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| District Chairman | Stu Stern | 301-464-1678 stuscout@erols.com | District Websites: |
| District Commissioner | Pete Saderholm | 410-451-4713 petegene@erols.com | http://www.bsa.net/md/patuxent |
| Scout Executive | Vincent Robinson | 301-214-9182
vrobinson@boyscouts-ncac.org |
http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org//district/patuxent/ |
To Subscribe to The Patuxent Post
e-mail edition simply send an e-mail to chris.schwartz@ieee.org with the words SUBSCRIBE PAX POST in the
Subject Line. Please send articles or items of interest at least
2 weeks in advance of the next round table. Pax Post is posted at
https://www.angelfire.com/md2/bsapax/paxpost or http://www.geocities.com/paxmeritbadge/paxpost
Rechartering:
We have lost about 100 Cubs since the end of
last year, which is upsetting. 20 Packs have turned in their
information, and 9 units still have rechartering information to
turn in. Two will probably not recharter. 27 Troops turned in
with 5 not completed. One will not recharter, as Elaine and Lee
Jennings cannot continue with the Troop. Among Teams, Crews and
Ships 6 have been turned in, one not completed and one will
probably not recharter.
Commissioners are having training at their meetings. Feb. will have Glenn doing Safe Scouting. Next will be Youth Protection. They are focusing in on these in the hopes that the importance of the training will trickle back down through the units. Feb. 23 = Commissioner’s Training. Our District provides the Team and it is hosted by a DC District. They will be rotating between the Prince George’s and DC Districts, in order to have more participants in the training.
Pete Saderholm 410-451-4713 mailto:petegene@erols.com
Adult Events and Training
High Adventure at Roundtable - The February Boy Scout roundtable program will feature several national high adventure programs actively promoted by our Council. Experts (past leaders) from each of the camps will be available to answer questions and campership information will be available.
Cub Leader Basic. Date -
Sat, March 9, Registration at 8:30 AM, Program from 9 AM to 3:15
PM. $5 at the door. There will also be youth protection training
for any adults that need it from 9:00-10:30 a.m. No charge for
Youth Protection Training. Pre-registration is necessary and
flyers will be handed out at soon at the Cub Scout Leader
Roundtable Meetings. You must preregister with Ginny Fromel to
attend. Anyone needing information can call Ginny Fromel at
301-552-1576 or via e-mail at VFromel@aol.com
Location for all training: Grace Lutheran Church, 2503 Belair Drive, Bowie, MD (Rt. 50 East, Rt. 197 North, Right on Kenhill Dr, right onto Belair Drive, a few blocks on the left or (Rt 450 East to Bowie H.S., Belair Drive South approx. 2 miles)
Bring a bag lunch, breakfast foods and drinks available at a minimal cost.
This course is for Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, Troop Committee Members and Parents. Experienced scouters are welcome. Indoor sessions at Lanham United Methodist Church, Outdoor sessions at Cedarville State Forest.
Bag Lunch needed for indoor sessions. Scout Master Fundamentals #2 is March 30. The camping weekend is April 12 to 14.
Register NCAC, form at https://www.angelfire.com/md2/bsapax/paxpost/feb2002/smtrain.jpg or http://www.geocities.com/paxpost/feb2002/smtrain.jpg
The next University of
Scouting classes will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2002. Due to
an overwhelming response, they WILL be offering the new BALOO
training course this year.
Purpose of the University of Scouting Program: The University of Scouting is a supplemental training opportunity for all adult volunteer Scouters in the National Capital Area Council (NCAC). Four colleges support the program. The College of Commissioner Science is a primary vehicle for Commissioners to continually refresh and strengthen their knowledge in a concentrated, challenging, and systematic fashion. New Commissioners are provided challenging and progressive learning opportunities beyond basic training; more experienced Commissioners are offered advanced experiences with subject matter at several levels.
The College of Adventure (Varsity, Venturing and Exploring), College of Boy Scouting and College of Cub Scouting offer Unit and District Scouters enhanced training opportunities beyond Basic Leader Training. Scout Leader Training Teams will find challenges among the courses offered.
Location: Stone Ridge Stone ridge
School, Bethesda, MD.
POC: Bob Sargent 703-323-0664 / Ed
Yarbrough 703-724-1061 and on the NCAC website. Update will
follow after the holidays.
