Do you have an Arrow of Light Cub Scout? Does your teen (age 11-17) love outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and rafting?  BSA Troop 437 invites you to our Open House on Thursday, October 26, to learn more about our troop and Scouting!

BSA Troop 437 is a medium-sized troop with boys and girls from Westford and surrounding towns. We meet on Thursday evenings during the school year to learn new skills and enjoy fun activities. Meetings and activities are scout-led and the focus is on learning both leadership and practical skills. Scouts also enjoy optional monthly overnight camping, hiking and adventure trips. Many 437 Scouts have earned the well-respected Eagle Scout rank.

To learn more, visit Troop 437's Open House on Thursday October 26 from 7-8:30 PM at the American Legion, 114 Dunstable Rd.

My name is Karyn Crouthamel, I am currently the Cubmaster for Pack 107 Chelmsford and a committee member for Troop 437G Westford/Chelmsford. I am hosting a seminar on How to Teach Disability Awareness and Inclusion in a Positive and Constructive Way. This is a common meeting topic for Packs and Troops. I will cover teaching and becoming more aware of people with physical disabilities and how to help others (youth and adults) understand that adapting activities to their ability is what is important.  It is not seeing their life as harder than an able bodied person. If we adapt activities then we all have opportunities. I am not discussing "how to adapt" scouting activities, but that is the other important step to becoming more inclusive.

 

I have attached my flier, please feel free to distribute to any adults or youth in BSA, GSU, and anyone outside scouting that is interested.  

 

 

Additionally, I am also registered with T437 as the Disabilities Awareness Merit Badge counselor and would be happy to help scouts that want to earn this badge.

 

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I am planning on recording and sharing this seminar as a resource on different scouting sites. If you are unable to attend Oct 15th, but would like the recording, please send me an email.

 

Thank you for considering coming to my seminar. I look forward to the opportunity.

 

I consulted with the Park Ranger at Underhill State Park and they are expecting very heavy rain on Saturday and freezing rain and snow on Mount Mansfield between Saturday and Monday.  They highly encourage us to not try to hike the mountain this weekend.

 

As you all know, this was a trip I was very much looking forward to.  I hope that we will be able to reschedule for sometime in the spring.  In the meantime, we are looking into options for an alternate October activity in the coming weeks.  The Trip feeds that have been paid will be credited to scout accounts.  If you would prefer a refund please reach out to the treasurer at treasurer@westfordtroop437.us. 

 

Regards,

 

Mr. McKeen

 The Troop needs to follow a new BSA youth protection policy change that may impact you.

 

As of September 1st, BSA will require all adults who stay overnight at any scout event to be registered adult leaders.  In the past, unregistered parents could attend overnight events - this is no longer allowed.

 

If you want to attend any overnight scouting event, you will need to register as an adult leader in the BSA.  Information on how to register is below.  If you are only staying during the day, you do not need to be registered.

 

It is hard to believe that we are now at the start of a new scouting year! We hope you have had a great summer. Summer camp and the Sea Base trip were great and we are gearing up for a lot of fantastic scout events this year!

 

The Troop 437 2023 - 2024 calendar of events is now available on our website. You can also subscribe to the website's calendar feed using this calendar feed link.   

 

Some notable early dates:

• Thursday, August 31st - First Troop meeting of the year
• Weekend of September 9th - Troop Canoe Trip
• Weekend of October 7th - Vermont Mt. Mansfield Hike
• Thursday, October 19th - Fall Court of Honor

 

We look forward to seeing everyone soon!

 

Yours in Scouting,

 

Scoutmasters McKeen and McKeen