ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Polar Bear Camporee UPDATE: posted 01/04

Permission slips for the District "Polar Bear Camporee" are DUE
at this week's Troop Meeting!

If you plan on attending this great event, please be sure to bring your signed permission slip to the meeting.

Click here for Permission Slip
Click here for additional Polar Bear Camporee Info Packet

Patrols should review the following list for information about Sled equipment requirements for the Camporee. Click here for Polar Bear Sled Equipment Requirements

New Scoutmaster's Minute has been posted: posted 01/04

Click the link to read it - Link

New Page added to the Troop Web: posted 01/04

Visit the PLC Page to see what is planned for upcoming Weds. Troop Meetings. - Link

Troop Elections coming in January: posted 12/18

Troop 174 will be holding Troop elections during the January 14th meeting.

Attached is a list of all the Troop positions,qualifications for that position, etc,that will be up for election. Also attached is a document that describes the duties involved with each position.

If you are interested in running for one of the positions, please fill out the application and hand it in at the January 7th meeting.

If you currently hold a position and want to run for that position again, you also need to fill out an application.

Troop Election Application - Link
Detailed Position List - Link

District "Polar Bear Camporee": posted 12/15

The Matinecock District Polar Bear Campout will be held in January.

“Polar Bear Camporee”
Baiting Hollow Scout Camp
Friday January 30 thru Sunday Feb. 1, 2009

Transportation to this event is the responsiblitity of scouts and their families.
Friday dinner should be eaten prior to arrival at camp.
Food costs will be decided by patrol.

Permission slips are due by January 7th.

Click here for Permission Slip
Click here for additional Polar Bear Camporee Info Packet

Toy Drive: posted 12/15

As announced during last weeks meeting Ryan B. is organizing a toy drive and asks that if you can, please bring an unwrapped toy to Wednesday's meeting. These toys will be donated to a local toy drive to benefit children who are less fortunate then ourselves.

While this is not an "official" Troop Event, we applaud Ryan's efforts and if you can help out, you will make the holidays a bit brighter for a kid in our community!

"Do a Good Deed!"

Scout Sabbath: posted 12/14

Please see the attached flyer for the dates and locations of
Houses of Worship within the Matinecock District that will be
hosting Scout Sabbath and Scout Sunday services.

Scout Sabbath Flyer

New pictures added to the online photo gallery: posted 12/14

Over 100 photos from Saturday's Historic Trail hike in
lower Manhattan are now available for your viewing pleasure.
Click here for the Photo Album

The Troop is collecting ALL TENTS: posted 12/05

Please bring all troop tents to the next Troop meeting this Weds.

During the month of December we are collecting all the Troop tents the boys currently have in their possession. We will be inventorying every tent to ensure that each is clean, has all the parts (ground cloth, poles, stakes, etc) and to record the general condition.

We will also replace or repair any missing items. After we have gone thru the tents they will be given back to the boys in time for the January Troop outing.

Updated Advancement information Link Added: posted 12/05

2008 Advancement requirements link has been added to the Advancement Page.

Google Map of the Old New York Historic Hike: posted 11/24

The map below is linked to a Google Map highlighting the route the Troop will take on the NY City Historic Hike scheduled for December 13th.

Click the map or the link to go to an interactive and scalable version of the map. Map Link

Thanks to Aaron T. for setting up the map.

Photos from Shu Shu Gah Pow Wow now online: posted 11/23

Despite colder weather than originally anticipated, the Troop has returned from
the Shu Shu Gah Pow Wow and we have the pictures.

To see our online photo album - click here: Link

Troop Calendar has been updated! : posted 11/18

This year's calendar of events and meetings has been updated.
Click here: Link

The Calendar page is here - Link

Elwood Road Clean-Up Schedule for 2008: posted 11/04

Mr. Dora has asked that we post the following dates set for the Troop 174 service patrol Elwood Road clean-up schedule for the 2008-09 school year.

Please note that there is no road cleanup durig December and January.

Patrol Leaders and Scouts please note the following dates:

• Sunday, November 16th
• Saturday, February 7th
• Saturday, April 18th
• Sunday May 3rd
• Sunday, June 7th

Additional Information - Harriman Backpacking Trip: posted 11/01

We will meet at Harriman in the parking lot of the Nature Center at 8:00am.
You should leave Long Island around 6:30 to get there by 8am. I know it's early but the parking lots fill up quickly.