Registration: Download the complete University of Scouting course curriculum and general information. This document is in PDF format and you will need Acrobat Reader to view or print it. http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/training/pdfs/uos.pdf
There will be a short opening ceremony for all participants. Also plan to attend the closing ceremony at days end. These informational and meaningful sessions will give a boost to your already uncontainable enthusiasm.
Basic Schedule: Participant specific personal schedule to be provided at check-in.
7:30-8:15 a.m.
Check-in/Registration
8:30-9:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony
9:10-4:00 p.m. University Courses
(Check personal schedule for course times.)
4:10 p.m. Closing Ceremony
NOTE: For all College Degree
Programs ˜ The Dean of the College where the degree is being
earned must approve waivers of requirements or substitutions. http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/training/university/index.html
Remember as a Scout Leader you
have agreed to receive youth protection training every two years.
This training fulfills this requirement. Youth Protection
training begins at 6:30 PM and goes approximately one hour at the
Glendale Firehouse on Greenbelt Road. Just show up. For
additional information email Pat Rooney at mailto:
proon@bellatlantic.net
May 3 to 5: 21st Century Wood Badge
Spring
Course: May 3-5, June 7-9
Fall Course: Sept 13-15, Oct 11-13
21st Century Woodbadge is open to all Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout adn Venture Scout Leaders who have completed the Basic training for their registered position in Scouting. Cub Leaders must have completed New Leader Essentials, and then the position specific training for their position. Boy Scout and Varsity leaders must have completed New Leader Essentials, the position specific training and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills.
Woodbadge for the 21st Century has no "invitation" requirement if you have completed the basic training requirements.
For more information, fill out the coupon on page 25 of the Dec 2001 Scouter Digest from NCAC, or send your name, address, telephone number and district to: NCAC; Woodbadge 2002; 9190 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814
Goshen Bear Workend Do
you want to be a Bear? Many of your Patuxent District Scouter
friends are already Bears; Goshen Bears that is. Join us for the
weekend (Workend in Bear talk). We work a full day on Saturday
and half day on Sunday doing everything you can imagine for
maintenance at Goshen. The facilities, which are well maintained
by the Goshen Bears are becoming known around the country.
Usually we have 30-40 Patuxent Scouters, men and women, of the
150-200 Workend attendees. All you need is a working body, work
clothes, and a few dollars for food. Its now $16.00 for five
meals (and how those cooks from FSK do feed us!) This is the
first increase in memory. Pre-registration and $8.00 of your meal
fee is requested to be in two weeks before the Workend of
Friday-Sunday, May 17 to 19 For more information ask a Bear or
call Ed Allison (301) 927-6949 or Bob Leek (301) 725-6443. Goshen
Bears Workend Please consider this opportunity for fellowship and
hard work. Goshen could use more helpers! Tom Wertz has a list of
the jobs available. "
Scout Events
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
is seeking help from the Scouts at its Wildlife Art Show April 6
& 7 at the Patuxent Research Refuge. Scouts are needed to
help with parking control. When not working, there are lots of
trails, wildlife and of course the visitor center to enjoy.
Contact Charlie Robinson at 301 937-9897 for details.
Feb 23 Chemistry Merit Badge Day
Dear Fearless Boy Scout Leaders:
I have you all down for the Chemistry Merit Badge Day event to be held on February 23rd. Please send me your troop numbers, names of the scouts, and contact information (emergency numbers, names of adults, etc.) through this email if you have not already. I greatly appreciate it. I also apologize for spelling mistakes, delays, and human errors. It's been a harrowing week. At the bottom of this email contains happy information pertaining to troops and how many are registered for the event.
Here's some vital information: (please take
some time to read the entire email!)
Information about the BSMB event @ UMCP:
Description of the event:
Chemistry Merit badges are earned after a day
of touring labs and being examed on the topics covered in the
labs. These topics are ALL OVERVIEWED in the packets online. (If
you can't seem to open the packets, I can email them to you.) It
is HIGHLY recommended that you go over the entire packet and fill
it out in its entirety before the event. This is because,
regardless of the scout's participation in the event, the scout
will only obtain their blue cards signed and completed if they
have passed the exam with a B or higher. Also, the topics will be
gone over so quickly, that the scouts have a hard time cementing
the material in their memory-- so this is a good way of
reinforcing the information.
Books on the material can be found in the local libraries. Also, talk to your high school teachers for references.
