Category: Other

Troop Registration now due

10/29/2014

Annual Registration fees were due this Monday, October 27th. Annual fee for 2014-2015 will be the same amount as last year ($85). Please get your registration in to avoid having to fill out a new BSA application for your scout. Also, please be sure to add you and your scout's contact information on the form, so that we can get you the most up-to-date information about the troop.

Please make checks payable to: Troop 17. Please submit to Joanne Pinheiro, Troop Registrar or Ruth Bryer, Troop Committee Chair.

As always, we do not want this fee to be a hardship on any family, so if you are unable to pay the full amount, please discuss with either Mr. Gillogly, Mrs. O'Regan, Mr. Ham, or Mrs. Bryer.

Cost covers the following categories: National and local membership, Boys Life, Scout Advancement and Recognition items, Troop equipment, Troop Program resources, trainings for Scouts and Leaders.

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Happy 200th, Star-Spangled Banner!

9/14/2014

200 years ago this morning, a captured Washington lawyer, by the name of Francis Scott Key, awoke aboard a British warship as it lay siege to the port of Baltimore. He had witnessed on the previous night a horrific assault on Ft McHenry, a small earthen and brick fort that was the last hope of protection for the city of Baltimore.

In the evening, 19 British warships attacked the fort with cannons and Congreve rockets. These cannon shells and bombs bursting in air were sure to defeat those defending the small fort. Surely, after that pounding, the fort would surrender, or all would be lost.

When Keys awoke, the next morning, the smoke and fog obscured the fort. He didn't know if the American defenders had survived the continuous shelling from the previous night. However, once the smoke cleared, he saw that the small garrison flag had been replaced by a huge flag - the Star-Spangled Banner. He was so inspired that he immediately set out to pen a poem. That poem later became our National Anthem.

That Star-Spangled banner can be seen today in the Smithsonian's National History Museum, and the flag can still be seen flying at Ft. McHenry, where the National Anthem is still sung proudly every day. We encourage everyone to visit and learn more about our flag and National anthem.

As Scouts, we always respect the flag and the National Anthem by saluting while in uniform. Encourage others to show the same respect whether they are in uniform or not by learning proper etiquette here.

Most you probably don't know the full lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner. It's more than just the verse that we usually sing. It is quite inspiring, and it is easy to see how it became our National Anthem. Perhaps, when you sing it at your next sporting event, Scouting event or on the Fourth of July, it will have a little deeper meaning for you.

O say can you see by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country, should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation.
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Let's look at some of the many and varied versions of our National Anthem. They may all be different, but they say all express the same sentiment. God Bless America!

New BSA Med Form

3/3/2014

BSA has released new Annual Health and Medical Record forms (i.e., Med forms), which become effective today. The form has been updated based on feedback from the Scouting and medical community, and is greatly simplified. You may see the new med forms and more info here: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/healthandsafety/ahmr.aspx

Troop 17 youth and adults should fill out the "Are you Going to Camp form" , which includes Parts A,B and C. Part C requires a doctor's signature and physical. The form is also available on the Troop 17 website in the "downloads" area.

Note that the old med form is valid for one year after the doctor's signature. That is, if your medical form is less than 1 year old, it is still valid. Going forward, however, the new form must be used. For a med form to be valid through summer camp, the latest doctor signature can be dated is August 3, 2013.

Scout Sunday (Feb 2)/ Scout Sabbath (Feb 8)

1/27/2014

A Scout is Reverent.

The Boy Scouts of America was founded on Feb 8, 1910. As part of Anniversary Week celebrations, BSA designates the Sunday before the February 8th anniversary date as Scout Sunday and the Saturday following February 8th as Scout Sabbath. Scouts show their reverent side by attending their own places of worship in full uniform.

Our chartering organization, The Congregational Church of Mansfield, will hold a special Scout Sunday service at 10am.
Likewise, St. Mary's Church will hold services at 9am mass. Please arrive at 8:45am.

Scouts not attending either of these churches are invited to attend their own place of worship in their Class-A uniform. For Scouts of the Jewish faith, Scout Sabbath is on February 8.

Bravo to our Musical Seussical Scouts!

11/3/2013

Let's give a big "Bravo" to our Scouts who participated in the recently completed run of "Seussical Jr." at the Qualters Middle School: Sean L., Curtis O., Nathan A., Raffi M., Drew D. and Anthony K.

You had a great show,
that was easy to see.
The people were applauding like diffendooferglees.
Your hard work was sure, and you're talented as barbaloots
We're glad you are Scouts.
Let's give you some hoots!

See some of the Jamboree fun

7/20/2013

The National Jamboree is well underway. You can take a look at some of the action at the Boy's Life site. It has live tweets from Scouts and Scouters.

Annawon Council has a contingent, made of Scouts from all over the Council, there. You can see some of their photos at the Annawon Council Facebook page.

Tomorrow (July 20) is the big arena show. They haven't announced the lineup, but in the past there have been big name celebrities (even the President) and big name bands. You can check it out at jambolive.org. Check in at 4pm EST To catch the show.

Thank you, everyone, for a great 90th!

6/5/2013

Thanks to everyone who helped out and/or attended our 90th Anniversary celebration on the South Common this past Saturday (June 1, 2013)! We had lots of fun, and hope you did, too.

Special thanks to Charlene McNeil and the Mansfield News for the great photos!

Farewell, Scoutmaster Ham. Hello, Scoutmaster Gillogly

5/5/2013

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!

Outgoing Scoutmaster Mr. Ham and incoming Scoutmaster Mr. Gillogly.

New Medical Form Up - Get one in for camp!

4/12/2013

The new Annual Health and Medical form is available on the Troop website (see Downloads).

A medical form is valid for 1 year. For Summer camp, a valid form WITH DOCTOR'S SIGNATURE, is required. Be prepared, and get your med forms into Mrs. Christo as soon as possible.

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The Rank Emblems are up!

3/19/2013

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Let's give a big cheer to Mr. Whitaker for helping to spruce up our Scout Room! He volunteered a couple hours hanging and painting the strapping for the rank emblems. Thanks, Mr. Whitaker!

The rank emblems are now hung. Next step, everyone needs to get their names on the blocks of wood to hang underneath. Remember, you can decorate them any way you want (as long as it's Scout-appropriate). Will you be the first to get your name up?