Teamwork and Friendship

Kevin and his family are mourning the loss of his grandfather. This is a time of saddness and sorrow for them. What is our responsibility to him and his family?Not only is he a member of Troop 440 but he is our friend.

As a member of our team, Troop 440, we are expected to support our fellow team members, how far does this go?

As a friend we are expected to help him feel better. How do you do this?

Think about it and share your answers with your Mom and Dad. If you wish you can share with me and the Troop as well.

I am proud how we jumped at the chance to serve our brothers in time of need, lets go the extra mile for them as best as we can!

For the Next One Hundred Years

With new leadership at the national level and BSA having reached a centennial, we are given new heights to achieve. The centennial edition of the Boy Scout Handbook will soon be available, and with the new handbook come several rank requirement changes that will be in effect as of January 1, 2010. I have copied from the National website the new requirements taking effect January 1, 2010 below. There is a new term you will want to get to know "EDGE™" model. Teaching EDGE™—Explain, Demonstrate, Guide, Enable The Teaching "EDGE™" tool is a simple four-step process used for teaching any skill. Explain—The trainer explains how something is done. Demonstrate—The trainer demonstrates while explaining again.Guide—The learner tries the skill while the trainer guides him through it.Enable—The learner works on his own under the eye of the trainer. This concept is taught in the National Youth Leadership Training courses and Nicholas having been through NYLT can help teach it to our Troop.

Tenderfoot

• A Scout must teach another person how to tie a square knot using the EDGE model (explain, demonstrate, guide, and enable). He must also be able to discuss four specific examples of how he lived the points of the Scout Law in his daily life.

Second Class

• A Scout must discuss the principles of Leave No Trace and explain the factors to consider when choosing a patrol site and where to pitch a tent.
• He must explain what respect is due the flag of the United States.
• He must again discuss four examples of how he lived four different points of the Scout Law in his daily life.
• He must earn an amount of money agreed upon by the Scout and his parents and save at least 50 percent of it.

First Class

• An additional requirement to the 10 separate troop/patrol activities states he must demonstrate the principles of Leave No Trace on these outings.
• He must discuss four more examples of how he lived the remaining four points of the Scout Law in his daily life.

Life

• A Scout must use the EDGE model to teach a younger Scout a specified skill.

Star, Life, and Eagle

• Troop Webmaster and Leave No Trace trainer are two new leadership positions.

Travel by Compass

HOW A COMPASS WORKS A thousand years ago, someone noticed that a magnetized needle floating in a bowl of water would swing around to point in a northerly direction. Soon the needle became the centerpiece of the compass, and travelers had a valuable tool for helping them find their way. Today's compasses are easy to use. They work equally well in summer and winter, and are accurate at sea level, on mountaintops, and everywhere in between. Compasses available to Boy Scouts range from those for beginners to instruments for masters of navigation.
Make Your Own Ancient Compass To build a replica of the world's first compass, you'll need: 1 large sewing needle 1 bar magnet such as those found in school science classrooms 1 very small, flat chip of wood. 1 bowl of water Magnetize the needle by stroking it a few times with the magnet from the eye toward the point. Float the chip on the water. Carefully place the needle on the chip. Soon the needle will be pointing toward Magnetic North. Check the direction by looking at a compass. The needle in the compass should match the direction of the needle on the water. Using a Compass The magnetized needle of a modern compass is balanced on a pin so that it can swing freely. The needle is enclosed in a housing that rotates on the compass base plate. One end of the needle is drawn toward the Earth's Magnetic North Pole, an area about 500 miles from the true North Pole. Most compasses have an orienting arrow etched on the floor of the housing and a direction of travel arrow drawn on the base plate. Numbers on the housing indicate the 360 degrees of a circle. To find Magnetic North, adjust the compass housing until N (North) on the housing touches the direction of travel arrow, as in the photograph above. Next, hold the compass against your stomach with the direction of travel arrow pointing away from you. Turn your body until the needle is lined up inside the orienting arrow etched on the floor of the compass housing. Your direction of travel arrow is now pointing directly toward Magnetic North. Declination Compass needles point to Magnetic North. Maps are drawn with True North at the top. The difference between the direction of Magnetic North (where a compass needle points) and the direction of True North (a line between you and the North Pole) is called declination . Declination is measured in degrees -- those numbers on the compass housing. When you are in much of Wisconsin, Illinois, eastern Arkansas, or Mississippi, the directions toward Magnetic North and the North Pole are in line with one another. A compass pointing at Magnetic North seems to be pointing at the North Pole, too. Go east or west of those states and the Poles seem to move apart from one another. Declination (the difference between the direction to Magnetic North and the way to True North) increases. By the time you reach Seattle, for example, the declination is more than 20 degrees. Map margins often have two arrows, one pointing toward Magnetic North, the other toward True North. With N on the compass housing touching the direction of travel arrow, set your compass alongside the Magnetic North arrow on a map. Slowly turn the map until the compass needle rests inside the orienting arrow. The compass will be aimed at Magnetic North while the map is oriented to True North. Digital Compasses Electronic sensors inside a digital compass pick up on the Earth's magnetic fields and display accurate degree readings. Programmable adjustments automatically solve the challenge of declination. Some cellular telephones feature a compass application that acts in much the same way as the most advanced electronic route finder--the GPS receiver. GPS Receivers as Compasses Enter destination data into an automobile Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and a map will appear on the dashboard screen showing exactly how to get to where you want to go. The GPS unit will also indicate the direction the car is moving. Handheld GPS receivers can be valuable tools for backcountry navigation, too. Type in destination coordinates and the GPS will show the way. A GPS unit can guide you even when the weather is so bad you can't see a thing. If its battery dies, a GPS unit or digital compass will be useless. That's why it is so important to learn how to use a traditional compass and to have one handy on all your backcountry adventures.

