Troop 423 Times
“The Place To Be”
“March 2013”
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Troop
423 Advancement
Congratulations to the Outstanding Flying Foxes Patrol
There have been many ranks and merit badges earned since the
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September 2012 Court of Honor. The boys have been busy earning 75
The Flying Foxes are a special group of boys. They have been together in
merit cbadges,cccc
ranging from Auto Maintenance and Camping to Water
scouting since 2 grade as Wolf Cubs in Pack 799 all the way through to
Sports and Space Exploration. Many of the merit badges earned were
their senior year in high school earning their Eagle ranks in this great
, 2012 helping the scouts reach the next rank in their journey to Troop 423. They are truly a band of brothers. Although they have
Eagle-required,
nd
Eagle.
The 20 rank advancements earned are as follows:
Second Class: Jason Anderson, Brandon Praye, Karthik Tiruvallur
First Class: Hunter Klein, Siddarth Sylace, Karthik Tiruvallur
Star: Alex Chamberlain, Mark Fellin, Justin Jackson, Quinn McDonnell,
Jeffrey Sharp, Jacob Stollberg
Eagle: Zach Bigej, EJ dela Cruz, Jake Garcia, Alec Malnati, Cooper
McDonnell, Ben Pursley, Andrew Smelter
Bronze Palm: Tim Fellin
There were also several Nights of Camping awards earned. Four scouts
plus two adults reached the 25 Night milestone. They are Jonathan
Gillespie, Liam Myers, Sid Sylace, Kyle Van Velkinburgh, Mr. Schmidt and
Mr. Stollberg. One scout reached the next level spending more than 50
nights in the great outdoors – Brandon Praye. And finally, the boys
couldn’t do what they do without the help of their awesome adult leaders.
Congratulations to Mr. Ratchen for reaching the 100 night milestone!
Congratulations to the boys and all of their hard work!
Congratulations to New SPL Clay VanRiper
Clay VanRiper was elected the Troop’s new SPL for the next term and has
organized his PLC. The Troop thanks the outgoing SPL Travis Root for his
differences, they work together well, encourage each other, and really
have the mindset of “no man left behind”. All six of them will celebrate
earning their Eagle rank at a joint Court of Honor on May 5, 2013 at TCC.
You are all welcome to attend!
Foxes highlights and a mention of their Eagle Projects:
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All are OA members who staffed several Camporees and
attended 2 Conclaves
They were active campers spending anywhere from 77 to 135
nights camping
Three of them attended the National Jamboree in 2010
Two served as SPLs and many as ASPLs
Three attended Polaris and Sogus Leadership Training camps
All participated in several high adventure outings, including two
raft trips on the Deschutes river (50-100 miles) and a 50 mile
hike in the Eagle Cap Wilderness
All attended most summer camps including their last one
possible at Camp Parsons 2012
Eagle Projects:
Congratulations to Tim Fellin who just celebrated his Eagle COH last Sat,
March 9th, at St. Anthony’s Church. The last six months has seen the
Flying Foxes patrol working on getting their Eagle projects and Boards of
Review completed. The Flying Foxes are planning a group Eagle COH on
May 5th at TCC. Congratulations also to Ben Pursley and Cooper
McDonnell for their Eagle rank accomplishment.
Andrew - Installed a 25 foot tall flag pole at the Tigard Senior Center just
behind TCC.
Jake – Built outdoor storage shed at Templeton Elementary School.
Trevor– Planted flowers and grass and installed a retaining wall at
Templeton Elementary School.
EJ – Built rain water storage barrels at a garden area at Templeton
Elementary School next to the storage shed Jake built.
Zach – Built book shelves at Durham Elementary School and organized a
book drive to go along with this.
Alec - Installed an air conditioning concealment structure at TCC.
Summer Camp Planning Has Started
Congratulations to this outstanding group of young men!
leadership while leading the Troop through the last 6 month.
