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Website: http://www.troop264olney.net email: [email protected]

MAY 4 Pack 1074 Bridging 5 10-‐mile hike (Hoffman/Parks) 5-‐6 Philmont Cavalcade Riding Prep (Gina H) 6 Ventures Shooting 1 PM 7 Patrol Meeting 9 District Roundtable (Vikings) 10 Venturing Roundtable 14 Troop Meeting 17 Pack 434 bridging 17 Troop Adult meeting 18 Sharp Street food bank 19 20 mile hike (Hoffman/Parks) 19-‐20 Venturing survival campout 21 TLC/BOR/Patrol meeting 25-‐28 Philmont prep backpacking (WV) 26 Legion Flags 27-‐28 Philmont Cavalcade riding prep 28 Memorial Day – NO meeting JUNE 4 Troop meeting 9-‐10 Philmont backpacking prep (tentative) 11 TLC/”Last Chance” BOR/Patrol Mtg. 12 Last day of school (MCPS) 13 District Rountable (Hawks) 14 Venturing Roundtable 15 Sharp Street Food Bank 16-‐17 Philmont Cavalcade Riding Prep 17 Troop picnic / Summer COH 1 PM 18 TLC/BOR/Patrol meeting 21 Troop Adult meeting 23-‐24 Antietam Campout 25 Troop meeting 29 – July 1 Ventures beach campout (?)

Two New T264 Eagles!

Ryan Mercado passed his Eagle BOR in March, and joins his brothers Chris and Michael as the third T264 Eagle in the Mercado family. And Daniel Agre passed his Eagle BOR in April. Congratulations to both Eagle scouts!

Jon Godfrey’s Eagle Project

Jonathan’s shoe collection project continues to June 1, with nearly 3,000 pairs of shoes collected. Clean out your closet and your basement and bring any unwanted shoes!

BSA Troop 264 Olney, MD

New Senior Patrol Leader!

Jeremy N. was elected as the new SPL in a tight election at the Troop meeting on April 30th! Congratulations Jeremy!

http://www.fdnymemorialwall.com

Text Box

FDNY 9-11-01 Memorial Wall

The$Signaler$,$Troop$264$Newsletter$

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 -Pack 1074 bridging ceremony

5 -Horse training (Philmont Cavalcade) -10 mile hike (Hoffman/Parks)

6 -Horse training (Philmont Cavalcade) -Ventures shotgun (12:30 PM)

7 -Patrol meeting

8

9 District Roundtable (Vikings)

10 Venturing Roundtable

11

12

13

14 Troop meeting Open: Hawks Skill: Vikings MB: Eagles

15

16 17 -Pack 434 bridging -Troop Adult meeting, 8 PM

18 -Sharp Street Food Bank, 3:30 - 4:30 PM -Venturing survival campout (Ashton)

19 -Venturing survival campout (Ashton) -20 mile hike (Hoffman/Parks)

20 Venturing survival campout (Ashton)

21 TLC/BOR Patrol meeting

22

23

24

25 Philmont Prep Hike (WV -- Philmont backpackers)

26 -Legion Flags -NO nursing home visit -Philmont Prep Hike (WV)

27 -Philmont Prep Hike (WV - backpacking) -Philmont riding prep (Cavalcade)

28 -Memorial Day -- NO meeting -Philmont Prep Hike (WV) -Philmont riding prep (Cavalcade)

29

30

31

May 2012

The Signaler-‐Troop 264’s Official Newsletter

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

3

4 Troop meeting Open: Eagles Skill: Crusaders MB: Hawks

5

6

7

8

9 Philmont backpacking prep (tentative)

10 Philmont backpacking prep (tentative)

11 -TLC and “Last Chance” BOR Patrol meeting -Turn in all completed blue cards

12 Last day of school (MCPS)

13 District Roundtable (Hawks)

14 Venturing Roundtable

15 Venturing survival campout (Ashton)

16 Riding prep (Cavalcade)

17 -Troop picnic and Summer Court of Honor, 1 PM -Riding prep (AM) (Cavalcade)

18 Patrol meeting

19

20

21 Troop adult meeting, 8 PM

22

23 Antietam Campout

24 Antietam Campout

25 Troop meeting Open: Hawks Skill: Eagles MB: Vikings

26

27

28

29 Ventures Beach campout

30 Ventures Beach campout

June 2012


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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1

Ventures Beach campout

2 -Patrol meeting -Philmont backpackers final meeting

3 4 Independence Day holiday

5 6

7

8

9 Troop meeting Open: Hawks Skill: Vikings MB: Crusaders

10 Travel to Colorado Springs: Philmont

11 -NO Roundtable -Colorado Springs / Philmont

12 -NO Roundtable -Arrive at Philmont

13 Philmont

14 -Philmont -Naval Academy boot camp (ages 10-12)

15 Philmont

16 -Patrol meeting -Philmont

17 Philmont

18 Philmont

19 Philmont

20 -Sharp Street Food Bank, 3:30 – 4:30 PM -Philmont

21 Philmont

22 Philmont

23 -Troop meeting: Summer Camp matters -Cavalcade final meeting -Philmont

24 Late return from Philmont

25

26 Troop adult meeting, 8 PM

27

28 Summer camp at Goshen (Week 5)

29 Summer camp

30 Summer camp NO meeting

31 -Summer camp Cavalcade at -Philmont begins (to Aug 11)

