Chairman
Troop 101 Feedback Questionnaire:     Chairman’s Message:

Each year we begin our planning process for our next year’s program by obtaining feedback via our Annual troop Survey

Unless your last name is Koshko or Waible we require all other troop members to participate in the Troop Annual Survey. We cannot continue the great stuff and make improvements in the weaker areas if we don't have your insight as to where we need to place our efforts.

This is extremely important and should only take 20-30 minutes of your time. We recommend you sitting down with your Scouts and filling out the survey together. However, the older Scouts may want to fill one out separately from the parents and that is just fine. The more feedback we get the better we can make the program for the Scouts. Additionally, we have also included a link on the main survey page that takes you to a description of the "Aims and Methods of Scouting" on which the survey is based.

Remember your feedback is confidential but after completing the survey you will be asked to submit your name so we know you took the survey. The two are not linked. There is an optional field on the survey itself if you care to provide it.

http://www.bsatroop101ma.org/feedback/

Any questions feel free to contact me. Thank you for your support.

The Scoutmaster and I look forward to your feedback and appreciate your ratings and comments. Thank you in advance for taking the time to take the survey.

Yours in Scouting,

Ron Koshko


New (all can attend) Parents Mandantory Meeting    "New Parent and Current Parent Orientation"

Over the next 2 weeks, the troop will be conducting its annual Parent Orientation meetings to educate parents on Troop 101 and its delivery of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) PROGRAM to your boys. We REQUIRE, however that the parents of our recent Webelos crossovers attend one of these sessions. These meetings are open to all interested parents. We have scheduled the meetings so that ALL parents can attend one of the three sessions. Either Thursday night or Saturday morning. We have done it this way so that BOTH parents can attend either both parents at the same time or in separate sessions. The meetings are scheduled for the following dates/times:

Saturday, March 13th 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM

Thursday, March 18th 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

At these meetings, Troop 101's Adult Leaders will cover the basics of the Aims and Methods of Scouting, Troop Meetings, Troop Organization and Structure, Monthly Campouts, Service Projects, the Uniform, Equipment, Advancement, etc.

We conduct these meetings as our experience shows that Scouts do better in the program, when their parents understand and show interest in their son's scouting activities.

Refreshments will be served.

Please send an email to ggiannotti@charter.net with the specific meeting above, that you plan on attending. Please include the number attending.

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Upcoming Events
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION DINNER:     SAVE THE DATE FRIDAY NIGHT APRIL 9TH.

We want to invite all the parents as well as all the leaders to join us in a special recognition dinner for our volunteers.

For the leaders here is an evening out, no scout duties, and a chance to have some fun and receive the thank you that's deserved.

For parents, here is a chance for you to have an evening out, have some fun and a chance to thank the volunteers and leaders that have worked so hard to deliver a great program for the Scouts.

The cost will not be between $15-$20 per person (still being determined) and there will be music, raffle for prizes, a cash bar available and some additional surprises. We will also be presenting to some of our very early Eagle Scouts their Eagle Neckerchief's embroidered with their number. Please RSVP when you receive your invitation in the mail. Look forward to seeing you there.



HELP Ron Koshko is looking for assistance in planning this event, Please contact him as soon as possible.


Eagle Scout Ceremonies    Daniel R Eagle Court of Honor will take place on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 4:00 PM at Trinity Church.


Trinity Church Clean up - Scheduled for Saturday, April 3 Shed Clean out same day and Time    This is our opportunity to support Trinity Church, they are our Chartering Organization, and support us all year!

All Scout should plan to help out, many hands make light work.

We will have sign up sheets at the meeting this week!

Thanks to Mr. Nicol who has agreed to head up this very worthwhile cause!

We will be assigning a few scouts and leaders to assist Mr. Nicol clean out the shed, same time as the Church grounds clean up



Activities
West Point! Were In    We have been invited to the 48th Annual West Point Invitational Camporee which will be held April 30 - May 2, 2010 at West Point, New York.

As you know, we went last year after a 7 year hiatus and it was a great time. Check out some pictures here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Troop101Leader/WestPoint2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCML0oZabiLLFwwE&feat=directlink#

Since we are going as "Lightfighters," we are also eligible for the Bull Hill pin and LightFighter patch.

More info to follow - we need to be registered by April 3rd.

Great opportunity for the troop!


Hemenway 2010!!   

