September, 2002 Newsletter

Table of Contents

Scoutmaster Scribbles

The Chinese have a saying: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". I'm thinking of your steps in scouting, of advancement. If you come to troop meetings without looking in your Boy Scout Handbook all week and if you never ask how to pass a test or who to see about a merit badge, you'll never advance very far in Scouting. Here, like in life, the rewards don't come to those who sit back and wait for something to be handed to them.

I would like to see each of you set a personal advancement goal, and as a step towards that goal, I hope each of you receive some award at our court of awards later this month. Whatever goal you set for yourself, remember that you are the only one who can take that first step. No one can do it for you. Once you've take that first step, I'm sure you'll find that the ones after will come easier. And once you are off on the Scouting advancement trail, each step gets you closer to your goal.

-Scoutmaster Bob Williamson
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ONE HUNDRED SCOUTS

Of any one hundred boys who become Scouts, it must be confessed that thirty will drop out in their first year. Perhaps this may be regarded as a failure, but later in life, all of these will remember that they had been in Scouting and will speak well of the program.

Of the one hundred, only rarely will one ever appear before a juvenile court judge. Twelve of the one hundred will be from families that belong to no church. Through Scouting, these twelve and many of their families will be brought into contact with a church and will continue to be active all their lives. Six of the one hundred will become pastors.

Each of the one hundred will learn something from Scouting, and all will develop hobbies that will add interest throughout the rest of their loves. Approximately one half will serve in the military, and in varying degrees, profit from their Scout training. At least one will use it to save another person's life, and many may credit it for saving their own.

Four of the one hundred will reach Eagle rank, and at least one will later say that he valued his Eagle above his college degree. Many will find their future vocation through merit badge work and Scouting contacts. Seventeen of the one hundred boys will become adult leaders and will give leadership to thousands of additional boys.

One in four boys in America will become Scouts, but it is interesting to know that of the leaders of this nation, in business, religion and politics, three out of four were Scouts.
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Troop 10’s Trailblazer Program at Camp

Massawepie - Troop 10 held their own fundamental Scout skill development and advancement program this year at Camp Massawepie. Sixteen boys took part nearly completing the skill requirements for both Second Class and First Class Scout. The Troop 10 leaders elected to develop our own course instead of participating in the camp's typically overcrowded Trailblazer program. Troop 10 Trailblazer Version 1.0 was successfully delivered in our own camp with the assistance of many of our adult leaders including Eric Beck, Tom DuBois, Phil Griffen, Don Knab, Dale McIntyre, Mike Monnat, Steve Schmidt, Jim Whritenor, and Bob Williamson. When not in merit badge classes, many of our senior scouts also helped teach skills and coached our younger scouts. Many thanks to all who helped make this year a big success.

- Dale McIntyre
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Thanks to Mr. Collard

I would like to say thank you to Mr. Collard for all of his extra effort in helping put the quartermaster room and patrol boxes back in order. Hope they will be kept as nice the rest of the year.

- David K.
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Stephen M’s Eagle Scout Project

I will be building a stair-training platform for the Upstate Guide Dog Association. My project will be a deck about 4 feet high with 4 different stairways leading from it. There will be a normal stair, a high step stair, a stairway with an open back, and a metal-tread/open back stairway. For all you Boy Scouts reading this, my project is a service project that counts towards your service hours, which you need for advancement. I also need you to come because there is a lot of work to be done. Adults, I need you as well because only adult leaders can use circular saws. The dates of my project are September 21 and October 12. Please Please Please leave these dates open. I hope to see you there. Thanks. Details to follow.

- Stephen M.
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Massawepie 2002

The morning of departure was rainy and muggy, but when it came time to roll out the sun shone and gave us a foretaste of the wonderful week to come. Massawepie 2002 was an unquestionable success! Troop 10 came home with 132 complete merit badges and 50 happy and eager scouts. Even with lost scouts, bee stings and the lack of water Troop 10 showed what they were made of with wonderful behavior, great scout spirit and another honor troop award that we can be proud of! This year was awesome, but I am sure next year will prove to be better. Liam has graciously taken over the project as the scout coordinator and has already started planning for next year. With 88 spots reserved for Massawepie 2003 I'm sure it will prove to be an awesome adventure! Thank you all for a successful 2002 and good luck with 2003!

- Chris M.
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Massawepie:  Change of Command

After several years of successful management of our annual trip to Massawepie, Chris Monnat is retiring and heading off to college. Chris has done a fantastic job of ensuring a quality camping experience for our troop and each year has made improvements to the process, the experience and the outcome. Thank you, Chris for demonstrating great scout spirit, leadership and an attitude of continuous improvement! Chris has transitioned the role to Liam who has graciously accepted the challenge! Liam will work with Mr. Monnat to ensure that our summer camp experiences continue to exceed all our expectations!
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Lost and Found in Scout House

Several items are left over from Massawepie . They will be on display in the 'kitchen' area of the Scout House for the first two troop meetings. The collection of tee shirts, camping gear, towels, hats and other items will be thrown out or donated if not retrieved by the 23rd of September.

Also, there are some Scout Books on top of the fireplace mantel that had been borrowed for the purpose of documenting advancements, as well as a few that have been left at meetings or at camp. If you are missing a book, please look on the mantel first!
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Job Opportunity - Publicity

The troop committee is looking for a volunteer to support publicity for the troop. Do you have skills in marketing, writing, advertising, creativity and want to support our troop from 'behind the scenes'? With the plans for our 90th anniversary celebration taking shape, we will need to get the message out to our community and to the prior membership of the troop. Please contact Charlie Dekar to sign up to support our troop as Poohbah of Publicity!
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Car Show - Sunday September 8

We will again be supporting the Honeoye Falls Rotary, our sponsoring organization, with a service project to support the Annual Sage-Rutty Car Show on Sunday September 8. Jeff S. will lead the effort and will be setting up work shifts for all scouts and some parents from 8 'til 11, 11 'til 2 and 2 'til 5. Boys should wear class A uniforms and have hats, sunscreen and rain gear per the weather forecast. Our responsibilities include attending to the parking lots, entry of cars into the display grounds, working in the food tent, and other activities as requested by the Rotary. Based on conversations with boys who have participated, a good time is had by all!
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Job Opportunity - Webelos Coordinator

It is always hard to follow the footsteps of a great scouter and leader, but we need a volunteer to be our Webelos Coordinator for the upcoming scout year. Dale McIntrye has done a great job of managing the transition from Cubs to Scouts for the 20 boys who recently joined us from Pack 10 and Pack 105. And best of all, he has documented the process along the way, making the next person's job a bit easier. The position includes communication between the Webelos den leaders and our leadership, coordinating joint activities, organizing (but not necessarily conducting) the Trailblazer program for summer camp, and ensuring a smooth transition to Boy Scouts for the boys and their parents. Please contact Dale or Bob for information. This is a great role for someone who wants to make a difference in the lives of a bunch of 10 to 11 year olds!
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Massawepie 2002 a Success!

By Liam

Troop 10 attended Massawepie this year with 50 scouts and over 25 adults. Despite a run in with some stinging insects, everyone returned home safely. While at camp the scouts earned a total of 132 completed merit badges and 32 'partials'. Mac, Adam W., Mr. McCunn and Ms Feigelson completed the Mile Swim. Reid, Zack, and Sean K. finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively in the camp wide Triathlon competition. Eric Beck finished first in the adult shooting competition. Jon and Mr. Dooley completed their OA ordeal. The troop earned honorable mention from the OA for service to the lodge while at camp. We also earned Honor Troop again this year. Mr. McIntyre did an excellent job of coordinating Troop 10's Trailblazer program. Everyone felt this was a great success and should be continued in the future. Thanks to Mr. Griffin for use of his trailer and Mr. Vojt and Mr. Knab for the great grub. A special thank you goes to Chris Monnat for organizing the trip. Chris will be greatly missed at Massawepie in the future.
Reservations have been made for next year. Mark you calendars for July 27th through August 2nd 2003. More information will be provided soon.
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Leader’s Meeting

There will be no Leader's Meeting the first Tuesday in September: Instead the meeting will be the 2nd Tuesday, September 9, at 7 PM at the Scouthouse. The entire meeting will focus on the Patrol Coach Role. We assign 2 to 3 adults to 'coach' the patrol leaders/troop guides of each patrol. This meeting will be a resource and training time for all interested parents, both those not yet in that role and those already serving in that
function. All recently joined scout parents are welcomed to attend, to learn what that role is all about, and those involved with the troop for a longer time are invited to come and share experiences about what makes a successful patrol. Any questions please contact the Scoutmaster.
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Leader’s Campout and Meeting

Seven leaders braved strong rains on Saturday morning on a campout/leader's meeting at Keuka State Park the weekend of August 23-25. A 'standing room only' meeting was held under a 'a scouter is always prepared' tarp, and issues of troop objectives were discussed and agreed for the coming scout year. The weather cleared in the afternoon and the group braved the winds and threat of rain to cross the lake and explore a nearby creek in canoes and a kayak. Special times included meeting up with fellow campers who are scouters from Massachusetts, good food, good stories and teamwork to make it all seem like great fun.
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Adopt-a-Highway

Once upon a time, on a cool, wet Saturday in August, a group of six gathered along the side of the street with garbage bags and construction hats. However, contrary to popular belief, the Village People had not become homeless. Instead, on August 24th, four scouts and two parents participated in Troop 10's most recent Adopt-A-Highway cleanup. The troop "adopts" 1.8 miles of Rt. 65 (Clover Street), the stretch bordering Mendon Ponds Park. Saturday's cleanup was a success, despite the extreme lack of attendance. Depending upon the promptness of the Parks Department, you may be fortunate enough to view the massive pile of orange trash bags that the group accumulated over just two hours. Thanks to Fred C., Adam W., Tim G., Kevin M., Mrs. Podgorny, and Mrs. G. for helping out. However, the only thing that the scouts found more disappointing than society's blatant disregard for the environment was Troop 10's deficiency of scout spirit to even show up. Perhaps next time more than 4 out of the currently 70 scouts enrolled in the troop will be able to attend.
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Otetiana Council Camporee 2002

This year's 2002 Otetiana Council Challenge Trophy Camporee be held at Camp Cutler on the weekend of October 18th-20th. With over 200 fun-filled activities for both Boy Scouts and Webelos, it is said to be the best camporee yet. Everyone is encouraged to attend the coolest weekend of the year. For more info, log onto http://www.angelfire.com/sd/scouterdoug.
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Canoe Trip

COMING SOON - News of the Troop 10 High Adventure Canoe Trip to Stillwater Resevoir. Look for it in October's issue.
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