This is the place for timely troop announcements, outing & activity details and news blurbs. Check back often for changes and updates.
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Posted 11/11/09 — Tent Camping, Durland Scout Reservation, Nov 14–15. Meet at ICS garage Saturday Nov 14 @ 7:45am sharp, departing at 8:15am. Cost = $25. Planned activities include: Capture the Flag & and multiple advancement opportunities. Webelos & their dads are also expected to join us for the weekend. Check with your Patrol Leader to see if you need to bring lunch for Saturday. Also, check back here Friday night to ensure the campout has NOT been postponed, as extremely bad weather is forecast for Saturday from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida. Assuming the campout is NOT postponed, please use the following informative documents to help you prepare.
Camp Durland Trip Details (Print this 1 page comprehensive summary)
Personal Camping Gear List – Fall Tent Camping (Print this 1 page summary)
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Posted 10/16/09 — Wilderness Survival, Slide Mountain area, Catskills, Oct 23–25. Meet at ICS garage Friday Oct 23 @ 5:30pm sharp, Departing @ 6pm sharp. Cost = $25 + Gast fee per car (TBD). Planned Wilderness Survival Skills – firebuilding, water safety, food storage, shelter building, directions without map/compass, animal snares. More details will be posted here soon.
What’s in my Backpack? (Print this 2 page summary)
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Posted 09/22/09 — 14th Annual Beach Jam, Wildwood, NJ, Sept 26 & 27th. Led by ASM Mike Occhicone, this fun Beach Camping event requires check-in @ 10:30am, so we MUST depart ICS Garage @ 7am sharp! Cost is $100 & payable at departure Sat Morning ($55 camping fee + $25 for lunch / misc + est’d $20 gas fee). Camping fees are non-reimbursable. Late registration is allowed for $60-but you must notify Mr. Occhicone immediately for transportation logistics. Scouts must bring Class “A” shirt, wristwatch & pen and paper for merit badge classes! Beach toys are also permissable (wiffle ball, football, frisbee, volleyball–mark your initials).
Please print out the 1-page Parent / Leader’s Guide, read and bring with you, as it includes contact info, the itenerary, driving directions, advanced preparation requirements and other helpful information.
Parent / Leader’s Guide to Beach Jam Campout (Print this 1 page summary)
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Posted 09/12/09 — New Merit Badge Counselors announced. Treasurer Mike Palumbo & ASM & Program Coordinator Mike Ibarra were both recently approved as Merit Badge Counselors. Mr. Palumbo, in addition to his current status as MB counselor for Law, Crime Prevention & Electricity is now approved for Citizenship in the Community, Nation & World, Family Life and Golf. Mr. Ibarra is now an approved Counselor for Backpacking, Camping, Computers, Cooking, Orienteering, Photography, & Rifle Shooting. Congratulations Mike & Mike!
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Posted 09/03/09 — Fall Court of Honor & Pot Luck Dinner, Sat. Sept. 12th, 5pm, Cottle Elementary School. 2 Siwanoy Blvd., Eastchester, NY. The “Welcome Back” Court of Honor and Pot Luck Dinner should be a fun family event for all! The Court of Honor, which will include the announcement of the winners of the annual Troop 353 Awards: Scout of the Year & Good Turn Service. These once-in-a-life time prestigious awards are bestowed on 2 scouts that exhibit all the elements of what makes Scouting such a unique and wonderful program. The Court of Honor, which will include something special, begins promptly at 5pm in the auditorium, with the Pot Luck Dinner beginning at 6pm in the cafeteria. Senior planning members of the Patrol Leaders Council (SPL, ASPL, PL, TG as well as adult ASM Patrol Leader Advisors and ASM Program Coordinator) will meet at 4pm at the Cottle cafeteria to finalize planning for all remaining September events & Court of Honor details. All troop 353 families need to respond to Rose Poletti (kpoletti@optonline.net) ASAP, whom has volunteered to organize the Pot Luck Dinner for the troop! Many thanks Rose!
