March Of the Scouter

There is an old adage that states "March comes in like a Lion and out Like a Lamb" In scouting we can say something similar: "Scouts come in as a Cub and out as an Eagle."  This is very true this time of year as our Units gear up for Crossover, and by June a new generation will be able to join scouting and start a fantastic journey. Is your Unit ready! My pack and troop recently had there crossover followed by an Eagle Scout Court of Honor. I always make it a point to attend these events because they really validate the Scouting experience. Seeing the newest Scouts (no matter which program) engaged and excited is great thing. I also try to make it a point to "walk the room" and talk to other parents about their experience as well. At the Eagle Courts of honor I hear stuff like "Wow I remember when he crossed over he was this shy little kid ... now look at him" And many variations usually followed by a story. Just like making a big deal of achieving the rank of Eagle it is also important to make a big deal of the AOL cross over, as well as Rank Advancement in all of our programs. March is a great time to take a look at your scouting year. What do you have left? When do you need to complete it? And how are you going to do it? Do you need to count on the Luck of the Irish to get you through the rest of the year? The winds are shifting. The days are getting longer. The air is getting cooler. And the snow is melting!!! Which means your winter hibernation should be ending and you and your Unit should be getting ready to go outside for some Scouting Adventures. 

Michael Callahan 
Communications Chair
Boy Scout Troop 120, a Brides�burg tra�di�tion since 1932, is gear�ing up for the sum�mer road trip where they'll be�gin their jour�ney of tack�ling all 120 state parks in Pennsylvania.  
The troop will be dish�ing out some short stacks for their tall cause on Sunday, March 6, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at St. John Can�ti�us Par�ish Hall, 4415 Al�mond St., at their break�fast fun�draiser to start build�ing mo�mentum to�ward the kick�off of their 2016 sum�mer road trip. The trip will be�gin this sum�mer and is set to con�tin�ue through sum�mer months in years to fol�low. 
The idea for Troop 120 to take on all 120 state parks got its roots when the troop was on a camp�ing trip at Fort Wash�ing�ton State Park and Scout�mas�ter Bob Giz�in�ski stumbled in�to the idea.
"I star�ted read�ing a map of all the state parks and I just happened to see that there were 120 state parks in the state of Pennsylvania," Giz�in�ski said. "The little light�bulb went off and I thought that would be a good ac�com�plish�ment for the boys to say, 'Hey, I did all 120 state parks when I was in Troop 120.' That would be pretty cool to tell their kids and grandkids." 
The jour�ney to see all of Pennsylvania's state parks is set to kick off this sum�mer. In�stead of go�ing to sum�mer camp as the troop would tra�di�tion�ally do, they'll be trav�el�ing across the state, ex�plor�ing di�versity and gain�ing life skills fun�da�ment�al to what the boy scouts stand for. 
"Some of these kids wouldn't go any�where this sum�mer if they wer�en't go�ing with us," said Jodi Bra�bazon, as�sist�ant scout�mas�ter for Troop 120. "We're giv�ing them an op�por�tun�ity to see oth�er place and what's out there." 
Read More HERE!
http://www.starnewsphilly.com/2016/mar/2/road-trip-remember/#.VtirIfkrKUn
The Troop 120 break�fast fun�draiser will take place on Sunday, March 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at St. John Can�ti�us Ro�man Cath�ol�ic Church. Tick�ets will be sold at the door; $7 for adults and $4 for kids. There will be tables set up at the loc�a�tion for crafts items. Tables for sellers are $20 and can be ob�tained by reach�ing Jodi Bra�bazon at


