From the Scoutmaster's Desk: Mr. David Mott
“In Scouting, a boy is encouraged to educate himself instead of being instructed.” - Robert Baden-Powell
Happy Scouting!!
MAY 2012
Hello Troop 33,
Hard to believe the Scout year is almost over! We have had an amazing year but before going any further I would like to thank everyone who has played a role in the troop's success. Even if the only thing you did was drive once or twice you have had an important impact on our boys and I thank you.
This Monday, May 21, is the Court of Honor and Summer Camp meeting. This is your chance to ask those questions regarding processes, gear and costs, so please make every effort to attend. We still have room for those Scouts wishing to attend Camp La-No-Che.
There will NOT be a troop meeting on May 28 since it is Memorial Day and there is no school.
The following Monday June 4th is our bi-annual troop officer elections. If your son is interested and eligible, must be 1st Class for patrol leader and Star for senior patrol leader, he must submit a note telling me why he would do a good job prior to the election and I must have a discussion with him, so he knows what he's getting into. So far I have only heard from Austin King and his interest in being SPL. There is also a troop committee meeting that evening, the only one for the summer.
June 10 those boys attending summer camp will assemble at Camp La-No-Che.
June 11 we will be at camp so there will not be a troop meeting.
We will have a troop meeting June 18. I believe we will have boards of review at that meeting also either then or July 2.
We depart for Camp Rainey Mountain on June 23 and return July 1.
June 25 part of the troop will be at Camp Rainey Mountain so we will not have a meeting that Monday.
July 2 we will have a troop meeting.
Saturday July 7 we will have our annual calendar planning meeting and PLC training. If your son was a part of the PLC these past few months or was elected on June 4 it is VERY IMPORTANT that he plan to attend.
July 9th we are planning on holding our summer camp court of honor.
July 16 is a troop meeting as well as July 23.
Saturday July 21 will be some sort of troop outdoor activity to be determined.
On Sunday July 29 Woodbury Presbyterian will host our Scout Sunday.
In August we will have the troop's annual business meeting that will cover financial operations as well as approve the annual calendar plan that the boys have put together. Hopefully sometime soon we will be celebrating Nick Weremeichik's Eagle ceremony also.
Summer uniform will be troop t-shirts until school resumes with the exception of the July 9 court of honor.
Yours In Scouting,
Scoutmaster David Mott
August 2011
*All dues, camping activity fees and permission slips are due at the first meeting of most months. This fee includes the following: $7 dues, camping food cost usually around $10-$12, camping location and equipment rental fee, and $1 for propane gas used on camping trip. Camping location and equipment fees could include actual campsite usage costs, canoe or boat rentals, camporee fees (usually around $15-$20) or site rentals. It is the goal of the Troop 33 committee to reduce these fees as much as possible by participating in fundraising activities like product sales through the “Fair Share program”. Camping locations are subject to change due to availability of sites and equipment. Many trips this year will include both regular and high adventure activities depending on the experience and age of the Scout. Regular Scouts are new Scouts through age 13. High Adventure activity requires at least First Class rank and 14 years of age. Some high adventure activities may require specific skill instruction outside of regular troop meetings and may combine with Venture Crew 331. Summer camp dates are approximate until necessary deposits have been made. It is the plan of the Troop 33 PLC for the troop to attend both Camp La-No-Che here in central Florida and Camp Rainey Mountain near Clayton, GA. It may be decided to split the dates so Scouts can attend both camps depending on programs offered. It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that Scouts attend summer camp!
February 2011
As we prepare for summer camp, June 11-19, 2011, it is time to look at what advancement and program opportunities your son would like to participate in. Cost for camp is $350. We are in need of at least two more adults to attend camp with our Scouts and depending on the number of Scouts attending we may need additional drivers. The adult fee is reduced but TBD.
Below is a link for the merit badges and programs available at Camp Rainey Mountain. On Thursday March 3, I can begin registering your son for the merit badges and activities. Please review this list and decide which badges he may be interested in. I do insist that ALL Scouts take First Aid merit badge their first year and I recommend that all Scouts attending camp for the first time go through the TNT program for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class.