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Posted 08/05/09 — Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation, Aug 9-15. Depart from ICS Garage at 8am sharp on Sunday Aug. 9th. By now, all advancement classes have been set. Bring all Forms listed below & signed by parent and/or doctor (bring 2 copies of Med form). Our scouts are set to accomplish considerable advancement, while at the same time enjoying memorable extracurricular activities including: horseback riding, All you can eat BBQ & Rodeo, caving, zip line, hiking up Mt. Stevens and white water rafting down the Sacandaga River! Any last minute questions should be directed toward Mike Ibarra.
a. Medical (must be Class 3) records, *signed by a doctor*. http://www.wpcbsa.org/Download/WPCMedical.pdf
b. Riding stable release form. Saddle Up Stable Permission Slip
c. Whitewater rafting release form. http://www.wpcbsa.org/Download/ReadPermission.pdf
d. Out of camp permission release form. (same page as Whitewater rafting release form)
e. Personal Packing Gear List ==> See Download Page
f. ALL CAMP READ INFO CAN BE FOUND HERE ==> http://www.wpcbsa.org/Download/ReadParentsGuide.PDF
g. Saddle Up Riding Stables ==> http://www.ridingstables.com/
h. Painted Pony Rodeo ==> http://www.paintedponyrodeo.com/index.htm
i. White Water Rafting ==> http://www.hudsonriverrafting.com/
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Posted 07/05/09 — POSTPONED-TO BE RESCHEDULED. Project COPE & Obstacle Course (Sat July 11th), Camp Mattatuck, Plymouth, CT. Required attendance for all Green Bar youth leaders (SPL, ASPL, PL, APL, Troop Guide, Troop Scribe, Troop Historian, Troop Librarian, Instructors, Den Chief)–this is an important team-building event designed SOLELY for Green Bar youth leaders. Meet at ICS Garage @ 7am, depart @ 7:30am sharp! It is very important that we check in at Camp Mattatuck by 9:30am! Cost = $25/person. Bring lunch, energy drink, snack. Clothing = jeans (not shorts), Class B T-shirt, sneakers, sunscreen, hat. Bring bathing suit and towel for optional swim after COPE course completion (weather and time permitting). According to Camp Mattatuck, Scouts must be at least age 13 AND Have completed climbing merit badge to participate in the High Ropes course in the afternoon. All participants MUST bring completed & signed Camp Mattatuck Hold Harmless agreement (see below). Please RSVP to Scoutmaster Tom ASAP that you will be able to attend this important event which is partially subsidized by the troop treasury.
Parent / Leader’s Guide to COPE Course (Print this 1 page summary)
Camp Mattatuck Hold Harmless Agreement (Print & Parent Signature Required)
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Posted 06/11/09 – 2nd Annual Frank McCluskey Friendship Outing (Sat & Sun 06/27 — 28/09), Canoe the Delaware River and Camp at Ten Mile River, Narrowsburg, NY. Meet at ICS Garage @ 7am, depart @ 7:30am sharp! It is very important that we check in at Landers Canoe Rental by 10:30am! Cost = $65/person, $40/guest + $26 gas/auto ($40 Non-refundable). All invited guests forms (see Download page) must be turned in by 6/14/09. Please print out the 1-page Parent / Leader’s Guide, read and bring with you, as it includes contact info, the itenerary, driving directions, advanced preparation requirements and other helpful information.
Parent / Leader’s Guide to Canoe Trip Campout (Print this 1 page summary)
Beginner’s Guide to Canoeing (required reading)
Lander’s Liability Release Form (required)
Map of Ten Mile River Scout Camp
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Posted 06/10/09 – Upcoming Swim Night (Thur 06/11/09). 8–9pm. YMCA, 250 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, NY. 914-949-8030. FREE! Meet @ YMCA @ 7:45pm sharp! New Webelos and invited friends for the canoe trip need to complete their BSA swim test. Many other scouts still need completed various aquatic requirements for 2nd Class & 1st Class. Bring a towel and change of clothes. Lockers provided in shower room.
