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.

TAKE THE OUTDOOR PROGRAM SURVEY
Scouts, Leaders and Parents, we need your input to help us identify the short and long term plans for our Outdoor Program. 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.

CABIN FEVER THANKS
2nd Annual Cabin Fever Kids Expo last Sunday was a great day for Scouting in the community. Many thanks to Paul Obernesser, Cory Jenner, Ga Hon Ga Lodge Order of the Arrow, and the many volunteers and staff who helped to make this a fun day for all! Kevin Montano took some great photos that you can see on our facebook page.

SUPER SPORTS SATURDAY
On your mark, get set, and gear up for this team pack event on March 22 from 10am – 2pm at the Herkimer Community College Physical Fitness Center. $8.00 per scout with patch, $6.00 without patch. Don’t forget your swim suit and towl. Meals available for $3.00.

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 the National Youth Leadership Training, schedule for weekends of 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.

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.

CLASS OF 2013 EAGLE SCOUT DINNER
Sign up to attend the Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner on Saturday, March 15th at Daniele’s on Seneca Turnpike in New Hartford. Come congratulate our new class of Eagle Scouts and help them celebrate their accomplishments. Click here to register and more details.

IN MEMORIUM
The Council wishes to extend its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Cub Scout Joshua and his brother Jordan, who died tragically in a house fire on February 15th in New Hartford. May they rest in peace.

All: This weekend is Father/ Son Campout at Camp Russell. The cost is $10 / person payable at the beginning of the meeting Wednesday in cash.

If you haven’t already done so, please print out and complete the scouting survey I sent you a week ago and go on line to complete the Outdoor Program survey shown on Scout Wire. They are two different surveys.

If you are planning to go to summer camp at CSR Aug 3-9, 2014 we need to get a deposit from you. So far 16 people have used their Popcorn/Candy overrun to cover the deposit. I would like a minimum of $50 which is non-refundable. For new scouts/parents we will have a presentation on Summer Camp at the next Court of Honor (Parents Night) March 12th. As always I will be happy to discuss and answer questions via phone, email or at a troop meeting.

We are signed up to go to Cedarlands Scout Reservation August 3-9. This is much later than we usually go to summer camp, but it is the only week that CSR will be open this summer (the 50th Anniversary). We need to get deposits in as soon as possible to get a good head count on attendance.

Several of you have $$ from popcorn/candy sales which can be used for the down payment. Please let me know if you are planning on attending and I will have Del Brown write a check from out account.

For those of you that don’t have popcorn/candy $$, I need to have $50 for the deposit.

For those of you unfamiliar with CSR: We own 4300 acres in Long Lake, NY including two lakes and 3 mountains. Campsites are more spread out than Camp Russell. Program will offer Scout skills and Merit Badges in the morning and adventure opportunities in the afternoon including: mountain climbing, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, climbing, shooting sports, mountain biking etc. in camp. Out of camp activities could include white water rafting, sea plane rides, trips to the Wild or Adirondack Museum, bike trips.

I will be happy to answer any questions. We will have a CSR Presentation at our next Court of Honor/Family Night in mid-March.

From Rob Bedell —

Jared Bedell, James Belcher, Brandon Wilber and Doug Wilber will be joining us this summer on the Troop 14 trip to Germany. As part of the fundraising campaign the scouts, under the direction of John Ivory and the approval of BSA, have produced a documentary on how to get Scouts to Europe and back as a fundraiser thru the Kickstarter crowd funding.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for these three and we need some assistance to help get them to Germany. Please take a look and see if it is something you can help spread the word on.

KickStarter Campaign

As always I appreciate your commitment to scouting and the fact that you have allowed Jared to participate with your troop.

There is no scout meeting this week since school is closed for Presidents week. I do have something for you to do when you get 5 to 10 minutes. Please print out the attached survey, fill in your responses and bring it to our next Troop mtg. Thanks.

Boyscout Survey

CABIN FEVER
Cabin Fever Kids Expo is almost here! Sunday, February 23rd at MVCC’s Jorgenson Center. Over 500 kids are expected to enjoy a great afternoon of Scouting fun. Click here to register and more details.

EAGLE SCOUT RECOGNITION DINNER
The 2013 Class of Eagle Scouts will be honored at our annual Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner on Saturday, March 15th at Daniele’s on Seneca Turnpike in New Hartford. Click here to register and more details.

SCOUT MEMORABILIA ON DISPLAY
Anyone remember Jim Pritchard, a past leader in our Council? He has on display at the Canastota Public Library a few Scout items he has collected over the years. If your in the area or feel like taking a trip, check out the great Scout stuff he has on display.

A MESSAGE FROM RTC’S NEW BOARD PRESIDENT BILL KLINE
As the newly-elected Board President for the Revolutionary Trails Council, I would like to introduce myself and thank you for your ongoing commitment to Scouting in Central New York. Over the coming months you will hear us deliver a message of “Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today.” This is what Scouting has done for generations, and this is what it will continue to do in 2014 and beyond. I am confident that by working together, our volunteers, Council staff, and Board of Directors can and will increase our membership, our volunteer base, and our fundraising to accomplish great things in 2014.

SCOUT SUNDAY SERVICES
A number of Scout Sunday services to celebrate the birthday of Scouting will be taking place across the council on Sunday, February 2 and Sunday, February 9, including:

February 2
St. Leo’s Roman Catholic Church, Holland Patent @ 10:15 AM

February 9
First Presbyterian Church, Ilion @ 10:30 AM
Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, Genesee St., Utica @ 11:15 AM
Clinton United Methodist Church, 105 Utica Street (Rt. 12B), Clinton @ 9:30 AM

CAMP CARDS
Camp Cards are available now! This year we are offering Units the opportunity to sell Camp Cards for $5.00 and keep 50%, or $2.50 per card. Come pick yours up at the Scout Service Center to get started earning your way toward Camp and other activities. Click here to download and check out our new 2014 Guidebook.

TRAINER’S EDGE
Current and future trainers are urged to attend Trainer’s EDGE on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 9 AM to 5 PM at the Council Service Center. Hone your skills as a trainer, presenter, and leader of boys and adults alike. Continental breakfast and handout materials will be provided for a nominal $5.00 fee. Bring your own bag lunch. For more information, email council training chairman Mike Coughlin at lcmc@twcny.rr.com.

CABIN FEVER
Our 2nd Annual Cabin Fever event will be held February 23rd at MVCC, come lift your spirits with warm winter fun for the whole family! Our 30ft climbing tower will be there and has three different levels: beginner, intermediate, and difficult. See if you can make it to the top and ring the bell! Food will be available for purchase. Click here to register.

JANUARY 2014 EAGLES
The Council would like to congratulate the following individuals who have ascended to the rank of Eagle Scout:

Tyler Harrman — Troop 33
Neil Ferris — Troop 44
Anthony Parker — Troop 44
Jesse Brenon — Troop 108
Richard Jordan — Troop 21