderness Survival, Pioneering, Hiking, Personal Fitness, Cooking (Now Open Program

Only), First Aid and Sports.

Shooting Sports: Rifle, Archery, and Shotgun.

Handicraft: Leatherwork, Basketry, Art, and Woodcarving.

Nature: Environmental Science, Mammals, Reptiles & Amphibians, Nature, Insect Study, Astronomy, Bird Study,

Forestry, Geology, Weather, Nature, Fishing, and Soil and Water Conservation.

Eagle's Nest: First Aid, Emergency Preparedness, Communications, Citizenship in the World.

T264 Webelos Visit Night – February 28

This event occurred too late to get into the March

Signaler, but as promised, here are a few pictures. Cub

Scouts from several packs attended, including Packs 1074,

434, 774, and 178. The Cub Scouts seemed to have a

really good time and we look forward to some of them

joining the troop within the next two months.


14

Bridging Ceremony at Pack 618 – March 15

T264 was asked to perform a bridging ceremony at Pack 618 in Germantown, MD. Four volunteer scouts – Tripp K.,

Jim B., Gerad S., and Holland M., turned themselves into Indians for the ceremony, which was well received by the

pack. Scoutmaster Dennis Bogan, Mr. Dale B., and Mrs. Aimee M. were also in attendance.

Pack 774’s Troop Visit Night – March 18

... and then a few days later, troop volunteers visited Pack 774 at

Oakdale Emory to demonstrate backpacking to that pack‘s Cub

Scouts. There was at least one other troop there (T457). The Cub

Scouts were unusually attentive as T264‘s scouts explained what

types of gear one carries while backpacking, and about their visits to

Philmont in New Mexico. This took place adjacent to the parking lot,

as it was warm that day, under a slowly rising full moon. Thanks to

Tripp K., Holland M., Jim B., Max S., and Jeremy N.

At last count, there were three Pack 774 Webelos II

Cub Scouts planning to come to T264 in the next few weeks.

Watch for ‗em!


15

Nuclear Science Merit Badge at Penn State University – March 19

Nine scouts and three adults attended the Nuclear Science merit badge at Penn State University at State College, PA on

March 19. The scouts were given a tour of the Breazale research reactor facility, conducted experiments including

constructing and using a cloud chamber, and were able to see the blue glow as technicians pulsed the reactor.

For security reasons, no pictures could be taken inside the facility, but see the pictures in the May 2008 Signaler (from

postcards passed out then). Scouts and adults alike were pleased with how this merit badge was conducted. It was

especially timely given the ongoing severe problems at the nuclear plant in Japan.

Blue cards are to be mailed out; once they arrive, they will be given to the scouts to turn in to Mr. Matyas.

Participants: Sean L. Jonathan G. Gavin M. David R. Jacob W. Justin S.

Cody C. Bradley N. Jeremy N. Mrs. Christiane R. Mr. Dirk W. Mr. Tim G.

Keep Track of those Blue Cards!

Be sure to keep ALL the cards that come back from with your merit badges in a safe place! These are your proof that

the merit badge was officially completed and recorded. You will need these cards when you stand for Eagle,

particularly if there is any question as to when or if you completed a particular merit badge. While it may be possible

in some instances to replace lost cards, it is not easy to do so and there is no guarantee of success.

Likewise, safeguard any ―partial‖ merit badge cards since those cards list the requirements you have completed.


16

Well, we know we could save these guys

...or could we?

Don’t shake the baby!

Just a little pinch on the piggie-toes.

All completed merit badge cards must be turned in to Mr. Matyas. Scouts, not adults, are responsible for keeping

track of their merit badge cards. If you don‘t turn it in, the merit badge can‘t be awarded. There have been several

instances over the past year where scouts have failed to keep track of their blue cards and so did not timely receive

their merit badges. Don‘t let that happen to you!

Remember to turn all completed merit badge cards to Mr. Matyas so that they may be awarded at the June Court of

Honor.

CPR Training – March 21

CPR training was conducted on Monday evening, March 21, 2011 at St.

John‘s. Twenty seven people participated in the event, conducted by URSUS

Lifesavers and Aquatics for T264. Participants learned CPR skills for adults,

children and infants, and how to use an AED, as well as what to do for a

choking victim. Would you know what to do in an emergency if it arose at

a scout meeting? Could you find the AED if someone sent you for it?

~ Mrs. Cindy K.

Thanks to Mrs. K. for setting up

this important training this year!

Participants:

Jacen S. Mrs. Laura H. Mr. Mark K.

Gerad S. Mr. Martin P. Diane B.

David R. Mr. Tom H. Mrs. Eithne E.

Cody C. Mr. Tom M. Mr. Bret S.

Sean L Mr. William H. Ben G.

Brian H. Andrew H. Jonathan S.

Conor E. Joshua F. Gina H. Austin H. Miguel A.

Matthew M. Anthony F. Barton H. Enrique A.

New Medical Form for 2011

The National office released a new medical form. http://www.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/whole.pdf

THIS IS THE FORM TO USE FOR SUMMER CAMP, NORTHERN TIER AND PHILMONT, OR ANYTHING

ELSE BSA-RELATED. Parts A and B need to be filled out for most activities less than 72 hours duration, Part C for

summer camp, and Part D for High Adventure activities and bases.