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Posted 06/04/09 — Upcoming Backpack Outing, Harriman State Park, NY. (Saturday 06/06/09). Come join Former Scoutmaster Don Wauchope, Eagle Scout & ASM Mike Dobbins (among other Eagle Scouts) and current Scoutmaster Tom McCandless for a mini-trek high adventure overnight in nearby Harriman State Park. Tentative plans call for hiking along the Ramapo Dunderberg Trail and camping near the shelter atop Tom Jones Mountain–a beautiful campsite! Scouts should be completely self-sufficient, bringing all necessary cooking gear and AMPLE water. Depart Tuckahoe Community Center at 7:30am & returning no later than 10am Sunday morning. For Backpacking tips, consult your Boy Scout Handbook and selected websites from the “Links” page (Outdoor Skills). Fully packed, backpack should weigh no more than 1/3rd your body weight. Attendance eligibility is 12.5 years or older and at least 1st Class rank.
Harriman SP Backpack Trip Event Details
Harriman SP Backpack Personal Gear List
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Posted 05/20/09 — Poconos White Water Rafting, Jim Thorpe, PA! (Saturday 05/23/09). Rain or Shine! Depart ICS Garage at 7:30am (please arrive by 7:00am). Our group has a mandatory check-in at 11:00am & everyone must be present–we should ALL try to arrive by 10am! You will have 1 hour to check-in, pick a tight-fitting wet suit and eat your brown bag lunch — and the waiting lines are long! We will be on the river about 5 hours, returning back to Outfitter shop around 5:30pm. BRING a change of dry clothes to wear on the ride back home! There is a free snack dinner (hot dog, chips and lemonaide). Adults should have completed the Safety Afloat training module. ALL Rafters (including adults) must bring the adult-signed Pocono Whitewater Rafting Waiver form (below). There are several helpful links below, ALL of which should be read. Please print out the 1-page Parent / Leader’s Guide, read and bring with you, as it includes the itenerary, driving directions and other critical information.
Parent / Leader’s Guide Rafting Event ==> Pocono Rafting Trip Event Details
General Q & A and Discussion ==> http://www.whitewaterrafting.com/
Everyone Must Bring this Signed Form ==> Pocono Rafting Waiver Form
Posted 05/07/09 — Trap Shooting at Sportsman’s Club, Cortlandt Manor, NY (Sat. 05/16/09), 8am–4pm. Depart ICS Garage at 7:00am in order to arrive by 8:00am. Bring lunch, water & afternoon snack. Under the careful safety standards of the NRA, scouts 12 & older will be able to shoot traps & skeets with 12-gauge shotguns. Limited target practice with .22 rifles will also be likely. All attending adults need to review Ch. 8, in Guide to Safe Scouting, Firearm Safety. Multiple community service projects will also be completed under the guidance of Westchester County Volunteer advisor & long-time Troop 353 friend, Robert Del Torto. Scouts will have the opportunity to complete +3 hours or more of community service in order to fulfill their minimum 10-hour obligation to attend the upcoming white water rafting trip on 5/23/09. Additional details, including driving directions, phone #s, etc. can be found in the Parent Leader’s Guide below.
Parent / Leader’s Guide Trap Shooting ==> Trap Shooting Sportsman’s Club
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Posted 05/20/09 — Upcoming Swim Night (Thur 05/21/09). 8–9pm. YMCA, 250 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, NY. 914-949-8030. FREE! Meet @ YMCA @ 7:45pm sharp! Many scouts still need completed various aquatic requirements for 2nd Class & 1st Class. Bring a towel and change of clothes. Lockers provided in shower room.
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Posted 04/02/09 – New Merit Badge Counselor Announced! Committee member Khalil Shalabi has been approved by Westchester-Putnam Council as a new merit badge counselor for the following merit badges: Personal Fitness (Eagle Required), Athletics, Canoeing, Engineering, Nuclear Science and Rowing. Congratulations Khalil!
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Posted 04/01/09 — REVISED SCHEDULE — US Military Orienteering Skills Workshop, Camp Buckner, West Point, NY. (Saturday April 4 — Sunday April 5). Meet at ICS Garage at 7:00am on Saturday. Depart @ 7:15am sharp! Must arrive at West Point by 8am, set up camp & get to classroom instruction by 9:00am. Cost = $45. This is an awesome opportunity and 90% of the Orienteering merit badge should be completed! Bring clean & dry clothes for dinner Sat night. Volunteer event leader is Mr. Mike Ibarra. Rain gear & Compass are mandatory.
