april 2013 south mountain district newsletter south...

APRIL 2013 South Mountain District Newsletter

SOUTH MOUNTAIN DISTRICTMINSI TRAILS COUNCIL, BSA

Greetings!

Packs, Troops, and Crews—submit articles of your activities or events for the District

newsletter to Bernie Suess ([email protected]). Please submit your

information by the 22nd of each month.

NEWSLETTER... NEWS!!

The South Mountain District is a geographical area located in Lehigh and Northampton counties which serves the school districts of Bethlehem Area, Saucon Valley, and Southern Lehigh. Municipalities within the South Mountain District include Bethlehem, Bethlehem Township, Center Valley, Coopersburg, Fountain Hill, Freemansburg, Hanover Township, Hellertown, Lower Milford, Lower Saucon, Steel City, and Upper Saucon.

2013 DATESRoundtable / OA Chapter 7:30pm 1st Wednesday [2]District Committee 2nd Tuesday [1]Eagle Board & Project Review 2nd Thursday [1]District Commissioners 7:00pm 3rd Wednesday [3]National Youth Leadership Training April 19 to 21 & 26 to 28 [7]District Recognition Dinner April 20 [1]Cub Pack Membership Chairs May 1 [10]Camp Trexler Beaver Weekend May 3 to 5 [5]Camp Minsi Beaver Weekend May 17 to 19 [4]Spring OA Weekend May 31 to June 2 [5]OA Family Picnic July 13 [TBA]Fall OA Weekend September 6 to 8 [4]Fall Hike-o-ree/Camporee September 21Cub Fall Event October 19Scouting for Food November 2 and 9 (tent.)

NOTICE: If you have a question regarding any date or activity, please contact the respective Chair listed on the District Committee Page.

MEETING LOCATION KEY[1] East Hills Moravian Church 1830 Butztown Rd, Bethlehem[2] St. Luke’s Hospital and Health Network 800-801 Ostrum Street Bethlehem, PA 18018[3] Minsi Trails Council Office[4] Camp Minsi[5] Trexler Scout Reservation[6] Akelaland[7] Settler’s Camp[8] Jordan Lutheran Church[9] Lehigh Carbon Community College[10] Just Born, Inc. 1300 Stefko Blvd., Bethlehem[88] Hope Lutheran Church, 240 S. 8th St., Tatamy[89] Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Rd., Allentown (Rt. 309 & Walbert Ave.)[90] Iron Pigs Stadium[92] Sportsmen’s Club, Hellertown[93] Wesley United Methodist Church

APRIL 2013 South Mountain District Newsletter-2-

SOUTH MOUNTAIN DISTRICT LINKS

South Mountain District Home Page:http://www.minsi-southmountain.com/

South Mountain District Fliers and Brochures Page:http://www.minsi-southmountain.com/fliers.htm

South Mountain District Award Forms:http://www.minsi-southmountain.com/documents/Form-DistrictAwardofMerit.pdf http://www.minsi-southmountain.com/documents/Form-Fellowship.pdfhttp://www.minsi-southmountain.com/documents/Unit_Scouter_Award_Nomination-2013.pdf

These forms are used for Scouter recognition.http://www.minsi-southmountain.com/documents/District_Bio_Form.pdf

Scouter Bio Form. Fill in and email to Linda Small at [email protected]

SMD Announcementshttp://www.minsi-southmountain.com/announce.htm

Advancement and Recognition Guidehttp://www.minsi-southmountain.com/documents/Guide-Advancement.pdf

FORUM Newsletter http://www.minsi-southmountain.com/newsletters/current_forum.phpFORUM Attachments http://www.minsi-southmountain.com/newsletters/~forum_attach.php

GO BIG! GET WILD! 2013 NATIONAL SCOUT JAMBOREE!Learn about the 2013 National Scout Jamboree at The Summit Bechtel Reserve (SBR)!https://summit.scouting.org/en/Jamboree2013/Pages/default.aspx

IMPORTANT DATES COMING UP: 2013 SOUTH MOUNTAIN DISTRICT ACTIVITIES

APRIL 19 to 21 & 26 to 28 - National Youth Leadership TrainingAPRIL 20 - District Recognition DinnerMAY 1 - Cub Pack Membership Chair meetingMAY 3 to 5 - Camp Trexler Beaver Weekend MAY 17 to 19 - Camp Minsi Beaver WeekendMAY 31 to JUNE 2 - Spring OA WeekendJULY 13 [TBA] - OA Family PicnicSEPTEMBER 6 to 8 - Fall OA WeekendSEPTEMBER 21 - Fall Hike-o-ree/CamporeeOCTOBER 19 - Cub Fall EventNOVEMBER 2 & 9 (tent.) - Scouting for Food

