BSA TROOP 716 NEWSLETTER

Goose Creek, SC

Volume 1 Issue 1 April 2013

Inside this Edition:

We fulfill the mission of the Boy Scouts of America by preparing the young people of Goose Creek to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law, and being a community service based organization.

The Benefits of Summer Camp 2 Youth Protection Training 2 Merit Badge Mania On the Trail Good Eats Its all Fun & Games Committee Update Advancement News

Welcome !
This is the first edition of the newsletter for BSA Troop 716. Each edition will be filled with news from across the Troop. Within the pages you will find the four major program areas: Activities, Advancement, Camping and Training. The Committee Update will have information vital to every unit. Other pages will keep you informed about important issues related to the essential training and documentation. The frequency this newsletter is published will directly correlate to the amount of input received from the Troop itself. We hope you will find this newsletter informative and that it will become a tool in helping us provide the best possible program for the youth in our Troop. Do you have a suggestion for a story? Would you like to submit some noteworthy news about the happenings in your Patrol? I would love to have your input! Please e-mail me directly at Ronda.Eagle319@gmail.com . I would like to extend a warm thank you to ASM Fernando de la Cruz and ASM Steve Davis. Without thier help and support, the first issue would not have made it to print.

Welcome to the new Knights Patrol by ASM Steve Davis

5 We would like to welcome the new Knights Patrol Scouts crossing over into Troop 716. We are very excited to have you all joining us. We are looking forward to another great year filled with a lot of fun events as we move forward together.
Front row: Joey Khalil, Mitchell Davis, Chase Bennett, Alex Rapalo, Michael Stanley, Tyler Kidwell, Chazz Sweich, Jose de la Cruz. Back row (Parents): Ivan Rapalo, Bill Khalil, Sam Bennett, Steve Davis, Don Stanley, Carl Kidwell, Shawn Sweich, Fernando de la Cruz.

Meet our new Popcorn Kernel 5 Medical Forms & Physicals 6 Upcoming Events

On May 15-17th the new Knights Patrol spent the weekend camping on the USS Yorktown. This trip was paid for completely by Popcorn fundraising sales during our last year with the Cub Scout Pack. The boys spent the weekend living like sailors did on the ship. We ate in the enlisted mens mess hall and slept in the same quarters. We had plenty of time to tour all the vessels there at patriots point including the Yorktown , the Destroyer USS Laffey, and the submarine the USS Clamagore. We toured the flight deck and hanger deck with all the planes, the Bridge, engine rooms, Brig, and lots of other areas. There is a museum about the history and soldiers who earned the Medal of Honor. For Scout skills, the group worked on three merit badge programs. The first night we were there, we started on Astronomy and went out on the flight deck to look at the planet Jupiter through a telescope. On Saturday, we worked on Oceanography and Aviation merit badges. A big Thank You goes to Mr Fernando who led the Popcorn sales last year which helped make this happen.

BSA TROOP 716

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The Benefits of Summer Camp Every Parent Should Know taken from Scouting.org
Harris Interactive of New York designed a study on the impact of summer camp in the lives of Boy Scouts, Scout leaders, and parents of Scouts. Researchers have concluded that within the typical six days of Boy Scout summer camp, boys are in an environment that comprehensively provides them with critical elements of healthy youth development. Camps are removed from the hustle and bustle world of mass information, media, and technology. This type of protected environment provides a significant opportunity for growth among young men. Time seems to take on a different meaning when the day is not filled with television, radio, video games, and visits to malls. This is the starting place for change. At camp, boys have time to consider and reflect on their place in life. Strong personal values and character are shaped as young boys are encouraged to take a part in decisions that impact others, contemplate their relationship with God, reflect on personal values, and participate in patriotic activities regarding American citizenship. Since its beginning in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has believed in personal growth through service. At camp, boys gain a positive sense of self-worth and usefulness through serving others. Majorities of boys serve their peers at camp through helping clean up campsites, helping clean up after meals, and serving food. A majority of boys at camp receive praise from others . Compliments are received from adult leaders (76 percent) and peers (72 percent). Another key finding is that 78 percent of boys indicate that they accomplished something worthwhile during camp. Scout camp is a place where caring and nurturing relationships are developed and deepened. According to the study, most Scouts made a new friend or became better friends with someone while at camp. In this environment, friendships dont stop at the peer level. Adult leaders develop respect and trust among Scouts as they mentor skills and share knowledge. Also, many boys mention that they talk with an adult leader for advice during camp. Young boys seldom consider school learning to be exciting. Learning at Scout camp is a different story! Summer camp is an outdoor classroom in which boys test themselves. They test their skills, as well as their courage to try new things. Learning alone is not enough to engage young boys. It has to be challenging and fun. Majorities of boys say they feel challenged (69 percent) and test their mental/thinking abilities (71 percent) while at camp. Scouts are productive and creative at camp. Young boys are motivated by the concept of mastery. It is the basis for what has driven the extreme popularity of video games . When coupled with learning useful life skills , this need results in truly productive outcomes. Almost all Scouts work with others on a badge or task (88 percent) or compl ete a merit badge (83 percent) at camp. Camps are structured to encourage boys to spend time working and playing socially in ways that may seldom happen outside of camp. Majorities of Scouts collaborate with other youth on accomplishments (73 percent), participate in group decision making and activities (64 percent), and help resolve interpersonal confli ts (53 percent). Parents see the difference Scout camp makes. A clear majority (81 percent) of parents of Scouts who attend camp say the camp experience resulted in a positive change in their sons. They agree their sons have fun, are safe, and learn and test new skills. Moreover, a clear majority of parents (84 percent) say their son learned personal responsibility while at camp.

