<![CDATA[BSA Troop 17 - NewsBlog]]>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 18:00:50 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[It's time to start preparing for Summer Camp!]]>Thu, 07 Jul 2016 14:33:33 GMThttp://www.troop17bsa.com/newsblog/its-time-to-start-preparing-for-summer-camp3969729Your SPL and ASPL are headed to Hidden Valley for the pre-camp meeting on Monday.  The mandatory summer camp meeting is at the church Monday (July 25) at 7pm, and rumors are that a huge truck carrying Chessters is heading North.   That could only mean one thing.  SUMMER CAMP is around the corner!!!

 It is time to start mentally and physically getting yourself ready for  summer camp.  Here are a few tips to help you get ready and enjoy the week in the "Land made for Scouting":  Be Prepared!
  • Start thinking of all the fun we will have.
  • Familiarize yourself with the summer camp info on our Troop website.  Basic info is here. (or http://www.troop17bsa.org  – then look under the  “upcoming events” menu item).
  • Review your merit badge selections and prerequisites on the troop website.
  • Get your merit badge pamphlets and  WORK THOSE PREREQUISITES (it makes the badges go much easier)
  • Get your gear together (check the packing lists), and pack them according to this blog post
  • Get your daypack ready - it'll be with you most almost the entire time
  • Start moving your diet toward drinking lots of water instead of energy drinks or soda. Hydrate now!
  • Walk to as many places as you can, so your legs get used to being up and around all the time
  •  If you have new shoes/ boots, start wearing them around the house to break them in (blisters are NOT your friend)
  • Get yourself ready for the temperature by getting outside of the air conditioning.  It's amazing how you adjust.
  • Start thinking of a couple of skits, songs, stunts or stories for the many campfires we'll have.
  • Get with your patrol mates, and talk about having some patrol adventures - like scaling Mt. Shannon, fishing, etc.
  • Packing always takes longer than you think!  Don't wait till the last minute.
 Do a little bit each day.  Be Prepared... By biting off a little everyday, you'll be ready for a super-fantastic summer camp!

For some helpful packing tips, check out this post in the news blog on how to pack smart.
]]><![CDATA[No Troop Meeting on April 18]]>Mon, 11 Apr 2016 13:54:31 GMThttp://www.troop17bsa.com/newsblog/no-troop-meeting-on-april-18Reminder that we will not be having our regular Monday meeting on April 18, due to the April school vacation.  Our next regular meeting is on April 25.  Enjoy your vacation!]]><![CDATA[Basketball Hall of Fame Trip Signup due April 18]]>Mon, 11 Apr 2016 13:51:56 GMThttp://www.troop17bsa.com/newsblog/basketball-hall-of-fame-trip-signup-due-april-18Picture
Signups for the Basketball Hall of Fame Trip on the weekend of April 29-31 are due tonight (April 18).

We are staying at Moses Scout reservation in Russell, MA.  Besides enjoying the day at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, including a possible pickup game, we will be working on a conservation project.  A conservation project is a requirement for Camping merit badge, as well as a new requirement for the Life rank. 

Click here for more info on the Basketball Hall of Fame

For additional information and to sign-up, please log on to TroopWebHost before April 18th.  Please download and complete the Activities Consent Form found on TroopWebHost under Home/Download Forms.

Pack inspection will be held on April 25th for all new scouts attending this trip. For some helpful hints on what to pack, visit our troop website. There you will find some excellent packing lists: http://www.troop17bsa.com/downloads.html.\

Adult chaperones are needed for this trip as it coincides with the OA weekend and some of our regular leaders will not be able to assist with this campout. Please contact Mr. Gillogly (ftnirish@aol.com) if you are available to join us for this trip.

]]><![CDATA[Court of Honor Tonight (April 11) at 7:30pm]]>Mon, 11 Apr 2016 13:41:09 GMThttp://www.troop17bsa.com/newsblog/court-of-honor-tonight-april-11-at-730pmPicture
Don't miss out on our April Court of Honor, tonight (April 11) at 7:30pm.  We will be honoring the achievements of our scouts who have advanced in rank or earned merit badges.  We will also walk down memory lane, as we recall the exploits of trips past (including a video of the Mt Cardigan Expedition)!

We will also have a visit by our Friends of Scouting (FOS) representative.  FOS is the local council's fundraising effort to help support the resources our Scouts need to do Scouting in the area.  Please be generous, as your contribution directly helps your scout and scouts in our area.

As always, all family and friends are invited to the Court of Honor.  Help cheer on our Scouts!
]]><![CDATA[Reminder - Mandatory Summer Camp Meeting tonight (7/20) at 7pm]]>Mon, 20 Jul 2015 17:30:07 GMThttp://www.troop17bsa.com/newsblog/reminder-mandatory-summer-camp-meeting-tonight-720-at-7pm

We will be holding our summer camp preparatory meeting at 7pm tonight (TONIGHT! 7/20/2015) at the Congregational Church.

