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March, 2007
Dear Parent(s) of New Scouts, Your son has embarked on the Scouting adventure in Troop 965. As the Scoutmaster, I want to welcome you and help you know what is going on in the troop. When my oldest son started in Boy Scouts a few years ago I was pretty confused about how the troop operated, so I thought I would try to help you and your son in getting off to a great start. The Boy Scout experience can be whatever you and your son want it to be. For our part, the leaders of Troop 965 will provide conditions for having a fun, challenging, and rewarding Boy Scout experience. You and your son will need to do your part to make it happen, too. Being a Scout can change a boy’s life in amazing ways. The boys will learn about being an American citizen, being comfortable in the outdoors, and about challenging themselves to grow as young men - all while having a lot of fun! Without a doubt, they will build confidence in their abilities and gain memories to last a lifetime.
New Scout Patrol: It is critical that new Scouts get off to a good start in Scouting. With that in mind, the new Scouts will be carefully assigned to the appropriate patrol and they will receive special help from the leaders. Mr. Mike Reese, a veteran leader and instructor, will serve as the Assistant Scoutmaster for New Scouts. He will have the other leaders (Joe Connolly, Dave Oulvey, Jim Biasi, Wayne Gulliford, Dominick Gibson, Tom Mulvenna, and me) as well as older Scouts working with him to help the new Scouts get started.
Troop Calendar: A Troop Calendar for the spring and summer is being given to you tonight. Please take some time to look it over. We have a full schedule of meetings and activities over the course of the year. The calendar includes all troop meetings, Scout Masses, camping trips, and any other activities through summer 2007. It is likely we will occasionally change an event, but we will give you as much notice as possible when that occurs. This calendar is updated throughout the year.
Uniforms: Troop 965 expects all boys and leaders to wear their Scout uniforms. This means they should wear their shirt, neckerchief, slide, and bring their Scout Handbook to every event. This is an important part of being in Scouts - it promotes group identity and it helps build pride in Troop 965. The khaki Scout shirt, neckerchief, and slide are referred to as the “Class A” uniform. Occasionally we allow the boys to wear a “Class B” uniform - any t-shirt with a Scout theme - after a camping trip or for a special project. The boys will know when they can “dress down”. Please support the troop by ensuring that your son is in the correct uniform when he comes to meetings. When they show up out of uniform we are likely to send them home to change.
Newsletter: Every Scout and / or family gets the Troop e-mail newsletter from me nearly every week. This is the best way to keep up with what is happening in the Troop. If you are not receiving this email, please send me a note at “pelrine@sxu. edu” Please take the time to read it and encourage your son to read it every week. I recommend printing it out and sticking it up on the refrigerator. Permission slips for camping trips and outings are attached to the newsletter when appropriate.
More Leaders and Parental Involvement: Every successful Scout unit is characterized by the same things - unit pride, a solid program, Scouts having fun, adequate resources, and many dedicated leaders. Troop 965 has all of the ingredients for success, but always needs help in one area. We need more dedicated leaders and parents - the leaders we have now are dedicated and talented but they are stretched thin. I am making a request to each of you to consider making some of your time and ability available to the troop, as your schedule permits. You will meet new people and have a little fun yourself!
Please contact me if you have any questions. All of Troop 965's leaders are firmly committed to providing a positive Scouting experience for your son.