Announcements & Updates

IMPORTANT: High Adventure 2008 requirements signup meeting has been posted for Tuesday June 24, 7-8pm at the Congregational Church, Holden

Please see the High Adventure page for important late breaking details!

Link to High Adventure 2008 Sign-up Page: Please print and return  section(s) pertinent to you at the Tuesday June 24 meeting.

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14JUN Trail Cleanup . meet 8:00am at the church . bring tools: loppers, shovels, buckets ... and your normal stuff, like bug spray, hat, boots and be dressed for trail work.

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Tuesday, Jun 10,
We will be meeting at the church at 630, please be on time.  We will be canoeing at Ware River so be sure to bring a bathing suit, a towel, bug spray, and so on.

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Spencer's Eagle Ceremony is coming up next Monday, June 9. All Eagle Scouts (adults included) - Please wear your Eagle Medal the night of this Court of Honor. You do not need to be wearing a boy scout uniform. If you know any Eagle Scouts not on this distribution, please let them know to wear their medal.

Scouts be at the church by 6:00pm in full uniform.

Event begins at 7:00pm.

Bring a desert (no brownies).

Please RSVP to DMaly@ALLEGROMICRO.com so we can get a headcount!

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Tuesday, Jun 3,
We will be meeting at the church at 630, please be on time.  We will be canoeing at Long Pond so be sure to bring a bathing suit, a towel, bug spray, and so on. 

As a reminder, there will be a PLC at the church this Thursday, June 5 at 7pm.

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The Mid-State Trail clean-up is postponed to a later date TBD.  Here are the upcoming events:

3JUN    Tuesday meeting - meet at the church at *6:30pm*.  Will be canoeing at Long Pond.  Prepare to be on the water - bring bathing suit, towel, bug spray, etc.

4JUN    Committee meeting - 7:00pm at the church.

5JUN    PLC meeting - 7:00pm at the church
 

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Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26
10:15 at the Senior Center
. full uniform
. no hats
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Mid-State Trail
Tuesday, May 27
6:30 at the church
Clean up trail - dress appropriately.  No tennis shoes.  Stay dry.
Bring equipment.  For example,
. headlamp
. bug spray
. hat
. gloves
. muckax
. shovels
. loppers
. saws

The hike is coming up two weekends from now.  We'll drive to Rutland State Park and camp at Treasure Valley.

Meet at the church at 9:00am on Sat the 17th.

Prepare by bringing your packed backpack next Tuesday.  Remember to come early:  6:50.  New England Backpacker will be doing a presentation - parents are encouraged to attend.  Packs should be 25% of your body weight at most.  Contact your patrol leader to inform whether you're going or not.

Notes from your scoutmaster: 
"The emphasis is on well packed  packs, simple meals definitely a one pot
(couscous, Ramen noodles,  packaged chicken, etc) , easy cleanup dinner 
trail lunches;  simple,  easy pack breakfast ( suggest granola, dried
fruit and powdered milk in a small ziplock bag, just add a little cold
water). Patrol crackerbarrels would be nice

The patrol leaders need to remember to split up food, 1 stove, and the
tents between tent mates,  adults will help the younger boys get all
their gear out there.

Remember all the usual stuff, especially  rain gear, remember layers
instead of bulk winter clothes, /*stay away from cotton.*/ Don't forget 
bug spay and especially water,  usually you'll  bring  2 Nalgene,  add
an extra bottle of water to stay hydrated and for cooking. Any questions
call a senior patrol member or an adult leader"

And here are some upcoming events.

13May           regular meeting, be there by 6:50pm
17-18May        hike and campout
?May    camp registration due
20May   church cleanup
27May   Mid-State Trail cleanup
9Jun            Spencer's Eagle Court of Honor
6-12Jul summer camp - Wanocksett

12Aug   prep rope bridge
19Aug           prep rope bridge
23Aug           rope bridge - Holden Days

First half of August:  High Adventure
1Nov            West Point

Deer ticks live in ground cover, so they get on your legs and climb upwards.  Check your whole body for ticks and have your parents check your hair.

Here are the upcoming events.

Sunday, April 27:  "Carnival" at Trout Brook - hosted by the White Oak Land Conservation Society (http://www.whiteoaktrust.org/events.html).  I'll be there, as well as a few others.  It will be a nice day to get outdoors - but also should be plenty of opportunity to get volunteer time in if you need it for advancement.  Send me an email ahead of time if interested (dmaly@allegromicro.com) and I'll coordinate volunteers with White Oak.