July 2012


YES it rained. But a little thing like that won’t stop T264, especially on T264’s first trip to NYC. And it even helped us! We left Rosa Parks Middle School just after 3 PM Friday on a charter bus to NYC. Cloudy but dry. At the Delaware rest stop on I-95 we stopped for supper, then continued onward, the Carrs’ vehicle falling in behind the bus in New Jersey. Just about 8 PM we crossed the I-278 bridge onto Staten Island and by 8:30

PM we were unloading gear at William Pouch Scout Camp on Staten Island. This is the only scout camp within the boundaries of New York City and it’s very reasonably priced for scout groups. The camp is wooded and there is a small lake, our campsite was on an embankment just above this lake. No rain yet, we carried gear to the camp to find the Gundersens there before us (they arrived from eastern Pennsylvania). Tents and dining fly were all set up before rain arrived at about 10 PM. This was the signal to get in tents and stay there. The rain continued steadily all night, and it grew cold, somewhere in the 30s.. 6 AM Saturday morning, the rain gradually dwindled to an annoying drizzle, which we were to keep the remaining time we were in New York. Having rehung the dining fly – it had sagged during the night’s rain – the stoves were

lit and hot chocolate and coffee prepared. Sausage sandwiches were the morning meal and there were plenty to go around. At 7:30 the bus picked up all 31 of us and off we

went to the Staten Island ferry, a free passenger ferry service between Staten Island and Manhattan. We waited for the 8:30 ferry, having just missed the 8 AM ferry. Despite the leaden sky, we could see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, also lower Manhattan and Governor’s Island. The temperature did not get much above 50° the whole time we were in NYC. At the Manhattan ferry terminal, we were met by Kristian’s godfather, Mr. Dave Harney, who lives in the city and whom Mr. Gundersen had asked to help show us around. Mr. Harney led us past the Merrill Lynch bronze bull and over to Wall Street, home of the New York Stock Exchange and other well known financial institutions, and past Trinity Church and its small cemetery, whereat are buried a number of famous people like Alexander Hamilton and Robert Fulton. We crossed Zuccotti Park where (just a few weeks before) the Occupy Wall Street movement had been encamped, and continued toward Fire Engine Company No. 10, which had been first on the scene at the 2001 World Trade Center tragedy and lost many firefighters at that time. The new Freedom Tower was rising just to the north, its top lost in the low cloud, and the WTC site was just beyond a construction wall. On the side of the fire company building was a long bronze firefighters’ memorial. Mr. Harney had been a NYC fireman at the time of the 2001 attacks, and later was a member of the group that designed this panel. Mr. Harney explained several aspects of the panel and related a little of his experiences that day. This discourse held the attention of the scouts and adults alike. (Did I mention it was drizzling?) A short stop at the WTC memorial shop, then we walked north toward the Cortland Street subway station. Once in the subway system, Mr. Gundersen emphasized in an authoritarian voice that we were all to get in the SAME subway car and that a “New York minute” meant you get on the trains FAST. Everyone listened, and soon we had exited at 42nd street and were walking west toward the Hudson River (skirting the northern boundaries of the Garment District and Hell’s Kitchen).

Camping in New York City March 30th-‐April 1st

Contributed by Mr. Dale B.


http://www.pouchcamp.org

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At the river, we turned right to reach the USS Intrepid. This decommissioned aircraft carrier, docked in NYC, is partially open to the public. Some exhibits inside, and various types of aircraft on the deck, could be examined. We had our prearranged lunch (sandwiches, chips, and a drink from Au Bon Pain) in our own reserved room on the second deck. There was time to look around for a short while afterward. With everyone collected at the center, Mr. Harney led us eastward along 46th Street, Mr. Gundersen herding stragglers in the rear. Suddenly we came out into the middle of Times Square! Despite the light drizzle it was a busy

place, and we spent some time looking around in different directions.

Continuing east, then south along 5th Avenue, we paused in front of the New York Public Library, where we

said goodbye and thanks to Mr. Harney. A short distance further south brought us to the Empire State Building, where I entered the lobby to pick up the group’s tickets at 3 PM (right on time). Usually there is a long wait to get up to the 86th floor observation deck, but because of the rain and low cloud, there was no wait at all. In just a few minutes we had passed all the “rat race” mazes and reached the elevator to the 86th floor. The cloud had lifted, perhaps to just above the 102nd floor observation deck (where we did not go), so we could see out in all directions. Though the view was obscured by gray haze, we could still see across the Hudson River into New Jersey, the East River into the Queens and Bronx, and south to the foot of Manhattan. There was a cold breeze too, and the observation deck area was not crowded. We stayed perhaps an hour, looking at the little buildings and still smaller cars far below. Exiting the Empire State Building, we turned north and east to Grand Central Terminal (also called Grand Central Station). It is still used as a major rail hub. But our goal was one floor down, the food court area, where scouts and adults scattered in search of the perfect meal. A leisurely meal, then we met at the prearranged spot at the center of the food court floor. Or at least most of us did: there were a few stragglers that search parties were sent out for. Once everyone was accounted for, Mr. Gundersen led us to the correct subway train to get us to lower Manhattan.

Most of us were standing on the subway train for this trip. We then took a short walk through Battery Park and so came back to the Staten Island Ferry terminal. By this time the sky was rapidly darkening under thick cloud, but we could still see the Statue of Liberty. It was nearly dark on arrival at Staten Island and our bus driver returned us to Camp Pouch. But scouts being what they are, they could not rest until a small fire had been built and tended for about an hour. Sunday morning, we were up early. A cereal breakfast, then came the task of packing every (wet) thing up and

out. Our bus returned at 8:00 AM, by which time most gear was already back at the parking lot. From there we went to Fort Wadsworth, about 5 miles away on Staten Island right next to the Verrazano Bridge to Long Island. The drizzle dwindled as we approached the fort.


