July 2006 - Troop 174 Dingmans Ferry, PA Home

TROOJ! J74 NEWSLETTER .zo VTIXB
Scoutmaster's Corner- Recipe For Life Special points of interest:
• Archive Picture on
Robert
Franco
Back Pal1:e
and
Jeremy
Vaivada straightening their tent
during the week of summer camp
at Camp Minsi, Minsi Trails Coun­
cil. This was the week of July 30,
2000.
Storting in Septem­
ber you Scouts will
stort to leorn some­
thing obout food
ond cooking ond
how to use recipes
to whip up 0 tosty meal. Ihope you
will leorn thot following 0 recipe is
vitolto good cooking, unless you're
sotisfied with hot-dogs ond hom­
burgers 011 the time in camp.
You will find out thot 0 pinch
of solt, 0 dosh of cinnomon, or 0
teospoon of sugor mokes 011 the
difference. In foel, everything in
the recipe hos 0 reoson for being
there.
Scouting is like 0 recipe for
living. We call the ingrediems our
ideols - our Ooth ond Low, our
motto, ond our slogon. You might
soy thot Scouting's recipe for living
calls for 0 cup of eoch of the 12
points of the Scout Low, 0 toble­
spoon of Good Turns, 0 heoping cup
of duty to God ond country, ond 0
couple of doshes of duly to self ­
thol is, physicol, mentol ond moral
fitness. Add 0 quort or two of fun.
Mix well ond you hove good Seout­
ing.
But if we ignore one of the
ingredients, the Scouting dish does
nottoste os good os it should. LeI's
remember thD1 for good Scouting,
ond 0 full sotisfying life, eoch of
Scouting's ingredients is importont.
• Starting September 1, 2006 the
cost for food for the weekend
campouts is going from $15.00 to
$20.00. This is the first time this
fee has been increased.
Inside this issue:
Appalachian Trail Hike
2
Appalachian Trail Continued
Rag Replacement
3
Memorial Day Services
Spring Court of Honor
4
500
Fund Raiser. Pocono
Rag Day Rag Retirement
5
Advancement
5
Eagle Honor Roll
Rnancial Statement
Troop Activities
6
Troop Adult Leadership
"From the Troop Archives"
6
U.S. military bases will continue to welcome Scouting In November 2004, os 0 result
of 0 settlement between the Deport­
ment of Defense (000 I ond the
American Civil Liberties Union
(ACLU I, 011 militory entities were
reminded thot they moy not spon­
sor or chorter traditionol Boy Scout
units. In response, the BSA direeled
locol councils to work with the leod­
ership of ony unit involved to find
on olternD1ive nongovernmentol
chortering orgonizotion, such os 0
VFW or American Legion post.
The settlement will hove no
impoct on Scouts or their fomilies or
on pions for the BSA jomboree this
summer. Boy Scouts will be able to
use military bases os meeting places
and for other functions, such as
camping, on the some basis os any
other citizen group.
A stotement issued by the
Deportment of Justice pointed out
thot the seltlement served to clorify
existing Defense Deportment policy
thot the "000 moy not, ond does
not officiolly sponsor ony privote,
nonfederal orgonizotions, including
Boy Scout units."
However, the stotement olso
noted thot "Deportment personnel
moy continue to be involved with
Scouting in their personol copocity.
Nothing in the portiol settlement
ogreement is intended to preclude
000 support to the Boy Scouts ou­
thorized by 000 policy, to preclude
Boy Scout activities on 000 bases
ond instollotions, or to preclude 000
personnel in their personal copocity
from sponsoring Boy Scout units.. .
"Provided there is no sponsor­
ship by Deportment of Defense
personnel in on officiol copocity,
Boy Scout units ore permitted to
meet on militory boses ond militory
personnel ore permitted to remoin
oelive in Boy Seout programs. The
settlement does not diminish the
level of support provided to the Boy
Scouts by 000."
[his or/ide was tOKen from
S(ouJing '}1 fonll1y Mogaline ~ the
Marm-ApriI2005Issue.
Neprin/eu with permission.
Eagle's Eye
Page 2
Appalachian Trail Hike- Wind Gap to Lehigh Gap finally mode it bock to the campsite we started our climb down the gop
From Saturday May 20'" to Sun­
day May 21 st, six scouts and four
adults hiked 20 miles of the Appala­
chian Trail from Wind Gop, Po. to
Lehigh Gop, Lehighton, Po.
This Appalachian trail hike was
one of a very very few where it
wasn't raining when we started.
