Troop 2 Weymouth

Camp Sayre - Arctic Camping Expo - Cancelled

2012-02-24T12:05:00.003-05:00

Troop 2 will NOT be visiting the Arctic Camping Expo at Camp Sayre this weekend, due to the weather.

Meeting monday, February 20th

2012-02-19T15:32:00.003-05:00

Our Monday meeting, February 20th, is a casual meeting due to the school vacation week.

Scouts can wear their Class B uniforms (Troop 2 shirts) to this meeting.

Drum Practice is from 7 to 7:30. The meeting begins promptly at 7:30 PM.

Troop 2 Adult Registration Details

2012-02-16T08:41:00.001-05:00

All adults are encouraged to join the Troop and help the leadership guide the scouts along their path of advancement and learning. There are numerous opportunities available to participate, and we welcome all adults who are willing to help and participate.

Adult registration with Troop 2 is required for any overnight stays.

To be an adult volunteer in Troop 2 requires the following

Completed BSA Adult application - http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/524-501.pdf

Completed Old Colony Council CORI form - http://www.oldcolonycouncil.org/Documents/2011-09-14_cori_form.pdf

Photocopy of a valid driver’s license or ID

Payment of $25.00 dues

A completed BSA Medical Form - http://www.oldcolonycouncil.org/Documents/2011-09-26_BSA_Medical.pdf

Once registered, completion of Youth Protection training is mandatory. Information can be found at this location - http://www.scouting.org/training/youthprotection.aspx. This training must be completed every two years.

There are no exceptions, and these rules apply to ALL adults who wish to participate in our organization in any capacity.

BSA regulations do not permit unregistered adults to participate. These are not unreasonable requirements, and are necessary to ensure the safety of the scouts, the unit, the chartering organization, BSA, and each and every parent, scout, and volunteer.

Two deep leadership requires 2 REGISTERED adults with every contact with youth. One on one contact is prohibited. Proper registration and credentialing is required for anyone participating in the program.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Brian Chase.

Drum practice reminder

2012-02-12T13:06:00.000-05:00

Reminder - there is NO drum practice this evening, Sunday, February 12. Drum practice on SUNDAY will resume next week.

Drum practice continues on Mondany nights at 7 PM.

Weymouth Heights Club Fundraisers

2012-02-09T13:16:00.000-05:00

There are several fund raising events sponsored by thee WHC that parents and adults are encouraged to attend. The proceeds from these events directly benefit the programs your son participates in, and are a great way to support the organizations.

• Saturday, Feb 18 - WHC Meat Raffle fundraiser, Fore River Grille 1 – 4 PM

• Saturday March 3 - WHC Comedy Night fundraiser, Weymouth Elks 7-11 PM

The WHC is a non profit organization, and donations may be tax deductible. Please check with your employer as well - many offer corporate donor matching programs that can be applied.

Den Chief needed for Wolf Den Thursday evenings

2012-02-09T13:11:00.001-05:00

Pack 2 needs a Den Chief from Troop 2 to help with their Wolf patrol, which meets on Thursday evenings at 6:30.

What is a Den Chief?

A Den Chief is a Boy Scout specially selected for his skills in areas such as camping, hiking, cooking, first aid and sports. Because of their training, enthusiasm, and exposure to Scouting they serve as a resource, team leader and a role model for the Cubs in the den.

Scouts who serve for one year as a Den Chief are eligible to receive a special award for their efforts, and service counts toward the Positions of Responsibility requirement for Eagle scout and for Star and Life scout advancement.

This is a great way for a Scout to develop leadership and teaching skills, and those scouts who participate report they find the experience rewarding and fun. Several of our scouts are currently serving as Den Chiefs in Pack 2 and Pack 303, and many have served in this role previously.

If you are interested and available, please see Mr. Chase to discuss this opportunity.

Troop 2 Weymouth Important Dates – February/March 2012

2012-02-09T08:57:00.002-05:00

As always, please check the BLOG for more details or updates on these events.

February/March 2012

• Monday Feb 13 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform (Webelos night)
• Wednesday Feb 15 - Cub Scout Pack 2 Pack Meeting – den chiefs and scouts needed for demos
• Sunday Feb 19th - 7:00 Drum Practice
• Monday Feb 20 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform
• Saturday Feb 25th - ACE – Arctic Camping Expo - Camp Sayre Milton, MA - 10:30 – 3pm
• Sunday Feb 26th - 7:00 Drum Practice
• Monday Feb 27 - Gym Night, 8:00 – 9:00 at First Church – No Drum Practice
• Friday March 2 – Cub Scout Pack 303 Crossover
• Sunday March 3 - 7:00 Drum Practice
• Monday March 5 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform
• Sunday March 11 - Troop Committee Meeting, 7:00 PM WHC
• Sunday March 11 - NO Drum Practice
• Monday March 12 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform
• Sunday March 15 - 7:00 Drum Practice
• Monday March 16 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform
• Saturday March 24 - Carabiners
• Sunday March 25 - 7:00 Drum Practice
• Monday March 26 - Gym Night, 8:00 – 9:00 at First Church – No Drum Practice
• Sunday March 31 - Ad Altare Dei retreat
• Sunday March 31 - Cub Scout Pack 2 Crossover

Note: Sunday drum practices resume in February 2012. All drummers planning to join the corps at the Cub Scout Banquet, Eagle Banquet, and Parade must attend.

Other Dates (adults only)

• Friday, Feb 17 – Pack 2 Trivia Night fundraiser, Hajjar’s 7-12 PM
• Saturday, Feb 18 - WHC Meat Raffle fundraiser, Fore River Grille 1 – 4 PM
• Saturday March 3 - WHC Comedy Night fundraiser, Weymouth Elks 7-11 PM
• Saturday, March 10 – WHC Corned Beef Dinner & Business Meeting 6:30-9:00 PM

Reminder - Thursday evenings: 7 PM WHC Garage – Processing returnables for redemption - Adult volunteers are encouraged to help. This is our fundraising source.

Troop 2 Leadership Contact Information
Scoutmaster - David Chase - 781-361-2677 - dmaychase@comcast.net
Troop Committee Chair - Brian Chase- 617-413-4437 - brian.chase1@comcast.net

Troop 2 Committee Meeting, Sunday Feb 12 at 7:00 PM

2012-02-09T07:48:00.001-05:00

Meeting Date – February 12, 2009
Meeting duration – 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Meeting location – Weymouth Heights Club

Before the meeting (6:45 - 7:00 PM) - please report any items for discussion under New Business to the Troop Committee Chair for review.

Time/Action

7:00 Call to Order/Opening Remarks
7:05   Circulate attendance sheet/approve minutes from last meeting
7:10   Scoutmaster Monthly report
7:20   Troopmaster advancement reports - through Life rank
7:25 Eagle Scout advancement report
7:30   Merit badge update
7:35   Membership Report
7:40   Treasurers & Fundraising report
7:45 Public relations & 100th Anniversary update
7:50   Announcement of upcoming events
8:00 New Business discussion (items presented before meeting)
8:30   Close

Reminder - Thursday evenings: 7 PM WHC Garage – Processing returnables for redemption - Adult volunteers are encouraged to help. This is our fundraising source.

Troop 2 Leadership Contact Information

Scoutmaster - David Chase - 781-361-2677 - dmaychase@comcast.net
Troop Committee Chair - Brian Chase- 617-413-4437 - brian.chase1@comcast.net

Drum corps practice - cancelled Feb 5

2012-02-01T11:57:00.000-05:00

Reminder - Drum corps practice continues on Monday evenings, at 7 PM.

Sunday practices resume on Feb 19th.

Practice originally scheduled for Sunday February 5th has been cancelled due to the Superbowl.

Both Sunday and Monday practices are at 7 PM at the WHC.

Drummers are encouraged to attend all practices. Drummers who have completed their patches are integral for training new drummers and must attend practice to assure consistency when we perform.

Please arrive promptly for practice.

Upcoming Drum Corps Events include

Pack 2 Blue & Gold banquet.
Eagle Banquet
Memorial Day Parade
Scoutmaster Memorial
100th anniversary events

Scout Sunday Reminder

2012-01-31T10:36:00.001-05:00

Scout Sunday Feb 5 and Feb 12

Feb 5 - Immaculate Conception Church, Weymouth. Meet at 9:30 AM in the Chapel

Feb 12 - First Church, Weymouth Heights - Meet at 9:30 AM in the Vestibule.

All scouts are encouraged to attend both services.

Scouts should report in FULL uniform. Sashes are encouraged but not mandatory.

Trivia Night to benefit Cub Scout Pack 2 - Weymouth

2012-01-26T11:19:00.005-05:00

Subject: Trivia Night to benefit Cub Scout Pack 2 - Weymouth

When: Friday, February 17, 2012 - 7pm -12pm

Where: Hajjar's Restaurant - "T" Room - 969 Washington Street, Weymouth, MA

Please join us for a Trivia Night to benefit Cub Scout Pack 2, Weymouth at Hajjars on February 17th.

This is a 21+ event.

Included is a 50/50 Raffle, Cash Trivia Prizes

There is a cash bar, and a full menu available for purchase.

Admission is $10 per person, with a maximum of 4 people per team. You can make your own team - or we'll can match you up.

For tickets or more information contact

Scott Freitas at 781-337-9724

Jen Schiller at 617 460-4974

Life Scouts, working toward Eagle - Important Notice

2012-01-24T08:53:00.000-05:00

As a reminder - Boy Scouts of America has changed the application process and paperwork required for the Eagle scout rank. Any scout who did not file and receive authorization from Old Colony Council to proceed with their Service Project in 2011 must use this new format. A link to the fillable PDF is below.

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-927_fillable.pdf

Projects in progress must use the previous guidelines.

If you have a project idea, please review it with Mr. Chase. Once we've helped you determine if the project is feasible and whether it meets standards set for Eagle service projects, we'll help you fill this form out with the necessary information, and will help you connect with the OCC Advancement personnel who review and ultimately approve your project.

Projects cannot be sent directly to council without review at the unit level. Signatures are required, and it's imperative that our leadership be aware of your plans and that we confirm your plans are reasonable and achievable.

This new form and the associated process is a significant change, however it is a much more straightforward, and reasonable approach.

It's also a digital solution, as the form can be filled out on a PC, and the distribution and approval process is all completed in cyberspace.

The remainder of the process is the same - once your project is complete you must prepare a report, assemble reference letters, and complete the formal application. The project approval and project planning components are where the primary and most significant changes are apparent. The new format offers great guidance to the scout around logistics and planning for their project which were informally included in previous iterations of the process.

Also - 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the Eagle scout rank. In commemoration, BSA is awarding scouts who receive this badge in 2012 with a special edition Eagle badge.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Chase.

Meeting Reminder

2012-01-23T08:06:00.002-05:00

Reminder - tonights meeting is a Gym Night - please arrive at the First Church, Weymouth Heights, by 8 PM.

Carabiners

2012-01-17T16:50:00.001-05:00

Climbing Overnight at Carabiner's Indoor Climbing Gym

New Bedford, MA

Payment and paperwork due by: March 12, 2012

Meeting at the Weymouth Heights Club on March 24 at 5:00 pm and return back on March 25 at 9:00 am

Cost is $50.00 per climber

$5.00 per adult non-climber

Each boy will need to have a parent fill-in and sign the Safety Agreement.

http://www.carabiners.com/ma_newbedford/documents/MA_Safety_Agreement_Registration_Form.pdf

OVERNIGHTS INCLUDE

Climbing

Rental Equipment (shoes, harness, helmet)

Belay Course

Evening Snack

Light Breakfast

Boys please bring the following Items:

Bagged dinner

Sleeping bag

Pillow

Change of clothing

Toiletries

Do not wear jeans – running pants or gym shorts work best you will be in a harness all night.

Sports Bottle – No open containers are allowed on the gym floor.

