News at 12

THE NEWS AT TWELVE

TROOP 12 - ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF LIVINGSTON

http://www.troop12livingstonnj.org

"All the News that Fits"

The following is the calendar of future events in which members of Troop 12 will participate during the 2010/11 season:

Patrol Leaders’Council (PLC) meetings are held on the first Monday of each month

We publish this calendar of events to give your son ample opportunity to get the most out of the Scouting program this season. This calendar was developed to give each Scout a chance to develop his skill and confidence in the outdoors along with opportunities to serve as a leader and, of course, just have fun. The adult leaders are committed to attend these outings but we need the boys to participate on a regular basis. Please post the schedule in a prominent location in order to avoid conflicts between your boy's Scouting events and your family's activities. The Troop Committee and Junior Leaders decided on these activities and dates at the planning meeting in July. Dates are subject to change depending upon reservation availability.

Troop 12 will start off the year with our first meeting of the new scouting season on September 8^th.

On September 11, the troop will provide a color guard for the town’s 9-11 ceremony at the oval (by the gazebo). This year will mark the 10^th anniversary of 9/11 so we hope that many of the scouts and their families will join us at this event.

Brendon Hickey’s Eagle Court of Honor will take place on September 15. All scouts and parents are invited to join us as we honor and celebrate Brendon’s achievements.

West Point is the destination for the first campout of the season (September 16-18). The Troop will tour the military academy as well as attend a football game.

Get ready to get dirty! On September 24, the Troop will perform two service projects for St. Peter’s Church and the VFW. On that day, we will be cleaning up the grounds of both the church and VFW hall. St. Peter’s Church is the sponsoring organization for our troop and provides us our much needed meeting room as well as storage space for our equipment. By doing the yard work and cleaning, the Troop can let the St. Peter’s Parish know just how much we appreciate their support!

The VFW has been long time supporters and champions of Troop 12 so we can demonstrate our thanks with the cleanup as well.

Wear work clothes, bring gloves and a garden tool (rakes, pruning shears, shovel) and join us on the 24^th.

It’s popcorn time! Popcorn is the only fundraiser for Troop 12. Proceeds from the popcorn sales help to pay for the fabulous troop activities/trips and limits the out of pocket expenses. This year, our popcorn season begins on September 8 and concludes on October 20 when all paperwork and money are due.

We urge all scouts and parents to participate in this critical fundraiser. The popcorn is excellent and if you are like this scoutmaster and you can’t eat it, popcorn makes a great gift or military donation!

Mark your calendar! October 6is the date for our Fall Awards Ceremony. We will recognize the achievements earned by our scouts at Camp Yawgoog and over the summer. The scouts have worked hard so all scouts as well as least one parent should attend this very special celebration.

Boo! Did you see a ghost in the Dining Hall? Was that a Werewolf at The Waterfront? Some strange and scary things were a-foot at Camp Yawgoog. But that’s no reason to be running scared! It was Halloween in July during Halloween Week at Camp Three Point at Camp Yawgoog.

Breaking our weather tradition of rain, Troop 12’s arrival at Camp Yawgoog was met with sunny skies!

On Sunday evening, 42 Scouts of Troop 12 set up camp in the Sleepy Hollow campsite, the troop’s “home away for home” for the past nine years. Evening activities included setting up troop equipment and settling in for the week’s stay. This year, there were a number of first time campers, so the more experienced Scouts helped the newcomers learn the fine art of setting up mosquito netting as well as the layout of the camp.

A typical morning in camp begins around 6:15 AM. The scouts wake to start the day. The first order of business is to prepare the campsite for the day. Sam Yang, Mikey Thompson, Dustin Cece, Timmy Xu, Chris Kui, Maurice Wong, and Aria Soltani led the troop in the activities. Tent flaps were rolled, water jugs filled, fire buckets topped off, fire pit prepared, campsite patrolled, tents swept, and flag ceremony completed. And all of this is done prior to breakfast!

