Troop 278 Cabin Log

November 17, 2007

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Hello to all scouts and families in Troop 278.

Committee members ( Parents ) met in the cook’s cabin on Nov. 15 while Scout leaders (Greenbar) met in the log cabin.

The next Committee/ Greenbar meeting is Dec 20. Y’all come!

Here is a synopsis of what was discussed:

Changes- In December Nick Maliszewskyj will be assuming the role of Committee Chair. We extend many thanks to Hank Fairchild who has held this position for the past several years. Due to the impending graduation of some Senior Scouts(Josh Ramsey, Joe Fairchild, Billy Saccardi, and Russell Abney) there will be some vacancies in adult leadership positions.

Needed:

~Advancement Chair- to replace Nick Malisezskyj

~Equipment Chair-

~Treasurer- to replace Judy Saccardi

~Outings Coordinator- Perhaps combine this with Medical Form Coordinator?-- a position recently assumed by Peter Torres

~Merit Badge Coordinator- Carolyn King, mom of Christian has offered!

Parents, we need your help to keep the troop running smoothly.  Volunteering for one of these positions is a great way to stay informed about troop events and to participate in troop decisions. A troop is only as good as its volunteers. To learn more about these positions and what you can do to help, contact Hank, Nick, or Phillip.

Tree Lot – During the holiday season, Scouts will again be selling Christmas tress in the Safeway parking lot.  Committee voted that the lot remain open during Thursday evening Scout meetings. (Rationale: In the past, potential customers were confused by its closing.)  Adults who work Thursdays can either earn Scout Bucks for themselves, or for their sons. We will be taking delivery of the trees November 23. Please meet in the Safeway parking lot Friday morning, Nov. 23 at 8:00 AM with appropriate tools and clothing to help unload the 200 trees. Watch for e mails from Mr. Fairchild when it’s time to sign up on line. Check out the troop web site http://www.bobmccutcheon.com/278/index.htm to sign up for shifts. Select “Christmas Trees” and use the username “278” and password “trees” to sign up. Initially Scouts can sign up for one weekday and two weekend shifts. After a certain date (TBD) scouts can sign up for additional slots. Earn Scout Bucks for upcoming Ski Trips and Camps.

Ski Trip – Mark your calendars for the January 25-27 ski outing to Timberline in West Virginia.  The go-to gal is Mrs. Tice who reports that Scouts can ski through Sunday mid-morning.  Cost of lift tickets, food, lodging, ski rental, and gas is $175.  A $50.00 deposit is NOW due. Scouts will leave Safeway parking lot Friday night to arrive at Timberline around 10PM. They will get skis, and bunk down. Scouts can ski early morning through late Saturday night, and Sunday till noon.

Eagle News – Congratulations to Joe Fairchild, who passed his Eagle Board of Review on October 7. Billy Saccardi’s Eagle Project involved painting flats/ backdrops for sets at The Frederick Arts Council. Additionally, he painted a large mural depicting different art genres. Congratulations to Billy who passed his Eagle Board of Review November 17!

Winter Court of Honor Dinner – The Winter Court of Honor will take place at MUMC on Thursday, December 6 ( NOTE CORRECT DATE) at 6:30 pm. Scouts to arrive at 6:00 with dinner starting at 6:30. Christian King is the emcee. Christian will assign patrols to lead opening and closing exercises. He will make a bulletin-- listing Scouts and their advancements- and will assign scouts to present those advancements in rank. All Scouts are to wear their Class A uniforms! Mr. Ramsey is putting together a slide show. PLEASE SEND HIM PHOTOS OF ANY SCOUTING EVENTS/CAMPS … phillipramsey@yahoo.com. We will also invite our Troop sponsors, reps from Braddock Heights Optimists Club. ( So, be generous with food quantities!) The troop will provide paper products, drinks, and ice.

EACH FAMILY IS ASKED TO BRING A MAIN DISH TO SHARE. (ex: chicken, ham, lasagna, etc.) Additionally, each patrol is to bring the following:

Senior Staff: side dishes

Dragons: Salads

Rebels: Desserts

Golden Eagles: Desserts

KINDLY RSVP by 12/2 to Nancy.Kelley@fcps.org letting me know how many we can expect and what food you will bring.

Recent Camping Outings:

A. Fall Camporee for Appalachian Trail District held in Myersville: Highlights- Tyler Kelley earned “Top Scout” for rifle shooting- earning his family a free turkey from Safeway. Phillip Ramsey earned “#2 Adult”- coming in second place and earning rounds of golf at Musket Ridge. Nick Maliszewskyj earned “Top Adult” honors with his archery aim- rounds of golf at Maryland National.

B. Webelos Woods: There was a pizza party at Camp Baker Fri, Nov. 9. The following morning, after the boys scouted for food and it was dropped off at the Food Bank, our troop hosted Webelos from Pack 278. Webelos learned various scouting skills at different stations- and then ate and camped “Boy Scout style!” Many thanks to Laurie Bohanan and Nick Maliszewskyj for staying and helping!

