Hi Schenectady District!

 

Just got back from the FANTASTIC "Institute of Scouting & Pow Wow 2002 at Siena.  Wow, what a great time.   I even visited a session during my scheduled break time, as I couldn't learn enough. 

 

To Quote the Movie Short Circuit, "need more input."  My favorites for this year were Dutch Oven Cooking by Frank Kramer, Trained Jr. Leaders by Steve Kopecky, Troop Committee at work by Kathy Bradke & Leave No Trace by Ted Beblowski.  Actually, we enjoyed all the sessions!  Many were refreshers and others gave me a lot of new ideas. This was my Second Institute and certainly will NOT be my last.  Lots learned and lots TOO learn. 

 

Now if only we can get a session on "Scouting History through Memorabilia" back on the Course list.  Don't worry, I've already re-volunteered for the next Institute.

 

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DISCLAIMER:  These notes are the results of my scribbling and recollection, I make no claims to it being 100% accurate.  Being now 39, I cannot have "Senior Moments," at least not yet.  So they are my "Junior Moments" for now.  Occasionally, (!?) I will express my opinion, however it is only my opinion.  This Opinion and a $1 will get me a cup of Coffee and a $1 more will get me a Chalupa.

 

PLEASE feel free to "forward" this entire message to ANY Parents or Leaders in your Units.  Or better yet, print it out for your meetings and quite possibly a good laugh.

 

IF anyone ever wishes to be added to this unique email list, please have them email me here at:

Eaglemaster_3357@Juno.Com with their Name, Position and Unit.

 

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We currently have 179 (!) Scout Leaders on this email list. 

 

IF you receive MORE than one copy of this posting, please notify me and accept my apologies.  Free email you know.

 

**********START 3/13/02 ROUNDTABLE NOTES******************

Camp Boyhaven Gopher-Termite Workday

Saturday May 4th up at Camp Boyhaven, Come one, come all. 

 

RSVP ASAP

Ranger Gus at:  Camposaurus@juno.com

 

************CHARTER DUE??!!********************************

 

Some Units STILL have Charters DUE!!!? 

Please contact Sarah Schdydistcomm@aol.com

 

*******Camperships are AVAILABLE ********************************

 

Camperships are AVAILABLE for Cubs & Scouts who are in Financial Need and wish to attend a Twin Rivers Council Summer Camp.  Applications are available through Roundtable, HQ or please contact Rob Zak at:  robpzak@aol.com  "No Cub or Scout should miss the Summer Camp Adventure."

 

SPARK PLUG AWARD

The Schenectady District of the Twin Rivers Council knows that there are exceptional volunteers in our scouting units. These "Adult Scouters" deserve recognition for their special efforts that promote a valuable program for their Cub, Scout and Explorer units. You can easily recognize these "Spark Plugs" for what they do. They are always there to get the job done!

      The Spark Plug Awards will be presented at our District Recognition Dinner on Wednesday, April 24, 2002. Please invite your Spark Plug recipient and unit members to this Dinner. By attending this event, with your recipient, you will be showing your support for their efforts to create quality programs for the youth in our community. 

      Who is your Scouter that merits this Award? When making your selection, please choose someone that hasn't received this award in the past. This person should also be a registered Scouter. Complete the nomination form below and return to Jan E. Herdman by e-mail or the U S Postal System on or before April 4, 2002.

 

Schenectady District

Spark Plug Award Nomination

Name of Recipient _____________________________________________________________

 

Unit # and Position Held_______________________________________________________

 

Nominators Name & Position_____________________________________________________

 

Nominators Telephone Number____________________________________________________

 

Only one nomination per unit and that person must be a registered Scouter.

Nominations due by April 4, 2002

Return to:

      Jan E. Herdman                 Or e-mail  JanEHerd@aol.com

 611 Charles Street

 Scotia, NY 12302             

 

********DEN CHIEF'S WANTED****************************

 

DEN CHIEF'S WANTED:

Ruth LaCoss, Cub Day Camp Director NEEDS DEN CHIEFS,  July 29th- August 2nd.  Transportation is being provided from SCCC (tentative) to Camp Boyhaven

if interested,

 please contact Ruth at 346-0164   ruth@spacitysilver.com

 

********CAMPOREE IDEAS MEETING******************************

 

CAMPOREE IDEAS MEETING:

 

As agreed, we will be holding a "CAMPOREE IDEAS MEETING" for all Schenectady District Leaders at the NEXT ROUNDTABLE April 10th, at 7PM.  All Interested Leaders requested to attend this early meeting.  This is to assist with Coordinating our Districts Camporee for the Spring of '03. 