Pack Your Car the Smart Way

We are all thinking of getting away, it is that time of year. A few tips to pack your car can help you get out of town with ease. Before you pack. Before you start packing, take EVERYTHING out of the car. In fact, now's a great time to clean the interior. Make sure you empty the trunk of junk. Pack backward. What you pack first in the car should be what you will use last. So you can get to them easily, things you'll need while en route, like snacks, games, maps and other trip aids should get packed last. Snacks on wheels. Munching is a required activity on road trips, but try to keep it healthy! Before you leave on a camping trip, set out bowls of raisins, granola and various nuts and let each person fill a bag. Freeze your drinks. Bring a cooler and load it with on-the-road sandwiches surrounded by juice and water you have frozen the night before. (The cold drinks will keep the food cold and will most likely defrost by the time you want to drink them.) Emergency changes. Have a couple of extra T-shirts handy in case someone spills coffee or dribbles ice cream. That will save you from having to unpack to find clean clothes, and it's easy to change in the car or in a gas-station bathroom.

Sespe Creek, Ojai, CA

Scoutmaster's Report

Putting aside the usual moments of the momentary lack of use of mental capacity resulting in poor choices that teenagers have, the trip was great and we accomplished a great deal.

I was especially proud that the boys arriving at a quarter to midnight, they quickly set up camp and were bunked in less than an hour! No wasted time sorting through gear, the kitchen, etc only the essentials were got and all without complaining or frivalous comments. It was an awesome sight to behold.

We had and eventless safe travel from Buena Park to Middle

Lion Camp in the Rose Valley Canyon of the Las Padres National Forest. Not so fortunate on the trip home. Nothing too

disasterous, the trailer got a flat [bad rim]

and my Ford Expedition couldn't handle the interior lights being left on so long so a dead battery awaited us Sunday Morning as well. Thank you goes to Mr. Edgar for taking the trailer's wheel into town where he got it fixed and filled with air rather quickly I should add. Additional thanks to Mr. Giovenetti for having jumper cables available and jump starting us getting us under way.

There was water in the creek in fact that was the high point for the boys, swimming! We found a five foot deep, 8 foot wide part of the creek and spent a fair bit of time there. Swimming was a welcome break from studying! Of coarse our main goal of photography was accomplished. Many shots were taken and I can not wait to see all the results. Remember everyone is to put together a story board for the final part of the Photography Merit Badge. We will have make up work for those who could not attend this weekend.

In addition to all this we had a conservation project at camp.