Eagle Watch
Summer Camp prep for 2013 has started. The Troop is going to Camp
Meriwether on the coast from July 7-13. Cost per Scout is $259 and the
Troop is looking for the 1st payment now of $130. The balance of $129
will be due May 15th. See the most recent email for further details.
New Parent Orientation Meetings Have Started
Troop 423’s annual new parent orientation sessions started on March 4 th
and continue to April 22nd. The goal is to give our new parents the
information they need so that they and their new Scout can hit the
ground running and to acclimate the newcomers to Troop 423. The
following is the schedule and we encourage all the new Parents to make
the sessions.
Date
March 4th
March 18th
April 1st
April 8th
April 15th
April 22nd
Title
Welcome to the Troop
Getting Started
Finances and Committee
Personal Info and Safety
Annual Program
Beyond the Basics
Teachers
Sam and Lauri
Todd Garcia
Mike and Eric
Lauri and Nelson
Greg and Tyler
Cathy Garcia and Bruce
MAIN TROOP EVENT SCHEDULE INFORMATION
Troop Calendar website www.troop423bsa.org
Except for Courts of Honor which start at 7:00PM, Troop Meetings are
scheduled to begin at 7:30PM and end at 8:45PM. PLC meetings run from
7:00PM to 8:00PM. ASM meetings run from 8:00PM to 9:00PM. OA
Chapter meetings, Roundtable meetings, and Committee meetings
normally start at 7:30PM and end by 9:00PM.
Wed, March 13:
Thurs, March 14:
Sat-Sun, March 16/17:
Mon, March 18:
Wed, March 20:
Thur, March 21:
Mon, March 25:
Sat, March 30:
Mon, April 1:
Thur, April 4:
Sat-Sun, April 6/7:
Mon, April 8:
Thurs, April 11:
Sun, April 14:
Mon, April 15:
Wed, April 17:
Thurs, April 18:
Mon, April 22:
Fri-Sun, April 26-28:
Mon, April 29:
Thur, May 2:
Sun, May 5:
Mon, May 6:
Thur, May 9:
Mon, May 13:
Wed, May 15:
Thur, May 16:
Calendar Update Mtg – 630pm Max’s
OA Roundtable/Chapter Mtg – 7pm
Royce Finel Campout
Troop Mtg/New Parent Orient – 730pm TCC
Key 5 Mtg – 630pm Max’s
PLC/ASM Mtg – 7pm TCC
Spring Break, No Troop Mtg
Zach Garcia Eagle Project – 9am Templeton
Elementary School
Troop Mtg/New Parent Orient – 730pm TCC
Committee Mtg – 7pm TCC
New Scout Campout
Troop Mtg/New Parent Orient – 730pm TCC
OA Roundtable/Chapter Mtg – 7pm
JLT – 1pm
Troop Mtg/New Parent Orient – 730pm TCC
Key 5 Mtg – 630pm Max’s
PLC/ASM Mtg – 7pm TCC
Troop Mtg/New Parent Orient – 730pm TCC
District Camporee
Troop Mtg – 730pm TCC
Committee Mtg – 7pm TCC
Flying Foxes Eagle COH – TCC
Troop Mtg – 730pm TCC
OA Roundtable/Chapter Mtg – 7pm
Troop Mtg – 730pm TCC
Key 5 Mtg – 630pm Max’s
PLC/ASM Mtg – 7pm TCC
Youth Protection Training
Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity, Venturing
Available online at www.MyScouting.org
This training is required for ALL Scout Leaders!
Cub Scout Leader Specific Training
Available online at www.MyScouting.org
Training can also be scheduled at the Pack level.
Contact Tom Kroen to schedule training.