 

**************************************

 

2002 Schenectady District Spring Camporee Has Been Cancelled.  Options for all units are noted below.

 

*********Spring Camporee OPTIONS*********************

 

 None of the 4 planned events mention cubs, so I suspect they are not invited to the events. 

 Sarah will try to follow up on that.
 
Saratoga District
'America on Wheels' May 17-19, 2002 at Camp Boyhaven
contact Tim Williams 695-9410 or jwilliams@spa.net
 
Sir William
'Mission Impossible' May 18-19, at Woodworth Lake Scout Reservation
This is a night time event.
contacts:   Nick Dagostino 853-4361 or nick12095@hotmail.com
            John Kent johnkent78@yahoo.com
 
Mahikan
'Leave no Trace' May 17-19 at Schodack Town Park
No other info. on flyer.
 
Wakpominee
'Outdoor Scout Skills' at the old Frontier Town facility, May 17-19
contact: Cy Bresett 642-0798
 
Sarah

********Saratoga District Spring Camporee******************

 

Sunday, March 24th
 Troop, & Crew Leaders,
 
I have just returned from a planning meeting for Saratoga's Spring Camp-O-Ree, to be held May 17-19, 2002 at Camp Boyhaven.  First, I am thankful for the Saratoga & Sir Wm. Scouters who so quickly invited our boy scouts to participate in their events, when they learned we had canceled
ours.  I am especially thankful that Saratoga invited me to attend their planning meeting and get the details on their plans.
 
First, the Saratoga program does not include cubs or Webelos.
 
Last year, Saratoga's event had about 625 participants, and they expect a higher turnout this year.  They have already ordered 700 patches.  They have requested that we give them a realistic estimate of how many from Schenectady will participate so that everyone can receive an event patch that weekend. 
Please let me know if your unit is planning to attend, and if so, an estimate number of how many scouts and Scouters.  They have been kind to invite us, and while I know this is short notice, please, lets respect this request.  We know what it's like to attend this type of event, and then have to wait for
the patch.
 
The theme of the event is 'America on Wheels'.  Participants are asked to bring their own road, mountain, and BMX bikes.  They are attempting to have some extras, but have not gotten a definite commitment on that.
 
There will be a 10 mile road loop set up as well as a mountain bike loop.  I understand that the entire camp property will be in use.  In addition there will be two sets of other activities available to fill out the day.  There will be several maintenance sites set up for working on the bikes, and a number of bike shops are being contacted to set up displays.  A merit badge counselor has volunteered his services to help scouts start on the M.B. requirements.
 
So that the program does not need to have a midday break, three sandwich stations will be set up throughout camp.  PB&Js and drinks will be provided at these sites.  Participants will be able to get a quick lunch and get back to the program
 
Units that want to drop off their bikes in advance, will be allowed to do so.  Arrangements must be made with Gus.  The bikes will be stored in a locked building, and will be available for pick up Friday night.  Once picked up, bikes are the responsibility of the unit.
 
With the possibility of 700+ scouts and Scouters attending this event, campsites will be assigned on a first come basis, with some consideration given to site size.  The White House has been reserved for adult staff who are without a unit.
 
For emergency medical needs, 6 EMTs will be onsite and the Health Lodge will be open.
 
A nondenominational service is also planned.  And the OA is being contacted for organizing a joint callout at the Saturday night campfire.
 
Planning for this event started last fall.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.  I request that you go through me so that everyone can learn your question and answer.  In addition, the chairman of the event, Tim Williams, has offered to come to our April R.T. to discuss the program and answer any of your questions.
 
The pre registration form, and some preliminary information is available on the Boyhaven site (www.campboyhaven.org) under 'What's New'.  The Scout Special registration fee of $5 applies to units who pre-register and pay their fee to council by May 3rd.  After May 3rd, the fee is $8.
 
