The next three outings (see calendar) can be the opportunity for scouts to catch up with their peers. While our Troop does not overly emphasize advancement to the exclusion of the other aspects of the program, I believe that keeping pace with one's peers enhances the scouting experience and is a key element in a scouts attitude toward remaining in scouting.

Parents, I encourage you to ask your Scout about his advancement progress and help him to see the advantages of keeping pace with his peers.

In last months Committee Corner, I briefly explained the role of the troop committee. This month I will try to explain who are the members of the troop committee and their responsibilities.

I am the committee chairman, and am responsible to oversee the different functions of the committee. Mr. Chenenko is the Secretary of the troop committee, much like the troop scribe. He is responsible for all record keeping and takes the minutes of the troop committee meetings.

Mr. Jim Morrison is the Chartered Organization Representative. He serves as the liaison between St. John's church and the troop. Any matters pertaining to the physical facilities should be directed to him.

I also serve as the Advancement chairman, responsible for conducting boards of reviews, conducting Courts of Honor, purchasing awards, and keeping all historical advancement records. This is done through a computer database managed by Mrs. L'Ecuyer.

The committee also has a Treasurer, who is Ms. Diane Blaine. She is responsible for keeping track of the troop's money. If you ever want to know the balance of your scout account, first ask the scout treasurer and they in turn will contact Ms. Blaine.

Another function of the troop committee is fundraising, and this year Mr. Harvey ran the Fruit and Flower sales, and Mrs. Wahoff is running the Market Days sale.

Mr. Wahoff is the Recruiting chairman. He works with the Weblos dens of the local cub scout packs to help ensure a new group scouts join our troop every spring.

Also, Mr. Davis serves on the committee as the Venture Crew chairman. He is a great person to get to know, because he plans the trips to Philmont, Seabase, and all high adventure activities of the venture crew.

Lastly, we have many parents who serve as committee members at large, including Mr. Bahnsen, Mr. Hearne, Mr. Brennan, Mr. Lycan to name but a few. They offer their opinions and advice on the many topics before the troop committee.

As you can see, it takes many people behind the scenes to make to troop function.

Do you have any suggestions on how to spend the troop's money? How to better recruit new members? Any ideas for fundraising?

SPL – Nathan Chenenko

ASPL Indoor – Chris Ensign

ASPL Outdoor – Chris Wahoff

ASPL Venture Crew – Erik Fletcher

Scribe – Chip L’Ecuyer

Treasurer – Matt Wohlever

Librarian – Ryan Wynne

Quartermaster – Erik Fletcher

Troop Guide – Chip L’Ecuyer, Tim Linn, Todd Mumford.

Chaplains Aid – Evan Barker

Cobras – Ben L’Ecuyer

Beavers – Nick Wahoff

Soaring Eagles – Scott Morgan

Cougars – Chad Davis

By David Hearne

Summer camp at Seven Ranges was a great experience. Everyone who went liked it. Congratulations to everyone who went. This year every scout who went earned their pipestone. The troop had four rank advancements and numerous merit badges were gained. A lot went on at summer camp including several great campfire, stargazing and craft activities. Everyone is looking forward to next summer.

This was the first time that the troop took over the responsibility of the introductory scouting program called FROG. FROG stands for the Fundamentals of Outdoor Growth. This was a great introduction to scouting principles for the first year scouts.

Special thanks goes out to the adults who attended the camp this year. The adults who spent the week at camp were: Mr. Jay Fletcher, Mr. Mark L’Ecuyer, Dr. Dean Hearne, Mr. Keith Davis, Mr. Bill Wahoff and Mr. Kevin Wohlever. All of them assisted with the FROG program.

The following is a list of camp awards earned by the troop during summer camp at Seven Ranges this past summer.

