submitted by Scoutmaster Shawn Benjamin

A perfect setting for the Annual Wood District Winter Camporee this year. Nearly 4 inches of snow fell Saturday and thanks to mother nature waiting til we arrived at Miakonda, Friday night, to let loose, the grounds and temperature were perfect for outdoor scouting adventure.

Logan, Cody S, Noah H. , Noah P, Billy, Levi, Damon, Isaiah, Garrett & Aiden, took part on all the scout challenges and did very well, Thanks to Mrs. Carles for baking a cake shaped like logs and crackling fire, we won the cake contest. Cody Switzer threw snow put, ( heavy shot put), 27ft. The farthest of the entire camp. The klondike sled race gave a close 2^nd and lost to troop 325, who has had the trophy for many years . Lots of big guys in that troop. The food, cooked by scouts, was much better; no upset stomachs this year.

It's with the help of all leaders of Wood District and council that camps such as this can happen. Our historic scout reservation and wonderful volunteer staff feel it a privilege and responsibility to scouting that has been passed down from boy hood to adulthood. It's the 110 year old tradition that keeps paying back by giving boys a quality program that delivers leadership and fun in an outdoor setting. We just have to curve the bringing of electronics to these events. Sometimes, its the memories in the making and gift of being part of our youth's development that pays . Scouting has done that for me.

Ranks

Kyle Gerdeman and Aiden Gore both ranked up to First Class Scout in January. Being first class allows them to run for Patrol leaders and Assistant & Senior Patrol leader. Watch out troop, the 2^nd year scouts are on the move.

Scouts and Chamber

Our Patrol leaders committee will be attending the Blues fest on Wednesday, February 6,2013. It's a meet & greet for non members and members of Chamber. Scouts have been participating in Chamber meetings and working on Eagle projects associated with Chamber and Village members. Codty S, Logan C. Robert L. and A.J. H have all been working on the rank of Eagle.

Wood Badge

The American legion has generously sponsored my continued training by donating $200.00 towards Wood Badge. Wood Badge is, further, Scouting's premier training course. Baden-Powell designed it so that Scouters could learn, in as practical a way possible, the skills and methods of Scouting. It is first and foremost, learning by doing. The members of the course are formed into patrols and these into a troop. The entire troop lives in the out-of-doors for a week, camping, cooking their own meals, and practicing Scout skills.

The uniqueness of Scouting is the patrol method. The use of the natural gang of six or eight boys who elect their own leader and plan and carry out many of their own activities is a democracy in microcosm. Here young men learn the give and take of working with people as they must surely do all their lives. Here, too, they are given leadership and learning opportunities which prepare them for their future roles as citizens. It is for this reason that it is so crucial that all adults understand thoroughly the patrol method. North Baltimore deserves the best, and as Scoutmaster, I hope to provide it to them.

Groundhog dinner & Summer Camp

Tony Hetrick and myself will be attending the annual Groundhog dinner, to introduce all summer camp attendees to the 2013 program. The cost of camp this year is $236.00 per scout. That is the early bird price if submitted to council by May 1^st. Afterwords the price is $256.00. I'm informing all parents now to help spread this out if you choose. Since all scouts have accounts now. We can break it up into payments over 3 months. That would equate to 85.35 per month. Also. Their current balances can be used to offset some cost. Parents, feel free to contact me for your son's current account balance. We will still have our annual bake sale during garage sale days to give the scouts spending money. Note.. If you start this month, Your scout's fees will be in by April. This also gets them a free summer camp hat.

Something different from the Baden Powell quote

A Poem called

Every Now and Then

Every now and then I wonder

As I walk down the rocky lane,

How many boys have done the same,

Hiked to the cabin for fun and games

Every now and then, when it takes courage to lead my peers,

I feel a hand upon my shoulder and in my ear I hear

"It's OK son, you can do it, you have nothing to fear"

That little bit of encouragement helped me through my test.

I went to see who helped me, to tell "I did my best".

But no one said they helped me. They said I was on my own.

I told the strange story to my mom for she'd know what to do

She said, "Honey, don't you know, an old Scoutmaster has come to you.

Past Scoutmasters from the troop you belong

May get old and bent and Oh, so gray,

but they never die or go away.

Their scouting spirit was so strong

That they are always there to help you along".

Every now and then, as I kneel to give my thanks

I pray for every Scoutmaster who has helped me with my ranks

I pray the Lord to bless them and to whisper in their soul

That they made a difference to a boy, I achieved my goal.

Inspired by the scouts of Troop #152, Lexington, OH

Written by Christine McKinney


Hanging out in the snow


Pyramid Top Noah Pelton

Middle Damon Dotson, Billy Trout

Bottom Logan Carles, Cody Switzer, Tim Brown

Sides Isaiah Reinhart & Garrett Byrn

Lashings Aiden Gore, Logan Carles


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Potato Sack Webelos II Levi Trout