For packets:
http://www.inform.umd.edu/Student/Campus_Activities/StudentOrg/AXE/bsmb.htm
What to Bring to the Event:
Scouts: the number that you have confirmed
with me. If you bring more than that, we have safety issues to
deal with. So please, don't bring 9 scouts to the event. We have
no way of dealing with them appropriately. If you have less than
the registered amount, that's easier handled than with an excess
number of scouts. If you need to switch scouts, that's fine too:
just don't bring any extra. It is VERY difficult to have to
explain to scouts that they may not attend, even if they are
there, due to safety regulations. Additionally, this badge is
difficult in getting. So, if you have scouts who may not be able
to absorb a great deal of information in a short amount of time,
please prepare them ahead of time. ***We want the scouts to pass,
but as our past events have shown, younger scouts tend to not get
the badges as easily as the older scouts. Please take that into
account when registering scouts.***
Adults: 1 per troop, no more than 2 per troop.
Registration fees: $5/scout. Adults do not need to pay. This does not include lunch. (Chemists aren't necessary the best cooks.)
Blue Cards: Blue cards need to come in, filled out with your information and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. (The envelope allows you to go home after the exam and we will mail them out that day. If a scout doesn't pass, we will try to explain why and you can email concerns to me.)
Food: Brown Bag it or order pizza. We are offering Large Pizzas from the local Papa Johns and soda at a discounted price. Prices will be given to those who register on Friday, Sept. 21. Bring change for vending machines if you like.
Note-taking: Pen & packets are recommended.
You will NOT be allowed to bring the following in the labs:
Lunchbags, Bookbags, large purses, anything that can be damaged or contaminated by chemicals through placement on benches or floors.
This is for your safety. We will provide a place that you can place these. We also suggest for the adults to bring a book. You will be sitting through an exam. :)
When the event will take place:
9:30am-4pm. PLEASE DO NOT SHOW UP EARLY!!!! I remind you that we are college students and although we can wake up for 8 o'clock classes, we are a bit frazzled even at 9am. You won't be able to go to the labs early and most likely, you won't get through registration early.
Lunch is at 12:30 to 1pm. Pizza arrives at 12:30 if ordered.
Where: The chemistry building in College Park
Details of directions: See URL:
http://www.chem.umd.edu/maps/directions.html (Click on direction for directions, click on Dept.
of Chem to see building highlighted on map.)
Once you are on the campus drive entrance, proceed straight until you reach the "M" ( a circle with a "M" placed in the center with flowers/bushes). At the M, hang right, such that you are on Regents Drive. You will see a parking garage on the left. Park in this garage (fondly known as PG2). You are welcome to park there on Saturdays. Across Regents Drive, is the Chemistry Building. Enter the Chemistry Building through the entrance marked by a large, metal sculpture. In the hallway, a table is set up for registration. Have troop number ready, fee, cards, and envelope ready.
***Please be sure that scouts have rides too and from the event. Unfortunately, we cannot be responsible for getting scouts safely home.***
Whys:
Most of you know why you want to get the badge, but not why there's a limit on scouts/troop. There is a limit of five because of room safety levels. We have to maintain the same # of people in the rooms as the university does. And because we're only given a certain number of rooms, we need to enforce these numbers.
Why we do it? It's part of the Alpha Chi Sigma foundation to promote chemistry: academically and as a profession. And we enjoy doing it-- even if it's on a Saturday. :)
Why the pre-registration? Because we were
so overwhelmed by the demand for the event last semester, we had
to decline troops. This was very difficult, so we put them on a
list. The same will occur this semester most likely. :(
Who to contact:
Despite the delay in replies, I do care a
great deal about this event. I'm also the only one who will be
handling registration for this event and the only one creating
the list of troops registered for this event. My address is mailto:ziun@wam.umd.edu or mailto:ziun@glue.umd.edu . I will only be accepting registration through
EMAIL. You register by sending me a reply to this email, with
text cited, troop number, contact info, number of scouts, scout
names (if you have them) in the email.
Who we are:
Chemists, biochemists, biologists,
psychologists: students and professional alike. We're here to
educate and inspire. And hopefully, save the world. :)
Thank you for your time and your
exceptional patience with me. Hope to see you this October.