Troop 12 did such an outstanding job at preparing the campsite that we achieved a FIRST class inspection from camp officials every day. The Scouts also were awarded the coveted Danny staff. The Danny staff is award to the Troop that maintains an exemplary campsite. The Danny staff is awarded to one troop each day and then passed onto the next award winning troop. It is tradition that each troop adds a decoration or memento to the staff. Keeping with the spirit, our scouts added a Troop 12 neckerchief to the Danny staff.

On Monday morning, the troop gathered for their official camp portrait and then on to the waterfront for orientation and swim tests. Successful completion of the swim tests not only allowed scouts and leaders to fully participate in waterfront activities but the test will also cover the swim test requirements for the upcoming whitewater camping trip as well.

Waterfront activities are always popular with the Troop. A number of Scouts including James Boffa, Elliot Cha, Dan Fernandes, Clement Lai, Jack Sweeny, James McGovern, Sam Thor, Chris Yap and Conrad Kurowski were “regulars” at the waterfront working on swimming, rowing, canoeing or lifesaving merit badges.

The challenge center was another popular camp location. The challenge center is a climbing course that includes a zip line. Several of the older scouts including Kaleb Alekel, Justin Yu, Dan Collins, Aria Soltani, Matt Scavetta, Mikey Thompson, Chris Kui and Menglong Guo worked on their climbing merit badge. (There was an age restriction for this merit badge, much to the dismay of some of the younger scouts). Even Mr. Brandt was seen zipping through the trees.

A number of Troop 12 scouts also attended classes at the Nature Center. Jeffery Lee, Robbie Brandt, Sahil Rodricks, Eliot Cha, Jonathan Kui, Dan Lai, Patrick Chen, Hoi Him Kwan, and Nicholas McCaffery were some of the scouts that worked on a wide range of nature related merit badges including weather, mammal study and reptile and amphibian study.

While the waterfront, challenge course and the nature center were popular destinations, THE most favorite to drop by was the Trading Post (fondly referred to as the “TP”). Virtually every scout and adult leader spent time at the TP. Whether a scout enjoyed a snack while working on merit badge homework; kicked back and relaxed with his friends or purchased one of the many Yawgoog souvenirs (sweatshirts and scout knives were especially popular), the TP was the social hub of the camp. (And the adult leader who served as banker was just about the most popular person in camp.)

In camp, meal times are not just an activity but rather an event. In the dining hall, scouts are encouraged, actually expected to demonstrate their scout spirit! Troop 12 clearly took the lead with songs and cheers. Leaders from other troops commented that they wished that their own scouts had as much scout spirit as our boys! Some of our first time campers including Matt Cha and Brian Collins quickly learned that no one was immune from being called on to lead the cheer and they jumped right in with enthusiasm. However, Jack Farrell’s rendition of the Three Point cheer was the most memorable.

Monday afternoon marked the opening of the Camp Yawgoog program centers and the start of the merit badge classes. Merit badge classes are offered from Monday-Friday. Class lengths vary depending upon individual badge requirements and the number of pre-requisites the scout completed prior to camp. Troop 12 scouts earned a total of 141 merit badges at Yawgoog. The most popular merit badges this year (it varies from year to year) was fingerprinting and camping. The boys were interested in a variety of different merit badges. Badges earned included: climbing, leatherwork, medicine, weather, mammal study, woodcarving, swimming, shotgun shooting and wilderness survival. The boys enjoyed working on the merit badges and learned some great skills and interesting facts along the way.

While in camp, a number of our scouts worked towards earning their world conservation award (often called the panda award). As part of the award, the scouts have to earn the following merit badges: citizenship in the world, environmental science and soil and water conservation or fish and wildlife management.

Halloween was the theme for the camp week. During the week, various competitions are held as each campsite work to earn top honors. For the costume competition, Aaron Brummer designed the Troop 12 costume. In keeping with the “spirit” of the theme, Aaron created a ghost with a pumpkin head ensemble. Although Aaron’s entry was a strong one, competition was fierce. While Aaron didn’t place in the contest, he won the applause of the entire Troop for a great effort.