SOUTH MOUNTAIN DISTRICT ROUNDTABLE AGENDAS

DATE CUB SCOUTS BOY SCOUTSApril 3, 2013 Summer Camping Why Philmont? Jim SwainMay 1, 2013 New Leaders/Leader transition TBA


The BSA has a year round growth plan which is designed to facilitate Scout recruitment and pack-troop relations. The South Mountain District Membership Committee supports the individual units as they implement their yearly growth plan and will offer monthly advice to units in this column to give your unit leaders some ideas and suggestions.

APRIL:

Continue your spring recruitment efforts if you are going to have active programs for the new youth joining your PACK over the summer. It’s good to keep your PACK somewhat active over the summer with picnics or other outdoor events. Council will be holding many events over the summer months to keep your youth active. Summer day camp 7/15-7/19 at Louise Moore Park is one opportunity to watch for. If you recruit in the Spring, engage prospective parents in taking leadership positions.

APRIL:

Scout leaders: Please remember to complete and turn into council the new scout applications for the Webelos that crossed over to your unit.

Parents are already planning summer vacations. Give the new parents and scouts joining your unit information about summer camp. Conduct a summer camp orientation to encourage full troop involvement. Inform parents about the week attending, payments due and medical forms needed.

ALL UNITS: The first step for any recruitment effort is to appoint a troop or a pack committee member to serve as the unit membership chair. This person will develop and implement a year-round growth plan that incorporates all methods of recruitment and work closely with the schools, the district membership committee, and the unit commissioner. Members of the membership committee have already begun reaching out and promoting this.

Let us know your successes and your challenges with youth recruitment. The district Membership Committee wants your feedback so please drop us an email with your thoughts to: Mark Firth, SMD Membership Committee Chair at: [email protected]

I wish to thank the District Committee for nominating me for the District Award of Merit. It’s great to work so closely with so many individuals that really care about growing our organization and working to improve our communities through the scouting program.

MEMBERSHIP


Life to Eagle Who: Troop 352

What: Cope weekendWhen: March 1st to March 3rd

Where: Camp Trexler, Hawkeye cabin Why: Life to Eagle Workshop

This last weekend, my Troop 352 life rank counterparts and I

traveled to Camp Trexler. Upon arriving we did the typical setup,

unload the troop gear first and then move on to personal gear. I was

originally preparing myself for a boring weekend of simple

conversation about the Eagle rank. One of the first things we did was

play a fun game that taught leadership and communication. It was

quite infuriating at first, but at the same time engaging and fun.

Shortly after, we met the cope course

workers, and we settled into our cabin for the night. One of our older Life

members, Jorge, loaded up the fire with all the remaining wood, then chopped

some more and used that too. It was toasty to say the least. The next day we

walked up to the cope course for a day of team building puzzles, and interesting

climbing courses. Just before leaving we felt it was appropriate to make our own

Harlem Shake with the cope workers before leaving. Upon returning to the cabin,

we played some more puzzle games and went to bed. The next morning, we

packed it all back up and headed home. It was an interesting and exciting weekend. We owe a big

Thanks our awesome leaders Mr. Firth, Mr. Koury, and Mr. McGregor. Check out our Harlem Shake

