Troop 202 Crier
December 2011	http://tier.net/bstroop202

Resolutions and a New Year

In January 2012 we begin another year and amid the hustle, bustle, and excitement it might be a good idea to make a few resolutions for 2012...

Come as a Scout: Arrive at each meeting before 7:00, in uniform and prepared for whatever program is planned...

Make your Patrol proud: Make sure that your part of meeting and campout planning is complete; arrive at the church early and help assemble equipment; make sure you pull your weight in patrol chores, and be ready to get up on time and jump into program...

Lead by example: Don't wait for someone else to go first; jump in and show your Patrol and your Troop that you aren't shy about being a leader in Troop 202!

Is this a tall order? I suppose it might be � IF you aren't a Scout, but for those of us in Troop 202 it's all part of the game. Let's all make 2012 a year to remember!

How Fast Can I Advance?

Those of you in Tralblazers might be wondering how long it will take you to get through the program and make it to First Class. Well, an honest answer is that it will take exactly as long as you want it to. What does that mean? Well, as a group the Trailblazers will work through all of the requirements to get you to First Class. They are going to do it one step at a time and it will take a little while because that's how it is when you work at a group pace.

But there's another way!

You always have the option working the material on your own. Let's take the Knots as an example: There is nothing to stop you from practicing your knots at home, getting good at them, and then asking a leader to sign you off. That's fair and playing by the rules. You can work ahead, ask a leader or an older Scout for help, and even complete ranks before the rest of the Trailblazers. Even bet

better, if you have completed a requirement you can then help to teach it when the Trailblazers get around to it. That will really make you an expert!

Here's another hint: Look those requirements over. Some of them talk about helping to pitch tents or prepare meals. These are things that happen on a campout and if you do them on a campout, ask a leader (or your Senior Patrol Leader) to sign you off. You don't need to wait for someone to ask you if you have done something. Don't be shy, tell them what YOU have accomplished.

Finally, just about everyone has to miss a meeting at one time or another. That's OK, but remember that the Trailblazers keep on going while you are away. So if you miss a meeting, ask your fellow Scouts what you missed and ask your Trailblazer leader (Mr. Plesnar) as well, he will be happy to help you catch up.

Holiday Campout

Our Holiday Campout was a smashing success! We had a great time at Winter Unit 1, Camp Tuscarora as we hiked, ate, snacked, celebrated, and had fun. We didn't have any snow, but we also didn't have any rain and the weather was really nice.

In the morning we rolled out of bed and had our breakfast. Then we all hiked up to the �bench� which is just about the highest spot in camp. You'd have to do some tree climbing to get much higher then the bench and then you'd have the leaders yelling at you!

After we got back from our morning hike, we hung out and had lunch. After lunch we got to work on our lashing projects and goofed around. The leaders had rounded up a tree for us, popped corn, and laid out stuff for decorating and we go to work stringing popcorn an cranberries, rolling pine cones in peanut butter and birdseed, and cutting out toast to make ornaments. The Trailblazers took a longer hike in the afternoon and the rest of us got to work on lashings. (As you know already, the Ducks took the prize!)

, and talk privately with the whole troop, see the calendar, news, access files and pictures related to the troop. Contact Mr. Mullock, the moderator, for access. This page is limited to members only.

Newsletter Editor is Mr. E. Plesnar eplesnar@stny.rr.com or (607)341-3745) & Webmaster is Mr. G. Shepherd gshepherd@stny.rr.com   Submissions Welcomed