Calendar Highlights October Thurs., 10/2 Court of Honor, FUMC, 7:30 p.m. Thurs., 10/9 Annual Parents Meeting, FUMC, 7:30 p.m. Sat., 10/18 Service project at FUMC, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Thurs., 10/23 MEETING UPSTAIRS Fri., 10/24 -Sun., 10/26 Powahay District Fall Camporee, Hoyt Scout Reservation Thurs., 10/30 MEETING UPSTAIRS November Sat., 11/15-Sun., 11/16 Backpacking @ Harriman State Park Thurs., 11/20 Wreath pick-up, FUMC Thurs., 11/27 NO MEETING Thanksgiving Photos of most Troop 9 activities can be found by clicking on the Shutterfly link on the troop website News or photos you d like to share with Troop 9? Send them to Holly Connolly at connollys@ilex2.com Color version of the Troop 9 newsletter is available online TROOP NEWS STAMFORD, CT Est. 1923 Fundraising 101 Through two major fundraising efforts vital to our Troop - Popcorn and Wreath sales - Scouts are able to qualify to attend the Invitational Trip in May. Every Scout in Troop 9 has an individual fundraising goal of at least 300 credits (sales of $300.) Upon reaching this goal, Scouts are halfway to earning the opportunity to participate in the Invitational Trip, held in May, with all expenses paid except food and a gas stipend for drivers. Participation by the Scout is dependent on (a) raising their minimum total fundraiser revenues (b) showing Scout Spirit throughout the year (as defined by the Scoutmaster.) Popcorn sales are underway and are achieved a few ways - Take orders, Show & Sell at various locations around town and online sales. There is still time to sign up for open Show and Sell slots on the weekends of October 4/5, 11/12, and 18/19 but they are going fast! Sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094caea622a3fd0-2014 Every Scout should volunteer at least 2 hours, and 1 adult is needed at each site. Show & Sell volunteers will split September/ October 2014 www.troop9stamford.org Troop 9 Leadership Senior Patrol Leader John V. Scoutmaster Roger Williams 358-8634 rvw@optonline.net Assistant Scoutmasters Gene Alvarez 569-3329 galvar60@gmail.com Frank Browne 968-6540 fjbrowne@hotmail.com Mark Kuehn 324-5954 mark.njm@gmail.com Tony Lerner 322-2412 tonylerner@yahoo.com John Mihok 322-0929 jjmihok52@yahoo.com Barry Morgan 329-3255 buzz330@aol.com Craig Orr 569-9850 craig.orr2@gmail.com Doug Penn 325-8355 douglaspenn@hotmail.com Ask Me About My Scoutmaster s Corner Patches! From the outside, the uniform on an older Boy Scout or uniformed leader can look like a patchwork quilt, however, behind each of the patches are stories and knowledge. The most famous of the patches is the merit badge which demonstrates that the Scout has acquired the knowledge and skills needed to obtain that particular badge. There are over 130 merit badges a Scout can earn (http://www.scouting.org/meritbadges.aspx). The next one that many seem to know about is the rank patch, depicting a Scouts rank in scouting and spanning a Scout s life from the rank of Scout to Eagle Scout. Rank patches are awarded to a Scout for completing the requirements for each rank and having a Scoutmaster review and Board of Review to obtain that rank. There are also patches that show a Scouts role of responsibility in a troop such as Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Scribe, and Troop Guide to name a few. There are many other types of patches and pins that Scouts can earn in scouting. For example, there are patches that are from events like a Jamboree or the upcoming Camporee. This year we have the Connecticut Jamboree which is always a fun event. There are patches that show a Scout has hiked the CT Adirondack Trail. Some Scouts have a red arrow on a white sash and may also have a pocket patch of a lodge, or a pin for perfect attendance, or a patch from a Scout camp they stayed at, or patches that they earned at a summer camp - there are too many to mention! Uniformed leaders may have patches with square knots on them, or of an acorn, or a metal powder horn, or many others. Don t be afraid to ask someone about their patches! Behind each one is a great experience the Scout has had and I m sure they d be happy to tell you about it. Page 1 Continued on Page 2 - Gene Alvarez, Assistant Scoutmaster
