A SCOUTMASTER MINUTE
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Cyber-Safety

The new Boy Scout rank requirements are starting to focus on this issue. As part of Youth Protection we need to start following the guideline that says that any e-mail communication involving a Scout and an adult should include at least one more adult in the communication. A good second adult is a parent of the Scout. The Troop Committee chair is another. This applies to both e-mails from adults and e-mails from Scouts. As soon as there is communication involving an adult and a Scout, involve another adult.

Lost and Found

A Lost & Found box will be established outside the Scout Room. If you are missing something, check there first. Some of the stuff already in it includes:

• Blue and black winter coat with the name “Foley” in it. Does not appear to belong to either Foley in our troop.
• Green Folder which says “Boy Scouts” on the front. Has a couple of merit badge pamphlets inside along with some papers.
• The following pieces of non-troop cooking and eating stuff:
• Perforated pot (part of a vegetable steamer)
• Blue OR style cup with no name on it
• Water bottle
• Barbecue tools that don’t appear to belong to the troop.

A few pieces of troop cooking equipment went home after the last couple of camping trips. Please bring them back. I know that at least one ladle and a large pot are missing. We are also missing the spice bucket which is usually in the Leader Box. It is a medium size aluminum pot with cover. The bucket has an assortment of spices, brown and white sugar, gravy mixes, powdered milk, and other helpful cooking items.

Equipment Care

We have never been good at taking care of cooking equipment. It goes out clean and complete. It comes back a little too dirty and scattered. Patrols mix gear. Cook kits are not adequately cleaned and are not put back together. We are forgetting the lessons of Camp Bell where patrols keep their equipment together and account for it. If you are having trouble cleaing cooking equipment while camping, perhaps patrols should be looking at less messy foods. Less grease. More one-pot meals.

Let’s not forget the four step method of cleaning dishes.
1. Scrape all excess food into the trash bag.
2. Wash.
3. Rinse.
4. Sterilize

If you scrape the dishes and cooking gear adequately, your wash water won’t have to work as hard. The rinse water and sterilizer water should NEVER end up greasy. And remember–personal dishes first, then the cooking gear.

Camperships and Other Scholarship Aid

A major reason we run the Pancake Breakfast is so we will have enough money to provide scholarship aid. Don’t be shy. If you need financial assistance for camp or for an event, ask. All information is held in the strictest confidence.

-Hank Manz
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