Youth Protection Training by Ronda Eagle

PARENTS: Youth Protection training is designed to help keep our youth safe from abuse. You will learn the BSA Youth Protection Guidelines, signs of abuse, and how to report suspected abuse. We would like to have Youth Protection Training on file for all parents associated with our BSA Troop 716. This training is easily completed at your leisure via an online class, is free, and takes only about 40 minutes to complete. Once you've completed the program, simply print your certificate and turn it into Valerie, our Committee Chair, for the Troop records. This course is renewed annually. To get started visit: http://www.scouting.org/Training/Adult.aspx

Page 3 of 6 Merit Badge Mania by Ronda Eagle

BSA TROOP 716

On March 6th 2013, the Boy Scouts of America revealed their 131st current Merit Badge; Game Design. I know what youre thinking but, no, this is not a merit badge that Scouts earn for playing video games! That is a very common misconception, however, heres the real scoop: The Game Design Merit Badge teaches Scouts how to create, test, and refine a game from one of four categories. As for requirements, the full list can be found at: http://usscouts.org/mb/worksheets/Game-Design.pdf In short, most of the work revolves around creating an actual game in one of these four categories: Electronic (games for computers, game systems, or mobile devices) Outdoor/Athletic (sports or games like capture the flag) Tabletop (dice-based games, board games, card games) Pen and Paper or Role-Playing Games

Once approved, the Scout may begin to build a prototype of his game, anything from card games all the way through to smartphone apps!
Merit Badge Series Game Design

On the Trail Good Eats

by ASM Brian Odgers via Troop e-mail

Just because a meal plan is provisional doesn't mean it has to be boring or difficult - I've had everything from instant oatmeal to dirty rice and sausage on the trail. There are many recipes which only require the addition of hot water. For instance, instant mashed potatoes & some beef jerky, instant rice and a pouch of chicken or Stove Top stuffing, shredded chicken and peas just to name a few. Unless I'm getting creative, I try to stick to recipes that just add boiling water and wait a few minutes to cool. A few quick web searches on backpack cooking provides a lot of help. One website I like and refer back to is: http://www.trailcooking.com/recipes/types/fbc Pre-make your meal at home. Bring water to a near boil, add to the bag. Wait and enjoy... A quick and easy meal plan might be instant oatmeal for breakfast, some quick type of trail lunch like Ramen noodles followed by instant rice, chicken with some herbs and spices and a vegetable for dinner. Most items are already in your pantry! Other useful websites: http://www.wildbackpacker.com/backpacking-food/recipes/backpacking-dinner-recipes/ http://www.backpacker.com/article/topic/?action=custom&bp=topic_article&tag=recipes

BSA TROOP 716 Its All Fun and Games by Jacob Eagle

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Joking Around
Q: A totally black cow was standing in the middle of the road. A man was cruising around a corner with no headlights on, no dome light, no lights on at all. He slams on the brakes at just the right time to miss the cow. How did the guy see the cow? A: It was daytime.

Committee Update by Valerie Salisbury

March has been an exciting month full of new faces and lots of planning. We welcome our new Scouts from Pack 458 and wish them all great success! Summercamp planning is in full swing and going to be a great time for the Scouts and leaders. The committee will meet again on April 8th to discuss upcoming events, as well as, fundraising and the current needs of the Troop. Please plan to attend and bring your fundraising ideas! An immediate need we have is transportation to summercamp, we would like be able to all travel in one vehicle if at all possible. We have a great Troop full of committed leaders/parents, let's help to make it happen!

Page 5 of 6 Advancement News

Rank Advancement:

BSA TROOP 716

by ASM Steve Davis and ASM Fernando de la Cruz

Congratulations to the following Scouts for their Achievements!