29APR   T               6:30pm at Trout Brook - Dutch oven cook-off
 1MAY   Th              first Thursday:  PLC meeting 7:00pm at the church
 3MAY   Sa              Field of Flags,  9:00am, check for details
 6MAY   T               regular meeting
 7MAY   W               first Wednesday:  committee meeting, 7:00pm at the church
13MAY   T               regular meeting
17MAY   Sa              5 mile hike starting in Paxton

Tuesday, April 15,
Due to many baseball games, the trip to Cooper's Town may be canceled.  However, there will still to be a footlocker inspection on Tuesday.  BRING PACKED
FOOTLOCKERS!!! 
IF we are going to Cooper's Town, we will be working on the duty roster and menus for
the trip. And IF we are going, here is some information concerning the trip:
-meet at church on Saturday, April 19 @8am
-leave church @9am, 4 hour drive
-Sunday visit Baseball Hall of Fame, walk around town->bring $$
-Monday: TBD, return to church at night
*More information will be given out on Tuesday's meeting.

Tuesday April 8....
is the Cook-Off! So far Ben H, Maison, Ryan P, Chris, Nick L, Greg, Me, Ben D, Parker, and Jason are expected to be attending the cook-off.  Yet, any others whom would like to attend may do so.  Please bring everything you may need - you will only be provided with a stove and pot.  Also, everyone should bring eating utensils.  While the contestants are cooking, everyone else will be inside determining the duty rosters, menus(?), and/or doing advancement.

On Tuesday April 1,
we will be having a Cooking Instruction that will include stove safety, recipes for one-pot meals, and camp sanitation.  Also, there will be a competition where each patrol will be provided with a pot filled with water.  The goal will be for each patrol will be to boil their pot of water first.  Be sure to know how to operate lightweight stoves and wear your Class A uniforms. 

All parents are invited to the Committee Meeting this Wednesday, 7:00pm at the church.

As a reminder, there will be a PLC at 7pm Thursday, April 3.
 

A Court of Honor will take place on Tuesday, March 25. Please show up at 650pm that night. Pizza and soda will be provided. All scouts are encouraged to wear their full uniform(Class A).
 

The Spaghetti Dinner is coming this Saturday (March 8, 5-7 pm)!  Time to sell the rest of your tickets!! Scouts need to be onsite at the Lutheran Church by 3:30pm Sat, wearing your Class B for setup and preparation, and bring your Class A to change into for serving dinner. Be sure and bring your 2-3 dozen dessert items i.e. cookies, cup cakes, brownies....

Regular troop meeting on Tuesday, March 4th.

Committee Meeting on Wednesday, March 5th.

Tom called a PLC meeting on Thursday, March 6th.

Here are some notes about swimming tomorrow (Feb 26).  Please call Rod (508-951-4459) if you can help driving.  Pickup time at the church will be around 9:30pm or so.  If you want to pick up your son earlier at the Y, please call Rod.

*This Tuesday Feb 26, Swimming night at the Main St Y plan to meet at
the church at 7pm, we may need extra drivers. Class B uniforms OK (Troop
180 T shirts), wear bathing suit under clothes, bring a towel, etc. In
addition to free swim , we will be offering at least second class
swimming advancement:. If you have Swimming Merit Badge, you've already
done this as part of the badge. If you are going to summer camp, this
would be good practice because we want you to get the complete Swimming
Merit badge at camp. Read up on these reqs in your book
*

    *7 b. Demonstrate your ability to jump feetfirst into water over
    your head in depth, level off and swim 25 feet on the surface, stop,
    turn sharply, resume swimming, then return to your starting place. *
    *c. Demonstrate water rescue methods by reaching with your arm or
    leg, by reaching with a suitable object, and by throwing lines and
    objects. Explain why swimming rescues should not be attempted when a
    reaching or throwing rescue is possible, and explain why and how a
    rescue swimmer should avoid contact with the victim.*

*If we have time and opportunity we'll do First class:

*

    *b. Successfully complete the BSA swimmer test
    <http://meritbadge.org/index.php?title=BSA_Swim_Test>. *
    *c. With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as
    tender and rescuer. (The practice victim should be approximately 30
    feet from shore in deep water.)*

      Swimmer Test

    * Jump feet first into water over the head, level off, and begin
      swimming.
    * Swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the
      following strokes: side, breast, trudgen, or crawl. Swim 25 yards
      using an easy, resting backstroke.
    * The 100 yards must be completed without stops and must include at
      least one sharp turn.
    * Rest by floating…Long enough to demonstrate ability to rest when
      exhausted.