The hike should take about 4-5 hours. So we should be getting back to the parking lot by 1:30pm.

For those parents not going on the hike with us. The Woodbury Outlets are close by and can be a great way to spend a few care-free hours before picking up your son.
Be Prepared: Get some of your holiday shopping done.

Day Hike Gear Reccomendations:
Daypack - to carry everything in.
Water - plenty of water to last the day (2 liters).
Lunch
Hiking snacks - Healthy snacks - GORP, trail mix, etc. No candy!
Hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Emergency rain poncho - just in case!
Compass
personal first aid kit
Boys should wear hiking boots not sneakers.
Boots need to be broken in before going on the hike.
Wear layers - It will be chilly in the morning but as soon as we start hiking the boys will warm up.

Optional Gear:
Hiking stick - if they have one.
Camera - There will be some nice views to take pics
Scout handbook - The hike is a perfect time to get some advancement requirements completed. Let's just hope they are
not the first aid requirements!

Directions to the Nature Center.

Take the George Washington Bridge to the Palisades Interstate Highway heading North.
In about 19 miles exit the parkway at exit 9W onto the Thruway (Route 87/287) which heads west.
About 10 miles later, exit the Thruway at exit 15A. At the exit turn left onto Route 17 North.
After about 2.5 miles, just north of the main street area in Sloatsburg, make a right onto Seven Lakes Drive.
In less than 2 miles you will see the "Reeves Meadow Visitor Center" on the right.
Park in the parking lot next to it.

From the Catholic Committee on Scouting: posted 10/27

We invite all Boy Scouts to the following event:

Peace Light Distribution Service
Sunday, December 14th
3:15pm
Christ the King Parish, Commack
Click the link to see the event flyer: Link

The Ten Commandment Hike ! posted 10/03

Attached please find a flyer with more details regarding the Ten Commandment Hike being held on
Friday, November 28th in the village of Patchogue.
Also attached is a copy of the registration packet with all forms necessary to sign your unit up for the hike. Click Here:Information Packet

This is an opportunity for scouts and their leaders to visit several Houses of Worship and learn about other religions. Each House of Worship will discuss their religious practices and one of the 10 Commandments will be highlighted.

The Hike is open to Scouts on all levels - Cubs, Boy Scouts, Venturers, Sea Scouts and Girl Scouts.

Welcome Back! posted 9/13

NEW LOCATION for Troop Meetings for 2008-2009.
We have moved our meetings to Boyd Elementary School.

Troop Meetings are held on Wednesday nights.
TIME: 7pm-8:30pm
PLACE: Boyd Elementary School on Cuba Hill Road
LOCATION: School Cafeteria

Class "A" uniforms please.
Scouts should bring their scout handbooks, and a pen/pencil to all meetings.

Major Photo Update to the Online Album posted 7/14

Thanks to the Shaefer family for providing pictures from a number of recent Troop events including:
Car Wash 06/08
North-South Lake 06/08
Court of Honor 06/08
Veteran's Day - Flag Placement 08

To see all the new photos - Click Here for Photo Archive

Can you identify Poison Ivy? posted 6/25

What does poison ivy look like? Why is it a problem and how can I avoid it? What should I do if I am accidentally exposed to poison ivy?

The Poison Ivy plant produces an oil that irritates the skin of most people. Touching this plant can cause a rash, possibly severe, with redness, blisters, swelling, itching, burning, fever, and headache. What can you do about it?

These are all good questions and some of the answers can be found in the following links.

Pictures of Poison Ivy

Wikipedia - Poison ivy

Be prepared and save yourself some itchy misery!

Do you know this "Famous Scout"? - 5/19

He is an actor. He was a Life Scout and a merit badge counselor at a Boy Scout camp.
You may recognize him - he's best known for playing a wise-cracking space pilot.
For the answer - click the link and scroll down to the latest entry. - Patrol Page

A History of Taps - 5/18

There are a number of stories surrounding the bugle call of Taps.
This is an especially good one. Thanks to Jonathan.
Click the link - Taps