Climbing the southwest side of Wind
Gop was the start of the hike. Once
on top of the gop the group stopped
and waited for the final adult to
catch up with the group. This adult
hod to drive the von to the end
point and get a ride bock to the
beginning. So the group hod about
on hours rest.... As soon as the
final adult arrived the group started
on their journey toward Leigh Gop.
The rest of the day was spent hiking
towards the camping area about 14
miles away. The trail went through
forests and along ridges with excel­
lent views. 85% of the trail on this
section was very very rocky and was
a definite challenge for all. From
about one hour after lunch was
finished, the boys started asking
how much further to go and the
answer was always \\ less than 2
miles to go .....". When we reached
the campsite for the night, the wa­
ter crew went down a side trail to
get to the spring for the water
needed for the night and morning.
Well, 2 hours later the water crew
.",..._...-- "....
with about 3 gallons of water. The
reason it took so long was that
there was a 1/2 a mile hike all
down a steep hill and the spring was
almost dried up. The rest of the
evening we set up our sleeping
arrangements. Some put up ham­
mocks and others pitched tents.
After a freeze dried meal most went
to bed to get a full nights sleep. In
the morning after a quick break­
fast, we broke down camp and
pocked everything in the pocks and
headed out to finish the lost 6 miles
of the hike. The closer we got to
Lehigh Gop the harder the wind
seemed to blow. By the time we got
to the gop, it was very windy and
which was all rock and no trees. The
views were breath taking as we hiked
down and across the gop. The cars on
the rood looked like match box cars.
Once we hiked across the ridge of the
gop the rocks blocked the wind and
the descend went well. This section of
the trail ended at a small parking lot
where our von and Mark and his
vehicle were waiting to toke everyone
home. On the way home we stopped
at a pizzo place for a meal that didn't
require adding a few cups of water,
mix and wait for 5 minutes. Thanks
you to the adults that hiked and the
drivers who provided the transporta­
tion.
Group picture under mileage signs.
Getting ready for the hike.
At the top of the first ascent.
Mileage signs.
Lunch at Lee Smith Shelter.
Scheduled rest at a great lookout spot.
Hiking up the rocky terrain.
Some brought tents.
Others mode there own shelter using hammocks.
.1
. '
~
Volume: 9 No: 4
Page 3
Appalachian Trail Hike - Continued Starting the descend of lehigh Gap.
Alook just before going over the edge.
Ahappy crew at the end of the hike
Flag Replacement at Dingmans Cemetery
Friday May 26, 2006: At the
Dingmans Cemetery, at the intersec­
tion of Routes 209 and 739 Ding­
mans Ferry, eight scouts and six
adults helped the men of the Ameri­
can legion Post 851 replace Ameri­
can flags on the graves of veterans
buried at this cemetery. As a legion
member identified the grave thai
needed a flag, the scouts went and
replaced the old flag with a new
one. The grave sites were of veter­
ans from the Revolutionary War to
the present. The American legion is
the sponsor of our troop and they
appreciated our help. This was the
second year that the troop helped
with the flag replacement.
Ready for the next flag replacement.
Checking the name on the headstone.
Installing a flag holder on a new grave.
Group picture of the scouts present.
Page 4
Eagle's Eye
Memorial Day Service at American Legion Post 851 Building On Monday May 29, 2006, the
American Legion held their annual
Memorial Day Service. Besides the
American Legion members, our
troop had five scouts and six adults
in attendance. Also in attendance
were members of Troop 5. The
service was held outside this year,
our troop put up tarps, for shade,
and brought out chairs so the peo­
ple could sit during the service.
After the service, all in attendance
were invited to stay for donuts,
coffee, tea, and soda (pop).
Troop174 &Troop 5during the ceremony.
The ceremony was well attended.
Jerry reading Flanders's Field.
Placi ng of the wreaths.
Snacks were served after the ceremony.
The Commander and Vice-commander.
Spring Court of Honor 06/02/06
June 2, 2006: The annual
Spring Courl of Honor was held at
the American Legion Post 851 build­
ing on Friday June 2nd • All the
scouts who earned any awards from
November 2005 to June 2, 2006
were honored at this event. The
troop also celebrated its 20th anni­
versary as Boy Scout Troop 174 and
being sponsored by the American
Legion Post 851.
The cake celebrating 20 years of scouting service.
Troop members present at the Courl of Honor.
Page 5
Volume: 9 No: 4
Fund Raiser Pocono 500 Pocono Race Track
Our first of two fund raisers
was held from Friday June 09 to
Sunday June 11 at the Pocono
Speedway, longpond, Pa. That
weekend the NASCAR Pocono 500
took place.