(continued from Page 1) all sales evenly for the hours on the day they work, no matter what site they worked at or how much that particular site earned. Scouts use their take order forms to sell to family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. The popcorn is ordered by the troop and then you deliver it to your customers about a month later. Take Orders and money are due back by Monday, October 20th. Please collect cash or checks (made payable to Troop 9) at the time of taking the orders. If you need additional information on Show and Sell or other opportunities for selling popcorn, please see the new Popcorn Colonels Steve McLaughlin or Steve Wood. Holiday wreaths will be distributed at the regular Thursday meeting on November 20th. The troop pre-orders wreaths and each Scout will be responsible for selling 10 wreaths, but you may sell more!! Scouts earn a bonus credit of 20% for sales over $300.00. Credits earned by the Scout may be applied to troop activities such as summer camp, ski trips or toward the purchase of Scout-related items like a backpack, sleeping bag, etc. Credits may not be applied to food costs for trips and will not be paid in cash. You must use the credits in the current Scouting year and cannot carry them over to next year. Unused credits may be donated to the Troop 9 Doc Abbott High Adventure Fund. Doc Abbott committed over 75 years to Scouting, many of them with Troop 9, and this fund helps us to perpetuate his wishes, enabling Scouts to participate in high adventure trips such as a 50-mile canoe trip, Philmont treks, and BSA National Jamborees to name a few. SELL, SELL, SELL!!! The more funds you raise, the more credits you earn, and you can qualify for the exciting Invitational Trip. Eagles Soar! Congratulations to Brian Connolly on becoming Troop 9 s newest Eagle Scout! Brian successfully completed his Eagle Board of Review on Friday, August 15th. His Eagle service project was to install a 600 square foot deck platform in the playground behind St. Cecilia Elementary School on Newfield Avenue. During his tenure in Troop 9, Brian has held several leadership positions in the troop including SPL, Quartermaster, Troop Guide and Instructor. He has earned five annual attendance awards and has participated in more than 60 Troop 9 outings. In addition, Brian participated in two National Jamborees as well as high adventure trips at Philmont and a 50 mile canoe trek in the Adirondacks. Brian is shown here with proud parents, Holly and Frank, and with Committee Chairman Evan Atkins and Scoutmaster Roger Williams. Photos: Bob Busby Page 2
TROOP 9 COURT OF HONOR - June 18, 2014 RANK ADVANCEMENTS 2nd CLASS Collin M. (not pictured) Liam B. Communication* Citizenship in the Community* Family Life* Woodworking MERIT BADGES Ryan C. Ismael D. Rifle Shooting First Aid* 1st CLASS Garrett G. Alex L. Collin M. Logan W. John C. Brian C. Citizenship in the Community* Family Life* First Aid* Personal Fitness* Family Life* Ryan M. David V. Peter W. Rifle Shooting First Aid* First Aid* Personal Fitness* Personal Management* LIFE Liam B. John C. Nikhil R. Chris T. FYI: Merit badges followed by an * are Eagle-required badges. To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, you must complete a minimum of 21 merit badges, and of these, 13 are required. Merit badges are to be affixed to a merit badge sash and worn as part of the full Class A uniform. ORDER OF THE ARROW The Order or the Arrow is a national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America. It uses American Indian-styled traditions and ceremonies to bestow recognition on Scouts selected by their peers as best exemplifying the ideals of Scouting. OA candidates undergo a vow of silence, spend a night sleeping alone with no shelter, receive little food, and perform some sort of labor. Candidates are then welcomed as Ordeal members in a formal induction ceremony. OA Brotherhood offers an opportunity "to reaffirm [one's] belief in the high purposes of the Order. Before becoming a Brotherhood member, each Arrowman makes a special effort to serve his troop or team. Each Brotherhood member commits to even more service to Scouting through the Order." Arrowmen may "seal" their membership after ten months by demonstrating their knowledge of the traditions and obligations of the OA and then participate in an induction ceremony. The Vigil honor may be conferred upon Arrowmen who have completed a minimum of two years as a Brotherhood member and have performed exceptional service above and beyond their immediate responsibilities through leadership, exemplary efforts, and dedication. Troop 9 is a member of the Owaneco Lodge and Powahay chapter of the OA. There are four T9 Scouts out of the 20 members, and they were all recently elected to the four leadership positions. Ryan C. was elected Chief, Liam B. is the Vice Chief/Program, Nikhil R. is the Vice Chief/Induction, and Kevin S. was elected Secretary. The following members of Troop 9 have recently completed the Ordeal and Brotherhood: Ordeal Brotherhood ASM Gene Alvarez Liam B. John C. Ryan C. Aidan O. Nikhil R. Grady O. John V. Page 3 Photos: Frank Connolly