Video! https://www.dropbox.com/s/3qnye6bgna87b9i/HARLEM%20SHAKE.wmv

LMScribeTroop 352


District Pinewood Derby


South Mountain DistrictPinewood Derby 2013

Awards List

Group Subgroup Award Type Award Name Racer Unit Car Name

Smd Design Trophy Best Fuel Economy Peter M. Pack 199 Skateboard

Best Paint Job Jakob D. Pack 333 Fire Breather

Best Use of Imagination

Zachary R. Pack 335 Sharkie

Best Vehicle Not a Car

Brian R. Pack 317 The Brickster

Boys Life Mark P. Pack 359 Mark 1

Judges Favorite Ryan L. Pack 347 Steve the Stapler

Most Bling Tanner K. Pack 343 Golden Dragon

Most Colorful Chris B. Pack 364 Screaming Eagle

Most Detailed Matthew T. Pack 317 Mordecai

Most Patriotic Tyler M. Pack 343 Patriot Flag

Total: 10

Total: 10

Total: 10

Total: 10

Top 5 FinishersRound Place Time Avg Speed

(mph)Racer Car# Car Name Unit

1 1 13.9153 294.0 Matthew G. 44 Cookie Time Pack 334

2 13.9411 293.4 Seth E. 31 Turbo Ram Pack 329

3 13.9578 293.1 Tanner K. 54 Golden Dragon Pack 343

4 13.9745 292.7 Luke W. 72 LV Flames Pack 352

5 13.9901 292.4 Tucker M. 56 The Green Fereno Pack 346


Scouting’s Journey to Excellence

Did your unit earn Bronze, Silver or Gold for the 2012 Journey to Excellence (JTE) at Rechartering? JTE was established at the start of your Scouting program year in 2011 as a replacement for the previous Centennial Unit Award. The new recognition program for unit achievement was created to provide units with a uniformed continuous improvement plan in an effort to provide all of our families with a quality experience in Scouting regardless of unit, town or state. And you are doing great!

Unit JTE is one of the most important pieces of information that your Committee should review at their monthly meetings. It provides you with an overall view of the progress your unit is making towards reaching Gold, can help guide you with your program planning meetings in the early summer, and it provides you a tool to track the overall quality of program you are providing to your families. Just as units have a JTE scorecard so does South Mountain District and Minsi Trails Council. In 2012, South Mountain District earned Silver, and for the 2nd year in a row Minsi Trails Council earned Gold. These achievements are something each of you should be very proud of. Without you, we would not be able to deliver the great experience to our families that we do. The core of Scouting and the future of Scouting are at the unit level experience. Your unit, your leaders, and your families have the most impact on the future of Scouting.

Just as your unit committee reviews your unit JTE scorecard progress each month, South Mountain District key leadership, the District Committee, and the Commissioner staff reflect on our District JTE scorecard progress. This progress helps shape the initiatives that we launch at a District level such as more activities to provide your Scouts with a chance to camp out and work their way to earning more advancements. We are also beginning to take a look and track each month what leaders in your unit will have their YPT expire and we will begin notifying them to update their YPT training to ensure you have a smooth rechartering in January 2014. This information helps us schedule additional YPT trainings and communicate more resources that are available for you to make sure everyone has an opportunity to update their training.

Journey to Excellence web page http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Awards/JourneyToExcellence.aspx Unit Service Hours site https://servicehours.scouting.org


0 0 2 0 3 3 1 0 0 0 0 3 2 1 1 3 3 3 Bronze

Date Updated:

49,955 34 6.7%

48,500 50,925 28 40 4.2% 11.7%

-8.05% $36,026 0 pts 18 0 pts -4.42% 10.82% 200 pts

1.0% 70.0% 28.8%

0.0% 3.5% 63.0% 76.0% 24.0% 36.0%

-4.42% 0 pts -3.60% 76.60% 200 pts -12.69% 43.48% 100 pts

11.3% 50.0% 62.0%

10.0% 12.5% 33.0% 95.0% 53.0% 80.0%

-10.18% 10.79% 25 pts 0.00% 0.00% 0 pts 0.00% 0.00% 0 pts

1.00 23.8% 4.0

0.75 1.50 22.5% 25.0% 5.0 3.0

-0.01 0.04 0 pts 9.38% 0 pts -32.26% 2.33 100 pts

10.0% 65.0% Response

5.0% 33.0% 60.0% 70.0% Email NPS

-20.10% 22.45% 50 pts 61.22% 25 pts 0.00% 75 pts

19 Key Ldrs 33.0%

12 33 Key Two Ctes Full 26.0% 50.0%

17 41 100 pts 100 pts 3.32% 81.00% 200 ptsChmn, Commiss, & Full Ctes

BS Advancement CS Camping BS Camping

Community Service Charter Org Visits Commissioners

Unit Visitations Unit Performance Voice of the Scout

Total Score: 1175South MountainMinsi Trails Council

March 2013Journey to Excellence3/22/2013

District Leadership District Committee Unit Leadership

Fundraising $$$ Funding Manpower Market Share

Youth Growth Youth Retention CS Advancement

NPS Score


Do you have leaders in your unit who are not trained?Sign up Now!

