We will be holding our ‘kick off’ planning meeting for the Troop Committee on Wednesday, August 28 at 600pm at the house of Scoutmaster Paul Obernesser. Mr. O will get hot dogs and hamburgers. Please bring a small dish of your choice to pass. All committee members, uniform leaders and parents are welcome to attend. Patrol leaders and Senior Patrol are also invited. We will be planning the year’s events through summer camp in 2014.

ADDRESS– 5027 Albrecht Road in Westmoreland (Rome mailing address). From New Hartford take Rte 5 to Rte 233, then go north through the hamlet of Westmoreland. Go over the Thruway and take the 1st left onto Eureka Rd. Go 2.2 miles to the hamlet of Bartlett. Go right 100 ft. and take an immediate left (in front of the Bartlett Baptist Church). This is still the Eureka Rd. Go 2 miles and take a left onto Albrecht Road. It is the 3rd house on the left. If you get lost please call 315-337-6402.

Please RSVP with the number attending so that we can get enough meat and rolls.

POPCORN
Show-n-Sell orders are closed. Popcorn delivery will be at the Popcorn Kick-Off on Thursday, 8/15 at Rome Free Academy. Look for Take-Order flyers in your mailbox before 8/15. Scouts can sell popcorn immediately upon receiving the flyer. If you do not receive a flyer please contact the Scout Service Center.

FALL PROGRAM KICK-OFFS
All Units should plan to have a representative at the District Program Kick-Off in August. Adirondack Foothills District will hold their kick-off on Monday, 8/26 at the pavilion at the Frankfort Marina off Railroad Street. Powderhorn District will hold their kick-off at Rome Free Academy on Thursday, 8/15 in conjunction with the Council Popcorn Kick-Off.

EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT IDEA
The Literacy Coalition of Herkimer and Oneida Counties is interested in partnering with prospective Eagle Scouts on a variety of projects promoting literacy. Scouts looking for a great Eagle Project should contact Lara Sepanski Pimentel, Director, at larasp@unitedwaygu.org.

FALL CAMPOREE
Troops and Webelo Dens: Save the weekend of 10/18-10/20 for our council-wide Fall Camporee at Trenton Fish & Game Club. Shooting sports will be featured and all participants will be able to earn a variety of badges. More details will be given at the program kick-offs in August.

WELCOME NEW COUNCIL STAFF
Mike Donaghue, Scout Executive, is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to the Revolutionary Trails staff. Michael Harwood has been selected as our new District Executive. Mike is an Eagle Scout from Brewerton, NY and currently is serving as an Assistant Scoutmaster in his home troop.

Siobhan Woods will replace Ariana as Development Assistant. She starts next Friday and comes to us from the Stanley Theater where she works in both marketing and development. While she will be missed, we congratulate and wish Ariana well as she heads off Syracuse University College of Law.

This year’s World Brotherhood Camporee is September 27-29, 2013 at Riverside-Cedar Park, Morrisburg, Ontario. To travel between the United States and Canada scouts will need a photo ID, which can be obtained through the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, or a valid passport. Adults will need an enhanced NYS driver’s license or a valid passport. We will also need a permission slip signed by the parents for anyone going without a parent. We’ll distribute permission slips at a meeting in September.

JAMBOREE PATCH SETS NOW AVAILABLE
Jambo Patch 1 With the National Scout Jamboree now in full swing, you will want to get your NSJ patch sets before they are sold out. Patches can be purchased at the Scout Service Center.

PROGRAM KICK-OFFS COMING IN AUGUST
Unit Leaders, please save one of the following nights in your calendar for our August Program Kick-Off BBQ:
Adirondack Foothills: Monday, 8/26
Location and additional details to follow.

CHICKEN BBQ
Brooks BBQ will be hosting a chicken BBQ Wednesday, 8/7 from 5PM-8PM at Rotary Park, Little Falls.
Dinner will include chicken, salt potatoes, coleslaw, rolls and beverage. Cost $9. Chicken only: $6, Salt Potatoes: $1.50.

FALL CAMPOREE AT TRENTON FALLS FISH AND GAME CLUB
Mark the date in your calendars! A council-wide Fall Camporee will take place Friday, 10/18 to Sunday, 10/20 at the Trenton Falls Fish and Game Club. What Scout wouldn’t want to enjoy some rifle, shotgun and archery shooting?

