2017 #6

June 2017
Troop 284 Times
Boyscouttroop284.weebly.com
.com
Scheduled events:
June 26 – Committee meeting
June 27 – Troop meeting
July 11 – Troop meeting
July 16 – PLC meeting
July 20-24 – “The 50” Bike and Hike
July 24 – Committee meeting
July 25 – Troop meeting
July 29 – Dining to Donate at Bob Evans
July 30 - - Lion’s Club Chicken BBQ (for
service hours 10a-2p)
August 6 – Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show at
Excela Square Norwin (for service
hours 11a-3p)
August 8 – Troop meeting
August 13 – PLC meeting Camp Cooking
August 28 – Committee meeting
August 29 – Troop meeting At the May 22nd troop meeting, Assistant Scoutmaster Joe C. lead the
September 5 – Troop meeting
boys in preparing four campfire meals that can easily be prepared
September 10 – Dining to Donate at
without refrigeration for camping trips. On the menu were beef
Applebee’s
September 15-17 – Troop outing stroganoff, chili mac, cheesy chicken alfredo and chicken with gravy,
September 19 – Troop elections stuffing, and mashed potatoes. The troop ate well at this meeting.
September 24 – Court of Honor

Information
Boy Scouts USA - http://www.scouting.org/
Troop 284 Share Site
www.Shutterfly.com
Westmoreland Fayette Council, Boy Scouts of
America - http://www.wfbsa.org/

Facebook:

Westmoreland Fayette Council, Boy Scouts of

America

https://www.facebook.com/WestmorelandFayett
eBSA/

Bushy Run District, Boy Scouts of America

https://www.facebook.com/bushyrunBSA/
 PAGE 2 June 2017

TROOP POSITIONS
SPL* - James S. 2017 NYLT
ASPL* – Tommy K.
Scribe* – open position Westmoreland Fayette Council
Patrol Leaders*
Phoenix - Andrew B. National Youth Leadership Training is an exciting, action-packed
..
Nuclear Quackers - Cole S. program to provide youth members with leadership skills and
Campfire – Zach M.
experience they can use in their home troops and in other situations
Assistant Patrol Leaders
demanding leadership of self and others.
Phoenix - David H.
If you are: Registered with BSA, 13 years of age, achieved at least 1st
Nuclear Quackers – Brendan Z.
Class Rank, have Scoutmaster Recommendation and Live by Scout
Campfire – Collin G. Oath & Law, you are ready to take scouting to the next level at NYLT.
Quartermaster*– A.J. M.
Troop Guide – Zach M. The next NYLT will be held Sunday, July 30, 2017 through Friday,
Chaplain Aid – David H. August 4, 2017 at Camp Buck Run. Registration is noon on Sunday
Historian – Joseph M. and Course will conclude after the closing ceremony on Friday.
Webmaster*– Collin G.
Cost is $200 per participant if paid by July 15, 2017. After July 15 the
Leave no Trace – Louie B.
fee will increase to $225. Contact Denny K. for more information or
OA Representative – Tyler S.
any questions you may have. smsparkydk@aol.com or 724-575-3146.
*denotes PLC member
Download a nomination form HERE

HAPPY Troop 284’s Newest Scout Memorial Day Parade

BIRTHDAY!
June Birthdays…
Walt M. 6/14
Zach M. 6/24
Brendan Z. 6/26

Shutterfly Troop 284 would like to welcome its newest

Don’t forget to
check out the new
pictures on our
Troop 284 share
site on Shutterfly
and upload yours!
member, Quentin Q. Quentin eleven years old
and is going into the sixth grade at Hillcrest
Intermediate. He is a member of the band
where he plays the saxophone. His interests Mr. Gunzburger and Collin
include reading, going to the park, and playing
with his younger brothers. The next time you representing Troop 284 in the
see Quentin please take a minute to introduce
yourself. Memorial Day Parade in Irwin.
 PAGE 3 June 2017

Boy have our Scouts been busy! As the scout law states… a scout is helpful. The scouts of Troop 284 provided
many hours of service to the community. David H. earned service hours helping service dinner at Girl Scout Troop
20216’s Bridging Ceremony. AJ, Zach C, Collin and David H. all worked eight hours at the Relay for Life handing out
water to walkers. They also set up many luminaries around the track and in the stands. Also in the months of May
and June, Collin, both David H’s, Marty, Louie, A.J. and Brendan all helped out at the Lions Club Chicken BBQ.
Louie, A.J., Zach C. and Tyler F. all volunteered at Cub Scout Day camp.

