Monthly Archives: July 2008

WOW what a week. I had so much fun last week. I hope you all did as well.

The weather couldn’t have been much better even if we special ordered it. A little rain on Monday but the rest was awesome.

The troop started the week by making me extremely proud to be Troop 14’s scoutmaster. For the first time since I’ve been scoutmaster Troop 14 captured the Golden Broom. This is no easy task, but you guys showed your pride. Actually all week I saw it as well. Pride is not something we can teach it comes from within. Thank you.

I witnessed you all doing things that you thought you wouldn’t/couldn’t do prior to camp, but your Troop 14 heart and soul blossomed and pushed through and you did it. Your parents would be extremely proud of each and every one of you this week. I know that I was. Some of you had a couple of roadblocks at Merit Badges, Mess hall, Swimming, or even at the camp site. But you never gave up – NEVER, and overcame them. It was inspiring to say the least. You made this old man very proud, once again, to be the scoutmaster. There were so many I couldn’t list them all, but individually you know when/where and what I’m talking about. Even at the mess hall I saw true Scout Spirit. Something so easy as eating, I saw great accomplishments.

I told you all in April that you will really enjoy summer camp – now you know what I know:
Camp Wanocksett is not only a summer camp but something special. It has a special place in our hearts. Now that you have experienced Camp Wanocksett, next year you will get an even deeper feeling for Summer Camp and Camp Wanocksett. Hopefully now you have that special feeling in your heart as well for Camp Wanocksett. This year was my 6th year at Camp Wanocksett and I get very excited every year in the months leading up to summer camp and was very saddened that it was over. But, look forward to next year.

Preparation is a key part of any units success. Our SPL was highly prepared for summer camp. His guidance was inspiring. Justin did a great job in preparing for and running Troop 14’s trip to Camp Wanocksett this year. This year we also saw the usage of the ASPL, Mitchell did a great job in his role as well when called upon. The two of them shined bright for all the troop to follow this year. Congratulations Justin and Mitchell for running a very successful summer camp week.

During Summer Camp the Flaming Arrow patrol and the Panther patrol voted for new leadership. The new patrol leaders are:
Flaming Arrows: Brendan (APL Eli)
Panther Patrol: Alex L. (APL Paul)

These boys will be the patrol leaders until the end of September. Congratulations.

This week I spent allot of time in the nurses station, unfortunately. But all in all nobody walked away with any permanent issues. A good sign of high level of fun is a few bumps and bruises. Just a quick rundown of some of our issues were: bee sting(x2), sunburn, dehydration, and a lip stuck on braces. Pink beads will be issued for a few of them.

All week the leaders were silently monitoring every scouts attitude and willingness to help and encourage the troop. We also checked your tents on a daily basis, sometimes in the morning and sometimes in the afternoon. In the end it was down to 2 scouts for Honor Camper: Justin and Jared. It was a very tight race all week. But we could only nominate 1 scout and Jared was voted as Honor Camper for 2008. Congratulations Jared, great job. But I want to give Justin credit for being in the race in the first place. It is very difficult for the SPL to keep everything moving smoothly and keep his personal effects in order at the same time as maintaining a positive and proactive attitude.

We ended the week by removing our Troop 14 flag, during the closing ceremony, in the middle of the parade field and presenting it to Camp Wanocksett. I then presented Justin our new Troop flag, which he mounted proudly. Now our flag will fly in 2 places at once – anywhere we go and our summer home Camp Wanocksett.

I want to say Thank you to Marcel, Mike, and Kelly for helping all week. It’s not easy to take an entire week away from work and your personal life for Summer Camp. Thank you for all you did for me and the Troop.

Also thank you to Pete, Doug, Alan, Bob, Dawn, Stephanie for spending some time with us as well. It was appreciated as well.

I want to give a special ‘Thank you’ to Rich.
Rich – thank you so much for always being there for me and helping so much. You did so much for me and the boys and I greatly appreciate it. You did so much for me without question or hesitation. If I could give a Honor Scoutmaster award to someone you would get it for all that you did this past week. Thank you.

Now we look forward to another year of new and exciting things to do together. I know that because of summer camp you have grown closer as a troop and I now have a deeper understanding of each and every one of you as well.

Hope I didn’t forget anyone. If I did I do apologize.

Your Very Proud Scoutmaster