Troop 1631

Scoutmaster's Minute - March 2010

2010-03-02T21:44:00.001-06:00

This is the first installment in what I hope to be a periodic series of reports on some of the various happenings in our troop. I realize not everyone can make all the multitude of activities, so perhaps it will be helpful to get these little updates. As always, any feedback is greatly appreciated.

February Campout, Camp Mauritz

We had a great time last weekend at Camp Mauritz. This is one of our troop’s favorite campsites. It’s close, it’s pretty, and it’s uncrowded. This was the first campout for our new scouts in the Viking patrol, and they responded like seasoned veterans. Even when the coyotes started howling at night from what seemed like 100 yards away, I heard no hint of scared whimpering (from the scouts, that is -- I can’t speak for the adults!).

With the help of the troop guides and the helpful dads, we knocked off 15 requirements towards tenderfoot, second class, and first class. These included map and compass use, flag etiquette, knife and axe safety, fire building, and knots. They also learned a bit about how to make, or not to make, pancakes. Suffice it to say that they were all hungry for lunch! Our Vikings are now well on their way. For the Vikings who missed, fear not: we’ll be covering all this stuff again in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Matt Kabot entertained the older scouts by setting up a mini geocaching course, which consists of finding hidden objects using GPS coordinates. Matt had a timed competition to see who could find the 5 objects in the fastest time. The contest was won by Alexander and Hunter Kornegay, who finished in 33 minutes, edging out second and third place by less than 2 minutes.

The adults continued our tradition of good eating on campouts, with Jon Winfiele cooking up some delicious Kung Pao chicken, topped off by apple turnovers and vanilla custard. When one of the dads called his wife and told her what we were eating, she thought we had gone out to a restaurant! The Black Cobras also deserve mention for planning and cooking a worthy meal of steak and potatoes au gratin. I would like to encourage our scouts to plan more ambitious meals -- that’s part of the fun of camping.

That night the scouts built a campfire and entertained themselves with a hilarious game of Mafia, and the traditional dutch oven cobbler. I always enjoy seeing how much fun the boys can have entertaining themselves with nothing more than a fire and each other’s company.

Sunday morning I challenged the scouts to break camp in 90 minutes. To provide some motivation, I offered a bribe of ice cream at Dairy Queen if they could do it. Lo and behold, working together under some fine leadership from acting SPL Zach Saunders, they pulled it off -- with 40 seconds to spare. Unfortunately DQ was closed Sunday morning so we settled for Buc-ees in Wharton.

Thanks to all the help from our ASMs and scout leaders, we had ANOTHER GREAT CAMPOUT!

Training, Anyone?

I’m embarrassed to admit that I have never been through the training offered by the district for Scoutmaster and Assistant SM. Finally, the schedules align and I’ll be attending the class this coming Saturday. I’d love to have some company in the form of some of our ASMs that have not yet taken it. If you signed up for Philmont one of the agreed-on expectations is that you’ll take this at some point. I usually get some good insights out of the district’s classes, so it can be valuable.

March Madness

The theme for March, as planned by the scout leaders at JLT, is Sports. We’ll be working on the Sports merit badge at the next two troop meetings, and planning some sports related activities at the campout. If you make the meetings, play organized sports, and can demonstrate a month or so of a fitness regimen, you should be able to complete the badge.

Looking forward, in April the theme is Camporee Skills in conjunction with the district camporee at Bovay. In May we will be heading to Pedernales State Park for a short backpacking trek.

Spring Break - Your Own Personal Merit Badge Camp

Spring break can be a good time to earn merit badges as well. Many of the recreation-oriented badges are easy to earn on a vacation oriented around an activity, such as snow skiing or diving. Also if you are traveling you should review the requirements for the various citizenship badges as some of them require visiting historic places and so on. If you want to work on a badge, contact me to get a blue card *before* starting work on it.

Parents, please keep in mind that the scouts are responsible for their advancement. There is no reason parents should make the phone calls, emails, and inquiries on the scouts’ behalf. Instead, coach your scout to take the initiative, and follow-up with him. I would much rather get a phone call from a reluctant scout than a coddling parent. This is an important part of the many learning opportunities provided by scouting.