All scouts and parents of scouts are expected to attend.

Please see more summer camp info and preparations at: http://www.troop17bsa.com/newsblog

]]><![CDATA[It's time to start preparing for Summer Camp!]]>Wed, 08 Jul 2015 17:59:08 GMThttp://www.troop17bsa.com/newsblog/its-time-to-start-preparing-for-summer-camp1Your SPL and ASPL are headed to Hidden Valley for the pre-camp meeting on Monday.  The mandatory summer camp meeting is at the church next Monday (July 20) , and rumors are that a huge truck carrying Chessters is heading North.   That could only mean one thing.  SUMMER CAMP is around the corner!!!

 It is time to start mentally and physically getting yourself ready for  summer camp.  Here are a few tips to help you get ready and enjoy the week in the "Land made for Scouting":  Be Prepared!
  • Start thinking of all the fun we will have.
  • Familiarize yourself with the summer camp info on our Troop website.  Basic info is here. (or http://www.troop17bsa.org  – then look under the  “upcoming events” menu item).
  • Review your merit badge selections and prerequisites on the troop website.
  • Get your merit badge pamphlets and  WORK THOSE PREREQUISITES (it makes the badges go much easier)
  • Get your gear together (check the packing lists), and pack them according to this blog post
  • Get your daypack ready - it'll be with you most almost the entire time
  • Start moving your diet toward drinking lots of water instead of energy drinks or soda. Hydrate now!
  • Walk to as many places as you can, so your legs get used to being up and around all the time
  •  If you have new shoes/ boots, start wearing them around the house to break them in (blisters are NOT your friend)
  • Get yourself ready for the temperature by getting outside of the air conditioning.  It's amazing how you adjust.
  • Start thinking of a couple of skits, songs, stunts or stories for the many campfires we'll have.
  • Get with your patrol mates, and talk about having some patrol adventures - like scaling Mt. Shannon, fishing, etc.
  • Packing always takes longer than you think!  Don't wait till the last minute.
 Do a little bit each day.  Be Prepared... By biting off a little everyday, you'll be ready for a super-fantastic summer camp!
]]><![CDATA[3 Reminders for Tonight's Meeting (5/18)]]>Mon, 18 May 2015 18:09:25 GMThttp://www.troop17bsa.com/newsblog/3-reminders-for-tonights-meeting-518

Three reminders for tonight's meeting...

1. We are meeting at the chapel of Spring Brook Cemetery to place flags on the graves of veterans. Full Class A uniform is appropriate.

2. There is a MANDATORY pack inspection for ALL scouts attending the ACadia trip. Those without a pack inspection cannot go on the trip. Packing lists are available on the troop website. See Mr. Gillogly, if there are issues.

3. Annual Health and Medical Records (a.k.a., med forms) are due tonight. Remember that you do need Parts A, B & C (with a doctor's signature).

]]><![CDATA[May 18th meeting is also a MANDATORY pack inspection]]>Thu, 14 May 2015 21:58:24 GMThttp://www.troop17bsa.com/newsblog/may-18th-meeting-is-also-a-mandatory-pack-inspectionThere will be a pack inspection on May 18th for ALL Scouts attending the May 29th Acadia National Park trip.  Scouts are required to show the gear that they intend to bring to Maine, including their camp gear, daypack, and shoes/boots.

Scouts not bringing their packs for inspection will not be able to attend the trip.

Scouts are reminded that, while we are entering late Spring, Maine is significantly cooler than it will be here (there is still some snow on the ground in some places in Acadia).  Please pack layered clothing to avoid getting cold.  As always, cotton socks and sneakers are not appropriate footwear, especially, as we will be hiking.

The Troop packing list may be found here:

Note that the May 18 meeting is at Spring Brook Cemetery, as previously communicated.]]><![CDATA[Reminder - May 18 Meeting is at Spring Brook Cemetery]]>Thu, 14 May 2015 21:49:55 GMThttp://www.troop17bsa.com/newsblog/reminder-may-18-meeting-is-at-spring-brook-cemeteryThe Troop will gather at 6:30pm on Monday, May 19 at Spring Brook Cemetery .  We will be placing flags at the gravesites of veterans to honor them in advance of Memorial Day. Note the earlier time.

All Scouts should be present in full Class A uniform.

This important service project will take the place of our regular Monday meeting.  Parents should drop off and pick up their Scouts at the cemetery.
]]><![CDATA[New Eagle Scout Project Workbook]]>Mon, 11 May 2015 19:59:22 GMThttp://www.troop17bsa.com/newsblog/new-eagle-scout-project-workbook

The new Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook is now available at http://www.scouting.org/Home/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/EagleWorkbookProcedures.aspx

Scouts who are using the older versions may continue to do so. Others should download the new version.

If you have any questions about the Eagle Scout Service Project process, please see Mr. Gillogly.

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