1.0    Troop 376 Summary

Troop Meetings:              Tuesdays 7:30-9PM in the SMS Cafeteria

Class A uniform, Handbook & pencil required.

Committee Meetings:        2nd Thursday of the month, at 7:30PM.

Sponsoring Organization:         Episcopal Church of the  Good Shepherd,

                                                              Granite Springs, NY.

Executive Officer:                         Father Matthew Mead 

Charter Org. Representative:              Phil Levy

Troop Committee Chair:                      Jim Lowe 

Scoutmaster:                                         Dennis Dunstan

Senior Patrol Leader:                           Nick M.

Scouts in the Troop;                       59 (as of January 2010)

Years in operation:                18 years (Founded in January 1992)

Range of Troop Size:                           7-70 boys

Number of Eagle Scouts:                    21

Annual Dues:                                       $60 collected in September

                                                           ($50.00 for additional brothers)

New Scout Registration:               $30 (upon joining in Spring) offset the cost of class B, neckerchief, hat,  patches, awards, troop activities and supplies, district event fees, etc.

New Scout Training:     Campout in April for new scouts and parents too.

Adult Committee Training:    In Sept/Oct and Feb/April of each year, a t the Council offices

Summer Camp:                                    July 25- July 31, 2010 Camp Read  ~$320.00 per scout.  If schedule doesn’t fit, individual [provisional-$355.00 per scout] camping can be arranged.

Scout gear needed:                              Scout Handbook, uniform shirt, Scout pants [belt optional].  Backpack, Sleeping bag, pad, flashlight, Nalgene bottle, mess kit – cup, bowl, spoon, fork, approved pocket knife- (Totin’Chip must be earned), good hiking boots, and toiletry articles.

Troop Provided:         Troop numerals, shoulder loops, Class B shirt [After 1^st campout].

An embroidered oversize Troop Neckerchief is available for upon joining, and is suitable for First Aid training (additional neckerchiefs -$10)  The neckerchief is worn at parades, Courts of Honor, eagle ceremonies, and other special events. Class B shirts for adults avaiable for $10 each. Troop hats are avaiable for $5.

The Troop provides tents, lanterns, cooking gear and various patrol/troop camping equipment for campouts.

Advancement:                                      Most skills for Tenderfoot through 1^st Class are taught and signed-off

                                                                 by the Junior Leaders and scouting adults.  Scoutmaster Conferences and Boards of Review verify the advancement work.  Parents can help with learning the skills at home.

Merit Badges:                                       Taught & signed by registered Merit Badge Councilors. The boys do these at summer camp, at meetings (if on the night’s program), before or after meetings (if on own), and on their own initiative - with leader approval and always with another scout or adult present.

Additional Information:                      The Council Website has a wealth of information about Scouting in our area, and many links. www.wpcbsa.org

                                       Our Troop maintains a website at www.somerstroop376.org which

                                      can also be reached from the Council site.

2.0    Differences from Cub Scouts

2.1       Scout Responsibilities

The purpose of Scouting remains the same, to learn while having fun, and in doing so, to develop leadership skills.

The greatest difference between Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting is the shift from a parent-run organization to a boy-run organization.  Boys are given the leadership responsibilities.

To advance in scouting, each boy should participate in each of the four areas of Troop activity: Outdoor Activities, Scout Skills, Service, and Leadership.  Parental support and encouragement remains very important for long term success in Scouting.

2.2       Parental Responsibilities

Supporting your son in Scouting will help him get the most out of the program and is also rewarding and enriching for the parent.  Parents can be involved in any of the Troop Committee jobs, as uniformed leaders, and of course, for transport to and from activities.  The Troop expects the parent(s) of each scout in the Troop to help in some way.  Not everyone may feel they are suited to providing adult supervision on campouts, but all are encouraged to explore the possibilities.

Youth protection training is available online through the Boy Scouts and is useful beyond Scouting.  Other training is available through Council for all levels of participation, from Committee work to outdoor leadership.