The Door’s Always Open

As you know, I am new at this and in many ways I am still feeling my way along. I appreciate any and all feedback, on any topic. Especially welcome are ideas for program planning, and thoughts on how we could be doing things better to make our troop a better experience for our scouts. Please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards,

Alan Davis

Monday Feb 8th, Court of Honor

2010-02-06T16:52:00.001-06:00

Sunday Feb. 07. Personal Fitness MB Scouts - meeting at 1:30 PM at Clements HS track.
Bring your folder with your up to date fitness log. (see requirements 7 and 8.)

Monday Feb. 08, 2010     7:00 PM Court of Honor Colony Bend Elementary
               Court of Honor is at Colony Bend Elementary and will begin promptly at 7:00 pm.
               Scouts should wear their Class A uniform including merit badge sash. All family members and guests are invited.
               Don't forget to bring your cameras. We will begin set-up at 6:30 pm if you can help.
               Due to time constraints, we will not serve snacks following the ceremony.
Friday-Sat    Feb. 12,13, 2010 Junior Leadership Training .Assistant Patrol Leaders and non-leadership Scouts do not need to come.
               If you cannot come, contact Ryan Davis. (281-980-2099)

Monday, Feb 15th - Presidents' Day, No meeting.
                But Viking Patrol members need to go to a meeting at First Colony Christian Church (7PM)
                to prepare for the Mauritz campout. (demonstrations on how to pack and set up tents on a campout).
Monday, Feb 22nd - Troop meeting. Cobbler Cooking Demonstration
Friday-Sun, Feb 26th-28th Weekenk Campout Mauritz

Monday, Jan 24 Troop meeting activities

2010-01-23T21:35:00.001-06:00

Sunday ,   Jan 24 2:00 PM   Keith Wedelich Eagle Scout Court of Honor
Sunday,    Jan 24, 4:30 PM   Personal Fitness Merit Badge Meeting at Clements HS track (for scouts who is working on the merit badge)
Monday,   Jan 25   7:00 PM    Troop Meeting Colony Bend Elementary
          - Parents Presentation
          - OA Members: Monday is the last meeting before the AOL ceremony for Troop 1800 on 1/30, so I would like for the scouts who will perform to get together for
             a rehershal. There will be 13 boys to receive the award so we need a few more who can be Grabers. For now I have the following Grabers:
             Daniel, Nick. (Many thanks to these scouts who helped in the last ceremony: Keith,Abhishek,Kevin,Ryan (Bullard),Nick,Warren)

Coming Up

Friday,    Jan 29, 2010      Weekend    Campout    Hamman    Backpacking
Sat.        Jan 30, 2010       Evening    Arrow of Light Ceremony for Troop 1800
Sat.        Jan 30, 2010       District Dinner
Monday Feb. 01, 2010    7:00 PM   PLC
Sat.        Feb. 06, 2010      Scouting For Food - Food Collection
Monday Feb. 08, 2010     7:00 PM Court of Honor Colony Bend Elementary
               Court of Honor is now Feb 8 at Colony Bend Elementary and will begin promptly at 7:00 pm. All scouting families are encouraged to attend.
               Set-up will begin at 6:30, please come early to help if you can.
Sun.       Feb. 14, 2010       Junior Leadership Training

Eager BOR of Warren Chan

2010-01-14T20:54:00.001-06:00

Troop 1631 convened a Board of Review on Thursday, January 14, 2010 to consider advancing Warren Chan to the rank of Eagle Scout. The Board determined that Warren met all the requirements and that he had Scout Spirit. Warren Chan was advanced to the rank of Eagle Scout.

Congratulations Warren and Welcome to the Eagle's Nest. Your achievements along the trail to Eagle have brought pride and honor to Troop 1631.

Ed Gifford

Advancement Chair

Monday, Nov 30, 2009 Troop Meeting

2009-11-29T20:14:00.001-06:00

Monday, Nov 30, 2009 7:00 PM    Troop Meeting - Colony Bend Elementary
- OA new members election
    - We will also have representatives from 3 animal organizations: Pet Patrol, Dachsund Rescue and Texas Wildlife Center come and talk
          about Responsible Pet Ownership and they will be bringing animals with them. Parents, please encourage your scout to come. We need a
large turn out to show our appreciation

   - OA members need to be present to continue rehearsing the AOL ceremony. The date of our Arrow of Light ceremony performance is Wed Dec. 9th.

Sunday   Dec   6, 2009 2:00 PM Eagle Scout Court of Honor of Conner Clark and Will McKeever - Sweetwater Country Club - Loft (Upstairs)
Sunday. Dec 6, 2009 6:30 PM Troop 1631 Court of Honor - First Colony Conference Center

Wear your Class A uniform including merit badge sash.Please also bring a snack to share. The Troop will provide drinks and paper goods.
We will begin set-up at 5:45 pm if you can help.