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Fort Wadsworth had been built to protect the New York harbor and was garrisoned during the War of 1812. The fort was repaired and staffed anew at the outbreak of the Civil War, and continued in use up through the early 1900s. This fort (and a sister fort on Long Island) was never challenged. The fort (managed by the National Park Service) was not open when we arrived (it did not open until 10 AM) but we could walk around it and look into it from the bluff above. All of us

were back at

the bus by about 10 AM, heading back toward New Jersey. A lunch stop at Delaware, and we were back and Olney by 2:30 PM where it was sunny and warm. I’d like to thank the Gundersens, and especially Mr. Harney, for their assistance: their familiarity with NYC greatly improved this urban trip. Participants (2 nights camping): Jim B. David R. Luke R Michael W. Anthony J. Kristian G. (formerly of T264) Kristian G. (formerly of T264) Joshua F. Atticus M. Sean L. Justin S. Andrew H. Mr. Magne G. (formerly of T264) Peter B. Miguel A. Matt McD. Ryan McD. Jonathan G. Mr. Dave H. (special thanks) Mr. Dave H. (special thanks) Gavin M. Kevin C. Mrs. Ann C. Mr. Jim C. Mr. Dale B. Mr. Dennis B. Mrs. Carloyn R. Mrs. Danuta G. Mr. Rick J. Dr. Paul F. Mr. Mark R. Mrs. Bernadette H. Mr. Bret S. Mr. Al B.


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15 scouts were in attendance at Merit Badge Madness March 30 - April 1.We arrived at the site at Annapolis Christian School campus near Odenton about 6:45 Friday evening. We set up camp and enjoyed fair weather with a chance of thunderstorms forecast for early morning. No storms materialized. Reveille sounded at 6:30 in preparation for Merit Badge sessions beginning at 8:00. Lunch at noon followed the Morning session, with scouts back to afternoon sessions from 1 - 6. An indoor "campfire" and OA callout occupied evening hours. Sunday arrived early with 6 am reveille. All enjoyed breakfast and then were off to 7:30 sessions. Many sessions finished early so scouts helped strike camp and policed the area with a fine-toothed comb. Participants (2 nights camping) Roger G. Daniel G. John F. Tyler H. Anthony F. Samuel J. Eric F. Peter K. Jonathan S.** Joel P.** William S. Emmett H.* Tommy B. Evan N.* Bradley N. Mr. David S. Mr. Dan P. *Emmett H. and Evan N. planned menus and cooking direction for Saturday. **Joel P. and Jonathan S. cooked Sunday’s breakfast of sausages, pancakes, and hashbrowns.

Merit Badge Madness March 30th-‐April 1st

Contributed by Dan P.


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Puma Patrol Campout April 14th-‐15th

Contributed by Sam H.

The Puma Patrol went camping on the C&O Canal just north of the Monocacy Aqueduct. All of the scouts in the Patrol earned several different class rank requirements and not only earned their Totin’ Chip card but also earned their Fireman’s Chit too. For lunch the grilled cheese that Nicholas Casey and Atticus Meehan made was amazing along with the dinner, hot dogs! Good Job Trevor Buckingham and Kepono Uyeyunten. With a good breakfast of pancakes cooked by Ryan McDonald and

Ben Shapiro we were ready to head-off. We packed up, did a police line and

set off from a good campout. With all the fishing, camping, running,

Red-Rover, and hard work I am pretty sure everybody had fun! Thanks Mr. Freedman!


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Participants (1 night camping): Ben S. Atticus M. Mr. Mark F. Kopono U. Nick C. Mrs. Nancy S. Ryan M. Trevor B. Mr. Dwayne U. Sam H. Chad C.


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Appalachian Trail 10-mile Hike April 15th

Contributed by Tyler H.

On April 15, a beautiful Sunday morning in the parking lot of St. John’s, 19 scouts and scouters carpooled to Weverton Cliffs, where we left a car and drove down to the start at Keys Gap. The first thing we noticed was the bugs. They were just the annoying little gnats that fly around you but don’t really try to bite you. Even so, these things were noticeable all throughout our hike. We started out on a bit of an uphill. To pass the time some scouts

exchanged riddles. An especially challenging one was this one that Jimmy B. said: “Two men are hiking in the woods. They come across a cabin with two dead men in it. How did the dead men die?” While trying to answer this riddle we came upon a campsite that had a fire still smoldering in the fire ring! We took a pack off break here while we put out the fire. We kept walking and came to some power lines. After this the uphill changed to a downhill. This downhill would take us into Harper’s Ferry National Historical Park. The downhill was long and steep. We could see the Shenandoah River below us, and, after crossing a few creeks, we went under and then up and across the bridge into Harper’s Ferry. From there we had to go up a hill and then a side trail said it led to the ATC (Appalachian Trail Conservancy), the volunteers that take care of the AT. We took the side trail that led through a bit of historic Harper’s Ferry to the ATC building.