Boy Scout – Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills

Starts Ends Location District Cost Notes

4/19/2013 6:00:00 PM 4/21/2013 2:00:00 PM Trexler Scout Reservation, Hawkeye Campsites North Valley $15.00Mandatory pre-meeting on Wed. April 3 @ 7 PM @ Council Service Center

Scoutmaster & Assistant Scoutmaster Specific Training Starts Ends Location District Cost Notes

4/13/2013 7:45:00 AM 4/13/2013 4:00:00 PM Hope Lutheran Church, 240 S 8th St., Tatamy, PA Forks of Delaware $5.00

Venturing Leader Specific Training This training is for all Venturing crew advisors, associate advisors, crew committee members, crew committee chairmen, and crew charter organization personnel.


5/4/2013 9:00:00 AM 5/4/2013 4:00:00 PMCouncil Service Center, 991 Postal Road, Allentown

North Valley $5.00Bring lunch. Please complete Venturing Youth Protection Training online beforehand.

Webelos Leader Outdoor & BALOO


4/13/2013 8:00:00 AM 4/13/2013 8:00:00 PMJacobsburg State Park, 402 Henry Road, Nazareth, PA

Forks of Delaware $30.00

Fee includes lunch & dinner. Bring camp chair, coffee mug, water bottle,hat,sunblock,&bug spray.

4/20/2013 8:00:00 AM 4/20/2013 8:00:00 PM Akelaland, Trexler Scout Reservation Pocono $30.00

Fee includes lunch & dinner. Bring camp chair and water bottle. Registration begins at 7:30 AM.

9/14/2013 8:00:00 AM 9/14/2013 8:00:00 PMCamp Spirit, 1718 Mulberry Road, Fogelsville, PA

North Valley $30.00Registration begins at 7:30 AM. Fee includes lunch, dinner. Bring camp chair & water bottle.

Looking for Cub Scout Training? Contact our Cub Scout Training Chairperson Tara Smith - [email protected]

And once you’ve been trained, use one of these forms to apply for a training award (new forms required starting April 1, 2013):

Scouters Award for Cub ScoutingScouters Award for Boy ScoutingScouters Award for VenturingCubmaster Key AwardScoutmaster Key AwardVenturing Advisor Key AwardDen Leader Training AwardCommissioners Bowline Award

All forms are available at http://www.minsi-southmountain.com/training_awards.htm


SAVE THE DATE for your special evening! All Eagle Scouts from the class of 2012 will be

honored at a special dinner on Wednesday, May 22, 2013, 6:00 p.m. at the

Holiday Inn Conference Center, Fogelsville, PA. Watch your mail for more details, but

mark your calendars now! You won’t want to miss this great event

honoring the 2012 Class of Eagle Scouts. All Eagle Scouts, parents, family, Scout leaders

and friends are invited!

EAGLE SCOUT RECOGNITION DINNER

SAVE THE DATE MAY 22, 2013

Phone: (610) 264-8551 www.minsitrails.com

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA Minsi Trails Council

991 Postal Rd. Allentown, PA 18109

Today's Eagle Scouts … Tomorrow's Leaders

~ ~ ~

Stay Connected

I] Like us on Facebook!

Minsi Trails Council (General) facebook.com/minsitrailsbsa

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facebook.com/southmountainbsa

E:J Follow us on Twitter!

Minsi Trails Council (General) twitter. com/ minsitrailsbsa

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SOUTH MOUNTAIN DISTRICTRECOGNITION DINNER

Dear Scouter,

The South Mountain District will recognize its outstanding Scouters and Friends of Scouting by presenting various awards at the Annual Recognition Dinner.

Place: East Hills Moravian Church/ 1830 Butztown Road/ Bethlehem, PA

Date / Time: Saturday, April 20, 2013 - 6:30 pm Sharp!

Attendees: All adult Scouters, spouses and chartered partners are cordially invited to honor all recipients.

Menu: Stuffed Mushroom and Herb Pork Tenderloin, Barbeque Chicken, Vegetable Rice Pilaf, Sweet Potato Pie, Sweet Corn, Broccoli and Red Bell Peppers, Deluxe Green Salad, Rolls, Ice Tea, Coffee, and Mini Desserts

___________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE DO THIS:

• Decide to attend now to honor the awardees and help complete the planning for the dinner by making a timely reservation. Dinner reservations are necessary. Your reservation form and fee must be turned in to the Council Service Center no later than the end of the day, Thursday,

April 11, 2013.