To sign up or with any questions please contact:

Jen Schiller 617-460-4974 or

e-mail jennifer_schiller@ssga.com

http://www.carabiners.com/ma_newbedford/home

Scout meeting, Monday 1/16

2012-01-16T17:33:00.003-05:00

Reminder - there is a meeting Monday, Jan 16 at the WHC from 7:30 until 9. Drumming at 7.

Uniforms are not required. Scouts should wear their "class b" uniform - a cliff island shirt, drumming shirt, or other troop/scout shirt.

Troop 2 - Jan/Feb events

2012-01-13T07:42:00.001-05:00

Troop 2 Weymouth Important Dates – January/February

As always, please check the BLOG for more details or updates on these events.

January - February 2012

• Sunday Jan 15 - 7:00 PM Troop Committee Meeting at WHC
• Monday Jan 16 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – ClassB Uniforms
• Monday Jan 23 - Gym Night, 8:00 – 9:00 at First Church – No Drum Practice
• Monday Jan 30 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform
• Sunday Feb 5 - Scout Sunday – Full Uniform
Immaculate Conception Church – 10 am service – Arrive at 9:30 in full uniforms

• Sunday Feb 5th - 7:00 Drum Practice
• Monday Feb 6 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform
• Sunday Feb 12th – Scout Sunday
First Church – 10 am service – Arrive at 9:30 in full uniform

• Sunday Feb 12th - 7:00 PM Troop Committee Meeting - No Drum Practice
• Monday Feb 13 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform
• Sunday Feb 19th - 7:00 Drum Practice
• Monday Feb 20 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform
• Saturday Feb 25th – ACE – Arctic Camping Expo
Location: Camp Sayre Milton, MA
Time: 10:30 – 3pm

• Sunday Feb 26th - 7:00 Drum Practice
• Monday Feb 27 - Gym Night, 8:00 – 9:00 at First Church – No Drum Practice

Note: Sunday drum practices resume in February 2012. All drummers planning to join the corps for upcoming events, including performances at the Cub Scout Banquet, Eagle Banquet, and Memorial Day Parade must attend.

Reminder - Thursday evenings: 7 PM WHC Garage – Processing returnables for redemption - Adult volunteers are encouraged to help. This is our fundraising source.

Troop 2 Leadership Contact Information - please direct any questions or concerns to the Troop leaders.

Scoutmaster - David Chase - 781-361-2677 - dmaychase@comcast.net
Troop Committee Chair - Brian Chase- 617-413-4437 - brian.chase1@comcast.net

Troop Committee Meeting Sunday, 1/15 at 7:00 PM

2012-01-13T07:40:00.001-05:00

As a reminder, our next Troop Committee meeting is Sunday, January 15th at 7 PM. Please arrive promptly.

The agenda is below:

Meeting duration – 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Meeting location – Weymouth Heights Club

Before the meeting (6:45 - 7:00 PM) - please report any items for discussion under New Business to the Troop Committee Chair for review.

Adults who have not paid their dues or turned in outstanding youth protection certification must do so at this meeting.

Time/Action

7:00   Call to Order/Opening Remarks
7:05   Circulate attendance sheet/approve minutes from last meeting
7:10   Scoutmaster Monthly report
7:20   Troopmaster advancement reports - through Life rank
7:25   Eagle Scout advancement report
7:30   Merit badge update
7:35   Membership Report
7:40   Treasurers & Fundraising report
7:45   Public relations & 100th Anniversary update
7:50   Announcement of upcoming events
8:00   New Business discussion (items presented before meeting)
8:30   Close

Reminder - Thursday evenings: 7 PM WHC Garage – Processing returnables for redemption - Adult volunteers are encouraged to help. This is our fundraising source.

Troop 2 Leadership Contact Information - please direct any questions or concerns to the Troop leaders.

Scoutmaster - David Chase - 781-361-2677 - dmaychase@comcast.net
Troop Committee Chair - Brian Chase- 617-413-4437 - brian.chase1@comcast.net

Troop 2 Weymouth Important Dates – January/February

As always, please check the BLOG for more details or updates on these events.

January - February 2012

• Sunday Jan 15 - 7:00 PM Troop Committee Meeting at WHC
• Monday Jan 16 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – ClassB Uniforms
• Monday Jan 23 - Gym Night, 8:00 – 9:00 at First Church – No Drum Practice
• Monday Jan 30 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform
• Sunday Feb 5 - Scout Sunday – Full Uniform
Immaculate Conception Church – 10 am service – Arrive at 9:30 in full uniforms

• Sunday Feb 5th - 7:00 Drum Practice
• Monday Feb 6 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform
• Sunday Feb 12th – Scout Sunday
First Church – 10 am service – Arrive at 9:30 in full uniform

• Sunday Feb 12th - 7:00 PM Troop Committee Meeting - No Drum Practice
• Monday Feb 13 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform
• Sunday Feb 19th - 7:00 Drum Practice
• Monday Feb 20 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform
• Saturday Feb 25th – ACE – Arctic Camping Expo
Location: Camp Sayre Milton, MA
Time: 10:30 – 3pm

• Sunday Feb 26th - 7:00 Drum Practice
• Monday Feb 27 - Gym Night, 8:00 – 9:00 at First Church – No Drum Practice

Note: Sunday drum practices resume in February 2012. All drummers planning to join the corps at the Cub Scout Banquet, Eagle Banquet, and Parade must attend.

Troop 2 Digitized!

2012-01-10T08:37:00.000-05:00

As you know, Troop 2 is over 100 years old.We’ve got a long oral and written history, and have numerous artifacts andmemorabilia items that help us mark the span of years, from old newsletters totroop advancement records.

Over the past few years Troop 2 has moved into the digitalage. We first began with a free website over 10 years ago, which developed intoa content rich hosted website, with registered domain names assuring ouridentity (www.troop2weymouth.com).We moved further into digital media by adding a BLOG two years ago (http://www.troop2weymouth.blogspot.com),and developing an online calendar and Gmail email group for updates. Ournewsletter and announcements have moved from a photocopied and printed modelwith manual clipart to a digital presentation that can be distributed by hand,email, deployment to the website, and posted on bulletin boards. We also haveleveraged social media, establishing a Facebook group “Troop 2 Past, Presentand Future” to connect with alumni and friends of our troop. Communicationshave changed significantly as well – not only through the use of email – butalso through the use of cellular phones for updates and connectivity. Anexample is a standard Valley Pines weekend trip. We used to be disconnected,with no electricity or phone lines. We still don’t have electricity thankfully,but we have an instant connection to emergency personnel or to parents viacellular phones. These can be used for a “real time” update as well, where wesnap a photo, post it to the blog, and immediately share it with the troop.

Another area we’ve digitized is our memorabilia. Inpreparation for our 100^th anniversary we began scanning andpreparing photos from our collection for display. This has grown to over 8000photos organized by subject and era. These photos are on display in digitalframes on the wall at the clubhouse, and when blown up to 8 x 10 show greatdetails of people and places. Going forward we’re planning to scan slidesfrom the 50’s through the 70’s, convert several reels of Super8 films from the1960’s, and even digitize a cassette tape recorded by a scout in the early1970’s at summer camp. Ron Parry can clearly be heard several times, along withmany other folks, which is amazing after all this time. We’re also beginning toscan papers collected by Franklin Pratt, and we aim to scan all of the ScoutNews newsletters, which span from the 1930’s to the early 1970’s.

Our most recent move forward has been in the area oftraining and advancement. For many years BSA has offered online training andadvancement tools. Training formerly required attendance – you had to take aclass in a physical setting, perhaps watching a movie or a presentation.Coursework might take a few hours, or a few days of classes. Now we have onlineoptions via BSA that are self paced and can be done anytime, from anywhere.This improves our training opportunities, and I am happy to report that ourScoutmaster is at the halfway point in official BSA training for certification.All of our Adult members have taken online Youth Protection courses, and manyhave also taken specialized training in key areas such as Hazardous Weather orSafety Afloat.

A few years ago we moved from a paper based reporting systemto an online reporting system, which assures that our records remain in syncwith the records at Old Colony Council and at the National Headquarters. For2012 we participated in online re-chartering for the first time, registeringover 90 youth and adults in our program. We also began to review Troopmaster,which is a content rich advancement and tracking tool. Beginning January 1 weofficially moved our records from the paper based recording model to anelectronic model, which included taking a real time update from Old ColonyCouncil of our advancement history. Once this was in place it was very easy tosee the benefits of this tool for analysis and reporting of our scout’sprogress.

Also, the use of a computerized solution for advancementhas become critical most recently due to changes in how the Eagle Scout processis managed. Previous to Jan 2012 a candidate was required to file a paperproposal for his Eagle Scout service project, which had to be reviewed inperson, and often required several revisions. Changes placed in effect thisyear have moved to an email based model, where the candidate “files” hisproject for review with the Eagle board at Old Colony Council, and then workswith a representative in a purely digital environment, trading emails andupdating the project proposal as they go along, ultimately receiving permissionto undertake the project, all in cyberspace.

An advantage of Troopmaster is the ease of reportingprogress. We can quickly print out a record of a scout’s achievements,determine rank advancement and merit badge awards, leadership, and evenattendance records and other participation information. The software evensupports an identifying photo of the scout, which can be critical when we’re ona trip. Our ongoing goal is to present a progress report similar to the onesyour son receives from his school so you can tune in to his advancement andparticipate in his success, and to be able to provide you with a snapshot ondemand at any time so you can catch up if needed.

As you can see, we’re making great strides. Please staytuned to the BLOG for more updates as we move forward into the digital age!

Photos from Shawnee Peak

2012-01-09T17:16:00.001-05:00

Reminder - WHC Meeting tonight

2012-01-09T17:08:00.001-05:00

Reminder - Troop 2 will be meeting tonight at the WHC. Full Uniforms.

Shawnee Peak - mid day Saturday

2012-01-07T13:20:00.001-05:00

After enjoying a breakfast of pancakes, fruit, sausages and corned beef hash.....

Our scouts headed up for some morning skiiing, followed by a lunch of chowder and sandwiches.

The gang has cleared out to head up for another round of afternoon skiing. Conditions are great, the weather is warm, and as you can see from the smiling Hicks brothers below, everyone is having a great time.

Dinner tonight is roast turkey with all the fixings....followed by night skiing.

Ski Trip - First Night

2012-01-06T22:58:00.000-05:00

Troop 2 has settled in for the night at the Shawnee Peak House. Many scouts had a chance to hit the slopes before roll call. Conditions are good, and there has been some snow so the mountain doesn't look so bare!

Stay tuned for pictures and updates throughout the weekend,

Shawnee Peak trip update

2012-01-06T08:19:00.002-05:00

The photo above shows yesterdays conditions at Shawnee Peak - there is plenty of man made snow, and our intrepid skiiers should have plenty of fun!

Temperatures are trending warm for the weekend, however night skiing is available, and your son should bring warm clothing, and chapstick.

Meals will include pancake breakfasts, soup and sandwich lunch, and a turkey dinner for supper.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Chase.

Reminder - no Scout Meeting tonight, 1/2/2012

2012-01-02T18:30:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year to everyone - our next meeting is Monday, January 9th.

Reminder - The ski trip is this Friday, January 6th, through Sunday, January 9th.

Also - Scout dues must be paid by Dec 31st to assure inclusion on the 2012 Charter. If you have not paid your dues, please contact Mr. Chase immediately.

Ski Trip - Shawnee Peak - Jan 6-7-8 2012

2012-01-01T13:56:00.001-05:00

Troop 2 is heading to Shawnee Peak for a weekend of skiing and snow.

As a reminder - pack your gear in a hockey type zippered bag or a small suitcase

All meals are provided for Saturday and Sunday. You should plan to eat on your way up Friday, or pack a bag dinner.