Coming up

Monday, Dec    7, 2009    7:00 PM Troop Meeting    Colony Bend Elementary    Fitness/Nutrition
          Representatives from the Greyhound Pets of America, Houston organization will come to talk about Responsible Pet Ownership.
          We also need a large turn out to show our appreciation
Friday,    Dec 11, 2009 Weekend    OA Ordeal
Monday, Dec 14, 2009 No meeting
Monday, Dec 21, 2009 Holiday - No meeting
Winter Camp - Sat, Dec 26th - Thu. Dec 31st - Camp Karankawa, Sweeny,TX
Monday, Dec 28,2009 Holiday   No meeting

Eagle Scout Court of Honor Invitation

2009-11-19T12:06:00.001-06:00

You are cordially invited to a ceremony

presenting the rank of

Eagle Scout

The Highest Rank in Scouting

Conner Clark

Will McKeever

Sunday, December 6, 2009 @ 2:00 p.m.

Sweetwater Country Club - Loft (Upstairs)

4400 Palm Royale Blvd.

Sugar Land, TX 77479

RSVP via email to: connerandwill@ymail.com

Album: Readyman Training for Webelos - Nov 1, 2009

2009-11-08T19:34:00.005-06:00

Select picture to view album or select Photo Albums link on the left for more albums

Monday, Nov 09, 2009 7:00 PM Troop Activities

2009-11-08T14:48:00.002-06:00

- OA members continue rehearsing the AOL ceremony :

- November 22: Last day to complete merit badges and rank advancement requirements for the December 6 Court of Honor. Please contact Mrs.
Wedelich (debbie@wedelich.com) for merit badge information or Mr. Wedelich (hank@wedelich.com) to schedule a scoutmaster conference.

- Signup for Summer Camp 2010 at Camp Alexander near Lake George, Colorado has started.
Troop 1631 has already reserved the Cherokee campsite which accommodates up to 42 campers from June 20 - June 26, 2010.
A signup sheet will be posted at Monday's meeting. Please add your name on the list if you are interested.
Attached is a summary on Camp Alexander

-Basel and Sam Najjar have a new home phone number. An updated Troop roster can be found at the troop website www.t1631.org, (select Troop Info),
(Contact me if you need the password to access the file)

Saturday,Nov 14, 2009 Independence Bicycle Ride Service Project
Saturday,Nov 14, 2009 7:00 PM Golden Arrow District Merit Badge Day

Coming Up

Monday, Nov 16, 2009 7:00 PM Troop Meeting Colony Bend Elementary
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 7:30 PM Parent Meeting First Colony Christian Church
Sunday. Nov 22, 2009 Last day to complete merit badges and rank advancement requirements for the December 6 Court of Honor
Friday-Sun, Nov 20-22, 2009 6:00 PM Campout Mauritz - with Webelos
Monday, Nov 23, 2009 7:00 PM PLC First Colony Christian Church
Monday, Nov 30, 2009 7:00 PM Troop Meeting Colony Bend Elementary
Sunday. Dec 6, 2009 TBD Court of Honor First Colony Conference Center
Winter Camp - Sat, Dec 26th - Thu. Dec 31st - Camp Karankawa, Sweeny,TX

Popcorn
Nov 7th – Popcorn Orders due to Popcorn Chair Person
I have received 2 forms only; if you have popcorn orders, please drop it to Mrs. Wedelich's home by 3 pm today (I will be there) or drop to our home by 7 pm tonight. Our address is 1814 Maidenhair Ln, Sugar land, TX - 77479.
Poonam Bhateja
Nov 21st – Popcorn Pick Up from Popcorn Chair Person
Money (Cash or Check payable to Troop 1631) can be paid while submitting the orders or while picking up the orders to the Popcorn chair person.
Please call Poonam Bhateja (281-313-1423) you have any questions or write me an email at pxbhatej@texaschildrens.org

Album: Readyman Training for Webelos - Oct. 12, 2009

2009-10-27T10:16:00.008-05:00

Select picture to view album or select Photo Albums link on the left for more albums

Monday Nov 26 Activities - PLC; Sunday Optimist Fun Run service & misc news

2009-10-25T18:07:00.002-05:00

- Monday, Oct 26, 2009 7:00 PM PLC First Colony Christian Church
OA members need to come to rehearse the AOL ceremony. Our troop is committed to do a ceremony on Dec 1st.
- Sunday, Nov 01, 2009 7:00 AM-11AM Optimist's Fun Run Service Clements High School

