War helicopter project earns Scout Eagle rank

Not everyone can say they have readied a Vietnam War-era helicopter for painting. But Cody Marc Codner can, and he has an Eagle Scout medal to prove it.

The well-worn chopper is part of a memorial at Veterans Memorial Park in Tampa. The son of Marc and Karen Codner completed the project last December to earn the Boy Scouts' highest rank, but he wasn't officially recognized until May 21.

Read the rest HERE.

Scout brothers earn medal for saving dad’s life

Michael Maloney with his sons, Mike (left) and Gabriel, who saved him from drowning.

SOURCE

BRUNSWICK, GA. | Gabriel Maloney  doesn’t always do things in order.
Friday morning he completed the mile swim at Camp Tolochee he needed to earn his lifesaving merit badge.
Friday night at the camp’s closing ceremonial bonfire, he and his brother Mike received the Boy Scouts of America Honor Medal for heroism and bravery for saving their father’s life last summer.
On Aug. 20  they were on an all-male kayak trip of uncles, brothers and cousins on the Guadalupe River through the hill country near Kerrville, Texas.
They were near the end when temptation got the best of them.
“We came around a river bend to a rope swing,”  Michael Maloney said.
They tied up the kayaks and climbed the cliff to the swing. Mike was off first, then Gabe, as they call Gabriel.
“Have you ever seen a 13-year-old and an 11-year-old flying off a rope swing through the air?” their father asked. “It’s a beautiful thing.”
Exuberant boys flying against the sky then splashing into that deep, cool river water.
Who wouldn’t want to do that? So dad grabbed the rope and swung while Gabe was still in the water and Mike was climbing back up. But perhaps dad didn’t grasp the rope high enough considering how much the tree would give under his weight.

Read the rest of the story here.

2011 Camp Memories (Photos)

Our campers!

Raising the flags

One of the boys had a birthday!

Happy birthday John

A happy bunch of campers

Monday night's meeting

Just a reminder:  If you are going to Philaganza with us, you will want to be at Monday night's meeting at St. Camillus at 6:30 p.m.  Parents are also invited to attend.  We will be passing out permission slips, finalizing the menu, and making last minute decisions.  Don't miss out on your chance to have a say!!

 

Also, if you are going and you haven't already gotten one completed:  All Youth will need a 2011 Health Form.  Please bring a PHOTOCOPY of the form and your insurance cards to either Monday night's meeting or when we leave next Tuesday morning, July 5.  If you do not provide a form, you will not be allowed to go on the trip!!

 

See you Monday!

 

Colleen Chamberlain

Committee Chair

Camp was fun!!

We had a great week at Camp Bucoco!!  The weather was great (most of the week), and even when it wasn't, we still found lots of activities to keep us busy (game of Egyptian Rat Race anyone? Sad Panda...).  Only a few bugs made it past the tent doors (one extra visitor for Mrs. Matuch, please...), and AJ, Sam & Kyle only shared their 2-man tent for a couple of nights!!

 

Here are some "Camp Quips" for your enjoyment...short sayings overhead this week:

From dinner on Monday:  "It's not Jell-o, it's an amoeba!"

While walking down to dinner on Tuesday:  "It's so hot, and the water is still so far away!"

After a boo-hiss from a bad joke:  "Don't hiss; throw chihuahuas at him."

From Neal:  "the 11th commandment should be 'he who kilt it, shall filt it.'"

While trying to start a campfire after heavy rains:  "Do you hear that sizzling?  It's the sound of Victory!"

During the Egyptian Rat Race game:  "Reading gives you a handicap!"

Also during the Egyptian Rat Race game:  "Stress Panda!!"

From our Camp Commissioner, on Friday morning at breakfast (singing): "Breakfast without Ranger Jim is like a morning without sunshine!"

 

For more news and views on camp, make sure you are at Monday night's meeting for our After Action Report!!

 

Colleen Chamberlain

Committee Chair

Understand Heat Index and Hydration

Image via NOAA

BSA links to some good information on outdoor safety in the heat. We recommend you check it out.

A great BSA resource is this handy PDF that you can print and carry to determine what the heat index is, and how much hydration you’ll need.

“Heat is the number one weather-related killer. On average, more than 1,500 people in the U.S. die each year from excessive heat. This number is greater than the 30-year mean annual number of deaths due to tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and lightning combined. In the 40-year period from 1936 through 1975, nearly 20,000 people were killed in the United States by the effects of heat and solar radiation.” - NOAA

Helpful information:

Heat Index Information

Heat Safety

OSHA's Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers

Meeting dates...

Just a reminder to all Scouts:  there will NOT be a meeting on June 20 due to summer camp or on July 5 due to the Independence Day holiday.  Please mark your calendars, and enjoy your free time!!

6/13/11 Meeting Location is CASCADE PARK

Two important items for the 6/13 meeting:

1. This is the deadline for the final payment for the Philaganza trip in July.
2. We will be installing Zach Matuch's Eagle project - a bridge at Cascade. Details below:

• Arrive at 6 PM if possible, if not, then 6:30 PM
• Park in main parking lot near VFW - we will walk to location
• IMPORTANT: Class B 

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Have a question, concern, or suggestion? Email us (link).
Need directions to an event? How to get to our most common destinations.
Check our calendar for upcoming events.
Get a current BSA health form (if required).
Consider helping the troop! Info here.

