Troop 203 - Windsor, CT - troop203windsorct

On Sunday, October 23, the Nancy G. Clark Korean Friendship Garden was dedicated. The garden was installed as an Eagle Scout project by Joseph Patalik of Troop 203 to honor the friendship between FCW and our sister church, San Woon, in South Korea. 

The Korean Friendship Garden is modeled after a traditional Korean garden. It follows the flow of the land and includes a stand of Bamboo, an evergreen tree, a water element, and an easterly facing meditation bench placed along a rock or stone path in the shade of a flowering tree. It is a place of rest and peace. The plants used in the garden have Korean origins. The Rose of Sharon, the National Flower of Korea, is part of the design as is the Korean Stewartia, the Tree of Life. The sunflower is the international symbol of peace. In order to simplify garden maintenance, instead of using the tall annual flower, the perennial sunflower, "Summer Sun," was planted. A "faux" water element was created for this garden. It is a reflecting pool made of polished landscape glass embedded in casting resin in an antique bird bath bowl. 236 man hours of work were involved in researching, planning and planting this garden.  

Joseph funded much of the project by collecting and redeeming 28,627 cans and bottles. The rest came from donations by commemorative and memorial gifts. Master gardeners, Helen Silchenko and Paul Grimmeisen assisted with the garden design.  

Pastor Lee from the San-Woon Presbyterian Church assisted Pastor Rick in the dedication ceremony. Nancy Clark cut the ribbon. Joseph referred to the garden as a "work of love" and said that it was his gift to First Church in Windsor for sponsoring his Boy Scout Troop.

Well, it's hard to believe Summer Camp 2011 is over.  

Our scouts individually and our troop as a whole, had a great time!

The weather was perfect as the boys completed their swimming tests and prepared for the week. Our troop kick-off campfire Sunday evening was exciting with fireworks from the surrounding towns adding sounds effects during our campfire program.  

Many Scouts worked on ranked advancement and Merit badges. Our scouts completed 30 merit badges and received partial credit for another four. Congratulations to the following scouts;

Ben Sargalski finished his requirements for First Class and successfully passed the Board of Review.

Noah Swanson, Max Mossberg, Carlos Ernest, Zack Files, and Chris Dowd all finished the requirements and passed their Boards of Review for Tenderfoot.  They also completed several requirements for 2nd and 1st Class.

Tote N Chip (proper use of knife, hatchet and saw): Chris, Connor, Carlos, Zach, Chris H., Jaime, Tommy, Max, and Noah.

Mason completed a week of C.O.P.E., and had a great time!

Again, we awarded "Camper of the Day" and “Camper of the week” to the scout showing the most scout spirit.  We will recognize them at the next Court of Honor.

Thank you Austin for such a great job as our Senior Patrol Leader, and the entire PLC, Mason, Kyle, Ben, and Matt.

A special thanks to all of the adults that volunteered at camp this year.

Helen Silchenko for coordinating the Wednesday evening picnic and the Camp Tee Shirts this year, another huge success and fun for all our scouts and families!

Also, thanks to the other adult leaders for their help through the week:

Steve Ernest, Tom Swanson, Tonya Sargalski, Peter Robinson, Jay Files, Jeff Mossberg, and Terry Eberle.

Mark your calendars for next year's summer camp:  7/1-7/7 at Arrow South again!

 

Come check out the pictures of the scouts over the weekend. The weather was perfect, and the hike was fun.

Good morning,

 

Just a quick reminder that Saturday is our next campout, and the first with our new crossover patrol! The weather looks great, and the scouts are excited as kick-off the spring camping season at , a pancake breakfast, and junior leader training, and ending with a movie and campfire. 

 

Because this is a rescheduled campout, I wanted to share a few reminders with you.

 

• This campout is highly recommended for all scouts! We do junior leader training once a year for all of the scouts, especially the crossovers. (attending day only is ok)

• Registration and $20 fee is due Monday night. (good campout for adults as well)

• Special event - we will be having breakfast at NWP – see below. (included in registration fee.

• It may be chilly, please pack and dress appropriately. See camping equipment and winter camping for reference.

• Weekend agenda outline (tentative)

Please take a moment to review the agenda below, and bring any questions to Monday’s meeting.

