Troop 353 Putnam Valley

The day was perfect.  A large group of us appeared at the VFW just prior to 10:00AM, collected our instructions on Harriman State Park and departed just slightly after the hour.

We parked on the side of the road and collected our packs and went to the gated access road a short distance from our cars.  Once we did a quick headcount  – 21 in total – we entered the forest.  Although overgrown, we saw the ruins of ORAK mansion, a gatehouse, and retaining walls and columns.  We stayed to the left of the active transmission tower and private property and proceeded deeper into the woods, following the yellow markers on the trees and rocks, which guided us along the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail (S-BM).

We found the Jackie Jones Fire Tower and took turns climbing the stairs and gazing all around – above the treetops.  Though the tower is perhaps, 60 foot tall, the top observation house was locked and we could only proceed up to the last landing.  Once everybody got their chance, we hydrated and were off again towards our next destination, Big Hill Shelter, but before leaving, we spied a SKUNK waddling thru the forest.  We wanted to stay far way from him, because these guys are nocturnal and should not be out in the middle of the day – which means he could have been sick.

Big Hill Shelter is a stone constructed lean-to house facing South towards the NYC skyline.  When we arrived, there was a thru-hiker having lunch who spoke with us about his travels and took pictures, for our website, of our entire crew.  It was here we sat down and enjoyed lunch.  While eating, some of our scouts wandered around investigating and discovered a Copperhead snake curled up.  Some scouts stayed back a distance, took photos and before long it disappeared into the leafy underbrush.

Now we change pace, heading down the mountain, in parts retracing our path and return to our vehicles.  It was a great hike to an area we had never been to before.  Flowering mountain laurel and lush green leaves of the forest surrounded us.  The day was fantastic, the weather totally agreeable and this hike was a memorable one.  We enjoyed having many of our new scouts and their parents join us – and look forward to many more.

*Photos are being added onto the ‘photo gallery’. Will advise when posted. If anyone has photos to share, please email them to Mrs. Victoria Feuerstake at <feuer3hm@optonline.net>

Please Note:  Next week's meeting (Tuesday, June 7th) will NOT be at

the VFW.

We will be meeting at the Roaring Brook Waterfront - A Swimming,

Fishing and Boating Facility located off of Pudding Street - an exit

on the Taconic Parkway

- North of Peekskill Hollow Road.  ScoutMaster Eliopoulos

(646) 739-3985 is a member of the Homeowner's Association and there is

a picnic area we will be use.

Please plan on having dinner with us at 7PM.  

Mr. and Mrs. Ulrich (Commander of the VFW and his wife) generously

donated money to recognize Will Gallo and all the volunteers who assisted

in completing his Eagle Scout Project at the VFW.  Originally we planned

to have a pizza/ice cream party at the VFW, but Mrs. Gallo has changed it up.

We will BBQ -  Hot dogs and Hamburgers at the dam. Please call Patrick

(senior patrol leader) (845) 284-2205 or Mrs. Gallo (845) 526-2542 to

confirm attending.  We need a headcount.

Donation:  The PTSA has organized a Care Package Drive for Marines

serving overseas in Afghanistan.  Please *find attachment in your email

of a list of items which would be appreciated by our troops.  It is

Mrs. Gallo's request to bring a DONATE with you to our picnic so that we

can donate as a TROOP to our Troops.

Thank You and Hope to see you there

*Call Mrs. Gallo if you don’t see attachment on your email.

**REMINDER: This weekend Sunday, June 5th – Hike

We will be hiking in Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks on SUNDAY – JUNE 5TH. We plan to hike a trail to the ORAK Ruins, climb the Jackie Jones Fire Tower (if weather permits) and lunch at the Big Hill Shelter.

[See May 2011 Archive for "June Event" detail of the hike]

Saturday – May 21, 2011

We are camping out at Durland Scout Reservation (previously known as Clear Lake) on Oscawana Lake Road (previously known as Clear Lake). Site #32, which was discussed at last evening’s meeting by our Senior Patrol Leader – Patrick O. This is a rank requirement for our newer scouts. You need to pitch a tent and sleep over night – remember scouts do not need a tent to themselves. If you want, talk amongst yourselves and have 3 or 4 guys pitch in together – it’s MORE FUN. Bring your Boy Scout Handbook, we can sign off on your accomplishments as they happen.

