The Eagle Herald

The Troop 364 Newsletter
Volume 3, Number 4 December 16, 1997

Matthew Terribile
Scoutmaster 		Jesse Osterhoudt
Committee Chairman

http://www.bsa.net/nc/t364

Newsletter Name Chosen

A new name has been chosen for the Troop 364 newsletter. Entries were submitted by members of the troop and at the last committee meeting, the name "Eagle Herald" was chosen. Congratulations to Robert who submitted the winning entry. Robert receives a $5 Blockbuster gift certificate.

Scoutmaster's Corner

Advancement is a METHOD of Scouting. In October I introduced the patrol method as one method of Scouting, and in November I wrote of adult association as another method. Another of the eight methods is advancement.

Advancement is a way of awarding Scouts who are learning. Boys are rewarded for their achievements, building their self-confidence.

The advancement system provides a series of surmountable obstacles.

The first three ranks, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class require mastering an increasingly difficult set of Scout skills. By the time a Scout reaches First Class he should be able to live in the outdoors with little assistance from others. He should be able to provide basic first aid, be physically fit, have a sense of patriotism, and have accepted the Scout Oath and Law as a moral code to aspire to.

While the skills for the first three ranks are taught each year at meetings and on camping trips, the later ranks require Scouts to show initiative. They must begin to lead themselves in planning their merit badge work, and begin to lead others within the troop. The required merit badges are designed to give the scout skills they need to survive as an adult, such as financial management, safety, and communications. The Scout also can explore fields of their own choice through the merit badge program.

The capstone of the advancement program is the Eagle service project. This is a chance for the Scout to show himself as a leader and a citizen. Most projects don't go smoothly, but what projects go smoothly in the adult world? Dealing with these 'situations' is part of learning to survive as an adult growth process.

In summary, advancing through the ranks to Eagle, is NOT the aim of Scouting. Advancment provides the guideposts along the road to the aim - developing character, citizenship, and multi-dimensional fitness.

In The Swim

December 13th saw Troop 364 immersed in the Optimist Pool. The following Scouts attended:

  • Matt (Raptors)
  • Robert (Raptors)
  • Joshua (Barbarians)
  • Matt (Barbarians)
  • Eric (Barbarians)
  • Brian (Barbarians)

Also present was Jo Ann Levo and Matt Terribile who helped some of the boys with their Second Class and First Class swim requirements.

Thank You

Thanks to all those who have helped out in a big way lately:

  • Connie Martin - Neckerchief sewing & Asst. Treasurer
  • Linda Bradley - Summer Camp
  • Susan Yurcak - Needy family Service Project & Advancement;
  • Beth Pabst - Newsletter;
  • Steve Hamlin - Popcorn Sales;
  • Gary Yurcak - Advancement Updating Records;
  • Keith Hoverstad - Improvements to equipment area;
  • Jesse Osterhoudt - Committee Chair;
  • JoAnn Levo - Camping arrangements;
  • Rich Pabst, Kerry Martin, Brandon White, Michael Bradley - Asst. SMs.

This is not a complete list of all those helping out but these folks have been especially helpful.

A Scout Is Helpful

Many thanks to Susan Yurcak for organizing our troop Christmas project. Thanks to all the scout families for making Christmas possible for a needy family.

Staying Warm Outdoors In Cold Weather

In January Troop 364 is going on a cold weather camping trip to Umstead Park in Raleigh. Cold weather provides less room for mistakes in the outdoors. Some keys to Being Prepared:

  • Dress in layers. Several light layers will be warmer than one heavy layer. See page 20 of the December Boys Life for an excellent article on dressing in layers.
  • Stay dry. Dampness will drain the heat from your body. Always avoid getting wet in cold weather and have a second set of dry clothes available. Change into dry sleeping clothes before you go to bed. Wetness can come from sweating, so if you are getting warm, remove layers before you start sweating.
  • Dress in fabrics that keep you warm when they are damp. Cotton is very bad at keeping you warm when it is wet. Wool and synthetics such as fleece are much better. Heavy cotton blue jeans or heavy cotton sweat shirts will be very bad if they get wet in cold weather.
  • Wear a hat and gloves. You lose more heat through the top of you head than any other part of your body. You need both a hat and gloves on cold weather trips to avoid frostbite. They are MANDATORY equipment.
  • Also, as in hiking, wear a base layer sock and a heavy wool outside sock.

Troop Committee Minutes

The following members attended the troop committee meeting on 19/9/97: Jesse & Deborah Osterhoudt, Susan & Gary Yurcak, JoAnn Levo, Ken Eves, Connie Martin, Barbara Denning, Ann Bennett, Steve Simmons, Steve Hamlin, and Beth Pabst. Items on the agenda:

1. 12/16 is Court of Honor & Pot Luck

2. Fast Track Videos are available to borrow.

3. A discipline policy is being developed. A copy was passed around. It was suggested that we might want to look at the one in the boy scout handbook, also.

4. Basic Training for those interested in being an assistant leader is the first weekend of May.

5. Kay Eves has volunteered to be First Aid Merit Badge counselor. Tentative date for this is 12/30.

6. Susan Yurcak said she would be responsible for preparing blue cards on the boys and keeping them up to date.

7. The following Service Projects were proposed by Steve Simmons:

  • Adopt-A-Highway
  • Library Volunteer
  • Catholic Outreach Food Bank
  • Carnivore Preservation Trust
  • Passage Home
  • Help with church landscaping
  • Help with upkeep of cemetery

8. Next weekend outing is the Pioneering trip at Umstead State Park. Rope is needed for that trip. A motion was made & passed for Rich Pabst to purchase the rope.

9. All popcorn money is to be turned in by 12/16

10. JoAnn Levo said she needs suggestions for the biking trip in April. One was a trip along the railroad beds.

11. Ken Eves expressed interest in a canoe trip with the boys.

12. The troop is sponsoring a family from the church for Christmas. A motion was made and passed to purchase a food gift certificate with troop funds.

13. Jesse read a letter from Matt (Raptors) regarding patrol boxes.

Calendar Of Events

Date Planned Events

January 5, 1998

PLC Meeting 7:00PM

January 6, 1998

Troop Meeting - Pioneering Trip Preparation

January 10-11, 1998

Pioneering Trip at Umstead Park

January 13, 1998

Troop Meeting: Elected Official Presentation, Committee Meeting

January 20, 1998

Troop Meeting

January 27, 1998

Troop Meeting

February 3, 1998

Troop Meeting

February 8, 1998

Scout Sunday

February 10, 1998

Troop Meeting, Committee Meeting

February 17, 1998

Troop Meeting

February 24, 1998

NO Troop Meeting

February 20-22, 1998

Camping at Norfolk Naval Base, Sub and Aircraft Carrier Tour

March 14-15, 1997

Nature and Canoeing Trip at Merchant Mill Pond

April 25-26, 1998

Biking Trip: Location to be announced

May 16-17, 1998

Camping Trip at Hanging Rock State Park

June 22-28, 1998

Summer Camp at Camp Old Indian, Spartanburg, SC