The Knights Patrol has been very active in completing the tenderfoot rank. They are currently working on the exercise requirement in order to complete the tenderfoot rank by the last week of April. Jose de la Cruz will finish his tenderfoot in time for COH on April 22! Congratulations Knights Patrol!

Order of the Arrow Inductees:

Troop 716 added two new members to the Order of the Arrow Honor Society. The new members are J.D. Harrelson and his father, Jim Harrelson. They were elected by vote last year and completed their induction by attending the Ordeal weekend of March 810. They join the current Troop 716 Arrow Corps members John Dickson, Matthew Clayton, & Steve Davis . Congratulations!

Meet our new Popcorn Kernel, Fernando de la Cruz

This year I face a new challenge that I gladly accepted to be the Popcorn Kernel for the Troop. I have heard that Boy Scouts in general are not very excited about selling popcorn. They believe they are too old or not so cute for that, but I know for fact that that is not true. We have a small but very energetic group of Scouts. If we work together and come up with new and exciting ideas, we have a great year. It is amazing what the units can accomplish by selling popcorn if they have a well-thought out program with established goals. For the last three years at Pack 458, I held the positions of Assistant Popcorn Kernel achieving sales growth of 28% in Yr2010 and Popcorn Kernel in Yr2011 and Yr2012 achieving sales growth of 54% and 132% respectively. In 2012, 95% of the Scouts paid in full their dues and 35% participated in a 2-night campout at the Yorktown at no expense. We challenged and helped the Scouts reach their minimum sales goals established. I like changes in order to get better results and see improvements. I look forward to a great year and am couting on the help from all the Scouts and parents, alike, to reach our projected sales goals. I am extremely excited and eager to help in any way in order to have a successful year. Yours in Scouting, Fernando de la Cruz Assistant Scoutmaster Popcorn Kernel

BSA TROOP 716 Back Page Story Headline Medical Forms and Physicals via Troop e-mail

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Please be aware that ALL Medical Forms expire annually and must be renewed. ALL Scouts must have a current Medical Form and Physical on file to go to any event over 72 hours (i.e.: both summer and winter camps). The forms are good for one rolling calendar year. The medical record required consists of forms A, B & C. Forms A & B are filled out and signed by a parent and are required to be in file for every Scout outing. Form C (The Third Page of the Medical Form, is required for Long term camping) must be filled out and signed by a physician. Forms can be found at: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/whole.pdf

Upcoming Events
April 1 April 7 April 8 April 8 April 13 April 19-21 April 22 April 22 April 29 April 30 May 3-5 May 11 May 12 May 17-19 May 27 May 27 June 14-16 June 16 July 4 July 7-13 July 15 July 29 Aug 16-18 Aug 19 Aug 26 Sept 2 Sept 13-15 Sept 20-23 Sept 30 Oct 18-20 Oct 19-20 Geocaching MB & Hike in Crowfield Scouts Day at CoC Baseball Field Committee Meeting BOR/Sign-offs Scouting at Magnolia Plantation (fee req) 600 picnic Tables in 60 days Campout Cour of Honor Earth Day PLC/Sign-offs/BOR/DC planning 600 Tables in 60 Days MB Challenge Family Camping Weekend Scouting at Magnolia Plantation (fee req) Mothers Day National White Water Center Memorial Day Summer Camp Final Payments/Knights Patrol payment Due Campout Fathers Day Independence Day Summer Camp NO Troop Meeting tonight PLC/sign-offs/BOR/DC planning Campout Court of Honor PLC/sign-offs/BOR/DC planning Popcorn Sales Begin Powder Horn Camp Ho Non Wah Campout PLC/sign-offs/BOR/DC planning Campout Jamboree on the Air (JotA) Weekend Meet at 1pm PBC w ASM Brian Free Admission to all Scouts and Cubs in uniform, 1PM CoC Bring or Sumbmit your fundraining ideas for Review Bird Study & Env Science MBs Camp/Service Project Weekend 6pm meeting time followed by dinner and COH

Service Project Weekend Ends See Flyer insert Camp Rainey Mountin Individual Family Registraions Plant Science and Forestry MBs Camping and Carowinds Weekend

TBD

Camp Rainey Mountain, GA Rest and Relaxation. See you next week! TBD TBD/TBA TBA: Stay tuned for details High Adventure for Leaders and Scouts Age 14 and over Space is limited to 48 so sign up early TBD TBD

Please note: This event calendar is subject to change as events draw closer as determined by the Scoutmaster and planning committee.
Created for and Distributed by: BSA Troop 716 174 Londonderry Rd Goose Creek, SC 29445 Connect with us via e-mail: BSA-Troop716@googlegroups.com Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BSA-Troop-716-Goose-Creek-SC/251189264909864 Look for us on the Web: http://www.bsatroop716.net/