http://www.appalachiantrail.org

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We lunched there and took pictures in front of the building, as well as bought some “AT souvenirs”. After this we were going to take a walk through Harper’s Ferry to get to the trail, as the trail would only go uphill till we got back to Harper’s Ferry, but there was a man sitting on his front porch that showed us otherwise. He directed us to a “shortcut” back to the trail. When the trail reached Harper’s Ferry for the second time we walked along a few of historic Harper’s Ferry’s streets and its Main street to the old armory and then crossed the Potomac on a small bridge that pedestrians and bikers share with trains. We looked up and saw an old advertisement carved into the granite of the mountain. It looked like it was for something powder (gunpowder, maybe?), but we couldn’t see who was selling it. The last three miles of our hike were on the C&O Canal towpath. These were 3 uneventful miles, but we did see some people in the river: some people were trying to whitewater raft and kayak, and two people that had tied themselves together were

trying to fish in the middle of the river. We came to a stream that led to the Potomac and played around that for a while, too. Then we took a small incline up to Weverton Cliffs, shuttled cars, and went home. We had gone 11.1 miles. Participants (11.1 miles): Joel P. Tyler H. Jim B. Jacob G. Nate K. Tommy B. Luke R. Brian H. Mr. B. Mr. Dale B. Mr. Dan P. Mr. Dave G. Mr. Martin P. Mr. Micah H. Mr. Tom H. Ms. Carolyn R. Mrs. Cindy K.


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Broad Creek Scout Reservation Campout April 20th-‐22nd

Contributed by Jim B.

On April 20, Venture Crew 264 left Olney to go to Broad Creek Scout Reservation for the weekend. On the drive up, some of the Ventures messed around with CB radios. We arrived at the town near the reservation too early to check in, so we stopped at a "Double TT Diner" for dinner. Here, we bought meals, not realizing how large the serving portions were until we got them. After we finished eating, we left to go to the scout reservation. We checked in at the welcome center at Camp Saffran and bought our maps. From here we drove to camp Spencer to set up camp. By this time it was almost completely dark. After a couple of wrong turns, we eventually found our campsite, and began to set up. Eventually, we finished setting up and went to bed. The next morning, we woke up and began to cook breakfast. For breakfast, we made Spam. After eating more than our share of Spam, we cleaned up and began to work on the first requirement - Land Navigation. For this requirement, we had to complete an orienteering course of at least 2.5 miles, learn how to orienteer with and without a map and compass, and learn how to use a GPS receiver to navigate at night. We began by going over the orienteering process, and began our orienteering course. We found multiple orienteering markers; but after a couple of hours, we realized that the entire course is around 10 miles long. After we completed our 2.5 miles, we decided to finish the orienteering and just explore the scout reservation. We bushwhacked our way to Broad Creek, forded it, and began bushwhacking our way towards the lake. After a couple of miles we hit the lake, and we could see the waterfronts to all of the camps. Eventually, we found a trail, and followed it to a road, and walked through Camp Oest to the dam. We hung out at the dam for a few minutes and then walked across the road over the dam. We continued on roads or trails until we got to Camp Saffran, where we decided to look around. We stopped at the camp trading post (which also happens to be the council Scout Store) and looked around, some of us choosing to purchase things. After we stopped at the camp store, we explored Saffran a little further, stopping at the Welcome Center where we had checked in the night before. From here, we figured we could either take the trail back to Spencer or bushwhack our way back. We chose the latter. Eventually, we came across a trail, and followed it back to camp. We had gone about 6.4 miles, more than half of it bushwhacking. We ate lunch, and then tried to figure out the rest of our afternoon. Out of boredom, some Ventures began building snares, and later, a swing. It took us more than an hour to get the swing up and even more than that to take it back down; all for 10 minutes of swing time. Eventually, we began to cook dinner. For the Cooking core requirement, we were required to cook in a dutch oven, but because of the dry weather / fire risk, we decided to cook using the dutch oven on a stove. The pasta was easy enough, but when the cobbler came around, we had a bit of a challenge: How does one surround a dutch oven with heat when all one is allowed to use is propane? The solution? A blowtorch, of course. We used the stove to heat the bottom of the oven and the blowtorch to heat the top of the oven. We weren't sure how it would turn out. Despite our fears, it turned out fine. But nobody could eat it all. After dinner we decided to hang around the campsite and play cards until it got dark. When it did, we had a quick GPS lesson in the thunderstorm and then went back to the site pavilion. We played cards for a couple of hours and went to bed. The next morning, we woke up, packed our gear and left. Participants (2 nights camping): Jim B. Andrew H. Mrs. C. Peter B. Willy S. Mr. Al B. Josh F. Lara C. Elizabeth J. (Sat-Sun only)

http://www.broadcreekbsa.org

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Troop 264 Scoutmaster Dennis Bogan was awarded the SAR Silver Medal for Outstanding Citizenship at the annual meeting of the Maryland Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (MDSSAR) on April 14th in Baltimore, MD. Making the presentation is MDSSAR President Ivan Dooley who stated, “Mr. Bogan’s many years of dedicated service to BSA and Troop 264 are exemplary and more than deserving of this high honor.” He went on to point out that under Mr. Bogan’s leadership, over 650 boys have thus far passed through Troop 264 and 97 have attained the rank of Eagle Scout. That is quite a record!

Mr. Bogan Receives SAR Silver Medal Award

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Small-Boat Sailing Merit Badge Opportunity June 2nd/3rd & August 25th/26th

The Small-Boat Sailing Merit Badge is again being offered by the Baltimore Sailing Center in Essex, MD, on the northeast side of Baltimore. Although we don't do this activity as a troop, it is a weekend well spent, as you will be learning to sail one-man sailing craft. Classes will be held the weekend of June 2nd/3rd or August 25th/26th. The cost is $75/scout. You will need to have proof of either the Swimming Merit Badge or evidence of passing the BSA Swimmer test. You can register at http://bcsailing.org/specialty-programs.html. Here is a link to the requirements for the Small-Boat Sailing Merit Badge Requirements: http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Small-Boat_Sailing.