Parts A and B may be filled out by the parent, C and D will need to have a physician‘s signature.

Do You Need to Review Your Knots?

If you need to review your knots prior to your next BOR or the next campout, check out

http://www.animatedknots.com. It is very good for visually demonstrating how to tie knots. Click on the

Scouting Emblem for knot demonstrations.

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/whole.pdf

http://www.animatedknots.com/


17

Scout Sunday – February 27

The Board of Elders of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Olney, MD wishes to thank Asst. Scoutmasters

Martin P. and Dirk W. and the scouts from Troop 264 for serving as the Color Guard, ushers, cross bearer, and

acolyte during Scout Sunday on February 27th, 2011. Scouts that participated included Joshua F., Brenden F.,

Jacob W., Ryan K., and Webelos (future T264 scouts) Adam R. and Dominic H. The Scout Sunday tradition was

started to make people in houses of worship aware of Scouting, and to allow Scouts to live out their "Duty to God"

pledged each week. The Scout Law says that a "Scout is Reverent" and the Scouts of all ages promise to do their

"Duty to God". These values strengthen youth character in their family, community and faith.

~ Dr. Paul Fowler

District Roundtable – April 14

Our Boy Scout Roundtables feature informative discussions on topics from youth leadership training, using OA more

effectively in your troop, and summer camp experiences. Each month there are wonderful presentations, from wood

carving to Dutch oven cooking, to help your unit leaders provide new ideas and opportunities for your troop. Come

see what great new locations your troop might want to visit!

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE ROUNDABLE SESSION AT ONE LOCATION. The Roundtable time is held on the second Thursday of each month, at 7:30 PM.

Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church, located on Highway 355 north of the Shady Grove exit of Interstate 270, 610 S. Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Patrols are assigned to cover this event on a rotating basis, as listed on the calendar pages in the Signaler, and must

send one adult to take notes and report back at the following Troop Adult meeting.

Photo by Christina Fowler


18

Merit Badge Madness – March 25-27

Twenty-five scouts attended Merit Badge Madness for the opportunity to work

on one or more merit badges. In addition, four scouts – Cody C., Anthony F.,

Eric F. and Nate K. – completed their First Class cooking requirements, while

David R. completed his Second Class cooking requirement. About 580 scouts

from a number of troops attended MBM that weekend.

It was coldest Friday night, resulting in 7 polar bear points for those who

camped that night. Snow was predicted for Sunday morning, but only a very

few sparse flakes could be seen, and the temperature remained above freezing

on Saturday night.

Many T264 scouts completed merit badges, including some Eagle required

merit badges. Others got ―partials‖, with a bit more work required before the

merit badge is completed. Keep track of the blue merit badge cards since they

tell what has been completed and what remains to be finished.

Thanks to our cooks for the weekend, we ate well. And thanks to donations of firewood from several parents, as well

as what the boys retrieved themselves on Saturday, we had nice fires both Saturday and Sunday evenings.

The date for next year‘s Merit Badge Madness has already been set – the weekend of March 30 to April 1, 2012.

~ Mr. Dale Bickel

Participants: * 7 Polar Bear Points (Nights camped)

Sean L. *(2) Brandon O. (0) Kevin C. *(2) Eric F. *(2)

Ryan K. *(2) Jonathan G. *(2) Nathan K. *(2) John F. *(2)

Gavin M. *(2) Justin S. *(2) Brian H. *(2) William S. *(2)

David R. *(2) Joshua F. *(2) R.J. G. (1) Peter K. *(2)

Jim B. *(2) Cody C. *(2) Daniel G. (1) Mr. John K. *(1)

Michael R. *(1) Jacob L. *(2) Matt M. *(2) Mrs. Kim G. (1)

Jonathan S. (0) Brenden F. *(2) Anthony F. *(2) Mr. Roger G. (1)

Mr. Dale B. *(2)


19

How to Become a Merit Badge Counselor

Briefly, here's the process for signing up as a merit badge counselor...

1) Adult application -- this is the same one you used to register with the troop. For some unknown but undoubtedly

senseless reason, each merit badge counselor needs to fill this out even if already registered with the troop and council

via this same form. http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/524-501.pdf

On the form, there is a line near the top marked "Pack Troop Team Crew Ship Unit No. " Skip all these and in the

box on the right, Under "Council/District Position", write "Merit Badge Counselor".

District is Montgomery, Council is NCAC.

On the lower left, there is a box marked "Position Code", enter "42", to the right of that, in "Scouting Position

Description", write Merit Badge Counselor.

You may want to fill everything out EXCEPT dates and signatures, and make a copy of the pages to be saved for next

time.

Sign and date the form.

2) Counselor form -- List the merit badges you want to be counselor for.

http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/openrosters/DocDownload.asp?id=33381&orgkey=1988

If you might be a counselor for a merit badge that hasn't come up yet, it might be easier to register for it now rather

than go through this registration process again later. We can have more than one counselor for a merit badge, so don't

be afraid to sign up for one that already has a counselor.

