July/August 1999

The weekend of July 30 - Aug. 1, the troop will go on a camping trip to James River Park. Assistant Scoutmaster Mark Wray is arranging a visit to this brand new state park where the troop can canoe, fish, and have fun. With the expected heat, cooking will be at a minimum (no Dutch Ovens!). If you want to go, let your Patrol Leader know.

Also, on the weekend of August 21-22, the troop is planning an overnight float and fish canoe trip. We’ll meet in the Mt. Olivet Church parking lot at 8 a.m. and head out with the canoes for the Potomac River up near Point of Rocks, MD. Scouts will carry their equipment in their canoes and will do a "pull out" along the way to camp overnight. They’ll be back at the parking lot by 4 p.m. The focus of this trip will be fishing, swimming, and fun – and not as much paddling as last year (especially if we don’t get more rain!).

Troop 167 sputtered to Goshen on a bus that kept dying. Fortunately, it was in a caravan with other vehicles and many kind strangers offered advice -- and a jump -- along the way. However, one car stopped and asked for advice – a man showed Scoutmaster Curt Dove a dead snake that bit his wife and asked if it was poisonous (her leg was numb and swollen). His answer: "Yes, it’s a copperhead and you should get to a doctor!"

Other notable memories for the 41 Scouts and 9 adults that survived several days where the heat index topped 113:

• The troop won the "best troop of the day" award. To mark this special occasion, Asst. Scoutmaster Mark Wray made a special totem of troop patches to go on the award (a decorated paddle) before it was handed over to another troop the next day. Parents – if your son is missing patches from his uniform, it was for the greater good!
• Scouts earned 105 merit badges. The next Court of Honor will be a long one!
• More than 20 scouts and adults went on a Pirate’s Breakfast adventure – get up at 5:30 in the morning, pick up breakfast fixings from the commissary, and canoe to a hill on the other side of the lake to eat it. Sounds simple, but a morning mist on the lake resulted in the canoes separating and beaching at different hills. Fortunately, each group had part of the breakfast, just not the same parts (one had the cereal and milk, the other had the bowls, spoons, and donuts).
• The troop hike to Swinging Bridge had a new twist to it this year – six Scouts working on their Camping merit badge carried full packs for the 1 ½ mile trek to meet a requirement. The cold stream was terrific to lay in after the hike.
• At the closing flag ceremony, Troop 167 was awarded 1 ½ watermelons for winning the Water Carnival (thanks to John Cancian’s leadership) and tying the Scoutmaster-Senior Patrol Leader shootout (thanks to Asst. Scoutmaster Joe Turner and SPL Jeremy Turner).
• The Flame Patrol lived up to its name – 100 degree heat never deterred them from building a bonfire – and nearly all of them bought Hot Sparks at the camp general store! Parents, watch for sparks on dark nights.
• Tuttle & Spice – aka "the rip off shop" – was the favored stop on the bus ride home (fortunately, the Camp Goshen mechanic fixed the Scout Bus). It was probably the most exciting day for the owners in a long time – they sold lots of candy!

Best of all, there were no serious accidents – the Scouts came home with all 410 fingers still attached (some Scouts misunderstood woodcarving merit badge requirements, but not badly) and no one got bitten by nipple fish.

 Scout Spirit? This is what it looks like . . . (from a letter to a parent)

Mr. McKenney,

It has been a great pleasure working with Reid this past week and watching him improve day after day. He struggled at first but with hour after hour of dedicated practice he succeeded in earning the rifle shooting merit badge. While working one on one with Reid he showed great interest in continuing this sport outside of camp. I feel, after working with your son this week, he is ready to do this. He demonstrated knowledge of the subject, skill in qualifying, and a great attitude the entire week. Reid has learned how to handle firearms safely as well as how to care for them and clean them. Reid also expressed interest in taking the shotgun merit badge next year at camp. I feel that if he dedicates himself to that the same way he has done this week he will be successful there as well. Once again, I would like to thank Reid for making week #2 a great and memorable one.

Sincerely,

Randy Hinkelman

USA '99

Camp Bowman

New Members. Welcome Scout John Boisture to the Eagle Patrol, and Scouts Brian Webb and Mike Hollander to the Invisible Men patrol. Also, welcome to a new Assistant Scoutmaster, Sheldon Shoemaker, and the return of veteran Asst. Scoutmaster Greg Griswold (back from paternity leave).