Troop 180 upcoming events
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Some notes on selling tickets:  Your goal is to sell all 20!  Time to get selling - the spaghetti dinner is coming up soon:  March 8.

        o can ask friends, family and neighbors
        o write down buyer information on ticket stubs, including emails
        o price:  $7/person, $5/seniors
        o collect the money up front
Also, all are to bring 2 dozen desserts per family (no brownies).
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There is a hike this Sunday (Feb 24) at Trout Brook
. meet in the parking lot at 1:00 (plan to last about 2 hours)
. prepare:
        o daypack
        o snacks
        o water
        o compass
        o dress appropriately
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It looks like we have the chance to reserve the pool at the Y in Worcester on Main Street.
. date:  next Tuesday, Feb 26
. if you need 1st or 2nd class advancement, read up on it in your book AHEAD of time
. parents may need to sign forms - stay posted
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(September TBD 2008) Camping at West Point

(July 6 - 12, 2008) BSA Summer Camp.

(May 17 - 18, 2008) Five mile hike, Rutland to Treasure Valley.

(April 19 - 21, 2008) Trip to Cooperstown and spelunking.

(March 11, 2008) Court of Honor.

(March 8, 2008) Annual Spaghetti Supper and BSA Silent Auction, Immanuel Lutheran Church, (508) 829-4416, 346 Shrewsbury St, Holden 5-7PM.

(February 20, 2008) Scout Committee Meeting, 3rd WED of this Month. We would like all parents to attend. 7-8pm at Congregational Church Holden.

(February 16, 2008) Cross Country Skiing

(February 12, 2008) Troop180 Open House Congregational Church, Holden, MA,  start 7PM, Come see and hear about what activities/adventures troop180 is involved in.

(February 10, 2008) Scout Sunday at Holden Congregational Church, start 9:30AM.

(January 31, 2008)  BSA PLC, start 7pm.

(January 31, 2008) Adults work on BSA strorage room in church basement, start 7pm.

(January 27, 2008) Pizza Party 5PM.

(January 26, 2008) Klondike Derby held at Treasure Valley, Rutland, starts 8-9AM. Meet at Holden Congregational Church for departure Saturday 7:30AM.

(January 16, 2008) Scout Committee Meeting, 3rd WED of this Month. We would like all parents to attend. 7-8pm at Congregational Church Holden.

(January 12 & 13, 2008) Campout at Trout Brook with Cub Scouts. Meet at Trout Brook Saturday 10AM.

(December 18, 2008) Cooking, work on skits and other prep for Klondike Derby.

(December 11, 2007) D.A.R.E. Program, at the Baptist Church with Troop182, next door to the Congregational Church in Holden. 7PM.

Sad News! Obituary for former scout, James Bartlett Lehans : http://obit.milesfuneralhome.com/obitdisplay.html?id=485745&listing=Current.  James and his brother Phillip were scouts for many years with troop180 when Scoutmaster Rod Callahan's older son Ian was in. And Tom, James' dad was the treasurer for many years.

(November 27th 2007) Setup nativity Scene, Congregational Church in Holden.

(November 17&18 2007) Campout at Miles Standish State Park and rock climbing at Carabiner's Climbing Walls, New Bedford, MA,
Location: 328 Parker Street, New Bedford, MA, 02740 directions
Phone:(508) 984-0808

To Participate in climbing: Scouts Need to bring Climbing permission form filled out, And if parent(s) not attending Scout Needs PhotoCopy of Parent License. Forms can be found here: http://www.carabiners.com/waiver.pdf or by searching on the Carabiner's Indoor Climbing, New Bedford, MA web site: http://www.carabiners.com Wear Comfortable clothes, long pants.

(November 10th 2007) Annual racking leaves at Church. Bring your rake(s). We will have coffee, cocoa, donuts... meet at church 9AM.

(November 9th 2007) Wreath order forms due. Please have these in so we can order and deliver on time!

(November 8th 2007) PLC at Church, 7pm.