UPCOMING CAMPING OPPORTUNITIES :

~Appalachian Trail District Camporee- March 28-30

~Spring Ordeal - April 25-27 ( tentative/ held at Camp Greentop?)

~ Philmont Scout Ranch (in New Mexico)– The date for the Philmont expedition has been locked in for July 4 – 18. Scouts 14 and older are invited to this high adventure outing. Here is the exiting itinerary Dr. Turell shared:

7/4- Leave for airport early to arrive in Colorado Springs by noon. Tour Air Force Academy. Evening: go to Flying W Ranch – a Hee -Haw like place for a dinner and musical show

7/5 - Drive to Pike’s Peek in the early morning- and either drive or take the cog railroad to the summit. Will it be cold and snowy at the top? This is where “America the Beautiful” was written.

That afternoon, scouts will tour La Junta, Colorado’s Bentz Oil Fort, the furthest west trading post on the Santa Fe Trail. The surroundings/ souvenirs are as they were in 1837! That night Scouts will stay at Koshare Kiva- a site founded by a Boy Scout Troop in 1920s. True Indian Lore and dancing is performed. Scouts will either sleep here- or in the gym of a (vacantJ) girl’s boarding school.

7/6- 6:30 am -Leave for Capulan National Park- the site of a perfect cone volcano. Scouts will go to the top to eat breakfast. 9:30 AM Arrive at Philmont where the process begins: Camp physicals, gear issued and inspected, and food issued for the trail.

7/7- Early AM get on a bus to go ten miles out to start the hike/backpacking trip. In addition to hiking 80+ miles with elevations from about 7,000 to 12,000 feet, there are many activities scouts might participate in: rock climbing, repelling, horseback riding, shotgun shooting, blacksmithing, spar pole climbing, and panning for gold. ( Yes , Dr. Turell has found a tiny amount on every trip- but not enough to buy anything with it!) Daytime temps may range from 100 degrees to below freezing at night. (Imagine seeing snow on the same day one sweats in the heat!) A ranger will lead the crew the first couple days, and then scouts/leaders will be on their own.

7/ 17- Return to base camp. Equipment inspection & turn in, buy ice cream, visit local museums.

7/18- Drive back to Colorado Springs for the return flight home. (Dr. Turrell is not positive about the final date yet, but will let us know soon.)

Tempted to go to Philmont Scout Ranch? It’s not too late! Pay now! Send a check for $500 deposit to Judy Saccardi now! Total cost, including airfare is $1,200-1,400 (See address at end) There will be a few “shake down” trips planned to fully prepare scouts for the physical challenges that await them. ALL scouts will be invited to join in these local shake downs.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Kelley

Troop 278 Meeting Plan

Date	Opening/Closing	Clean-up	Skill Training/Demonstration	Inter patrol Activity	Patrol Meetings
Nov 15			Greenbar/Committee Meeting 7
Nov 22			Thanksgiving - No meeting
Nov 29	Woxes	Rebels	Cooking Demo (Josh)	Eating contest!	Plan Patrol Activities
Dec 6	TBD	ALL	Court Of Honor @ MUMC Scouts 6:00 / others 6:30	Christian King- emcee
Dec 13	Dragons	Golden Eagles	Karate Demo ( Billy’s instructor) Or Cold Weather Apparel
Dec. 20			Greenbar/Committee Meeting 7
Dec 27			Winter Break - No meeting
Jan. 3			Scouts
Jan 10			Scouts
Jan 17			Greenbar/Committee Meeting 7

Troop 278 Activity Plan

Date	Time	Outing/Activity	Location
Fri, Nov. 23	8:00 AM	Unload Christmas trees	Safeway
Thurs, Dec 6		Court Of Honor - 6- Scouts/6:30 families	MUMC
Jan 25-27		Timberline Ski Trip	West Virginia
Feb. 28		Webelos invited to BS meeting	Camp Baker
March 28-30		A.T. District Camporee
Weekend of April 4-6 OR 11-13 OR 18-20		Camping with Troop from New Jersey	Antietam
April 25-27 (tentative)		Spring Ordeal	Camp Greentop (?)
July 4- 18		Begin Philmont trip (actual hike July 6-17)

Who’s WHO IN TROOP 278?

Senior Patrol Leader – Russell Abney (301) 371-8738

Scoutmaster – Phillip Ramsey (301) 371-8365

Committee Chairman – Hank Fairchild (301) 371-8478

Advancement Chairman – Nick Maliszewskyj (301) 371-7070

Membership Chairman – Dargan Glaze (301) 371-9209

Equipment Coordinator – Vacant. Call Mr. Fairchild if interested!

Medical Forms Coordinator – Peter Torres (301)371-0089

Merit Badge Adult Coordinator – Carolyn King

Newsletter Editor – Nancy Kelley ( 301)371-4922

Outings Coordinator – Rebecca/John Bergeron (301) 371-5136

Treasurer – Judy Saccardi (301) 371-7075

SEND ANY DUES OR CAMP CHECKS TO:

Judy Saccardi

4305 Mica Court

Middletown, MD 21769