March 29th, 2010:

First I would like to welcome our new scouts and their parents into the Troop 109 family. Every year we grow just a little bit stronger both in scouts and in parents that bring talent and support that is needed in running a “platoon” sized unit. We all want to have a program for our scouts that encompass learning life skills, citizenship, and leadership skills. We all also want a program that provides plenty of opportunity for our scouts. The more opportunity we can provide, the more life experiences that the scouts will have and the better equipped they will be to deal with life’s unexpected events that always seem to crop up.

I would certainly be remiss if I did not offer my sincere congratulations to Justin Miller for successfully passing his Eagle Scout Board of Review. Justin truly embodies what a Boy Scout is and should be. I look forward to working with him as an Assistant Scoutmaster and I know that he will continue to be a positive role model for the scouts.

Over the past couple of months the scouts have performed very well. At the Klondike last month I saw the scouts work together in three strong patrols. The scouts showed teamwork and scout spirit during some very difficult environmental conditions. The scouts persevered and came home with a total of 10 ribbons between the 3 patrols and 1 Troop ribbon for 2nd best troop entry-way.

I was also impressed with the Troop leadership. They took stock of the various patrols shortcomings. At our recent campout scouts worked on fire starting and lashings. Leadership did a great job in teaching the skills and I think all of the scouts should be able to get a fire started without the benefit of matches and I know that they are all more confident in their lashing abilities.

Looking toward the coming months we have several activities coming up in April that were set up by Jim Miller and Tammy Keller. Thank you to both of you for setting up our tour of a nuclear submarine and our archery trip to Hall’s Archery in Manchester. I will let you all try to figure out who set up which event.

The month of May will be a big month. We have a fishing derby to assist the Pack with and might camp out that weekend as well. We also have Justin Miller’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor on May 8th. We will have a patriotic service project the day before the Memorial Day Parade where we place flags on the graves of Veterans in the Town Cemeteries. The next day of course we march with the Pack in the Memorial Day Parade.

Remember many hands make light work. If everyone pitches in a little bit we can provide a scouting program that is second to none. We encourage and welcome any and all support that you can offer.

Check back often to follow up on the adventures of Troop 109.