Court of Honor

We will arrive at Devil's Hopyard at 6:30 pm on Friday. There will be a cracker barrel when we arrive, and we will camp. Saturday will be spent setting up for the Court of Honor Ceremony. We will have a scout-related project in the afternoon, and at 5:00 pm dinner will be served. Families should start arriving before that, and dont need to bring anything food. The boys will be preparing dinner. Families should bring folding chairs for the ceremony, which will begin at 6:00. The boys will clean up directly after the ceremony, and we will be heading home on saturday night. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Andy Harazim

ORDER OF THE ARROW A few reminder

ORDER OF THE ARROW MEMBERS,

1) The September meeting will take place on Monday September 13; 7:00 p.m. @ Haddam-Killingworth High School - Your leaders are going to the roundtable at the same time and place, they can give you a ride.

2) A newsletter was sent out to all members who are current dues paid. You should be getting it in the next few days. If you did not get it, let me know and I can check your dues status

3) The registration for the fall fellowship is available now, visit www.tschitani.org for more info

Patrick Tierney

Mt. Monadnock

Please Respond and Reserve your place NOW to AlanPonanski@comcast.net for Troop 8's Mt. Monadnock hike at BSA Camp Wansocksett, Jaffrey, NH over the Columbus Day Weekend beginning on Friday, October 8, 2010 at approximately 6PM through Sunday 12PM on October 10, 2010.

Troop 8 was fortunate to reserve the popular Waterfront Cabin at BSA Camp Wansocksett during the Columbus Day Weekend peak fall colors. There are 40 miles of hiking trails, a visitor center, a campground, camp store, bathrooms and shower facilities.

Reserve Now, as space is limited at 30 campers at the Waterfront Cabin located at the base of Mt. Monadnock!

The Details:

1. Alan Ponanski and Doug Bonoff, Ass't Scoutmasters will lead the weekend event. Mr. Bonoff is a veteran hiker who has led many recent Troop 8 hikes at Mt. Katadin, Maine; the Wilderness Trail in the White Mountains, NH, and hikes up Mt. Monadnock, NH. Mr. Ponanski recently led a Boy Scout crew on 63 mile backpacking trip through the Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico; a Troop 8 canoe trip down the Delaware Water Gap, and a winter cabin campout at Deerlake Scout Reservation.

2. The reservations were made through the Nashua Valley Boy Scout Service Center at (978) 534-3532 at a troop cost of $105.00 for the weekend use of the Waterfront Cabin at Camp Wanocksett.

3. The Waterfront Cabin has bunks, electricity, fire detectors and a wood stove. Cabins are equipped with fire extinguishers for emergency use only. No outside firewood can be brought to Camp Wanocksett because of the infestation of Asian Longhorn Beetles in central Worcester County which cause significant damage to hardwood forests. However, there is an ample supply of locally cut firewood available at the camp for the use of weekend campers.

4. Use of the waterfront requires prior approval as well as an adult trained in BSA's Safe Swim Defense Plan.

5. Troop 8 must check-in and check-out with the Ranger or CampMaster before entering or leaving camp.

6. A tour permit and parent permission slips are required and the troop is responsible for insurance.

7. Troop Adult leaders who can supply transportation, please state your capacity to transport other scouts/equipment.

8. Troop adult leaders supplying motor vehicles will meet to receive Troop 8 scouts/equipment and caravan from our VFW location in East Hampton at 4PM on Friday Oct 8 to the Camp Wanocksett, Dublin Road, Jaffrey/Dublin NH arriving sometime after 6PM. For those leaving later on their own, the directions are to follow Route 124W from Jaffrey Center and look for sign, Mt. Monadnock State Park, or Dublin Road. Turn right and go approximately 3.8 miles, entrance is on the right, just past Thorndike Pond.

9. Troop 8 will hike Mt. Monadnock , elevation 3,165 FT on Saturday morning. In event of rain on Saturday, we will hike early Sunday.