TROOP Information
joycejim@aol.com Troop 52 3
BJWalsh58@cs.com Troop 257 5
bethkeffer@att.net Troop 160 2
Crfpurplez@aol.com Troop 1688 5
darrellmatics@hotmail.com Troop 716 5
george_costigan@hotmail.com Troop 157 3
James.Briggs@pentagon.af.mil Troop 143 5
Jcjmpa@aol.com Troop 1313 5
JHolmblad@aol.com Troop 1983 1
jsoltysiak2@comcast.net Troop 259 2
LEHow213@aol.com Troop 1283 3
lvonegger@netscape.net Troop 464 5
MPDonals@FDIC.gov Troop 1033 5
pshank@RODGERS.COM Troop 1010 5
jradosev@hq.nasa.gov Troop 403 1
ronchrismer@comcast.net Troop 1250 1
rsaver@starpower.net Troop 158 5
timothy.looney@ferc.fed.us Troop 1559 2
vocke@nist.gov Troop 829 5
Sincerely,
Tiffany Chiou
Alpha Chi Sigma
University of MD, College Park
Last night I was informed that only 8 Eagles in the Commonwealth of Virginia applied for the American Legion's Eagle Scout of the Year award. These awards on the State and National levels range up to $10,000.
The deadline is quickly approaching, March 1, to submit an application to the Department (State) Headquarters. So if you qualify, do not hesitate. Get you application completed and turned in quickly.
The requirements are:
- Earn the Eagle Scout Award
- Earn the Religious Award of your
faith at the Boy Scout level
- Be a high school student between 15
and 19
and either
- Be a member of a Unit sponsored by
an American Legion Post
or
- Be the son or grandson of a member
of the American Legion or its Auxiliary.
Information for this award can be
found at http://www.legion.org/events/evt_eaglescout.htm. The application can be download from that
site. --If you have applied in the past, and still qualify, apply
again.
Saturday, March 23, 2002. Annual Teen Labor Education Day. The workshop will enable the scouts to fulfill many of the American Labor Merit Badge requirements in one day.
Teen Labor Education Day
March 23
George Meany Center for Labor Studies
1000 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD
301-431-6400
The Metropolitan Washington AFL-CIO, along with its International and Local affiliates and in conjunction with the National Capital area Council - Patuxent District of the Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital and the Future Force Project announce the presentation of the annual Teen Labor Education Day. The workshop will enable the scouts to fulfill many of the American Labor Merit Badge requirements in one day. It will be offered on Saturday, November 3, 2001 or March 23, 2002 at the George Meany Center for Labor Studies. The Center is locatied at the corner of New Hampshire and Powder Mill Roads, directly outside the Beltway, Rt 495. Coming up New Hampshire Ave from the Beltway, turn left onto Powder Mill Rd and drive directly onto the campus. Come back to the parking lot and park. Bring your scouts for registration at the auditorium (the former chapel). Pre-registration is mandatory and the cut-off for accepting registration is October 12, 2001 or March 1, 2002. Please note that scouts must be accompanied by an adult for every five boys. Please make arrangements with another adult attending to accompany your child if you are not going. If you need to find an adult to accompany your scout, call the registrar for assistance. Badge Book, badge and lunch will be provided.
Any scout and accompanying adults/leaders
wishing to register should clip off the form below and send it
and the $5.00/per person registration fee to Kathy McKirchy,
Director, Community Services Agency, Metro Washington Council,
AFL-CIO, 1925 K Street, NW, Suite 410, Washington, DC 20006.
Checkes should be made out to the Community Services Agency.
Please call Kathy at 202-289-7232 with any questions regarding
registration.
Date: Monday, March 25,
2002, Time : 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Uniforms : Scouts should wear
their uniforms
Bluecards : All Scouts should provide
a blue card signed by their Scoutmaster.
Contact: Scout leaders: Please
contact Eagle Scout Albert Kwansa at 301-459-5834. mailto: Kwansa@Hotmail.com or call Vida Kwansa at 301.313-3840
Prince George's County Health
Department for Pre-Registration
Registration form at https://www.angelfire.com/md2/bsapax/MBDays/pubhealth or http://www.geocities.com/paxmeritbadge/MBDays/pubhealth
April 6: 
Baysox Scout Night Dates Set
Baysox Scout Nights for 2002 have
been announced! The first is Saturday April 6th and we have order
forms available now to order tickets. Copies will be available at
Roundtable. The two sleepovers will be June 21st and August 2nd.
