IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
We would like to share with you that our Scout Executive, Michael Donaghue, after 30 years of service to the Boy Scouts has decided to pursue other interests. We wish him well, and if you see him, be sure to thank him! Our interim Scout Executive is Brad Bowersox, who is our Area 3 Director.

10 COMMANDMENTS HIKE CANCELLED
Please be aware that this weekend’s 10 Commandments hike has been cancelled.

ANNUAL CLEAN AND GREEN
Reminder: Saturday, April 26 is Clean and Green Day. We encourage you and your Units to participate in your local community’s Clean and Green initiatives to improve the streets and natural resources around us. Make sure to log in your community service hours.

IMPORTANT SUMMER CAMP INFORMATION
Boy Scout Summer Camp: Deposits due Tuesday, April 15. $50/Scout. If your Unit hasn’t made its $100 site reservation, please do so as soon as possible.

Provisional Troop: Not going with your Troop, or want to go again? Well you can! Both Camp Russell and Cedarlands will both have Provisional Troops this year. If you’re interested, contact Sam Getman, Council Camp Coordinator.

Camperships Available: Generous donations have allowed the Council to offer ten, $100.00 camperships for Scouts to apply for use to attend Cedarlands. Use the Operation Sunshine form, fill it in, print on the top: CSR CAMPERSHIP, and turn it in by April 15.

Operation Sunshine: Applications due Sunday, June 1. Click here to download the 2014’s application.

MOM & ME CAMPOUT
Don’t have any ideas for Mother’s day? Come join us for our annual Mom & Me campout! Mom & Me is a special weekend of adventure for mom and son doing the things that Scouts do: shooting sports, climbing, hiking, arts and crafts, games and much more! Mom & Me will take place Friday, May 9 – Saturday, May 10 at Camp Kingsley. Click here to register.

ANNUAL BSA GOLF CLASSIC AT TEUGEGA COUNTRY CLUB
Join us on Monday, May 12, 2014 for our annual Golf Classic! This year’s event will be at the beautiful Teugega Country Club in Rome. Registration and lunch will begin at 11:30AM, shotgun start at 1:00PM. Awards, cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres immediately following play. For more information, and to register individual golfers and teams, click here.

COUNCIL ANNUAL RECOGNITION DINNER
The date is May 15, the location is Daniele’s Banquet House on Rt. 5 in New Hartford, and the cost is $25.00 per person. Registration will be available shortly. Come join us in recognizing some great Scouters at this annual dinner. Reminder-nominations for Silver Beaver and District Award of Merit are due this week!

COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING DATE CHANGE
The date changed to Thursday, June 19, and the location will be the Scout Service Center in Utica. An invitation to all the council’s voting members has been sent out reflecting this change.

OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP TRAINING OPPORTUNITY
All leaders should be trained for their role in Scouting and that includes training in outdoor skills and leadership. All Cub and Scout Leaders should are urged to join your council trainers on May 3-4 at Camp Kingsley when we are offering Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills, Outdoor Skills for Webelos Leaders, and Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) for Cub Scout Leaders. Registration will be available on-line this week.

NYLT REGISTRATION
Registration for National Youth Leadership Training, May 23-25 and May 30-June 1, is now available on the Council’s website. Scouts, parents and leaders are urged to register now! Space is limited.

WOOD BADGE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
Receive the highest level of adult Scout leader training available by attending Wood Badge Training. We are partnering with the Otschodela Council in Oneonta to run the course over 2 weekends late this summer (August 15-17) and early fall (September 20-22). Any adult leader may attend and enjoy this amazing experience. More information is here.

All:  We handed out NH Rotary Pancake tickets to all scouts in attendance. Each packet has 5 or 6 tickets which scouts should sell for $8 ea. or 2 for $15.  You are responsible for these tickets.  Please turn the money in at our next meeting on April 23 or at the latest on April 30.  We must turn the money in to the Rotary before the Pancake Day on May 3.  The Rotary usually donates $500 back to the troop, which we apply to the cost of the spring trip.  On April 30 we will have a signup sheet so each scout can sign up for the hours they would like to work.

Spring Trip to Scranton is May 9-11.  We will be leaving NH Friday after school and being going to a scout camp outside of Scranton, PA.  We have reserved two cabins with bunks and electricity.  We need to have an exact head count for the Coal Mine Tour and the Baseball game. To date I have 22 scout signed up.  If you are going and have not given me the $30, I will need the money at our next meeting on April 23.  This will be the cut off!!!