3.0    Troop Organization

3.1       Chartering Organization

The Troop is “owned” by the sponsoring Charter Organization. For Troop 376, this is the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Granite Springs. Besides chartering the Troop, the church provides space for our Courts of Honor.  The Executive Officer is the Rector of the church, Father Mathew Mead.  The point of contact with the Troop is a member of the sponsoring organization, Mr. Phil Levy, who has the title of Charter Organization Representative.

3.2       Troop Committee

The Troop is run by a Troop Committee led by the Committee Chair, Jim Lowe. This committee is primarily made up of parents of scouts, but Troop 376 has benefited from the participation by former Scoutmaster Carl Gebauer, founder Thelma Barlow (our Unit Commissioner), and outdoor enthusiasts Doug Lee, Paul Court, and Troop 376 Eagle Scouts that remain active in the troop. The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters participate in the Troop Committee, but are not voting members.  Troop 376 has maintained a tradition that the Scoutmaster is a parent of an active scout.  All parents are encouraged to participate in Troop Committee meetings.

3.3       Boy Leadership

The Troop organization and operation is by patrols, groups of 6-12 boys led by a Patrol Leader. There are additional positions within the patrol such as assistant patrol leader, patrol scribe, and patrol quartermaster. Your son will be assigned to a patrol after a brief time getting to know his fellow scouts.

Troop meetings are run by the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL). He appoints and is assisted by one to three Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders (ASPL). In our Troop, the Scoutmaster with approval of the Troop Committee usually appoints the SPL. The SPL also runs the Patrol Leaders Council, which plans Troop meetings and activities. These meetings are also known as Green Bar Meetings from the characteristic green bars on the leadership patches.

At this time, Troop 376 has six patrols. Five are “traditional” patrols, the sixth is our senior patrol, composed of boys that have been Patrol Leaders and have now moved into Troop leadership positions such as SPL, ASPL, Instructor, Troop Guide, OA Representative, and Jr. Assistant Scoutmaster. In some Troops this patrol may be termed a Venture Patrol.

3.4       Adult Leadership

For all activities, we are required to have at least 2 adults present. In addition, at least one adult must be trained and certified in Youth Protection, First Aid, and CPR. Generally, we try to register those adults who frequently participate in activities, and encourage them to receive training. Registration covers the adult leader with supplemental accident insurance and provides reassurance to the Troop by the required Council background check. Registered adults receive Scouting magazine, another resource for news in the scouting movement and ideas for programs that can be brought to our troop. 

Some Troop positions are noted below:

Scoutmaster (SM) – Dennis Dunstan

The adults that guide the boy leaders in day-to-day activities are the Scoutmaster and the Assistant Scoutmasters. The Troop Committee and Charter Organization maintain a tradition of the Scoutmaster being a parent of a boy in the Troop.  The Scoutmaster typically serves in that position for 2-5 years.

Assistant Scoutmasters (SMA) – Doug Lee, Larry Maenza, Carl Gebauer, Rob Carleton, Paul Court, Gus Talleur, Chuck Dammeyer and Ben Mezic

In our Troop, we have a uniformed SMA to advise each patrol.    Training is available and is actually fun.  Our currently registered SMA’s are very experienced Scouters. Doug Lee is an Eagle Scout with extensive outdoor experience, Larry Maenza has attended several scout-training sessions and high adventure treks.  Paul Court is an Eagle Scout with extensive outdoor experience which includes being a Venture Leader in Mt Vernon and our climbing guru. Carl Gebauer is our prior Scoutmaster and is the founder of Venture Crew 1104 here in Somers. Doug, Larry, Carl and Paul have been to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. Rob Carleton has attended many outdoor activities and has been a leader at Camp Read the past few summers. Gus Talleur is an Eagle Scout and was also a leader at Camp Read this past 2 summers. Chuck Dammeyer is a Trained SMA who was also a leader at Camp Read this past summer.