• Encourage your committee and leaders to attend. Note: A fine tradition is for the Unit Committee to invite the Unit Leader and spouse to the dinner.

• Submit nominations for Unit Scouter awards along with your dinner reservations.


AWARD GUIDELINES

1. District Award of Merit - This is the highest award which may be presented by a District to a volunteer. The recipients are: Lucretia Ellis and Mark Firth

2. Fellowship Award - This award is presented annually to those Scouters in our District who have demonstrated strong and effective leadership in Scouting in individual Units, the District or Council. The Recipients are: James Reinhart, Jack Keefe, Roxanne Mayrosh, Mike Mayrosh, Sr., ChristopherSmith, and Tara Smith

3. Unit Scouter Award - Each Pack, Troop, or Crew Committee is authorized to select one or two (please do not submit more than two) of its adult leaders as its best representative(s) of Scouting ideals. So, let's hear it from you for your best Scouter! The selection should be basedon excellence in direct leadership of boys, or on strong support within the successful functioning of the Pack, Troop, or Crew. The Unit Scouter Award will be presented to your awardee(s) by the District Committee. Your selection(s) are accepted without further review by the Award's Committee. It is expected that your recipient will be attending the dinner. PLEASE HONOR YOUR RECIPIENT BY HAVING YOUR PACK, TROOP, OR CREW PAY FOR THEIR DINNER.

4. Training Awards will be presented for Scouter courses completed. Please be sure to submit the record cards to the Council Service Center to allow time for preparation of certificates.

Return To: SOUTH MOUNTAIN DISTRICT DINNER COMMITTEE Minsi Trails Council, BSA/PO Box 20624/Lehigh Valley, PA 18002-0624

___ YES, we will attend the District Recognition Dinner on Saturday, April 20, 2013.Pack#____ Troop#____ Crew#____ will need space for ____ adults and leaders.Enclosed is $_____ for _____ seats @ 21.00 each. (Make checks payable to Minsi Trails Council)

List attendees below. (Also list the name of the person making reservation and their phone number.)

Pack #_____ Troop #_____ Crew #_____ attendees (please print)

_________________________ ___________________________ __________________________

_________________________ ___________________________ __________________________

_________________________ ___________________________ __________________________

Unit Scouter Award On behalf of Pack#_____ Troop#_____ Crew#_____, our 2013 Unit ScouterAward selection(s) is (are): (please print - Please select no more than two Scouters)

First Name________________________ Middle Initial_____ Last Name______________________________

His/Her position is ________________________________________________________________________

Reason for selection is _____________________________________________________________________

First Name________________________ Middle Initial_____ Last Name______________________________

His/Her position is ________________________________________________________________________

Reason for selection is _____________________________________________________________________

Return this form no later than Thursday, April 11, 2013


Attention Cub Pack

Membership Chairs

Share ideas, get new info and have dinner on us!

at the At the First Council Meeting Just For You!

May 1, 2013

Just Born, Inc. Conference Room 1300 Stefko Blvd

Bethlehem, PA 18017 6:30PM — Complimentary Dinner

7:00PM — Meeting

Topics Will Include:

Delving deeper into your job description Sharing best practices Learning about new membership initiatives coming out of our

National Office and other councils.

This meeting’s topic will focus on the “Adopt a School Program”

RSVP to your District Executive or Matt Klutzaritz [email protected]


Trainer Presentation Skills

For District Trainers, NYLT/Wood Badge Staff, and Adult Leaders

May 03-05, 2013 Minsi Trails Council – Camp Minsi

Course Director: Anthony Hillman

[email protected]

Participant Qualifications: Be a registered adult member of the Boy Scouts of America Adults and youth must be trained in their position Be able to meet physical requirements of BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (parts A and B)

Course Fees: The fee for this course is $45 if paid in full by April 1, 2013. A $25 non-refundable deposit, along with the completed application will reserve your place on the course. Course size is limited to 16. A late payment fee of $20 will be added after April 1, 2013. Fees are used to cover cost for meals, lodging and promotional items.