If you have a question please let me know, otherwise please forward your son's selections to me as soon as possible. Remember to look at the schedule to make sure the class you want is available when you want it.
http://www.nega-bsa.org/doc/CampFiles2011/2011_CRM_Schedule_&_Course_Catalog_2.8.11.pdf, http://www.nega-bsa.org/doc/CampFiles2011/2CRM_Program_2011_p14-p39%20_rev_2.8.11.pdf, http://www.nega-bsa.org/summercampprograms.htm
January 2011
After becoming an Eagle Scout, you may earn Palms by completing the following requirements:
Be active in your troop and patrol for at least 3 months after becoming an Eagle Scout or after the award of last Palm.* Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.
Make a satisfactory effort to develop and demonstrate leadership ability.
Earn five additional merit badges beyond those required for Eagle or last Palm.**.
Take Part in a Scoutmaster conference.
Complete your board of review.
You may wear only the proper combination of Palms for the number of merit badges you earned beyond the rank of Eagle. The Bronze Palm represents 5 merit badges, the Gold Palm 10, and the Silver Palm 15.
* Eagle Palms must be earned in sequence, and the three-month tenure requirement must be observed for each Palm.
**Merit Badges earned any time since becoming a Boy Scout may be used to meet this requirement.
November 2010
Having completed the requirements for, and having been examined by an Eagle Scout Board of Review, Ben Duong was found worthy of the rank of Eagle Scout. Ben is the 2nd Eagle in Troop 33 and in honor of this achievement, we have scheduled a National Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony. Please join us on Friday, December 17, 2010 at 7pm at the Stoneybrook Recreation Center, Stoneybrook Blvd. Orlando, Fl 32828. Please join us in celebration!
Summer Camp June 11-19, 2011
Here is a link for the information regarding 2011 summer camp, http://www.nega-bsa.org/summercampprograms.htm
There are various tabs to follow regarding merit badges and other offerings. We will have our annual summer camp talk at the December Court of Honor and you should plan to make a deposit for your son at the first troop meeting in January. Approximate cost for camp will be $350, which will include camp fee, food and transportation up and back, 5 t-shirts and a white water rafting trip. If you should have any other questions please contact me.
August 2010
Scouts and Parents of Troop 33.
Item 1 in this forward is very exciting for those who have been to summer camp for a few years. Please review this information with your son and we will talk some more about it a troop meeting in the near future.
Item 2 is VERY important. All of our leaders need to be trained so we can recharter and be compliant to the new BSA regulations. According to our latest print-out several leaders need to be trained as soon as possible. I ask that all of our ASM's and Committee Members attend training so that we can provide the best Scouting to our sons.
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To recognize that passion for adventure, the BSA announces its new National Outdoor Awards. As we told you last year http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2009/11/coming-in-2010-national-outdoo r-award-badges.html> , the awards are available to Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts who meet specific requirements in one of five subject areas: camping, hiking, aquatics, riding, and adventure.
There are two levels of the award. Boys can start with the National Outdoor Badges. These are earned by boys who demonstrate "that they are knowledgeable, safe, and comfortable in the outdoor activity covered by the badge."
Each segment is earned by completing the First Class rank, earning relevant merit badges, and accumulating experience-nights of camping, miles of hiking, hours of swimming, etc.
Once they earn a segment, boys can go the extra mile (in some cases literally) and shoot for gold or silver devices, available for spending extra time on a particular activity.
The badges and devices are impressive, but the highest honor for outdoor lovers is the National Medal for Outdoor Achievement.
We originally reported that boys needed all five segments to earn the medal, but the National Camping Task Force has altered those requirements slightly.
The list of requirements is still daunting, though, meaning this medal isn't for everyone.
Boys must earn the Camping badge with a silver device and two other badges, each with gold devices. They must also earn four outdoor-specific merit badges, plan a unit outing, and take a Wilderness First Aid course and a Leave No Trace course, each 16 hours long.
Ready to introduce these new awards to your guys? You'll need the full requirements, listed after the jump, and the award applications (link opens PDF)
National Outdoor Badges for Camping, Hiking, Aquatics, Riding, and Adventure
Camping 1. Earn the First Class rank. 2. Earn the Camping merit badge. 3. Earn two of the following three merit badges: Cooking, First Aid, Pioneering. 4. Complete 25 days and nights of camping-including six consecutive days (five nights) of resident camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America-including nights camped as part of requirements 1 through 3 above. A gold device may be earned for each additional 25 nights of camping. A silver device is earned for each additional 100 nights of camping. The Scout may wear any combination of devices totaling his current number of nights camping.