Troop 9 gathered on Wednesday, June 18th at Camp Rocky Craig to celebrate at the annual End of Year BBQ and Court of Honor. Many families were in attendance and enjoyed the culinary offerings of hamburgers, hot dogs, and many potluck dishes in addition to a wide array of desserts. Scouts were recognized during the Court of Honor for rank advancements, earning of merit badges, and participation in Order of the Arrow events. Adult volunteers were recognized for their contributions to the troop, including outgoing Treasurer Pat Nulty, Popcorn Maven Patty Czelada and Newsletter Editor Holly Connolly. Page 4 Photos: Frank Connolly
BEFORE AFTER In late April, Troop 9 Eagle Scout Alex Huntoon, pictured at right, was diagnosed with Burkitt s Lymphoma. Wanting to show support for their fellow Scout, who lost his hair during chemo treatments, members of T9 rallied around him and went under the razor on Thursday, July 10. Gretchen Orr and Wendy Lacey were the skilled hair shearers and the event was covered by The Advocate and Channel 12 News. Alex and his father, Mark, were on hand to watch the often comical happenings. Participating T9 members were SM Roger Williams, ASM s Gene Alvarez, Frank Browne & Mark Kuehn, and Scouts Tommy A., Liam B., Chris B., Brian C., Ryan C., Chris E., Joe N., Nikhil R., Kevin S., John V., & Christoph V. They are shown here in various states of hairlessness, modeling their new t-shirts emblazoned with We Camp For Alex on their backs. Due to his treatments Alex was unable to participate in the Philmont expedition in July but we are happy to report that he is in remission and entrenched in his freshman year at Northeastern University. The story from The Advocate and the News 12 coverage can be found at http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/default/article/breunig-agesture-that-cuts-deep-5617609.php and https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=nm1fajsjbhk Page 5 Photos: Holly Connolly, Sandy Ellis
3 George Vibien caught the boys having fun at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, at right, before reaching Philmont. Above, they are shown with their ranger, Alex, from Wichita, KS. Shown at right, the photo diary of ASM Mark Kuehn, T9 adult leader attending Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico July 17-31, 2014 along with George Vibien. Scouts participating in this high adventure trip were Brian C., Nick K., T h o m a s M., Nikhil R., and Christoph V. # 11 - on the Arkansas River in in in in Colorado The best whitewater rafting I I have ever participated in! ## ## 22 22 - Our first day hiking, doing low-impact hiking, spread out, taking compass ## ## 3 - After our conservation project (repairing the mountain bike trail) we get to take the bikes out for a a a a ride. Awesome! # 4 - Hiking at a 2 mile elevation is tough! # 5 - After a long hike we go panning for gold, and make a new friend. # 6 - Nikhil leads our faithful steed Pancho a.k.a. Donkey Hoatay (Don Quixote) # 7 - At the top of Baldy Mountain - 12,400 feet All in all, beautiful scenery, incredible hikes! 4 1 5 6 7 2 Page 6 Photos: Mark Kuehn, George Vibien
There are over 800 pictures of summer camp on the Troop 9 website!!! Page 7 Photos: Gene Alvarez
Scouting World Jamborees take place every four years; the last one was held in Sweden and in 2015, Japan will host the event. Jack Stewart, International Commissioner for Scotland before and after the 1939/1945 war, felt that a smaller gathering of Scouts from all over the world would be more beneficial and after discussion with many overseas friends who had found their way to Britain during the war, the concept of the first Jamborette came to pass in 1946. The Blair Atholl Jamborette is Scottish Scouting's premier international event and has been held every 2 years since then, hosting participants from all over the world who come together to camp and share in fun, friendship, and a massive range of adventurous activities and challenges. The 34th Scottish International Patrol Jamborette was held at Blair Castle July 22-31, 2014. There were about 1,500 Scouts and adult leaders attending the event, including equal numbers of Scots and Scouts from other countries. Scottish Scouts representing every district and region in the country were paired with counterparts from as far afield as Japan, Zambia, Canada, Iceland, Hong Kong and the USA. The photos shown here are contributions of T9 Assistant Scoutmaster Craig O. and son Grady, who attended the Jamborette along with brother, Aidan. Grady notes that twelve CT Yankee Council Scouts went to Scotland where they toured, explored, and attended the Jamborette. Afterwards, they stayed at a Scottish Scout s home and toured for a few additional days before joining the rest of their contingent and heading home. Be sure to ask them about life in their sub-camp clan, shown in the picture on the right. Page 8
Photos: Dan Taylor Page 9