Color Guard at District Roundtable. Five Scouts from Troop 167 served as the Color Guard for the Chain Bridge District Roundtable meeting in June. Thanks to Scouts Jeremy and Jeff Turner, Spencer Ellsworth, Matt Brooks, and Honri Sheppard.

Six Flags in August? Dunno, but maybe. The troop had a great time last year and if the Scouts want, the troop could do it again, especially as Summer ends and the guys get REALLY bored waiting for school to start. . . . Scouts, if you want to go, give your patrol leader or the Senior Patrol Leader a call!

Lawnmowing. Mr. Richard Erkenbrack, troop lawn mowing coordinator, says "thanks" to the many who are helping out, with a special "thanks" to Mr. Mark Cancian for fixing the lawn mowers!

God & Country Award. Mr. Charles Lundy will begin a second God and Country program this Fall if at least two more scouts are interested (one already signed up). Scouts John Hart, Spencer Ellsworth and Matt Brooks completed this very exclusive Scouting award last Spring and now proudly wear the God and Country medal and square knot.

Reverend Tingle and Mr. Lundy want to give more Scouts the same opportunity to learn about the Christian faith (Scouts of any Protestant denomination may participate. Interested Scouts should talk to Mr. Dove and/or contact Mr. Lundy. He will set the program up in September and convene the first class by early October.

Citizenship in the World Merit Badge. Mr. Shaffer, a Troop 167 Citizenship in the World (CITW) merit badge counselor, will be conducting a CITW merit badge campout on August 7-8, 1999. The trip will be to Goose Creek camp ground and will be for Scouts desiring to complete this badge. The plan is to camp from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon. During the merit badge sessions, Mr. Shaffer will provide the opportunity for group discussions, as well as individual work aimed at satisfying the CITW merit badge requirements. There will be work assignments pre-assigned that will be brought to the session, and there will be a written exam to ensure that each participant has achieved the objectives of the badge. The aim is that any Scout who applies himself will complete the requirements and earn the badge. The Scoutmaster has set eligibility requirements to participate. They are: any Star or Life Scout; any First Class Scout fourteen years old or older; or any First Class Scout who has completed the Citizenship in the Community merit badge. Any Scout wishing to participate in this merit badge opportunity should be attend the Troop meeting on July 28th to receive detailed information regarding the campout. For more information, contact Mr. Shaffer.

Troop Court of Honor on June 10: Scout Reid McKinney received Tenderfoot and Scout Ali Zagday received Star. The troop also welcomed new scouts, and recognized those earning their Toten’ Chip and merit badges. The ceremony was part of a regular Scout Meeting and these Scouts will be recognized more formally at a grander Court of Honor in October. The troop also received some recognition. The Council awarded the troop a "Friends of Scouting" unit participation award and a 1999 quality unit award.

Eagle Watch. Erik Raven-Hansen’s Eagle Ceremony on June 27^th was the traditional grand affair, presided over by Asst. Scoutmaster Greg Griswold, who recognized Erik for "achieving this pinnacle of the scouting journey." Scores of friends, family and fellow Scouts joined in the dinner, ceremony (with a slide show by Asst. Scoutmaster Herrmann), and cake. Scout Brian Collela will receive his Eagle in late August and Scout Kenneth Lounge is working on his Eagle Project – the last step in his journey towards Eagle.

Camp Goshen Photos. The camp photographer didn’t show. So Asst. Scoutmaster Dave Walters is returning the $6 to Scouts and families. We’ll see if anyone in the troop got a good picture of the whole group and share it.

Scout Bus Driver Is Certified

Congratulations to Asst. Scoutmaster John Gasper for passing his exam for a Commercial Driver’s License to drive the Scout Bus. The troop could use a few more if you’re interested. The exciting part is backing up with a trailer full of canoes – or breaking down in 90 degree heat with a bus load of scouts! Seriously, this is a key way parents can help make Scouting adventures possible. Contact Mr. Gasper for details.

The end of a hot summer brings with it the beginning of a new school year, and lots of new opportunities.

