September 11, 2009 Dear Scouts and Parents, I would like to welcome you all back to another Scouting year. I hope that everyone had a safe and enjoyable summer. The Scouts and Adult Leaders have been busy planning for the upcoming year. During the summer Scouts have planned the activities for the upcoming year and the troop website has been updated. The web site allows us to make information available much more quickly so it should be the first place you look for current information! Meeting Location – Troop 250 will be meeting at the former Bright Elementary School building on Wednesday nights. The address of the former Bright Elementary School building is 260 Grove Street. Enter from parking lot in rear off Clark Street. We start at 6:45PM and close the meetings at 8:30PM. Registration Night - Our first meeting will be a registration night on September 16, 2009. NOTE: This meeting will be held at the Waltham Government Center, 119 School Street (Corner of Lexington Street). We ask that at least one parent or guardian from each family plan to attend this meeting. There are a lot of activities coming up during the Scouting year and we would like to take this opportunity to go over these details. Scouts will be planning for the September camping trip. Dues – This year the annual dues will remain the same at $100 per Scout. Each Parent can earn up to $30 of credit towards dues by completing 12 hours of service to the troop. $15 will be credited after the first 6 hours of service and the remaining $15 after the remaining 6 hours. Dues can be paid in two installments if you choose. The first payment of $50 is due at registration, and the second payment of $50 is due January 9th. Service to the troop can include helping with fundraisers, organizing trips or service projects, providing transportation to events and many other activities. We need your help to make this program a success. If you are financially unable to pay for some or all of the dues or fees or need help in equipping your Scout for participation in the program, please contact, in confidence, Scoutmaster Bill VanderClock or Assistant Scoutmaster Chris Higgins. Fundraisers – The troop holds several fundraisers throughout the year that help to pay for the cost of the program. While some of this money goes to the troop, much of the money goes directly into each Scout’s account and can be used to pay for camping activities, summer camp, Scout equipment, dues and a variety of other Scout related expenses. In the coming year there are several trips which will be more expensive than usual. Among the trips we have planned are a snowshoeing trip to the White Mountains and a white water rafting trip in the Spring. The 2010 National Jamboree is also next year and Scouts can use funds from their accounts for that. Equipment – During the course of the year many Scouts check out troop and patrol equipment to use on camping trips. We also have personal gear like tents and backpacks that new Scouts can borrow until they get their own. We recommend waiting to buy major camping items until the Scout has had a chance to try out the loaners and decide what particular piece of gear meets their needs. During the course of the year many Scouts check out troop and patrol equipment to use on camping trips. Unfortunately this gear does not always make it back to the troop. We would ask that you each take a look around your house and see if you have any troop gear hiding out. If you do, please return it so that it will be available to the Scouts when camping. Contact Information: Scoutmaster – Bill VanderClock (781)891-7741 Advancement Chairman – Robert Logan (781)893-3572 Treasurer – Chris Higgins (781)983-6417 Highlight of Activities 2009 - 2010 September Camping Trip – September 18, 19 & 20, 2009 Weekend camping at Nobscot Scout Reservation in Sudbury, MA. Jamboree on the Air / Jamboree on the Internet (JOTA/JOTI) - October 16, 17 & 18, 2009 This year marks the 52ndh anniversary for the Jamboree on the Air, and the Council will be hosting a weekend long event full of activities to give Scouts a chance to connect with other Scouts from across the country and globe! Troop 250 will be camping at Cedar Hill in Waltham. We will hike over to Bentley College to participate in Jamboree on the Internet. We will also be helping with the Cub Scout Pumpkin Festival on Saturday night in the Great Hall. We will also be helping the Webelos on their Outdoorsman Activity Pin (such things as Leave No Trace Principles, knife safety, compass navigation, and fire building), and will include a monkey bridge, tomahawk target throwing, and firing a potato launcher. Saturday night there may be opportunities to look at the night sky through a telescope. November Backpacking Trip – November 6, 7, & 8, 2009 Weekend backpacking trip in the White Mountains of NH. December Holiday Camping Trip – December 4, 5, & 6, 2009 A Troop 250 tradition – weekend camping trip at Camp Resolute, Bolton, MA featuring an extravagant Holiday meal including “Trash Can Turkey.” Klondike Derby – January 30, & 31 2010 District competition with Scouts pulling the sleds through the snow. Weekend camping trip. Winter Trek in the White Mountains - February 19, 20, & 21, 2010 (Fri. thru Sunday) A backpacking snowshoeing trip in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Held jointly with Troop 248 Waltham. Survival Weekend / Ice Fishing – March 5, 6, & 7, 2010 A weekend camping trip featuring survival skills and ice fishing. Hidden Valley Scout Reservation, Gilmanton, NH. Archery Day - March 21 at Tepee Archery, from 3:00-5:00 pmA day of archery with the experts! Weekend at Camp Sayre – Bring the Webelos April 9, 10, & 11, 2010 We host the local Cub Scouts for a weekend of fun at Camp Sayre in Milton, MA. Shooting Sports Weekend – May 14, 15, 16, 2010 Weekend camping trip to Maynard Rod & Gun Club. Activities include rifle & shotgun shooting, archery, and fishing. White Water Rafting Trip – End of June, 2010 – Dates and Details TBA Summer Camp 2010 – T.L. Storer Scout Reservation, Barnstead, NH The troop will be attending summer camp from July 11th thru July 17th. Summer camp is an important part of the Scouting year and every Scout should plan to attend this week of camp. Parents are welcome to come and visit camp. If you are interested in spending a night or two (or six) please see the Scoutmaster, Mr. VanderClock. 2010 National Scout Jamboree – Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America 2010 marks the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, so this promises to be the Jamboree of a lifetime. Ask for details. Yours in Scouting, Bill VanderClock Bill VanderClock Scoutmaster Troop 250
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