3) Youth Protection Certificate -- Include a copy of your current Youth Protection Training (YPT) Certificate. Make

a copy of the one you have, or go online to www.myscouting.org to take the course there or to print out a completion

certificate. It‘s easy and should take about half an hour to complete the course.

4) Turn in all these items to Mr. Gary Matyas and he will do his voodoo to make them disappear. You don't have to

wait for any further approval before starting to counsel the merit badge. Very probably, you will never hear anything

back from Council.

As long as you stay registered with the troop, you do not have to fill these forms out each year. Merit badge counselors

not registered with the troop have to redo this process once a year.

As counselor, you are in control. You can limit the size of sessions (number of participants) to suit your

requirements. You cannot add or subtract requirements, but you can include additional material that might be helpful

for the merit badge, such as handouts, provided that the scouts aren't held responsible for the additional material. Your

own son can be included in a session, and there should be at least 2 scouts for a merit badge. Merit badge counselors

must be at least 18 years of age. At least two adults should be present at any session, or at least the second adult should

have a plain view of the counselor and scouts.

Merit Badge list: http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Merit_Badges

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/524-501.pdf

http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/openrosters/DocDownload.asp?id=33381&orgkey=1988

http://www.myscouting.org/

http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Merit_Badges


20

Getting Credit for Troop Activities

It‘s important that everyone who participates in Troop 264 campouts, trips, and community service activities gets

credit for their hard work. The Signaler provides the permanent record of everyone who attends these events. Patrol

leaders need to take responsibility for collecting the names of participants in their patrols and send those lists,

preferably by email, to the Signaler staff by the monthly deadline. E-mail lists to

[email protected]. This month’s deadline: April 24.

Troop Activity Policy

Please be reminded that it is troop policy (and common courtesy) for a scout or scouter to pay the costs associated

with an event he or she has signed up for but did not attend, without being asked. No-shows increase the costs to the

troop and the participants, require the troop to reserve unneeded space and transport excess equipment, and results in

wasted food and materials. We realize that situations inevitably will occur that prevent a scout from attending

events, and ask that the scout or scouter contact the person organizing the event right away. If the conflict is raised

early enough, adjustments can often be made where food has not yet been purchased or reservations have not been

finalized.

Video Training for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class

Scouting.org has videos available to help scouts with the rank requirements of Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First

Class. These short videos include the 2010 requirements listed for Tenderfoot through First Class.

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Applications/RankVideo.aspx

Northern Tier High Adventure Base – June 27 – July 6, 2011 ! 3 months away! Are you ready yet?

All installments to Northern Tier have been paid. Airline and bus reservations are locked in and paid for. We have a

half-payment to make in late May for our Giants Ridge overnight stay there. Each person will have to pay

approximately $150 once we arrive for things like Forest Service permits, fishing licenses, crew maps, etc. Bring some

money for souvenirs too!

Troop 264 is preparing to send 5 crews to the Northern Tier High Adventure Base in 2011. This camp is run by the

National BSA and is one of only three such bases in the country (the others being Philmont and Seabase). We will

arrive at the Charles L. Sommers base at Ely (―E-lee‖), MN on Tuesday June 28 and leave it July 6. (We will have to

travel to Minnesota early Monday June 27, with an overnight stay at Giants Ridge at Biwabik, MN, so keep that date

open too.) This will give us 7 days on the water. We have reserved 15 lightweight canoes (3 per crew) which weigh

about 45 pounds each, as opposed to 70 pounds for the standard canoes. You WILL appreciate the weight difference on

each and every portage, and find it well worth the added cost.

The main website, that interested scouts and scouters are encouraged to peruse, is http://www.ntier.org. Also look at the

newly released 2011 Planning Guide at http://www.ntier.org/Resources/Brochures/2011%20ERPG.pdf . Take a

few minutes and thumb through it.

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Applications/RankVideo.aspx

http://www.ntier.org/

http://www.ntier.org/Resources/Brochures/2011%20ERPG.pdf


21

Cost is still on track toward $1600 per person; it does not appear that it will deviate much from that figure.

Scouts should have the Swimming merit badge before we go, and we recommend that scouts complete the Canoeing

merit badge at the earliest opportunity. You WILL use the skills learned from each of these merit badges. There will

be a swim test when we arrive at Northern Tier. It‘s the standard BSA swim test. Northern Tier participants MUST

attend the canoeing prep trips being organized in May at Janes Island, so we can get experience canoeing, backcountry

camping, and working together as crews.

Northern Tier staff has confirmed that crews can start on the same trek on the same day, but in opposite directions.

Presently there are two crews that want to do the Agnes Lake Loop, two that want to do the Scenic Lakes Loop, and the

fifth crew selected the Man Chain.

Permits have been reserved for us in the BWCAW and in Quetico. We pay for these permits, and fishing licenses, once

we arrive at Northern Tier. Ditto for crew maps.

Training. Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Paul Fowler, we have at least one Wilderness First Aid trained adult in each crew,

as required for each Northern Tier crew. BRING the Wilderness First Aid and CPR cards to Northern Tier, as we will

need to display them at check-in.

-------------------------------

This table is based on the revised Dietary

Guidelines for Americans from the U.S.

Department of Agriculture and the Department

of Health and Human Resources. Please take

note of it since it applies to Northern Tier

participants.