Scout Leaders. The troop traditionally opens its Fall activities with the selection of a new crop of Scout leaders who plan the agenda for the coming months. In August, the Assistant Scoutmasters will gather and go over the recommendations of the existing Scout leaders for who is ready to serve in leadership roles in the troop.

This group will spend a weekend developing the agenda for the Fall and learn new leadership skills. The exact date is not yet set, but will occur in late August or early September, depending on availability of the new Scout leaders.

Adult Leaders. In addition, the adult Troop Committee will be selecting new officers this Fall. Assistant Scoutmaster John Gasper is leading a nominating committee with the help of Mr. Richard Erkenbrack, Mrs. Diane Cancian, Mrs. Andrea Furrow, and Mr. David Howell. The committee will make recommendations to the full Troop Committee in September and make selections at its October meeting.

Adults -- expect a call from one of the members of the committee! Below is a list of the officer positions and what the role is; there are also more than a dozen other volunteer positions available:

In its June meeting, the Troop Committee adopted a new set of operating rules that defined its officer positions and set an annual election for these positions. Following is a listing of these positions. If you are interested in being considered for any (or you’d like to suggest someone), please contact Asst. Scoutmaster John Gasper, the chair of the nominating committee.

Please note that even if you are not available for the commitment of an officer, there are more than a dozen other volunteer opportunities.

COMMITTEE CHAIR. Recruits for and fills all Committee positions. Works with the Scoutmaster to establish Troop operational policies and future requirements and goals. Helps run Committee Meetings. Assists the Scoutmaster in resolving disciplinary problems or personal conflicts. Responsible (with the Chartered Organization Representative) for reference checks on potential Adult Leaders. When required, institutes the search for a new Scoutmaster. Encourages committee members to get training.

This individual is the Committee equivalent of the Scoutmaster - he/she is the glue that holds the rest of it together. Should have good organizational and "people" skills.

COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR. Substitutes for the Committee Chair when the Chair is unavailable.

TROOP TREASURER. Approves and cuts all checks. Makes all deposits. Maintains Troop Checking and Savings Accounts; keeps the Troop Committee informed as to the current financial status of the Troop. Maintains troop scout credit accounts. Produces monthly financial statement for troop committee meetings. Chairs budget committee.

TROOP SECRETARY. Attends all Committee Meetings. Takes Minutes. Types up and forwards to the Troop Committee in a timely manner. Gets a replacement if unable to attend a specific meeting.

TROOP ADVANCEMENT CHAIR. Generates Advancement Reports for Boards of Review and other advancement, relays same to Council Headquarters. Coordinates awards (patches, cards, etc.) for Scouts. Works with Troop Librarian to maintain troop library of merit badge pamphlets. Purchases and maintains inventories of merit badges, rank patches, cards, etc. Maintains files on all Scouts, including Troop copies of Merit Badge cards. Prepares advancement lists for Courts of Honor. Computer literacy, perseverance, and a streak of perfectionism all helpful.

TROOP MEMBERSHIP CHAIR. Establishes Troop Registration Fee for all members of 167; prepares and sends individualized mailings to all families detailing their fees. Coordinates annual rechartering process with District and Council. Maintains a payment list. Collects fees. Relays all checks to the Troop Treasurer. Coordinates any problems with the Committee Chairman.

FUND RAISING CHAIR. Recruit parents to lead and participate in the four main troop fund raising activities.

World Scouting History (continued from last issue)

In the last newsletter, the story dropped off with beginning of World War II sending many of the Scouting movements underground. But the Scout Spirit was strong and proved to be indestructible. Neither the Communists, nor the Facists nor the Nazis were able to eliminate it. Despite the banning, the persecution and the oppression, even the killings, some remained undetected. In their hearts and minds the Scouting and Guiding ideals lived on. It was the hope and dream of many who waited for the day when they would be able to return into the open once again.

And so it happened in Italy in 1944, in the liberated European countries in 1944-1945 and even in Germany in 1945; everywhere Scouting and Guiding rose again amidst the ruins and resumed its good work.

In the east and central European countries under communist rule, it took a little longer. In 1989, the Soviet system was on the brink of collapse. The Iron Curtain got holes in it and the Berlin Wall came tumbling down to the surprise of many. Scouting and Guiding revived in the former communist countries. It even spread to countries where Scouting and Guiding had never existed before, proving once again that the Baden-Powell spirit was stronger and indestructible.