May’s Lions Club Chicken BBQ

Service Hours Opportunity: Girl Scout Bridging

Dinner
First Presbyterian Church is having a flea
market July 1, 8:00am – 1:00pm. This is an
opportunity for service hours. They will need
help setting up and cleaning up. Set up will
probably be between 6:00-8:00am. They
may need help sorting items during the week
or manning tables during the sale. They are
concerned they will not have enough help, so
please email the church office at
audrey@firstpresbyirwin.org or leave a
message at the office at 724-863-5910 if you
June Lion’s Club
can help. Chicken BBQ
 PAGE 4 June 2017

Merit Badge Opportunities

Indian Lore Merit Badge for Individual Scouts at Fort Necessity National Battlefield
July 6, 2017
The scouts may take this merit badge class on July 6. The scouts will complete the merit badge by learning about the
Seneca Indians in the 1750s. They will make a wampum bracelet, learn three American Indian games and study the
American Indian artifacts in the visitor center. Some of the participants will even get to dress in try-on
clothes. There is a merit badge counselor on staff to sign the boys' blue cards. The program will start at 10:00 and
scouts should bring a lunch. There are no prerequisites. Program Length: about 3 ½ hours. Reservations are required.
There is a $5 per scout fee for the program. Adults are free.

Archaeology Merit Badge for Individual Scouts at Fort Necessity National Battlefield
June 27, 2017 or July 13, 2017
The scouts may take this merit badge class either on June 27 or on July 13. The scouts will have a great time learning
Archaeology, participating in a mock dig, making a soldier's musket cartridge and studying the French and Indian War
soldiers. There is a merit badge counselor on staff to sign the boys' blue cards. The program will start at 10:00 a.m.
and scouts should bring a lunch. Reservations are required. There is a $5 per scout fee for the program. Adults are
free.
Prerequisites. There are two prerequisites. The scouts do either requirement 4a or requirement 4b before arriving.
They will do requirement 4c at Fort Necessity. The second prerequisite is that the scout complete requirement 5. Fort
Necessity’s web page has some resources the scouts can use to learn about some archaeological site in the United
States.
Program Length: about 5 hours

Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge class scheduled for Friday, July 14, 2017 from 10AM-Noon. $10 per scout.
Soldiers & Sailors

American Cultures, American Heritage, American Labor, Collections and Genealogy are being offered by The Heinz
History Center on August 19th.
Cost is $10 per person and only one badge can be completed per day. Check online for prerequisites.

Bird Study & Photography, Electronics & Radio, Emergency Preparedness, Engineering, Environmental Science,
Farm Mechanics, Medicine, Welding and Robotics by The STEM Merit Badge College through Robert Morris
University - October 21st
Will take place at Rosedale Technical College in Pittsburgh. Cost for each scout is $25 which includes lunch, a patch
and a T-shirt. Please see website for prerequisites by class.

The PA Trolley Museum is offering Railroading and Electricity Merit Badges as well as the Personal Management
Merit Badge - November (second Saturday?)
The cost is $25 per scout/$9 per adult for the Railroading and Electricity merit badges. The cost is to be determined
for the Personal Management merit badge. This badge requires a 13-week prerequisite.

With all merit badges, the scout is responsible for obtaining blue cards as well as completing any prerequisite work
needed for the merit badge prior to attending the class.
If anyone is interested in any of these merit badges please let you patrol leader/Lisa C. know to see if we have
enough scouts to book as a group. While we stress group participation, anyone can take part in these opportunities.
If only individual scouts are interested, then the scout will need to self-register.
 PAGE 5 June 2017

Sixteen scouts and ten leaders from Troop 284 attended summer camp at Camp Conestoga from June
18-24. Scouts attending summer camp this year included: Andrew B., Adam B., Louie B., Ethan C., Zach C., Isaiah
F., Collin G., David W. H., David H., A.J. M., Joseph M., Zach M., Alex N., Marty T., Brendan Z., and Ryan Z.
Leaders attending this year included: Bob B., Rick M., Lee M., Walt M., Marty T., Joe C., Mike C., Dave H., Randy
G., and Alan B.
For more than 100 years, the Order of the Arrow (OA) has recognized Scouts 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, developing leaders, and providing cheerful service to others. This year the Order of the
Arrow Tap Out was held on Parents Night and A.J. M., Zach M., and Mr. Marflak were tapped out.
Congratulations!
Throughout the week many activities and merit badges were worked on by the scouts and leaders. Troop
284 was recognized with a variety of awards this year. Our troop was awarded the True Scout Campsite Award,
the Camp Adventure Award and the Camp Spirit Award. The Camp Spirit Award is the coveted award given to
only one troop each week of summer camp. It was earned based on the number of merit badges earned (67),
camp site inspections, adult participation, and service projects. The adult leaders completed daily service
projects of removing tree stumps. In receiving this award our troop number will be embossed on the plaque at
camp.
In addition to troop awards some individual scouts and leaders were recognized. Mr. Tougher was the
only adult to receive an award for his tomahawk throwing skills. Alex N. was recognized by the nature pavilion
for his adaptive creature creation. Andrew B. and Adam B. also received recognition.
 PAGE 6 June 2017

Hanging out…

Wilderness Survival

Family Night
 PAGE 7 June 2017

Work...

Then Play...(or Rest)!

Mr. Tougher’s Tomahawk Skills

Until Next Year…