---------------------------------

Swim Test: Each participant will be

required to take a swim test in April 2011

here in Maryland and then again upon

arrival at Northern Tier. This is the standard

BSA swimmer test: swim 100 yards, float

on your back. You are encouraged to

practice at local pools over the winter.

Notice to participants: Like Northern

Tier, the troop or other participants cannot

pay for your share of the expenses, those

are your (or the parents‘) responsibility.

However, if an issue comes up that

prevents a scout or scouter from going, we

will endeavor to find a replacement (but

no guarantees that we can do so).

Medical Forms: Northern Tier medical forms will need to be filled out for each scout and adult participant by May.

Use the new BSA form referenced above ( http://www.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/whole.pdf ), and you

and your physician must fill out all parts (A through D). In the meantime, pay attention to the chart above and start

making any needed adjustments now.

HEIGHT RECOMMENDED

WEIGHT (LBS.)

MAXIMUM

ACCEPTANCE (LBS.)

5‘ 0‖ 97-138 166

5‘ 1‖ 101-143 172

5‘ 2‖ 104-148 178

5‘ 3‖ 107-152 183

5‘ 4‖ 111-157 189

5‘ 5‖ 114-162 195

5‘ 6‖ 118-167 201

5‘ 7‖ 121-172 207

5‘ 8‖ 125-178 214

5‘ 9‖ 129-185 220

5‘ 10‖ 132-188 226

5‘ 11‖ 136-194 233

6‘ 0‖ 140-199 239

6‘ 1‖ 144-205 246

6‘ 2‖ 148-210 252

6‘ 3‖ 152-216 260

6‘ 4‖ 156-222 267

6‘ 5‖ 160-228 274

6‘ 6‖ 164-234 281

6‘ 7‖ & taller 170-240 295

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/whole.pdf


22

Crew who, as of April 1, for NT # E062811 :

Crew A Crew B Crew C Crew D Crew E

Anthony J. Michael R. Kevin S. Allison M. Kevin C.

Jim B. Ryan K. Patrick S. Jacen S. Matthew M.

William S. Enrique A. Peter B. Barton H. Jacob W.

Conor E. Miguel A. Justin S. Gina H. Joshua F.

Joe M. Jeremy N. Mr. Rich S. Mr. Gary S.! Mr. Tom M.

Mr. Rick J.* Mrs. Cindy K. Mr. Al B.! Mr. Bart H.* Mr. Dirk W.*!

Mr. Gary M. Mr. Mark K. Mr. Bret S.* Mrs. Laura H. Mr. Jim C.*

Mr. Dale B.* ! Mr. Mark R.*! Mr. Dennis B.* Gerad S. Dr. Paul F.*

Tentative crew selections. Officially, crews don‘t pick their trek until they arrive at Northern Tier.

Agnes Lake Agnes Lake Loop Scenic Lakes Loop Scenic Lakes Loop Man Chain

Loop (opposite direction) (opposite direction)

(Quetico) (Quetico) (BWCAW) (BWCAW) (Quetico)

* Adults with current Wilderness First Aid training ! Designated adult crew leader

Quetico = Canada BWCAW = Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness = USA

Canada. Crews A, B, and E all cross into Canada. Each scout and scouter in these crews must have a U.S. passport. If

you don‘t have one, please apply for it now since it may take several weeks to complete the process. If you have a

passport, check to make sure it does not expire until after July 2011. Now that we have the Quetico trek pemits

reserved, it is time for each person in Crews A, B, and E to apply for a Canadian Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC)

permit. http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/prog/canpass/rabc-pfre/menu-eng.html

This does not apply to members of Crews C and D, who will remain in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

(BWCAW) on the U.S. side.

Parental permission slip. Northern tier has their own parental permission slip, which each scout will need to bring:

http://www.ntier.org/Resources/Forms/Parental%20Release%20Form.pdf

Scout participants must be age 13 by December 31, 2011. Contact Mr. Bickel, [email protected] , if there

are any questions.

2012 High Adventure – Backpacking at Philmont ! Cavalcade a possiblity in 2012

At the beginning of December, Mr. Russell announced that Venturing Crew 264 was accepted for a 2012 trek at

Philmont. Three crews are available, dates of the trek are Thursday July 12 to July 24, 2012. We will probably need

to fly out on Monday July 9 so that we have a couple of days to adjust to the altitude before starting hiking.

Cost overall is expected to be about $1600 per person. Mr. Russell collected the first $100 from interested scouts

and adults at the Court of Honor at the end of January. Several spaces are still available for Philmont !

Adults will need to have 2½ weeks of vacation available. We can only take 12 adults maximum, 4 per crew. Troop

scouts may fill Venturing crew slots provided that they are age 14 by the date we arrive at Philmont, or age 13 and

http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/prog/canpass/rabc-pfre/menu-eng.html



23

have completed the 8th grade by July 1, 2012. In addition to the Venturing crews, the troop is waitlisted for additional

backpacking crews.

There will be prep hikes and gear shakedowns, particularly after this year‘s Northern Tier High Adventure trip is

complete. An Appalachian Trail hike is currently on the calendar for Memorial Day weekend. Philmont participants

must meet the height/weight chart shown in the Northern Tier section above.