Why Trainer Presentation Skills? Many trainers: District trainers, NYLT staff, Wood Badge Staff, and even Scoutmasters and Cubmasters will benefit from this course! The core objective is to take every participant through creating an excellent presentation, and giving and receiving feedback on that presentation! If you call it thorns and roses or Start Stop Continue, we all have been involved with feedback. This course will concentrate on not only how to give great presentations but also how to give constructive feedback!

When is the Course? The course will start at 7:00pm on 03 May 2013 The course will end at 3:00pm on 05 May 2013 Mail To: MINSI TRAILS COUNCIL, BSA Enclosed is my deposit of $25.00 Box 20624 For Trainer Presentation Skills – 2013 Lehigh Valley, PA 18002-0624 ATTN: Diane Lariar, Staff Advisor Name Telephone Number Address City State Zip E-mail Unit Number District Scouting Position Council Year Basic Training Completed Training Course You Staff


Attention Adult Volunteers! Camp Minsi

Spring Service Days Camp Minsi depends on the service and support of volunteers to help to sustain our property and provide quality camping facilities.

To help us prepare for the summer camp season, we have planned several work weekends at Camp Minsi. Hosted by the camp staff and Venture Crew 940, these events are open to any register adult Scouter who wants to get involved and lend a hand. Work projects take place from 9am to 5pm, with lunch provided to all workers.

While we welcome anyone willing to lend a hand on a variety of projects, we are particularly looking for adults with chainsaws (and the skills to use them) to help in clearing storm-damaged and fallen trees located throughout camp.

If you are interested in joining us for one of our spring workdays, or if you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].

Spring Service Days:

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Saturday, May 18, 2013 (Beaver Weekend)

Saturday, June 8, 2013


We need adult leader volunteers to help us clear trees left behind by Hurricane Sandy.

Please help us clean up our camp on the following weekends:

Food Will be provided and sleeping accommodations are available. Settlers Camp relies on the service and support of volunteers like you to help maintain our reservation. If you have any questions or would like to register, please contact Jim Korcienski at 570-236-8629 or [email protected]. Thanks for your continued support! We look forward to seeing you here!


Dorney Park MeMbershiP DriveThe unit in each District with the most new members recruited during the

Dorney Park Membership Drive (from April 1 to May 15, 2013) will receive 5 free tickets to Dorney Park (valid through Labor Day 2013).

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company® ©2013 Cedar Fair, L.P. DP13-048

sCoUT niGhT CaMPoUTsaTUrDay, JUne 1

In Cooperation With

• Starlight Admission to Dorney 5–10 p.m. • Overnight Campout in the Park

• Scouts Picnic 6–7:30 p.m. • After-Hours Exclusive Ride Time

• “Dinosaurs after Dark” Excursion • Special Patch

Ticket Orders Accepted from Scout Units Only.

For more information or to order tickets visit dorneypark.com/scoutnight

Orders must be received by May 24. Limited Campout Space, Order Today.

Scout families are invited to participate in this event.

CONTACT: Minsi Trails Council – (610) 264-8551 Dorney Park – (610) 391-7665

only

$3199

per person


A SCOUT IS FRIENDLY“A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He offers his friendship to people of all races, religions, and nations, and respects them even if their beliefs and customs are different from his own.”–Boy Scout Handbook, twelfth edition, 2010, p. 24

“The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.”Abraham Lincoln “I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to the light I have. I must stand with anybody who stands right, stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.”Abraham Lincoln

It is interesting to note that helpful and friendly are listed together. Good manners, a helping hand, and a cheerful smile are gifts we can give that cost nothing but can be priceless.

The strength of true friendship is illustrated in the following story.

Once there were two friends who grew up together in Israel but wound up living in different cities when they grew older. One lived under the rule of the Romans and the other lived under the rule of Syria, but they remained close friends.

While visiting his friend in Syria, the Jew from Rome was falsely accused of being a spy. He was brought before the Syrian king. The king sentenced the man to death and a proclamation was made that everyone in the land must attend this criminal’s execution.

As is typical of those about to be executed, he was given a last request. He asked “Please let me go back to Rome. I can say good-bye to my family, settle my affairs and then return here, and then you may execute me.” The execution was stopped. The matter was brought before the king who laughed. “You must think I’m a fool. What guarantee do I have that you’ll come back?”

The Jew said, “I have a friend here in Syria who will stand for me. He’ll be my guarantor. If I don’t come back, you can kill him instead.” The king was intrigued and agreed to the man’s request. The man from Syria went before the king and agreed to take his friend’s place in prison, and be executed instead if his friend did not return.