Coming Up
Monday, Nov 02, 2009 7:00 PM Teaching Readyman Colony Bend Elementary
Monday, Nov 09, 2009 7:00 PM Troop Meeting Colony Bend Elementary - Packs Visit
Saturday,Nov 14, 2009 7:00 AM Independence Bicycle Ride Service Project
Saturday,Nov 14, 2009 7:00 PM Golden Arrow District Merit Badge Day
Monday, Nov 16, 2009 7:00 PM Troop Meeting Colony Bend Elementary - Incl. Webelos
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 7:30 PM Parent Meeting First Colony Christian Church
Friday-Sun, Nov 20-22, 2009 6:00 PM Campout Mauritz - with Webelos
Monday, Nov 23, 2009 7:00 PM PLC First Colony Christian Church
Monday, Nov 30, 2009 7:00 PM Troop Meeting Colony Bend Elementary

Popcorn
Nov 7th – Popcorn Orders due to Popcorn Chair Person
Nov 21st – Popcorn Pick Up from Popcorn Chair Person
Money (Cash or Check payable to Troop 1631) can be paid while submitting the orders or while picking up the orders to the Popcorn chair person.
Please call me Poonam Bhateja (281-313-1423) you have any questions or write me an email at pxbhatej@texaschildrens.org

Misc
- The new name for the former Tomahawk District South is "Thunder Wolf." If anyone in the Troop would like submit suggestions/artwork for a
new logo to represent the District visually, please let Debbie Wedelich (debbie@wedelich.com) know.
- New roster updated on troop website. Email me for password if you need the list.
- There is a fish tank that Oliver used for his amphibian merit badge last year. If anyone is interested in taking please email Vanessa (vanessafmao@aol.com)

Monday, Oct 19, 2009 6:30 PM Troop Activities

2009-10-18T18:22:00.001-05:00

Monday, October 19, 2009 6:30 PM Troop Meeting - Colony Bend Elementary - Readyman
We need ALL scouts to arrive at Colony Bend by 6:30 pm. We also need adults to help supervise each station.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 7:30 PM Parent/Committee Meeting First Colony Christian Church

All parents welcome to attend. Minutes from the September 16th meeting are posted on the website at http://www.t1631.org/Resources/Committee/minutes/

Coming Up
Monday, October 26, 2009 7:00 PM PLC - First Colony Christian Church
Sunday. November 01, 2009 7:00 AM Optimist's Fun Run Service - Clements High School
Scouts will meet at the Clements High School Field House at 7:00 a.m. We will help the Optimists set up the finish line at Clements and
the 2-mile and 4-mile courses through the neighborhoods. We need adults to help take the scouts to various locations where they will help
set-up the course. During the race, scouts will be working at water stations and holding signs to show runners and walkers which direction to go.
At the end of the race, prizes will be awarded and we will help with clean-up. You should be done working by approximately 10:00 a.m.
Both adults and scouts should wear their Class A scout uniform. Bring appropriate outerwear for the forecasted weather and a personal water bottle.
Scout in charge : Parth Bhateja
Adult in charge: Tami Grubb
If you can participate, please let Parth or Tami Grubb know.

Monday, November 02, 2009 7:00 PM Troop Meeting Colony Bend Elementary Readyman
Monday, November 09, 2009 7:00 PM Troop Meeting Colony Bend Elementary Packs Visit
Monday, November 16, 2009 7:00 PM Troop Meeting Colony Bend Elementary Incl. Webelos
Wed. , November 18, 2009 7:30 PM Parent Meeting First Colony Christian Church
Friday, November 20, 2009 6:00 PM Campout Mauritz - Webelos Pioneering & Orienteering
Monday, November 23, 2009 7:00 PM PLC First Colony Christian Church
Monday, November 30, 2009 7:00 PM Troop Meeting Colony Bend Elementary

Training for ASMs
Fri-Sun. October 23-25,2009 Intro. to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)

Eagle BOR of Keith Wedelich

2009-09-10T11:16:00.001-05:00

Troop 1631 convened a Board of Review on Wednesday, September 09, 2009 to consider advancing Keith Wedelich to the rank of Eagle Scout. The Board determined that Keith met all the requirements and that he had Scout Spirit. Keith Wedelich was advanced to the rank of Eagle Scout.

