Happy 100th Birthday Mr. Creeden!

 

Happy 100th Birthday Mr. Creeden!!

 

 

Sweep the Creek 2021

 Each year, the Friends of Sligo Creek holds at least one "SWEEP THE CREEK" event.  The purpose is pick up and trash that has accumulated along the creek over the winter.

This year, we participated in the event and it was well attended by the Scouts, Parents and Leaders of Troop 466.  I would estimate we had almost 20 in total at the event, who participated from 9am to 11am on Saturday, April 17, 2021.   Maybe it was because many had been cooped up due to the pandemic, maybe because it was a really nice day, there were also many others from Sligo Middle School who participated in the general event. 

We were also joined by a couple of Cubs from two other Scout packs.  

Here are just a few photos:

 

 

Our New Christmas Tree Banner

 

For over 25 years, we have used a very large wooden sign, advertising the sale to those driving by on Georgia Avenue.  

 

 

Because it is so large, it takes four people to load the sign onto a pick-up truck, drive it over to the location, and then the same four people to install it.  Quite a bit of time and energy to do so.

In addition, because if the construct, it is awkward to store in the shed and is bulky.

This past year, due to a number of factors, it was difficult to get enough people to not only install, but to take down.

Therefore, an effort was undertaken to not only replace the sign with a new banner, but make it so, that one person can put it up and take it down.

Therefore, we unveil to you, our new banner: 

 

 

 

Once the new frame has been created, we will share with you a photo of it!

 

 

Youth Protection and Barriers to Abuse FAQs - Updated on March 11, 2021

 We have posted it below.  However, I have decided to include the text here, and if you want, here is the link:  https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/yp-faqs/

 +++++++

Adult Supervision

Q:  The Barriers to Abuse say that there must be two registered adults present for all Scouting activities and meetings.  Does that include merit badge counseling? Fund-raising events?

A. Yes. However, the parent or legal guardian of the Scout may serve as the second adult. This parent or legal guardian does not have to be a registered leader.

Q: Why is a female adult 21 years of age or over required whenever female youth are present, but not the other way around?

A. The requirement to ensure that a registered female adult is present at activities serving girls is not dissimilar to policies we’ve enacted in the past for Venturing when male and female adult leaders were required for certain co-ed activities. At this time, we believe that these are the best, most appropriate measures for our movement. We hope you understand that these requirements were given substantial and thorough consideration.

Q. Do Lion and Tiger Den meetings require two-deep leadership since adult partners are present?

A. Yes.  A Lion or Tiger adult partner is not considered a registered leader for meeting two-deep leadership requirements.  Lion or Tiger partners, as well as other pack leaders, provide a pool of adults who could be registered as an assistant den leader to meet this requirement. 

Q.  If only one leader shows up, does that mean we have to cancel the meeting or activity? 

A. Yes.  This policy is in place to prevent abuse in and out of Scouting.   Adults should never be alone with youth who are not their children.

Q. The Barriers to Abuse states “One-on-one contact between adult leaders and youth members is prohibited both inside and outside of Scouting.” What does ‘inside and outside of Scouting’ mean?

A. The BSA has adopted its youth protection policies for the safety and well-being of its members. These policies primarily protect youth members; however, they also serve to protect adult leaders. All parents and caregivers should understand that our leaders are to abide by these safeguards. Registered leaders must follow these guidelines with all Scouting youth outside of Scouting activities. There are careers that may require one-on-one contact with youth, however aside from those roles, volunteers must abide by the youth protection policies of the BSA even outside of Scouting activities.

This policy is in place to prevent abuse in and out of Scouting.   Adults should never be alone with youth who are not their children.

Q. Does this mean my son cannot have a sleepover if I am the only adult present?

A. Yes, if any of the children other than your own child is a Scout, we strongly encourage all adults to use the Barriers to Abuse in and out of Scouting.  

♦ Q. Are there times when youth can gather, meet or conduct activities without adult supervision?  

A. No. Two-deep adult supervision by registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required for all Scouting activities and must meet the leadership requirements outlined in Scouting’s Barriers to Abuse. This includes patrol activities.  

Accommodations

Q. Our council camp has Adirondack shelters that sleep 8 youth, should we treat them as tents or lodging?

A. Lodging. 

Q. Why do youth tent separately from parents outside of Cub Scouting?

A. Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, and Venturing are youth led programs.  The Cub Scout program is family-oriented.

♦ Q. Can I share a tent with my son or daughter who has special needs?