What you need to bring

Sleeping bag and pillow
Two sets of long underwear (top and bottom) and four sets of regular underwear
Pajamas, robe, slippers – sleeping clothes.
Four pairs of warm socks
Snow boots (wear sneakers or workboots)
Warm coat, sweatshirt, hoodie, etc
Hat to cover your ears
Three pairs of gloves, waterproof if possible.
Ski goggles or sunglasses
Spending money for ride up (all food is provided at lodgings)
Sweaters or sweatshirts
Ski pants if you have them. If not, lined sweatpants or heavy jeans work well.
Toiletries including toothbrush and toothpaste, comb and bath towel. There are showers in lodgings.
Chapstick, ski mask
Your medications (if you are on any) – please let Mr. Chase know upon arrival.

Note- this weekend is often one of the coldest of the year, so dress warmly.

You can bring a cell phone and/or an IPod with you, however you should not bring an IPod skiing as it’s important to be able to hear the other skiers.

Please no video games or video players. If you choose to bring electronics or a phone, the troop is NOT responsible for them.

This is a recreational trip, however scouts can earn the Snow Sports merit badge as part of this weekend

Reminder - no Scout meeting Monday December 26th

2011-12-26T15:34:00.001-05:00

Reminder, there is no scout meeting tonight.

Happy Birthday Matt W

2011-12-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

Monday Dec 19 meeting

2011-12-18T11:02:00.001-05:00

We are not meeting at the clubhouse this week.

Instead, we are having a swim night at the MDC Pool from 5 PM to 6:30 PM.

All scouts working on advancement through First Class are urged to attend to complete requirements.

This is also the last chance to pass in Ski Trip equipment paperwork or money, and to pay annual dues ($50 for scouts, $25 for adults) or pass in paperwork for 2012 registration.

There is no scout meeting afterward, and no drum practice.

Our next Monday night meeting will be after the Shawnee Peak Ski Trip.

Reminder - Thursday evenings: 7 PM WHC Garage – Processing returnables for redemption - Adult

volunteers are encouraged to help. This is our fundraising source.

Troop 2 Leadership Contact Information

Scoutmaster - David Chase - 781-361-2677 - dmaychase@comcast.net

Troop Committee Chair - Brian Chase- 617-413-4437 - brian.chase1@comcast.net

Happy Birthday Nick

2011-12-14T00:01:00.001-05:00

Preparing to ring the gong

Shawnee Peak Ski Trip Roster

2011-12-13T14:59:00.002-05:00

The following Scouts and Adults are confirmed as attendees on the Shawnee Peak Ski Trip.

All attendees must pay in advance for their accomodations and equipment. The last opportunity to confirm your attendance is on Monday, 12/19. If you have not completed an equipment rental form, please plan to complete one at that time. Please arrange all rides to and from this event in advance.

As a reminder - all Troop 2 Scouts are expected to stay at the Shawnee Peak House.

If your name is not on this list, or if you have any questions, please contact Mr. Chase.

Adults	Scouts	Scouts
R Bagen	J Bagen	D Levesque
B Bruynell	J Bruynell	A McCabe
D Chase	T Bruynell	T McPhee
B Chase	A Chase	M Mullen
A Forsythe	N Chase	J O'Brien
K Sczymczyk	P Curran	P Scannell
J Kelley	T Curran	T Schiller
M McCabe	C Davern	AJ Schneider
B Sibbald	S Dimarzio	M Schneider
E Wolforth	N Sczymczyk	J Wallace
S Wallace	J Sczymczyk	D Wolforth
E Hicks	J Hicks	T Phillips
R Jeanjaquet	T Jeanjaquet
B Mullen	J Keenan
P Scannell	P Kelley

2011-12-12T07:28:00.004-05:00

Troop 2 Weymouth Important Dates – December – January

(updates on 12/18 and 1/2)

December 2011

Sunday Dec 18 - 6:00 - 7:00 Ad Altare Dei, WHC

Monday Dec 19 - Swim Night 5-6:30. No Drum Practice - No Scout meeting at WHC
Last chance to pass in Ski Trip equipment paperwork or money
Last chance to pay dues or pass in paperwork for 2012 registration

Monday Dec 26 - No Scout Meeting, No Drum Practice - Happy Holidays!

January 2012

Monday Jan 2 - No Scout Meeting, No Drum Practice - Happy New Year!

Friday Jan 6 - Sun Jan 8 - Ski Trip to Shawnee Peak, Maine

Monday Jan 9 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform

Sunday Jan 15 - 7:00 PM Troop Committee Meeting at WHC

Monday Jan 16 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform

Monday Jan 23 - Gym Night, 8:00 – 9:00 at First Church – No Drum Practice

Monday Jan 30 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform

Check the BLOG regularly for more details or updates on these events.

Note: Sunday drum practices are suspended until February 2012.

Reminder - Thursday evenings: 7 PM WHC Garage – Processing returnables for redemption - Adult volunteers are encouraged to help. This is our fundraising source.

Troop 2 Leadership Contact Information

Scoutmaster - David Chase - 781-361-2677 - dmaychase@comcast.net

Troop Committee Chair - Brian Chase- 617-413-4437 - brian.chase1@comcast.net

Holiday Party, 12/12 at WHC

2011-12-11T10:46:00.001-05:00

Reminder - Troop 2's Holiday Party is on Monday, December 12th, from 7:30 -9:00 PM.

Uniforms are not required.

We will have a Yankee Swap, with a $5-$10 range. Gift should be wrapped or placed in a paper bag.

Troop 2 Leadership Contact Information

Scoutmaster - David Chase - 781-361-2677 - dmaychase@comcast.net

Troop Committee Chair - Brian Chase- 617-413-4437 - brian.chase1@comcast.net

Happy Birthday Paul

2011-12-09T00:01:00.002-05:00

Working on the service project at camp.

2011-12-08T16:26:00.001-05:00

Our next Troop Committee meeting is Sunday, December 11 at 7 PM. Please arrive promptly.

The agenda is below

Meeting duration – 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Meeting location – Weymouth Heights Club

Before the meeting (6:45 - 7:00 PM) - please report any items for discussion under New Business to the Troop Committee Chair for review.

This is our last meeting for 2011. Adults who have not paid their dues or turned in youth protection certification should do so at this meeting to assure inclusion on our 2012 charter.

Time/Action

7:00 Call to Order/Opening Remarks
7:05 Circulate attendance sheet, minutes from last meeting
7:05 Approve minutes from last meeting
7:10 Scoutmaster Monthly report
7:20 Advancement through Life rank report
7:25 Eagle Scout advancement report
7:30 Merit badge update
7:35 Membership Report
7:40 Treasurers report/Fundraising report
7:45 Public relations report/100th Anniversary update
7:50 Announcement of upcoming events
8:00 New Business discussion of items presented before meeting
8:30 Close

Reminder - Thursday evenings: 7 PM WHC Garage – Processing returnables for redemption - Adult volunteers are encouraged to help. This is our fundraising source.

Troop 2 Leadership Contact Information

Scoutmaster - David Chase - 781-361-2677 - dmaychase@comcast.net

Troop Committee Chair - Brian Chase- 617-413-4437 - brian.chase1@comcast.net

Troop 2 Weymouth Important Dates – December – January

2011-12-06T07:32:00.001-05:00

Troop 2 Weymouth Important Dates – December – January

As always, please check the BLOG formore details or updates on these events.
December 2011
· Sunday Dec 11 - 7:00 PM Troop Committee Meeting at WHC
· Monday Dec 12 - 7:00 No Drum Practice - 7:30 Weekly Meeting
oHoliday Party/Yankee Swap - Please bring a gift in the$5-$10 range.
oUniforms not required.
· Sunday Dec 18 - 6:00 - 7:00 Ad Altare Dei, WHC
· Monday Dec 19 - Swim Night 5-6:30. No Drum Practice - NoScout meeting at WHC
oLast chance to pass in Ski Trip equipment paperwork or money
· Monday Dec 26 - No Scout Meeting, No Drum Practice - HappyHolidays!
January 2012
· Monday Jan 2 - No Scout Meeting, No Drum Practice - HappyNew Year!
· Friday Jan 6 - Sun Jan 8 - Ski Trip to Shawnee Peak, Maine
· Monday Jan 9 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30Meeting – Full Uniform
· Sunday Jan 15 - 7:00 PM Troop Committee Meeting at WHC
· Monday Jan 16 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30Meeting – Full Uniform
· Monday Jan 23 - Gym Night, 8:00 – 9:00 at First Church – NoDrum Practice
· Monday Jan 30 - Weekly Meeting - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30Meeting – Full Uniform
Note: Sunday drum practices aresuspended until February 2012.
Reminder - Thursday evenings: 7 PMWHC Garage – Processing returnables for redemption - Adult volunteers areencouraged to help. This is our fundraising source.
Troop 2 Leadership ContactInformation
Scoutmaster - David Chase -781-361-2677 - dmaychase@comcast.net
Troop Committee Chair - Brian Chase- 617-413-4437 - brian.chase1@comcast.net

Valley Pines Recap

2011-12-03T19:27:00.001-05:00

A beautiful day in the woods today at Valley Pines. Cool weather greeted our scouts upon arrival. The camp was set up quickly, and scouts worked on several advancement skills. After lunch we worked on the Paul Bunyan Woodsman patch, and removed loads of small scrub trees (beech,sassafrass, etc) from the area around the campfire circle. Many of these trees are perfectly straight and over 10 feet tall, and will be saved for use in the spring for lashing projects.

The day rounded out with dinner - scouts cooked on the open fire and on the burners, with such fare as hamburgers, kielbasa, and hotdogs, as well as a home made corn chowder that Tim M whipped up, and lemon pepper chicken from Nick. We also used several dutch ovens to cook triple berry muffins, biscuits, and other delicious treats.

Scouts are turning in for the night soon, and preparing to sleep around the fire and in the cabin.

Here are some photos of the day

Tim M relaxing in his nest....

Lunchtime at the picnic table

Scouts chopping wood

Seasoned brush for burning

Eagle scout and Weymouth Firefighter Matt Harding fixing the head on a double-bit axe

Mr. Harding receiving advice from our Scoutmaster, Mr. Chase

Scouts preparing Supper

Fanning the coals helps get them hot and maintain an even temperature for the dutch ovens.

AJ, Matt and PK using the wood splitter

Annual Dues Reminder

2011-12-01T01:00:00.000-05:00

Our Troop is in the process of rechartering for 2012. All Scouts and Adult Leaders should have received a note from Mr. Chase with details regarding annual dues and required adult certifications.

As a reminder - dues must be paid by our December 5th meeting. Outstanding adult certifications must be completed by the end of December, 2011.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Chase

Troop 2 Leadership Contact Information

Scoutmaster - David Chase - 781-361-2677 - dmaychase@comcast.net

Troop Committee Chair - Brian Chase- 617-413-4437 - brian.chase1@comcast.net

Valley Pines Campout Dec 3-4

2011-11-29T12:23:00.001-05:00

Our Troop is camping at Valley Pines, , 505 Grove Street, Norwell MA.

Scouts should arrive by 9:30 - 10 AM on Saturday, and should be picked up between 7:30 and 8 AM on Sunday.

This campout will include focus on advancement work for rank and merit badges. All scouts working toward Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class are urged to attend this weekend to ensure timely rank advancement is achieved.

Scouts should dress warmly, wear sturdy shoes or boots, hat and gloves, and bring a warm sleeping bag with a blanket or ground cloth. A change of clothes is also suggested, and scouts should dress in layers.

All scouts should bring a bag lunch, food to prepare for dinner, and a morning snack. If a scout is planning to cook their supper, they should bring all necessary utensils and pans for cooking, including cooking spray, a spatula, a mitt or glove to remove their pot from the cooking fire, a mess kit or plate to eat from and utensils to eat with, and materials to clean up after themselves.

Scouts should bring water sufficient for a two day stay and for any cooking needs.

As a reminder, scouts should NOT bring soft drinks, candy, and junk food to Valley Pines. Electronics, including cell phones, Ipods, and video games are also discouraged when we camp.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Chase.