Hiking 1. Earn the First Class rank. 2. Earn the Hiking and Orienteering merit badges. 3. Complete 100 miles of hiking or backpacking under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America, including miles hiked as part of requirement 2. A gold device may be earned for each additional 50 miles hiked. A silver device is earned for each additional 200 miles of hiking. The Scout may wear any combination of devices totaling his current number of miles hiking.
Aquatics 1. Earn the First Class rank. 2. Earn the Swimming and Lifesaving merit badges. 3. Earn the Mile Swim BSA Award. 4. Earn at least one of the following merit badges: Canoeing, Rowing, Small Boat Sailing, Whitewater. Complete at least 25 hours of on-the-water time, applying the skills that you learned in the merit badges. 5. Complete at least 50 hours of any combination of swimming, canoeing, rowing, small-boat sailing, or whitewater activity under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America, including time spent in requirements 2 through 4. A gold device may be earned for each additional 25 hours of aquatic activity. A silver device is earned for each additional 100 hours of aquatic activity. The Scout may wear any combination of devices totaling his current number of hours of aquatic activity.
Riding 1. Earn the First Class rank. 2. Complete at least one of the following: Cycling merit badge and 100 miles of cycling; or Horsemanship merit badge and 50 miles of horseback riding. 3. Complete 200 miles of riding activities, either on a non-motorized bike or a stock animal, under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America, including the miles in requirement 2. A gold device may be earned for each additional 100 miles of riding. A silver device is earned for each additional 400 miles of riding. The Scout may wear any combination of devices totaling his current number of miles of riding.
Adventure 1. Earn the First Class rank. 2. Complete either the Wilderness Survival or the Emergency Preparedness merit badge. 3. Complete 10 of any combination or repetition of the following adventure activities under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America:
a. A backpacking trip lasting three or more days and covering more than 20 miles without food resupply b. A canoeing, rowing, or sailing trip lasting three or more days and covering more than 50 miles without food resupply c. A whitewater trip lasting two or more days and covering more than 20 miles without food resupply d. A climbing activity on open rock, following Climb On Safely ,that includes camping overnight e. Earn the National Historic Trails Award f. Earn the 50-Miler Award g. Attend any national high-adventure base or any nationally recognized local high-adventure or specialty-adventure program Items 3a-g may be repeated as desired. A single activity that satisfies multiple items in 3a-g may be counted as separate activities at the discretion of the unit leader. Similarly, a single activity that doubles an item in 3a-d may be counted as two activities at the discretion of the unit leader. A gold device may be earned for each additional five activities. A silver device is earned for each additional 20 activities. The Scout may wear any combination of devices totaling his current number of activities.
National Medal for Outdoor Achievement
The National Medal for Outdoor Achievement is the highest recognition that a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout can earn for exemplary achievement, experience, and skill in multiple areas of outdoor endeavor.
In order for a Scout to earn the National Medal for Outdoor Achievement, the Scout must complete the following requirements:
1. Earn the First Class rank. 2. Earn the National Outdoor Badge for Camping with a silver device. 3. Earn any two additional National Outdoor Badges, each with two gold devices. 4. Earn the following merit badges: Backpacking, Emergency Preparedness, Nature, and Wilderness Survival. 5. Complete a 16-hour course in Wilderness First Aid from the American Red Cross, Wilderness Medical Institute, or other recognized provider. 6. Become a Leave No Trace Trainer by completing the 16-hour training course from a recognized Leave No Trace Master Educator. 7. Plan and lead, with the approval of your unit leader, an outing for your troop, team, patrol, or squad in two of the following activity areas: hiking and backpacking, aquatic activities, or riding. Include in each outing a service element addressing recreational impacts resulting from that type of activity. With the approval of your unit leader, you may plan and lead the outings for another Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, Varsity Scout team, Sea Scout ship, or Venturing crew. 8. Complete at least one of the following:
a. Plan and lead, with the approval of your unit leader, an adventure activity identified in the National Outdoor Badge for Adventure for your troop, team, patrol, or squad. b. Successfully complete a season on a council summer camp staff in an outdoor area, such as aquatics, Scoutcraft, nature/environment, climbing, or COPE
May and June 2010 Calendar
May 17 Troop meeting, theme canoe trip planning. Going over canoe organization, packing, canoe parts and safety. All Scouts must bring their 'Homer' buckets for inspection. $15 dollars due for canoe trip. This is your only chance to pay for this event, cash only please. $10 for food, $5 for canoe rental.