ALL PERSONAL GEAR (including Mess Kit, Eating Utensils & Clothes) MUST HAVE YOUR INITIALS!
Personal Gear List – Early Spring Tent Camping
Parent / Leader’s Guide ==> Orienteering Skills Workshop – Camp Buckner
Link to US Military Academy Orienteering Workshop Home Page
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Posted 03/31/09 — Order of the Arrow. Congratulations to the following scouts whom were elected by their peers to be inducted into Scouting’s National Honor Society: Josh G., Chris L., Kevin M., Mike P., Simon R., Joseph S., and Kris Wong! Good luck on your ordeal!
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Posted 03/12/09 – Upcoming “Good Turn” Graymoor Campout and Iron Chef Cookoff, Sat March 21 – Sun March 22, Graymoor Monastery, Garrison, NY. Meet at ICS Garage @ 7am, depart 7:30am sharp! $20 Camping fee, payable at Mar 15 Troop Meeting. All Scouts have the opportunity to earn 5–6 hours of valuable community service hours (10–12 required for upcoming White Water Rafting Trip in late May). Iron Chef Cookoff Sunday morning–required ingredients apples, raisins, & lime–Brother Ted Novak final tasting judge. Several camping advancement requirements are available. Ball games and frisbee available late Saturday afternoon. Bonfire & Skits planned Sat night. Scouts will get dirty during the day Saturday & MUST have work gloves. Will have use of indoor bathrooms and showers at the monastery. Adult Leaders should bring shovels, wheelbarrows and other yard working tools. More details below.
ALL PERSONAL GEAR (including Mess Kit, Eating Utensils & Clothes) MUST HAVE YOUR INITIALS!
Personal Gear List – Early Spring Tent Camping
Parent / Leader’s Guide ==> Good Turn Campout & Iron Chef Cookoff – Graymoor Monastery
Topographical Map – Graymoor Monastery
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Posted 03/05/09 – Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser! Saturday March 7, 6–8pm at the American Legion, 40 Bell Rd., Scarsdale, NY. Come out for a relaxing evening in support of your kids! If you have not yet responded, please email Mike Palumbo ASAP about how many people in your family will likely be attending. Scouts should invite friends, neighbors and greater family members. Scouts will be participating in early preparation, cooking, serving and cleanup — patrol assignments have been issued. Entertainment and other activites will be provided. Anonymous donations of varying denominations will be taken at the door of the event via provided envelopes with the commitee-approved suggested tax-free donation of $50/adult; $25/child (ages 6–14); & children under 5 free. All special Webelos guests and parents: $10/adult & scouts and other children free. Troop 353 Scouts should wear Class B shirts and their name tags. If anyone has any questions about this event, contact either Mr. Michael Palumbo or Mr. Michael Ibarra.
Map ==> 40 Bell Rd, Scarsdale, NY 10583 American Legion Location
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Posted 03/01/09 – Indoor Rock Climbing @ The Rock Club (TRC), New Rochelle, NY, Monday Mar. 9, 2009. 914-633-7625, 7-9pm. Meet @ TRC @ 6:45pm.
- Preregistration: ALL participants, including parents that want to climb, MUST complete the online waiver (if younger than 18 years old) & preregistration form PRIOR to arrival on 01/12/09 here ==> http://www.climbrockclub.com/rockclub_preregistration.php
Cost: a) Climbing Merit Badge Course – $50 / person / session. Includes 6 hours of instruction & all necessary climbing gear. Must be at least 12 years old by the time of the last scheduled class on 3-09-09 to qualify for the merit badge class;
b) Recreational Climbing (includes scout 10% discount) $9 / person / session (13 years old & younger) & 15 / person / session (14 & older) — harness & shoes (optional) = $4.50 each;
c) Belayers – You must be at least 14 to belay AND have completed The Rock Club’s belay test; if you are going to belay only (not climb), then there is no cost; d) bouldering – open to all if 12 or older, adult supervision required for safety reasons.
