The Signaler - Troop 264 Newsletter
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The Signaler - Troop 264 Newsletter TThhee SSiiggnnaalleerr FFEEBBRRUUAARRYY 22001100 TTHHIIRRTTYY YYEEAARRSS OOFF TTHHEE SSIIGGNNAALLEERR VVOOLLUUMMEE 3300,, NNOO.. 22 Website: http://www.troop264olney.net E-mail: [email protected] Upcoming Dates and Deadlines (Refer to calendars for specific times.) February March rd 1 Patrol Meeting 1 3 Annual Webelos Visit (Webelos I) 5-7 Ski Trip to Seven Springs 8 Troop meeting 8 Troop meeting 11 District Roundtable 11 District Roundtable 15 Patrol meeting 12-14 Valley Forge Pilgrimage 18 Troop Adult meeting 15 TLC/BOR / Patrol meeting 19 Sharp Street Food Bank 18 Troop Adult meeting 22 TLC/BOR 19 Sharp Street Food Bank 23 Signaler Meeting rd 22 3 Annual Webelos Visit (Webelos II) 26-28 Merit Badge Madness (camping) 23 Signaler meeting 27 Nursung Home Visit (Hawks) 27 Nursing Home Visit (Mammoths) 29 Spring Break starts (schools) 29 Troop meeting NCAC Centennial Camporee May 29-31, 2010 Summer Camp July 18-24, 2010 At the January 25 Court of Honor ―This United States flag was flown on Phoenix Base, International Zone, Baghdad, Iraq by U.S. Forces on the 11th Day of September 2009. ―It is donated to Troop 264 by COL David S. Jones, U.S. Army. COL Jones received the rank of Eagle Scout while in Troop 264 in 1982. He is currently deployed to Baghdad, Iraq and his wife and two daughters live in Stuttgart, Germany. Al Mammoth Patrol, Troop 264. Sam‘s father was a Boy Scout in Troop 264. He is currently deployed to Afghanistan with the U.S. Defense Department. ― We are honored to receive such a keepsake, both as a continuing reminder of our troops overseas, as well as that former members of Troop 264 continue to make their influence felt in the world of today. Thank you, Mr. Jones. Mr. Samuel K. Jones presents flag to Troop 264 1 The Signaler - Troop 264 Newsletter FFeebbrruuaarryy 22001100 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 Patrol meeting Ski Trip (Hawks) Ski Trip (Hawks) Seven Springs, PA Seven Springs, PA 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Troop meeting Ski Trip (Hawks) Open: Foxes District Roundtable Valley Forge Valley Forge Seven Springs, PA Service: Hawks (Gaithersburg) (Mr. Bogan) (Mr. Bogan) MB: Sharks (Hawks) Skill: Mammoths 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Presidents‘ Day Valley Forge (no school) Troop Adult Meeting Sharp Street Food (Mr. Bogan) at Brookeville Bank, 4:15 PM TLC/BOR Academy 7:30 PM Patrol meeting (prepare exhibits for the 22nd) 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Special Troop Signaler meeting (1/2 day school) Meeting -- 3rd Annual 7 PM Nursing Home Visit Webelos Visit Night (Mammoths) Open: Mammoths Service: Foxes 28 2 The Signaler - Troop 264 Newsletter MMaarrcchh 22001100 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 Special Troop Meeting -- 3rd Annual Webelos Visit Night Open: Mammoths Service: Hawks 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Troop meeting Open: Vikings District Roundtable Service: Sharks (Gaithersburg) MB: Hawks (Vikings) Skill: Foxes 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Troop Adult Meeting Sharp Street Food Patrol meeting at Brookeville Bank, 4:15 PM Academy 7:30 PM 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Merit Badge Madness TLC / BOR Signaler meeting Weekend 7 PM Merit Badge Madness Weekend Nursing Home Visit (Hawks) 28 29 30 31 (Spring break) Troop meeting (Spring break – (Spring break – Merit Badge Madness Open: Hawks no school) no school) Weekend Service: Foxes MB: Mammoths Passover begins Skill: Vikings 3 The Signaler - Troop 264 Newsletter Mr. Irvin picked up this postcard at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison on a business trip last year. It is a 1918 War Bonds poster featuring the Boy Scouts. Note the "Be Prepared" inscribed on the sword blade. Adopt A Soldier Program A heartfelt ―THANK YOU‖ to all of our scout families who continue to donate snacks, treats, toiletries and magazines for our adopted soldiers, and to those who have donated funds to cover costs to ship care packages overseas. Our adopted soldiers are truly grateful for our efforts and we will continue to show our support until everyone comes home. Valentine‘s Day is just around the corner. We love our families, our friends, our country, and all of our military personnel. Show your affection by donating a few goodies to include in this month‘s care packages. Let our adopted soldiers know that they are always in our thoughts and in our hearts, and that we appreciate everything they do to keep us free and safe. The weather will be changing soon and February is the last month when we can include chocolate in our care packages. Send in your bags of Valentine‘s Day candy today! We currently have 13 adopted