February, 2003 Newsletter

Table of Contents

Scoutmaster Scribbles

It seems like just yesterday that I first walked into the Troop 10 Scout house for a Monday night meeting. But as I look at the boys who were first year scouts then, and who will be graduating in a few months, it is easy to see the passage of time. Squirmy boys who couldn't sit still have turned into accomplished young men. Boys afraid to speak in front of a group now plan and lead meetings, events and activities. They hike, camp, cook, swim, shoot, skate, ski, tie knots, and build fires. They teach others their skills, they practice teamwork, they help the community and their families, they are role models for their peers. They are prepared. For life outdoors, for life in general.
I couldn't be more proud of my association with this fine group of boys, young men and parents. I have received much more than I've given, and am thankful for the opportunity to have been a small part of the first ninety years of Troop 10. May the next ninety be even greater!

BOB WILLIAMSON
Scoutmaster
September 1998-March 2003
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Leadership Transition

Starting March 1, 2003, our troop will be experiencing a leadership transition on several fronts.

Committee Leadership:
Mr. Monnat has accepted the responsibility as Committee Chair, taking over for Mr. Dekar who has served as chair for the past two years. Mr. Dekar will remain with the troop as an assistant scoutmaster, focused primarily as an Eagle Scout advisor. Mr. Monnat, who has been associated with Troop 10 for 8 years, has been assistant scoutmaster, committee member, committee treasurer and our Massaweepie coordinator. His knowledge of the troop activities, history and membership will be an advantage as he moves into the committee leadership position.

Troop Leadership:
Mr. McIntyre has volunteered to be our next Scoutmaster. Mr. McIntyre joined Pack 105 as den leader in 1997. He later became Cubmaster, and at the same time became assistant scoutmaster of Troop 10 in 2001. In 2002, he completed his Woodbadge training with a project focused on enhancing the transition from Webelos to Boy Scouts for both Packs 105 and Pack 10. That project included a very successful Trailblazer program at Massaweepie last summer. Mr. McIntyre has also been active at the district level over the years. Mr. McIntyre’s eldest son is a member of the troop, his second son will cross over in March, and the youngest has a few more years remaining in cubs. Mr. McIntyre’s wife is also an active den leader with Pack 105, so the McIntyre’s are truly a scouting family. Mr. McIntyre looks forward to leading Trop 10 for its second 90 years, although he has not yet committed to being Scoutmaster for that long! He does, however, vow to keep the Scoutmaster minute to the prescribed time limit!

Mr. Bower, currently assistant scoutmaster, will move into a new position for which we haven't quite worked out an official title. "First Assistant Scoutmaster" is more or less the role, being a close advisor the Scoutmaster, taking on some defined responsibilities. Mr. Bower has been an active member of the troop since his son joined two years ago.

Mr. Williamson will remain active in the troop as assistant scoutmaster. Probably timing Mr. McIntyre in his Scoutmaster minutes!

Thanks to Mr. Dooley for stepping up to be our new treasurer. Keeping track of our finances, balancing the checkbook ? Hey this sounds like work and not fun! The treasurer helps us keep track of funds, writes checks and helps us stick to a budget.

Special thanks to Mr. Ogdon for his selfless efforts on the Scouthouse roof!

Youth Leadership:
Byron L. will be the new Senior Patrol Leader (SPL). Byron, a Life Scout, is a sophomore in high school, and has been active as a troop guide and den chief for several years. He has done a great job planning and organizing the new Scout’s first campout, the BACO, for the last several years, and has demonstrated great leadership skills.

Garrett K., Star scout and high school freshman, will take on the role of Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL). Garrett has been a troop guide this past year, and has also been patrol leader. He brings three years experience as a scout in two different troops in Germany to the role.

Jon O., Life Scout, will be our Second Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Jon was also a Troop Guide this past year and is eager to demonstrate all 12 points of the Scout Law as he fulfills his new duties.

At the same time we welcome new scouts from Pack 105 and Pack 10, a new crew of Troop Guides will assist their transition to Troop 10. The troop guides include Christophe N., Tim G., Dan R., Brian G., and Alex M.

Stephen M. has volunteered to be Troop Scribe and David K. will continue as Troop Quartermaster.

Den Chiefs, working with younger cubs in Pack 105 and Pack 10 include Shane M., Jon Z., Andrew M., Sean K. and Kevin F.

Thanks to everyone for stepping up to the leadership opportunities and ensuring many more years of scouting success for Troop 10!
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Committee Needs

Don't worry; there is still plenty of room for adult volunteers in the troop.