Congratulations Keith and Welcome to the Eagle's Nest. Your achievements along the trail to Eagle have brought pride and honor to Troop 1631.

Thanks go to Lisa Kunnemann , Elizabeth Bullard, Cliff Raymond and Ed Poole in participating in this honor with me.

Ed Gifford
Advancement Chair

Eagle BOR of Conner Clark

2009-08-16T00:05:00.001-05:00

Troop 1631 convened a Board of Review on Friday, August 14, 2009 to consider advancing Conner Clark to the rank of Eagle Scout. The Board determined that Conner met all the requirements and that he had Scout Spirit. Conner Clark was advanced to the rank of Eagle Scout. Congratulations Conner and Welcome to the Eagle's Nest. Your achievements along the trail to Eagle have brought pride and honor to Troop 1631.

Ed Gifford
Advancement Chair

Eagle BOR of William McKeever

2009-04-17T14:56:00.000-05:00

Troop 1631 convened a Board of Review on Thursday, April 16, 2009, to consider advancing William McKeever to the rank of Eagle Scout. The Board determined that William met all the requirements and that he had Scout Spirit. William was advanced to the rank of Eagle Scout.

Congratulations William and Welcome to the Eagle's Nest. Your achievements along the trail to Eagle have brought pride and honor to Troop 1631.

Ed Gifford

Advancement Chair

Eagle BOR of Daniel Goodman

2009-04-17T12:07:00.000-05:00

Troop 1631 convened a Board of Review on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, to consider advancing Daniel Goodman to the rank of Eagle Scout. The Board determined that Daniel met all the requirements and that he had Scout Spirit. Daniel was advanced to the rank of Eagle Scout.

Congratulations Daniel and Welcome to the Eagle's Nest. Your achievements along the trail to Eagle have brought pride and honor to Troop 1631.

Ed Gifford

Advancement Chair

Eagle BOR of Abhishek Balakrishnan

2009-03-22T06:29:00.002-05:00

Troop 1631 convened a Board of Review on Wednesday, March 11, 2009, to consider advancing Abhishek Balakrishnan to the rank of Eagle Scout. The Board determined that Abhishek met all the requirements and that he had Scout Spirit. Abhishek was advanced to the rank of Eagle Scout.

Congratulations Abhishek and Welcome to the Eagle's Nest. Your achievements along the trail to Eagle have brought pride and honor to Troop 1631.

Ed Gifford
Advancement Chair

2009-02-28T22:14:00.000-06:00

Tomahawk Unit Awards of Excellence

Troop 1631 at Colony Bend Elementary was awarded the 2008 Unit of Excellence Award. The 2008 Unit of Excellence Award is presented to units for service, training, and the overall program for the scouts, and the number of trained adults per boy,

Scott Icenhower, an assistant scoutmaster for Troop 1631, the District Advancement Chair, who has served on training teams, and recently completed Woodbadge training,
was also awarded the Tomahawk Award. The Tomahawk Award recognizes volunteers for extraordinary service and dedication to the District.

Troop 1631 Picture

2008-09-29T15:12:00.004-05:00

Summer Camp 2008 - Tom Hale Reservation, OK

2008-08-08T21:06:00.002-05:00

Eagle BOR of Johnny Hidalgo

2008-04-24T09:48:00.000-05:00

Troop 1631 convened a Board of Review on April 23, 2008, to consider advancing Johnny Hidalgo to the rank of Eagle Scout. The Board determined that Johnny met all the requirements and that he had Scout Spirit. Johnny was advanced to the rank of Eagle Scout.

Congratulations Johnny and Welcome to the Eagle's Nest. Your achievements along the trail to Eagle have brought pride and honor to Troop 1631.

Ed Gifford

Court of Honor pictures

2008-04-17T22:03:00.001-05:00

Pictures from Jamie's and Justin's Eagle Court of Honor last Sunday have been posted to the troop website at http://www.t1631.org/gallery/index.php/2008/4/EagleCoH.

Jamie and Justin Eagle COH Invitation

2008-03-21T00:32:00.010-05:00

Troop 1631 25th Anniversary Celebration Pictures

2008-01-06T00:34:00.000-06:00

Select picture to view more or select Photo Albums link

Karankawa Winter Camp scouts

2008-01-01T00:36:00.000-06:00

Stephen Mathews' Eagle Court of Honor

2007-12-06T18:24:00.001-06:00