Troop 2 Leadership Contact Information

Scoutmaster - David Chase - 781-361-2677 - dmaychase@comcast.net

Troop Committee Chair - Brian Chase- 617-413-4437 - brian.chase1@comcast.net

Reminders - Gym Night, Campout, Weekly meeting

2011-11-27T17:42:00.001-05:00

A few reminders for the next two weeks:

Mon Nov 28 - Gym Night, 8:00 PM First Church - No Drum Practice

Sat/Sun Dec 3 - 4 Campout Valley Pines

Mon Dec 5 - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform

Sunday drum practices are suspended until January 2012.

2012 Merit Badge University

2011-11-23T19:00:00.001-05:00

Merit Badge University will be offered by Old Colony Council for three weekends in March 2012.

The dates are 3/3/, 3/10, & 3/24 for the three sessions.

If your son is interested in attending, or if you need more information, please let our scoutmaster, David Chase, know by the Monday meeting on December 5th.

Boy's Life magazine

2011-11-22T19:20:00.001-05:00

Does your son receive Boy's Life magazine?

This magazine is the official publication of the BSA, and has been published for over 100 years.

It can be found online at http://boyslife.org/.

An annual subscription costs $12.00, and can be purchased when we recharter in December.

Boy's Life is a great source for Scouting information, hints and techniques for many merit badges, great stories about other troop's experiences and activities, camping and cooking information, and suggestions for programs.

Take a look at the current issue on the website or review a back issue at the clubhouse, and if you're interested in receiving this magazine, please let Mr. Chase know.

Reminder - This weeks meeting is at the WHC

2011-11-20T20:56:00.001-05:00

To clear any confusion

- This weeks meeting (Monday, November 21st) is a regular meeting.

Since most of the scouts were at the campout this weekend, and their uniforms may be smoky and dirty, this week uniforms are optional, and scouts are encouraged to wear a class b shirt - this can be a camp shirt, drum corps shirt, or other offical troop shirt.

We will be going over first aid tomorrow night - if you are working on rank advancement between Scout/Tenderfoot/Second Class/First Class, please make an effort to attend this meeting, as the materials we're reviewing will fulfill many of the requirements for your rank advancement.

Next week we have a gym night (Nov 28th) at 8 PM at the First Church.

As always, please check our calendar and our BLOG - in addition, the calendar sent home last week, and the calendar in the back of the hall at the WHC are all in sync.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Chase

Flag Retirement

2011-11-20T11:45:00.003-05:00

Thanks to all who joined us for the Flag Retirement and WHC cookout.

Approximately 180 people attended, and enjoyed a roast turkey dinner with all the fixings prepared by volunteers from the Weymouth Heights Club and our Girl, Cub and Boy Scouting troops.

Afterward we retired hundreds of large flags and numerous boxes of cemetery flags from Memorial Day flagging events.

Everyone pitched in with the cooking, cleanup, retirement ceremony, parking cars,preparing the campground, setting up wood for the fire, and working the activity stations. Thanks to their assistance, and all those who joined us!

No Sunday Drum Corps practice

2011-11-20T11:45:00.001-05:00

Drum Corps reminder - Sunday drum practice has been suspended until after the holidays. We will resume in January to prepare for several spring events.

Ad Altare Dei will continue as scheduled - please check the calendar for details.

WHS Theater Company presents Hello Dolly this weekend!

2011-11-16T17:30:00.001-05:00

Please mark your calendars for the Weymouth High School production of Hello Dolly!

This play will be performed November 18th and 19th at 7:00 PM and November 20th at 2:00 PM at the Weymouth High School Auditorium.

Several of our scouts and our scout families are participating in this production and hope you can make it.

Troop 2 November & December Dates

2011-11-16T17:21:00.001-05:00

Troop 2

November & December Dates

Event -Sat Nov 19 – WHC Turkey Dinner and Troop 2 Flag Retirement Ceremony, ValleyPines – Volunteers needed to help with parking and to prepare and serve food.

v Mon Nov14 - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform

v Sat/Sun Nov 19 - 20 Camp Out Valley Pines

v Sun Nov20 - 7:30 Ad Altare Dei

v Mon Nov21 - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform

v Mon Nov28 - Gym Night, 8:00 PM First Church - No Drum Practice

v Sat/Sun Dec 3 - 4 Campout Valley Pines

v Mon Dec5 - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform

v Sun Dec11 - 7:00 PM Troop Committee Meeting - NoDrum Practice

v Mon Dec12 - 7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform

v Sun Dec18 - 7:30 Ad Altare Dei

v Mon Dec19 - 7:00 Holiday Party 7:30 Meeting – No Uniform

v Mon Dec26 - Gym Night, 8:00 PM First Church – No Drum Practice

Note: Sunday drum practices are suspended until January 2012.

Reminder - Thursday evenings: 7 PM WHC Garage – Processing returnables for redemption - Adults volunteers are encouraged to help

Troop 2 Leadership Contact Information

Scoutmaster- David Chase - 781-361-2677 - dmaychase@comcast.net

Troop Committee Chair - Brian Chase- 617-413-4437 - brian.chase1@comcast.net

Eagle scout candidate Tyler Phillips featured in the Weymouth News

2011-11-16T17:17:00.001-05:00

Eagle scout candidate Tyler Phillips appears in this weeks Weymouth News detailing the work he's been doing on the gazebo on Whitmans Pond.

Weymouth Residents can enjoy a sweeping view of Whitman’s Pond in a refurbished town gazebo on Middle Street because of a restoration project done by Tyler Phillips, 16, a Boy Scout Troop 2 member.

Tyler completed the work with his 19-year-old brother Shane and several friends to earn points for an Eagle Scout badge.

“Initially, we planned to do a paint job, but when we took a look at it, the work ended up being more than that,” said Tyler, a Weymouth High School junior.
Tyler said work on the gazebo got under way in November 2010, but the renovation was halted during the winter.

“We took the benches apart to see what needed to be repaired,” he said. “We had to put a brace on the gazebo frames to hold it in place until we began working again during the spring.”
Tyler said the entire gazebo was painted after the benches and spindles were restored.

“Tarps were spread on the ground surrounding the gazebo, and the entire structure was scraped, sanded, and power-washed to remove years of dirt and grime,” he stated in a written report to Scout leaders about the project.

More information in this report is available in the Weymouth News Nov. 16 edition. A copy of the article is on the bulletin board at the WHC as well.

Happy Birthday Jackson

2011-11-15T00:01:00.001-05:00

On the way to Sculptured Rocks

Flag Retirement and Turkey Dinner at Valley Pines

2011-11-13T20:48:00.001-05:00

What: Flag Retirement Ceremony & Turkey Dinner Cookout

Date: Saturday, November 19, 2011, 10 AM to 3 PM

Place: Valley Pines Campground, 505 Grove Street, Norwell

Hosted by: Troop 2 Weymouth
Sponsored by: The Weymouth Heights Club

Schedule of Events

10:00 - 12:00 PM: Arrival and Start time
1:00 PM: Dinner
2:00 PM: Flag Retirement Ceremony - David Chase, Troop 2 Scoutmaster

This is an all volunteer effort, and is dependent on participation from the Weymouth Heights Club, Troop 2, and Pack 2.

Volunteers are needed to arrive early in order to help with directing traffic and parking cars, preparing and cooking food, and presentation of food, as well as cleanup afterward. Please contact Charlie Clancy (WHC) or Brian Chase (Troop 2) by Friday, November 4th to sign up and help out.

All scouts and their families are invited. After the event there will be a campout which includes Troop 2 Scouts and Pack 2 Webelos.

Notes:
Scouts MUST wear their uniforms for the ceremony, and can change into street clothes afterward.
Bring your own chair.
Parking is limited, please carpool if possible.

Drive slowly (dirt road with plenty of bumps and potholes)

Please be sure to respect the neighbors lawn and yard.
Feel free to bring non-alcoholic beverages.

Troop Committee Meeting - Sunday, Nov 13th 7 PM

2011-11-12T10:00:00.001-05:00

Our next Troop Committee meeting is Sunday, November 13 at 7 PM. The agenda is below

Meeting duration – 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Meeting location – Weymouth Heights Club

Before meeting (6:45 - 7:00 PM) - please report any items for discussion under New Business to the Troop Committee Chair for review.

Time/Action

7:00   Call to Order/Opening Remarks
7:05   Circulate attendance sheet, minutes from last meeting
7:05   Approve minutes from last meeting
7:10   Scoutmaster Monthly report
7:20   Advancement through Life rank report
7:25   Eagle Scout advancement report
7:30   Merit badge update
7:35   Membership Report
7:40   Treasurers report
7:40   Fundraising report
7:45   Drum Corps report
7:50   Public relations report
7:55   100th Anniversary update
8:00   Announcement of upcoming events
8:10   New business/Open forum
8:30   Close

Veterans Day Parade

2011-11-12T09:51:00.002-05:00

Thanks to all who turned out to march in the parade, carrying a flag or a drum, and all the parents, friends and supporters on the parade route for cheering for us as we passed by. Thanks also to Tom Coughlan for volunteering to tow the trailer, and to Jay McHugh and Jim and Jack Kelley for marching with the boys. Several Webelos from Pack 2 also joioned us to help carry banners and flags. The weather was brisk and windy at times, but the scouts did a great job and the drum corps sounded fantastic.

Veterans Day Parade Reminder

2011-11-10T07:34:00.001-05:00

The Troop 2 Drum and Flag Corps is marching in the Veterans Day Parade on Friday Morning, 11-11-11.

We will meet at 9:00 AM at the Pingree school, assembling in front of the building to the right (near the playground) to put together our marching uniform. We ask that your son arrive promptly so that he can get his leggings on and be fitted for his drum or flag strap.

The parade route terminates at the Abigail Adams Middle School, and we proceed to the back of the school to put our gear away. Please plan to meet your son at the end of the parade.

Scouts must wear FULL UNIFORMS including proper pants, neckerchief, and shirt, and should dress appropriate for the weather.

We will not be issuing red wool coats or hats for this parade, so your son should wear a warm, long sleeved shirt under his scout shirt.

If your son has a short sleeved shirt he should wear a dark, solid color long sleeved shirt underneath.

Two Eagle scout Community Service projects Saturday Nov 12th

2011-11-07T21:18:00.000-05:00

Two of our Eagle candidates will be working on components of their community service requirements this weekend.

On Saturday DJ Vallier will be working at House Rock Park, which is at the end of House Rock Road in Weymouth from 10 AM until 3 PM

Also on Saturday Tyler Phillips will be working at the Gazebo on Whitmans Pond, on the Middle Street side, from 9 AM until 11 PM.

In both cases volunteers will be clearing brush, raking, trimming, and removing rubbish and debris. Volunteers should wear gloves, and bring rakes, trimmers, and other landscaping tools.

Meeting Reminder - Nov 7

2011-11-07T06:17:00.001-05:00

Reminder - all scouts must report to the meeting tonight in full uniform for pre-parade inspection. This includes green pants, scout shirt, neckerchief, neckerchief slide, and belt. Rank patches must be sewn on the uniform.

Tonights meeting begins promptly at 7:30 PM. Members of the drum corps must report at 7:00 PM for drum practice.

If you have any questions please contact Mr. Chase.

Thanks

2011-11-06T20:44:00.001-05:00

Thank you to all who helped with the preparation of Valley Pines for the Flag Retirement. Thanks to the extra help we have plenty of wood ready to go, and have cleared several areas for parking cars.

Valley Pines Work Party Sunday Nov 6th

2011-11-03T17:43:00.005-04:00

In preparation for the Flag Retirement and Cookout scheduled for Nov 19th at Valley Pines, the Weymouth Heights Club, sponsor of Troop 2 and Pack 2, will be holding a work party from 10 AM until 3 PM on Sunday, November 6th.