We need a new Committee secretary to replace Mary Lou who will step aside after two years of diligent duty in note taking, newsletter mailings and general up-to-dateness (!). And with the Bixler’s moving out of the area (kicking and screaming it seems!) we have two other committee seats to fill. Once a month meetings to chart the longer term course for the troop, help document processes and participate in advancement Board of Review meetings with scouts are typical duties of the committee. Again, this is a great role for a parent not able or willing to participate in Monday night meetings, but wanting to ensure a successful scouting experience for the boys. Please contact Mr. Monnat to indicate your interest.
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Camp Russell, March 14-15-16

Our annual trek to Old Forge, Camp Russell and McCauley Mountain ski resort is set for mid March. Like us, they have tons of snow! Lift tickets are $17 for adults, and $15 a boy. Ski Rentals are $14 for skis/boots/ and poles. Snowboards are $15. You should plan to bring dinner for Friday night, buy lunch at the ski lodge on Saturday and money for a snack on the drive home on Sunday. We should be departing the Scout House at 5 or 6 PM Friday, returning Sunday around 1 or 2 PM. All interested should E-mail Adam or Mr. Williamson and pay a $20 deposit NO LATER THAN February 10. Other details will be shared at troop meeting in February.

This is a great event, even for first time skiers. There are opportunities for cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, hiking and just plain ‘old ‘après ski’. We sleep in a scout camp dining hall, although scouts who are prepared will be allowed to camp outdoors with prior approval. It just so happens that Saturday March 15 is NIGHT SKIING at McCauley so we will look into the possibility of extending the skiing time for those who can't get enough!

Sorry, this trip is only for those boys currently registered in the troop ? Fifth graders will have to wait until next year!
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GOOD TIMES!!

On Saturday, January 18th, the Scorpion patrol hosted a snow shoeing event at Cummings Nature Center. Cummings is owned and operated by the Rochester Museum and Science Center and is a great place to ski or snow shoe in the winter. Most of the boys in attendance had never been on snowshoes but learned quickly. In no time they were moving through deep snow that would have been difficult if not impossible without the aid of the shoes. After shoeing for 90 minutes, a hot lunch of soup, hot chocolate, cracker hors' dourves, and Oreo cookies was served. Even though the temperature was hovering close to single digits, the bright sunshine, physical activity, good food, and camaraderie made the day an enjoyable one. In attendance were Bret, Ethan, Wesley, Josh, Greg, TJ, Matthew, Jason, Christian, and Nathan.
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Welcome Webelos to Troop 10

By: Tim G.

Welcome to the Webelo Scouts from Pack 105 in Mendon and Pack 10 in Honeoye Falls.

Webelos from Pack 105 will be crossing over into our Troop on February 13th, 7:00 p.m. at the St. John's Episcopal Church. Pack 10 Webelos will be crossing over on February 27th, 7:00 p.m. at Manor Elementary School. The Webelo Scouts have been working hard to earn their Arrow of Light and the rank of Scout. The boys will be attending their 1st meeting with Troop 10 on March 3rd. Troop 10 held an informational meeting for the boys and their parents on Jan 27th, 2003. The boys will be placed in patrols with patrol guides to help them with the transition into Boy Scouts. The patrol guides will work with the senior scouts to help teach the new boys how to advance. Remember that if you have any questions about Troop 10 just ask any Senior Scout!
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The Quinzee Hilton

Cold? Definitely not! Warm? Oh yeah? Cool? Of course! Frightening? Not a bit!

These are just some of the feelings that one might experience while sleeping in a Quinzee. A quinzee is a snow shelter that can be very comfortable and warmer than a tent! Mr. McIntyre had learned the art of quinzee-making through a BSA training session call Okpik. Troop 10 Den Chiefs John Z., Sean K., Tim G. and I teamed together to build two mammoth quinzees to demonstrate scout skills to the Cubs of Pack 105 at their annual Camp Cutler winter campout on January 18, 2003.
We started each by building a huge pile of snow. We let that sit for 2-4 hours. After the snow had set, we found sticks 6-8 inches long to act as depth gauges so that we didn't make the walls to thin. We carved out the door making sure that we were going as close to the ground as we could without touching it. Then after about 2 feet, we made a sleeping platform, which is higher than the entry. Cold air sinks. We drilled an air hole for ventilation in the roof. We slept out in it and inside the Quinzee it was about 20 degrees warmer than outside. Pretty cool huh?

For more information on building quinzees, see http://www.call-wild.com/quinzee.html.
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Instrumentalists Wanted

Wanted - instrumentalists to play in the Troop 10 band for the 90th birthday party on March 13 and at the May Scouterama (May 17). Please contact Mrs. McCunn.
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SEABASE HIGH ADVENTURE TRIP

By Mr. Russell

As of this date I've had only three responses to the general email about our trip to Seabase. I need to make our Troop's reservation on Monday, February 3rd, so if you are planning on going, you need to make a commitment by Sunday, February 2nd, at the latest. Right now the trip is planned for the summer of 2004. The three adventures we have decided on are the Florida Keys Adventure, the Coral Reef Sailing, and the Out-Island Adventure. Please check out the web site, at http://www.bsaseabase.org. Note, that there is a minimal age and rank requirement for each, as well as a maximum number of participants.
We will be doing a year's worth of fundraising to prepare for this incredible event. Also note the next Sea Base meeting will be Sunday, February 9th at 7:00 PM at the Scout House.
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Troop 10’s 90th Celebrations

In March the Troop will officially reach the 90 year mark. There will be a "birthday party" on Thursday March 13th for the Scouts and Leaders in the troop. Please mark your calendars and plan on attending. Mrs. McCunn has agreed to organize a "birthday" band made up of those scouts that play an instrument. Please contact Mrs. McCunn and let her know what instrument you will be playing. This will only be a small part of the festivities. Remember you will have more fun if you get involved and participate.

