Troop 353 Putnam Valley

The traditional pre-camp pool party at Mr. Gibbs’ house is next Tuesday, June 29th at 7PM. The pool is filled and the heater works. The invitation is for the whole Troop (even if you are not going to camp)and your sisters and brothers. Please wear your bathing suit, bring a towel and a dessert to share.

PARENTS: This gives the boys a chance to enjoy themselves and discuss camp and any final items they should bring. This gives us an opportunity to review any medical forms, collect outstanding final payments and discuss arrival and departure dates and times at Camp Read. This also gives you the opportunity to met and speak with those leaders who have donated their vacation time to accompany your child to camp.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Here is a list of items that are “recommended” to be taken with those individuals who are going on the canoe trip. Please remember the SUN is intense on the water. Sunscreen, a hat and a long sleeve shirt would be GREAT items to have for protection.

A flotation cushion to sit on (for our older paddlers) would make the ride much MORE comfortable, although not necessary.

A couple of lengths of twine/rope to secure items in the canoe and water shoes for your feet. SUNGLASSES to protect your eyes from glare and squinting the entire day.

A small cooler or bag with water bottles or fruit.

ENJOY the river and take photos for our website.

Just a reminder to those families who have made reservations with Mr. Polidoro to attend our annual end of the year canoe/camping event, attached is a map with directions to Ten Mile River “Arch Bridge” Campsite.

NOTE: If you are unfamiliar with the location and plan to arrive on Friday, please plan on arriving before dark. Keep a lookout for “landmarks” and keep your map handy. Please be advised cellphone service in the area is “spotty”.

Have a safe trip, enjoy the river and outdoors.

As previously discussed, our Troop is having our annual canoe trip down Ten Mile River. Mr. Polidoro MUST receive a head count immediately in order to reserve the appropriate number of kayaks, canoes or rafts from Lander’s, the outfitter we use.

Our trip begins Friday, June 25th with an overnight at Arch Bridge Campsite which is part of the Greater New York Councils - Ten Mile River Scout Camps. This campsite is at TMR Landing and noted by a small sign on the side of the road. If you reach Ten Mile River Motel & Restaurant you have traveled too far on the road and must turn around. On this evening, dinner is what you want to bring and cook. On Saturday morning, June 26th, after breakfast we drive up to Skinners Falls (Landers River Trips) where we get our watercraft and enter the river. Everyone is required to wear a life preserver which is provided with the cost of the vessel. We generally paddle half way to Narrowsburg for lunch and a breather and then continue the final leg of the journey back to TMR Landing. The landing is the end stop and we are able to walk back to our campsite. (map of the river). The next morning is a simple cold breakfast, you pack your gear and your off.

Last year’s rental prices were $26 for canoe or raft and $28 for kayak. This is PER PERSON entering the river. You are responsible for returning the boat, paddles and the life vest at the end of the journey.

Dinner is to be discussed and planned along with the price per head.

Reminder:

On Monday, May 31st we will be participating in Putnam Valley’s Annual Memorial Day Parade at Town Hall. The Parade starts at 11:00AM. We would like to see each and every scout there to show our support for the men and women who served and died protecting our country and our freedom.

Please come to Town Hall at 10:30AM in your Class A uniform. Those boys who volunteered to assist Mr Gibbs, please be at the VFW at 10:00 to load his truck with chairs. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

The parade is one hour in length. Our scouts (boys and girls) present a wreath as part of the ceremony. The public speakers are enthusiastic about the turnout, so please show your support and come.

Our Troop has a number of events coming up (see below).
Please discussed them with your parents and marked on your calendars so you do not miss them.

Fishing At Roaring Brook
Next Tuesday, May 25th we will NOT be meeting at the VFW building. We have plans to go fishing in Roaring Brook Lake off of Pudding Street. Scoutmaster Pete Eliopoulos has asked the Troop to meet at the deli at 6PM on Pudding Street, just off of the Taconic Parkway. Should you have any difficulty with transportation, please speak with other scout parents and carpool if necessary.

Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 31st we will be participating in our annual Memorial Day Parade at Town Hall. The Troop should be dressed in their Class A Uniform (neckerchief, shirt). 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 generally is one hour in length. Since school is off that day everybody should participate.

Annual Canoe Trip
Our Annual Canoe trip is planned for June 25, 26 and 27 (after school closes) down Ten Mile River. 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.