Here is a list of items you should pack for summer camp. Everyone should arrive at Camp Russell between 12:15 and 12:30 on Sunday July 7. We will meeting the main Parking area. Allow at least 45 minutes to drive from NH to White Lake.

As a reminder, if we don’t already have your current medical (signed by a Physician within the last 12 months prior to July 7) you need to bring a current Medical with you. Scoutmaster Obernesser will be out of town from June 28 through July 6.

See you at camp.

Summer Camping Equipment List

Clothing should be packed in large Ziploc bags, to keep them clean and dry.  All equipment should have your name on it.

• Sleeping bag in a waterproof stuff  sack
• Ground pad
• Scout uniform
• Class B scout shirt(s)
• Pancho / Rain gear
• Hat
• Scout Book  (Look in here for the real list)
• Light jacket
• Sweatshirt
• Swim Suit and Towel
• Toiletries (except tooth paste)
• 4 sets of Socks, underwear
• Good foot wear ( no open toe or crocs)
• 2 pair of shorts
• 1 pair long pants
• 3 tee shirts
• Jack Knife, Compass, Camera  (optional)
• Fish pole   (optional)
• Drinking cup (Troop 4 mug)
• Flashlight w/ extra batteries
• Liquid Bug repellent in a small squeeze bottle, No Aerosols!
• Spending money for the Trading Post

The End of Year Picnic/Court of Honor is scheduled for June 19 at 6:00PM at St. Thomas Church.

There will have a sign up sheet at this week’s meeting for a head count and what dish you will be bringing to pass. The Troop will provide hamburgers and hotdogs.

We will be scheduling merit badges for summer camp work at our next Troop meeting. To get a list of merit badges offered at Camp Russell click on the link below:

Merit Badge Worksheet

Please have your list ready for next week’s meeting on 6/12. Do not schedule two activities for the same time period. Note to first year campers: You will be in the Russell Ranger’s program primarily working on Second and First Class skills, and we can discuss working on a merit badge or two with you.

The BSA and Oneida County Health Dept require a current physical to attend summer camp. If you have had a physical after July 15, 2012 with a doctor’s signature on a form other than the official BSA form, we can accept it provided you fill out Parts A & B on the BSA form. If you have not been to the doctor within the past year please use the BSA form. We need to have a copy prior to going to camp.

Here is a recap of the info for the Spring Trip to Boston for those who are going:

We will be leaving from Myles School at 12:30 Friday May 24.  We plan on making at least one stop at the first rest area on the MassPike. We are staying at Camp Sayre in Milton, ( about 7 miles from downtown Boston).  We have reserved 2 cabins with bunks and mattresses, so you only need a light sleeping bag.  The camp has showers which are open 24/7 in the Eggan Center,( about a 10 min. walk from our cabins).  There is also a pool and full Scout Shop in the Eggan Center.  There is a possibility that we could get some pool time.

Saturday we will be walking the Freedom Trail, visiting most of the famous landmarks in Boston.  Sunday we will be going to the Aquarium and then the Science Center.  Each day we will be riding the “T” into downtown.  On Monday we will be stopping at the Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge.  We should be home by dinner time.

We have six drivers with 4 /vehicle.  Do not over pack!  You should bring a light sleeping bag, bathing suit, towel, toiletries, change of underwear and socks, class B shirts, light jacket hat.  You must travel in Class A shirt to be covered under the BSA travel policy!  You will be wearing your Class A while in Boston.

Ben will hand out a copy of cell phone numbers.  Scouts will be assigned to groups with adults.  There are 13 scout and 11 or 12 adults.  The troop will supply a continental breakfast each morning and dinner Sat and Sun.  Scouts will be responsible for buying their own lunch both Sat. and Sun.

Scouts should eat before leaving on Friday and bring a ‘bag lunch’ for dinner on Friday.  Spending $$ is up to you, but please make sure your son has enough for the two lunches in town.  All prescription meds. need to be handed to Mr Wilbur when arriving at the school.

We will meet at Greenlawn Cemetery, (next to Jay-K), at 6:00 PM this Wednesday to place American Flags on Veteran’s graves as a service project for our sponsor, American Legion Post 1376.  This usually takes about 40 minutes.  We will then go to our Troop Meeting at Myles School in the Gym.