Parents: Site #32 on attached map indicates there is a 1/2 mile hike in from the Sperling Center at the bottom of the road. The site can accommodate 30 tents. Parking at the site is limited to 2 – 4 cars and would have to share with Site #33. Adult participation is encouraged, but not required as a number of our leaders have volunteered their time.

Saturday’s lunch, dinner and Sunday breakfast has planned – the scouts will do the cooking. If you have a food allergy, please let us know in advance. A few of our older scouts plan on making “monkey bread” and brownies.

If you are playing a sport or have practice during the day on Saturday, it is important to call Patrick and let him know WHEN to expect you – you need to participate with the Troop. When you come to Durland, please stop at the CampMaster’s building and check in and wait for instructions if Please pack appropriately and watch the weather channel.

Monday, May 30th – Memorial Day Parade

Monday, May 30th we will be participating in our annual Memorial Day Parade at Town Hall. The Troop should be dressed in their Class A Uniform (neckerchief, shirts) – NO SHORTS. As always, we have been asked to be there around 10:30am to assist in setting up chairs for the guests. The Parade starts at 11AM and is generally one hour in length. Since school is off that day everybody should participate.

Tuesday, May 31st – Pizza & Ice Cream Party
Mr. & Mrs. Ulrich has asked us to have a pizza and ice cream party – and has generously funded the party. They have asked it to be held as a THANK YOU to “thank one and all” for the hard work done on Will Gallo’s Eagle Scout Project – the sidewalk at the VFW. ALL are requested to attend – adults alike – you are part of this Troop. Please call Mrs. Gallo or let Will know how many people will attend so that we can order appropriately.

Sunday, June 5th – Hike

We will be hiking in Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks on SUNDAY – JUNE 5TH. We plan to hike a trail to the ORAK Ruins, climb the Jackie Jones Fire Tower (if weather permits) and lunch at the Big Hill Shelter.

The hike has been described as moderate in difficulty, a distance of approximately 4.5 miles RANK REQUIREMENT indicates 5 miles (perhaps Mr. Feuerstake can bring his GPS which will calculate our distance) – this should take us about 3.5 hours to complete depending on the time spent at the Fire Tower and lunching at Big Hill Shelter.

We will climb to the top of Jackie Jones Mountain and perhaps the steel fire tower. The tower, built in 1928, is 60-foot high and it offers a panoramic view of the Hudson River area.

We will continue a short distance and climb to Big Hill Shelter, built in 1927. At this stone shelter we will have our lunch and on a clear day we should have a visible view of the New York City skyline.

The details of this hike and directions attached for your benefit. The whole family can participate. We can meet at the VFW at 10:00AM.

Let’s have some FUN.

June 17 – 19 – Annual Canoe Trip

Our Annual Canoe trip is planned for Friday, June 17, 18 and leaving to return home the morning of the 19th down Ten Mile River. We have reservations for our camp at the Arch Bridge site in Narrowsburg, New York. This is part of the BSA Greater New York Council – Ten Mile River Scout Reservation. We have a nice site close to the river where our paddling ends.

Please check your calendars and advise us if we should reserve a canoe, a kayak or a raft for you and your family. It’s usually a great weekend and we have a wonderful time. We will be asking for a headcount. Hope to see you there.

This is the link to obtain the NEW medical form needed for all boys and parents attending summer camp. Please have it filled out and signed by both you and the scout’s physician. These can be collected once completed, but PRIOR to going to Summer Camp. Thank you.

http://www.wpcbsa.org/Download/WPCMedical.pdf

I would be thoughtless if I did not follow-up and request application fees and Camp Scholarship Forms for Summer Camp. I was unable to attend the Climbing last week, but need to ask ALL parents to get these items to me as soon as possible.

I will be at the VFW this evening, May 3rd collecting forms. I look to forward them to Council this week. Please make it a point to come and meet with me or send a check and the form with your son this evening. Thank you.