May 24 Troop meeting, NOT AT WOODBURY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Swim check and skill instruction at Stoneybrook Fitness Center pool. All Scouts going on the canoe trip must take swim test or else they cannot go on the trip.
May 25 (Tuesday) Committee Organizational Meeting for Venture Crew 1733. Time and location TBD.
May 29-30 (Saturday and Sunday) Canoe trip down the Withlacoochee River near Inverness Florida. We will meet at the church at 6:00am on Saturday and return on Sunday around 6:00pm on Sunday. Cost for the weekend is $15. All personal gear must fit in an water tight container. Sleeping bags should be wrapped in plastic that is water tight. Each Scout will need to bring at least 2 gallons of water and a filled water bottle or hydration pack. Food will be purchased by each patrol. Money is due at the May 17 meeting in cash.
May 31 MEMORIAL DAY NO TROOP MEETING!
June 4 (Friday) Eagle Court of Honor for Corey Marks, Troop 33's first Eagle Scout. All parents and Scouts are invited. Invitations will be passed out at the May 17 meeting, please RSVP. Troop 33 Scouts should be at the Stoneybrook Fitness/Activity Center at 6:30pm to assist in set-up. Full dress uniform including merit badge sashes and neckerchiefs.
June 5 (Saturday) Troop 202 Merit Badge Academy (see previous email forward)
June 7 Troop meeting and final summer camp preparation meeting. All parents please plan on attending with your son. We will also have a short recognition ceremony and installation of our new troop officers.
June 8 (Tuesday) Organizational Meeting for Venture Crew 1733. Location and time TBD.
June 9 (Wednesday) Last day of public school in Orange County
June 10 and 11 (Thursday and Friday) Indian craft workshop at Scoutmaster David Mott's home. Special guest Ron Bell. Contact me if you are interested. We will meet periodically over the summer on Thursdays. By the way, June 11 marks the date of Troop 33's first meeting in 2007.
June 12 (Saturday) Troop 33 2010-2011 planning meeting and training at Woodbury Presbyterian Church. All members of the PLC and troop leadership training team. 9:00am until 3:00pm. Lunch will be served. Bring calendars, handbooks, camping suggestions, water bottles and enthusiasm for a fantastic day of designing your program for the upcoming Scout year.
June 14 Troop meeting (Flag Day) Troop 33 Spirit day. Uniforms inspection and you must wear a green troop 33 t-shirt with your uniform. Summer camp t-shirts will be delivered at this meeting.
June 20-26 Summer camp at Camp La-No-Che Parents drive their son to camp. Details will be discussed at the June 7 meeting.
June 21 NO TROOP MEETING
June 27 Troop meeting final plans for those attending Camp Rainey Mountain.
May 2010
Dear Troop 33 Scouting Families:
The Scouts, Leaders and Members of the Boy Scout Troop 33 of Orlando take great pleasure in announcing that:
Having completed the requirements for, and having been examined by an Eagle Scout Board of Review, Corey Marks , Was found worthy of the rank of Eagle Scout. Corey is the 1st Eagle in Troop 33 and in honor of this achievement, we have scheduled a National Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony. Please join us on Friday, June 4th, 2010 at 7pm at the Stoneybrook Recreation Center, Stoneybrook Blvd. Orlando, Fl 32828. Please join us in celebration!
May 2010
Here are the latest merit badges from BSA. It is my hope that we will incorporate the speciall 100th Anniversary bdages into the calendar for 2010-2011. The Scouting Heritage badge is something each Scout may want to work on during the summer. I will be happy to be the counselor for this badge.
Scouting Heritage:
Pathfinding, Carpentry, SIgnalling and Tracking:
Be sure to check out the links for each of these merit badges. You will find them at the bottom of the General Info / Advancement link. They contain downloadable copies of the original merit badge books!
April 2010
Troop 33 has it's first Eagle Scout. Mr. Corey Marks passed with flying colors his Eagle Board of Review during the month of April 2010. He has trailblazed the path for all the other scouts to set their goals and aim high to achieve the Eagle Rank. Please join us in congratulating Corey and his Family for a job well done.