VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR CABIN FEVER
Our 2nd Annual Cabin Fever event will be held February 23rd at MVCC, and we’re looking for volunteers! Email Mike Donaghue for more information at michael.donaghue@scouting.org

BENEFIT FOR SCOTT WINCKLER
A benefit will be held for Scott Winckler on January 12 at 1p.m. at the Leon R. Roberts American Legion Post in Holland Patent. Scott was struck by an SUV on Father’s Day of 2013 and is permanently paralyzed from the waist down. The benefit will help with his medical expenses. Scott is an Eagle Scout from Troop 56 in Floyd, was a member of the OA dance team and is the son of Sue and Gary Wedgewood. The benefit will have food, raffles and Chinese auctions. If you cannot attend but would like to donate, contact Sue Wedgewood at 315-865-8901.

PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM
This year we applied for and received an American Heart Association Grant for a Get Out & Get Fit Program. With the money received, we were able to purchase snowshoes, ski poles and Akhio sleds as part of the Winter Challenge program. It is a 3 part program: Winter, Summer and Fall! So if you want to take the challenge come to the Gold Nugget (for Cub Scouts) or Klondike Derby (for Boy Scouts), Super Sports Saturday (Cub Scouts), Mighty Run (Boy Scouts) and Summer Camp (for Cub Scouts this includes Day Camp).

SUMMER CAMP KICK-OFF
Scouts and Leaders-don’t miss the Summer Camp Kick-Off on Thursday, January 23 at Utica College. The evening will begin at 7 p.m. in the Library Building on the campus. Parking is in “Lot C”. Information on Cub Scout Day Camps, Camp Kingsley, Camp Russell and Cedarlands Scout Reservation will be provided and our new Camp/Activity Card Sales program will be unveiled. Be the first in your area to get your fundraising cards at the Kick-Off! Door prizes and lots of great information will be provided! Click here to register!

CAMP CARDS
This year we are offering Units the opportunity to sell Camp Cards for $5.00 and keep 50%, or $2.50 per card! Come to the Summer Camp Kick-Off to learn more about the program. We’ve made several improvements, including a guide and the ability to use a smartphone to find participating locations.

Join us on January 23rd at 700pm for the Revolutionary Trails Council Camp Kick-Off event. It is being held at Utica College in the “Library Building.” Park in Lot C. Get all the information you need on Day Camp, Cub Family Camps, Camp Kingsley, Camp Russell and Cedarlands Scout Reservation for 2014.

There will be raffles and giveaways as always, and your chance to win a free week at either Camp Kingsley or Camp Russell. Bring the whole family.

To register contact Diane Drake at 735-4437, or through ConstantContact at the ScoutingCNY.org web site.

All Scouts– We have been invited to the Biathlon sponsored by T-108 and The Cassidy Hollow Rod and Game Club on Feb 8, 2014. The event will consist of firearm safety training in the morning, lunch and the biathlon in the PM. The biathlon will consist of 5 shooting stations on a 1 mile +/- course. Participants can cross-country ski, snowshoe or walk the course. 22 rifles will be located at each station. You must be 12 years old to participate (NY State Law). There is a cost for lunch and snacks. Please let me know if you are interested so that I can give a reasonable headcount for food.

Just a reminder that we will be packaging food for the needy at St. Thomas Parish center at 5:30 to 6:45 PM then going to Myles for our meeting. We need to have 6 to 8 scouts help with this project.

Also any gifts for the Adopt a Vet Holiday project are due at the Troop meeting. The items you signed up for should be wrapped and labeled.

If you have any questions regarding these two projects, call Rosella Pandolfo at 792-9939.

UNIVERSITY OF SCOUTING
Have you signed up yet for this great training opportunity to be held Saturday, Dec. 7 at Utica College? For just $10.00, you will receive a full day of exceptional training, great fellowship, plus a great buffet lunch at the college dining hall. Please click here for more details and to register.

GAWASA WINTER CAMPING TRAINING
Does your unit camp or participate in outdoor winter activities? Do you have adults and junior leaders trained and ready to conduct a safe outdoor winter event? GAWASA is the outdoor winter camping and activity training program designed to provide your unit with the knowledge to safely conduct a winter campout or event. The course is open to adults and Scouts that are First Class and above. The indoor session is being held during the University of Scouting on December 7th and the outdoor portion is the weekend of January 4-5 at Camp Russell. For more information, email course director Mark Perrin or click here to register.

CAMPMASTER TRAINING
We are seeking volunteers to serve as campmasters at camps Russell, Cedarlands, and Kingsley. Campmasters are trained and registered Scouters who assist units camping at council camps on weekends. Campmasters select their own time and frequency of service, but they usually serve two to four weekends a year.

Campmasters need some basic training to understand the procedures and responsibilities, and this training will be held at the University of Scouting on Dec. 7 at Utica College. The campmaster sessions are at 2 and 3 PM, and you would only need to attend one session. It’s not too late to register. Click here to sign up for this valuable training and thank you for volunteering for this important role! Click here to read more about Campmaster Training.

OA CUB SCOUT CAMPING AWARD
To promote camping and to encourage the development of outdoor skills and participation in outdoor activities, the Ga-Hon-Ga Lodge of the Order of the Arrow is pleased to announce its Cub Scout Camping Award. Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelos Cub Scouts are all eligible. Click here to learn more about the award, and how it is earned.

LEADERSHIP MINUTE
“If I only knew then what I know now.” For maximum impact as a leader, get the most training that you can get, as soon as you can get it. Boy Scouts offers a world-class training experience known as Wood Badge. This training experience is immersive and fun and is based on timeless leadership principles that will equip you with the tools you need to create the best experience for the youth in your unit and leave a legacy that lasts. Registration opens in December for a two-weekend course taking place August 15-17 and September 20-22, 2014. Save the dates.