Tom.kroen@yahoo.com or 503.692.2799
This training is for Cubmasters and Assistants; Pack Committee
Chairs and Members;
Tiger, Cub Scout and Webelos Den Leaders and Assistants
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Scoutmaster/ASM Leader Specific Training – Sessions I, II & III
Varsity Leader Specific Training
Tualatin United Methodist Church
20200 SW Martinazzi Ave, Tualatin
8:00AM – 2:00PM
This training is for Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, Varsity
Leaders
Friday-Saturday, April 26-27, 2013
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills
Evergreen Aviation Museum – Scout Camping Facility
McMinnville, OR
This training is being held as part of the Wapiti District
Camporee.
This training is for all Boy Scout and Varsity Scout Leaders!
Webelos Leaders can also attend to satisfy their outdoor training!
Questions: contact Tom Kroen – 503.692.2799 e-mail tkroen@yahoo.com
Committee News
Troop Membership
Current stats are: 68 scouts and 67 registered adults. The Troop is
actively enrolling Cub Scouts this spring as they cross over.
Troop Uniform Bank
The Troop Uniform Bank is always looking for donations. Please contact
Mr. or Mrs. Skurdahl if you’d like to donate your unused Troop apparel
along with equipment you might not use anymore. Also contact the
Skurdahl’s if you’re looking for something you need.
Additional Training Opportunities
Cub Scout Leader Specific
April 13 – Sunset Trail (Beaverton)
Scoutmaster/Asst. Scoutmaster/Varsity/Venturing
Leader Specific
Feb 23 – Sunset Trail (Beaverton)
March 15-16 – Thunderbird (SE Portland)
April 13 – Sunset Trail (Beaverton)
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills
March 8-9 – Sunset Trail (Beaverton)
May 18-19 – Sunset Trail (Beaverton)
BALOO
March 9 – Sunset Trail (Beaverton)
Merit Badge Tips
Here are some tips for scouts young and old as a reminder of how the
merit badge program works and what to do if you encounter problems
finishing a merit badge.
Choosing a Merit Badge
Choosing your next merit badge (or first merit badge if you are new to
the troop) should be fun and at the same time working towards a goal. A
scout should always be looking towards their next rank advancement, as
such try to find merit badges that compliment requirements of the rank
you are pursuing. If your next rank involves camping outdoors, tying
knots, cooking meals or hiking try to find merit badges that you can earn
simply by attending troop outings or special events that include the use of
those skills. Younger scouts can sign up for Eagle required merit badges
but should be cautioned that many of them involve extensive work and
may take months to complete. Try something that might not be too
difficult at first and get a few under your belt (or on your sash). Many
troop meetings are geared towards merit badges and there are special
events held in the community that teach a specific merit badge with the
goal of having the scout leave that event with a completed merit badge.
Process Map
Here is a step by step guide to beginning and completing a merit badge.
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Fill out blue card including all three sides with name of badge,
scout info and troop info.
Turn card in to Merit Badge Coordinator for signature of
Scoutmaster and assignment to counselor. If Coordinator is not
present place card in box under the appropriate tab.
Check the box at the next meeting to find the signed card ready
to be worked.
Fulfill all the requirements and have assigned counselor initial
and date the requirements. Once completed the counselor must
sign that the card is completed.
Once signed and completed return to the Coordinator. If not
present place the card in the box under the appropriate tab.
Coordinator will get the card signed by the Scoutmaster then
submit to the Advancement Chair.
The Advancement Chair will obtain the merit badge and enter it
on Troop Master as completed.
Merit Badge will be awarded at the next Court of Honor.
