November 2004
Theme (Cobras): Nature (also here)
Knots: First the Bowline (also here), Boy Scout Handbook p. 149, then the Sheet Bend also here, Boy Scout Handbook p. 150, and the Double Sheet bend also here.
- 1 (Mon.) ..Parent & Troop Meetings 7:30 p.m. Wear a Halloween costume or a official uniform. Green Bars meet at 6:45 p.m.
- Deadline to sign up here, pay $50 deposit, and give your shoe size to Barbara C. for Ice Climbing on Jan. 21-23. Make check payable to "BSA Troop 174".
- .Swim Night 7:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. at the Mildred E. Strang Middle School Pool.
- 3 (Wed.) .
- Location: Rt. 202 next to the Yorktown High School, 2701 Crompond Rd., Yorktown Heights. See "MES Middle School" on this map.
- The pool is in the lower south-west corner of the building. The easiest way to the pool is to walk to the side of the building next to the large sports field between Strang Middle School and Yorktown High School. Follow our troop signs past the red fire hydrant and enter the door marked by our troop sign. The Mens and Womens locker rooms will be on your right. Walk through the locker room and enter the pool area.
- Cars may not park on the side of the building. Park in front of the school building and walk to the side.
- Sign up here for Troop Swim Night by Oct. 25.
- Only Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and BSA-registered adults may swim.
- Fee: Free, thank to Kevin K. for donating his services.
- Turn in a signed permission slip for scouts whose parents are not going.
- All Boy Scouts needing to complete their swimming rank requirements should sign up and attend. Scouts may complete all Second Class (7a, 7b, 7c) and all First Class (9a, 9b, 9c) swimming rank requirements.
- Arrive on time at 7:00 p.m. so there will be enough time to complete the requirements.
- Requirement 9b is the BSA swimmer test.
- Although the former 9c (survival skills) is no longer a rank requirement, we offer it, because survival is important. Bring --
- long pants (100% cotton holds air best, blue jeans OK),
- belt,
- long-sleeved shirt (cotton and no buttons down the front),
- old laced sneakers or laced shoes.
- Practice water lifesaving techniques.
- We shall also have open swim and water games.
- Webelos from Pack 134 will join us, working on Aquanaut Badge and the Swimming Belt Loop. Senior Webelos from Pack 144 will also attend.
- Bring a swimsuit, a towel, water shoes or sandals, and your Boy Scout Handbook for sign-off.
- You may want a plastic bag to bring home wet clothes.
- Men and women locker rooms and bathrooms are available.
- No food or drinks are allowed in the pool area.
- Lifeguard will be Kevin K.
- Contact our SPL if you have questions.
- Photos of swim nights: Nov. 2004, Dec. 2003, Apr. 2003, Oct. 2002, Apr. 2002, Oct. 2001, May 2001.
- Video Nov 2004 of Jump In (1.5 MB), More Jump In (1.4 MB).
- .Trek-O-Ree Weekend, Manitoga District.
- 6-7 (Sa-Su) .
- Meet 7:00 a.m. at the George Washington Elem. School parking lot, 3634 Lexington Avenue, Mohegan Lake, NY.
- Hike across the George Washington Bridge to the Aqua Trail (Long Trail) up the Palisades to Camp Alpine in NJ, 10 miles.
- More information Overview, Details, Council details.
- We shall camp at Camp Alpine. (Map).
- Volunteer drivers are needed to drop people off at the George Washington Bridge.
- Sign up here. Manitoga District Fall Trek-O-Ree and Campout. Sign up by Oct. 28 at 9:00 a.m.
- A signed permission slip for scouts whose parents are not going must be given to the Scoutmaster beforehand.
- .Veterans Day Parade (More information) sponsored by the Marine Corps Reserve and the American Legion.
- 7 (Sun.) .
- Meet at 1:30 p.m. directly in front of the Lakeland High School main entrance, 1349 East Main Street, Shrub Oak. Parade starts at 2:00 p.m. Scouts will be marching in the parade. Attendance is expected. Rain or shine.
- Parade ends at Veterans Memorial near Hart Library. Ceremony after parade. US, State & Pack/Troop Flag bearers (no banners) will line up with the Marine Color Guard at the end of the parade. Within each group, the US Flag should be on its own right. During the National Anthem, all flags other than the US Flag must be dipped in respect. The US Flag is to remain held high.
- Wear full official uniform, which includes merit badge sash.
- Two of our troop's Eagle Scouts, Dan W. and Chris L., currently in service, are honored on hearts placed along the route.
- In past years hot dogs and sodas have been available after the ceremony to those who marched in the parade.
- "Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served or are serving - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty." - Department of Veterans Affairs.
- A signed permission slip for scouts whose parents are not going must be given to the Scoutmaster beforehand.
- Photos of Veterans Day Parade, Nov. 2004, Nov. 2003, Nov. 2002, Nov. 2001.
- Videos Nov. 2004 of Close Up (0.6 MB), March Past 1 (0.6 MB), March Past 2 (0.8 MB), Salute (0.6 MB), Wreath (0.4 MB).
- 8 (Mon.) .. Troop Meeting 7:30 p.m. Wear an activity uniform.