10. Menus and meals will be prepared by patrols, especially younger scouts who need to pass cooking rank requirements. Cost for food and gas per camper will be determined later in the coming weeks.

11. The Senior Patrol Leader and the Patrol Leader Council needs to plan camp/cabin activities which may include Troop 8 Jeopardy!, map/compass challenge and board games.

Court of Honor

This years fall Court of Honor will be held at Devil's Hopyard in East Haddam. It will be a cam pout starting friday night September 17th to Saturday the 18th. The boys will spend Saturday preparing the meal as well as participating in a Pioneering project. Family and friends are invited for dinner Saturday night at 5:00 and the COH will begin at 7:00. Scouts and their families will leave immediately after the camp is cleaned and the gear is packed. I hope to see you all there. Any questions please feel free to contact your SPL Andy Harazim.

Chester Fair Parking

I'd like to share with you an email we received from our contact at the Chester Fair.

"Congratulations on conducting a great Fair parking event! As wild a time as it can be at times, I think that it went extremely well."

Kim Price

I too would like to thank all who participated in continuing to making this one of our most successful fundraising events. We were paid enough this year to give each worker approximately $9 per hour. The money will be placed into their scout accounts and can be used for summer camp, uniforms, equipment, and Troop events.

September Court of Honor - 9/17-19

The September Court of Honor will be the weekend of September 17th. Anyone who is ready for a rank advancement (and most of the new boys are probably ready for Tenderfoot) must schedule a Scoutmaster's Conference with Mr. Long (267-7394) no later than Sept. 6 and a Board of Review with Mrs. Long no later than Sept. 7.

Completed merit badge cards, signed by Mr. Long, must be submitted to Mrs. DeMore by Sept. 7.

Just Reminder

Leaders meeting Thursday August 19th at 7:00 at the VFW.

It's Popcorn Time!!

Mrs. DeMore will attend the August 10th meeting to distribute popcorn order forms. Selling popcorn is important because it generates income for the Troop to carry out our activities and income to the Council to serve our Troop. Most important, however, is that the Troop splits the profits with you - approximately 16% of what you sell goes into your account to be used for any expenses, like summer camp.

There have been some changes for this year, including:

• Better prizes - Walmart gift cards are available at every level (beginning with sales totaling $250) and Amazon gift cards are available if you sell $450 or more, and the gift card values have increased!
• Better flavor (and they've changed the butter flavor ingredients so your house won't smell anymore)!
• Environmentally friendly packaging - no more tins!
• Marshmallow blaster cross-bows available to everyone who sells $600 or more - to be demonstrated on Tuesday!

You can begin selling tomorrow. Forms and order money collected are due back to Mrs. DeMore by November 9th.

Find out more at http://www.trails-end.com/trailsend/scouts

Reminder

Just a reminder we are having a guest on Tuesday. you will need to wear your Class A's.

Summer Camp 2010 wrap-up

We are back from a very exciting session of Summer Camp. This year we had a large group of new scouts attend the trail to 1st class and they had a blast!

We also had a smaller group of our older scouts take a Cape Cod bike trek. They biked from Yarmouth to Wellfleet 35 miles, spent the night, then back to Yarmouth for a total of 70 miles.

Visit our Photo Gallery to view all the photos.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=EHTroop8&target=ALBUM&id=5497276762903125633&authkey=Gv1sRgCIG0noWVkfHtpAE&feat=email

Chester Fair Parking

We will be managing the parking at the Chester Fair again this year. I will be sending an email out with the sign up sheet in mid-July. The dates for the fair are August 27,28, 29.
Any questions contact Ken Harper.

Scout Show camping trip

There will be a meeting of the leaders and quartermasters who are going to the scout show Tuesday, June 1 at 6:00pm.
All scouts who are attending the Scout Show should bring their completed medical forms and fully packed backpacks for a backpack inspection at the 6/1 meeting at 7:00pm

Memorial Day Parade

Meet at 8:15am in the High School Parking lot off to the left.