- The Rock Club: Contact info & directions ==> http://www.climbrockclub.com/rockclub_contact.php
- Review Climbing Knots here ==> http://animatedknots.com/indexclimbing.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com
- Climbing Merit Badge requirements ==> http://meritbadge.org/index.php?title=Climbing
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Posted 01/20/09 – Upcoming Ice Fishing and Winter Campin & Winter Recreation Outing, Friday Jan. 30 — Feb 1, 2009, at Ten Mile River Scout Camp in Narrowsburg, NY. There will be 2 groups departing from ICS Garage: One large group (led by Dave Flannery & Mike William) at 5pm (please arrive by 4:45pm) Friday night & a smaller group (led by Ben Rosner) at 8am Saturday morning (arrive by 7:45am). Bring a bag meal to eat in car or eat dinner beforehand. Cost = $45 (food & camping fee) + gas fee ($20/car, shared by passengers equally). Miscellaneous Items to bring: snow shovel for quinzee building, waterproof Winter sporting clothes (skiing and/or snowboarding) & sled or inner tube.
ALL PERSONAL GEAR (including eating utensils & clothes) MUST HAVE YOUR INITIALS!
Personal Gear List – Cabin Camping
Parent / Leader’s Guide ==> Ice Fishing Campout – Ten Mile River Scout Camp
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Posted 12/31/08 — Hiking With Eagles! Anthony’s Nose at Bear Mountain State Park, Saturday Jan. 3rd. Several current and former Eagle & Life Scouts will be in attendance. Great learning opportunity for all younger scouts. Meet at Tuckahoe Community Center @ 10:15am, depart for Bear Mountain at 10:30am.
Scouts should wear winter clothing & their daypack should include a healthy lunch (include some protein), energy drink / water, compass, personal first aid kit & Boy Scout Handbook. In addition to the Boy Scout Handbook, here is another terrific overview of proper clothing & personal items to take for a winter hike (we will not need crampons), provided by the Appalachian Mountain Club ==> Winter Hiking 101
More info on Anthony’s Nose can be found in this link to an online trail guide, provided by trails.com ==> Anthony’s Nose Trail Guide
Weather forecast for Bear Mountain
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Posted 12/11/08 - Orienteering Hike at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Saturday Dec. 13th. Come join us for this fun and challenging event! Multiple Advancement stations planned by the Green Bar leaders. Meet at ICS Garage @ 8:45am, depart for Ward Pound Ridge by 9am. We should return home 3–4pm. Scouts should bring daypack with lunch, energy drink, Boy Scout Handbook, compass, & 25 feet of 1/4″ nylon rope. Webelos scouts have been invited. Cost is about $2/ person ($8 / carload). More details in the link below.
Parent Leader’s Guide — Orienteering Hike – Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
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Posted 11/29/08 — TV Show Host (and Eagle Scout) Mike Rowe of “Dirty Jobs” offers free letters to Scouts about his perspective on attaining the rank of Eagle Scout–Please Read!
Inspiration for Reaching Eagle Scout
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Posted 11/06/08 — Upcoming Backpack outing (Sat/Sun Nov 22–23). Meet at ICS Garage @ 7am–Depart by 7:15am. Hiking into Durland Scout Reservation from Clarence Fahnestock State Park. Scouts will participate in 1 hour service work on Sunday morning.
Personal Gear List – Backpack Camping
Parent Leader’s Guide — Backpacking AT – Fahnestock State Park & Durland Scout Reservation
Topographical Map – Fahnestock State Park & Durland Scout Reservation
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Posted 10/15/08 — Upcoming Campout on the Hudson River (Sat/Sun Oct 18–19). Meet at ICS Garage @ 7am–Depart by 7:15am. Troop will participate in service project at Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park (bring work gloves and trash bag) Saturday morning and visit the National Historic site of FDR’s Home and Museum (clean Class A Scout uniform required) in nearby Hyde Park.
Directions to ICS Garage from Tuckahoe Community Center
Personal Camping Gear List – Tent Camping
Parent Leaders Guide — Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park outing
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Posted 09/23/08 — Thank You note from Frank McCluskey’s parents. Everyone should read the wonderful and gracious thank you note from Patrick & Violet McCluskey from Ireland. It is never too late to leave your thoughts about Frank in the “comment” section of the “In Memoriam” story posted on April 16, 2008. Truly, Frank lived his life according to the Scout Law & Oath and the Golden Rule.
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