 We have 26 scouts signed up with a deposit (or more) for summer camp which will be August 3-9 at Cedarlands.  The $50 deposit is due by April 15 NEXT TUESDAY. If you are planning to go to Summer Camp you will need to get me a minimum of $50 by Monday April 14.  The following scouts are not yet registered for summer camp Matt Bailey, David Bauer, Frank Dardano, Doug Flory, Brennan Lott, Noah Love, Trevor Owens, Paul Tedesco.

We will be doing our annual Clean and Green on Saturday April 26 at the NH American Legion and NH Veterans Park.  Following the cleanup we will be going to Camp Kingsley for an overnight. This is an important campout especially for our newest scouts.  The boys will be planning their menus at the next troop meeting on April 23. I believe $5 cash will be enough to cover the food.  Each patrol will buy their own food for this event.

The spring trip to Scranton is May 9-11 and will include a tour of the Lackawana County Coal mine/museum, Steamtown National Historic site/museum and a AAA Baseball game. We are staying in cabins at a nearby scout camp. The cost of the spring trip is $50 for scouts and registered leaders ($30 for scouts who work at the Pancake Day)and $60 for other adults. This includes travel, overnight stay, food and entry fees to the venues. I would like $30 to get a firm head count by 4-9. If writing a check please make it out to TROOP 4 BSA.

Summer camp is Aug 3-9 at Cedarlands in Long Lake. The cost is $325 if paid in full by June 1. I need a minimum $50 non-refundable deposit by Weds 4-9. This secure a spot for your son at camp at the lowest camp fee. If writing a check please make it out to Revolutionary Trails, BSA.

If you have outstanding Camp Cards, you need to get them sold ASAP and turn the money in to Mr. Pandolfo. He has additional cards if you would like to earn more money toward summer camp.

SPRING POPCORN SHOW AND SELL
If you have not signed up for the Spring Sale, now is the chance. A great opportunity to raise that last little bit of money to go to Camp or other summer activities. If you are interested email Rolland Miner before April 1, 2014.

ANNUAL BSA GOLF CLASSIC AT TEUGEGA COUNTRY CLUB
Join us on Monday, May 12, 2014 for our annual Golf Classic! This year’s event will be at the beautiful Teugega Country Club in Rome. Registration and lunch will begin at 11:30AM, shotgun start at 1:00PM. Awards, cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres immediately following play. For more information, and to register individual golfers and teams, click here.

NYLT REGISTRATION
Registration for National Youth Leadership Training, May 23-25 and May 30-June 1, is now available on the Council’s website. Scouts, parents and leaders are urged to register now! Space is limited.

SUPER SPORTS SATURDAY
Super Sports Saturday was a big hit this year with over 150 people attending. Congratulations to this year’s winners: Ilion Cub Pack 9!

WOOD BADGE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
It’s been a few years since our Council hosted a Wood Badge course. Here’s your opportunity to get this valuable training. We are partnering with the Otschodela Council in Oneonta to run the course over 2 weekends late this summer (August 15-17) and early fall (September 20-22). Any adult leader may attend and enjoy this amazing experience. Mark your calendar. More information is here.

COLLEGE OF COMMISSIONER SCIENCE
Are you a Commissioner or just want to know what a Commissioner does? If so, attend the College of Commissioners Science in Syracuse on Saturday, April 12, 2014. For more information contact Mark Miller, Diane Drake or Rolland Miner at the Scout Service Center (315-735-4437).

ANNUAL DINNER AND MEETING
As announced in the last Scout Wire, please save the night of Thursday, May 15 for the RTC Annual Meeting and Recognition Dinner. Location and other details will be forthcoming. Reminder: send in your nominations for Silver Beaver and District Award of Merit now to the Scout Service Center.

This Wednesday 3/26/2014 we will have our monthly committee meeting at 6 PM. All leaders and committee are encouraged to attend. Parents are also welcome.

This week is also our Court of Honor. We will be inducting several new scouts and have a number of advancements. We will be discussing summer camp and Friends of Scouting. At least one parent should attend. We will have refreshments if everyone remembers to bring a a few cookies, etc. Scoutmaster will have juice drink and coffee.

Also, if you have Camp Cards, please get them sold and bring in the money on Wed 3/26. We need to get a good accounting on these sales. We have more cards available if you need them.

Announcement!

Join your council training team on Saturday, March 29 from 9 AM to 5 PM to complete the indoor portion of Boy Scout Leader Basic Training.

