UPDATE #11- Checking-In

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I hope all continues to be well with everyone during these trying times! I can’t believe its been 83 days since we have been dealing with this pandemic. With this said, I continue to encourage all the scouts to work on rank advancement and merit badges. Again, if you need a board of review, please reach out to me.

I will be hosting our third zoom meeting for all the scouts on  Friday May 29th at 7:30 pm. The meeting code is 593-845-8299 password is 7Ugysi

Summer Camp is still happening as of right now. (Fingers Crossed) A decision is supposed to be made by June 1st.  Its not too late to sign-up. Please let me know if you are planning on attending camp this summer and if your attending for one or two weeks. The cost is $480 per week and Camperships are still available.

Lastly, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. If I can be of any help or assistance during these trying times, please reach out.

Be Safe Everyone! I miss all of you! Speak to you soon!

Anthony

UPDATE #10- Checking-In

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I hope all continues to be well with everyone during these trying times! I can’t believe its been 70 days since we last meet in person as a Troop. With this said, I continue to encourage all the scouts to work on rank advancement and merit badges. Again, if you need a board of review, please reach out to me.

I will be hosting our second zoom meeting for all the scouts tomorrow,  Friday May 15th at 7:30 pm. The meeting code is 593-845-8299 password is 7Ugysi

Summer Camp is still a go of right now. (Fingers Crossed) The early bird deadline is May 17th. Please let me know if you are planning on attending camp this summer and if your attending for one or two weeks. You can drop off payment at my house by Saturday Night. The cost if paid by May 17th is $430. If paid after this date, the cost goes up to $480.

Lastly, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. If I can be of any help or assistance during these trying times, please reach out.

Be Safe Everyone! I miss all of you! Speak to you tomorrow!

Anthony

UPDATE #9- Checking-In

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I hope all continues to be well with everyone during this pandemic! I can’t believe we are going to be entering the ninth week of the lock down. With this said, I encourage the scouts to work on rank advancement and merit badges. If you need a board of review, please reach out to me.

As was previously announced will be having a committee meeting tomorrow, Friday May 8th @ 7:30 pm via zoom conference. Please see the email from Pat about the login information.This will be the last committee meeting of the scouting year!

I will be hosting our second zoom meeting for all the scouts on Friday May 15th at 7:30 pm. The meeting code is 593-845-8299 password is 7Ugysi

Finally, Summer Camp is still a go of right now. The early bird deadline is May 17th. Please let me know if you are planning on attending camp this summer and if your attending for one or two weeks. We will talk about payment at the committee meeting.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Again, if I can be of any help or assistance during these trying times, please reach out.

Be Safe Everyone! I miss all of you! Speak to you soon!

Anthony

CONGRATULATIONS- CLASS OF 2020 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

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I along with the Troop 106 family would like to congratulate all of our High School graduates:

Matthew B. – SUNY Courtland

Thomas B. – Northeastern University

Aidan V. – SUNY New Paltz

Brandon B. – SUNY Maritime

Matthew M. – St. John’s University

Congratulations guys on a job well done and good luck in college. Hopefully we will be able to celebrate your accomplishments at our end-of-year BBQ.

Anthony

Update #8/Checking-In

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Hello, I hope all continues to be well with everyone during this pandemic! With this said, I continue to encourage the scouts to work on rank advancement and merit badges. If you need a board of review, please reach out to me. There are several online events coming up in the next couple of days that I hope you can all join in on. Please see below:

The first is that I will be hosting a zoom meeting for all the scouts tomorrow night at 7:30 pm. The meeting code is 593-845-8299 password is 7Ugysi

Next , At 6:00 pm tomorrow evening- talented and dedicated members of the summer camp teams at Ten Mile River Scout Camps and John E. Reeves Cub World invite you to participate as they proudly present a GNYC Virtual Campfire. Tune in to see some of your camp favorites. The link is www.nycscouting.org/live

Also, on Saturday May 2nd, beginning at 11:00 am the National Boy Scouts of America will be hosting a Camp-in on Facebook live. From friendly competitions to campfire singalongs, this virtual event will bring the best parts of Scouting to life with activities all can enjoy from their living room or backyard. https://www.facebook.com/theboyscoutsofamerica/

Summer Camp is still a go of right now. The early bird deadline has been extended to May 17th. Please let me know if you are planning on attending camp this summer and if your attending for one or two weeks. We will talk about payment in the coming weeks.

Finally, we will be having a committee meeting on Friday May 8th @ 7:30 pm via zoom conference. This will be the last committee meeting of the scouting year! Be on the lookout for details for that meeting from Pat.