The dessert baking contest is always another troop favorite. This year, Sam Yang served as the head chef as Sam, Dan Lai, Timmy Xu, Maurice Wong along with the assistance of Matt Sarett created this year’s entry. Nicknamed “Ichabod Crane,” the cake featured a rather gruesome and eerie pumpkin head. The cake was displayed on top of a Halloween theme tablecloth with candy pumpkins and candy corn scattered around the pumpkin to add a special effect. I am delighted to report that Troop 12 won first place in the competition!

The Yawgoog road race is another camp wide competition. Runners from each camp site are invited to compete. This year, Matt Scavetta led the charge for Troop 12. Matt did a great job and came in fourth place overall, nice job!

At the rifle range, Patrick Chen proved to be a most excellent marksman. Because of his superior shooting skills, Patrick earned the Winchester/National Rifle Association award. Using a 4 position rifle, Patrick qualified as a sharpshooter!

Birthday celebrations were also on the agenda during our week at Yawgoog. In two separate gatherings, the Troop celebrated the birthdays of Aaron Brummer and our own, Mr. Brady! You haven’t had a true birthday celebration until you have had the entire troop sing their rendition of the birthday song. Best wishes to both the birthday guys!

This year, the tough guy award goes to Nicholas McCaffery. While working on his woodcarving merit badge, Nicholas had a close encounter with his Boy Scout knife resulting in six stitches to his finger. Thanks to the excellent care by Mr. Brady, Mrs. Thor, Mr. Alekel and Mr. Brandt, Nicholas received the medical attention that he needed and returned back to camp to finish out the week. Being the tough guy that he is, Nicholas joined in all of the camp activities (but took a partial on woodcarving).

A special note to parents: this kind of medical emergency highlights the importance of having current medical forms. Because all of the medical information including insurance details was readily available, Nicholas was able to quickly and easily receive medical attention. Kudos to the Troop Committee and the parents for maintaining updated files.

At Camp Yawgoog, it isn’t just the scouts that learn. Summer camp is also a great place for adults to attend training classes and further develop their scout skills. Through the years, many members of the Troop Committee have taken advantage of the wide variety of training available to Scout Leaders. This year, Mr. Brandt participated in several courses and has returned as a fully trained Scoutmaster.

A Troop 12 camping trip is not complete without our traditional campfire. Although the scouts are treated to a Yawgoog wide campfire in the amphitheatre hosted by the Yawgoog staff, Troop 12 also likes to have one of their own as well. This year, Maurice Wong, Robbie Brandt and Matt Sarett organized the evening of skits and songs. The boys found planning to be a bit of challenge. Because there was an Eagle Court of Honor at the nearby Dining Hall, the Troop was asked to conduct a quiet campfire. With our troop’s legendary scout spirit, that was a tall order, but the scouts pulled it off.

Saturday morning was a day of leisure for most of the scouts as blue cards (merit badge cards) are gathered and the boys enjoy a final visit (or two) to the trading post. Special thanks to Brendan Hickey and Peter Keene for coordinating the collection of blue cards. However, the afternoon was filled with the excitement of the swim carnival. Many members of our troop participated in the competition including Kaleb Alekel, Jack Collins, Kevin Fong, Max Brustein, Dan Collins and Mikey Thompson. In the Scoutmaster splash, Mr. Brandt demonstrated his best belly flop dubbed the “Sleepy Hollow splash.” Troop 12 tied for first place but ultimately we had to settle for second place when we lost in the water limbo tie breaker.

During the week, one of most popular in-camp activities was chess. Many scouts enjoyed friendly competition. While there were some great games, Max Brustein and Menglong Guo proved to be the tough challengers to beat.

If we gave an award for the most imaginative uniform, Sahil Rodricks would be a strong contender. Sahil’s colorful sock combinations were the most memorable of the campsite (and hard to miss!)