If you're able to stop down and help with the work, which will include cutting and preparing wood for the flag retirement campfire, cleanup of parking areas and the roadway, and removal of some trees and limbs downed during recent storms, please let Charlie Clancy or Brian Chase know. Our aim is to complete as much work as possible preparing the campground for the expected crowd of participants.

We'll have a pot of chowder and soup on, and will make grilled cheese sandwiches and peanut butter sandwiches with your choice of jelly or marshmallow fluff, and will have water and bug juice available as well.

If you have a chainsaw, brush cutting tools, goggles or eye protection, gloves, etc, please bring those along, and wear plenty of bug repellant in case of deer ticks. This is not a scout or troop event, and there is no overnight camping planned.

If you have any questions, please contact Charlie or Brian.

Flag Retirement and Cookout

2011-10-27T13:23:00.001-04:00

What: Flag Retirement Ceremony & Cookout
Date: Saturday, November 19, 2011, 10 AM to 3 PM

Place: Valley Pines Campground, 505 Grove Street, Norwell

Hosted by: Troop 2 Weymouth
Sponsored by: The Weymouth Heights Club

Schedule of Events

10:00 - 12:00 PM: Arrival and Start time
1:00 PM: Dinner
2:00 PM: Flag Retirement Ceremony - David Chase, Troop 2 Scoutmaster

Note:

Scouts MUST wear their uniforms for the ceremony, and can change into street clothes afterward.
Bring your own chair.
Parking is limited, please carpool if possible.

Drive slowly, and please be sure to respect the neighbors lawn and yard.
Please feel free to bring non-alcoholic beverages.

Happy Birthday Steven

2011-10-25T10:47:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Steven

November Dates

2011-10-25T07:46:00.003-04:00

Troop 2

NovemberDates

ALLPAYMENTS FOR SKI TRIP ARE DUE NOV 1!

· Sun Oct 30 - 7:00 PM –Drum Practice WHC

· Mon Oct 31 –No Drum Practice, No Meeting – Happy Halloween

· Sun Nov 6 - 7:00Drum Practice 7:30 Ad Altare Dei

· Mon Nov 7 -7:00Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform

Event - Fri Nov 11Veterans Day Parade, 9:00 AM Full Uniform required, meeting at PINGREE. Pleasecheck the blog for precise details on location. Scouts should arrive early toput marching uniform together.

· Sun Nov 13 -7:00PM No Drum Practice – Troop Committee Meeting

· Sun Nov 13 -7:00 Troop Committee Meeting

· Mon Nov 14 -7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform

Event - Sat Nov 19– WHC Cookout and Troop 2 Flag Retirement Ceremony, Valley Pines – Volunteers neededto help with parking and to prepare and serve food.

· Sat/Sun Nov19-20 Campout Valley Pines

· Sun Nov 20 -7:00 Drum Practice 7:30 Ad Altare Dei

· Mon Nov 21 -7:00 Drum Practice, 7:30 Meeting – Full Uniform

· Sun Nov 27 -7:00 Drum Practice

· Mon Nov 28No Drum Practice – Gym Night, 8:00 PM First Church

Reminder- Thursday evenings, 7 PM WHC Garage – processing returnables for redemption –Adults needed to assist.

Troop 2Leadership Contact Information -

TroopCommittee Chair - Brian Chase- 617-413-4437- brian.chase1@comcast.net
Scoutmaster - David Chase - 781-361-2677 - dmaychase@comcast.net

Halloween Party Recap

2011-10-25T07:41:00.004-04:00

Last night our Troop held a Halloween Party. 30 Scouts came in costume, and participated in games and a costume parade.

Photos of the night are below.

Ski Trip Dates

2011-10-24T21:27:00.001-04:00

Ski Trip money is due by November 1.

The dates for the trip are Friday, January 6 through Sunday, January 8.

All scouts attending must stay with the Troop at the Shawnee Peak House.

Any questions, contact Mr. Chase

Valley Pines Oct 22-23

2011-10-23T13:36:00.001-04:00

The campout this weekend at Valley Pines was a big success. We cleared some brush and gathered wood for the flag retirement in November. All scouts helped chop and remove small trees and branches, and worked as a team to bring wood to the fire circle.

Later we ate lunch and dinner, had a great game of "manhunt" and relaxed by the fire. Several scouts completed rank advancement work toward Tenderfoot.

Some photos are below.

Some scouts worked on a platform near the fire circle and wood pile.

While other scouts checked out the foot powered wood splitter.

Late in the day Batman, Robin and The Joker appeared to entertain the scouts with their shenanigans.

Reminder - Ski Trip Money is Due by Nov 1

2011-10-19T06:41:00.002-04:00

Reminder - Ski Trip money is due Nov. 1 - check payable to Troop 2 Weymouth

Cost is $135.00, and includes lift tickets, rentals, meals and accomodations.

Non-ski price is $35.00

All Scouts must stay with the troop at the Shawnee Peak House.

Payment can be made at the following dates:

Sat Oct 22 - Valley Pines Campout
Sun Oct 23 - 7:00 Drum Practice
Sun Oct 23 - 7:30 Ad Altare Dei meeting
Mon Oct 24 - 7:30 Meeting - Halloween Party

After Monday, Oct 24th there are no meetings or events before the Nov 1 cutoff.

Please plan accordingly to secure a space on this trip.

Monday Oct 17th meeting

2011-10-18T16:23:00.001-04:00

Our meeting on Monday had two components. 12 Scouts attended the Town Council meeting to complete requirements for Communications (work started at Summer Camp) and to kick off Citizenship in the Community merit badge. We attended a Ordinance Committee meeting, where we learned about the process of parliamentary procedure, watched deliberation in progress, and learned about an issue that impacts our community.

Afterward the scouts returned to the clubhouse, and we changed for gym night, heading over at 8 PM.

Scouts who were not working on this badge joined us for several spirited games of crackerbarrel.

Important announcements from this meeting

- Ski trip monies are due November 1st - $135.00, payable to Troop 2
- There is a campout planned this weekend (Oct 22) at Valley Pines
- The Halloween party is October 24th. There will be NO drum practice beforehand
- There is no meeting on Halloween, October 31st.

Some photos of the gym night are below.

2011-10-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

Troop 2's annual Halloween party will be held on Monday Night, October24th at the WHC.

This is a long standing tradition for our troop. Recaps andphotos of our 2009 and 2010 parties can be seen here:

http://troop2weymouth.blogspot.com/2009/11/troop-2-halloween-party.html

http://troop2weymouth.blogspot.com/2010/10/halloween-party-recap.html

Our Scoutmaster, David Chase, is seen here in the early 1980's at our Halloween Party. He's sporting a wig and fetching blue designer gown, while leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

Our historical record goes back as far as 1936 – we have ahandout from the Scout News, and in Franklin Pratt's diary from that year wesee a reference to "spent the afternoon making an effigy forHallowe'en", then a few days later an entry "Took Walter Jordan andStinson to Forty Acres this afternoon and made arrangements for the Hallowe'enparty. The Hallowe'en party was this evening. Left the clubhouse with nearlyforty boys and food for the party. Took them to the Cedar Street entrance ofFairmount Cemetery and then started them on a hike through the woods to FortyAcres. All went well through the cemetery, but then about 25 boys rushed aheadand took the wrong path. The rest of the party followed more leisurely and tookthe right road to Forty Acres. Eight of us were in the final group and lostcontact with the rest and took the wrong path and ended in a swamp. Then weretraced part of our way and finally reached Forty Acres. Then found about 25boys were missing. We started the campfire and program. Then Walter Briggs andI started back to hunt the missing boys. Found them on Cedar Street. They hadtaken the wrong path with no idea of their destination and had spent theevening wandering through the woods. We gave them a good scolding and then tookthem home. Then we went back to Forty Acres by auto and finished up the party.Had hot dogs, doughnuts, and cocoa. Then we flocked down the Dirty Gutter Roadto where the effigy was concealed. It was a most gruesome sight as it lay inthe bushes at the base of a high rock. Some of the party walked home throughthe woods but we took all we could by auto. Arrived home at aboutmidnight"

Again in 1939 Franklin details the Halloween party asfollows....

"Took Stinson and several of the Scouts to Butlers Cavethis afternoon and made final arrangements for the Halloween Party thisevening. We left Uncle Louis corpse and all our paraphernalia in Dierch's barn.Laid out a program like this: The party was to assemble at Henry Hanhisalo'shouse and go into the woods. Harold Adams was to dress as a witch and tellfortunes in the cave. Then a program of games was to follow with refreshments.I planned to tell a spooky story at the camp fire after which the party were tofile through the woods to the old Bates Tomb. Stinson’s dragon and severalspooks were to be encountered on the path. Stinson contributed a dragon made ofcanvas standing about six feet tall. The boys were supposed to enter the mouthand pass under the boys supporting the body - a sort of "hotoven". At six o'clock it started torain. The refreshments were all made and it seemed a pity to call off theparty. Finally I decided to hold the party in the Den room under the shop.There were 36 Scouts present. There was no room to play games. I went up toDiersch's and collected the props. Harold Adams had his fortune telling in thepig-pen. Mrs. Rideout provided punch and Mrs. Greer doughnuts. Then I toldEdgar Allen Poe's story of the Black Cat and passed around portions of AuntSusie's body. Then Stinson escorted the boys to the dark end of the housecellar where they were given a glimpse of Uncle Louie's corpse. Then came inspectionof the police station, and finally the boys passed through Stinson's dragon.The boys said they had a good time. Anyway, it was better than calling theparty off altogether. It was near 11:30 before I reached home after taking theboys home."

Some further photos of past Halloween Parties are below. Parties in the 1970's and early 1980's often included several skits, a ventriloquist performance by Mr. Crawford and a costume contest.

Parties in the 1990's and later included pumpkin carving, as seen below

Happy Birthday Nate

2011-10-18T00:01:00.001-04:00

Grace before meals.

We need your photos!

2011-10-16T16:17:00.000-04:00

We need your photos - shots of annual awards dinners, campouts, parades, summer camp, etc. The digital frames in the clubhouse are full of "oldies" stretching from the 1930's to about 2003 - right about when digital photo's became the norm. We don't have many photos of the troop from the mid 2000's on, which leaves a big hole in our collection.

If you have pictures to share in an electronic format that would be a big help. If you have photos on paper, that's great too - they can be scanned and added. The goal is to have one frame that is regularly updated with photos from our recent activities.

Please see Mr. Chase if you can help!

Happy Birthday Paul S.

2011-10-13T21:24:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Paul!

Reminder and Update - Troop Committee Meeting Oct 16th at 7 PM

2011-10-13T08:45:00.001-04:00

Troop Committee Update

Our next meeting is Sunday, October 16th at 7 PM. Our standard agenda is below

Meeting duration – 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Meeting location – Weymouth HeightsClub

Before meeting (6:45 - 7:00 PM) - please report any items for discussion under New Business to the Troop Committee Chair for review.

7:00 Call to Order/Opening Remarks Troop Committee Chair

7:05 Circulate attendance sheet Secretary

Circulate minutes from last meeting

Approve minutes from last meeting

7:15 Scoutmaster Monthly report Scoutmaster

7:20 Advancementthrough Life rank report Advancement Coordinator

7:25 EagleScout advancement report Eagle Committee Coordinator

7:30 Merit badge update Open

7:35 Membership report Registration Coordinator

7:40 Treasurers report Treasurer

7:40 Fundraising report Fund Raising Coordinator

7:45 Weymouth Heights Club report WHC Representative

7:50 Drum Corps report Drum Corps Leader

7:55 Public relations report Community Relations Coordinator

8:00 100th Anniversary update 100th Anniv Coordinator

8:05 Announcement of upcoming events Events Coordinator

8:10 New business/Open forum Troop Committee Chair

8:30 Close Troop Committee Chair

We are seeking volunteers interestedin participating as a member of our Troop Committee.