- Deadline to .Sign up here. Direct cars: Craft Fair at Grace Lutheran Church. Need parents too. On Nov. 13.
- 9 (Tues.) .. Patrol Meeting 4:30-6:00 p.m. at the Cabin, 3091 Hickory St., Yorktown Heights. All scouts are welcome.
- . Craft Fair at Grace Lutheran Church, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Help our Chartered Organization.
- 13 (Sat.) .
- Scouts may earn service hours directing cars in the parking lot. Accept no tips.
- Sign up here. Direct cars: Craft Fair at Grace Lutheran Church. Need at least two parents. Sign up by Nov. 8.
- A signed permission slip for scouts whose parents are not going must be given to the Scoutmaster beforehand.
- Photos of directing cars at Grace Craft Fair, Nov. 2004.
- 13 (Sat.) Den Chief Training (More information, Registration Form)
- This is a one day training program for Boy Scouts who are First Class or above, have Scoutmaster's approval, and who want to serve as a den chief. A den chief is a Boy Scout who assists a Cub Scout den leader or Webelos Scout den leader at den meetings, pack meetings, and other events. He's a ready source of games, songs, skits, and skills, and he encourages the boys in their advancement.
- Location: Council Service Center (Directions), 41 Saw Mill River Rd. (9A), Hawthorne, NY, 773-1135.
- Pre-registration required.
- Fees: $10 training fee plus $5 lunch fee for scouts. There is no charge for adult leaders unless lunch is requested.
- This training works best when the Boy Scout is accompanied by the Den Leader and the Cubmaster of the Pack in which he is going to be den chief.
- 14 (Sun.) Hudson Valley Orienteering (Schedule). Navigate through the woods. Levels: Beginners to Advanced. Instruction at 10:30 a.m. Starts at 11:00 a.m. at Ringwood State Park in Passaic Co. in northern NJ (map and driving directions). This non-Boy Scout event can meet First Class requirement #2 for completing an orienteering course. Contact Robert B. for details on map instruction and hike sign-off.
- 15 (Mon.) .. Troop Meeting 7:30 p.m. Wear an activity uniform.
- Adults are needed to help bake, bag, and freeze cookies in the church kitchen for the Marines during the troop meeting.
- Deadline to bring items for the Marines. Call Karen M. if you have questions.
- Deadline to bring the number of Catamount tickets to buy. Call Karen M. if you have fundraising questions.
- Deadline to bring wreath orders. Call Karen M. if you have fundraising questions. Pickup will be Dec. 4 at 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Last chance to .Sign up here. Ice Climbing Weekend. Sign up, pay deposit, and give shoe size.
- Knot-of-the-month knot competition.
- Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review.
- Sign up here. Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review. Sign up before this meeting.
- If you also need a Scoutmaster Conference be at the church by 6:45 p.m.
- The Board of Review will be after the troop meeting.
- Be sure that you ...
- are in full official uniforms, including a merit badge sash,
- have all of your rank requirement paperwork including Board of Review Applications filled out, and
- have your Boy Scout Handbook,
- ... because without these you will be granted neither a conference nor a Board of Review.
- Photos of wrapping presents for Marines on Nov. 2004.
- Videos Nov. 2004 of Wrap 1 (0.6 MB), Wrap 2 (0.7 MB), Wrap 3 (0.6 MB), Pack (0.9 MB).
- 21 (Sun.) Hudson Valley Orienteering (Schedule). Navigate through the woods. Levels: Beginners to Advanced. Instruction at 10:30 a.m. Starts at 11:00 a.m. at The Tourne in Morris County in northern NJ (map and driving directions). This non-Boy Scout event can meet First Class requirement #2 for completing an orienteering course. Contact Robert B. for details on map instruction and hike sign-off.
- 22 (Mon.) .. Troop Meeting 7:30 p.m. Wear an activity uniform.
- Start tying the Sheet Bend knot (see Boy Scout Handbook and links at the top of the month).
- . Patrol Meeting 4:30-6:00 p.m. at the Cabin, 3091 Hickory St., Yorktown Heights. All scouts are welcome.
- 23 (Tues.) .
- 27 (Sat.) Hudson Valley Orienteering (Schedule). Navigate through the woods. Levels: Beginners to Advanced. Instruction at 10:30 a.m. Starts at 11:00 a.m. at Bailytown in Harriman State Park just South of Bear Mountain State Park, NY (map and driving directions). This non-Boy Scout event can meet First Class requirement #2 for completing an orienteering course. Contact Robert B. for details on map instruction and hike sign-off.
- 29 (Mon.) ..Troop Meeting 7:30 p.m. Wear an activity uniform.
- Deadline to .Sign up here. Campout at Durland Scout Reservation at Clear Lake on Dec. 3-5.
- Deadline to .Sign up here. Troop ski weekend on Feb. 25-27
- Deadline to pay $50 non-refundable deposit to Barbara C. for Ski Weekend on Feb. 25-27. Make check payable to "BSA Troop 174".
- Practice the Sheet Bend and learn the Double Sheet Bend (see links at the top of this month).
- Eagle Board of Review for Dan M.