One of the traditions of camp is for the troop to vote for the camper that had most improved his skills during summer camp. The troop also casts a vote for the “honor” camper. This is a scout that consistently demonstrated scout spirit, participated in troop activities; coached younger scouts and in general helped out whenever he can. Elected solely by the scouts, this year’s winners were Hoi Kwan for most improved scout and Nicholas Couper for honor scout. Congratulations to Hoi, Nicholas and all of the scouts in Troop 12 for a job well done!

Special thanks to all of the adult leaders that assisted this week. We simply couldn’t do it without you!

We have a new district and a new district name. Over the summer, the Northern New Jersey Council announced the creation of new districts within the council. In an effort to provide improved scouting support, all of the districts including Orange Mountain have merged into three larger districts. Our new district is Lenape Trail and it encompasses virtually all of the Essex County troops. Best wishes to the new district and we look forward to exciting new activities!

As we kick off a new season of camping, it is important to take time to check out the scout’s closet to ensure that all of their clothing is ready to go. Make sure that his uniform, rain gear and hiking boots still fit and are in good condition. As your scout outgrows his scout pants, rain gear or troop shirts, please consider passing it on to a younger scout or donating to the Troop 12 scout closet.

With cold camping approaching, it is imperative that each scout dresses in layers to keep warm. A key component to dressing properly is long underwear. However, there are many types of long underwear to choose from and some are better than others.

Long underwear made of polypropylene or one of the other new synthetic fibers is the best choice. These new type of fabrics help to wick away moisture from the body and a dry body will stay warmer. This is the same type of long underwear used by winter athletes. Most sporting goods and camping stores carry a full line. Be sure to select long underwear that fits snugly but not tightly so your scout will wear it and follow all washing instructions closely.

Merit badges are an integral part of the scouting experience. For the new scout or the interested parent, here are some tips to take the mystery out of the blue card (merit badge) process.

· Select a merit badge to work on and obtain a signed blue card from Mr.Brandt. The blue card is a three part form. Keep all parts of the form intact.

· Find a merit badge advisor. A listing of merit badge advisors is posted on the Troop 12 bulletin board. If a merit badge is not listed there, ask Mr. Brandt to help identify one for you.

· Fill out all of your information (name, address, council name, merit badge name) in INK. The merit badge counselor can complete their information.

· Contact your merit badge advisor. Each merit badge advisor will work differently. Some advisors will want to meet with you prior to review the requirements; others may want to meet on a periodic basis. Discuss and agree how you and the merit badge advisor will work together.

· Remember that scouting is based on the buddy system. Find a fellow scout to work on the badge with you or plan to bring along a buddy or parent to your merit badge meetings.

· Upon completion of the merit badge, the counselor will keep the “Counselor” portion of the blue card. Double check to make sure that the counselor has signed the card. (Adults make mistakes too.)

· Hand in the remaining two part blue card to Mrs. Brandt or Mr. Pondiscio.

Did you know that NASA, LEGOS Education foundation along with a host of other organizations partnered with the Boy Scouts to create the new robotics merit badge?

The Robotics merit badge is part of the BSA’s new curriculum emphasis on STEM: science, technology, engineering, and math. The BSA focus on STEM takes a fun, adventurous approach to helping Scouts develop critical skills that are relevant and needed in today’s competitive world. The new merit badge is one of 31 STEM-related merit badges that Scouts can earn.

This merit badge involved approximately 14 months of development and input from more than 150 youth members, leaders, and industry professionals from across the nation. Earning the Robotics merit badge requires a Scout to understand how robots move (actuators), how they sense the environment (sensors), and how they understand what to do (programming). Scouts will design a robot and demonstrate how it works. The BSA anticipates more than 10,000 Robotics merit badges will be earned in its first year.

The BSA developed the Robotics merit badge because of the wide-reaching impact of robotics and the role STEM will continue to play in young people’s lives moving forward. Robots are used in almost every field—in medicine and manufacturing, law enforcement and search and rescue, and space and underwater exploration. They appear regularly in daily life, be it vacuuming, mowing the lawn, and/or cleaning the pool. Even some video game controllers are considered robots.

TROOP COMMITTEE