I am very grateful to the Saratoga Camp-O-Ree Committee, that our scouts have this opportunity,
 
Sarah

 

*******COUNCIL FALL CAMPOREE**************************

 

FALL Camporee has been announced for the Council:

To be held at the GREAT ESCAPE funpark!

This will take place October 4-6th.  The main event will be Saturday October 5th in the park at the Great Escape.  Special programs will be available for the youth through the Camporee Committee and the Great Escape.  Other happenings will be the Haunted House and the Trick or Treat Trail for youth 12 Years and younger.

 

The Cost for Camporee Registration will be under $20.00

Camping will be made available for the Scout Troops, Crews & Posts.

 

New Members (Scouts) who join in September will get a FREE ADMISSION to the Fall Camporee. (Tentative, read: NOT yet in writing)

 

*************Porter Mtn Trail Clearing Project **************************

 

Porter Mtn Trail Clearing Project Saturday May 11th, 2002

The Schenectady ADK Chapter will have a Scheduled Trail Clearing Day on May 11th, to work on the Porter Mtn. Trail.  (3.84 Miles) from the Road to the Garden.  They Can use Scout Help.  Troop Leaders please call Peter Slocum Schtdy ADK Trails Chair at 489-7369

 

Courtesy of Jim Burgess Schtdy Chapter ADK Chairman  JFBurgess31@hotmail.com

 

********Schenectady District Newsletter***********************

 

Schenectady District Newsletter:

 

Any unit is interesting in submitting information for either please do so at least one week prior to the next Round table Meeting.  Also if any Unit is interested in linking a unit Web page to the District site let us know.   

Denise Schwind psalm46@ifriendly.com

John Papp Eaglemaster_3357@Juno.Com

 

*************Training Knot Forms*******************************

 

I had a question today regarding the training knot forms that I had available at R.T. last week.  It seems that I had old versions of most of the forms.  In case anyone else is wondering why this was done, here's the answer.
 
For those Scouters completing training knots for the upcoming recognition dinner, they have been grandfathered in under the old requirements.  It was felt that it wasn't fair to change requirements on something with a multi-year tenure, in the last year.
 
After this recognition dinner, we will be going by the new requirements.   Anyone who has a problem with the new requirements, and is close to completion but will not be done by the dinner, can see me.
 
Sarah

*********GE Gift Matching Program********************************************

 

The GE gift matching program for the Boy Scouts which has been in place for a number of years is being closed on 31Mar.02. The next few weeks are the last that GE employees and retirees can contribute to Scouting and get the money matched by the Company by calling the GE Fund at 800-462-8244 put in
the zip code of Scouts Hdqtrs. 12205 pick Twin Rivers Council under the more gifts more givers program. GE will not match pledges,only payments.

Jim Burgess   JFBurgess31@hotmail.com

 

*********Troop 23's Annual Pancake Breakfast *************

                                Troop 23's Annual Pancake Breakfast
                                                April 6th, 2002
                                        7:00 am to 12:00 pm
                                                     at
                                   Broadway United Methodist Church
                                  2140 Broadway, Schenectady 12306
                               cost: Adults $4.50 Children 6 to 11 $3.50
                                                5 and under Free
     Menu: pancakes & Syrup, Sausage, Scrambled Eggs, Applesauce, Coffee, Tea, Milk, & Orange Juice
                                               
 
Troop 23
Bernard T. Shaw
Scoutmaster
2140 Broadway
Schenectady, NY 12306
* 518-387-7229   work
7 518-342-7842   pager
Email: shaw@crd.ge.com

**************Sisilija Chapter OA****************************** 

 

Sisilija Chapter Notes:

 

********Outdoor Leader Skills Development Training********************

 

ALL NEW Outdoor Leader Skills Development Training:

WHEN?

Friday April 26th (6PM) to 12 Noon Sunday April 28th, 2002

WHERE?

Camp Boyhaven-Horsley Training Area

COST?

$15

Registration MUST be Received by registrar 4/19/02

You must attend this course to be considered "trained" for your position. 

 

Obtain information at Scout HQ and send in to Cindy Phillips, 9 Carlyle Terrace, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.  For Further info contact Rick Herr, Course Director at 346-3898 or email at owlreh@aol.com

 

*******************UPDATED District Calender*****************************