REMINDER

This Tuesday's meeting will begin at 6:30. We are doing Flags and Flowers. Also, there will be a Scout Show prep meeting for those attending that event.

Thanks To Everyone

Thanks to everyone that worked the Mother's Day Breakfast this Sunday. Here are some photos taken by our Historian Jon O'Brien. Mother's Day Photos

Summer Backpacking Trip

In response to suggestions by some of the older scouts I would like to begin planning a backpacking trip to take place during the week of August 16. What I have in mind is a 3-day hike along the Appalachian Trail in CT andMassachusetts, a fairly strenuous but spectacular hike. I will make a presentation at the meeting on 5/11 but wanted to get the word out ahead of time so that folks may get it on their calendars.

Thanks, Doug

IMPORTANT SUMMER CAMP INFORMATION

IMPORTANT SUMMER CAMP INFORMATION

The Troop will be attending JN Webster Summer Camp this summer from July 18 - 23. There are 2 separate programs to choose from:

1. Regular summer camp including all programs and activities at JN Webster in Ashford - cost: $330. Here is the link for the program guide, forms and information: http://www.jnwebster.org/
2. Cape Cod Trek open to scouts 13 years old and older - cost $420. Check this link to get more information: http://www.jnwebster.org/2010CapeCod.pdf

We will be submitting a roster to council by May 21st, indicating who will be attending each program. So...within the next few weeks (May 18th at the latest) please let Joe Weber know if you plan to attend and submit payment to the troop for the appropriate amount. The registration forms are on page 5 & 6 of this document: http://ctrivers.doubleknot.com/openrosters/DocDownload.aspx?id=71739. Fill out the Specialty Camp form on page 5 if you're attending the Cape Cod Trek and fill out page 6 if you're attending regular camp.

That's all we need for now - the registration form and the payment. We'll deal with the medical forms, merit badge sign-ups and assorted other details a few weeks prior to camp. Any parents/leaders who also want to attend are welcome. If we exceed the 5 boys per leader ratio, we'll have to pay a nominal $15 per day for food. Keep in mind, however, that in order to attend, you must be a registered leader with the scouts. Here is a link to the application form: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/524-501A.pdf

So....LET'S GET READY FOR SUMMER CAMP. Any questions, contact:

Joe Weber

860-267-6114 (home)

860-754-4363 (cell)

joemaura@sbcglobal.net

The Hebron Scout Show

The Hebron scout show is June 4-6. The troop will be camping on site and demonstrating a craft for the scouts who visit the show. We need to know who is interested in camping June 4-6 and who is planning to attend just for a day.
If you are paid up in your dues the troop will pay the 15 dollar entrance fee. Otherwise you are responsible for the payment. If you sign up and do not attend you will also be responsible for the payment.

Please send Mrs. O'Brien dmobrien4@comcast.net an email telling whether you (scout or leader) will be going by Tuesday 27th of April or sign up at the scout meeting
Any questions email me or call me at 860 316 7436
Looking forward to seeing you there!
-Debbie O'Brien

News and Events

Here are a few of the upcoming events you should be aware of.

Erik Harper's Eagle Court of Honor is this Saturday at 1:30 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in East Hampton.

Rosse Gates is planning an eagle project work day on May 1^st, at 9:00, at the Congregational Church spreading mulch. He is looking for scouts to help out so please let him know if you are available.

troop 8s annual Mother’s Day breakfast will be held at the VFW on May 9th. There will be a sign-up for kitchen, set-up, and clean-up at the next Troop meeting.

Summer Camp is July 18-23 and payments due early May.

CT Rivers Council Scout Show Outing, June 4-6 more information will be available soon.

Mrs. O'Brien is looking into a white water rafting trip for June 18-20.