I would also like to congratulate Jacob, who successfully passed his Star board of review last Friday night. Jacob was the first board done virtually. Congratulations Jacob.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Again, if I can be of any help or assistance during these trying times, please reach out.

Be Safe Everyone! I miss all of you! Hope to see/hear from you tomorrow night!

Anthony

Update #7/Checking In

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Hello, I can’t believe its been 49 days since our last troop meeting. It feels like an eternity. With that said, I hope all continues to be well with everyone! With the stay at home ban until at least May 15th, I am not sure if we will be having anymore in person meetings this year! As I said last week, I hope we are able to do an end of year BBQ to have some closure on the scouting year. With this said, I encourage the scouts to continue to work on rank advancement and merit badges. If you need a board of review, please reach out to me. Next Friday, Greater New York Councils is doing an on-line campfire. I will keep you posted with the details. Also, the National Council of the Boy Scouts is doing a Camp-In next Saturday. I will send out details on both of these events. Summer Camp is still on as of right now. The early bird deadline has been extended to May 17th. Please let me know if you are planning on attending camp this summer and if your attending for one or two weeks. We will talk about payment in the coming weeks. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Again, if I can be of any help or assistance during these trying times, please reach out.

Be Safe Everyone! I miss all of you!

Anthony

Update #6/Checking-In

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Hello, hope all continues to be well with everyone! I am writing because yesterday, the governor extended the stay at home order for all non-essential workers until the 15th of May. In turn once again what this means is that our in-person meetings, events, and camping trip for the month of May are cancelled. Hopefully he will lift the ban for June, and we can have a couple of in-person meetings and our Year-End BBQ! With this said, I encourage the scouts to continue to work on rank advancement and merit badges. I am looking to do online meetings in the coming weeks. As far as Summer Camp goes, the council is still planning on running camp this summer. The early bird deadline has been extended to May 17th. Please let me know if you are planning on attending camp this summer and if your attending for one or two weeks. We will talk about payment in the coming weeks. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. On another note, Matt and Mark Valli who are Troop 106 Eagle Scouts, live in Texas and I got word from Jim McKay that they fine following this weeks Tornado. Again, if I can be of any help or assistance during these trying times, please reach out.

Be Safe Everyone!

Anthony

Advancement During Covid-19 Virus

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I hope this post finds everyone healthy and safe! Below is a post from the Big Apple District (District in Manhattan) relative to Advancement during these strange times. Please take advantage of any opportunity you can to do some Advancement. Please contact Kenny Ash ([email protected]) or Anthony Zalak ([email protected]) if you have any questions about Advancement or if you need a Board of Review.


From the Desk of Big Apple District Commissioner
—
Luis A. Feliciano
 Dear Scouters,

The National Council of the BSA has updated their FAQ’s to address important temporary rank advancement changes. Please see the link below for the full FAQ’s and details. Additionally the BSA has also outlined additional guidance for virtual meetings:BSA COVID-19 FAQ’s: https://www.scouting.org/coronavirus/covid-19-faq/BSA’s DIGITAL SAFETY AND ONLINE ACTIVITIES STATEMENT: https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/digital-safety-and-online-scouting-activities/If you have any questions or concerns regarding these updates, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected] or 347-208-3121.
 Summary of Changes:Q: Since many overnight camping trips are being cancelled due to COVID-19, will camping requirements for rank advancement or merit badges be altered?
No, not at this time. Hopefully, the current pandemic situation will be resolved soon, and regular camping experiences will resume. Although camping with friends or family can be a fun, it does not replace the knowledge and experience gained from working under the “Patrol Method.”Q: What changes have been made to rank advancement/camping requirements given the need to maintain social distancing during this time?
We have implemented temporary changes, detailed below, to allow Scouts to complete rank requirements, detailed below, by video conferencing through September 1, 2020. This deadline will be re-evaluated as needed.
The goal when using video conferencing must be to preserve the ideals and intent of each requirement as best as possible. Scoutmasters or their designee(s) should remain mindful of the Methods of Scouting, such as the Patrol Method, before implementing the modified requirements listed below. Some advancement activities can be completed by video conferencing but not all. For example, virtual visits to a city council meeting, national historic landmarks, museums, and art galleries may be acceptable, but swimming, rifle shooting, and motorboating merit badges cannot be completed virtually.
Even when using video conferencing, all virtual campouts and activities should consist of as many elements found on a normal outdoor campout or activity as possible. The most significant difference is that patrol or troop members are not all in the same location. All existing youth protection policies and digital safety guidelines must be followed.

Tenderfoot rank requirements
1b. – Virtual patrol or troop campouts via video conferencing will be permitted.
2a. – During the same day as your virtual patrol or troop campout, assist in preparing one meal with the help of those with whom you live. Tell your patrol or troop why it was important for each person to share in meal preparation and cleanup.
2b. – During the same day as your virtual campout, demonstrate the appropriate method of safely cleaning items used to prepare, serve and eat a meal.
5a. – Explain the importance of the buddy system as it relates to your personal safety on outings and in your neighborhood. Verbally commit to following the buddy system on your next troop or patrol outing.
7a. – Tell how to display, raise, lower, and fold the U.S. flag.

Second Class rank requirements:
1a & 1c. – Virtual patrol or troop activities via video conferencing will be permitted. 
3b. – Using a compass and map together, plan a 5-mile hike approved by your adult leader.
4. – Evidence of wild animals can be demonstrated with information or photos of your local area found online.
5c. – May be completed virtually via video conferencing on dry land.
7c. – Learn about the dangers of using drugs, alcohol and tobacco and other practices that could be harmful to your health. Discuss what you learned with your family and explain the dangers of substance addictions. Report to your Scoutmaster or other adult leader in your troop about which parts of the Scout Oath and Scout Law relate to what you learned.
8a. – May be completed virtually using video conferencing.
8d. – May be completed by comparing costs at three (3) online sites or locations.

First Class rank requirements:
1a – Virtual patrol or troop activities via video conferencing will be permitted.
2e. – On the same day as your virtual campout, serve as the cook. Supervise your assistant(s) in using a stove or building a cooking fire. Prepare the breakfast, lunch, and dinner planned in First Class requirement 2a. Supervise the cleanup.
4a. – By drawing, computer software, or other virtual methods, plan an orienteering course that would cover at least one mile. Explain why measuring the height and/or width of designated items (tree, tower, canyon, ditch, etc.) is helpful. Explain how you would complete your course using a real map and compass.
4b. – Scouts do not need to follow their route.
5a. – Evidence of native plants can be demonstrated with information or photos of your local area found online.
6e. – May be completed on dry land.
9a. – Visit may take place virtually or by phone.
9c. – Outings can include past or future plans.
10. – Invite the potential new member to a virtual meeting or future activity using video conferencing. Q: Can merit badge requirements be adapted since some elements can’t be completed as stated right now?
The published guidelines for the methodology of the merit badge program and the role of the merit badge counselor is found in the Guide to Advancement, Section 7.0.0.0. It is important to remember that leaders and merit badge counselors must not make additions or deletions to requirements. The Scout is expected to meet the requirements as stated; however, in some cases, virtual “visits” may fulfill the intent of a requirement. When the requirement’s intent cannot be reached virtually, the requirements cannot be completed, and the Scout must wait to complete that badge/requirement. Merit badge counselors signing off on requirements must determine to the best of their ability if the Scout has demonstrated the intended outcome.
All existing youth protection policies and digital safety guidelines must be followed.


Yours in Scouting,

Luis A. Feliciano | District Commissioner

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
Greater New York Councils
Big Apple District – Manhattan

Mobile: +1 347.208.3121
[email protected]

Program Ideas for Scouts while at Home

  • Program Support Resources from the National Commissioner Service Team: Click Here
    • This resource is continuously updated and complies best practices nation wide. It has general categories, by other Councils, and by Scouting Program.
  • GNYC’s Scouting at Home: https://scoutingathome.org
    • This website is managed by our Council and it contains program that Scouts can do at home individually for a small fee. 
  • Service Projects during Coronavirus: Click Here
    • This article from Bryan on Scouting outlines six acts of service that we can do during this time. We would love to know if you are doing any of these!
  • National Council’s Scouting at Home Website: https://www.scouting.org/scoutingathome/
    • Website page managed by the national council with several ideas of activities by Scouting program to do with your scouts at home.
  • Official BSA Scouting Forums: https://discussions.scouting.org
    • Online forums where Scouters around the country share ideas and best practices of the program. You can read what other have posted, comment, or ask your questions,

Update #4

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Hello, hope all is well with everyone! I am writing because yesterday, the governor had extended the stay at home order for all non-essential workers until the 29th of April. In turn what this means is that our in-person meetings, events, and camping trip for the month of April are cancelled. Hopefully he will lift the ban for May, and we can begin meeting again to end out the year. With this said, I encourage the scouts to continue to work on rank advancement and merit badges. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Again, if I can be of any help or assistance during these trying times, please reach out.

Be safe everyone!

Anthony