Troop In4mer
The newsletter of Boy Scout Troop 4
Proudly sponsored by Annunciation Parish at Holy Spirit Chapel, Gardner, MA
continuing for 82 strong years
Meetings are held Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the Chapel Hall
VOLUME 37. ISSUE 3
JUNE / JULY / AUGUST 2020
From the Scoutmaster’s chair
The Troop 4 plan is very simple to understand.
- Meeting on Zoom for the rest of June.
- Summer adventure trips (see below).
- Weekly summertime fun program.
- Current plan is to resume hall meetings if allowed on Wednesday nights in September.
When I am writing this, summer is just around the corner. Presently Troop 4 is meeting every Wednesday night on Zoom. Thursday evening is available for advancement, Scoutmaster conferences, Boards of Review, and any Scout who needs help with advancement. How does this Thursday night happen? This is very simple! Before or at Wednesday’s meeting, YOU AS A SCOUT NEED TO SPEAK UP, CONTACT OR SAY Mr. BILLINGS or Mr. R I NEED HELP WITH ADVANCEMENT! – Mr. R.
If you have a question or need help with an online meeting, please call or text Mr. R. at 978-4070028 right away.
CW Summer Camp
Not this summer. Camps are closed due to the COVID-19 Virus. We have forwarded our reservation and site deposit to next year Week 1 of camp.
Lost River Adventure
What is this trip about? This is a fun adventure to the site of an airplane wreck and a potential side trip to Clarks Trading post. This trip is scheduled for August 6 to 9, 2020. Cost $130.00 due Wednesday July 8 at Troop summer program.
T-shirt Contest Update
I hope everyone has been working on their ideas for a new Troop 4 T-shirt. Unfortunately, since we won’t be having any in person meetings soon, we are changing the deadline and how to submit your designs. Please e-mail me your designs, if possible in jpeg format, by July 4. My e-mail is afdmedic@hotmail.com. I will then send out the designs to the Committee members for their votes, then we will send out the final 4 to the troop members for the final vote. The goal is to at least have the new design for when we resume our regular in-person meetings and possibly wear the new shirts.
Remember the design contest is open to all Troop and Committee members along with their families, 2 designs per person max. It can be front, back or both. Single or multiple colors. Must include “Troop 4” “Gardner” and “Holy Spirit Church” or “HSC”. Any other wording can be included as long as it is appropriate.
Thank You Ray Lemek
Troop 4 Website
Troop 4’s website has been given a face-lift. Please check it out at http://troop4.gardnerscouting.org/. We would like to promote and tell our story to the world and need your help. If you have any information and/or photos about previous Troop adventures and activities that you would like to share, please send them to jonathan.brinker@gmail.com. Also, our monthly newsletter (the In4mer) is now being posted for your delight.
National BSA to introduce new required Diversity & Inclusion Merit Badge
Introducing a specific Diversity and Inclusion merit badge that will be required for the rank of Eagle Scout. It will build on components within existing merit badges, including the American Cultures and Citizenship in the Community merit badges, which require Scouts to learn about and engage with other groups and cultures to increase understanding and spur positive action.
Did You Survive Camp Quarantine?
Thanks to the Troop 4 Troop Committee for their help with the movie popcorn. It was soooo goooood!
BSA News
Check out page 21 in your August 2019 Boy’s Life: So that is what a Fly Fishing rod looks like!
Troop 4 Summer Program
| Dates | Activities |
|---|---|
| July 1, 2020 | Biking |
| July 8, 2020 | Fishing at Dunn’s Park |
| July 15, 2020 | Gear Prep |
| July 19 to 24, 2020 | Summer Camp (Collier) |
| July 29, 2020 | Field games at MWCC |
| August 5, 2020 | Gear Prep Lost Lake Trip |
| August 6 to 9, 2020 | Troop Adventure, Lost River Trip |
| August 12, 2020 | Gear Return |
| August 19, 2020 | Mini golf |
| August 26, 2020 | Pool/Party at house? |
| Sept 2, 2020 | Bowling candlepins |
| Sept 9, 2020 | Return to hall |
Back to Collier Happy Land!
Have you ever heard the song? I have! This is going to be a great week of camp. What is on the list of adventures? A sling shot and rifle shoot with fully trained and qualified instructors. To top it off – a Court of Honor. Here are the dates of camp: July 19 to 24, 2020 The cost $130.00 per person youth or adult. This includes campsite, meals and opportunities to earn badges. $ due Wednesday July 8 at Troop summer program.
Are you in the patch contest? Bring your own tent or use a Troop tent. Need help choosing badges? At the next Troop meeting, say, “Hey, Mr. Billings! I need help choosing badges!” Stay tuned for a full Schedule coming. Ask Mr. R what is needed for your med form! Download it today at www.campwanocksett.org
Welcome to Scoutbook
What is Scoutbook? Scoutbook is a computer program that will track your advancement, events and communication in the troop. Looking ahead, we will have an excerpt each time an In4mer is published focusing on an aspect of Scoutbook. Hiking Log, Camping Log, Service Log for instance and more. See the worksheet below for a quick start.
Troop Bottle and Can Collector to Open!
Part 1 (family plan) of our bottle and can collector is open!
- A. Get special bags from Mr. R.
- B. Only MA 5 cent accepted!
- C. Separate bags for plastic & cans. Glass in a box.
- D. Contact Mr. R. to turn in, get credit & more bags.
Part 2 (community collector) will open soon! We will announce when part 2 is allowed to reopen.
Thank You!
Thank you to Mr. Sioui and Mr. Rousseau for welcoming our PLC to check out camping opportunities. Mr. R.
MMMM Meatball Supper
POSTPONED Saturday March 21st. This is an excellent way to earn $ for summer camp and our troop trip this summer. See 2 articles in this edition. More to come. See “The many ways to make money with meatballs” – coming soon!