soldiers on our list and I've learned that the majority of them are enlisted servicemen who do not receive mail. Just imagine the look on their faces when they open a card or care package addressed personally to them! For more information about our Adopt A Soldier Program, please contact Mrs. Josey Simpson (Shark Patrol) at 301.512.5439, or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Sending lots of OXOXOX to all of our scout families… God Bless America … Land of the Free … Because of the Brave SUPPORT OUR TROOPS 4 The Signaler - Troop 264 Newsletter Friends of Scouting Campaign The Friends of Scouting (FOS) campaign, currently underway, is vital to the Scouting programs in the National Capital Area Council (NCAC) and to Troop 264. The annual FOS fundraiser provides support for the professional Scout staff, Scout shop, Scout camps, Scouting programs and organized events, and adult training programs. A letter dated January 21 was mailed by me to each Scout family. Enclosed with the letter were a pledge card and a self-addressed envelope to facilitate the return of the contribution. If you did not receive the letter, or have misplaced it, please let me know and I can provide you with another copy. If you have already sent me your contribution, thank you very much! If you haven‘t yet completed the pledge card and written your check, please consider doing it now, and return it to me as soon as possible. The Scouts of Troop 264 and the NCAC thank you for all your support. ~ Norman Strickman, FOS Campaign Coordinator Questions? Call me at (301)-570-4712. Ski Trip to Seven Springs – February 5 – 7 TROOP 264 SKI TRIP!! Troop members are headed to Seven Springs ski resort in the southwestern Pennsylvania mountains! There are 285 acres of slopes and trails, 5 terrain parks, huge beginner area with magic carpets up through black diamond slopes, mogul runs and more. There's something for everyone! Lessons available at additional cost (if you've never skied or snowboarded before, this is a requirement). The lessons guarantee you can start, stop, turn, get on and off lifts and enjoy the mountain. COST: $170.00 This includes: 2 nights in chalet ('chalet' has bunches of bunkbeds in 3 sleeping areas, 2 bathrooms, kitchenette) Mountain pass good from 4 p.m. Friday -7 p.m. Sunday Breakfast buffet (huge!) Saturday and Sunday Lots of snow and fun! Indoor pool For those that don't ski, there is a 'gift card' given to be used at shops or restaurants on site). All participants pay the same price. Additional Costs: $26.04 dinner per person Saturday; $24 ski rental; $36 board rental extra $$$ for lunch, dinner, snacks on your own. There are pizzarias, snack shops, restaurants, cafes, food shops, arcade, bowling, indoor minigolf, all available at extra cost. See www.7springs.com for more info on the resort. Families and friends invited as well, first 20 people to sign up (and give me $$$) are on the list! We'll work on carpools soon. Get excited! Latest word is that the available spaces for this trip are filled up. Questions? Please contact Mrs. Helen Justus, [email protected], 301-774-7833 (home) 301-787-4834 (cell). 5 The Signaler - Troop 264 Newsletter Valley Forge Encampment and Pilgrimage – February 12 - 14 This year the Cradle of Liberty Council will hold the 98th Valley Forge Encampment on February 12 – 14 (Presidents‘ Day weekend), and Troop 264 plans to attend. This is the longest running annual Boy Scout event in the country. The theme this year centers around Captain Robert Kirkwood. ―Captain Robert Kirkwood was commissioned as a lieutenant of the 1st Delaware Regiment in 1775. In 1776 as a Captain he was under the command of General Thomas Mifflin of Pennsylvania. By 1777 he was under the command of General Washington. He survived the Revolutionary War and continued his military service until he was killed in a battle with the Native American Miami Tribe near Fort Wayne, Indiana. ―The Pilgrimage will explore his role in the revolutionary war under George Washington. Also featured at the Pilgrimage will be Musket Drilling, Artillery and Musket demonstrations and Native American roles in the war explained by present day members of the Oneida Nation. There will also be other enactors through out the park demonstrating many skills of living during the revolutionary period.‖ We will travel to Valley Forge on Friday evening and camp overnight. The Pilgrimage hike starts early Saturday morning and lasts throughout much of the day, with stops at various exhibits and presentations. We will break camp early on Sunday and be back in Olney in the later morning. Warm clothing and sleeping gear, including hats and gloves, is essential. Please review the cold weather camping links on the troop website at http://www.troop264olney.net/links.html and see Cold Weather Considerations in the December 2009 Signaler.