Antietam Battlefield Campout

June 23rd-24th Mr. Irvin has reserved a group campsite at Antietam on June 23-24 for up to 30 people. We can do any of several things:

a battlefield hike (following the course of the historic "Mr. Irvin's death hike" of several years ago); a bike hike around the Antietam battlefield, (3) a bike trip along the C&O Canal to Harpers Ferry and return, and (4) a longer distance bike hike along the C&O Canal using the Antietam campground as an overnight midpoint stop. There may be other possible optios too, suggestions welcome. We ask for comments/preferences in a few weeks but start thinking!

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Nursing Home Visit

The May nursing home visit is canceled this month.

Patrol leaders, it is your responsibility to inform the members of your patrol early that there will be no nursing home visit in May.

Hiking Opportunities for Scouts and Parents

May 5th & May 19th The hiking merit badge group is planning several 10+ mile day hikes (10 mile hikes in a single day). We'd like to open these hikes up to the entire troop and troop parents. They are an excellent way to get out and see the world, practice for Philmont, and explore some new places! The hikes move from fairly easy to challenging in difficulty. We will hike rain, snow or shine (hoping for LOTS of shine though!). We will hike from morning until we are done. For the first couple easier hikes, it should take about 3-4 hours to complete the hikes (so you can get an idea of the time commitment). We will eat lunch on the trail each day so bring lunch and trail snacks and, of course, your 10 hiking essentials.

May 5th: 10-miler at Mount Marshall, Virginial May 19th: 20-miler-To Be Determined

Interested in coming on one or more of these hikes? Please email me at [email protected] and tell me Name(s) and whether the people are scouts or parents.

Hoping you can come on some of these! ~ Mr. Hoffman ([email protected])

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Troop Picnic and Court of Honor Sunday June 17th

Early warning is given that the annual Troop Picnic and Summer Court of Honor will be held on June 17th, early afternoon, at the Smith Center (adjacent to Meadowside Nature Center). Please put this date on your calendars. Scouts, work on completing rank advancements and finishing “partial” merit badges so that they may be awarded on this date. Turn in the blue cards for completed merit badges to Mr. Matyas as they are finished.

“Navy Way” Basic Boot Camp July 14th

Tim and I were at the Naval Academy recently and found an advertisement for 2 "boot camp" events the Academy offers to the younger Boy Scouts (ages 10 to 12). We plan to sign up our middle son (who will be bridging to Troop 264 soon) for these events and thought we would offer the information to the Troop to see if there was any interest from other new Boy Scouts. Details are below: The U.S. Naval Academy invites young Boy Scouts (10 through age 12) to participate in a "Navy Way" Basic Boot Camp. In two hours, recruits will experience a little of what it's like to be a Navy swabbie. Recruits are issued a "Dixie cup" cap. They learn Navy terms, march, chant, follow orders and eat in a simulated mess. Basic Boot Camp runs from 10am to noon on Saturday July 14th and costs $37 (which includes lunch). After completing the Basic Boot Camp, Scouts can stay at the Academy and attend the "Navy way" Advanced Boot Camp, which runs from 1:30 - 4pm (same day, Saturday July 14th). This session includes lessons in seamanship training, knot tying, semaphore, and precision marching and drilling. The cost of this session is an additional $37. A promotion ceremony is held immediately following each session and parents are able to observe both sessions, and then attend the promotion ceremonies. I am happy to collect registrations for the Troop. I will need the following information by June 15th [best much earlier than that]: Name of the Scout, Age, Address, Telephone, E-mail address, Name of parents, daytime phone number, size of head (circumference in inches above ears), and money.

Thanks! Shannon Garrity [email protected] or [email protected]

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Advancement Camp at Camp Twin Echo, Ligonier PA July 8th-14th or July 15th-21st, 2012

Advancement Camp is an opportunity to earn up to 6 of the 10 merit badges offered in a single week. It is held at Camp Twin Echo, a Boy Scout camp near Ligonier, PA, about 3½ hours distant. We do not do this as a troop, scouts must register and make travel arrangements individually. Cost this year is $300 per week, choose whichever week has the merit badges you want. Carpooling may be possible if more than one scout attends the same week. The troop’s summer camp at Goshen Scout reservation is July 29 to August 4, a week later than normal this year to avoid conflict with Philmont backpacking. That shift also removes the usual conflict with the second week of Advancement Camp. A list of available merit badges, and related information is available at http://lhc-bsa.org/Camping/Advancement%20Camp. If you have questions, we can put you in touch with T264 scouts that have attended past Advancement Camps.

Week1: July 8th-14th

Week2:July 15th-21st


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2012 High Adventure – Backpacking at Philmont July 10th-24th

19 scouts and adults are signed up for two backpacking crews, dates of the trek are Thursday July 12 to July 24, 2012. Arrangements have been made to fly out on Monday July 10 to Colorado Springs, and we will be camping at the Air Force Academy there. Cost overall is expected to be about $1600 per person. Mr. Russell has so far collected the payments due to Philmont, and we will soon be collecting the funds to cover the flight and charter bus and activities before we reach Philmont. Adults will need to have 2½ weeks of vacation available. There will be prep hikes and gear shakedowns in the coming months. (The first 2012 Philmont prep hike, on March 23-34, went very well despite the rain.) And start getting ready on your own: walking is best! You will then be prepared for Philmont. Philmont participants must meet the height/weight chart shown in the current BSA medical form, Part D. Start thinking about when you are going to get your medical form completed! Crew A is registered for Trek 22 and Crew B will do Trek 1. Cerr

Crew A Crew B Ryan K Enrique A Michael R Miguel A William S Jeremy N Conor E Brandon O Anthony J Peter B Kevin C Sam J Andrew H Gavin M Mr. Dale B Mr. Pat O Mr. Mark R Mr. Kirk J Mr. Al B

! !Philmont!note:!!Crew!A!is!confirmed!for!Trek!22!in!the!South!Country.!!This!itinerary!includes!Mount!Phillips.!!We!will!be!choosing!what!we!want!to!do!in!Colorado!Springs!on!the!day!before!we!head!to!Philmont:!!Pikes!Peak!or!Royal!Gorge.!!Air!reservations!have!been!locked!in!and!money!for!the!airfare!will!be!collected!in!the!near!future.!

