SCOUTMASTER’S MINUTE

by Bill Neidt

LEGACY 2001...AND BEYOND

Two years ago, we--the adult leaders of Troop 373--held a retreat to determine what kind of legacy we wanted to leave by the summer of 2001.  Recently, we gave final grades for the initial six goals:

1. Meeting the needs of younger, middle and older Scouts - B+

2. Providing fresh and challenging outings - B+

3. Providing a variety of meaningful activities at troop meetings - A-

4. Continuously focusing on advancement - A

5. Creating more of a boy-led troop - A-

6. Focusing more on patrol activities and growth - C+

         OVERALL GRADE - B+

In summary, we've made good progress on troop meetings, advancement, outdoor activities and boy leadership, yet we need to do more work on the patrol method. The bottom line--Troop 373 is very good and getting better.  Now, where do we go from here? As the troop moves ahead with new Scouts and adult leaders, I challenge you with this question:

WHAT KIND OF LEGACY DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE BY 2004?

We have a debt to pay to those Scouts and adult leaders who built Troop 373, and we have a duty to future generations to make the troop as good as possible. Please embrace this opportunity.  It has been my honor and privilege to serve as the Scoutmaster of Troop 373 during the past two years. I know that Wally Werner will do an excellent job as the next Scoutmaster. 

Thank you and best wishes.

Upcoming Events:

Merit Badge Counselors:

Thank you to all registered merit badge counselors! We have had a very successful year earning badges. Our own troop merit badge college was well attended as were other district and statewide colleges. Troop 373 currently has over 40 adults serving as merit badge counselors! As you can see by the list of merit badges with no counselor, there is always room for more! You do not have to be the parent of a scout to serve...we have several friends and grandfathers registered. Please contact Christy Porter if you are interested in becoming a merit badge counselor, know someone who is or need to change your current registration.  Counselors, as you are working with scouts this summer, please remember to:

v     follow the youth protection standards,

v     use only the latest revisions for each merit badge

v     closely follow all the badge requirements.

Attached to the Smoke Signals you will find a listing of all current Merit Badge Counselors.  The follow Badges have NO Troop 373 Counselor.  If you have expertise in any of these areas, please contact Christy Porter.

Archaeology                 Atomic Energy             Coin Collect

Crime Prevent              Dentistry                       Electronics

Landscape Arch           Model Design               Painting

Plant Science                Pottery                         Sculpture

Stamp Collect               Textile                          Truck Trans

Vet Medicine

Thanks again for all your help! 

Christy Porter

Troop Communications

We now have almost every family in the troop on our email mailing list.  Don’t be left out!  Please send your email address to Jacki Loftis at  jlloftis@earthlink.net

Merit Badge College

by Sam Winegrad

The Troop 373 Merit Badge College at Homestead in March offered badges for everyone. For the new scouts there was Pulp and Paper. For the older scouts working toward Eagle, many people worked on Emergency Preparedness. After a lunch break the afternoon offered Physical Fitness as well as a meeting for Life scouts to work on details of working toward their Eagle project completion requirements.

Peaceful Valley Campout

by Aaron J.

Peaceful Valley scout ranch is definitely a great place for younger scouts to go to learn the ropes of scouting. At this wonderful place scouts will learn all the basics, such as ax and knife safety and how to make fires. Another great thing is the beautiful scenery. It will also help the scout learn to set up their tents and how to live in them. Many people would agree with me, if you get the chance to go, then definitely take it. It's a great place for younger scouts to get their roots in scouting.

Merit BadgeWhite Ranch Experience

by Zack W.

Friday the 28^th at about 6:00 p.m. we arrived at White Ranch which is located just up the road from Golden.  We strapped our backpacks on our backs and started hiking up a steep hill towards our campground.  About 30 minutes later we reached our campsite.  Next thing we know we were climbing the rocks that bordered the campsite.  After we set up the tents we started an enormous fire in the fire pit, and watched it flicker until we got drowsy.  Saturday we took a long 7 mile hike.  After resting when we finished, we had a huge pinecone fight that lasted until we had to head down into the valley because of the lightening.  When we returned up the hill, we ate dinner, soon there after, we fell asleep.  When I awoke, breakfast was almost finished.  We then broke camp and had a prayer service.  After that, everyone slowly drifted down the hill back to their cars in which they then snoozed all the way home. 

The Sand Dunes Campout 2001

by Eric E. 

This year’s Sand Dunes campout provided an excellent opportunity for younger scouts and their families to learn fundamental camping practices while having fun.  The campout began with a long drive on Friday form Denver to the Great Sand Dunes National Monument in the San Luis Valley.  Arriving towards sunset, most of the scouts quickly assembled their tents and campsites in anticipation of the troop’s annual Dune Walk- an excursion into the dunes at night.  On Saturday, after a breakfast consisting of mostly pancakes, the troop set out to summit the dunes.  While the day ended in rain (causing many people to either remain in their tents of abandon camp), the cooler temperatures on the dunes were more comfortable than years past.  The troop also completed a service project that greatly improved the cleanliness of the national monument.  Overall, the Sand Dunes campout was very exciting for first time campers while providing a chance for seasoned veterans to relax in the comfort of an automobile facilitated outdoor experience (also known as car camping).

Copper Mountain Ski Trip

by Chris L

This year’s copper mountain ski trip consisted of a great day of skiing and a great night of playing cards.  During the day we shared the mountain with an average sized crowd of skiers and boarders.  But as darkness crept across the back bowls the masses went home leaving a moderately sized group of scouts in the ski patrol lodge near the top.  Things remained calm as we waited for the ski patrol to leave, but as soon as the door shut behind the last ski patrolman chaos descended upon the ski patrol lodge as scouts madly scrambled for the best sleeping areas.  After things calmed down most people settled down to dinner, to a friendly game of cards, and, eventually, to sleep.  The morning came too soon and the mad rush to clean up our mess began, but everybody rose to the challenge and cleaned up everything on time.  After a short mountain top service everybody put on their packs and began the long trip to the bottom of the mountain and back to Denver.

Building Gardens @ CCHS – Eagle Project

by Ryan K.

I would like to thank everyone who helped to finish the project.  Although some of the jobs may have seemed endless (hauling the dirt), we were able to finish in only two days. It looks great, and the school is very appreciative. I could not have done it without your help.  The project was to install flower beds, mulch walkways, and compost bins for the Cherry Creek High School Greenhouse and Plant Lovers’ Club. Eighteen volunteers logged over one hundred and sixty hours on Saturday April 7 and Saturday April 14. The project involved clearing ground, cutting timbers, laying timbers, digging holes, setting posts, nailing slats, moving dirt, laying fabric, and finally spreading mulch. I decided that this project would be what I would work on for my Eagle Scout rank.  I would encourage you to go work on any service project you can, especially ones for Eagle Scout. Working on a project gives you ideas of what kind of project you might want to do for Eagle and is a great opportunity to get to know the other people in the Scout troop while doing something good for the community. Thanks again to all of those who helped me to complete my project

Plaque presentation to Bill McCallum, CEO at the Great West Annuity and Life Co. in appreciation for  the use of the facility for our Courts of Honor.