Traditional positions are: Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Advancement Coordinator and Eagle Committee Coordinator

New positions are: Community Relations Coordinator, Fund Raising Coordinator, Outdoor/Activities Coordinator, Transportation Coordinator, Training Coordinator, Equipment Coordinator, Religious Coordinator/Chaplain, Registration Coordinator.

All jobs are open to interested volunteers, and I urge you to consider more than one position - many of the opportunities overlap, and while dedication to the tasks is critical, most are flexible with respect to time management. Training and support will be provided.

From an organizational perspective -all members of the Troop Committee report to the Troop Committee Chair, and are expected to attend the Troop Committee Meeting, where a monthly update is delivered by each position.

There may be more than one committee member assigned to a role. Our goal is to spread the work and knowledge among several volunteers, to improve our responsiveness and prevent "overload" of a single person. The more support each position has, the better that area will function.

In that spirit, when roles are shared there is no primary or lead resource. Responsibilities and ownership are split evenly. A spokesperson or group presentation will be provided as an update at our monthly meeting.

Draft descriptions of these opportunities are below. Please review before our meeting, and present any suggestions or concerns during our open forum near the end of the meeting. The aim is to evolve our Troop Committee over a period of several months to implement these new opportunities.

Draft Descriptions

Secretary

• Keep minutes of meetings and send out committee meeting notes for approval by Monday following meeting
• At each TC meeting, report the minutes of the previous meeting

• Archive minutes, provide copies as needed, and provide a synopsis for the BLOG and email distribution by Monday following the TC meeting

Treasurer

• Handle all troop funds and bills

• Maintain checking and savings accounts
• Lead in the preparation of the annual troop budget
• Keep adequate records of expenses

Advancement Coordinator

• Encourage Scouts to advance in rank
• Develop and maintain a merit badge counselor list
• Make a prompt report on the correct form to the council service center for advancement

• Secure badges and certificates
• Work with the troop librarian to build and maintain a troop library of merit badge pamphlets

• Provide details on Life scouts forthe Eagle Committee Coordinator tracking chart
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting

Eagle Committee Coordinator

• Encourage Scouts to advance in rank to Eagle
• Coordinate the activities of Life scouts on the trail to Eagle
• Serve as point person for all Eagle related questions

• Maintain the Eagle materials,tracking changes to forms, and serve as subject matter expert for the program

• Maintain a chart detailing the Life scouts, their current merit badges, needed badges, and status of their Eagle advancement
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting

New – Community Relations Coordinator

• Handle publicity

• Prepare a family newsletter of troop events and activities
• Manage a resource list – who can help with specific badges, functions, etc
• Plan for family night programs and family activities
• Facilitate communications via the BLOG, email lists and correspondence
• Review content and materials on Web presence (BLOG, websites, calendar, Facebook,etc)

• Direct media inquiries to the correct staff

• Coordinate relationships withother Scout agencies and troops, including Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts,Venturing, and Council

New - Fund Raising Coordinator

• Promote regular participation of each member in the bottles and cans program
• Promote participation in other fund raising efforts
• Coordinate corporate giving programs
• Identify opportunities for fund raising
• Work with the Troop Treasurer, WHC Treasurer and WHC President on similar programs
• Train and supervise the troop scribe in record keeping for B&C

New - Outdoor/Activities Coordinator

• Help in securing permission to use camping sites
• Ensure a monthly outdoor program
• Promote attendance at troop campouts and summer camp to reach the goal of one outing per month
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting
• Contribute details to tour permits

• Provide education on Camping to scouts

• Maintain a Camping "knowledge base" of documentation designed to be easily executed for camping activities

New - Transportation Coordinator

• Help secure tour permits for alltroop activities
• Serve as transportation coordinator for activities

• Create and maintain a master listof all “drivers” for tour permits

• Track fuel costs, maintenance needs, and other details for troop based transportation options
• Keep adequate records of expenses
• Work with Outdoor/Activities Coordinator to anticipate transportation needs

• Transportation may include vans, boats, coordination of rides, and verification of information for Tour Permits

New - Training Coordinator

• Ensure troop leaders and committee members have opportunities for training
• Maintain an inventory of up-to-date training materials, videotapes, and other training resources
• As needed work with the district training team in scheduling Fast Starttraining for all new leaders
• Be responsible for ensuring BSA Youth Protection training within the troop
• Encourage periodic junior leader training within the troop and the council and national levels

• Assist in management of Troop library of Merit Badge booklets and training materials
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting

New – Registration Coordinator

• Facilitate re-chartering activities
• Facilitate Adult and Scout registration
• Maintain contact information for all adults and scouts

New - Equipment Coordinator

• Supervise and help the troop procure camping equipment
• Work with the quartermaster on inventory and proper storage and maintenance of all troop equipment
• Make periodic safety checks on all troop camping gear, and encourage troops in safe use of all outdoor equipment
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting

New – Religious Coordinator/Chaplain

• Provide a spiritual tone for troop meetings and activities
• Give guidance to the chaplain aides

• Maintain a non-denominational focus
• Promote regular participation of each member in the activities of the religious organization of his choice.
• Encourage scouts to earn their appropriate religious emblems.
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting

If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact Mr. Chase.

Troop 2 Leadership Contact Information -

Troop Committee Chair - Brian Chase- 617-413-4437- brian.chase1@comcast.net
Scoutmaster - David Chase - 781-361-2677 - dmaychase@comcast.net

If you have any questions orconcerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.

School Committee Meeting - We Need Parents to Participate

2011-10-11T15:33:00.001-04:00

All students at Weymouth High School are required to complete community service in order to graduate.

Currently the applicable community service excludes Scouting activities. So if you son participates as a Scout in a community service activity, such as the Herring Run Cleanup for example, he is not eligible to count those hours. However, if he participates as a "civilian" he may be able to count those hours toward his annual requirement.

To date there has been no explanation provided as to why this requirement excludes Scouting activities.

Principal Laura Stevenson will address this at the WEYMOUTH SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
on October 13, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. at the Weymouth High School – Humanities Center.

Please make an effort to attend and advocate for your son and for our Scouting program. Scouts typically perform 20-30 hours of community service on an annual basis.

October 10 meeting recap

2011-10-10T21:42:00.001-04:00

At this evenings meeting we worked on several Scouting skills, including the Square Knot and the Bowline, as well as whipping the end of a line.

We also went over the EDGE method, which is the BSA methodology used for instruction and skills learning. EDGE is an acronym for the following

Explain how it is done - Tell them

Demonstrate the steps - Show them

Guide learners as they practice - Watch them do it

Enable them to succeed on their own - Use memory aids, practice it, they teach it

Using this methodology the Senior Scouts taught the other scouts how to tie the knots we went over, and then as a group we proceeded to tie a necktie.

Important announcements at this meeting included:

- Ski trip money is due November 1st

- Next weeks meeting is a Gym Night - starts at 8 PM at the First Church (note, some scouts who are working on Communications or starting Citizenship in the Community will attend a Town Council Ordinance Meeting at 7 PM - they received a handout this evening and should watch their email for details)

- October 22 is our next campout - all scouts are urged to attend.

- October 24 is our Halloween Party

- There is no meeting October 31st

- Drum practice continues on Sunday evenings at 7 PM

Meeting Monday October 10

2011-10-10T11:51:00.002-04:00

There is a meeting tonight, Monday, October 10th at the Weymouth Heights Club. Drum practice is at 7 PM, followed by a standard meeting until 9 PM.

As a reminder - scouts are expected to wear full uniforms at all meetings unless otherwise announced.

This includes a scout shirt, scarf, neckerchief slide, pants, and a belt.

Scouts coming directly from athletic practices, etc, should plan to change into their uniform at the WHC upon arrival for the meeting.

Some meetings and events call for a "class b" shirt - this is a camp shirt or other special edition shirt issued by the troop to your son. These are not formal uniforms, and should only be worn when directed by the Scoutmaster.

If you have any questions, or if you do not have these uniform components, please see Mr. Chase.

Troop 2 Columbus Day Weekend Trip Recap

2011-10-09T18:11:00.000-04:00

Troop 2 completed the Bedford Flag Trail and the Isaac Davis Trail over the weekend of October 8 - 9. Our trip included stops along the Minuteman National Park Battle Road, and a visit to the Concord Bridge. We also passed the site where the Concord Grape was developed, and many other historic homes, including the home of Louisa May Alcott.

We camped on private land graciously arranged by a former Troop 2 scout, Eagle Scout Jon "Boots" O'Connor, and from that home base spent both Saturday and Sunday touring the area.

When we arrived to set up camp several scouts took time to investigate our campground, which included some water features and ponds. Some scouts made boats from tin foil and had a competion to see which would float the farthest in the running stream nearby.

Scouts then set up their tents and prepared their sleeping arrangements.

After that, a brief meeting with Scoutmaster David Chase, who reviewed our walking plans and expectations for the hike.

We then proceeded to the start of the trail at the Bedford Free Library and Police Station. On our hike we carried the troops Bedford Flag to commemorate the Patriots march on Concord.

One stop along the way was at Meriam's Corner

Another was at a monument to the farmers of Concord

As we entered Concord Center we stopped to rest briefly on the church stairs

And then we took a break for an ice cream at Helen's.

Finally we arrived at the Concord Bridge, where American Patriots fired their first shots at the British soldiers retreating from Lexington Green.

After we finished the hike we headed back to the campground and prepared for a Taco Dinner, campfire, and a game of Manhunt. This game was especially exciting as periodic planes and helicopters flew overhead on their way to the former airbase at Hanscom, adding a new dimension to a familiar game.

Nick worked with the scouts to get a campfire going from scratch. Later on Josh made some spectacular nachos on the grill as the scouts enjoyed the campfire and relaxed after a busy day.

There was also a sighting of Batman, in his batcave tent just after dinner as seen below. This was appropriate given the large number of bats we saw at dusk devouring mosquitos.

In the morning we had pancakes, and broke down our camp

We headed back to Concord Bridge, visited the museum there, and then headed to the Hartwell Tavern, where we saw a demonstration of period muskets courtesy of His Majesty's First Regiment, Foot Guards.

We then headed to pizza in Acton, and finished our hiking of the Isaac Davis Trail.

Our weather was wonderful, bugs were minimal, and the weekend was a blast. Many scouts were excited to see the historic battlefields and to learn more about the "shot heard round the world", and some scouts received the Kings shilling at the Hartwell Tavern after the presentation of firearms.

On a related note - this is not the first time Troop 2 has visited this site. In 1967 the troop visited as seen in the photo below - Ron Parry is on the far left in the photo:

Scouts who attended this weekend were

Jordan
Antonio
Nick C
Michael C
Tom C
Steven D
Tim J
Pat K
Dan L
Andrew M
Tim M
Josh W
Chris Z

These scouts will receive a patch for the two trail hikes at a meeting in the near future. They are also eligible to begin work on the American Heritage merit badge. Details on this badge will be available over the next few weeks.

We had a great crew of adult volunteers helping out, including Mr. Jeanjaquet who grew up in the area and was a fantastic tour guide, Mr. Coughlan who helped haul much of our gear to the camp and accompanied us on the hikes, and Mr. McCabe, who was a big help along the trails and in the kitchen.

On behalf of Troop 2 we thank you for your time and energy.

In the future we hope to hike other historic trails. Stay tuned to the BLOG for more details!

Columbus Day weekend reminders

2011-10-05T17:14:00.003-04:00

A few reminders for the weekend

- We're aiming to leave Weymouth at 8:00 AM on Saturday. If you need a ride you must let Mr. Chase know.

- Our plans include a walk of the Bedford Trail, the Isaac Davis Trail, and Minuteman National Park.

- We're staying on private property, and renting a porta potty as well as a van for the weekend. Scouts must be extra diligent to assure we respect all three items.

- Please leave cell phones and other electronics home. If you need to reach your son at any time during the weekend, contact Mr. Chase at 617-413-4437.

