Troop 17 will do their part in honoring our fallen soldiers by participating in the Memorial Day parade. We will meet on Memorial Day (Mon. May 27) at 9:30am at Memorial Park. The parade kicks off at 10am. After the parade, the Troop will gather at the Veteran's memorial (near the Common & across the street from our host church) to watch the ceremony. After the parade, the Veterans have invited all to a lunch at the VFW.

This is a Class A uniform event

Scouts are encouraged to learn more about Memorial day

Permission slips and fees are due for the Urban Scavenger Hunt (a.k.a., the Hunt for the Golden Rodent) at tonight's (May 13) Troop meeting.  Also, there will be a pack inspection for all scouts attending the trip.

The Troop will be camping at Camp Sayre and participating in an urban scavenger hunt in downtown Boston the weekend of May 17-19.   

We are still in need of drivers/chaperones.  Please let us know whether you can drive and/or chaperone.  We definitely need drivers, so any assist welcome. We plan on driving in to Boston in the early morning on Saturday, parking there, and returning at about 3pm.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Just a reminder that merit badge and/or any special program area (i.e., COPE, spoke, Valley Voyager, Older Scout) selections are due tomorrow.

Patrol leaders should collect all forms for their patrol.

Hidden Valley Merit Badge prerequisites are available here.

See here for forms and info.

Troop 17 showed that a Scout is, indeed, clean as they helped out with the Great American Cleanup of Mansfield this weekend (May 4, 2013).  16 members of the Troop cleaned up 4 sites around Mansfield, including on School St (between Elm & Otis), Hope St, Franklin St. (by the old Video Mania) and on Allan St./ River St. (by the Train station. 

Troop 17 was well-represented at the Tulpe Lodge Ordeal this weekend (May 3-5, 2013).  Four members, Evan G. Ian B., Patrick C. and Mr. G., walked the trail to Brotherhood membership.  One Scout, Ethan H., survived his ordeal to become an Ordeal member of Tulpe lodge.  Congratulations, Brothers!


The Order of the Arrow, recognizes Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in  their daily lives. This recognition provides encouragement for others to live these ideals as well.  Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long term resident camping, and providing cheerful service to others.  OA service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich and help to extend Scouting to America's youth For more information on the Order of the Arrow click here.

On April 29, 2013, we said goodbye to our 20th Scoutmaster, Mr. Peter Ham, and welcomed our 21st Scoutmaster, Mr. Jim Gillogly.

Mr. Ham, words can't express out thanks for your wonderful leadership!  We sure will miss you at the helm of our Troop!!! As a Wood Badger (Antelope!), you know the importance of leaving a legacy.  Well, just look at our troop, and you can see that legacy: 61 Scouts, 11 Eagles, and a community that has been touched by just about everything your do.  Thank you, Mr. Ham!

Scouts should be prepared to have their Summer Camp selections for Merit Badges and/or special programs (SPOKE, COPE, Valley Voyager, etc) by Monday, May 13. 

Merit Badges that are offered by Hidden Valley Scout Camp  are located on  page 29 of Leader's Guide
MB Prerequisites,  as defined by Hidden Valley (this also give MB guidelines (for ages)

Scouts should select merit badges to fill all three merit badge blocks. Note that some badges take more than one block. Also, the Troop Committee recommends that all Scouts take at least one Eagle-required merit  badge.

Partial Merit Badge Completion: If a Scout has a partial MB, and wishes to complete it Summer Camp, they do not have to reschedule the badge. They should approach Mr. Gillogly or any of the ASMs to let them know. The Troop will then arrange with the Scout to inform the appropriate Camp counselors in the first days of camp.

Prerequisites:  Prerequisites are completed before attending summer camp in order to give your scout the best opportunity to complete their merit badge at camp. Some merit badges have more than others. Please review this now so that you have ample time to prepare for the merit badge class at Hidden Valley.    It is highly recommended that Scouts procure Merit Badge pamphlets (available from scoutstuff.org or the local Scout shop) and read them BEFORE camp!  

First Year Scouts:   You will participate in the First Year Program, and also take Swimming Merit Badge.  Checking the first year box is in the MB selection form is sufficient.  Note: You are a first year Scout ONLY IF you crossed to Boy Scouts over this year.  You do not take the first year program, unless you are a first year Scout (even if it is your first time to camp).

Older (13+) Scouts: Scouts wishing to participate in the Older Scout activities  (i.e., SPOKE, COPE, & Valley Voyager) should refer to the Leader's Guide (pages 47-50)
 
Parents: We ask that you review the Merit Badge selection form(below) with your Scout and sign the selection form.