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2012 High Adventure – Cavalcade at Philmont July 31st– August 11th

In light of interest from Venturing Crew members and T264 scouts, Mr. Russell submitted a request for the troop to make a Cavalcade at Philmont. The troop was not initially selected, however, it was notified as being #6 on the wait list. On the evening of August 19, 2011, Mr. Russell received an offer to the troop for a Philmont Cavalcade. A Cavalcade is an 8 day trek at Philmont with riding horses. Cavalcade participants must take care of the horses during the entire outing. The first day is mainly training on handling and riding horses. No Cavalcade participant may weigh more than 200 pounds, that limit is NOT negotiable. Maximum crew size of 15, only four of whom may be adults (21 and over). Presently we have 10 spaces filled (including all four adult leader spaces), so there are five scout/Venture spaces still open. This trek can and does contain young ladies, and appropriate female leadership will be maintained as required by the BSA. The dates of the trek are August 2 to 10, allow two days at the beginning and one at the end for travel (so keep July 31 to August 11 open). A second installment payment will be collected in February. Minimum age is 14, or 13 and have completed the 8th grade (Philmont’s requirements, not ours). Total cost per person will be about $1600. Presently the crew is in the midst of arranging airline and rental car arrangements for the crew. There are many issues still to be sorted out and more information will be passed along as these matters are resolved. Mr. Keith Evans, [email protected], is coordinating the Cavalcade process, questions and requests to sign up may be directed to him. The first overnight horseback training outing is scheduled for May 5-6 and is being arranged by Gina H. All Cavalcade participants should try to attend this and other planned prep outings.

Video Training for Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, and 1st Class

Scouting.org has videos available to help scouts with the rank requirements of Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. These short videos include the current requirements listed for Tenderfoot through First Class.

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Summer Camp at Goshen Scout Reservation July 29th to August 4th

Summer camp information is included toward the end of this Signaler, including costs and a list of which merit badges will be available. Sign up early: the sooner we can request specific merit badges for scouts, the better chance there is of getting them. Parents may also go to summer camp for all or part of the week. See pages 31 and 32 in this Signaler.

The Backwoods Crew A Scout Chorus open to All Boy, Girl, & Venture Scouts & All Registered

Adult Leaders!

Rehearsal Time: Most Sundays 4:15-5:45 PM

[Note: Interested new folks should call Mr. Sherman (301-651-9639) to be sure about a particular Sunday’s meeting time]

Rehearsal Location: Mr. Sherman's House; 45 Bryants Nursery Rd, Cloverly, MD 20909 (near Blake HS) Food!: Pizza, drinks & snacks provided (but ya have-ta sing for it!)

All guys and gals, youths and adults who are registered in any capacity with the BSA or Girl Scouts (GS) are welcome to join the BWC, regardless of musical ability. The only requirements are that you get a kick out of singing with others, and that you make a real effort to attend as many rehearsals as possible. You also need a Class-A uniform for performances. BWC's growing repertoire includes songs that are fun and lively (e.g., Y.M.C.A. (adapted to B.S.ofA.)), patriotic (e.g., God Bless the USA), reverent/interfaith (e.g., On Eagle's Wings) and folk/inspirational (e.g., "Colors of the Wind" from Pocahontas). Performances are at events such as Webelos weekend and District Camporee campfires, and by request at Eagle or Gold Award Courts of Honor and other special Scout or community events, as our schedule permits. Practice sheet music, MP3 files and CD's provided. All you need to bring is yourself, your voice and an enthusiastic musical spirit. Listening to provided practice audio tracks on you iPod, SmartPhone, home stereo or computer between rehearsals is strongly encouraged! We rehearse most Sundays (4:15PM to 5:45PM; pizza & snacks provided). For now, rehearsals are at Mr. Sherman's house (45 Bryants Nursery Rd, Cloverly, MD 20905).

Directions: From Olney head South on Norwood Rd; cross Norbeck Road/Route 28. Take a left onto Bryants Nursery Rd across from Blake HS. Go ~0.2 mi and take a right into driveway at mailbox number 45.

Come check us out (no pressure, promise!) For more information, or to get on the BWC email list, contact: Mr. Gary Sherman, Asst. Scoutmaster, Boy Scout Troop 264, Brookeville-Olney, MD [email protected] or at Verizon cell 301-651-9639.

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To Get Leadership Credit for Den Chief Service

If you are serving as a Den Chief for leadership credit, prior to your BOR must notify Mr. Matyas. You should obtain a note from your Pack Den Leader and/or cubmaster. This letter should include: (1) the dates you served as a Den Chief (at least six months); (2), The Pack and Den you served with; and (3) include the signature(s) of the Den Leader, Cubmaster, and /or Pack Committee Chairperson and the date they signed off. Submit this letter to Mr. Matyas prior to your BOR. (301)-570-0610, [email protected]. Den Chief Fast Start training (required) may be taken in about 30 minutes online at http://www.scouting.org/Training/Youth/DenChefTraining.aspx . Print copies of the completion certificate, as you

Do You Need to Review Your Knots?