 

Saturday

• 7:00am - Arrive at - pack and load trailer

• 7:30am – Shop for food – Price Chopper

• 8:30am – Arrive at NWP – Have Pancake breakfast (please see below)

• 9:15am – Unload and setup campsite

• 10 am  -  Morning JLT activities (SPL, ASPL, SM)

• 12:30 pm – Lunch prep

• 1:30pm – Afternoon JLT activities  (SPL, ASPL, SM)

• 3:30pm – break

• 5:30pm – Dinner prep

• 7:00 pm – Evening JLT (movie) activities  (SPL, ASPL, SM)

• 8:30 pm – Campfire

• 9:30 pm - Cracker barrel (evening snack)

• 10 pm – Taps  

 

Sunday

• 7:00am – Reveille

• 7:15am – Breakfast Prep

• 8:45am – Break camp  

• 9:30am – Scout's Own. (A prayer service planned and conducted by the Scouts themselves, on their own ) (SPL, ASPL, SM)

• 9:45am  -  Morning JLT activities (SPL, ASPL, SM)

• 11 am – Depart for – Unload troop gear.

• 12 pm – Scouts dismissed for parent pick-up

 

Please contact me if you have any questions.

 

all the best,  

 

Steve

 ---------------------------- 

Steve Porcaro

Scoutmaster

Troop

 

H: 860-243-3975

C: 860-982-2242

sporcaro@troop230ct.org

 

"To the world you might be one person,

but to one person, you might be the world."

 

Here is a repository of the latest official versions of popular forms available to download from the BSA. This link is also available under parents and scouts favorites links, http://www.scouting.org/forms.aspx

 

Here is a list of available forms.

• New Youth Application:
• New Adult Application:
• New Unit Application 
• Transfer Form (Youth Member)
• Tour Plan 
• Activity Consent Form and Approval by Parents or Legal Guardian (Permission Slip)
• Annual Health and Medical Record
• Uniform Inspection Sheets:
• Tiger Cub Scout, Wolf Cub Scout, and Bear Cub Scout 
• Webelos Scout 
• Boy Scout/Varsity Scout 
• Adult Leaders 
• Tiger Cub Den Meeting Programs 
• Tiger Cub Den Record 
• Tiger Cub Attendance & Dues 
• Tiger Cub Den Advancement Report 
• Individual Tiger Cub Record 
• Unit Advancement Report 
• Merit Badge Counselor Application 
• Commissioner Worksheet (pack) 
• Commissioner Worksheet (troop) 
• Cub Scout Den Meeting program 
• Cub Scout Record Form 
• Individual Cub Scout Record 
• Webelos Den Meeting Program 
• Den Recognition Report 
• Individual Boy Scout Record 
• First Class Tracking Sheet 
• Campfire Program planner 
• Troop Resource Survey 
• Worksheet for Building a Merit badge Counselor List 
• Application for Alternate Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges 
• North Star Award Nomination 
• Silver Beaver Nomination 
• Silver Nomination 
• Silver Antelope Nomination 
• George Meany Award Application 
• District Award of Merit Nomination 
• National Summertime Pack Award 
• Troop Meeting Plan 
• Application for BSA Lifeguard 
• Historic Trails Program/50-Miler Award 
• 50 Miler Award Application 
• Unit Money-Earning Permit Application 
• Duplicate Eagle Scout/NESA credentials  order form
• Progress Record for the Tiger Cub Den Leader Award 
• Progress Record for the Cub Scout Den Leader Award 
• Progress Record for the Webelos Den Leader Award 
• Progress Record for the Cubmaster Award 
• Progress Record for the Cub Scouter Award 
• Progress Record for the Boy Scout Leader's Training Award 
• Scoutmaster Progress Record for the Scoutmaster's Key 
• Varsity Scout Leader Progress for the Coach's Key and Varsity Scout Leader Training Award 
• Varsity Scout Leader Letter Scorecard 
• Venturing Leader Progress Record 
• Roundtable/Huddle Staff Progress Record for the Scouter's Training Award 
• Roundtable/Huddle Commissioner Progress Record for the Arrowhead Honor/Commissioner Key 
• District and Assistant District Commissioner Progress Record for the Commissioner Key/Arrowhead Honor Award 
• Unit Commissioner Progress Record for the Commissioner Key/Arrowhead Honor Award 
• Progress Record for the District Committee Key 
• Wood Badge Pocket Card 

 

To all Scouts,

 

Good evening,

The latest roster is now available. Please take a moment to review and send me any corrections. If you cannot open the file, please let me know.

Have a great weekend!

Mr. Porcaro

 

 

Attachments:

Thank you all for attending our first Court of Honor this year! It was wonderful to see all of the scouts and families having a great time. A special thanks to Austin Thomas and Mason Hazzard for doing an excellent job presenting tonight.

