TROOP 464
NOVEMBER 1998

SCOUTMASTER’S CORNER

This past month our troop had its Court of Honor where the Scouts were recognized for their achievements over the past 4 months. There were many merit badges awarded and rank advancements given. A special congratulations to DANNY R and CHRIS B in earning the highest rank in Boy Scouts - The Rank of Eagle Scout. I look forward to other Scouts in our troop next year earning this rank.

Good News!!! We have been chartered by the American Legion to operate the new VENTURING GROUP. This is a new organization in Scouting open to boys and girls ages 14 to 21 years. At this time, most of the members will replace the Venturing Crew already in existence. I encourage all boys and girls to join this group to further your Scouting experience.

As November and December rolls around, the Troop has activities planned. We have a bike camping outing, Eagle Scout Projects, and parties and fun planned by the Scouts. Everyone, join in and be a part of the fun at Troop 464. As we approach the fall holiday time, I look forward in sharing the fun and good time with all.

Yours in Scouting,
Alex Balian, Scoutmaster

SCOUTMASTER EMERITUS

To Troop 464,

I want to thank everyone in Troop 464, both youth and adults. To the adults, a special thank you for your continued support of myself and the youth and the Scouting adventure. Without the adults, both volunteers and parents, this Troop nor any other Troop would succeed in the Scouting program.

One of the finest moments that I can share with you at this time is that a few days ago I was looking at a Troop photo that was taken at Camp Kern in 1995. I, by chance, looked at the back row of boys standing. There are six Eagle Scouts, not including Rajesh and David Nussbaum. I was impressed at such a total. We have three other boys that are well on their way to becoming Eagles. I was looking at the plaque that the Troop so graciously gave me Wednesday last. The Scoutmaster standing over the fire while everyone sleeps. I was reminded of a number of occasions where I found myself in such a position. The feelings were full of emotion. I want to thank you all for the good times. I would also like to remind everyone of a famous quote by a famous author. Boys, can you guess who the author might be?

"Who hath smelt wood-smoke at twilight? Who hath heard the birch log burning? Who is quick to read the noises of the night? Let him follow with the others, for the young men’s feet are turning to the camps of proved desire and known delight!"

Yours in Scouting,

Steve Andress

FUND RAISING

Reminder: The next fundraising event is the Troop garage sale on Saturday, November 7th @ the Rozelle house. The sale is from 8 a.m. till 1 p.m. If you have any questions, please see any of the adult leaders.

After the garage sale, we have the EL TORITO DAY on November 15, 1997, all day. The location is the El Torito Restaurant in Northridge on Tampa. Bring all of your friends and relatives. Be sure to hand out flyers to friends, enemies, co-workers, and classmates. Just follow the instructions on the flyers for location and procedure.

Some other ides for fund-raisers: Talent show (Give me some feedback on this one. What are your talents and do you want your friends and neighbors watch you perform?) More to come….we need ideas and implementation.

Carolyn Balian

BIRTHDAYS

UPCOMING MEETINGS

UPCOMING EVENTS

DATES OF INTEREST

THE SCOUT LAW

The Scout Law is the foundation upon which the entire Scouting movement is built. The points of the law are a guide by which every Scout tries to live. The Scout Law is a statement of facts.

A Scout is OBEDIENT.  A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, religion, and Troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.

Boy Scout Handbook

TROOP 464 WEB

While a fun place to visit, the Troop Web is more than a novelty. For those who haven’t experienced it yet, there are many resources to help our Troop operate more smoothly.

1. Roster & email lists (remember: username: 464member & the password:*************).
2. Key files - like Trip Slips, Backpack List etc. ( Web Resource Page) also links to many Scouting Web sites with great resources.
3. Up to the minute Troop Calendar (Calendar).
4. Breaking notices on program changes (on Home Page).
5. Important info on activities, like David Nussbaum’s Eagle Project.

Changes are being made to the site almost daily, so check it out. http://markv.com/troop464

Dave Rozelle, Sr. Webmaster
drozelle@socal.rr.com

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled, but as candles to be lit."
Robert H. Shaffer

"A candle loses nothing of its light by lighting another candle."
James Keller

CANDLES

Candle, Candle, burning brihgt,
Just one candle for the night.
You will die before dawn’s light,
by giving of yourself for another’s sight.
People, People, scurrying through life,
To eternity you are but just one night.
Your dawn is breaking, where went the night,
Where went the light in your life’s fight?
To curse the darkness or light the light,
Which is love, which is right?
Time spent kindly serving another’s plight,
Will give happiness and purpose to your life.
Many candles burning through many nights,
Will turn many wrongs into many rights.
Oh what a world, oh what a sight,
All our candles burning with all that might.

Frances E. Stein

NEW ADVANCEMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR

EAGLE SCOUT & OTHER RANKS

Changes to the list of required merit badges for Eagle Scout and to the requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks become effective April 1, 1999.

All changes will be part of the new edition of The Boy Scout Handbook, which is due out about Feb. 1, 1999. Some highlights of the changes include the following:

• Eagle Scout Rank. The number of required merit badges is still 21, but Personal fitness replaces safety as a required badge. In addition, the Sports merit badge is no longer required, and Eagle candidates will be asked to earn one of three "aerobics-related" badges: Swimming, Hiking, or Cycling.

• Second and First Class Ranks. There will be more cooking skills required in Second Class. In addition, swimming requirements for First and Second Class will now "mesh" with the swimming standards for summer camp: the Second Class requirement will be "Beginner" and the First Class requirement will be "Swimmer."

Local councils have received a brochure (BSA No. 18-201) detailing the changes. Additional copies are available from the Boy Scout Division by calling (972) 580-2417.

Yours in Scouting,
David Ballew, ASM
DB4ABI@aol.com
Judy Osborne - Newsletter Editor
josbo59055@aol.com