We weeded our site and

removed harmful charcoal ash earlier dumped by previous visitors to the camp site. Thomas taught Tote N Chit and Devyn [Webelos I from Pack 440] earned Outdoorsman.

I was very happy overall with this weekend and the experience. There still remains a couple of equipment recomendations Iwould like to make for Troop use. I would do this site again. I am interested to hear your thoughts and opinions of this outing too.

PLANNING A DAY HIKE Hiking with friends and family is always a summer highlight. Prepare for every hike by writing down a trip plan that answers six easy questions--Where, When, Who, Why, What, and How. WHERE are you going? Think about your destination and the route to reach it. WHEN will you return? Make a reasonable prediction of when you will be back, and then be sure to return on time. Adults who know your plans can take steps to come to your aid if you are very long overdue. WHO is going with you? Adventures are always enjoyable when shared with others. Safer, too. WHY are you going? Planning to see new country, practice map and compass skills, or reach a distant hilltop? Even if the purpose of a hike is simply to walk for the sheer joy of walking, knowing why you are going will help you be fully prepared. WHAT are you taking? The Scout Basic Essentials should go on every Scout outing, including hikes. You can find a discussion of the essentials in the Boy Scout Handbook and the Fieldbook. The Scout Basic Essentials ___ Pocketknife ___ First aid kit ___ Extra clothing ___ Rain gear ___ Water bottle ___ Flashlight ___ Trail food ___ Matches and fire starters ___ Sun protection ___ Map and compass HOW will you respect the land? The BSA has adopted Leave No Trace as an effective way to care for the landscapes where Scouting activities take place. The Principles of Leave No Trace 1. Plan Ahead and Prepare 2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces 3. Dispose of Waste Properly 4. Leave What You Find 5. Minimize Campfire Impacts 6. Respect Wildlife 7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Share your written plan with Scout leaders or other responsible adults. They might have suggestions for making your hike even more enjoyable. They will also be able to support you before, during, and after your hike. For more information on hiking, consult Chapter 4, "Planning a Trek," of the BSA Fieldbook, Fourth Edition.

I think we should make our committee meeting as easy for everyone as possible.  The idea of the having a pot-luck in connection with the committee meeting was to relese you from the need of preparing meals before the lengthy meeting.  If it is not achieving that goal, than we should reconsider it.  Mr. Giovenetti has said he will be unable to attend, I know we can not please everyone all the time we just have to the best we can with who we can.

Please consider that the boys have just come off an exercise that has better equipped them to care for themselves.  They cooked and served an entire meal.  What is your next step?  Do you ignore that at home or do you move in a direction toward them doing that at home for the family.  

I understand there are steps between from what they did as a group preparing an entire meal to the solo exercise, but I am asking what is your next step.  At some point the goal should be your family served a complete nutritious meal, completely prepared by your son!  I am interested in your opinions and comments.

Parent Post - Camporee

Hello all! Camporee was held the weekend of April 3-5th, and it was an eye-opening experience for all the boys, and even a few parents. If you have been wondering why the boys spent every Monday in March cooking until all hours of the night, they had been hard at work practicing for the Golden Spoon cooking competition. They worked at planning the menu that was in keeping with the medieval "Feast of Frugality" theme, and then practiced their roles in getting the items on that menu prepared, cooked, and served within the timeframe they would be allotted. Each boy had a role to do, whether it was lighting and manning the charcoal, chopping the items for the salad, skewering the appetizers; preparing the stew; or making the dessert in a box. Other boys had the all important task of cleaning the dishes throughout. Every week was a little different - some things tasted great, and others not so great - but they learned some important lessons along the way. They had to work all together in taking direction from their leader, learn how not to bicker with each other, and (I think!) were happy with their outcome. The weekend came and the boys went out for the day with their patrols doing their various skills. Saturday afternoon the competition began with the boys having to setup and decorate their kitchen. All hands came together to prepare and present the meal as planned. Everyone was happy when they got 3rd place for their endeavor! It's something they should all be proud of ~