 Other scouters with extensive scouting knowledge include: John Mezic who brings 6 yrs experience as a Scoutmaster and has served as Committee Chair for the Troop the last 5 years. Joe Cuiffo is the long, long time Cubmaster of Pack 1 in Somers. John Ferretti is the former Cubmaster of Pack 11 in Somers. Mike Goldberg is the former Cubmaster of Pack 210 in Somers

Present Troop Committee

Committee Chair –                     Jim Lowe

Treasurer –                                 Dan Ditieri

Advancement Chair–                  Mike Goldberg

Advancement -                            John Ferretti

                                                    Joe Cuiffo

Committee Secretary –              Tricia Barlow

Fundraising –                          Dennis Dunstan, John Tuosto

Outdoor Activities –                   Doug Lee (Chair),

                                                    Larry Maenza

Committee Members –               Registered adults not listed above:  Commissioner Thelma Barlow, and many other enthusiastic registered Committee Members who are VERY active participants in this Troop.  In addition, there are several adults who regularly attend committee meetings and assist in running the Troop. 

4.0    Activities

Scouting is three quarters outing. Consequently, Troop 376 concentrates on outdoor activities, with monthly campouts and various hikes and other outdoor activities. We don’t do a lot of cabin or “car” camping, and during the year we will progress towards a backpacking camping trip at the end of the scout season.

4.1       Policies

*Electronics:   It has been Troop policy not to allow electronic devices on outings so that the boys can better appreciate the great outdoors. Cell phones will be collected before each campout. We strongly suggest you leave them home. It will be one less thing they will have to worry about losing.  Cell phones still have a place as emergency equipment (outgoing emergency calls). Talk to a leader if you need clarification. Parents are asked to cooperate in this policy both as a parent and when providing leadership at an event.

*E. mail: The e. mail list is to be used for scouting purposes ONLY! It shall not be used to promote any personal uses or views.

*BSA POLICIES ARE FOLLOWED AT ALL SCOUTING ACTIVITIES.  Setting a good example for our boys is the best way to influence them as they mature.  Smokers are requested to please refrain from, or to smoke out of sight of the scouts.

4.2       Weekend Campouts

The Troop attempts to schedule one campout per month. Besides Troop-only campouts, these may include District, Council, or National Camporees.  We try to go to at least one “new” camp each year, and do one cabin campout in mid-Winter.  Wherever possible, the Troop schedules two-night campouts, Friday night to Sunday morning.  The patrol leaders will collect a $5.00 fee for each scout attending a campout to offset the cost of food for the weekend.

4.3       Hikes

Hikes are frequently a part of an overnight campout. In addition, we schedule day hikes in the area. Opportunities in Westchester, Putnam, and Rockland Counties abound.  An Orienteering Meet will occasionally substitute for a hike.

4.4             Other Activities

Scouting is open to many activities and our schedule and activities are driven by the boys’ (and parents’) interests.  Some activities we have done in the past are bike hikes, rock climbing, fishing, visiting places of worship, attending community functions, scout swim nights, participating in conservation and community beatification projects, and going on ski trips.  Almost any activity can be accommodated, as long as BSA policies are adhered to.

4.5       Summer Camp

Attending summer camp is an important part of scouting.  It is a good opportunity to build independence and self-confidence. For many boys, this is the first time away from home and family. As parents, YOU will know your boys better than we do. If YOU don’t think your son is ready to go to camp, he may not be. There is nothing wrong with waiting a year for your son to mature.  A good deal of advancement work can be accomplished at camp, while having a great time. New scouts should spend time at the “Dan Beard first year camper program” to learn basic Scoutcraft and work towards tenderfoot, 2^nd and 1^st Class. We recommend

doing a couple of Merit Badges as well, with the Swimming MB

strongly suggested.

Next year, the Troop is tentatively scheduled July 25- July 31, 2010 at Camp Read. Camp Read is located at the North end of Brant Lake, just North of Lake George in the Adirondack Mountains of NY. The 1200-acre camp lies in a valley and is surrounded by Wilderness areas, making it one of the nicest scout camps in the country.

The Troop will be staying at Camp Waubeeka in 2010, offering the patrol cooking option. We will also be doing the zip line (into a pond), trail rides, caving, and whitewater rafting during the week.  The 2007, 2008 & 2009 groups that stayed at Waubeeka came away with the “Waubeeka Award” for best overall excellence and participation.