(November 7th 2007) Troop180 Committee Meeting, Congregational Church, Holden, Wednesday, Nov 7th 7pm.

(November 6, 2007) Meet at church at 6:30pm and leave directly for Worcester Main Street YMCA Climbing wall. Scouts Need to bring Climbing permission form filled out, And if parent(s) not attending Scout Needs PhotoCopy of Parent License. Wear Comfortable clothes, long pants.

(October 13-14 2007) Annual District Camporee.

(October 3rd 2007) Troop180 Committee Meeting, Congregational Church, Holden, Wednesday, Oct 3rd 7pm.

(September 28-30 2007) Campout at Nickerson State Park and bike the Mid-Cape Rail Trail.
Leave from Congregational Church, Holden, 5pm Fri 9/28. Bring Safe/fully working bicycle,
with good brakes and appropriate Helmet!

$ for summer camp (early bird  $295) July 8 - 14 is due very
soon. We would like to have it  this Tuesday if possible. Remember
Health form and if necessary physicals. Call Dave or Rod with questions.

May 15  6:30 pm leave church by 6:45. Agenda : One more trail
maintenance day, this time from Barre Falls Dam side.  Just a reminder
that this is a Troop 180 responsibility given to us by Bob Elms and we've
been doing a good job and having fun.   Boys should call their patrol
leaders if they are not coming.

May 22  6:45 pre opening at church.  Agenda:  Bring dues money,  Menus
for June 2nd campout   (currently  either Judd Park  or possibly Tully
lake in Ashburnham). Assemble picnic tables for the pre school,  Usual
other fun and excitement.

May 29  6:45 pre opening at church. Agenda: Bring dues money.  Pack
inspection, patrols bring food, Map and compass skill instruction and
game. Usual other fun and excitement.

June 2nd-3rd campout   (currently  either Judd Park  or possibly Tully
lake in Ashburnham).

June 5  6:45 at Eagle lake Canoeing.

June 12  Canoeing Ware River off  Rt 122 Barre/Oakham. Probably meet at
church.

June 19  6:45 pre opening at church. Agenda: Ice Cream Social, games
night.  Wanocksett discussion.
 

April 15-16 2007 Isaac Davis Camporee and Acton Minutemen March, Patriots Day weekend April 15-16 2007

For details see: http://troop1acton.org/idc/main.shtml

Scout Sunday

Scout Sunday is February 11th-Scouts must be at the Church @ 9:30 in full uniform. Church Service starts at 10.

Court of Honor

Court of Honor is February 27th.

Spaghetti Supper/Silent Auction

Spaghetti Supper/Silent Auction is March 11th-This is at Emanuel Lutheran Church on Shrewsbury St. Boys should report at 3PM for set up and be in full uniform. The first seating for dinner is 5 PM.

The Troop Visits The US Naval Academy at Annapolis MD and tours Washington DC. 

Nine scouts and three adults rented a 14 passenger van and spent April vacation camping on the Chesapeake Bay shoreline. They visited many monuments and museums including the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and the National Archives

Trail Cleanup and campout

The troop lived up to its commitment to maintain a section of the Mid State Trail clearing nearly 2 miles during a 2 day campout on March 24-26. This service project honors the memory of Mr Elms

Andy and Mike make Eagle!

We had a good crowd on  hand March 3 for Andy and Mike's Eagle Court of Honor. Citations came from every entity from State House of Representatives, presented by our Rep Lew Evangelidis, to the White House. Mr. Swanberg reprised his roll as emcee and kept the night rolling along to a great success.

The Annual Troop 180 Annual Spaghetti Supper and Silent Auction a big success!

Thanks to all the merchants for donations, the families for selling tickets and  especially the parents and and other adult leadership who planned and cooked for the event. Thanks for making the '06 event another big success!

Date change for summer  camp at the Wanocksett Experience now July 9-15, more info to follow.

Troop Meetings,  November

Get your woolies ready for some cool weather camping.

Start digging out your wool socks and  polypro, we'll be doing some cool (not cold) weather camping, However, climbing is the theme For November, your PLC thought they'd bring back climbing for a change of pace. November 15 and 22 will be off site meetings at the Y to use their climbing wall, we will meet at the church at 6:30 wear "class B" t shirts and long pants. Climbing month will end with a campout/trip to Carabiner's in New Bedford. The largest indoor climbing gym in the US check out www.carabiners.com . The campout will take place on Dec 3/4, we will be using Adirondack type shelters at a scout camp in Myles Standish State Forest. We will then travel about 1/2 hour to New Bedford to Carabiners. After Carabiners we will head back to Myles Standish St Forest continue the campout, returning Sunday late morning -early afternoon.