BOY SCOUT KLONDIKE 2016

    February 27, started out sunny at Lighthouse Field, located on Erie Ave across from St. Christopher's Hospital in Philadelphia. The Sunshine was deceiving. When the Troops started arriving at 8am, the wind was not more than a strong breeze, but constant across the vast area of the grounds. The newer Scouts had no idea what to expect. They had completed some indoor klondike training at their Troop meetings the weeks leading to the event. Everyone had competition on their mind. You could feel the energy mount with the vocalization of the patrol calls. As everyone waited in their assigned spaces for the magic time of 9am the Scouts wandered and made new friends, met old friends, and practiced their law of Friendly, Courteous, Kind and Cheerful. This day the Troop leaders could be proud of the seed they had sown, and by days end the wind and cold would be forgotten. 
    The time invested, dedicated to the Scouting program would become more valuable than gold to Midas. The youth led teams would perform beyond their expectations. The youth would be void of this opportunity if not for the Troop leaders, The Leaders void if not for the dedication and involvement of the District, 
    A program testing skills in the areas of Endurance, Agility, Strength, Courage, and Accuracy engaged the boys. One would think the chill of the wind, and rigors of the stations would slow these youth down. On the Contrary, Patrol yells became more enthusiastic, and vocally louder. With each station they challenged their skills with first aid, Knots, slingshots, and much more. They were involved with a taste of cooking (no pun intended) younger newer Scouts, and Adult Leaders unfamiliar, were amazed..... a cardboard box could be utilized as an oven. WOW! Talk about survival. The Zombie Apocalypse theme was a perfect fit for the SURVIVAL TRAINING venue.
    At one point during the day my troop was imitating zombies and really getting into theme. Our seven youth that attended had a great, nay! FANTASTIC TIME! At 8am on Monday I already have had a parental thank you for the experience her Scout keeps talking about. Thank you, to all those who facilitated and made this event possible. Thank You for all you do!

                                                                                                                                       Walt Waholek COR 394 / UNIT COMMISSIONER BSA
 












ROOSEVELT DISTRICT DINNER

Come join the fun and honor the members of our District who will receive the District Award of Merit & the Rough Ryder Award!
Sign up NOW! 

Date: April 9, 2016 at 7pm - Maternity BVM at 9322 Old Bustelton Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19154.
Cost is $20.00 per person if paid by March 30, 2016, and $25.00 per person after the early bird date. Checks payable to Cradle of Liberty Council with Roosevelt District Dinner in the memo.

SERVICE WEEKEND AT CAMP GARRISON

Calling all District units!! Our camps need help, and we are here to help them! This years service weekend is March 18th, 19th and 20th. We need help to get Camp Garrison ready for opening weekend. Cost is $25.00 per person and includes food and a t-shirt. Registration forms must be returned by MARCH 9, 2016.
ROOSEVELT DISTRICT PINEWOOD DERBY

Any Cub Pack in the Roosevelt District can enter up to 3 cars in the District Pinewood Derby- 2 for the District Races, and 1 for Best in Show. It is up to each Pack to designate whom they are sending to represent their Packs on April 23, 2016.

Date: April 23, 2016
Weigh-In Time: 8:30 am
Location: Our Lady of Calvary Church 11024 Knights Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154
Cost $15.00 per Pack to enter!

All registration must be completed y April 6, 2016 in order to participate at the discounted rate. After April 6th, cost is $25.00 per Pack. 
POPE PIUS XII - NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATION
Calling all Arrow Men and Women

Does your Unit have any scouts that qualify for membership in the Order of Arrow, Scouting's Premier Service Organization? You need to schedule your elections! Please contact the Roosevelt Chapter at [email protected] schedule your election date. 

Current Members are your dues paid? Because you can then participate in these up coming events:
Service Day - March 26
Service Weekend #1 - April 15 - 17
Service Weekend #2 - May 20 - 22 

If you have any questions or would like more info speak to a Chapter representative at Round Table Wednsday April 9th. 
FRIENDS OF SCOUTING

Thank you to all units that have already had, or have scheduled their Friends of Scouting Presentation. For those who have not yet had the chance, please come to Roundtable, March 9, 2016;  7:30pm at the Philadelphia Protestant Home to schedule your presentation! 
UPCOMING EVENTS

District Roundtable Meeting 
March 9, 2016
7:30pm Philadelphia Protestant Home

Service Weekend
March 18-20, 2016
Musser Scout Reservation
$25.00 per person
Event is from Friday at 5pm - Sunday llam 
Mick Davis is point of contact [email protected]

District Dinner
April 9th, 2016
Maternity BVM
$25. Per person before 3/14
$30.00 after 3/14
Set up starts at 3pm
Dinner starts at 7pm

Phone-A-Thon
April 7th, 12th and 27th
Blake Florists
6pm - 8:30pm

District Pinewood Derby
April 30th,2016
Saints United Lutheran Church
3200 Ryan Ave.
Hosted by pack 155
$15.00 per unit
Top 2 racers and 1 best in show
Races start at 10am

Woodbadge 
April 29 - May 1
June 4 - 6
at Musser Scout Reservation 
You must be available for both weekends 
Please visit the website for signup info and pricing



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