4.6       High Adventure Activities

Scouts are eligible for high adventure treks after completing the 8^th grade (13yrs old). In recent years, the Troop has done canoe 

treks through the Adirondack lakes preceding (or following) the resident camp week. Other opportunities are Adirondack backpacking treks or National high adventure trips. The Troop had completed a trek at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico for a 12-day, 57+ mile, backpacking adventure June 29-July 11, 2007.

The troop also completed a trek at the Florida Sea Base, in the Florida Keys July 12-20, 2008. Sixteen scouts and parents participated in the “Out Island Adventure”.

During the summer of 2009, the Troop took place in a Maine High Adventure Trek. The group completed a 57 mile trek which included climbing to the peak of Mount Katahdin and canoeing 44 miles through the lakes in the backwoods of Maine.

4.7       Fundraising

The Troop runs fundraising events to help support the program.  It is expected that each scout participate in these activities in support of his Troop.  In the fall of 2004 and 2005 we ran successful fundraisers selling bags of flower bulbs. The usual fundraiser is a raffle of a high-end Mountain Bike sponsored by the “Friends of Troop 376”.  The Fall 2009 fundraiser will be for an Ipod Touch with a 2nd and 3rd place prize offered. It will be raffled off the 2nd Tuesday of December.   New ideas for Troop fundraising activities are always welcome.

5.0    Advancement

5.1       Advancement Process

For all scout ranks, the advancement process follows the same general process:

1) Skills are learned and requirements signed-off. (All ranks have participation requirements; later ranks have service and leadership requirements) 

2) The scout schedules a Scoutmaster’s Conference where skills, service, and participation requirements are reviewed.

3) The scout appears before a Board of Review (several parents) where the scout’s activity in the Troop is reviewed. In all of these reviews, living the Scout Oath and Law is taken into consideration.  The scout’s views on how the Troop is functioning are also solicited.

4) The scout receives his rank advancement at a Court of Honor.

5.2       Courts of Honor

The Troop holds three Courts of Honor during the year: at the Church in September or October, where summer camp ranks and badges are presented; a second at the Church in late January or February; and a final less formal COH during our end-of-year picnic. 

A special Eagle Court of Honor is held when one of our Scouts attains Eagle rank, as was recently done for Ben M.,  Victor S.,  Nick M. and Derrick L. the 18^th, 19th, 20th and 21st Eagles in the Troop.

5.3       Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class

All the basic scout skills are covered in the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks.  The Patrol Leaders and the senior scouts teach these skills, and in the process, master the skills themselves.  Adults act as quality control for this instruction.

5.4       Star, Life, and Eagle Ranks

After First Class, advancement is by completing participation, Merit Badge, service, and leadership requirements.  The highest rank in scouting is Eagle, which requires a substantial service project that also demonstrates leadership. The Eagle Candidate must continue to be an active participant in troop activities [Meetings, Service Projects, Campouts, etc.]. In all of these ranks, and particularly Eagle, character counts.  The Scout must live and act according to the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

6.0    Service

An important part of Scouting is service to others. Do a Good Turn Daily – this is the scout slogan.

The Troop maintains the Todd Cemetery at the corner of Rtes 100 and 139 as a way of fulfilling this service to the community.  PARTICIPATION AT THE CEMETERY IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED! Activities include spring and fall cleanups and weekly cuttings during peak growing season.  Service hours will accumulate for rank advancement. The Troop also participates in Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day parades and POW/MIA Ceremonies.  In November of 2008 and 2009, the Troop collected over 300 pounds of goods and supplies and shipped them to a company of soldiers in Iraq. The Troop plans on doing this again in 2010. Service opportunities are also available helping senior scouts work on their Eagle service projects.

The Scouts also express appreciation to our sponsoring church by serving a breakfast to the congregation following Sunday service. Scout Sunday is usually in January.  Scouts participate in that service by ushering and reading the lessons. 

7.0    Russell Faeth Award

The Russell Faeth Scout Spirit Award is presented annually to a member of Boy Scout Troop 376 who is an enthusiastic participant in scout events, and who strives to live the Scout Oath and Law.  Russell was a member of Troop 376 who passed away at a young age, but who will always be remembered for these traits and his love of Scouting.  This year will mark our tenth Annual Award.