Patrol leaders, get your menus ready, 1 travel lunch, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast.  Need help talk to a leader!

Also, leaves are finally coming down so we will probably be doing the church clean up this Saturday 11/19 and/or next Saturday 11/26

Bring in your dues, the troop does not live on crab soccer and dodgeball alone! Also Merit Badge write ups from this summer!!!!! get them in!!!!!

Rope Bridge 2005

It seemed that every kid in the five town area went over the rope bridge this year. Both Troop 180 and Pack 180 took advantage of the beautiful day to pass out recruitment materials. The boys did very well with their lashings. (thanks to Tom for the monster tripod!)

Canoe Trip,Ft Kent ME July 30-August 3  2005

Six boys and four adults went off for a five day trip near the Canadian border. Thanks to the generosity of Mr and Mrs Petersen we had a base camp to explore the five interconnected lakes and do some remote camping. One moose,  many  Eagles and a lot of paddling, 8-9 miles per section. We finished off the trip with a stunning and exciting 15 mile trip down the rapids of the Penobscot  with the Northern Outdoor rafting company.  Swimming and canoeing merit badges were required and scouts had to be First Class or with special permission of the Scoutmaster.

Summer Camp June '05

Troop 180 attended summer camp at a new venue this year. Eight boys tested out Camp Wanocksett  in Dublin NH and came away with very favorable reviews, especially for the staff. Lots of merit badges and advancement. Thanks to the 180 parents who came out to support the boys. The boys came away with the camp's Red Lantern award for spirit. It rained quite a bit but that didn't dampen their enthusiasm and the food was very good!

Mr. Elms  passes away

Sadly, the expected happened this past weekend as Bob Elms passed on at his home. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary and their sons.  Mr Elms' dedication to scouting and Troop 180 in particular can be summed up this way:  he was laid to rest wearing his scoutmaster's uniform. His commitment to scouting only begins to scratch the surface of all his endeavors. We have not begun to miss him.

A memorial service will take place at First Congregational Church at 1pm on Saturday June 4.  The family has requested that the scouts take part in the service. All 180 scouts should be at the church at 12:15 in Class A uniform (pressed scout shirt, shorts, knee socks, belt and HIKING BOOTS, Mr Elms has requested the hiking boots. If you don't have a full uniform, there are some shorts in the troop room. Now would be a good time to get one.

Ice Cream and canoes

Bring the family for the annual Troop 180 Ice cream social at Eagle Lake 6:30 Tuesday Ju

Check Mt Greylock off the list

Of course,  it was raining May 21 as a group of younger scouts led by Andy hiked to the shelter on Massachusetts' highest peak where they set up camp and then summitted. The state park is traversed by the Appalachian Trail and is a traditional trip for 180 boys.
 

 Citizenship month featured beautiful weather for a 5 day trip camping on the battlefield at Gettysburg. McMillan Woods is on Seminary Ridge,  a few steps from the beginning spot of Pickett's Charge.  The 15 passenger van came in handy as our tour guide spent one morning explaining the details and far reaching implications of the pivotal 3 day battle. Caving at night in Devil's Den seemed to be a highlight as well as the Ghost Tour in the town. The eight boys and three adults ate very well, dinners featured dutch oven pizza, shish kabob,  box oven pineapple upside down cakes,  and some standard camping dishes as well. It was a great opportunity to work on Citizenship in the Nation Merit badge and other advancement. Swimming, minigolf and a trip to an "all you can eat"  Chinese buffet rounded out the trip. Watch out for the orbs! "How much energy did that take

Weather conditions turn back climbers

Mark Dubois, former Scoutmaster and intrepid outdoorsman led three of the older scouts (Mike, Spence and Andy) along with Mr. Janik, Mr. Henderson and Troop 180 Eagle alum, Derrick Henderson on an attempt at a 4000 ft peak in the Whites (Passaconaway) on April 2nd. The heavy rains and snowpack conditions forced the group back down the trail before they could summit.  Fortunately the Tilton Diner was on the way!