Tickets for each of those will open up the day AFTER the previous
Scout Night. For more information, please contact: Donald
Gakenheimer; Theme Night Coordinator; Bowie Baysox; 4101 NE Crain
Hwy; Bowie, MD 20716; 301-805-6000 x300; dgakenheimer@baysox.com
Merit Badge Day for First Aid,
Emergency Preparedness & Personal Fitness
Date : Saturday April 20, 2002
Time : 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location : St. Mary Landover
Uniforms : Scouts should wear their
uniforms
Bluecards : All Scouts should provide
a blue card signed by their Scoutmaster.
Contact Tim Looney at
jtlooney@hotmail.com or 301-805-1352 for an appointment and let
him know what badges you are prepared to work on. Walk in
appointments are welcomed, but scheduled appointments will be
taken first. Email or calls with the time of your appointment.
Please take advantage of cpr courses offered
across Maryland. This will speed up things on merit badge day.
To earn the merit badge the following
requirements need to be completed prior to the merit badge day:
First Aid : all, Emergency Preparedness: all, Personal Fitness:
all
Scouts interested in starting any of the merit badges are welcomed, but need to make an appointment. Please let me know that you just starting the merit badge.
All Scouts are expected to have
read the merit badge books for the merit badge they want to work
on. Requirements and workbooks: https://www.angelfire.com/md2/bsapax/MBDays/apr/index.html or http://www.geocities.com/paxmeritbadge/MBDays/apr/index.html
Venturing Rendezvous 2002 On April 20, 2002, the National Capital Area Council will hold its first Venturing Rendezvous at the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center in Front Royal, VA. Just like the rendezvous in our early American history where mountain men came down from the mountains and gathered to demonstrate their backcountry skills, Rendezvous 2002 will provide an opportunity for NCAC Venturers and Explorers to get "hands-on" experience on five of eighteen different Ranger award skills including mountaineering, outdoor living history, COPE, black powder rifle, 3-D archery, kayaking, orienteering, mountain biking, hunting, horseback riding, fly fishing, backpacking, wilderness first aid, SCUBA, Leave No Trace, wilderness survival, cave exploring, and cooking. In addition to trying out these skills, Venturers and Explorers can meet with outdoor gear vendors from The North Face, Gregory, Mountain Hardware, Lowe, Technica, Moving Comfort and more. Rendezvous 2002 will close with an awards ceremony and the election of new youth officers. Be looking for your unitıs registration package on February 1, 2002. For more information, contact Joe Flaig, jwflaig@aol.com , (703) 250-9791.
Saturday, May 11, 2002
10AM - 3PM Scouting on the Mall
Scouting on the mall is the single largest one day event hosted by the NCAC. Scouts will build sites, displays, and demostrations to show each other and the general public what Scouting is all about. Highlights in past years have included pioneering towers, monkey bridges, rapelling and climbing towers, and campfire cooking demonstrations. Scouting on the Mall is open for Tigers, Cub and Webelos, Boy Scouts, Varsity, and Venture Scouts and Exployers. ITS BIG. Checkout the web site at http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/camps/special.html and submit your registration form ASAP to get your first choice of activity.
Contact Patuxent Chair Ed
Partington partington.ed@erols.com or 301-464-3138.
Future Scouting Events:
Fall Camporee
The theme will be Rendezvous and it will have an American Indian/mountain man emphasis. The place is TBD, but it will have a place for a largish ground fire for a dance and campfire.
The committee is being pulled
together in March. It will be an event that not as craft
concentrated as an OA Indian Seminar, or a true Powwow. If we can
teach Scouts, Webelos and Cubs a little dancing, Indian
culture/lore/spirituality, American history, and how the two
peoples cooperated in the beginning, we might use this as a
continuing theme to build better transition into Scouts and OA.
Contact Nick Dunten nick.dunten@verizon.net
July 15 to July 26 Blair Atholl
International Patrol Jamborette Blair Atholl Estate, Scotland
The Jamborette is held on the grounds
of Blair Castle, albeit on a different field (it was moved to its
present location on Target Field in 1970 when the Caravan Park
was built on the old site). The patrols are divided up into six
sub-camps - MacDonald, MacLean, Morrison, Murray, Robertson, and
Stewart - each forming its own circle on the huge field.
Featuring: Hill walking,
expeditions, watersports, pioneering
For: 1,000, 13-16 years old
Fee: £150, incl. food
Home hospitality: Yes!