- This event is free of charge. Your son should bring a change of clothes, sleeping bag and pad, a jacket, bug spray, comfortable shoes, trail snacks and water. If he'd like to bring his own tent that is fine - otherwise, please let us know if he needs one, and we can provide a tent.

- Scouts must wear a Troop 2 Class B shirt on both Saturday and Sunday during our trail walk.

- Scouts must behave according to the scout law and motto during our stay, and must conduct themselves maturely and respectfully at all times.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Chase

2011-10-05T17:06:00.001-04:00

Please mark your calendars for the Weymouth High School production of Hello Dolly!

This play will be performed November 18th and 19th at 7:00 PM and November 20th at 2:00 PM at the Weymouth High School Auditorium.

Several of our scouts and our scout families are participating in this production and hope you can make it.

October Dates - Note change Oct 17

2011-10-03T10:36:00.001-04:00

Please note the date adjustments below -

October Dates:

Mon Oct 3 - 7PM Drum Practice
Mon Oct 3 - 7:30 PM Meeting - Please RSVP at this meeting for our Columbus Day Weekend Event
Thurs Oct 6 - Bottle & Can sorting and prep for redemption - We need your help with this effort.
Sat Oct 8 - Trip to Bedford Trail and Minuteman National Historic Site, overnight in Bedford
Sun Oct 9 - Trip from Acton to Minuteman, and return to Weymouth
Sun Oct 9 - NO DRUM PRACTICE
Mon Oct 10 - 7PM Drum Practice
Mon Oct 10 - 7:30 PM Meeting
Thurs Oct 13 - Bottle & Can sorting and prep for redemption - We need your help with this effort.
Sun Oct 16 - Troop Committee Meeting, 7 PM
Sun Oct 16 - NO DRUM PRACTICE
Mon Oct 17 - 7PM No Drum Practice - Gym Night
Mon Oct 17 - 8:00 PM Gym Night

Thurs Oct 20 - Bottle & Can sorting and prep for redemption - We need your help with this effort.
Sat Oct 22 - Valley Pines Campout
Sun Oct 23 - 7PM Drum Practice
Sun Oct 23 - 7:30 PM Ad Altare Dei meeting - all parents must attend for first 20 min
Mon Oct 24 - 7PM NO DRUM PRACTICE
Mon Oct 24 - 7:30 PM Meeting - Halloween PartyThurs Oct 27 - Bottle & Can sorting and prep for redemption - We need your help with this effort.
Mon Oct 31 - NO DRUM PRACTICE
Mon Oct 31 - NO WEEKLY MEETING
Troop 2 Leadership Contact Information -

Troop Committee Chair - Brian Chase - 617-413-4437 - brian.chase1@comcast.net
Scoutmaster - David Chase - 781-361-2677 - dmaychase@comcast.net

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us via phone or email, or in person at any of the events listed above.

October Dates

2011-09-29T09:02:00.002-04:00

Thanks to everyone who responded with feedback on our communication process.

As a reminder, the Troop Blog is always the best place to get timely updates and scheduling. When plans "evolve" this is where they are announced.

It's always best to check there before any event, meeting, or other function to assure there have been no changes.

Our Calendar is also available online, and has been updated to include events through the remainder of 2011.

We'll continue to send home and post on the blog reminders and excerpts from the calendar and will confirm contact information to revamp our phone tree.

And we'll do our best to get a timely email update out to our list every Thursday morning. These emails will also be posted to the blog.

Our goal is to keep everyone informed and connected.

October Dates:

Sun Oct 2 - 7PM Drum Practice
Sun Oct 2 - 7:30 PM Ad Altare Dei meeting - all parents must attend for first 20 min
Mon Oct 3 - 7PM Drum Practice
Mon Oct 3 - 7:30 PM Meeting - Please RSVP at this meeting for our Columbus Day Weekend Event
Thurs Oct 6 - Bottle & Can sorting and prep for redemption - We need your help with this effort.
Sat Oct 8 - Trip to Bedford Trail and Minuteman National Historic Site, overnight in Bedford
Sun Oct 9 - Trip from Acton to Minuteman, and return to Weymouth
Sun Oct 9 - NO DRUM PRACTICE
Mon Oct 10 - 7PM Drum Practice
Mon Oct 10 - 7:30 PM Meeting
Thurs Oct 11 - Bottle & Can sorting and prep for redemption - We need your help with this effort.
Sun Oct 16 - Troop Committee Meeting, 7 PM
Sun Oct 16 - NO DRUM PRACTICE
Mon Oct 17 - 7PM Drum Practice
Mon Oct 17 - 7:30 PM Meeting
Thurs Oct 20 - Bottle & Can sorting and prep for redemption - We need your help with this effort.
Sat Oct 22 - Valley Pines Campout
Sun Oct 23 - 7PM Drum Practice
Sun Oct 23 - 7:30 PM Ad Altare Dei meeting - all parents must attend for first 20 min
Mon Oct 24 - 7PM Drum Practice
Mon Oct 24 - 7:30 PM Meeting - Halloween Party
Thurs Oct 27 - Bottle & Can sorting and prep for redemption - We need your help with this effort.
Mon Oct 31 - NO DRUM PRACTICE
Mon Oct 31 - NO WEEKLY MEETING

Troop 2 Leadership Contact Information -

Troop Committee Chair - Brian Chase - 617-413-4437 - brian.chase1@comcast.net
Scoutmaster - David Chase - 781-361-2677 - dmaychase@comcast.net

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us via phone or email, or in person at any of the events listed above.

Troop 2 Columbus Day weekend trip

2011-09-27T09:13:00.000-04:00

Troop 2 will not be holding a Cape Cod Bike Trip this year. This change is in response to feedback received last fall from the scouts.

The Troop will return to the Cape for a bike trip next year, and will alternate subsequent years with a new event.

Our 2011 event will offer an opportunity for the scouts to spend a few days at the center of the “Cradle of the American Revolution” visiting historic sites, earning special patches for their sashes, and completing merit badge requirements simply by participating.

Details:

When: Oct 8 – 9
Where: Bedford, MA and Lexington/Concord MA, Acton MA
Our stops will include:

Lexington Green
Concord River North Bridge
Minuteman National Park and Revolutionary War museum
Bedford Flag Historic Trail
Isaac Davis Historic Trail

We will arrive on Saturday morning, set up our camp, and head out to walk the Bedford Flag Trail and explore Lexington & Concord. This walk is under 6 miles, and will take us about 2-3 hours.

Scouts who complete this leg of the trip will receive a special edition patch.

The trail ends at Concord Bridge. Much of the trail is inside the Minuteman National Historic Park, where we will review several historic sites, terminating at the Old Concord Bridge. We will have lunch at the park.
Afterward we will proceed to the campground, and have dinner.
On Sunday we will break camp after breakfast and proceed to Acton. We will then follow the Issac Davis Trail, which is also an official Boy Scout Historic Trail. This is a 7 mile trail walk, and will take about 3 hours, after which we will have lunch and return to Weymouth.

Scouts who complete this leg of the trip will receive a second special edition patch.

One goal for this trip is to complete requirements for Citizenship in the Nation and American Heritage Merit Badges.

Please check the BLOG again as we will be posting further information on this trip later this week.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Chase

Reminder - Sunday and Monday, Sept 25 and 26

2011-09-25T11:46:00.003-04:00

Sunday, Sept 25th

- Drum Corps practice - 7-7:30 WHC

- Ad Altare Dei meeting - 7:30-8:00 PM WHC

Monday, Sept 26th

- No Drum Corps practice - Gym Night

- Gym Night - 8-9 PM, First Church, Weymouth Heights (Church St.)

Valley Pines Campout Sept 23-24

2011-09-25T10:46:00.003-04:00

Our campout this weekend at Valley Pines was enjoyable. The rain stopped Friday evening, and while the skies were overcast most of the day Saturday and the woods were wet, we accomplished many things. Despite wet conditions and humidity we were able to set up a campfire and complete Firem'n Chit training for several scouts (congratulations to JB, Tom B, Antonio, Mike C, Steven D, Tim J, Andrew, Taylor, Jonathan S, Nick S, and Derek for completing the badge, and thanks to Mr. Chase and Nick C for teaching the fire starting skills). Mr, Kelley completed Leave no Trace training, and led us on a 3 mile hike after lunch. Nick C worked with several scouts to on knife and axe training, and in the process the group completed training Steve D on Totin' Chip. This group included Jordan, Joe K, Taylor, Matt W, and Derek who have all received the Paul Bunyan Woodsman award through this process.

Throughout the morning we worked on advancement skills for several scouts - as a reminder, all scouts should bring their books to campouts and to scout meetings to assure we sign off on their achievements as they are completed.

We observed quite a bit of wildlife around the campsite - many frogs and toads were seen, several small snakes, and a baby robin, likely rejected from it's nest. A photo of Matt W with one of the small snakes is below.

After all this learning and hiking the scouts made supper, played a few games, and turned in for the night. The picture below was taken just at sunrise - many scouts camped in tents around the campfire, and the older scouts slept around the campfire itself.

A big thanks to the adults who helped throughout the day, and particularly to those who stayed overnight to assure we had sufficient adult chaperones to hold the campout.

Our next Valley Pines campout will be October 22. Please mark your calendars, and plan to attend for a great time.

Valley Pines Campout This Weekend

2011-09-23T18:14:00.002-04:00

The Valley Pines campout is still on for tomorrow as planned. Scouts should bring a dry set of clothes, and may sleep inside the cabin or under the cabin overhang. Scouts are also welcome to set up tents.

Our plan is to arrive in the morning by 10 AM and set up camp, including several pop up tents to provide shelter if there is a rain event. We'll set up camp and have lunch, then we'll take a short hike to explore the campground area, review the storm damage from the recent tropical storm, and cook supper.

Adult leaders will be available to review handbooks for rank advancement tasks relating to camping and outdoor skills.

Scouts should be picked up Sunday morning by 8 AM.

Troop 2 Leadership Update

2011-09-23T18:10:00.000-04:00

As you may be aware, there have been several changes in our leadership staff over the past few weeks.

Brian Stronach, the President of the Weymouth Heights Club (our sponsoring organization) resigned in early August, and has been replaced by Charles Clancy. We greatly appreciate Brian's years of service as President, and fully support his decision to step out of his role in order to spend more time with his young family.

Charlie is a former Troop 2 Scoutmaster, Eagle Scout, and one of the founding members of Pack 2 and the first Pack 2 Committee Chair. He brings a great deal of enthusiasm and guidance to our program, and we are excited to work with him at the helm.

On the Troop side, Jim Kelley has served as Scoutmaster for two years, and Jim informed the Troop Committee of his plans to step down as Scoutmaster earlier this year. He graciously agreed to stay on as Scoutmaster through Summer Camp and our 100th Anniversary Open House, and is now ready to step down. Jim will stay on in the organization as an Assistant Scoutmaster and will continue to guide our outdoor programs. Jim's deep regard for the history and traditions of our Troop were exceptionally beneficial during our 100th anniversary celebrations.

Our new Scoutmaster is David Chase. David is a Troop 2 Eagle scout, and served as an Assistant Cubmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster. David is also the Treasurer and Property Manager for the Weymouth Heights Club, and brings a passion for advancement and achievement to the role of Scoutmaster that will serve our scouts well.

Finally, Joe Keenan, our Troop Committee Chair, retired on September 1st. Joe served as Troop Committee Chair for over two years, guiding our Troop through the planning and execution of our 100th anniversary events, helping to bring more volunteers into the organization, and consistently balancing our programming and our relationships with BSA and Old Colony Council. Joe served previously as our Treasurer, and was a long time Cubmaster with Pack 73. Joe remains an active member of our Troop Committee, and our Troop Community.

Our new Troop Committee Chair is Brian Chase. Brian is a Troop 2 Eagle scout, and served previously as Assistant Scoutmaster, Drum Corps Coordinator, and Camp Director. As Troop Committee Chair Brian is responsible for guiding the Troop Committee, an all volunteer organization, as they support the programs of the Troop. He is tasked with recruiting and training quality adult leadership for our Troop, and for carrying out the policies and regulations of the Boy Scouts of America.

