October, 2002 Newsletter

Table of Contents

What the Scout Law Means to Me

By John Wayne

A great American, John Wayne, passed away many years ago. One of his last public appearances was at a dinner. He was riddled with cancer and knew he was close to death. The purpose of the dinner was to benefit a land purchase for a Scout Reservation called John Wayne Outpost Camp.

At this dinner, Wayne recited the Scout Law. Then he did something unusual. He said the twelve points of the Scout Law are "nice words". "Trouble is" he continued, "we learn them so young we sometimes don't get all the understanding that goes with them. I take care of that in my family. As each boy reaches Scout age, I make sure he learns the Scout Law. Then I break it down for him, with a few things I have picked up in more than half a century since I learned it."

Then Wayne proceeded to explain the importance of the Scout Law, breaking it down for the guests at the dinner; much like he would have for his grandson.

TRUSTWORTHY
The badge of honesty. Having it lets you look at any man in the eye. Lacking it, he won't look back. Keep this one at the top of your list.

LOYAL
The very word is life itself; for without loyalty we have no love of person or country

HELPFUL
Part sharing, part caring. By helping each other, we help ourselves; not to mention mankind. Be always full of help -- the dying man's last words.

FRIENDLY
Brotherhood is part of that word. You can take it in a lot of directions - and do - but make sure and start with brotherhood.

COURTEOUS
Allow each person his human dignity; which means a lot more than saying, "Yes, ma'am" and "Thank you, sir." It reflects an attitude that later in life you wish you had honored more... earlier in life. Save yourself that problem. Do it now.

KIND
This one word would stop wars and erase hatreds. But it's like your bicycle, it's just no good unless you get out and use it.

OBEDIENT
Starts at home. Practice it in your family. Enlarge it in your friends. Share it with humanity.

CHEERFUL
Anyone can put on a happy face when the going is good. The secret is to wear it as a mask for your problems. It might surprise you how many others do the same thing.

THRIFTY
Means a lot more than putting pennies away; and it is the opposite of cheap. Common sense covers it just about as well as anything.

BRAVE
You don't have to fight to be brave. Millions of good, fine, decent folks show more bravery than heavyweight champs just by getting out of bed every morning, going out to do a good day's work, and living the best life they know how against the law of odds. Keep the word handy every day of your life.

CLEAN
Soap and water helps a lot on the outside. But it is the inside that counts, and don't ever forget it.

REVERENT
Believe in anything that you want to believe in, but keep God at the top of it. With Him, life can be a beautiful experience. Without Him, you are just biding time.

John Wayne then thanked those at the dinner for putting his name on the outpost camp and said, "I would rather see it here than on all the theater marquees the world over."
Back to top

CALLING ALL SCOUTS ( AND LEADERS)

Sign up now for Massawepie 2003!

Every year more and more scouts are going to camp. And having a GREAT TIME!

BUT. That means every year it gets harder and harder for Troop 10 to get permission to allow scouts to come to camp who sign up late.

Troop 10 is going to camp on July 27, 2003 and returning August 2, 2003. Space is limited so sign up now.
Back to top

On a Positive Note….

Just a quick note for all of you who came to sports night. I have been playing ultimate frisbee for a long time with people of many different skill levels. Last week, I had such wonderful time playing with all of you because there was so much teamwork and spirit. Everybody was participating and having fun, and no one was really left out. That is not only the open spirit of ultimate, but also a key part in scouting. Also...wow...some of you scouts and dads are pretty good! I look forward to playing again with you all sometime soon.

Cam
Back to top

NOTICE!  NOTICE!  NOTICE!

In an effort to deliver your newsletter in the quickest way possible, we would like to transition into an e-mail only delivery system, UNLESS you request a hard copy. The transition will be in the January 2003 newsletter. If you would prefer a hard copy of the newsletter, a sign up sheet will be posted at the back of the Scouthouse, or you may call Mary Lou or e-mail her to let her know. E-mail will provide the fastest way of getting the newsletter to you as well help the Troop save postage/supplies cost.
Back to top

Why I Want to Become an Engineer

Although, you may be still young, your life career is being shaped. If you have worried about what you will do as a career, don't preoccupy with this worry. It is as simple as this, your career should be the same as your hobby. Therefore if your hobby is being in nature, don't become an accountant. Your career is something that will last you 20 or 30 years, and it is better to be a happy employee than disgruntled employee. Engineering is a career field that is steadily growing as the desire for technology increases. Engineers make the world go round, computers can't be made without new technology made by engineers, or the machines engineers designed. Engineers are responsible for designing new products as well as making them. So, if you have ever tried to figure out how things work, built things, designed new ideas, and been creative, then you should think about a career as an engineer. Engineers are able to do jobs ranging from designs of spaceships to bicycles, and the making of plastic buttons to gas tanks. This is proof that engineers are everywhere. If you have these interests, and you want to make your mark on the world, then engineering could exactly the career of you dreams. Engineers have fun jobs where they get to create, test, or improve products. Everything in the world, that has been made, has been worked on by an engineer. If you look at the world in these ways, and enjoy these job traits, then you should discover more about what steps should be done to verify this interest. These reasons listed, have made me pursue my interests in becoming an Automotive Engineer. Hopefully, 15 years from now when you are driving in your car, part of it will have been highly influenced by my work.