Host: The Scout Association
E-mail: admin@scouts-scotland.org.uk
Contact: Scottish Headquarters, The
Scout Association, Fordell Firs, Hillend, Dunfermline, Fife KY11
7HQ, United Kingdom
Cub Scout Events
Most Packs will have
Blue & Gold Banquet in the February to March timeframe. This
is the yearly celebration to honor the success of your Pack. Your
committee should be in high gear. Typical parts are the potluck
dinner, inviting your commissioner and the local boyscout leader,
decorations, skits, songs and awards. Sometimes this is combined
with the pinewood derby or Webelos crossover.
Pack 9 will have their Blue & Gold Banquet on Feb. 22 at Montpelier Elementary School. They will celebrate the birthdays of Cub Scouts, complete with a father/parent-and-son cake baking contest. The cakes will be desert. Their Blue & Gold is a covered-dish supper, with each family bringing a dish. Dens will need to divide up meats, vegetables, drinks.
Each Den will also perform a skit
or song of its choosing, either patriotic or celebrating Scouting
or just funny!
April 13 Pinewood Derby
They will also be readily
available online and via email. Emails with questions and offers
to help can be sent to Lenny Wertz at juslenny@hotmail.com 1) The
2002 Derby will be held at theBeltway Plaza Center Court on the
13th of April. 2) Anyone interested in helping with the operation
of a really fun event, please contact Lenny Lenny Wertz
Scoutmaster BSA Troop 746 Greenbelt, Maryland Patuxent District
Pinewood Derby Crew Chief Please use the preregistration form
provide at https://www.angelfire.com/md2/bsapax/paxpost/pinewood
or http://www.geocities.com/paxpost2001/pinewood
May 18 to 19: Upcoming May to October 2002 Parent/Son Weekends
The Parent/Son Camping
program is designed to give a Cub Scout or Webelos Scout and his
adult partner an opportunity to spend a fun-filled 24-hour period
together in the outdoors. During this 24-hour period, they will
learn more about each other by working and playing together
within a planned program of activities. The weekend program
begins on Saturday about 10:00 AM with check in and site set up.
You bring a sack lunch with you, set up your tent, and get ready
for the opening ceremony and Flag Raising at 12:15 PM. This kicks
off a fun filled afternoon of activities for all. A staff of
volunteers will be on hand to assist and guide you through this
adventure. They will also offer safety guidelines and train you
in new or old skills in everything from handicraft projects to
sports, archery, BB shooting and campcrafts.
This experience will offer a great evening meal (cooked by the program staff) and an exciting campfire that will allow your Scouts and you the opportunity to become "Showmen" in your own right, by performing skits, songs and cheers. You then get to enjoy the peaceful night sky as the sounds of nature lull you into a restful night of sleep in your tent.
Sunday morning we will provide you with a continental breakfast served by the staff and a non-denominational religious service. Then it is on to cleaning up your gear and campsite, a game or two, site inspection and closing ceremony. Everyone is ready to depart for home by 11:00 AM and you will take with you a great experience shared together.
Space is limited: 96 pairs per weekend. Cost is $60.00 per buddy pair and is NON REFUNDABLE. The fee includes patches and T-shirts for each camper, crafts supplies, meals, etc.
The dates and locations are:
May 18-19, 2002, Rosaryville State
Park, Prince Georges County, Maryland
June 1-2, 2002, Claude Moore Farm,
Ashburn, Virginia
August 3-4, 2002, Camp William B
Snyder, Haymarket, Virginia
September 14-15, 2002, Izaak Walton
League, Poolesville, Maryland
October 12-13, 2002, Camp William B
Snyder, Haymarket, Virginia
Details and signup forms are on
the NCAC Homepage:
http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/camps/weekend.html
http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/camps/ctg/p-sweek.html
Order of the Arrow
On Feburary 22 to February 24,
Amangamek-Wipit Lodge 470 is hosting its first Order of the Arrow
Seminar that is featuring a mix of events and workshops for
Ceremonial Teams, Native American Dancers, and American Indian
crafts. The highlight of the weekend will be a pow-wow featuring
American Indian dance and music on Saturday evening. The pow-wow
will be open to our entire Scouting family. http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/camps/arrow.html
New Field Director: We have a new Field Director. Dan Mullin has come from Virginia. He is from the Washington area originally and is very pleased to be back. His number is 301-214-9152.
High Adventure Coordinator Needed: Please consider accepting a position as High Adventure Coordinator for the Patuxent District. See Stu Stern for information
Illness: Ed Allinson's wife has been in the hospital and is very ill.