A. Youth and adults tent separately in the Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, and Venturing programs. Youth who have a special need or disability who may require a parent or legal guardian to tent with them must develop a plan in conjunction with their local council Scout Executive to address their specific needs. 

Transportation

Q. How do the Barriers to Abuse apply to transportation?

A. An adult may not drive or be alone in the car with a Scout unless that Scout is their own child. An adult may drive two or more Scouts.

Q. Can 18-year-old Scouts transport other Scouts, if so, what are the qualifications for this? 

A. Yes. Drivers must be currently licensed and at least 18 years of age. Scouting youth (under age 18) are not insured under the Boy Scouts of America commercial general liability policy. Transportation guidance can be found in the Guide to Safe Scouting. 

♦ Program Requirements

Q. Can buddy pairs be co-ed in Scouts BSA?

A. No. Scouts BSA program integrity requires single gender units and single gender buddy pairs.  

Q. Can a leader bring their Scouts BSA son or daughter to an opposite gender troop activity?

A. No. Scouts BSA program integrity requires single gender units and single gender buddy pairs. 

Q. Can any Scouts BSA member attend camp on their own?

A. Yes, as part of a provisional unit at camp. Contact your local council for availability.

Q. Can Scouts BSA girl and boy troops share a campsite?

A. Yes, if the campsite’s layout and amenities meet all the requirements of Scouting’s Barriers to Abuse, including privacy and separate accommodations. Each unit must also meet supervision requirements.  

 

Joseph W. Brannan, Jr. (Jan. 16, 1941 to January 15, 2021)

 

 

Troop 466 mourns the passing of one of our former Asst. Scoutmasters: Joseph w. Brannan.  

Mr. Brannan was an Asst. Scoutmaster with the troop for a number of years and his son earned the rank of Eagle during this time.

From the obituary posted at Collins Funeral Home:

On January 15, 2021, Joseph William Brannan, Jr., of Silver Spring, MD, passed away peacefully after a brief illness surrounded by his wife and children.

Joe was born on January 16, 1941 in Washington, DC. Son of Joseph William Brannan, Sr. and Mina Lucille Jackson. He was predeceased by his daughter, Lori Kristine Brannan, his parents, and his brother, James Thomas Brannan. He is survived by his wife, Roberta “Lynn” Brannan, of Silver Spring, MD, his daughter, Lori’s two children, Kimberly Smith and Kaitlyn McKinley, daughter Stefani Jo Harvey (Brandon) of Grand Prairie, TX, son Matthew James Brannan (Kira) of Ijamsville, MD and their two children, Mateus and Aryanna, and his sister, Jane Brannan Kendrick of Bay Harbor Is, FL.

Joe graduated from Mackin High School, Class of ‘58. Following his graduation, he entered Civil Service at the Army Map Service in Bethesda, MD which later became Defense Mapping Agency and National Imagery and Mapping Agency. He worked there during the Bay of Pigs incident in 1961, providing much needed support for the Armed Services. He retired in 1998 after 38 years. He worked as a cartographer, photographer, imagery analyst, and computer programmer throughout his career there.

(Photo taken on the Big Trip Out West Y2K1 or 2001).

Troop 466 Christmas Tree Sales

This year, as with previous years, we will conduct a Christmas Tree Sale.  However, due to COVID, things will be a bit different.

Here is what you need to know:

• We will have a much smaller number of trees available than normal.
  

• Due to the smaller number of trees available, you can Pre-Order to reserve a tree.  The order form is available below.  Please read all of the information carefully on the form before ordering.  All Pre-Order Forms must be in by Dec. 1st.  No Exceptions
  

• We will only have 6' to 7' Frasier Fir trees for sale.  They will be available at one set price. 
  

• Douglas Fir trees will not be available due to a drought and an early frost, which killed many.
  

• Trees will be displayed on racks but will not be unwrapped.
  

• We will not trim trees this year.

• We will assist you with loading the tree on your vehicle, if needed.
  

• We will not tie trees to vehicles, but will provide twine, if needed.
  

• Social distancing and masks will be required. 
  

• We will only be open on the weekends, from 9am to 5pm.  No weekday sales.
  

• Once the trees are all sold, the sale will end.
  

 

Tree pick-up will begin on Saturday, December 5th and Sunday, December 6th, as well as, Dec. 12th and Dec. 13th.   

 

Note: We cannot guarantee that there will be trees available for walk-in sales.  However, please watch this website for further announcements. 

 

We thank you for all of your support over the years and thank you in advance, for your understanding during this time.

If you have any questions, please contact us at mcarelli954@gmail.com

 

 

 

Bridging Ceremony - October 2020 (Part Five)