If you need to review your knots prior to your next BOR or the next campout, check out http://www.animatedknots.com. It is very good for visually demonstrating how to tie knots. Click on the Scouting Emblem for knot demonstrations.

District Roundtable

Our Boy Scout Roundtables feature informative discussions on topics from youth leadership training, using OA more effectively in your troop, and summer camp experiences. Each month there are wonderful presentations, from wood carving to Dutch oven cooking, to help your unit leaders provide new ideas and opportunities for your troop. Come see what great new locations your troop might want to visit! Troop and Cub Scout Roundtables: The People’s Community Baptist Church, 31 Norwood Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905, second Wednesday of the month, 7:30 PM Venturing Crews have a separate Roundtable: Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church, located on Highway 355 north of the Shady Grove exit of Interstate 270, 610 S. Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, second Thursday of the month, 7:30 PM Patrols are assigned to cover this event on a rotating basis, as listed on the calendar pages in the Signaler, and must send one adult to take notes and report back at the following Troop Adult meeting.

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Getting Credit for Troop Activities

It’s important that everyone who participates in Troop 264 campouts, trips, and community service activities gets credit for their hard work. The Signaler provides the permanent record of everyone who attends these events. Patrol leaders need to take responsibility for collecting the names of participants in their patrols and send those lists, preferably by email, to the Signaler staff by the monthly deadline. E-mail lists to [email protected].

Troop Activity Policy

Please be reminded that it is troop policy (and common courtesy) for a scout or scouter to pay the costs associated with an event he or she has signed up for but did not attend, without being asked. No-shows increase the costs to the troop and the participants, require the troop to reserve unneeded space and transport excess equipment, and results in wasted food and materials. We realize that situations inevitably will occur that prevent a scout from attending events, and ask that the scout or scouter contact the person organizing the event right away. If the conflict is raised early enough, adjustments can often be made where food has not yet been purchased or reservations have not been finalized.

Resources for Planning Troop Outings

On the troop website, under “Outings” at http://www.troop264olney.net/outings.html, you will find links to information about places the troop has visited, as well as:

• Guide and Checklist for Planning Troop Outings, which provides a step-by-step guide for

Scouts and adults to plan a successful trip;

• Troop Outing Expense Accounting spreadsheet, to help Scouts and adults ensure that costs of troop outings are fully covered;

• Historical Hikes and Camping Summary Form, that Scouts and adults can download and complete or update with new information about particular hikes and campouts that can then be sent to the troop webmaster [presently Mr. Bickel] for uploading to the troop website; and

• Links to completed summary forms containing information about various historical hikes and campouts the troop has done, including information about Scout patches or medals that can be earned and information about accessibility for physically-challenged Scouts or adults.

For further information about any of these tools, contact Mr. Bob Irvin at [email protected].

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Position Troop Officers Senior Patrol Leader Jeremy N Assistant Patrol Leaders TBD

TBD TBD

Chaplain’s Aid Joshua F Librarian Jonathan S Scribe Michael R Quartermaster William S Historian Miguel A Instructor VACANT Troop Guides RJ G

Sam J Peter K

Order of the Arrow Rep Anthony J Buglers Kevin C

Peter B Signal Editor Sam H Eagle Patrol Patrol Leader Jake A Asst. Patrol Leader Conor E Quartermaster Brandon O Crusaders Patrol Patrol Leader Bradley N Asst. Patrol Leader Ryan K Quartermaster Ryan K Hawk Patrol Patrol Leader Peter B Asst. Patrol Leader John F Quartermaster Peter B Viking Patrol Patrol Leader Miguel A Asst. Patrol Leader Andrew H Quartermaster Jim B Eagle Patrol Patrol Leader Asst. Patrol Leader Quartermaster Puma Patrol Patrol Leader Rotating basis (overseen by Jeremy N) Quesadillas Patrol Patrol Leader Rotating basis (overseen by Jonathan G)

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Inventory and Missing Gear In the coming weeks, we will be doing an inventory of the troop’s gear so that we can found out what we have, what we need, and what hat ot bee repaired before the summer season arrives. You can help by looking around at home for tents, stoves, fuel bottles, water bottles, etc. Bring the wayward gear to any of the patrol quartermasters above, the Troop Quartermaster, William S., or Scoutmaster Bogan, or to any troop meeting. The more gear we can account for, the lower the cost to the troop, and ultimately to you. Thanks in advance!

Information Page

Attention: Board of Review (BOR) Procedures

Some years ago we set up a new procedure for scouts to follow for requesting Board of Reviews. Being a large troop, we needed to give the adults sitting on the BORs some lead-time. Recently the procedure has been sliding and the adults are getting short notice because of last minute BORs being scheduled. Therefore we are restating our policy. FORGOT THE PROCEDURE? NO PROBLEM – It is almost always on one of the last pages of each Signaler edition. Also, you can look at any past edition of the Signaler for this information.

BOR Any scout needing a Board of Review should call Mr. Walt Greenspon @ (301) 774-5394 no later than two Sundays (8 days) before the scheduled Board of Review. Failure to give proper notification will delay your BOR until the next month. Get your Scoutmaster Conference prior to calling Mr. Greenspon. If your scout is scheduled for the BOR, he MUST bring an adult with him. That adult is needed to sit on a BOR for another scout. This way we can accommodate all scouts striving for advancement.