The Klondike Derby was an
overwhelming success. Feb. 8 to 10th. This year's theme was
"Valley Forge Freedom Fighters". Over 650 scouts
participated. The OA assisted in the running of many events and
directing traffic. Many thanks to Leeann Banes (Leader of Event),
and others who helped with this event Ray Moore (Webelos), Nick
Dunten (Cubs), Ed Partington (Tigers) and the great master of
cooking, Tom Wertz.
Internet Scout Patch
Back by popular demand, the Internet Scout Patch Program has brand new requirements that are more challenging and age group specific. (see reqirements at http://usscouts.org/internetscoutpatch-earnit.asp )
The
U.S. Scouting Service Project encourages Scouts and Scouters from
around the world to learn about the Internet and how to use the
Internet safely. The requirements will help Scouts and Scouters
to explorer the Internet and to learn how to use it to help in
Scouting. Internet safety, computer safety, and more great topics
are featured. Scouts and Scouters who complete the program are
eligible to wear the Internet Scout Patch as a temporary patch.
The Adult Mentor patch is free with orders of 10 or more Internet
Scout Patches.
GRASSFIRE.NET
BOY SCOUTS UPDATE 1/14/02
Last week when President Bush signed the Education Bill, he also signed into law the most significant Scouts legislative victory in many, many months. Sen. Helms' Scouts Equal Access Act now ensures that schools cannot discriminate against the Scouts if they expect to receive our tax dollars. This is GREAT NEWS for the Scouts.
Our contacts on Capitol Hill are crediting the Grassfire team for helping make the difference between winning and losing at the Conference Committee.
And now, Grassfire.net is gearing up for our most significant effort on behalf of the Scouts yet. In the coming weeks, we will be sharing with you a detailed plan to help turn back what has become the most significant threat to Scouting in America today. This threat has already dramatically impacted dozens of local Scouting organizations.
BE WATCHING FOR A SPECIAL UPDATE NEXT WEEK FROM GRASSFIRE.NET ON THIS MAJOR THREAT FACING THE SCOUTS.
Peter H. Heinze, age 90,
died June 13, 2000, in Mitchellville, Md. Peter distinguished
himself for more than 30 years of scouting with the District
Award of Merit in 1971 and the Silver Beaver in 1985. At Troop
238 in Beltsville, he was COR, CC, SA and EA for Post 238. In
Prince Georges and Patuxent Districts he was UC, ADC, MBC, High
Adventure Chairman and Philmont Group Leader. Peter was retired
from USDA in Beltsville, where he had been engaged in horiculture
research. Peter is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Agnes;
three sons, Gerald of San Francisco, Donald of Annapolis, Md.,
and Marvin of Alexandria, Va.; and three sisters.
John W. Starliper, Sr.,
age 84 died in Dec. 2001. John received his Silver Beaver in
1962. He was Scoutmaster of Troop 259, EA for Sea Scout Ship 259
and Air Explorer Post 259. He was OA advisor. During his time as
Skipper of 259, he arranged for and took his crew on a 3 week
cruise aboard a US Navy Ship. John was a hotel manager in DC and
a property manager in Annapolis. He is survived by his wife, a
daughter and two sons.
Pete Saderholm reported that we have lost about 100 Cubs since the end of last year, which is disturbing. 20 Packs have turned in their information, and 9 are outstanding. Two will probably not recharter. 27 Troops turned in with 5 not completed. One will not recharter, as Elaine and Lee Jennings cannot continue with the Troop. Among Teams, Crews and Ships 6 have been turned in, one not completed and one will probably not recharter.
Commissioners are having training at their meetings. Feb. will have Glenn doing Safe Scouting. Next will be Youth Protection. They are focusing in on these in the hopes that the importance of the training will trickle back down through the units.
Feb. 23 = Commissioner…s Training. Our District provides the Team and it is hosted by a DC District. They will be rotating between the Prince George…s and DC Districts, in order to have more participants in the training.