Mr. Russell is keeping track of Philmont events for 2012 and will be collecting names of scouts who may be interested

in going, so that we see how the crews might be filled. Contact Mr. Russell early if you have interest! Scouts who are

on Mr. Russell‘s current list will have priority over later signups.

For the Philmont-bound, the next payment comes due in October.

CCCaaavvvaaalllcccaaadddeee -- In light of interest from Venturing Crew members and T264 scouts, Mr. Russell submitted a request for

the troop to make a Cavalcade at Philmont. A Cavalcade is an 8 day trek with riding horses. Cavalcade participants

must take care of the horses during the entire outing.

The troop was not initially selected, however, it is #6 on the wait list. This means there is a strong probability that a

Cavalcade will be made available to the troop in 2012. It is not possible to pick dates: Philmont will advise when a

Cavalcade is available and we will have to accept or decline.

Mr. Evans has offered to coordinate the Cavalcade possibility, questions on that subject may be directed to him.

To Get Leadership Credit for Den Chief Service

If you are serving as a Den Chief for leadership credit, prior to your BOR must notify Mr. Matyas. You should obtain

a note from your Pack Den Leader and/or cubmaster. This letter should include: (1) the dates you served as a Den

Chief (at least six months); (2), The Pack and Den you served with; and (3) include the signature(s) of the Den

Leader, Cubmaster, and /or Pack Committee Chairperson and the date they signed off. Submit this letter to Mr.

Matyas prior to your BOR. (301)-570-0610, [email protected].

Den Chief Fast Start training (required) may be taken in about 30 minutes online at http://olc.scouting.org. Print copies

of the completion certificate, as you will need to give one to the den leader.

To earn the Den Chief Service Award, you must serve the pack faithfully as a den chief for one full year.

Resources for Planning Troop Outings

On the troop website, under ―Outings‖ at http://www.troop264olney.net/outings.html, you will find links to

information about places the troop has visited, as well as:

Guide and Checklist for Planning Troop Outings, which provides a step-by-step guide for Scouts and adults to plan a

successful trip;

Troop Outing Expense Accounting spreadsheet, to help Scouts and adults ensure that costs of troop outings are fully

covered;

Historical Hikes and Camping Summary Form, that Scouts and adults can download and complete or update with

new information about particular hikes and campouts that can then be sent to the troop webmaster [presently Mr.

Bickel] for uploading to the troop website; and


http://olc.scouting.org/

http://www.troop264olney.net/outings.html


24

Links to completed summary forms containing information about various historical hikes and campouts the troop has

done, including information about Scout patches or medals that can be earned and information about accessibility for

physically-challenged Scouts or adults.

For further information about any of these tools, contact Mr. Bob Irvin at [email protected].

T264 Scout Leadership

Check your patrol data and advise [email protected] of any corrections!

Senior Patrol Leader: Justin S. Assistant SPLs: Michael R.

Anthony J.

Troop Offices: Ryan K.

Chaplain‘s Aide: Joshua F. Librarian: Brandon O.

Scribe: Jonathan G. Troop Quartermaster: William S.

Historian: Ryan K. Instructor: Vacant

Troop Guides: Enrique A., and R.J. G. OA Representative: Anthony J.

Buglers: Kevin C. & Peter B. Signaler Editor: Jim B.

Patrol Offices:

Shark Patrol: Fox Patrol:

Patrol leader: Brenden F. Patrol Leader: Gavin M.

Asst. patrol leader: Jake A. Asst. Patrol Leader: Ryan M.

Patrol quartermaster: ? Patrol quartermaster: Ryan M. / Scott M.

Hawk Patrol: Viking Patrol:

Patrol leader: Sean L. Patrol Leader: Peter K.

Asst. patrol leader: John F. Asst. Patrol Leader: Sam J.

Patrol quartermaster: Peter B. Patrol quartermaster: Jim B.

Signaler reporter: William S.

Crusader Patrol: Ninja Patrol (new scouts):

Patrol leader: Jacob W. Patrol Leader: David Robbins

Asst. patrol leader: Tripp K. Asst. patrol leader: ?

Patrol quartermaster: Ryan K. Patrol quartermaster: ?

Orca Patrol (new scouts):

Patrol leader: ?

Asst. patrol leader: ?

Patrol quartermaster: ?

Wheaton Police Station visit – March 30

For three scouts – David R., Jim B., and Jacob L. – that took the Crime Prevention merit badge at Merit Badge Madness,

Mrs. Christiane R. was kind enough to arrange a visit to the Wheaton Police Station to satisfy one of the requirements for

the merit badge. Officer Hidiyat spoke with the boys and showed them around the station, including the cell areas. The

tour took about 45 minutes and seemed to be well received by the scouts.




25

Scout Credit Balances as of April 1, 2011 Mrs. Karitis has tallied the scout credit totals as of April 1, 2011. This does not include any scout credits that may be

earned from mulch and fertilizer sales this spring.