Partial Merit Badge cards
Many scouts who attend summer camp come back with merit badge cards
that have unfinished requirements. When this happens the scout should
immediately see the Merit Badge Coordinator to ask for the merit badge
to be reassigned to an ASM within the troop. There are counselors for
every merit badge, if one is not readily available we will find one and get
the merit badge reassigned to that counselor as soon as possible. On
occasion an ASM will organize a merit badge for an upcoming patrol event
like a 50 mile bike ride or hike. In those instances the Merit Badge
Coordinator may elect to assign the same counselor to all the scouts
signed up for that event. When a card is assigned to a counselor it is a
random event, there are many counselors who teach merit badges so the
goal is to try to spread them out evenly so no one counselor is overloaded
with assignments. Some merit badge counselors do not regularly attend
meetings so the scout must call or email the counselor to set up a time to
meet to work on the merit badge. It is important to remember that
several members of our troop such as Mr. Kinsley are eager to continue
teaching merit badges even though they may not be as visible as some
ASMs who attend the weekly meetings.
OA News
Wapiti Chapter Meetings
March 14
OA Lodge Members,
Be sure to check our Lodge website:
www.oa-442.org
Bound in Brotherhood, Separated Through
Service
Eagle Projects Approval Location Change
As of October 1, 2011, Eagle Scout Boards of review and Eagle service
project District reviews and approvals
Church on TUESDAY EVENINGS.
Advancement Chair is generally their
change from the traditional Wednesday
will be done at Tigard Methodist
Mr. Young, our District Eagle
starting at 7PM. Note this is a
evenings.
Lost Cards
If a scout loses a merit badge card it can be started again. The scout
would need to meet with their counselor to get as many requirements
signed off as possible. If the card is relatively recent and the scout has
been working on it, many times the counselor can assist in identifying
which requirements were already met and sign them off again. BUT, if the
card is an older one and the scout has not worked on it recently the
requirements may have to be earned again. It is the responsibility of the
scout to take care of their blue cards and protect them from damage or
loss.
If the counselor and the merit badge coordinator agree,
requirements may be signed off after discussing and agreeing that the
scout did perform the required tasks – a scout is honest. The goal is to
give a scout credit for the hard work they did even if they cannot always
prove they did the work. Some requirements will not be given if the actual
task was not performed. Earning a certain number of nights camping is a
requirement for some merit badges or rank advancements. If the ASM,
counselor or Merit Bade Coordinator knows the scout did not achieve the
requirement they will not be given credit for the task. Lost cards are
always a problem for scouts who leave their cards in the box after troop
meetings. The box is only a temporary place to facilitate movement of the
cards to and from the coordinator, scout and the Scoutmaster. Completed
cards go in the box, partial cards should not be left in the box. Because
so many scouts shuffle through the cards in the box some of them might
be misplaced or lost. As a general rule, KEEP YOUR CARDS IN A SAFE
PLACE. Scouts can keep track of their own cards and bring them to and
from the meetings safely. Those cards are gold, ask any aspiring Eagle
Scout who lost a card they needed to get their last and most important
rank.
Attention Life Scouts
Plan to present your Eagle projects at the committee meetings which are
held the 1st Thursday of each month.
A Note to New Eagle Scouts
Once you have picked up your Eagle Certificate, please contact me. In
order to update Troopmaster with your Eagle rank, I need to know three
dates. These are the Eagle Project completion date and the dates of
your Scoutmaster Conference and Eagle Board of Review. Please
call Cathy Garcia at 503.684.8219.
Service Hours
For the purposes of rank advancement, the troop does not keep track of
service hours. It is the responsibility of each scout to record this
information.
Boards of Review
Here are a few points to remember before scheduling a Board:
1. Complete your Scoutmaster Conference first before contacting Cathy
Garcia.
2. Be caught up with dues.
3. Wear full Class A uniform, including socks and belt.
4. Make sure you know the Scout Law, Oath, Motto and Slogan.
Boards of Review
Just a reminder that if you’re requesting a Board of Review, it must be
pre-arranged in a timely manner; i.e. not the night of the Troop meeting
that you’re requesting the Board. Also, if you want to get your
advancement recognized at a Court of Honor, the deadline for your Board
of Review is 2 weeks prior to the COH. And finally, remember that for
advancement you must have held a leadership position in the PLC within
the 6 months leading up to your Board of Review. Cathy Garcia is the
person to contact to schedule a Board of Review.