Another big date will be May 17th. There will be a Scout-o-Rama in Harry Allen Park during the day. This will require a great deal of support from the scouts and their families. Please save the date so you will be able to help out. The purpose of this event is to show off our scouting skills (past and present) to the community and Troop 10 alumni. We are also working on a booklet detailing the history of the Troop. This will be available for a small fee during the festivities in May.

A dinner will follow the Scout-o-rama on May 17th. The dinner will be open to scouts, leaders and alumni of Troop 10. In addition, we hope to have dignitaries on hand from the Rotary, town, village and Otetiana Council.

While we celebrate this year we should remember all the dedication and hard work that was put in by those that went before us. Without their foresight and efforts the Troop would never have reached this milestone. It is now our obligation to insure that the Troop continues to serve the youth of the town for many more years.
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Otetiana Council Patch

Taken from a letter from Congressman Barber Conable

The council shoulder insignia was designed as a tribute to the first residents of Monroe County. The American Indians. Though many tribes and cultures moved through our area in prehistoric times, the league of the Iroquois dominated our area at the time of the arrival of the first white man. The design of the shoulder patch is typical of woodland Indian beadwork art at the time of this contact. Farther west geometric designs were used, but our Indians adapted the intricate patterns observed in their natural surroundings, particularly the trees, plants and the flowers. Generally the most intricate designs, such as those represented on the insignia, were made by sewing tiny shells or trade glass beads directly on the leather or cloth ceremonial costumes. These beadwork costumes, frequently hundreds of hours in the making, became woks of art highly prized by their owners and descendants, and highly artistic by any standards.

The woodlands Indian beadwork theme of the patch continues a tradition begun when the founders of our council selected the name Otetiana, the Seneca Indian word meaning, "be prepared" also the motto of scouting. This word also has a strong identification with our area, since it was the Indian name of Red Jacket, one of the most influential orators and political leaders of Western New York during the Revolution and post-Revolutionary period. He would have worn a costume that included beadwork designs like that depicted on the shoulder patch.

The lore of the American Indian has been perpetuated in Boy Scouts of America since the days of our earliest Scouters. Our first Chief Scout, Ernest Thompson Seton, was an acknowledged expert in American Indian culture. Since 1910, American Boy Scouts have always been stimulated and fascinated by Indian lore as a part of our program. Today, Cub Scouts readily identify their fathers and leaders with the spirit of "Akela." Scouts work on Indian Lore merit badge and strive to meet requirements for election to the order of the Arrow, an honor camping society steeped in the mysticism of the early Delaware Tribe.

When you wear the council insignia, wear it with pride. Consider that it represents Otetiana and what that means to Scouting. Think of what it means and remember the race that inhabited Monroe County since before it was even a frontier of our new nation.
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February Campout

For this month's camp out we will be going t o Camp Cutler on the 15th and 16th. There will be an opinion of sleeping in McRae cabin, sleeping in a tent outside, or building a quinzee and sleeping in it. New scouts have first priority of getting inside the cabin. If you want to sleep outside but you don't go winter camping often or don't know how there will be a presentation by Evan S. and Sean K. on February 3rd, 2003. Patrols will have to plan most of the camp out themselves. Each patrol will have to get transportation to and from Camp Cutler, along with supplies and food. Only 18 people can come along so make sure you and your patrol sign up early and give the Tiki Tribe $ 2.00 for the cost of the cabin even if you are not sleeping inside. On the 15th all patrols should meet at Cutler at 8:00 am so we can start with our scheduled programs. The activities that will be going on include snow shoeing at Cummings Nature Center, skiing, sledding, building quinzees, and possible a snowman building contest. We hope you can join us!
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Join the Tour de Cure!

Join in the ride and pedal to support the fight against diabetes. By riding in the Tour de Cure, you will join over 20,000 other cyclists riding for a cure and riding to increase awareness of this deadly disease.

Did you know that more Americans die every year from diabetes than die from breast cancer and AIDS combined? Your efforts can make a difference to 17 million Americans who suffer from diabetes and the 16 million people in the United States with Pre-Diabetes.

Across the nation, riders at over 70 locations will be pedaling to find a cure, support education and advocate for those with diabetes. Will you join them?

Our troop 10 has done this 3 years in a row. Be supportive, contact Mr. Rea to see how to support this cause.
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REGISTRATION TIME!

Did you realize we all have to actually go through a formal registration process! Well, here we are! Mr. Collard will be mailing a packet to everyone on february 1st, and you (yes, you!!) Need to have it back to him by the 15th.
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