Reid
Back to top

????????Question???????

What do Massawepie, Seabase, Camp Russell, Mendon Antique Car Show, Klondike Derby, Golf Tournament, Cobra and Letchworth Campouts all have in common?

Answer: They are all featured at http://www.troop10.org/activities.htm

Are you planning an upcoming event?

Would you like to share the fun with others in your troop?

Would you like your friends to know the fun they are missing?

Next time you're out on a scout activity take some pictures and write a brief article and you too can be famous! Send photographs or digital pictures along with a brief explanation to Mr. McCunn.

How about articles and pictures from Philmont or other Scout camps you have attended.

Does anyone have an article on Christmas tree sales? How about Gettysburg? Did someone go canoeing last summer? Did the leaders really have a campout on Keuka Lake? Is Mr. Williamson really going bald?

Mr. McCunn
Back to top

Newsletter

We can make this newsletter really work as a communication tool! As I listened to the announcements at the last meeting, at least 20 names and dates were thrown out. How many scouts came home and ‘downloaded’ all that to Mom and Dad??? For example, did you know that Monday's meeting is at the Mendon Fire Hall, and that you are supposed to send snacks? Let's get it in writing, to make life easier for the information seekers in our family. Email me, Holly, at , by the 3rd Monday of the month . And if my reminder notice is not reaching you, then I need your email address, so you can be ‘in the news loop’!
Back to top

Scoutmaster Scribbles

The theme for this month is Engineering. I'm not an engineer, but I know engineers do a lot of measuring, and you probably do too. Each morning you measure the amount of cereal and the milk to put in the bowl. That's not a very precise measurement. You also measure when you have to walk out the door to make it to the corner before the bus comes. That's a more precise measurement, especially if you've ever had to walk back home to tell Mom or Dad you missed the bus! One thing you may not measure often is yourself. How often do you stop and say " Am I doing the right thing? Is this what a Scout should do? How do I measure up to the Scout Oath and Law?". Why not set aside a few minutes each week, be an personal engineer, pause, and ask yourself "How am I measuring up?".

Scoutmaster Bob Williamson
Back to top

Camporee

The District Camporee will be October 18, 19 and 20 at Camp Cutler. There will be over 1,200 people attending and participating in the over 220 (yes Two Hundred and Twenty!) events. Our troop has volunteered to host a "Sub Camp" and we have been assigned the Green Camp. We will be responsible for about 200 campers and 25 events. We need some older scouts to volunteer to run the sub camp, a great opportunity to try out your leadership skill, test your abilities and have a great time. Adam and Brandon have already volunteered but we need 4 or 5 more so please call the SM soonest! There will be a training session for youth leaders on Saturday October 5 up in Greece/Irondequoit from 8:30 'til 2 PM, so mark your calendars now!
Scouts who want to attend should be talking with their patrol leader or troop guide. The SM will be awarding prizes to each member of the patrol sending the most boys and the patrol getting the highest score in the events. You can choose to arrive Friday evening and stay all day Saturday and Saturday night, departing Sunday about 10 AM, or you can come for the day, or for only one night. The cost is $ 8 for day campers and $ 10 for overnighters, plus about $ 10 (paid to your patrol) for food.
We also need leaders to help us run events, although we will get volunteers from the other campers in our subcamp too.
You can check out the Camporee on line at http://www.angelfire.com/scouterdoug/sd. It will be a really great event so we hope you can make it!
Back to top

STEVE M’S EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT

Troop 10 helps the blind!

Have you seen some dogs are well behaved and others are not? Have you ever seen a blind person walk with the assistance of a dog and avoid common obstacles that we take for granted? You may be able to gain some insight by talking to Troop 10’s own Steve M. Steve is coordinating and leading an Eagle Service Project for the United Guide Dog Association. The association's goal is to provide training for young dogs so they can assist the blind in everyday living.
Steve’s project goals include designing and building training apparatus for the dogs and their trainer. Plans include building a platform with different types and sizes of stairs on each side of the platform for the dogs to learn how to climb at the proper rate. Another design is similar to a high-jump stand with a bar that can be adjusted to different heights so the dog’s can be trained to take their companion around the obstacle.
A successful workday was completed on September 21st. If you did not get a chance to help yet, another service day is scheduled the second weekend in October. Help is needed from all ages. Sign up for a shift and while you’re at it, ask Steve how guide dogs are picked. If you’re lucky, you may get a chance to see the dogs in action.
Back to top

Newsletter Archive

Troop Calendar Scoutmaster Minute
 
Subscribe to our mailing list             Your e-mail address: