Over the past few months the troop committee has been searching for a new charter organization. They have considered a number of locations and thought Wesley United Methodist Church across from the middle school would fit our needs perfectly. So with this decision made we will start off the new year at our new location. There will be some growing pains with new rules and maybe some restrictions but there is also the opportunity to expand our weekly program and move forward with new ideas.

Scoutmaster Mr. “Boo” is looking forward to this fresh start but he also realizes that it will be nerve racking for a few month. He has talked about the various outdoor programs that we can do and service projects we can perform for our new charter organization.

This is an exciting time for Troop 271 and all the scouts and scouters in it.  Our new calendar reflects a new direction for our meetings and activities.

The church congregation is excited about the troop coming to them.  We will have an opportunity to formally introduce ourselves as a troop on Scout Sunday, February 5th.  More information will be forthcoming on this.

The church has about 20 acres and is the site of previous Eagle projects and the current Eagle project of Kyle Morris.  He will be looking for help in the near future.

So everyone get ready for an exciting new year in 2012.

NOTE: Our meeting night will change to Tuesday instead of Monday. The first meeting of the new year will be held. January 10th at 6:30

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Troop Calendar for January through March 2012

The troop calendar for the first 3 months of the year has been put together. Mr. “Boo” and Mr. Schultz took the activities that were already planned and structured a new plan for our new  meeting location. The Patrol Leaders Council will review this next  week and make sure they want to go with it.

The senior patrol leader and his assistants will be asking for help in carrying out the weekly program and monthly activities. So check out the calendar and see where you want to step in to help.

Merit badges is the easiest way to lend a hand. So sign up to be a merit badge counselor and watch the boys expand their horizons

Check with Mary Reese the troop Advancement Chairman for more information

Merit Badge Counselors

As a merit badge counselor, your mission is to join fun with learning. You are both a teacher and mentor to the Scout as he works on a merit badge and learns by doing. By presenting opportunities for growth via engaging activities like designing a Web page (Computers), perform maintenance on a car (Auto Repair) or fabricating rope (Pioneering), you can pique a young man’s interest in the merit badge subject. Just think: Your hands-on involvement could inspire a Scout to develop a lifelong hobby, pursue a particular career, or become an independent, self-supporting adult.

You must complete “Youth Protection Training “ and be registered with the troop. For more information go to  merit badge.org  or see Mary Reese the Advancement Chair or Bill Schultz The Committee Chair.

Troop Committee Corner

The Boy Scout Troop Committee is responsible for conducting the business of the troop, setting policy, and helping the Scoutmaster and Scouts with the outdoor program and other planned activities. The committee also has the responsibility to provide adults for boards of review. This is an important responsibility and is one area where help is always needed and appreciated. The committee consists of parent volunteers who fulfill various roles on the committee.

The committee meets once a month  for one hour prior to a troop meeting. There are the occasional specially called meeting but they are rare.

We currently have a num,ber of openings on the committee and welcome new support. For a complete list and description of the troop committee position see meritbadge.org  then look for troop committee.

Please feel free to contact the committee Chair Bill Schultz if you have any questions or want to raise your hand to join us.

Advancement

Advancement is the cornerstone of scouting. The scouts learn requirements and pass a board of review for each rank.  The scout must keep track of everything he does. For advancement up to first class he is mentored by an older scout and a Patrol Adviser. Each time the scout learns something new he must get the person teaching him to sign and date his book. He must then make sure it is recorded in the patrol note book on his advancement page. When all requirements for his next rank are complete he will get a practical review from an older scout, a scout master conference and a board of review. These may occur in the same night time permitting.  But in the long run it is the scouts responsibility to make sure all the record keeping for his advancement is up-to-date.

When a scout passes the board of review he is immediately recognized that night with his rank badge then at the next Court of Honor he is recognized again with his rank advancement card

The Hornaday Silver medal is highly prized by those who have received them. This award represents a substantial commitment of time and energy by individuals who have learned the meaning of a conservation/environmental ethic. There are several different Hornaday awards for Boy Scouts. All require specific advancement requirements and substantial conservation projects. The Badge requires one project, the Bronze medal requires three projects and the Silver medal requires four major environmental projects in four different environmental fields.

Wilson is the 92^nd Silver medal recipient since 1975 and only 1,200 bronze and silver medals combined have been awarded since 1914. The Silver medal, the most distinguished in Scouting for exceptional conservation service, is awarded for clearly outstanding efforts in planning, leadership, execution of plans, involvement of others, and opportunities taken to help others learn about natural resource conservation and environmental improvement.

Wilson had to do all of the above to finish the four Silver medal projects he chose. He led volunteers from the community, Packs and Troops 271 and 211 to work over 1400 hours in the two years and three months it took to finish all four of his projects.

The Water Garden and Outdoor Nature Center for the Ocean Springs Middle School, his first project and also his Eagle project, included a waterfall, pond, deck, picnic benches, bird houses and garden plots.

The GCRL Nature Trail and Outdoor Class Room at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, his second project and his Hornaday Badge project, involved putting in ½ mile wood chipped trail, 30 plant identification signs, 5 foot bridges, 100 feet of board walk and 2 educational kiosks.

The third project at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge was Chinese tallow tree eradication involving not only poisoning the Chinese tallow tree (popcorn tree) but educating the public about the need to eradicate them from our environment.

The fourth project, also at the refuge, was the Pine tree removal project which required the removal of Pine trees from the savanna and displaying educational exhibits on why we need to save our savannas.

The William T. Hornaday Awards program was created to recognize those that have made significant contributions to conservation. It was begun in 1914 by Dr. William T. Hornaday, director of the New York Zoological Park and founder of the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Dr. Hornaday was an active and outspoken champion of natural resource conservation and a leader in saving the American bison from extinction. He named the award the Wildlife Protection Medal. Its purpose was to challenge Americans to work constructively for wildlife conservation and habitat protection. After his death in 1937, the award was renamed in Dr. Hornaday’s honor and became a Boy Scouts of America award.

In the early 1970s, the present awards program was established with funding from the DuPont Company. At that time, the late Dr. Hornaday’s idea of conservation was broadened to include environmental awareness. The fundamental purpose of the Hornaday Awards program is to encourage learning by the participants and to increase public awareness about natural resource conservation.

A few days before the troop’s court of honor Wilson received a letter saying he was awarded the Silver medal and it would be sent to the council office. “All the volunteers who worked and helped on the projects were the reason I would receive this recognition.” said Wilson, “I decided the court of honor would be a good time to thank everyone who helped with my projects and give out a few special awards.” Wilson gave the golden shovel award for their back breaking work on all four projects to Hunter Robertson, Joey Quiros and Daniel Carter. The silver hammer award for hammering away on three of the projects went to Zachary Foil and Joseph Janikowski. The bronze clipper award for special recognition for work and support was presented to Mr. and Mrs. Terry Robertson, Chance Robertson and Chad Curtis. The special yellow shovel award went to the emergency vehicle, Chad Curtis’s yellow jeep. At the conclusion of his presentation, Scoutmaster Carl Galle, Mr. Ron Hill, Mr. Bill Schultz surprised Wilson by presenting him the William T. Hornaday Silver medal, certificate, and square knots.

When asked about his projects, Wilson explained, “When I was looking for an Eagle project, I wanted to build something and give back to the community. I really wanted to build a nature trail, but the Ocean Springs Middle School wanted a teaching water garden. So that became my Eagle project. I still wanted to build a nature trail and heard Gulf Coast Research Laboratory was looking for someone to put one in. At this time my mother told me about the Boy Scouts of America William T. Hornaday Awards program. The water garden as a fish and wildlife project and the nature trail as a soil and water project would qualify. I would need one more project for the bronze and two more for the silver. I decided to go for the silver medal. When I finished the nature trail, the only place I could think of with range management was Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. They came up with my last two projects: Pine tree removal for Forestry and Range management and Chinese tallow tree eradication for invasive species. The Chinese tallow tree was my weakest project and I really did not think I would be awarded the Silver until I received the notification.” The projects involve commitment, time, work and a lot of paper work. So what kept Wilson focused during the two year duration? “Simple,” Wilson said, “because my brother didn’t do it and I really enjoyed doing the projects.”

Troop 271, from Ocean Springs, MS, was privileged to be part of the contingency to welcome home our heroes.

On May 11 of this year, the first ever Honor Flight, from the Mississippi Gulf Coast, transported WWII veterans to Washington DC to visit the memorial. Troop 271, from Ocean Springs, MS, was privileged to be part of the contingency to welcome home our heroes. This is the photo journal of that event.

The next Honor Flight from the South Mississippi is schedule for September of this year.

To learn more about the Honor Flight Network, visit http://www.honorflight.org/

My name is Spencer and I am the new webmaster for the troop271.org website.

by Kyran Pittman

My newly minted eleven-year-old crossed over to Boy Scouts tonight after five years as a Cub, a monumental achievement, given that his mother barely lasted two weeks in Brownies. I was as proud as if I had produced the first college graduate in our family history. It was an elaborate ceremony, with the Boy Scouts and Troop Leaders sitting opposite the Cubs, waiting to admit them to their ranks. I may have briefly struggled with the urge to lead the assembly with the Spongebob Movie anthem, “Now That We’re Men,” but mostly I had to blink back tears, watching our solemn and proud boys face us, their parents and den leaders, and prepare to shift their allegiance. Every single one of them so fine, straight and true. Every one of them so ready to make that crossing, like every eleven year old boy that ever lived.

It deserves a ceremony. Some say it requires one.

As I watched them waiting for their names to be called, the cheesiness of the props and the cliche of the Native American references fell away, and I felt like we were all participating in something as sacred and as old as time. Whatever it’s called, however it’s done, it serves a purpose. The boys were almost visibly vibrating with the resonance of the symbolic call to cross over.

I have my issues with the Boy Scouts of America, as I do with just about any institution, and from time to time, I’ve been known to poke fun at knee socks on grown men in short pants. Also, if we stay married through one more Pinewood Derby, it will be a miracle. But I’ve come to appreciate it for what both my sons (and next year, I imagine, a third) get from it: guidance, adventure, and exposure to organizational skills that–face it–are in short supply at home. (A requirement in my son’s handbook: “Make a list of maintenance tasks required to keep a household running smoothly.” Me, to my son: “Just walk around the house and make note of everything you see.”)

But there’s more to it than that. I don’t have the first clue how to raise boys into men. Their father does, but it takes more than one role model. There are no male teachers at our elementary school, and while I don’t consider it a handicap to be surrounded by strong, loving, capable women, something’s missing from my kids’ education. They find it at Scouts, thanks to the wonderful Dads who serve as our pack and troop leaders. And so I’m grateful to them, knee socks and all, for being there, tonight and every week, ushering my sons safely forward, welcoming them to the company of men.

———————–
Kyran Pittman is a Contributing Editor for Good Housekeeping magazine and blogger of plantingdandelions.com This article is reprinted from Kyran’s previous blog www.notestoself.us

GAUTIER, MS

Intrinsic in the competition was the use of traditional Scout Craft Skills such as Map and Compass (Orienteering), Hiking and, of course, Cooking. The 16 Scouts who competed were arranged into Patrols and were given 30 minutes to select leaders, come up with a plan and get ready to compete as a team. Then, facing a deadline with a list of tasks to perform and armed only with a list of coordinates and a compass, they negotiated a 1 mile course through woods and across fields, to find the secret ingredients for the second half of the competition, BATTLE CHOPPED, which would take place back in their campsite, renamed Patrol Kitchen Stadium like on the TV show.

Fans of Food Network may recognize the influence of another popular show – Chopped. “To add a twist to the competition, patrols competing in BATTLE CHOPPED had to come up with the entire menu on the fly like on Chopped,” said event organizer, Antonio Cuny. “They had to make three components of their actual evening meal: a main dish, a side dish, and dessert, using all the ingredients they collected, as well as the remaining ingredients which they saw only 30 minutes before the start. The pressure was on – if they made a mistake, not only would they get chopped, there was no backup plan for dinner!”

Judges accompanied them throughout the event, monitoring their progress. Upon completion of their meal items, the combined Judges Panel decided on the winning patrol and reported their results at the final Chopped Patrol finale, during which they first gave each patrol feedback to help them improve in the future, then “Chopped” the patrols out of the competition one by one until only the final, winning Patrol remained. The winners, the “Pine Cone Patrol,” were Spencer Flottman – Patrol Leader, Jonathan Drake – Asst. Patrol Leader, Spencer Parton – Quartermaster, Philip Robertson and Nicholas Gault.

Asked how he felt the boys did, Assistant Scoutmaster Brian Parton said “The boys did great! I was impressed by their teamwork, their creativity… they were all winners in my opinion.”

About Troop 271

Troop 271 is a well-established unit of the Boy Scouts of America, which is chartered to Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Ocean Springs, MS. The troop is well-known for having had among its members literally hundreds of local community leaders, among them being businessmen, soldiers, educators, lawyers, doctors and judges. The Scoutmaster, Carl “Boo” Galle, was among nearly 300 Scouts and Scout leaders nationwide named in 2010 to the Boy Scouts of America 100th Anniversary National Hall of Leadership.

Contact: Antonio Cuny, Event Coordinator, phone: 228-218-3511, or email: antoniocuny@gmail.com

On the 19th of March the Friends of Troop 271 will hold it’s Annual Spaghetti Dinner from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Christus Victor Lutheran Church on Hwy 90 in Ocean Springs. Spaghetti, salad, bread and beverage all for just $5.00. All proceeds go to send Scouts of Troop 271 to summer camp(s).

For tickets, donations or more information call (228) 861-3877

Eagle Scout Matthew Morris opened the Eagle Court of Honor with the flag ceremony and an opening prayer. Eagle candidates David Giametta, Bobby Gosselin, Joseph Janikowski, Kevin Jenner, Taylor Miller, Joey Quiros, Evan White, and Tyler White were then called to the front. Eagle Scout Matthew Wilson challenged the eight candidates to be a leader, keep America on a solid foundation, be a guide and be a good example to the community. Having been challenged, Eagle Scout Ren Ainsworth explained the Eagle promise the scouts were about to receive, how they need to take what they have learned and become involved and be leaders in their troop, church and community. Scoutmaster Galle gave the eight scouts their promise, and then explained to the audience the mentor pin, mothers pin and fathers pin while the scouts put the pins on their mentor, mother and father. Each scout individually received his Eagle medal from his mother and his Eagle certificate from Scoutmaster Galle. After the retiring of the flag and the closing benediction, these eight scouts were congratulated on achieving the rank of Eagle.

The Eagle Scout rank is the highest rank a Boy Scout can earn. Only 2 percent of all boys entering scouting attain this rank. The scout must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges: 12 Eagle required and 9 others. The merit badges allow the scout to improve their skills in areas such as first aid, emergency preparedness, finance, fitness, camping, and citizenship of the community, nation and world. They also learn about careers such as communications, fish and wildlife, automotive, dentistry, veterinarian, and many others. Upon completing the 21 merit badges the scout then plans, organizes, leads and completes a project for his community.

These eight scouts did a variety of community projects:
Davis Giametta built recycle bins for schools in the Ocean Springs school district, Kevin Jenner organized a community canned food drive for Lord is My Help, Joey Quiros built three work tables with sinks for the Ocean Springs Middle School, Joseph Janikowski cleared pine trees from the savannah for the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge to give the endangered cranes a place to nest, Taylor Miller built picnic benches for Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center of Arts and Education, and at Shepard State Park – Evan White repaired the bridge and rebuilt the play ground, Bobby Gosselin built the stage and put in electricity and Tyler White rebuilt the boardwalk.

Troop 271, since 1970, had 133 scouts achieve the rank of Eagle. None of these scouts would have been able to accomplish their goal of becoming an Eagle Scout without the help from the citizens and the businesses in our community.