Aaron A. 29.32

Daniel A. --

Enrique A. 187.20

Miguel A. 186.14

Jake A. 28.00

Jimmy B. 119.62

Dennis B. (Scouter) 923.36

Cody C. 8.00

Kevin C. 1.50

Chris Cy. 12.00

Conor E. 241.40

Keith E. (Scouter) 360.80

Joshua F. 13.83

Paul F. (Scouter) 2.50

Brenden F. 9.00

Chris/Mark F. 1.50

John F. 37.40

Eric F. 30.78

Anthony F. 28.90

Devin G. 22.00

Jonathan G. 207.00

Daniel “D.J.” G. 8.00

Roger “R.J.” G. 39.00

Kristian G. 0.50

Brian H. 5.00

Corey H. 15.50

Bob I. (Scouter) 5.90

Anthony J. 999.58

Tripp K. 57.30

Ryan K. 48.45

Nathaniel K. 4.50

Peter K. 41.00

Sean L. 10.00

Jacob L. 256.89

David L. 7.50

Doug L. (Scouter) 57.83

Gavin M. 21.50

Joseph M. 102.33

Scott M. 13.25

Matthew M. 474.17

Holland M. 4.21

Ryan M. 62.02

Bradley N. 35.05

Jeremy N. 80.04

Brian O. 7.00

Brandon O. 53.94

Joel P. 10.00

Martin P. (Scouter) 11.90

David R. 1.00

Michael R. 55.44

Victor S. 104.41

William S. 52.90

Jacen S. 3.13

Gerad S. –

Max S. 1.00

Jonathan S. 4.50

Justin S. 300.01

Kevin S. –

Patrick S. –

Jacob W. 105.21

Zachary W. 35.00

Scout credits may be redeemed by the scout to apply toward the cost of an outing (typically a larger outing such as

summer camp or a High Adventure trip). The scout and parent should complete a scout credit redemption form and

turn it in to the event coordinator. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------

SCOUT CREDIT FORM

I, _________________________________________, wish to apply ______________________ of my Scout credits

(Print Scout‘s Full Name)

to______________________________________________________________________________.

(Name of Outing)

Please deduct this amount from my Scout Credit account.

___________________________________________________

Scout‘s Signature and Date

_______________________________________________

Parent‘s Signature and Date


26

President Theodore Roosevelt and Scouting

From the Handbook for Boys, First Edition, 1911 (passed along by Mr. Sherman)

THE OUTLOOK

287 Fourth Avenue,

New York

Office of Theodore Roosevelt

July 20th, 1911

Mr. James E. West,

Executive Secretary

Boy Scouts of America

New York City

MY DEAR SIR:

I quite agree with Judge Lindsey that the Boy Scout Movement is of peculiar importance to the whole country. It has already done

much good, and it will do far more, for it is in its essence a practical scheme through which to impart a proper standard of ethical

conduct, proper standards of fair play and consideration for others, and courage and decency, to boys who have never been reached

and never will be reached by the ordinary type of preaching, lay or clerical. I have been particularly interested in that extract of a

letter from a scout master in the Philippines, which runs as follows:

"It might interest you to know that at a recent fire in Manila which devastated acres of ground and rendered 3,000 people homeless,

that two patrols of the Manila scouts reached the fire almost with the fire companies, reported to the proper authorities and worked

for hours under very trying conditions helping frightened natives into places of safety, removing valuables and other articles from

houses that apparently were in the path of the flames, and performing cheerfully and efficiently all the tasks given to them by the

firemen and scout master. They were complimented in the public press, and in a kind editorial about their work.

"During the recent Carnival the services of the boys were requested by the Carnival officers, and for a period of ten days they were

on duty performing all manner of service in the Carnival grounds, directing strangers to hotels, and acting as guides and helpers in

a hundred ways."

What these Boy Scouts of the Philippines have just done, I think our Boy Scouts in every town and country district should train

themselves to be able to do. The movement is one for efficiency and patriotism. It does not try to make soldiers of Boy Scouts, but

to make boys who will turn out as men to be fine citizens, and who will, if their country needs them, make better soldiers for

having been scouts. No one can be a good American unless he is a good citizen, and every boy ought to train himself so that as a

man he will be able to do his full duty to the community. I want to see the Boy Scouts not merely utter fine sentiments, but act on

them; not merely sing, "My Country 'Tis of Thee," but act in a way that will give them a country to be proud of. No man is a good

citizen unless he so acts as to show that he actually uses the Ten Commandments, and translates the Golden Rule into his life

conduct—and I don't mean by this in exceptional cases under spectacular circumstances, but I mean applying the Ten

Commandments and the Golden Rule in the ordinary affairs of every-day life. I hope the Boy Scouts will practice truth and square

dealing, and courage and honesty, so that when as young men they begin to take a part not only in earning their own livelihood, but

in governing the community, they may be able to show in practical fashion their insistence upon the great truth that the eighth and

ninth commandments are directly related to every-day life, not only between men as such in their private relations, but between

men and the government of which they are part. Indeed the boys even while only boys can have a very real effect upon the conduct

of the grown up members of the community, for decency and square dealing are just as contagious as vice and corruption.


27

Every healthy boy ought to feel and will feel that in order to amount to anything, it is necessary to have a constructive, and not

merely a destructive, nature; and if he can keep this feeling as he grows up he has taken his first step toward good citizenship. The

man who tears down and criticizes and scolds may be a good citizen, but only in a negative sense; and if he never does anything

else he is apt not to be a good citizen at all. The man who counts, and the boy who counts, are the man and boy who steadily

endeavor to build up, to improve, to better living conditions everywhere and all about them.

But the boy can do an immense amount right in the present, entirely aside from training himself to be a good citizen in the future;

and he can only do this if he associates himself with other boys. Let the Boy Scouts see to it that the best use is made of the parks

and playgrounds in their villages and home towns. A gang of toughs may make a playground impossible; and if the Boy Scouts in

the neighborhood of that particular playground are fit for their work, they will show that they won't permit any such gang of toughs

to have its way. Moreover, let the Boy Scouts take the lead in seeing that the parks and playgrounds are turned to a really good

account. I hope, by the way, that one of the prime teachings among the Boy Scouts will be the teaching against vandalism. Let it be

a point of honor to protect birds, trees and flowers, and so to make our country more beautiful and not more ugly, because we have

lived in it.

The same qualities that mean success or failure to the nation as a whole, mean success or failure in men and boys individually. The

Boy Scouts must war against the same foes and vices that most hurt the nation; and they must try to develop the same virtues that

the nation most needs. To be helpless, self-indulgent, or wasteful, will turn the boy into a mighty poor kind of a man, just as the

indulgence in such vices by the men of a nation means the ruin of the nation. Let the boy stand stoutly against his enemies both

from without and from within, let him show courage in confronting fearlessly one set of enemies, and in controlling and mastering

the others. Any boy is worth nothing if he has not got courage, courage to stand up against the forces of evil, and courage to stand

up in the right path. Let him be unselfish and gentle, as well as strong and brave. It should be a matter of pride to him that he is not

afraid of anyone, and that he scorns not to be gentle and considerate to everyone, and especially to those who are weaker than he is.

If he doesn't treat his mother and sisters well, then he is a poor creature no matter -what else he does; just as a man who doesn't

treat his wife well is a poor kind of citizen no matter what his other qualities may be. And, by the way, don't ever forget to let the

boy know that courtesy, politeness, and good manners must not be neglected. They are not little things, because they are used at

every turn in daily life. Let the boy remember also that in addition to courage, unselfishness, and fair dealing, he must have

efficiency, he must have knowledge, he must cultivate a sound body and a good mind, and train himself so that he can act with

quick decision in any crisis that may arise. Mind, eye, muscle, all must be trained so that the boy can master himself, and thereby

learn to master his fate. I heartily wish all good luck to the movement.

Very sincerely yours,

THEODORE ROOSEVELT ------------------------

And more, also passed along by Mr. Sherman (source not known). Imagine having a former President as your troop‘s

committeeman and commissioner:

―Although Theodore Roosevelt was no longer president of the United States when the Boy Scouts of America was founded in

1910, he was an ardent booster of the organization. He was a troop committeeman of Troop 39 in Oyster Bay, New York, and first

council commissioner of Nassau County Council. As a former president, he was elected honorary vice president of the Boy Scouts

of America. Roosevelt was the first and only man designated as Chief Scout Citizen. For many years after his death in 1919,

several thousand Scouts and leaders in the New York area made annual pilgrimages to his grave in Oyster Bay.

" ‗More and more I have grown to believe in the Boy Scout movement. I regard it as one of the movements most full of promise

for the future here in America. The Boy Scout movement is distinctly an asset to our country for the development of efficiency,

virility, and good citizenship. It is essential that its leaders be men of strong, wholesome character; of unmistakable devotion to our

country, its customs and ideals, as well as in soul and by law citizens thereof, whose wholehearted loyalty is given to this nation,

and to this nation alone. ‗ "


28

INFORMATION PAGE

Attention: Board of Review (BOR) Procedures

Some years ago we set up a new procedure for scouts to follow for requesting Board of Reviews. Being a large troop, we needed to give

the adults sitting on the BORs some lead-time. Recently the procedure has been sliding and the adults are getting short notice because of

last minute BORs being scheduled. Therefore we are restating our policy. FORGOT THE PROCEDURE? NO PROBLEM – It is almost

always on one of the last pages of each Signaler edition. Also, you can look at any past edition of the Signaler for this information.

Signaler Submittal Deadlines: Information Due to Reporters: April 24. Signaler posting date: May 1

Editor: Jim B. 301-774-0416 [email protected]

Webmaster Mr. Dale Bickel 301-774-0416 [email protected]

Reporters: William S.

301-260-8605

[email protected]

Signaler Adults: Mrs. Laura Evans 301-260-1042 [email protected]

Mr. Dale Bickel 301-774-0416 [email protected]

Adult Advisors:

Scoutmaster: Mr. Dennis Bogan 301-774-2768 [email protected]

Treasurer: Mrs. Debbie Karitis 301-774-9653 [email protected]

Troop Committee: Mr. Mark Russell 301-774-1077 [email protected]

Order of the Arrow (OA) Mr. Rick Justus 301-774-7833 [email protected]

Advancement Chairman: Mr. Gary Matyas 301-570-0610 [email protected]

SPL: Justin S.

Adult activity coordinators – please submit information about upcoming activities to Signaler Staff (electronically or hardcopy)

by the deadline. Please contact a Signaler reporter if you would like to have a Scout generate the announcement for you. If any

information about or participants of activities have been left out of the Signaler; corrections will be made in the next issue.