Ian Bahnsen, Kelly Symmonds, Patrick Brennan, Josh Thomas, David Hearne, Nicholas Wahoff, Alexander Long, Zach Whitesel, Jesse Lycan, Mark Wohlever

First Year

Ian Bahnsen, Evan Barker, Patrick Brennan, David Hearne, Alexander Long, Jesse Lycan, Kelly Symmonds, Josh Thomas, Nicholas Wahoff, Zach Whitesel, Mark Wohlever, Mr. Dean Hearne

Second Year

Chip L’Ecuyer, Mr. Mark L’Ecuyer, Mr. Bill Wahoff

Nathan Chenenko, Benjamin L’Ecuyer, Christopher Wahoff, Mr. Kevin Wohlever

Chad Davis, Erik Fletcher, Matthew Wohlever, Mr. Keith Davis

By Keith Davis

.

In late July, the venture crew spent a week out at the Boy Scout High Adventure camp, Seabase

The Parrot Head and the Pelican Crew just returned from a fantastic time in the Florida Keys. The joint crew of 12 headed by Matt Wohlever and Chad Davis paddled out to sea on a six mile trek to Big Munson Island in Sea Kayaks. Once on the island it was time to snorkel, fish, boat, and explore. All the Crews were on a rotation so that everyone had ample opportunity to enjoy the outstanding program that was offered.

Both Crews snorkeled Loohe Key a wildlife preserve, where several of the Parrot Heads were greeted by a 8 foot Reef Shark immediately upon entering the water. Everyone enjoyed Fish Day. All of us caught a dolphin fish (better known as mahi-mahi). Mr. Fletcher caught a big bull over 44 inches. It was so big it couldn’t fit into the cooler. The Pelicans snagged a Marlin but couldn’t get the boat started fast enough so the fish had about a 1000 yards of line hanging out of its mouth and gave us all something to talk about.

The last night on the island was great. A breeze kept the bugs away and we all enjoyed a special dinner and a closing campfire under a starry sky with lightning from a thunderstorm off in the distance. It felt like the 4^th of July as we all set around the campfire to "Pass the Conch" where we all talked about our special experience and what it meant to each one of us.

The group worked well together and will all be returning as a united crew to Philmont Scout Ranch to participate in the Cavalcade 2001.

Christopher Wahoff

Jeff Morrison – Staff

Christopher Wahoff

Matt Wohlever

Ian Bahnsen - Energy

Nathan Chenenko - Small-Boat Sailing, Swimming

David Hearne - Indian Lore, Leatherwork

Timothy Linn – Communications, Emergency Preparedness, First Aid, Leatherwork

Todd Mumford – Archery,

Citizenship in the World, First Aid, Indian Lore, Personal Fitness, Swimming, Wood Carving

Energy, Indian Lore, Personal Management, Pioneering, Shotgun Shooting

Evan Barker – Archery, First Aid

Camping, Citizenship in the Community, Environmental Science

Jesse Lycan - Aviation, Energy

Seth O’Brien - Aviation

Patrick Brennan - Basketry

Erik Fletcher - Energy, Indian Lore

Pioneering, Shotgun Shooting

Chip L’Ecuyer - First Aid, Swimming

Citizenship in the World, Communications, Emergency Preparedness, First Aid, Leatherwork

Personal Fitness, Sculpture, Swimming

Kelly Symmonds - Energy

Josh Thomas - Basketry

Zach Whitesel - Leatherwork

Ryan Wynne – Archery, First Aid, Indian Lore, Swimming, Wood Carving

Christopher Wahoff -Environmental Science, Lifesaving, Oceanography

Mark Wohlever - Basketry

Nicholas Wahoff - Energy

Matthew Wohlever – Art, Citizenship in the World, Energy, Personal Management, Swimming

David Hearne, Jesse Lycan, Nicholas Wahoff, Mark Wohlever

Kyle Arnold, David Hearne, Chip L’Ecuyer, Scott Morgan, Ryan Wynne

Evan Barker, Nathan Chenenko, Chip L’Ecuyer, Scott Morgan, Todd Mumford

Todd Mumford, Christopher Wahoff

Benjamin L’Ecuyer (*)

We are still looking for writers to assist with the newsletter development. If you want to help, just send it in! Or email it to us at scoutmaster@bsatroop268.org

Mail To: 1491 Briarmeadow Dr.

Columbus, OH 43235

We won’t attribute it to anyone if you want to keep your identity secret.