With our new leadership in place the next step is to ramp up for Fall 2011. As in every new Scout year have new group of young Scouts and new parents. With these yearly changes we evaluate the challenges before us, make adjustments and plans and begin to implement them. Updating Greenbar roles for the Scouts, planning for upcoming events, and several new merit badges and other advancement opportunities are in progress, and we have an updated calendar and regularly updated BLOG in place to keep everyone informed of our plans.

Troop 2 Ski Trip to Shawnee Peak, Maine

2011-09-23T08:34:00.000-04:00

When: January 7-9th
Payment info:

Cost: $135.00 per scout (includes food, lodging, lift ticketsand rentals) – check payable to Troop 2 BSA

Due by November 1st

Details:

Please join us for theannual Troop 2 Ski Trip to Shawnee Peak, Maine. This event is loads of fun, andis well attended. We stay as a group in a single lodge, with all scouts locatedon two floors and adults on the ground floor. Adults are present at themountain and in the chalet throughout the day. Many adults also ski and are onthe slopes with the scouts. All scout participants are expected to stay withthe Troop at the Shawnee Peak House.

Our accommodations at the Shawnee Peak House are within walking distance of themountain, and we also shuttle the scouts to the base on a regular schedule.

Lodging, lift tickets, and rentals at the mountain are included in the event.Scouts can earn the Snow Sports merit badge, as well as learning to ski andsnowboard. 3 full meals per day andsnacks are available at our lodge, and we will provide a packing list forscouts before the event.

We stay right on the property of Shawnee Peak, at the Shawnee Peak House, a10-bedroom self-service guesthouse. Each room features a private bath. Thecommon area offers a fully-equipped kitchen, double fireplace, games, a bumperpool table, cable TV, DVD player, phone and WiFi.

Adults - Troop 2 Needs You!

2011-09-22T08:38:00.000-04:00

We need your help!

Troop 2needs adult volunteers willing to step up and dedicate their time and energy tothe success of the scouting program.

Our Troop is a dynamic and growingorganization, with a long history of community service and youth participation.

There are numerous ways to help. Someexamples -

- Youcan participate by helping us cook or present food at a banquet or dinner –there are two during the year - our informal dinner in September and our awardsbanquet in May.

- Youcan dive in deep and take on a role as part of our troop leadership – helpingwith the day to day running of a component of the program such as CommunityRelations or Fund Raising. Our Troop Committee meets monthly, and all parentsare welcome. New positions have been created to increase involvement.

- Youcan help us with the bottle and can redemption program. This is our primarysource of funding for our programs. Volunteers sort bottles and cans onThursday evenings at 7 PM, and the program also includes other volunteeropportunities.

- Youcan come by a Monday meeting and help us with the review of advancement forscouts, going over their books and assuring they’ve met the requirements andhave the necessary skills to move up in rank.

- Youcan teach a merit badge – virtually all interests and vocations have a matchingmerit badge. Teaching all or even part of a badge can make a huge difference.

- Youcan help our sponsor, the Weymouth Heights Club, by volunteering to maintainthe grounds or other coordinated activities inside the building (setting up forrentals, cleaning the hall, etc)

- Youcan join us on overnight campouts to assure we have plenty of adult chaperones.This is a great chance to teach outdoor skills as well.

- Youcan share your experiences with our scouts –if you’ve taken an exotic trip forexample - the scouts are a rapt audience, and enjoy a short presentation. Similarly - if you collect something, are an armchair expert on something, or have an interesting story, we'd love to hear it and share it.

- Youcan help us with internal communications, including our BLOG, emails, newspapersubmissions, etc.

- Youcan join us on our road trips, volunteering to carry equipment, scouts, orjoining us as a chaperone.

- Youcan check with friends, neighbors, co-workers, family, and others to see ifthey can donate materials (canoes, camping gear, used uniforms, etc) for thescouts to use.

- Youcan check at work to see if your employer offers matching donations or otherprograms to reward community service, or if they give paid time off forvolunteer activities or fund matching for donated time.

Some of these opportunities requireyou to complete an adult registration and CORI check. All volunteers mustcomplete Youth Protection Training.

Please see Mr. Chase if youhave any questions.

Happy Birthday PK

2011-09-22T00:33:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday Nick S

2011-09-22T00:05:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Nick

Ad Altare Dei - Religious Award

2011-09-20T08:33:00.001-04:00

Ad Altare Dei - Religious Award

The purpose of the Ad Altare Dei(Latin for “To the Altar of God”) program is to help Roman Catholic Boy Scouts develop a fully Christian way of life in the faith community. Theprogram is organized in chapters based on the seven Sacraments. The sevenSacraments are a primary means toward spiritual growth.

Participantsmust be over the age of 13, having completed the 6^th grade beforestarting the program.

Theprogram will be taught by two Troop 2 volunteers – Mrs. McCabe and Mrs.Schneider – on Sunday evenings. The program runs for several months,culminating with the presentation of the award at the Cathedral of the HolyCross.

Scoutsare encouraged to participate. A signup sheet was distributed on Sept. 19th at the Ham & Bean Dinner, anda mandatory parent/scout meeting with the counselors is scheduled for Sunday,September 25^th at 7:30 PM.

Classes will begin soon after.

Happy Birthday Jon

2011-09-20T08:23:00.000-04:00

A belated Happy Birthday to Jonathan S, who celebrated his special day on 9/11/2011.

Here we see Jon enjoying his KP duties at Summer Camp.

2011-09-19T21:43:00.000-04:00

A few group shots of our scouts this evening at the Ham & Bean supper (thank you to Lisa Davis).

Numerous camp badges were awarded. If you are missing one, please check in with Mr. Chase (so he can check the records from camp) and we'll sort it out. Some badge work remains for scouts who took Communications and for some scouts who took Public Speaking, which will be completed later this month.

A big thanks to all the adult volunteers who helped with the preparation, presentation, serving, and hall set up and breakdown.

2011-09-19T17:57:00.001-04:00

Reminder - the Ham & Bean dinner is tonight - starts at 7 PM at the WHC. Full uniforms required. Dessert is greatly appreciated.

Bottles & Cans Redemption Program - We need your help!

2011-09-16T07:06:00.001-04:00

Since 1983 our primary source of fund raising is the collection and redemption of bottles and cans. This program involves several steps, detailed below:

1. Collect the returnables - drop off boxes are located at the WHC, the North Weymouth Fire Station, and Immaculate Conception Church. Returnables can also be dropped off at the WHC on Monday nights.

2. Empty Drop Boxes/Local pickups - Drop off boxes must be emptied on a weekly basis. Also several local businesses save returnables for us, and require a periodic pickup.

3. Beer boxes - two local stores save empty case boxes required for redemption of glass bottles, which must be picked up weekly.

4. Sorting - on Thursday nights at 7 PM we meet to assemble, sort and count the returnables. This effort requires 6 to 8 adults and usually takes 2 hours with a full crew of volunteers. This is an adults only activity due to broken glass and other materials in the stream.

5. Redemption - Friday or Saturday morning all sorted and counted materials are delivered to the redemption center for processing.

This program generates the funding necessary to keep our programming costs down. We need your help to continue this program.

If you are able to pitch in and help out with any of the steps above, please see Mr. Chase for details.

Annual Ham & Bean Dinner, Monday Sept 19th at 7 PM

2011-09-15T07:44:00.001-04:00

Event: Monday Meeting (Annual Ham & Bean Dinner)
When: Monday 9/19/11 7pm – 9pm
Where: Weymouth Heights Club
Who: All Scouts and a Parent

Note: Full uniforms required.

Join us as we kick off another year of scouting. All scouts are encouraged to bring one parent to this event.

There will be no drum practice this evening.
A Ham and Bean dinner prepared by our adult volunteers will be served, and merit badges earned at camp and over the summer will be awarded. Some badges (Public Speaking and Communications) have remaining requirements and will not be awarded until those are completed later this month.

If you would like to bring a dessert to share, it would be appreciated.

Lost and Found

2011-09-15T07:41:00.000-04:00

Found - Religious Award Knot (purple square knot) at WHC after Monday meeting

Lost at camp - Light brown cot bag

Lost at camp - Hobo knife

Found at camp - clothes, towels, notebooks, and messkit pieces

Please see Mr. Chase on Monday night before or after the Ham & Bean dinner to reclaim your items.

Troop 2 Weymouth – September Dates

2011-09-13T09:30:00.001-04:00

September 12 – WHC meeting – last chance to pass in any merit badge materials from Camp for presentation at the Ham & Bean Dinner

September 15 – Adults needed to help sort bottles and cans, 7 PM at the WHC garage

September 18 – Troop Committee Meeting at 7 PM, Weymouth Heights Club

September 19 – Annual parent and son Ham & Bean Dinner and Award Presentation –
When: 7:00-9:00 PM
Where: Weymouth Heights Club
Who: All Scouts and a Parent

Full uniforms required.

Join us as we kick off another year of scouting. All scouts are encouraged to bring one parent to this event.

A ham and bean dinner prepared by our adult leaders will be served, and merit badges earned at camp and over the summer will be awarded.

If you would like to bring a dessert to share, it would be appreciated.

September 22 – Adults needed to help sort bottles and cans, 7 PM at the WHC garage

September 23 - Comedy Night

WEYMOUTH HEIGHTS CLUB
SPONSOR OF TROOP 2, PACK 2 AND GIRL SCOUT TROOP 74383 PRESENTS AN EVENING OF COMEDY, MUSIC AND DANCING

Friday, September 23, 2011 7:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Weymouth Elks
1197 Washington Street
Weymouth, MA

COST: $20.00 per ticket

September 24-25 Valley Pines Campout – Scouts should arrive at Valley Pines on Saturday morning by 10 AM, and should plan meals including a lunch, supper, and light cold breakfast. Work on rank advancement, Paul Bunyan, and other activities are planned. Scout should wear sturdy footwear for a potential hike.

September 26 - Gym Night at the First Church, 8 PM – 9 PM

September 29 – Adults needed to help sort bottles and cans, 7 PM at the WHC garage
Please check the BLOG regularly for updates on all events. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Chase

Weekly meetings at WHC start Monday, Sept 12.

2011-09-11T21:17:00.002-04:00

Our weekly meetings at the Weymouth Heights Club begin again this week at 7:30 PM.

All scouts should wear their full uniforms, and will meet from 7:30 until 9 PM.

Next Monday, September 19th, will be our annual dinner at the WHC, where we pass out badges earned at camp.

Please see Mr. Chase if you have any questions.

100th Anniversary Event Sept 10-11

2011-09-09T08:18:00.003-04:00

As a reminder, Troop 2 is continuing the celebration of our 100th anniversary with a display of historic items this weekend at the Immaculate Conception Parish Center.

The hall will be open to visitors from 4:30-8 on Saturday and 10:30 to 6 on Sunday.

Former members of the troop, families, and friends of Troop 2 are expected to drop in at this event.

All scouts are encouraged to attend, and should be in full dress uniform with sashes.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Chase.

Digital Picture Frames

2011-09-07T09:59:00.002-04:00

If you have a digital picture frame that you can loan to the Troop for display of photos at the 100th anniversary celebration, please contact Mr. Chase.

Happy Birthday Brian C

2011-09-07T00:01:00.001-04:00

Happy 18th !

100th anniversary set up

2011-09-06T16:04:00.003-04:00

If you're available Wednesday evening or Friday evening at 7 PM to help set up materials for the 100th anniversary event this weekend, please meet at Immaculate Conception Parish Center.

We'll be setting up tables, hanging banners and flags, and setting up decorations in advance of the weekends event.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Chase.

Happy Birthday Andrew

2011-09-06T00:34:00.003-04:00

Cliff Island 2011