NB Boys Scout Troop 315 May Newsletter
Attached are some pictures of our “FEAR THE BEARD” camporee , held in April. 12 of our scouts participated in interesting and fun skill challenges. Stations such as, Duck call, Marshmallow guns, knot tying, Toilet seat toss, outhouse race. plus the weather could not have been better.
Scouts attended the Annual Chamber of Commerce dinner on Wednesday April 29. We decided to pose for a photo op . See attached picture
We start to get busy this time of year. Fundraiser, camps, high adventure, OA elections, Merit badges, all happening this month and Next. When you have 30+ scouts in a troop, it gets a little hectic; especially with the number of younger scouts. We’ve had the challenge of keeping them focused and on task, It is becoming necessary to ask parents to attend the meetings to help. The few that have stepped up. I thank you . Some days, all goes well and the chaos , we call a troop meeting, goes well. Other times, just keeping them on task requires a firm “DAD VOICE” I’m not a big fan of using it but they get high spirited at times and can push lots of buttons.
Our Senior patrol leader and Patrol Leaders Committee have been working with the younger scouts to help them mature and realize the importance of what the Scout Oath and Law really mean in everyday life. I call it ” The Street Smarts of Life”. I try not to comment on the challenges to much since I do have a real joy and gift of being Scoutmaster for these fine young men. Hard to believe, I’m in my 5th year as an adult leader
A piece of advice to our older scouts who seem overwhelmed , “You were there once too and your older aged out scouts had the same task, ” I am proud of my older scouts since they feel the “Pay if Forward” process and really want to pass the torch and keep our troop strong and well organized. Kudos to Hank, Tyler, Cody & Danny.
BSA Physicals – Please be sure to have a BSA physical done prior to going to summer camp. It is a BSA requirement for all registered BSA youth and Adults Most doctors will do both sports and BSA physicals at same time under one visit. Here is the link for those who would like the PDF http://www.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/680-001_ABC.pdf
May 3rd is OA Elections within our troop. An OA representative will be at the meeting to gather votes and talk about Order of The Arrow. Each scout has a vote so plan on attending to ensure your nomination gets called out at camp. 2015 had 4 scouts complete their ordeal and 6 scouts took the Brotherhood training. Our lodge is considering a chapter of the lodge moving closer to our area so scouts from B.G. and N.B. can attend more of the get together’s
May 15 – 17 is Armed Forces camp. We stay at Hancock County Fairgrounds from Friday to Sunday and cook a G.I. breakfast on Saturday morning. The camp is a fundraiser with no cost to scouts. We share this camp with Troop 337 , Bloomdale. Scouts will leave the scouthouse Friday, May 15 at 5:30pm. We could use another parent or leader to attend. Again. I have a function on Saturday night which will pull me away for the evening. Archer patrol will be planning the menu that weekend per their requirements to rank up.
May 29 – 31 is our White water rafting trip to Pennsylvania. Scouts adults will take 3 cars and scout trailer on a high adventure trek to state parks and Ohiopyle river in PA. We have 11 youth and 4 adults attending . We will be leaving North Baltimore at 5:00pm Friday night and will return home Sunday, late…
John Wayne: What the Scout Law means to me
A great American , John Wayne, passed away many years ago. One of his last public appearances was at a dinner. He was riddled with cancer and knew he was close to death. The purpose of the dinner was to benefit a land purchase for a Scout Reservation called John Wayne Outpost Camp.
At this dinner, Wayne recited the Scout Law. Then he did something unusual, he said the twelve points of the Scout Law are “nice words”. “Trouble is” he continued, “we learn them so young we sometimes don’t get all the understanding that goes with them. I take care of that in my family. As each boy reaches Scout age, I make sure he learns the Scout Law. Then I break it down for him, with a few things I have picked up in more than half a century since I learned it.”
Then Wayne proceeded to explain the importance of the Scout Law, breaking it down for the guests at the dinner; much like he would have for his grandson.
————————————————————————-
TRUSTWORTHY – The badge of honesty. Having it lets you look at any man in the eye. Lacking it he won’t look back. Keep this one at the top of your list.
LOYAL – The Very word is life itself, for without loyalty we have no love of person or country
HELPFUL – Part sharing, part caring. By helping each other, we help ourselves, not to mention mankind. Be always full of help — the dying man’s last words.
FRIENDLY – Brotherhood is part of that word. You can take it in a lot of directions – and do – but make sure and start with brotherhood.
COURTEOUS – Allow each person his human dignity which means a lot more than saying, “yes ma’am” and “thank you sir”. It reflects an attitude that later in life you wish you had honored more… earlier in life. Save yourself that problem. Do it now.
KIND – This one word would stop wars and erase hatreds. But its like your bicycle, its just no good unless you get out and use it.
OBEDIENT – Starts at home. Practice it in your family. Enlarge it in your friends. Share it with humanity.
CHEERFUL – Anyone can put on a happy face when the going is good. The secret is to wear it as a mask for your problems. It might surprise you how many others do the same thing.
THRIFTY – Means a lot more than putting pennies away, and it is the opposite of cheap. Common sense covers it just about as well as anything.
BRAVE – You don’t have to fight to be brave. Millions of good, fine, decent folks show more bravery than heavyweight champs just by getting out of bed every morning, going out to do a good day’s work and living the best life they know how against the law of odds. Keep the word handy every day of your life.
CLEAN – Soap and waters help a lot on the outside. But it is the inside that counts and don’t ever forget it.
REVERENT – Believe in anything that you want to believe in, but keep God at the top of it. With Him, life can be a beautiful experience. Without Him, you are just biding time.
————————————————————————-
John Wayne then thanked those at the dinner for putting his name on the outpost camp and said, “I would rather see it here than on all the theater marquees the world over.”
Shawn Benjamin
[email protected]
Also a couple of photos from the Annual NB Rotary Pancake Dinner.
Click on the photos to enlarge.