SUMMER CAMP KICK-OFF
Join us at the Council’s Summer Camp Kick-Off to find out about Day Camp, Camp Kingsley, Camp Russell and Cedarlands Scout Reserve. Save the date: Thursday, January 9, 2014, Location TBA.

Those of you who attended the Eagle Court of Honor on Sunday 11/24 have already received this info.  I suggest that you decide which item(s) you would like to give and let Rosella Pandolfo know as soon as possible.  Rosella can then coordinate the gifts so that we will know what else needs to be acquired.  Please contact Rosella at your earliest convenience. The troop has  a veteran and his family (wife and baby). The items donated need to be in by Wednesday, December 11th.

Our monthly committee meeting will be this Wed at 6 PM, prior to the scout meeting, at Myles School cafeteria. As always, parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.

We will be finalizing plans for the Eagle court of Honor, discussing the University of Scouting and setting plans for the next couple of months. Hope to see you there.

SCOUT SERVICE CENTER CLOSED 11/11
The Scout Service Center is closing this coming Monday, 11/11 in observance of Veterans Day. Please help us by thanking all the veterans you know and those you come across over the next several days.

CALLING ALL TRAINERS!
We are deep into training season for all levels of Scouting. Our new Training Chairman, Mike Coughlin, is busy recruiting folks to fill important roles on upcoming courses. If you have an interest in providing the very best program to our youth, please consider being a trainer and contact Mike directly at lcmc@twcny.rr.com today. Thanks!

UPDATE ON UNIVERSITY OF SCOUTING
University of Scouting is ready to go on Saturday, December 7 at Utica College. A great group of folks are preparing to offer training in a variety of topics, from Winter Camping Fun to Youth Protection Training and everything in between. Look for a course schedule and registration materials in the mail soon and join us for this great day!

BE A SCOUT FORMS
At the Popcorn Pick Up each Unit was given an envelope with a Be A Scout form to fill out and return to the office. We ask that Units fill it out, mail or email back to the office attention: Diane Drake as soon as possible. This is so we can update the Be A Scout site with the correct Unit information.

SCOUTS IN ACTION
Troop 14 produced a short video commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Gettysburg Address (November 19th) and onoring Oneida County’s role in the Civil War. Click here to check it out!

There are several events in November.

Nov 8 Scouts attending Myles School should wear their uniforms and help with the flag ceremony.

Scouting for Food-  We will be collecting food Friday Nov 8 at NH Price Chopper from 4 until 9.  We will need scouts and adults to work 2 shifts.  We will have a sign up at the meeting on Weds.  We are also doing the traditional Scouting for Food bag pick up on Nov 9 starting at 9:30 AM at the NH American Legion.  We need drivers and scouts.  Other family members are welcome to help out.

Camp Out- Following Scouting of Food we will be going to Camp Russell for an overnight.  Webelos from P42 will be joining us.  We plan to have our usual turkey dinner.  The cost is $6/person CASH please.

Nov 11 is Veteran’s Day.  We will be meeting at the NH Veteran’s Memorial, (across from Utica National), at 2:45 for a 3PM service.  Be in Scout Uniform!

Nov 20 all $$ from Popcorn and Candy sales are due in to Donna Blenis.  You may pay earlier if you have completed your sales.  We would like you to convert any cash payments to a check so that we do not have to handle large sums of cash.  Checks should be made out to Troop 4 BSA.

Nov 24 Eagle Court of Honor for Sean Blenis at St Thomas Church Parish Center at 1 PM.  Rosella Pandolfo will be contacting each family for a head count and dish to pass.

Lastly Dec 7^th is the University of Scouting at Utica College.  Scouts First Class and above should consider GAWASA indoor session.  GAWASA is cold weather camping training.  The outdoor session will be held the 1^st weekend in Jan. at Camp Russell.  There will be also be training for adult leaders, committee members and parents. Please see the attached course listing.  The cost of UoS is $10/ person and includes a buffet lunch.

NOV-1: Popcorn and candy pickup from 500-600pm at Myles school.

NOV-2: If any Scouts can help with distributing the bags for Scouting for Food, please meet at 1000am at St. Thomas Church Community Center.

NOV-1 to NOV-3: Scouts in upcoming performance by New Hartford Masque
Please come out and support the New Hartford Masque’s production of “Aladdin” and local Scouts in the production!
More Information

NOV-6: Scout Meeting Plans
We will be collecting $6 per person going to the campout on 11/9 after Scouting for Food. We will need to know of any food allergies for anyone going on the campout. We will also be starting the Wilderness Survival merit badge.

NOV-8: Myles School Veterans Presentation
Please wear uniforms for any Scouts at Myles school on 11/8.

NOV-8: Help with Scouting for Food Tag Handouts
Price Chopper New Hartford, help with handing out Scouting for Food tags to shoppers and collecting bags. Need Scouts with uniforms and any parents wanting to assist from 400-900pm.

NOV-9: Scouting for Food Day
All Scouts should arrive by 1000am at the Legion. Scouts will disperse and pickup bags. There will be an overnight camping trip to Camp Russell ($6/person for food at camp).

NOV-11: Veterans Day Activities
We would like all Scouts to attend, in their uniforms, the Veterans Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in front of Utica National at 300pm.

Scouts Mentioned in Local News
Troop 4 New Hartford was mentioned as participating in the recent Camporee at the Trenton Fish and Game Club.

Klondike Derby
Planned for the first weekend in February 2014. Please see Mr. O if you’d like to submit a design for the Patch Contest.