Scoutmaster Conferences

Saturday 3/27 I will be available at 3:30 at the VFW to complete the Scoutmaster's conferences for the joining requirements with the following boys:

CJ Westbrook

Dan Maynard

Bobby Hartt

Mr. Long

Leaders Meeting Postponed

I'm sorry but I will not be able to host the leader's meeting on Thursday 3/25 at my home. I will not be getting home from work in time. I have scheduled the VFW for Thursday4/1 at 7 pm (this time there is no one else on the calendar. Mr. Long

New Scout Campout

As discussed on Tuesday the New Scout Campout has been resheduled to this weekend, 3/19 - 21. Please meet at the Cobalt Market on Rte. 66 at 6:00 on Friday night.

IMPORTANT

Tonight's leaders meeting has been postponed to next Thurs. 3/25 due to a scheduling conflict at the VFW. We will meet at Mr. Longs house at 7pm. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Summer Camp 2010

Here is a link to important information and forms you will need for summer camp. This will be especially helpful for the new scouts and their parents. After reveiwing this information feel free to contact either Joe Weber or Ken Harper with any questions.
http://sites.google.com/site/ehtroop8/summer-camp-forms

Up Coming Events

Leaders Meeting 7pm March 18th

Merit Badge Madness At Xavier High Sat. March 20, 8am to 4pm

COH Sat. March 27th, 5pm-8pm

A Reminder

Just a reminder….also, I will not be at the meeting on the 16^th – it’s the same night as the high school sports awards. Mrs. Long will collect merit badge cards for me and send them home with Michael. Please let me know if you are attending the badge-o-ree on the 20^th. Thank you. Mrs. DeMore

For the March 27^th Court of Honor:

For rank advancements, the last date for Scoutmaster Conferences will be March 15^th;

the last date for a Board of Review will be March 16^th

Please contact Mr. Long to arrange a conference and Mrs. Long to arrange a Board of Review.

For merit badges, completed, signed merit badge applications should be submitted to Mrs. DeMore by March 16^th.

Thank you!

Mrs. Demore

IMPORTANT UPDATE

***Update - due to weather we will meet Saturday morning 8:00 am at the Cobalt Market parking lot.*** Pickup will be on Sunday 10:00 am at McClean's Depot Hill Road. New Scouts: This weekend's campout will be fairly easy. The troop will take care of the food for the new scouts and leaders. The boys will help prepare and clean up. They will need the following equipment: Sleeping bag and pad. tent (the troop has some please see me). ground cloth (plastic or tarp) rain gear (rain coat, pants or poncho) plastic bowl & cup (anything you have around the house) Knife,fork & spoon (old flatware is fine) 2-3 water bottles (empty soda bottles work well) flashlight with spare batteries 3-4 pairs wool or fleece socks boots 3 t-shirts (synthetic works best) 2 pair pants 1 pair sweat pants for sleeping 1 sweat shirt for sleeping hat & gloves 1-2 sweaters (preferably wool) or fleece tops A backpack, duffle bag, gym bag or trash to carry the equipment in Remember this is not a fashion show, any old clothing is fine. See you on Saturday, Mr. Long

The Connecticut Rivers Council survey

The Connecticut Rivers Council has created a short survey that enables you to share your scouting story in honor of the 100th Anniversary of Scouting. Please consider going to http://www.ctscoutsearch.org to complete the survey.

Results of this survey will be used to:

• Create a living history of Scouting and Scouters in Connecticut
• To provide anecdotes and contacts to local publications looking to tell the positive story of Scouting*
• To identify positive examples that the council can draw on in future communications with community and business leaders (we know that Connecticut Businesses benefit from Scouting Leadership - this survey will help tell that story).*

* No personal information or contacts will be shared without your permission

Survey Responses are Urgently Needed

• You need not be a current Scout or Scouter
• We'd like to heree about your experience even if you live in Connecticut but were a Scout Elsewhere or were a Scout in Connecticut but currently live elsewhere.

