A Letter from Scoutmaster Chadwick

Happy New Year All,

I hope that you all have enjoyed the holidays and our break from scouts. It has been a very blessed time for me and my family as well as a welcomed rest.

As some of you may know, my mom and dad were able to visit over the Thanksgiving holiday and we celebrated my mom’s 70th BD. It was certainly a very happy time to be with my parents since they live so far away (Pittsburgh PA). The Christmas and New Year’s holidays were even more special. Most importantly, my immediate family was all together and we are all healthy and happy. God has certainly made His presence known in our household as we celebrated Jesus’ birth and joyously watched the clock tick down to 2011. Sam, Dan, Gloria, and I shared a very special moment together welcoming in the new year.

So, what will the new year bring? That seems to be on the minds of most .. these days…. And especially for the troop. Traditionally, we kick things off in January with a few meetings and the Webelos Campout at Eastman Lake, followed by a wintery trek to Klondike at Shaver Lake. Although the full 2011 calendar has not yet been fully developed, I can share with you, that most, if not all, of our regularly attended events will take place. As we begin meeting again this year… we will solidify the calendar and schedule out the things that the boys want to do. (remember, we must have Adult leaders for these things). Our first meeting of the new year is Monday, January 10th, 2011 at 7:00 PM at the Madera United Methodist Church.

Each year the BSA and the Sequoia Council strongly advocate that all scouts and parents be better educated in the topic that deals with Child Sexual Abuse. If you have been involved with scouting for any length of time, you already know that this topic is nothing new for scouting and that it is repetitive as the boys progress through their scouting career.

Now that we have successfully Re-Charted the Troop (a huge thank you goes out to Mr. Schneider), over the next few weeks the troop will be viewing materials produced by the BSA to help us all recognize and prevent Child Sexual Abuse. Please make arrangements for you and your son to attend. If for some reason, you don’t wish to view this in a group setting, the materials will be available for you to check out and view privately. There will be two groups. One that deals with younger scouts and one that is more appropriate for older scouts. For time’s sake, both sessions will take place on the same night (Monday, January 17th). The groups will be in separate quarters. If you have any questions or concerns re: this training, please contact me, Bob Rolan, or Gaylen Thelander, and/or the Sequoia Council.

Attention Patrol Leaders Council Members: (Green Bar). [ it is not up to the adults … it is up to you.. this is your TROOP]

1. As we now have 4 patrols, we must get our Patrol names, uniform patches, yells, and flags solidified ASAP. SPL and ASPL need to ensure that all patrol leaders are working on these goals over the next month. This should be completed by the time we go to Eastman Lake as it is our practice time for Klondike in February.

2. We also need to plan out our activities for Eastman Lake and be mindful that this campout is not only for the Webelos but for prep work needed for Klondike. Mr. Govett and Mr. Tucker will be preparing a compass course and other events. Please be prepared to assist them and on January 10th will have sign ups. We will need to plan menus on Monday the 17th and have those responsible for food purchases accomplish that no later than Friday the 21st.

3. We need to have a complete inventory and stocking up of our camp boxes (including the 4th patrol box) and coordinate with the Quartermaster and the adult QM Advisor with this effort.

4. Ensure that each scout is paired up with a buddy and that each buddy team decide who is responsible for the tent, etc.

5. Remember that we have scheduled Green Bar Meetings the 3rd Monday of each month. Starting time 6:15 pm. This month it is on the 17th. Please be there on time, we have a lot to accomplish and a short time frame.

Welcome to 2011, an exciting new year for Troop 116

In Him,

Scout Master – Mr. Chadwick

A Soldier's Silent Night

As we enter this Holy Holiday Season, take a moment to think of those who serve to protect us.

This is a poem originally titled "Merry Christmas, My Friend" and written by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt in 1987. The audio recording was done by Father Ted Berndt and his daughter Ellen Stout in one take. Father Berndt has since passed away (3/19/2004), but his life's mission lives on - "to touch lives and make a difference."

At Christmastime while you are enjoying your time with family and friends, remember the soldiers spending Christmas away from their families and their country.

When you hit your knees tonight - say a prayer of thanks.

'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
and to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, net even a tree.
No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
a sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,
not how I pictured a United States Soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,
my life is my God, my Country, My Corps."
The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still
and we both shivered from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
The the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "carry on Santa, it's Christmas day, all is secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right.
Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night.

Sequoia Council Klondike February 18-20

The Klondike Snow Adventure is quickly approaching. The Klondike Snow Camporee transforms Camp Chawanakee into the Great White north of the "Klondike."

There will be Scout Skills competitions such as Fire Building, Spike Driving, Log Lifts, and a Snow Canon event. Scouts will need to vote at an upcoming meeting on whether or not to camp. If the troop does camp there is a Mandatory training for Scout Leadership. The Training is Saturday January 15 in Fresno.

Due to travel time and the short days If we camp, We would stay Saturday Night and return on Sunday.

Scouts come from all over the state to attend the Sequoia Council Klondike. We are pretty lucky to have a council that puts together such a great event for us.

Download the Sequoia Council Information Packet Here

Civics Day February 9th, 2011

The annual Madera Boy Scouts Civis Day is scheduled for Wednesday February 9th. This is a wonderful opportunity for Scouts from all over Madera to meet City and County Government Officials. All Boy Scouts are encouraged to attend.

If you are interested in attending please let Scoutmaster Mark Chadwick know.

The Day begins with Lunch at the Madera United Methodist Church and then tours of various government facilities.

The Madera Civics day was written up in 2001 in Boys Life and Scouting Magazines.



http://scoutingmagazine.org/issues/0101/a-civc.html

http://media.boyslife.org/archive/viewer.html?id=y_wDAAAAMBAJ&pg=37&query=civics+day+madera+california

Trap Shooting trip a little bit wet

Plan for rain on Saturday when we go up to Coarsegold for our Trap Shooting adventure. So plan accordingly and bring your rain jacket hat and proper footwear. It is a short drive up the mountain to Coarsegold so we will make a day of it and challenge the trap course between rain showers or in the rain.

Due to weather prediction I strongly suggest waterproof boots for this trip.

You can find directions to the range here: http://sunmountaingunclub.com/content.php?pg=location

Don't feed the Bears?

This is an awesome commercial. Almost brings a tear to the eye...

Cobb Cornfield Maze a tribute to Boy Scouts

The Cobb Ranch Corn field maze has been very popular over the years here in the Central San Joaquin Valley. This year in 2010 they are dedicating the maze to the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. you can visit their webpage here.

They are offering free admission to all Boy Scouts dressed in Full Uniform! That is a $10 saving folks! WOW!!!

Here is a PDF file of their Flyer

Happy Halloween!