Adult troop members and
friends of Troop 174 worked at the
speedway and raised S1000.00 for
the troop. This is an adult only activ­
ity. We worked as cooler checkers,
crowd control, ticket rippers, hand
stampers, isle ushers, and any other
position they need us to do. Some
of us camped on the infield for the
entire weekend. This weekend was
cald and windy and the temperature
on Sunday morning at 4:30 am was
3rF. Despite the cold and windy
weather, we all enjoyed the race as
we worked to raise money for the
On the job checking coolers for glass bottles.
troop. Troop 174 would like to
thank all the adults who partici­
pated in this activity. THANK YOU! If ..._ _ _ _ _ _ _...~
you know of any adult (18 years or
older) who would like to help out on r==::::;=:jF=lr..~Z]
future NASCAR races, please contact
Jerry Vaivada, Ralph Perry, or Walt
Gursky for detailed information.
(Phone numbers are located on the
last page of this newsletter).
Going out for practice around the track..
Our chief cook, making a delicious meal..
Rag Day-Flag Reti rement
June 14, 2006: Faur scouts
and three adults joined a few mem­
bers of American legion Post 851
and properly disposed of used
American flags that were collected
thraughout the past year. Every
year, on Flag Day, the American
legion disposes the used flags by
burning them.
Asmall ceremony befare flag retirement.
Scouts retiring the used flags.
Advancement and Awards from May 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006 In Scouting, advancement
happens in four steps. Here is an
overview:
1. The_Smut leIJJm,_He learns a
skill at meetings, on outings or
in a session with a merit badge
counselor. Sometimes skills
are taught in a formal setting;
at other times, he picks up
skills as he goes about his
routine on outings.
2.
The Scout is tested. Once the
Scout has learned a skill and
practiced it, he seeks out a
troop leader who confirms that
he has completed the require­
ments and initial his book.
3. The sc~ut is reviewed. When a
scout has completed all the
requirements, his work is
reviewed, by the scoutmaster
and then by a board of review.
4.
as he completes a rank and
then at the troop court of
honor.
Scoul Service AwonJ
Keith Vaivada 2 Years
IhL.S.C.llut i
recagnlI.QJ!...
Finally, the Scout is recognized
for his achievement. This
should happen twice: as soon
Jeff Franco 9Years
luI 21-23
lu/30·AugS
Aug 15
Sep8
Sep 15
Sep 16
Sep22-24
Sponsored by: The American Legion Post 851 Ball Park Road, Dingmans Ferry, Pa, fund /laiser:Penn 500 NASCA/l "Adults Only"
Summer [omp ·(omp Min5~ MlflSl Troils (ound!
leadership Mee/ing: Plan 2006/2001 Troop Adivities
first meeting: Americon Legion building
/legular meeting: American Le ion building
/load (/eon-uPt Wilson Hill fl I Adivilies Day
(ompollt (omp Turrell, (uddybocKville, N. Y.
The "Troop 174 Activities for 2006-2007" will be posted in the
September Issue of the Eagle's Eye. The troop leadership sat down
and worked out all the trips they wonted to toke. The committee
approved all the trips. The highlight of the activities season is the
week camping trip to Maryland in June 2007. The boy leadership
did on excellent job with this schedule.
BSA Troop 174 C/O Walter Gursky 408 Leisure Loop Milford, Pa 18337 Phone: 570-296-2300 Email address: [email protected] 00
nUL LE.ADE SHIP
...................................................................................................
Scoutmaster
Wolter Gursky
570-296-2300
Ass!. Scoutmaster
Christopher Gursky
570-296-2300
Ass!. Scoutmaster
Michael Gursky
570­296-2300
Ass!. Scoutmaster
Mark King
215-825-2190
Committee Chairperson
Rolph Perry
570-828-8223
Treasurer
Marianne Gursky
570-296-2300
Committee Member
Jeff Franco
570-828-9383
Committee Member
Raymond Maisco
570-686-3886
Committee Member
Jerry Vaivada
570-828-9514
Committee Member
Bill Welch
570-686-4629
jfimm(lal ~tattlntnt tl5 of 31111p 1, 2006
Current Total Balance:
5940.96
NOT ALL ACCOUN1S LISTED
Summer Camp Account 2006:
5460.00
Summer Camp Support Fund:
0.00
Equipment Trailer Fund:
5120.57
Track Shirts:
0.00
Troop Shirts:
524.50
Re- Registration:
0.00
Adult Passbook Account:
S131.73
Scout passbook Account:
S151 97
Funds Available for General Use:
S52.19