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Editor: Sam H. 301-774-7831 [email protected] Webmaster Mr. Dale Bickel 301-774-0416 [email protected]

Reporters: William S.

301-260-8605

[email protected]

Signaler Adults: Mr. Keith Hull 301-774-7831 TBD

Mr. Dale Bickel 301-774-0416 [email protected]

Adult Advisors:

Scoutmaster: Mr. Dennis Bogan 301-774-2768 [email protected]

Treasurer: Mr. Al Barth 301-570-0869 [email protected]

Troop Committee: Mr. Mark Russell 301-774-1077 [email protected]

Order of the Arrow (OA)

Mr. Rick Justus 301-774-7833 [email protected]

Advancement Chairman:

Mr. Gary Matyas 301-570-0610 [email protected]

SPL: Jeremy N

Adult activity coordinators – please submit information about upcoming activities to Signaler Staff (electronically or hardcopy) by the deadline. Please contact a Signaler reporter if you would like to have a Scout generate the announcement for you. If any information about an activity or participants of activities have been left out of the Signaler, corrections will be made in the next issue. Please send any corrections to The Signaler at [email protected]. The Signaler is posted on the troop’s website, www.troop264olney.net. Notice is sent by E-MAIL when the new Signaler edition is posted. To get on the e-mail list, or to be removed or make corrections, please send an e-mail to [email protected] (Mr. Dale Bickel).

Signaler Information

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Advancement Information

Board of Review (BOR)

Any scout needing a Board of Review should call Mr. Greenspon @ (301-774-5394) no later than two Sundays (8 days) before the scheduled Board of Review. Failure to give proper notification will delay your BOR for a month. If your scout is scheduled for a BOR, he must bring an adult with him. That adult is needed to sit on a BOR for another scout. This way we can accommodate all scouts striving for advancement. Scout dress code for BOR will include Class “A” shirt, neckerchief, slide, and scout pants (khaki or black pants can be substituted). A scout hat is preferred.

Scout Spirit for Advancement

We all recognize that Scout Spirit is hard to evaluate. We know Scout Spirit includes being helpful and cheerful, but it is

more than that…it’s giving back. In an effort to assist Patrol dads in recognizing Scout Spirit, the following guidelines are offered.

Our troop believes that prior to each advancement, participation in the following activities exemplify the essences of Scout Spirit:

• A minimum of 1 nursing home visit • Participation in at least 1 fundraiser • At least 4 overnight outings per year • Good deeds done outside of scouts The Patrol Dad, not a senior scout, is responsible for signing off on Scout Spirit prior to your Scoutmaster Conference.

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Scoutmaster Conferences Any scout needing a Scoutmaster Conference for advancement up through First Class, needs to contact one of the following for a conference: Mr. Greenspon 301-774-5394 Mr. Laing 301-570-4235 Mr. Predoehl 301-774-0974 Mr. Matyas 301-570-0610 Mr. Freedman 301-774-7766 Mr. Bickel 301-774-0416 Mr. Irvin 301-570-5548 Mr. Kennedy 301-774-5014 Mr. Long 301-924-4365 Scoutmaster Conferences for Star, Life, and Eagle must be held with Mr. Bogan - (301)-774-2768, [email protected]. Preparation for the scout’s BOR must include being prepared to answer skill, citizenship, first aid, and merit badge questions.

BOR for Star and Life Scout Advancements While ropes and compasses are provided for younger ranks, by the time you are ready for Star and Life advancement, you should be responsible enough to bring your own knot rope and compass for your BOR. We are requiring all scouts who are advancing to Star or Life to bring a knot rope and compass to their BOR.

Life and Eagle Scouts as Advisory BOR Members If you are a Life or Eagle Scout and would like to sit on a Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, or Star BOR, as a “Technical Expert”, call Mr. Greenspon on 301-774-5394. You would be the fourth person on the Board. While you wouldn’t have a vote, you would have input into the decision-making process and add invaluable knowledge and insight by asking questions that perhaps scouters wouldn’t think to ask. This is a great way to give back to and maintain the quality of your troop.

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CAMP BOWMAN GOSHEN SCOUT RESERVATION

Troop 264 has reservations for Camp Bowman at the Goshen Scout Reservation for the week of 28 July – 4 August 2012. This is a patrol cooking camp. In my experience the boys and adults eat better when the boys do the cooking than in camp dining hall. The fees for Camp Bowman Are: BOYS ADULTS Paid by 28 May $360 $280 Paid after 28 May $390 $300 The fee schedule is established by the council, thus Troop 264 has no control over the timing. A charter bus will be available for a fee of approximately $80.00 in addition to the above fees. We encourage campers to travel by bus. No other transportation will be provided by the troop. The camp is approximately 210 miles from Olney. Parents are welcome! INFO: Doug Long (301) 924-4365 (H)

4405 Skymist Terrace (301) 738-5153(W) Olney, MD 20832

REGISTRATION FORM: NAME: ___________________________________ BIRTH DATE: _____________ ADDRESS: _______________________________

_______________________________ BUS: Y/N _____ _______________________________

E-MAIL: _______________________________ T-SHIRT SIZE ______ TELEPHONE: ____________________________ PARENT(S): _____________________________ PARENTS SIGNATURE: _________________________________ Parent Attending: ___________________________

New scouts generally start in the First Year Camper program which focuses on completing requirements for Tenderfoot and Second Class as well as a few merit badges. Is the scout a new scout with T264?

Y N

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