Attached is the Scholarship form if you have not already filled one out.

Thank you for your assistance.
Mrs. Susan Gallo

April 2011

Tuesday, April 12
Final practice for upcoming Eagle Scout Ceremony. Continue to work on Merit Badges.
Bring your Class A Shirt for final review and your scout book.

Saturday, April 16
Andrew’s Eagle Scout Ceremony, PV Fire Department .
Full Troop is requested to be present dressed in Class A Uniforms.
Scouts, please be there at 11:30AM to help with final set up.

SPRING BREAK – Monday, April 18 – April 22nd
Assist Will G with his Eagle Project at the VFW – installation of a New Walkway.
Volunteers needed. He will contact you and you can volunteer your time – this counts towards your required Scout or High School service time. We all benefit from service time.

Tuesday, April 26 & Wednesday, April 27
Climbing at The Cliffs in Valhalla. Cost is -$30 per scout.
The Troop is picking up the additional $30. This class is to earn the Boy Scout Climbing Merit Badge. This is an outing for those boys who already possess the skills and would like climb.

Our Troop is going to Summer camp at Curtis S. Read Scout Camp located at Brant Lake in the Adirondacks during the week of July 10 – 16th.

The Westchester-Putnam Council website www:wpcbsa.org can show you what is offered. If you search under CAMPING and then go to Boy Scout Summer Camp program you will find the programs offered. It is in this section you will find the required Medical form for your physician’s signature and the Camp Scholarship Form.

Those scouts who are interested, you need to return the completed Camp Scholarship Form on or before Tuesday, April 26th with a check in the amount of $50 made payable to TROOP 353. Please give them to Mrs. Gallo to secure your place at summer camp. The Troop will forward to Council all forms simultaneously for their review and consideration. Your information will remain confidential.

The troop must have all camp fees paid by June 1st or there is a price increase. The full cost of summer camp is $345.

Attached is a schedule of Merit Badges and times available during summer camp.Summer camp is exciting and you can quickly earn a variety of merit badges in a short period of time. SHOTGUN Merit Badge now has a Minimum age of 13.

It would be helpful if you sat down with your parents, listed the badges you would like to earn and then discussed the schedule with Scoutmaster Eliopoulos.

Schedule of Merit Badges 2011

Andrew’s Eagle Scout Ceremony

Andrew O’Grady has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. His Eagle Ceremony is planned for Saturday, April 16, 2011 and will be held at 1PM in the Putnam Valley Fire House.

Invitations have been sent out and the O’Grady’s have requested the Troop to come as well and to bring your families, as there will be a reception that follows. Please RSVP so they can have a final head count.

Remember, many scouts have been asked to participate and have specific roles in the ceremony. The Troop is requested to meet at the Fire House that day at 12:00 noon, looking sharp in our Class A Uniforms to help in setting up this event..

This is a HUGE accomplishment for Andrew and we are PROUD of him. Please attend and make this ceremony special for Andrew and his family. Thank you.

SUMMER CAMP:

Even though its winter we need to begin planning for summer camp. This year we have scheduled one week of camp at Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation from July 10 – July 16. The cost will be $345 for the week. If you plan to attend camp please contact Mr. Eliopoulos, your ScoutMaster. You will need to submit a $50 deposit to secure you place. We are also looking for adult leadership.

Attached please find an application for *Camp Scholarship*. This is to assist scouts to attend camp. It is the Troop’s belief that ALL scouts should apply. These applications MUST be returned to Mrs. Gallo so we can apply as a group. The required *Medical Form* is attached to be completed by parent/guardian and physician – these must be completed PRIOR to attending camp.

THANK YOU PARENTS:
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE PARENTS who attended the Friends of Scouting Meeting on March 8th 2011. For those who did not attend, Mrs. Gallo will need you to fill out the pledge cards. Regardless of whether a donation is made or not, the Troop receives a weekend Cabin for *free* if we return a card for each family. Please make
sure to see Mrs. Gallo about the cards, this is a great opportunity to for the Scouts to go camping without the cost of renting a cabin. Thank you!!