NEW Eagle Applications
are on the WWW. MUST use the current application. http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/eagleproject/12steps.html
Chain Bridge District Courses & Schedules
Every Boy Deserves a Trained Leader -- Every Leader Deserves to Be Trained
The Chain Bridge District Courses
and Schedules lists the course descriptions and schedules of all
the courses available through the Chain Bridge District and many
courses available at the National Capital Area Council (NCAC) in
Bethesda, Maryland. The times and location of courses is subject
to change with advanced notice. Information about training in
Chain Bridge District (CBD) is available on the Internet at this
Internet location: http://www.charm.net/~bradj/chain-bridge/ Additional information at https://www.angelfire.com/md2/bsapax/paxpost/feb2002/Chainbr.html or http://www.geocities.com/paxpost2001/feb2002/Chainbr.html
District Nominating Committee
Boyd Campbell has agreed to chair
the Nominating
Committee again this year. Inquiries
have gone out to others seeking more members
Letters to District Committee this
year will be different. They will ask people to sign up and to
include what they will be doing on the Committee. Let’s all
help identify some new people! Our goal is to put on a good
program for the boys and we need the leadership to do this!
Troop Committee Training
Linda Ryan, 1688 will sponsor Troop
Committee Training and set it up for Feb. or April.
This will include New Leader Essentials and
Troop Committee Challenge, for a total of about 5 hours.
Youth Protection will take place at the end of
the weekend course and before the April Roundtable, for anyone
interested.
Committee Challenge covers responsibilities
for anyone on the Troop Committee.
The program is like a monopoly Game.
Full Training not needed but anyone may attend if they…sd
like to. The date should be available by Mon. If you are interested in helping with any of
these training sessions, call Bob Herman!
At what point do we adults cross the line form asking how are things going, to setting goals for the scouts? One good intention becomes a great idea, then it works its way into a program philosophy, then bam, a Troop becomes known for making Eagles. Which is fine, but there is the question of who wants the Eagle more, the adults or the scouts. As a past Scoutmaster of a boy run troop, I hated it when adults drove the scout towards something or somewhere that he had little desire. But as a father, I feel that high voltage motivation devices should be encouraged. I don't pretend to understand the emotions. But I also understand that emotions are not always good motivation for good intentions. My son just got his Eagle. But in the last few weeks of finishing, he did it more for his parents than himself. In fact, of his Webelos buddies who crossed over into the troop eight years ago, seven out of the ten got the Eagle and no! ne of them seemed driven to get it for themselves. Each of these scouts far and away exceeded our visions of the ideal scout we hoped for our sons. They built our boy run troop, each one has been a Senior Patrol Leader or Assistant Senior Patrol Leader several times. They are respected at the District level and a couple at the Council level. So you would think that Eagle would be a high honor for them. But as one of these young men said, "We know what we are, and what we've done. It's the parents who want bragging rights.
So where do we adult leaders stand? Are we responsible for making Eagles? Are we responsible for pushing scouts beyond their dreams and goals? And should we create a new adult position within the troop to help scouts to Eagle? There is really nothing wrong with it. But my heart goes out to boys who dream of adventure, but have to drudge through the adults' expectations just to get to the fun stuff. I have always thought the struggle for us adults was creating a FUN program, where scouts see their troop as relief from the rest of their daily duties, while at the same time accomplishing the three aims of Scouting. But in this culture, it's not enough that a boy builds habits of character. He has to wear it on his chest. I learned that if you keep your scouts active in the program. they will want to achieve more. So that is what we are doing. We keep our older scout s involved by giving them mature duties and they stay to complete their goals. I know of at least three future Eagles in that group right now. As for the Life to Eagle mentor, well we handle that by pointing scouts to folks with experience. Many of those folks are our Eagle Scouts. A couple of our Eagles have great project proposals that they are happy to show off. Others help with project and even the Courts of Honor. We have a couple of adults that help as well, but one single mentor, we haven't looked at that yet. I can't say what is right or wrong about how adults work the Eagle program. I do enjoy watching Scouts reach goals they have set for themselves. I get a lot of pleasure watching the boy change into a man of integrity. We have a lot of Eagles and I am proud of them. A few Eagle Courts of Honor, a father got up and through his works, made every mother cry. Since then, scouts have been requested, not by the dads, to have their dad make a few comments. Just after my wife asked my son about his Eagle Court of Honor, she asked me if I had a speech ready. Hmmm, mothers are wonderful and amazing. This one is discouraged that I can't read her mind. Anyway, I am torn between a speech from the Scout Leader grateful for a scout who gave so much to the troop, and the father who is proud of the man the boy became, In either case, I am not worthy of this gift from God. In both cases, he makes me love life.
Barry Runnels, Oklahoma