Please send any corrections to The Signaler at [email protected].

The Signaler is posted on the troop’s website, www.troop264olney.net. Notice is sent by E-MAIL when the new

Signaler edition is posted. To get on the e-mail list, or to be removed or make corrections, please send an e-mail to

[email protected] (Mr. Dale Bickel).

The Signaler Staff

BOR Any scout needing a Board of Review should call Mr. Walt Greenspon @ (301-774-5394) no later than two Sundays

(8 days) before the scheduled Board of Review. Failure to give proper notification will delay your BOR until the next month. Get

your Scoutmaster Conference prior to calling Mr. Greenspon. If your scout is scheduled for the BOR, he must bring an adult with

him. That adult is needed to sit on a BOR for another scout. This way we can accommodate all scouts striving for advancement.

Dress Code for BOR: Class ―A‖ shirt, neckerchief, slide and scout pants (khaki or black pants can be substituted).

A scout hat is preferred.









http://www.troop264olney.net/



29

ADVANCEMENT INFORMATION PAGE

BOARD of REVIEW (BOR)

Any scout needing a Board of Review should call Mr. Greenspon @ (301-774-5394) no later than two Sundays (8 days) before the scheduled Board of Review. Failure to give proper notification will delay your BOR for a month. If your scout is scheduled for a BOR, he must bring an adult with him. That adult is needed to sit on a BOR for another scout. This way we can accommodate all scouts striving for advancement. Scout dress code for BOR will include Class “A” shirt, neckerchief, slide, and scout pants (khaki or black pants can be substituted). A scout hat is preferred.

SCOUT SPIRIT for ADVANCEMENT

We all recognize that Scout Spirit is hard to evaluate. We know Scout Spirit includes being helpful and cheerful, but it is more than that…it’s giving back. In an effort to assist Patrol dads in recognizing Scout Spirit, the following guidelines are offered. Our troop believes that prior to each advancement, participation in the following activities exemplify the essences of Scout Spirit:

A minimum of 1 nursing home visit

Participation in at least 1 fundraiser

At least 4 overnight outings per year

Good deeds done outside of scouts The Patrol Dad, not a senior scout, is responsible for signing

off on Scout Spirit prior to your Scoutmaster Conference.

SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCES

Any scout needing a Scoutmaster Conference for advancement up through First Class, needs to contact one of the following for a conference: Mr. Greenspon 301-774-5394 Mr. Laing 301-570-4235 Mr. Predoehl 301-774-0974 Mr. Matyas 301-570-0610 Mr. Freedman 301-774-7766 Mr. Bickel 301-774-0416 Mr. Irvin 301-570-5548 Mr. Kennedy 301-774-5014 Mr. Long 301-924-4365 Scoutmaster Conferences for Star, Life, and Eagle must be held with Mr. Bogan - (301)-774-2768, [email protected]. Preparation for the scout’s BOR must include being prepared to answer skill, citizenship, first aid, and merit badge questions.

BOR for STAR and LIFE SCOUT ADVANCEMENTS

While ropes and compasses are provided for younger ranks, by the time you are ready for Star and Life advancement, you should be responsible enough to bring your own knot rope and compass for your BOR. We are requiring all scouts who are advancing to Star or Life to bring a knot rope and compass to their BOR.

LIFE and EAGLE SCOUTS as ADVISORY BOR MEMBERS

If you are a Life or Eagle Scout and would like to sit on a Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, or Star BOR, as a “Technical Expert”, call Mr. Greenspon on 301-774-5394. You would be the fourth person on the Board. While you wouldn’t have a vote, you would have input into the decision-making process and add invaluable knowledge and insight by asking questions that perhaps scouters wouldn’t think to ask. This is a great way to give back to and maintain the quality of your troop.

30

Permission Slip for Crew 264 to Kings Valley Stables April 16-18, 2011

I give permission for my son or daughter _______________________________ to participate in the Crew

264 trip to Kings Valley Stables, near Damascus, MD to complete the Horsemanship Merit Badge and/or

Equestrian Venturing requirements on April 16-18. In an emergency, please notify

___________________________ _______________ (indicate name and relationship to your son or

daughter) at ___________________________ (phone). If this person cannot be reached, I authorize

qualified medical personnel to administer any necessary aid or treatment to my son or daughter for illness or

injury. My son is allergic to the following medications or foods:

________________________________________________________________________________.

________________________________________________________________________

Parent or Guardian Signature Date

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------

Permission Slip for Webelos Weekend

April 29 – May 1, 2011

I give permission for my son _______________________________ to participate in the Troop 264‘s outing

to Webelos Weekend at Spencerville, MD. In an emergency, please notify

___________________________ _______________ (indicate name and relationship to your son) at

___________________________ (phone). If this person cannot be reached, I authorize qualified medical

personnel to administer any necessary aid or treatment to my son for illness or injury. My son is allergic to

the following medications or foods: __________________________________.

________________________________________________________________________

Parent or Guardian Signature Date

cpr training, march 21 the signaler - troop 264 newsletter ... · 10 11 troop meeting service:...

Documents