Keep your Dues up to Date
One of the duties of all of our Scouts to keep your Dues up to date.
Currently there’s only one Patrol that has all of its members completely up
to date. As a Troop about 50% of Scouts don’t have their dues up to
date. Not having your dues up to date will keep you from participating in
some activities and will also prevent a Scout from advancement when
their ready. So going forward, check your dues status and get them up to
date.
Important Advancement Criteria Reminder
There’s a minimal criteria for Scouts to advance that has become an area
of emphasis for the Committee going forward. All Scouts MUST participate
satisfactorily during the time period the Scout is looking to advance. In
other words, the Scout must show up for meetings and events to
advance. In recent history, this requirement for advancement has not
been enforced evenly. If you have any questions regarding these criteria,
please talk to your Patrols’ ASM or the Scoutmaster.
TROOP 423 ACTIVITY SCHOLARSHIPS
GENERAL
It is a goal of Troop 423 and its Committee, to provide a
significant number of opportunities for Scouts to participate in
outdoor activities organized by both the Troop and by Patrol. These
activities include campouts at local Scouting properties, backpacking trips
in State and National Forests and National Wilderness Areas, cabin
campouts at Scout properties and State Parks, overnight events at athletic
centers, and of course, weeklong Summer Camp. Through the
Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, and the Patrol Leaders Council, our
activity program is planned, often 12 or more months in advance.
The Troop considers the possible costs before scheduling these activities,
which may include:
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Registration and use fees for Scouting facilities (example: the
various cabins on Mt. Hood).
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Use fees at Scouting facilities that are charged to units that did
not achieve “Presidential” level in the annual Friends of
Scouting fundraising program.
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Campsite fees at State and Federal campgrounds.
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Rental/use fees at non-Scouting facilities (example: Portland
Athletic Club overnight rental).
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Summer camp fees.
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Transportation/fuel costs for driving Scouts to activities.
It is also a goal of Troop 423 and its Committee that the cost of
an activity should not be the reason a Scout does not participate.
TROOP 423’S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
In addition to the Troop’s annual budget which includes an amount for
scholarships, the Troop occasionally receives donations specifically to be
used for activity scholarships. The funds available vary each year
depending upon the success of the Troop’s annual fund-raising activity:
Christmas Tree Recycling. The Troop’s activity Scholarship Program
is a need-based program administered by the Troop Committee.
It is separate from the Cascade Pacific Council Scholarship Program which
can provide funding help to Scouting families for summer camp. Although
all activities are eligible for scholarships, the Troop Committee emphasizes
participation in summer camp.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A TROOP SCHOLARSHIP
Requests for Troop activity scholarships are submitted to the Committee
Chair and a small sub-group of the committee reviews the request and
makes a determination.
Although there are no specific forms to complete, requests should be
made in writing. All requests, and the names of those Scouts that receive
Troop scholarship, are treated confidentially.
HOW REQUESTS ARE EVALUATED
The Scholarship Committee considers factors including:
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The available funds in the Troop’s budget.
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The specific activity. Summer camp scholarships are a priority.
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The individual need of the family making the request.
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The amount of funding requested. Requests for partial funding
enable the Troop to provide scholarships to a greater number
of Scouts.
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How active the Scout has been in Troop activities. The
Committee believes a Scout needs to be active to get the
greatest benefit from the Scouting program.
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How active the Scout’s family has been in supported the
Troop’s program. The Troop’s program is the most successful
when there is a strong family involvement.
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The timeliness of the request; last minute requests are difficult
to review.
HOW SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING IS PROVIDED
After notifying the Scout family of the proposed scholarship amount, and
learning that it is accepted, the Troop Treasurer is instructed to credit
scholarships to the specific activity. Scholarship amounts are not paid
directly to the Scout or family.
Questions? Contact the Troop Committee Chair for a confidential
discussion of any questions.