Happy Feet

Got happy feet? Then you'll never notice them during rugged outdoor travels, and that's good. A couple of blisters, though, and the sad state of your heels and toes can suck the joy right out of your day. Preventing blisters is easy with a little planning ahead of time and some common sense while you're on the move. Here's how. Before a hike, get: ·  Footwear That Fits - Boots and shoes for hiking need to be the right size. Wearing new footwear around home breaks them in before you're on the trail. ·  Socks That Absorb - Expert hikers wear heavy socks over thin liner socks. Made of material that wicks away moisture, the liner socks protect your skin if your feet slide a little inside the heavier socks. Carry spare socks, too, so you can change out of those that become damp with sweat or rainwater, or soaked as you splash through puddles and streams. ·  Armor That Protects - Have a history of blisters? Use moleskin before a hike to shield tender places on your feet. Some hikers have good luck protecting healthy skin with duct tape, too. The slippery face of the tape slides against boots and reduces friction. While you're on the trail, follow:
Three "No Blister" Rules These simple rules guarantee almost no blisters: 1. Check for hot spots! 2. Check for hot spots! 3. Check for hot spots! Stop often, take off your shoes and socks, and examine your feet for redness or tenderness.  Those can be warning signs that a blister is starting to form. Reinforce hot spots with moleskin and you'll have a good chance of stopping blisters before they can stop you. Patching the Damage Despite your best efforts, a shoe can rub you the wrong way until a hot spot turns into a blister. Take action the moment you notice it. The classic treatment is to cut moleskin into the shape of a donut and fit the bandage around the blister. That takes pressure off of the injury so that you can continue hiking. Gel bandage pads such as Spenco® 2nd Skin® can be placed directly over a blister. Used alone or with moleskin donuts, gel bandages offer sterile protection and relief from friction. If you need thicker padding to protect a serious blister, stack additional moleskin donuts on top of the first one. Or cut a corner from a closed-cell foam sleeping pad, shape that into a donut, and fit it around the injury.

Outdoor Essentials (Part 1)

For some it's a hiking stick that has set the pace for dozens of backpacking trips. For others it might be a special camp mug for that perfect cup of cocoa, or an old broad-brimmed hat with a hawk feather tucked under the band. Everyone has an idea of what they can't do without when they take off on an outdoor adventure. The BSA has a list of items, too-the ten Scout Basic Essentials. Carry them every time you hit the trail and you'll have what you need for making the most of your time in the woods. The first five Scout Outdoor Essentials are a pocketknife, first-aid kit, extra clothing, rain gear, and a water bottle. (Check next month's issue of "Be Prepared" for a discussion of the rest of the list.)
Pocketknife The classic all-purpose camping tool includes a can opener, awl, and screwdriver along with one or two sharp blades.
First-Aid Kit A personal first aid kit has supplies you can use to treat blisters and other minor wounds, and to be ready to help if more serious situations arise. Of course your kit is only as useful as the knowledge in your head. Passing the first aid rank and merit badge requirements builds a good foundation for being prepared to act effectively in emergencies.
Personal First-Aid Kit The Boy Scout Handbook recommends that personal first aid kits include: ___Adhesive bandages 6 ___Sterile gauze pads, 4-by-4-inch 2 ___Adhesive tape 1 small roll ___Moleskin, 3-by-6-inch 1 ___Soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizing gel 1 small bar or travel-sized bottle ___Antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin) 1 small tube ___Scissors 1 pair ___Tweezers 1 pair ___Disposable non-latex gloves* 1 pair ___Mouth-barrier device for rescue breathing 1 ___Pencil and paper 1 * Use medical gloves from your first aid kit to protect yourself whenever first aid emergencies involve blood or other body fluids.
Extra Clothing A few layers of clothing in your pack allow you to adjust what you're wearing to meet changes in the weather, both hot and cold.
Rain Gear Carry what you need for the worst conditions you expect. A rain jacket and rain pants are good for almost any season. Add gaiters to keep rain, mud, and snow out of your boots. A poncho can shield you from mild rain, though it tends to blow around in the wind.
Water Bottle Drinking plenty of fluid helps your body fight off heat exhaustion and heat stroke when the sun is beating down, and hypothermia during days that are chilly or cold. Carry the water you need in one or more plastic bottles that fit neatly into outside pockets of your pack. If you take draw water from lakes, streams, or other untested sources, purify it before drinking by adding tablets, by using a filter, or by boiling.