Reminder

We have scheduled a new scout camp out for March 12,13, and 14. Please let Drew know if you plan on going. This is an excellent opportunity for use to help the new scouts transition to Boy Scouting, and has always been a lot of fun.

Mr. Harper

Chester Fair Parking

We have been asked to work the parking for the Chester Fair again this summer. The dates are August 27,28,29. This is an excellent way for you to earn money for troop activities. Please let Drew know if you are interested as I need to make a commit to the fairgrounds this month. Thanks!

Mr. Harper

Rank Advancements and Merit Badges for Court of Honor

For the March 27th Court of Honor:

For rank advancements, the last date for Scoutmaster Conferences will be March 15th;
the last date for a Board of Review will be March 16th.
Please contact Mr. Long to arrange Scoutmaster Conferences and Mrs. Long to arrange a Board of Review.

For merit badges, completed, signed merit badge applications should be submitted to Mrs. DeMore by March 16th (and she will not be at the Feb. 16th or 23rd troop meetings).

Thank you!

Summer Camp 2010

It's time to start thinking about Summer Camp for the boys this year. I don't know about you, but when I think about scouting, the activities and experiences at Summer Camp top my list of what it's all about to be a scout.

We'd like to offer something a little different this year for the boys that have been going to Webster for a number of years in a row. We're opting for week 3 (July 18-23) because it is one of two weeks that they are offering the Cape Cod Trek - week 2 is already booked up. This way, we can have some of the boys - especially the new scouts who need to go through the Trail to First Class - stay at camp to earn merit badges and experience the traditional week of camp, while the others join us for the first night and then go out to Cape Cod for the week. Take at look at the information that JN Webster has posted about the Trek - it looks like a great experience. It's a bit more expensive ($420 instead of $350) but it promises to be a unique experience.

http://www.jnwebster.org/2010CapeCod.pdf

We have 8 boys signed up to go to the National Jamboree for two weeks following our week at camp, so unless any of them would also like to join us at camp, it appears that we'll probably have fewer boys than usual this year. We need to send a deposit to council in a few weeks, so we'd like to get some idea of how many boys expect to join us this year at camp. So, PLEASE, respond to this message and let us know if you will DEFINITELY, PROBABLY or WILL NOT be joining us. We'd like to get a response from everyone in order to make an accurate estimate. No monetary deposit is due from you at this time. Camp fees will be due at the end of May for those attending. You can respond to the Troop email, or directly to Joe Weber at joemaura@sbcglobal.net

News & Notes

Super Bowl subs this Sunday Feb 7 at 9am.

Feb 27th is Pack 57's crossover at the Middle School in East Hampton. Pack 8's will be Feb 28th at Camp Tadma.

Our COH will be on March 27th at the VFW 5-8.

New Boys Campout at Engel's will be March 12-14

There will NOT be a West Point trip this year as we were not invited.

Please look for the email from Mr. Weber regarding summer camp. We are planning on going on the Cape Cod Trek and need a head count for the deposit.

Super Bowl Subs

It's that time again, we are taking orders for Super Bowl Subs!

Please visit the link to download a poster and order forms. http://sites.google.com/site/ehtroop8/super-bowl-sub-forms

Orders need to be in by Feb 5th, any questions please call Mr. Long.

Thanks!

Mr. Harper

Leaders & Committee Meeting

CORRECTION: Reminder there will be a Leaders meetings this Thursday Jan. 21.

There will be NO Committee meeting. If there are items for the Committee to discuss, we'll do so at the beginning of the next troop meeting.

Ski Trip Canceled

Due to lack of interest I canceled our reservation at Crotched Mountain - sorry to the people that wanted to go but we needed a minimum of 15 people and we were just not going to have it. Instead we will put together a day trip later in the season, perhaps in March - we will discuss possibilities at the next leaders meeting.

Mr. Bonoff

Law Merit Badge

We have scheduled the Law Merit Badge for Jan 19, 26, and Feb 2. Please make every effort to attend all three meetings in order to complete the requirements.