The king was so astonished by this arrangement that he agreed to let the Roman Jew go. “I will give you sixty days to go to Rome and settle your affairs. If you are not back by dawn on the sixtieth day, your friend will die in your place.”

The man went back to Rome and settled his affairs and estate. He said tearful goodbyes to his family and travelled back to Syria. This was before the ease of jet planes, high speed rail, and cruise ships. He travelled by sailboat and pack mules. The day of execution arrived. He had not returned by dawn and as agreed the jailors took the Syrian Jew out for execution.

Large crowds gathered and waited, executions were considered entertainment. Finally, the Syrian standing in for his friend was led up to the stage to be executed and his friend came running in, breathless and yelling “I’m the guilty man, execute me, let him go!” But the Syrian Jew protested “he came too late, execute me instead. I’m the guarantor!” Each man ada-mantly responded that they should be killed and that his friend should be set free.

The crowd was in an uproar; they had come to see an execution after all. Ultimately, the king was notified. In both marvel and bewilderment, he turned to both men and said “I will set you both free on one condition. You are such great friends that I would like you to take me into your circle of friendship and I will be the same kind of friend to you.”

“Israelites of the Higher Class in the Time of Shalmaneser III.” [public domain]from Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org

Part of a series of short articles on the Scout Law by John C. Wallace, Eagle Scout, Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 362 and Unit Commissioner for South Mountain District.


SOUTH MOUNTAIN DISTRICT COMMITTEEDISTRICT KEY 3District Chair Michael E. Faccinetto 610-554-9151 [email protected] Commissioner Mike Mayrosh 610-866-4968 [email protected] Senior District Executive Tyler Yankey 610-465-8558 [email protected]

DISTRICT CHAIRSActivities Chair Don Miles 610-730-2514 [email protected] Activities-Cub Scout Event Coordinator Marci Weaver 610-282-0921 [email protected] Activities-Boy Scout Event Coordinator Mike Mayrosh 610-866-4968 [email protected] Activities Committee member Chris Smith 610-809-1630 [email protected] Activities Committee member Lisa Myung 610-282-5504 [email protected] Advancement Chair Drew Draper 610-866-7875 [email protected] Advancement Cub OPENAdvancement Eagle Roxanne Mayrosh 610-866-4968 [email protected] Merit Badge Marci Weaver 610-282-0921 [email protected] Advancement Eagle Board Ellsworth Machin III 610-746-1886 [email protected] Camp Promotions Chair Bill Tattersall -- --Cub Camp Promotions /

Day Camp Director Kelli & Barry WebbCamp Promotions-Boy Scouts OPEN FOS Family Campaign Dave Hay 610-861-4494 [email protected] Sandi Dale 610-282-1686 [email protected] Member-at-Large Rod Long 610-838-6768 [email protected] Membership Chair Mark Firth 610-866-2660 [email protected] Membership Resource Team Members Bernie Suess [email protected]

Julie Pineiro [email protected] Webelos to Scout TransitionMembership School NightNew Unit Chair OPENNominating Chair Rich Santee 610-691-7000 [email protected] Chapter Advisor Dave Hay 610-861-4494 [email protected] Kernel Lucretia Ellis 610-360-0599 [email protected] Dinner Chair Linda Small 610-865-6069 [email protected] for Food Chair Rev. Dale Miller 610-216-6111 [email protected]

Scoutreach Liaison OPEN Training Chair Tom Stalsitz 610-967-6508 [email protected] Training Chair-Cubs Tara Smith 484-866-6112 [email protected] Chair-Boy Scouts Jim Swain 610-974-9150 [email protected] Chair-Venturing John Arno 610-866-1810 [email protected] Webmaster Bernie Suess 484-330-6915 [email protected] SMD Website [email protected]

http://www.minsi-southmountain.comNewsletter Editor Bernie Suess 484-330-6915 [email protected]

COMMISSIONERSADC-Scouts Sally Haggerty 610-866-4566 [email protected] Scout Roundtable Bryan Ritter [email protected] Scout Roundtable Rick Gardner [email protected]

Any Scouter interested in serving on the District Committee, contact Rich Santee or if interested in serving as a Commissioner, contact Mike Mayrosh.

april 2013 south mountain district newsletter south...

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