This trip had the largest attendance for any trip so far during this scouting year! 42 in all! Check out the pictures of Hemenway! Special thanks to; Mr Loretta, he went up early to repair the wood stoves at the cabin. Mr. Magoun, he also went up early, and cooked all of the meals, kept the cabin warm, and shared great stories. Mr Cauflin, he organized the trip, and sourced Wildcat Mountain for a great day of skiing! Congratulations to both Justin C and Zack W they achieved a new rank while on the trip! And.. finally... Skiing, sledding and Snowshoeing! and No one got hurt!

PHILMONT High Adventure Expedition    Knox Trail Council Contingent PHILMONT High Adventure Expedition July 30-August 13, 2011

Get prepared for a backpacking adventure that will be the highlight of your Scouting career. We’ll be hiking at least 50 miles along rugged, rocky trails in the mountains of New Mexico. Along the way, we will participate in programs that combine the best of the old West—horseback riding, burro packing, gold panning, chuck wagon dinners, and interpretive history—with exciting challenges for today—rock climbing, burro racing, mountain biking, and rifle shooting—in an unbeatable recipe for fast-moving, outdoor fun. It is truly a wonderful experience and something that won't ever be forgotten.

We anticipate the all-inclusive fee to be about $2000. This includes crew equipment, supplies, training treks, transportation to and from New Mexico, Philmont fees, and custom T-shirts. Partial scholarships may be available.

Requirements: All participants must be registered members of BSA (Boy Scout, Venture, or adult). Youth must be at least 14 years of age or completed 8th Grade and be at least 13 years of age. Adult advisors must be at least 21 years of age.

All participants must be physically fit as evidenced by the Philmont Health and Medical Record.

Attendance is expected at all training events (one weekend/month starting in April 2011). Schedule to be announced.

Scouts, Venturers and adults can apply through the Knox Trail Council Service Center, 490 Union Avenue, Framingham or download information from the Council’s website: www.KTC-BSA.org/philmont11.htm

Initial deadline for applications is September 27, 2010. A deposit of $200 is due with application, refundable only if not offered a spot in the contingent.

Questions? Contact Rick Rioppelle at the Council Office (ktcprogram@rickapelle.com), or Pete Lane, High Adventure Committee at pete.lane@comcast.net or (774) 249-9649.

Philmont Scout Ranch is the premier High Adventure facility of BSA. It covers over 200 square miles of the Sangre de Cristo Range of the Rocky Mountains in northern New Mexico. Elevations range from 6,500 at Base Camp to 12,441 feet at the summit of Baldy Mountain. Since Philmont's first camping season in 1939, over than 800,000 Scouts, Venturers, and their leaders have participated in the rugged challenge of its backpacking program.




Troop Meeting (Aviation)    A Great Big thanks to Mrs Nicol for a great presentation about Aviation, and for teaching the scouts about the basics of flying - Thus creating their own airplanes. Check out the photos from the meeting.


Troop Merit Badge College     Postponed



Advancement
General Court of Honor    Scouts get those merit badges completed and turned in! Next General Court of Honor will take place during the May 13th troop meeting.

The last date to turn in completed merit badge blue cards is April 30th. Get them to Mr Giannotti!



Quartermaster (Equipment)
    Here is a list of Troop 101 Clothing!

Troop Fleeces $35.00

Class B Troop Tee Shirts $8.00 (recommended 3-T-shirts) Adult Leader Polo Shirts $12.00

Troop Hats $10.00

Know is the time to turn in those troop uniforms that don't fit. That goes for leaders too! Know is the time to go through the uniforms we have in stock if you need one.

If new scout parents have any clothing or equipment questions or needs please email Bill Nicol at nicol122@verizon.net or call 508-393-8853



National Jamboree 2010
Sign up now to attend the National Jamboree    Troop 101 will be traveling to the National Jamboree next year. This is the 100th year of scouting and the Jamboree should be an event to remember. We will be camping outside of the Jamboree and attending the Jamboree during the day as visitors. We plan on attending from July 30th to Aug 3rd (5 days) which includes the 2 weekend days. Cost for the event will be $300 per person and includes food. We want all scouts to be at the rank of 1st Class by the time of the trip and there is plenty of time to achieve that (1 year).


Payment schedule    We will be asking for payments be made towards this event on the following dates:

$75 ~ October 1, 2009
$75 ~ December 1, 2009
$75 ~ February 1, 2010
$75 ~ April 1, 2010