The course will be held at the Scout Service Center in Utica.

To be a fully trained Boy Scout leader, you must complete this and the outdoor training session scheduled for the first weekend in May at Camp Kingsley.

Anyone interested, should call the Scout Service Center at 735-4437 and speak with Sam or Amanda.

The Court of Honor has been rescheduled for 3/26 due to the storms during the week of 3/10.

The boys suggested having a snack after the ceremony. Please bring some cookies etc. Scoutmaster will have fruit drink and coffee.

LAST CHANCE TO TAKE THE OUTDOOR PROGRAM SURVEY
We’ve heard from Leaders and Parents. We really need to hear from Scouts. If you haven’t taken the survey or your unit hasn’t done so yet, please have them take it by the end of the week. The survey closes this Sunday at midnight. We want to hear from everyone. And remember, every respondent will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win any jacket of their choice in our store. We’ll be selecting 1 scout, 1 leader and 1 parent. Take the survey now.

SPRING POPCORN SHOW AND SELL
Get your Scouts to Summer Camp! We’re offering a quick Popcorn Show and Sell this Spring (4/15 – 6/8) to help Scouts get to camp. Because this sale has no prizes the percentage back to the Scout and Unit is higher. Orders are due on Friday, March 28th. If you are interested contact Rolland Miner at rminer@bsamail.org. More info is in this guide.

SUPER SPORTS SATURDAY
Its almost here. Have you been working out? Are you a prepared Cub Scout? On March 22nd from 10am to 2:00pm your Pack Team Skills will be tested at the RTC’s Super Sports Saturday. Challenges in Archery, Soccer, Basketball, Hockey, Biking and yes it’s cold out but believe it or not Swimming. So where is this all happening ? at Herkimer Community College Gym. Registration is $8.00 per Youth (includes a patch). You can buy the stadium lunch or bring your own. See you there if you dare!

RANGE SAFETY OFFICER COURSE OFFERED
Anyone in interested in obtaining the KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ATTITUDES essential to organizing, conducting and supervising safe shooting activities and range operations should attend this course from 10am – 4pm at Gander Mountain in New Hartford on April 26th and 27th. Cost is $35 for BSA members and $75 for non-BSA members. Plus $30 certification fee for NRA members and $35 for non NRA members. For more info, contact Dave Roberts at dave_r_jr@yahoo.com

WILDERNESS FIRST AID COURSE OFFERED
Troop 2 in Oneida is sponsoring a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course from 8:30 – 4pm at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Oneida on March 22 – 23. The course satisfies the Wilderness First Aid requirement for BSA High Adventure programs. It is limited to 24 participants and pre-registration is required. Anyone interested should contact Matt Jacobs at 315.363.0418 or matt.jacobs@twcny.rr.com. More information is here.

NYLT REGISTRATION
Registration for National Youth Leadership Training, May 23-25 and May 30-June 1, is now available on the Council’s website. The early bird deadline to register has been extended to March 15. Scouts, parents and leaders are urged to register now! Space is limited.

COUNCIL RECOGNITION DINNER/ANNUAL MEETING
Mark your calendar and save the date of Thursday, May 15th for this important event where we celebrate the accomplishments of many of our leaders and a great year of Scouting. The annual meeting will be held immediately before the dinner. More details to follow.

Also, we’re accepting Silver Beaver and District Award of Merit nominations until April 15th. Please submit them to the council service center or give them to any council staff member.

WOOD BADGE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
It’s been a few years since our Council hosted a Wood Badge course. Here’s your opportunity to get this valuable training. We are partnering with the Otschodela Council in Oneonta to run the course over 2 weekends late this summer (August 15-17) and early fall (September 20-22). Any adult leader may attend and enjoy this amazing experience. Mark your calendar. More information is here.

All:  This is a reminder that we hold a swim night in lieu of our normal troop mtg. this week.  The time is 5:30 to 6:45 at the NH Ralph Parry Jr High on Weston Rd.  You need to have a swim suit and towel.  Everyone should review the 8 point Safe Swim defense in the hand book.   Try to be there by 5:15 so that we can get right into the pool at 5:30.

All:  We will be holding our Court of Honor Wednesday March 12 at Myles.  The boys suggested having a snack after the ceremony.  Please bring some cookies etc.  I have fruit drink and coffee.  If the storm today and tomorrow causes the after school programs to be canceled, we will reschedule the Court of Honor for 3-26.

3-19 is swim night at Parry Jr. High from 5:30 to 6:45.