Pizza/Pool Party
Mr. Gibbs is planning to hold a pizza/pool party at his house on Tuesday, June 29th to review any final details for summer camp and to collect any outstanding medical forms. Please bring your towel and suit. If your sister and brother that would like to jump in for a dip bring them and your parent(s). A dessert would be appreciated.

Summer Camp
Our Troop will be attending Week #2 (July 11th – 17th) at Camp Waubeeka at Read Scout Reservation in Brant Lake, New York. Our camp is nestled in the Adirondack State Park on over 1,000 acres. Our Troop has reserved the Sunrise site and will have 9 scouts going with the support of 3 leaders. Please make sure your follow-up on the necessary medical forms.

Should you have any questions, please contact Our Scoutmaster.

Please be advised, those scouts who have signed up for summer camp at Camp Read are required to have their doctor complete the attached medical form. Those leaders attending must also have one filled out by their physician.

Any scout or leader who takes a daily medication, regardless of the type must speak with the scoutmaster. All medications must be in the original container and will be dispensed by the medical staff at Camp. Failure to disclose, could prevent you from being able to attend scout camp.

Forms will be available if you are unable to print them out.

Hey Scouts,

Please tell your friends and parents you do not want to miss the Nature and Native Americans Show this weekend at the Putnam Valley Grange. The event is THIS Saturday and Sunday from 10 - 5PM.

As previously stated in a flyer you will be able to view collections of:
insects
authentic native american artifacts
revolutionary war items
antique dolls
Blackfoot john two gun white calf –original model for the indian head nickel
minerals display and you can bring yours for identification
Works shops for kids on both days— for all children free alligator teeth on Saturday and on Sunday free buffalo teeth.

Minerals, fossils, native American items and jewlery for sale prices start at $3.00.

Remember: Adults $4.00 - Seniors and children $2.50
Under 6yrs -FREE
Refreshments and Food for purchase.
PROCEEDS GO TO THE GRANGE BUILDING FUND
LETS MEET AT THE GRANGE - The weather will be great.

Just in case nobody told you - Go to Baskin-Robbins TONIGHT for your cheap treat. See below. Enjoy.
Cheap Treat Alert: 31-Cent Ice Cream

If you’re on the lookout for an inexpensive treat for the kids, or yourself, mark Wednesday evening on your calendar.

Baskin-Robbins, which has been selling ice cream for more than 50 years, is offering its annual 31 Cent Scoop Night from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at all its American locations. Let your kids indulge in a triple scoop for less than a buck and enjoy the fact that Baskin-Robbins is donating $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (as a former volunteer firefighter, I can appreciate that). The NFFF not only honors firefighters killed in the line of duty, but offers support to their survivors and scholarships for education and job training for their spouses and children.

In case you have a difficult time deciding which three flavors you want to try, just know that the five most popular flavors are vanilla, chocolate, mint chocolate chip, Pralines ‘n Cream, and chocolate chip. Peer pressure isn’t always a bad thing.

Last evening our Troop met at the Grange Building and had a successful spring-clean up.
When I arrived, there were already scouts dragging and tossing broken branches into the woods. A chain saw was humming and cutting wood - used by one of our trusted leaders. Numerous dead or damaged trees were cut and the wood was piled to dry for our winter tree sales.

Daniel, one of our scouts, found a baby garden snake while clearing brush and showed each our Scouts and Mrs. Bantz, an active volunteer at Grange. She had placed her request with our Scoutmaster for this clean up and was excited to see our red-shirted Troop descend upon the Grange clean.

To commemorate Earth Day and thank the Troop for our hard work, Mrs. Bantz presented each boy with a two-year old blue spruce to plant. Please keep track of your community service time in a log and have one of our leaders initial and date. Participation in the community and providing assistance is not only required for scouts, school and religious organizations, but it gives you a good feeling to be able to help others.

Remember we have climbing at The Cliffs in Valhalla next Monday and Tuesday (April 26 and 27th); this will take the place of our normal meeting in the VFW. Those boys who have signed up and paid or should you have any questions regarding this event, please call Patrick.

On Saturday, May 1st and Sunday May 2nd there will be an informative presentation about Nature and Native Americans. (See attached flyer). We have been requested to participate in a camp out at the Grange and possibly assist in constructing a tepee. Let’s see what we can organize.

See you at The Cliffs in Valhalla.