The annual Klondike Derby is Jan 30 to Feb 1 at Camp Russell. We will be staying in the Dining Hall which is heated and has mattresses. During the day on Saturday the Dining Hall will be used for a warming area as well as lunch by the entire District, so we will have to move our gear to the far end.
Also a reminder we will be conducting the final Board of Review this week for the Court of Honor next week. Parents should plan on attending the Court of Honor Jan 21.
When– Feb 7, 2015
More details and registration here: Registration
The Klondike Derby will be held on Jan 30 at Camp Russell. We will be in the Dining Hall Friday and Saturday nights. The Dining Hall will be used for lunch and as a warm up station for the event Saturday. Please look through the Leaders Guide sent separately by Scoutmaster O as it describes all of the activities and what equipment & materials each patrol will need. The troop has two sleds and several snow snakes. You may wish to build your own snow snake.
Patrol Leaders should be preparing their Patrol for the event challenges during January troop meetings.
From Scoutmaster O —
Several scouts who attended summer camp in the past 2-3 years have completed many of the requirements for Cooking MB. I believe I handed out information on nutrition & diet a couple of months ago. Since that time many of you may have been working on Salesmanship and/or Mammal Study and I haven’t pushed the Cooking MB. I would like to continue with Cooking starting in January. Attached is a workbook which may help you. It is 30+ pages long. We will be using parts of it, particularly the sections where you must “explain to your counselor” or “create a menu” etc.
If you are interested in completing this Eagle Required MB, print out the work book and begin over the holiday break.
NEW HARTFORD ROTARY PANCAKE BREAKFAST– Thanks to everyone who participated in the NH Rotary Pancake Day. We donated 129 hours of community service!
SCOUTING FOR FOOD– For those who may not have heard, we collected over 3800 items for Feed Our Vets during our annual Scouting for Food event two weeks ago. This is the best collection in our history. Great Job! From Rick Watkajtys, Boy Scout Chair, New Hartford Legion Post #1376:
NEXT SCOUT MEETING– There is no scout meeting this week. Have a Happy Thanksgiving. Candy money is due at our next scout meeting on Dec 3.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Camp Properties Discussions
On December 19, 2013, in an effort to determine what kind of property is needed to deliver a quality outdoor program to our membership, the Executive Board of Revolutionary Trails Council asked the Camping Committee to evaluate the Council’s Camping and Outdoor Program, and determine what types of outdoor program are desired by our units. The Camping Committee delivered their report to the Executive Board on May 1, 2014.
The Executive Board then appointed a Properties Evaluation and Recommendation Committee to review the Camping Committee report, along with collecting additional information. Experienced Scouters from all areas of the Council, including the Properties, Program, and Finance Committees, made up the task force that developed the report.
Why We Are Doing This: The Case for Change
It is about growth: Exceptional properties support great programs, which will attract and retain members.
It Is about improving facilities: Legacy camps and facilities need upgrades to meet National standards – we must consider maintenance and capital improvements for camps selected for long term investment.
It is about underutilization: The current system, with three camps, is underutilized, with significant financial losses.
General Recommendations
Customer Service: Change the Culture – all camps are “Our Camps”.
Operational Integration: Leverage opportunities for improved customer service and lower cost in supply chain, technology, food service, equipment sharing, maintenance planning, staffing and training.
Financial Stewardship: Increase efficiencies and utilization with fewer camps. All non-resident camps must operate at cost neutral and meet camp standards, or risk closure. Camps should provide a positive cash flow in order to facilitate future investment in camp programs and facilities.
While no final decision has been made regarding our camp properties, the Properties Evaluation and Recommendation Committee would like to present its progress to the volunteers and supporters of the Council. Three meetings have been scheduled in different areas of the Council to present the report. Please share this e-mail with anyone that you feel would be interested.
The three meetings are scheduled for:
Monday, October 27th – 5:30PM
Herkimer BOCES
352 Gros Blvd, Herkimer, NY
Tuesday, October 28th – 5:30PM
Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES
4747 Middle Settlement Rd, New Hartford, NY 13413
Monday, November 3rd – 6:30PM
Madison-Oneida BOCES
4937 Spring Rd, Verona, NY
All of the supporting materials are available on the Council website under the “Camping” tab, then select “Properties Evaluation Information” HERE
Popcorn pickup is Thursday Oct 30. We are picking up the entire order, 198 cases, in Rome at 3:15. We will be sorting individual orders at Myles School and should have them ready by 5:30 PM +/-. You must pick up your son’s order by 7PM! Candy will be not be in for a couple of weeks due to production at Gertrude Hawk.
Saturday 11/1 we are putting out 1800+/- Scouting for Food bags starting at 9 AM from the NH American Legion. Several people have indicated that they are not available due to other commitments. We need at least 20 scouts and 10 drivers. Please try to make this Good Turn!
We will be picking up the bags on Nov 8, again starting from the Legion at 9 AM. Following the bag collection we will have some pizza etc. then be leaving for an overnight at Camp Russell. If you are planning to go on the campout you need to bring $7 cash for food. Mr. Cope is in charge of the campout. He is cooking his famous deep fried turkey with all the fixin’s for dinner. Scouts will have an opportunity to complete orientation requirements and a service project for Mammals Study MB.