Help Neshannock with their Mock Disaster Drill (non-troop event)

Neshannock Fire Department needs your help! This is a requirement for the Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge, so if you are going to work on that badge, you should attend!

 

Neshannock FD is conducting a mock disaster drill and need 6-10 volunteers to serve as victims and other players in the exercise. These types of drills are very important in preparing our community first responders for emergencies that we hope will never come.

 

This is NOT a troop-sponsored activity because of the short notice, but they are asking you to volunteer your time.

DETAILS:
Mock disaster drill
Date & Time: Tuesday, 6/14, from 6:30 till 8:30
Location: Neshannock Fire Department
3135 Mercer Road, Neshannock PA, 16105
Uniform: NONE – not a Scouting activity
Please RSVP to Gary Woolford at (724) 652-4516
NOT an official Troop event

If you are attending "Philaganza"...

Just a reminder that youth who will be traveling with us to Philadelphia for the "Philaganza" trip need to have

1. a copy of their most recent BSA Physical Form with them as well as 
2. a signed permission slip before we leave!!  

Permission slips will be provided at the June 13 and June 27 meetings.  If you haven't had a physical form completed within the last year, you will need to get a new one before July 5!!

Adults will not need to have physicals completed, but if you already have a form completed, please bring a copy with you!

We will be leaving St. Camillus Church at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5.  An agenda will be distributed shortly.  The Scouts will be planning the menu for the trip at the June 27 meeting.  If you are going to Philly, make sure you are there on June 27 to help plan the menu!!

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Have a question, concern, or suggestion? Email us (link).

Need directions to an event? How to get to our most common destinations.

Check our calendar for upcoming events.

Get a current BSA health form (if required).

Consider helping the troop! Info here.

Agenda for Tuesday's committee meeting

Sorry for the late notice on the agenda.  It's basically the same as last month.  Please let me know if you have something to add.

 

June 7, 2011

Troop 743 Committee Meeting

 

Agenda

 

 

1. Treasurer's report
2. Review May old business - Blood drive @ First Alliance Church (Wolford); tire for the trailer; ice cream social @ Pearson
3. Eagle Project review – Nick Wolford
4. Report on Philaganza  (Na)
5. Report from SPL (McCracken)
6. Website update (Teodoro)
7. Tan & Green banquet after action (Na)
8. New business
9. Upcoming events
1. Summer Camp – June 19-25 @ Bucoco; meet @ church on 6/19 @ noon? – Mrs. Chamberlain, Mr. Lucas (6/19), & Mrs. Matuch (6/21-25)
2. Philaganza – July 5-9; meet @ church on 7/5 @ ?? – Mrs. Chamberlain, Mr. & Mrs. Wolford
3. 10 mile Hile – July 16 – time & trail TBD
4. 15 mile Bike Hike – July 30 – Western Reserve Greenway Trail, Champion OH; meet @ church @ 8 a.m. – Mrs. Chamberlain & ?? – will need trailer!!
5. Camp Ottobre – August 5-7 @ Litchfield, OH; leave church 8/5 @ 5:30 p.m. – Mrs. Chamberlain & ?? – will need trailer!!
6. Jeepfest – August 20 @ Pearson Park.  Camp out overnight; non-campers to arrive @ PP by ??
7. Bike Aboard – September 18 @ Bike & Hike Trail, Peninsula OH – meet @ church @ 9 a.m. – Mrs. Chamberlain & ?? – will need trailer!!

Friendly reminder - Monday, 6/6 is the cancellation deadline for Philaganza

If you have placed a deposit for the Philadelphia trip (Philaganza) in July, and wish to receive your deposit back, you must notify the troop no later than Monday, 6/6, or there will be no refunds.

You may do so in person at the Troop Meeting, or via email by Monday night.

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Have a question, concern, or suggestion? Email us (link).
Need directions to an event? How to get to our most common destinations.
Check our calendar for upcoming events.
Get a current BSA health form (if required).
Consider helping the troop! Info here.

Reminder: Two Important Events this weekend

Don’t miss these! Click the links for details.

Participate in Eagle Project with Zach on Saturday, 6/4

and

6/5 Stephen Wolford- Eagle Scout Court of Honor

Reminder–Zach’s Eagle Project is on Saturday, 6/4

Details here:

Participate in Eagle Project with Zach on Saturday, 6/4

6/5 Stephen Wolford- Eagle Scout Court of Honor

As most of you know, our newest Eagle Scout is Stephen Wolford. Please join us to celebrate this impressive achievement of Scouting’s highest rank.

 

Details

When:  Sunday, June 5

Where:  New Life Baptist Church

                       State Route 208, New Wilmington, PA 16142

Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Uniform:   Class A with Sash

Stephen asked many of you to play an important part in this ceremony, so be prompt.  Please be there by 2:40 pm in order to prepare.