I look forward to seeing all of the scouts next week at the troop meeting, and crossover parents at the orientation meeting.

 

All the best,

Mr. Porcaro

ps. Thank you for shining brightly for scouting!

 

  

WE ARE THE LIGHT OF SCOUTING

(Tune: the Brave)

 

We are the light of scouting,

We bring flight to eagles,

We are the light of scouting,

Throughout the world.

We’ll never be hiked under,

Listen to our Scouting thunder,

We are the light of scouting,

Throughout the world.

 

Good evening,

 

We have reschedule the JLT until after the Webelos crossover. We will be having our movie night on Friday as scheduled. I look forward to seeing everyone Friday evening!

 

Mr. Porcaro

I would like to take a moment to thank all of the boys scouts and families for being part of our troop.

We are fortunate to be part of a wonderful organization of helping and caring for others. As we celebrate the New Year, please remember those who have helped you along the way and consider passing that gift along to others.

Reach out and touch someone during the holiday season. Reconnect with friends, old or new, and celebrate your success in the new year. Make this holiday a special one for your friends and family!

Wishing you Happy Holidays and Peace in 2011.

Warmly,

Mr. Porcaro

 

 

I would like to take a moment and share my thoughts about our campout this weekend. On every campout, there is usually only one event, situation, or location that makes it memorable. When I look back, and fondly reminisce about this weekend, these events are what I will remember and share with others.  

 

There is no such thing as a “usual” Troop 203 campout. Each one is special and unique in its own way. Every group of boys and adults create their own “recipe for success” and is willing to sharing it with others.

 

• In a moments notice, that our scouts and parents can pull together to adapt, improvise, and overcome virtually any obstacle. To me, this is the meaning of teamwork and scouting.

 

 

• That whenever we share our time, talents, and energy helping others, it is never a wasted moment. The best three examples of this over the weekend are:

 

• Joe Patalik and Helen Silchenko creating and sharing a meal for 35 people that has already gone down in the history book as the best campout dinner in our troop’s history.
• To my knowledge, the longest, and certainly one the most entertaining campfire programs that I have ever witnessed in 12 years.
• We can have a one–to–one ratio of Webelos to Boy scouts and provide an excellent program for our guests. All of the boy scouts demonstrated and lived the scout oath and law this weekend, and made all of the Webelos scouts and parents feel welcome. A special thank you to Ian Porcaro and Chris Kittredge for being examples of what Boy scouting is all about.

 

• When we make a campfire, we make a CAMPFIRE! Holding true to our motto, “if you can’t see it from space, it ain’t a fire”. The adults took up the challenge to create a campfire of biblical proportions, and hold up the Ed Kirk standard campfire building.  

 

There are many other moments that I could share with you, but I will leave the rest up to the boys. Please take some time, ask them about this weekend. Look at the pictures and remember that there is a story behind each snapshot ready to be shared.

We all had much to be thankful for this weekend, and we all enjoyed our old and new scout friends to share it all with.

 

Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with your friends and family!

Nick Chapman was recognized by American Legion Gray-Dickinson Post #59 of Windsor for his service and dedication shown during his Eagle Rank project to the Windsor Veteran's Cemetery on September 11th. Nick was award a certificate of appreciation during the Veteran's Day services at the Town Council meeting chambers held that evening. Please take a few minutes to watch the award ceremony being shown on Win-TV. Well done Nick!

Our committee members take the Troop Committee Challenge during a special meeting in Nelson Hall. This training is required for every troop committee member to complete basic training. This online course focuses on the core beliefs, aims, and methods of Scouting. Specifically, it helps each committee member learn and identify his or her role and responsibilities in support of the adult leaders in the unit to provide a quality troop experience for the Scouts. To learn more about this training, and other adult leader trainings, please go to http://www.scouting.org/training/adult.aspx.

Congratulations to Sue Tait Porcaro and Robert Hazzard for completing their six day practical portion of the Wood Badge  training program this weekend. They enjoyed the beautiful weather with over 50 Scout leaders at Camp Workcoeman, in New Hartford CT.

The purpose of Wood Badge is simple. It gives men and women knowledge to strengthen the entire scouting program from Cub Scouting to Venturing. It provides dedicated Scouters with the concepts, tools, and methods needed to be effective leaders. Wood Badge creates a structured opportunity to develop and apply critical leadership skills. 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for all of your feedback on this new site. Over the next few weeks, we will be making adjustments and adding new features as requested. I'm looking for a couple of adult volunteers to help the scouts add pictures and information.

As always, please contact me if you have any suggestions on how to make this site better for our troop.