Are you an Arrow of Light scout looking for a Scout Troop to cross over to? or maybe you are new to Scouting and want a great Troop to join?
Either way, Troop 437 welcomesall youth to come and experience the adventure of scouting! Visit one of our meetings to experience what Scouting is all about and what makes Troop 437 a great Scout Troop.
We meet every Thursday evening when school is in session. Meetings start at 7:00 pm at the American Legion Post 437 at 114 Dunstable Road. Feel free to contact us at info@westfordtroop437.us and let us know you are coming or to contact us with any questions. For more information about the troop, you can start at our About Us webpage.
It is hard to keep up with the rapidly evolving situation we are facing with the virus. As you know, Massachusetts schools are now closed for the next three weeks along with a long list of other cancelations, postponements, and restrictions. Troop 437 will be following all the recommendations we have received and to that end:
We will not be holding Troop meetings until school resumes.
The Eagle Court of Honor on March 21st for Harry Laushine is being postponed to a later date.
The April camping trip is canceled.
Merit Badge Monday is canceled (but see more about merit badges below).
Other Troop activities will be evaluated as things progress.
It is hard to put all Troop activities on hold, but it is the right thing to do. However, there are a number of things that can be done that will offer opportunities for continued scout work. Some ideas are:
While we can not hold Merit Badge Mondays, we can move some of the activities on-line. If you want to start or continue a merit badge, please let us know and we will try to facilitate that work. While you have several unplanned weeks off from school it is a very good time to get some merit badge work completed. We can set up video/audio conferencing for merit badge sessions.
If you are in need of a scoutmaster conference, please let us know and we can try out holding those electronically.
If in a week or so, it is advisable for small groups to meet, we could consider arranging meetings around Town in small groups to allow scouts to work on rank advancement and possible service projects.
Scouts and Parents who have not yet signed up for our Troop Discord server - an online collaboration tool - now is a good time to do so to stay connected to the Troop. Contact a Scoutmaster to get a link to join.
Families will soon be receiving email invites to connect in Scoutbook. This is a good time for parents to complete those connections, update your profiles and set up accounts for your scouts if desired. Scoutbook is the BSA's online application that allows you to view and track advancement along with a host of other useful features.
Most importantly, we hope that everyone stays healthy and safe. If there are any situations that you think the Troop might be able to render assistance, please let us know.
The March trip for Troop 437 is an overnight Lock-In at MetroRock climbing gym in Everett (http://www.metrorock.com/boston).
But this isn’t just “Rock Climbing”! What to expect....
All the climbing you can handle top rope and auto-belay
Bouldering with top out options on some routes
Optional High Ropes course
Dodge ball, Movies, Midnight feast, and Games
Outing: Indoor rock climbing at MetroRock Climbing Center in Everett, MA. Arrive: Friday, March 6, 8:45 PM (note, individuals registered for the belaying training session must
arrive by 7:30 PM)
Depart: Saturday March 7th, 8:00 AM from MetroRock Gym Cost: $55 per person for climbing
$65 per person for climbing and high-ropes course $5 for attendees opting to keep their feet on the ground Prices include Friday midnight feast.
To sign-up do both of these steps: 1. By Thursday, February 27th , return signed Permission Slip and Payment 2. By Thursday, March 5th , complete on-line waiver or print waiver, complete and turn in with permission slip.
Waivers are needed for everyone attending. They can be completed via the on-line waiver or it can be printed out, signed, and handed in with your Troop Permission slip. Adults and scouts age 14 and older can belay for the group. We need sufficient belayers to support the group. If you have been trained to belay previously then you are allowed to belay with a brief refresher/test. If you have not belayed before, but would like to learn, then you will need to attend a belaying training session at 7:30 PM the day of the event. Please indicate if you are willing to belay and need the training session on the permission slip and also indicate if you have been certified to belay in the past.
Bring water bottles, sleeping bag, pad and any games you might want to share.
Trip Information – Gunstock Skiing/Boarding Trip Feb 7+8
Boy Scout Troop 437, Westford, MA
SIGNUP Due This Thursday January 30th
Outing: Skiing/Snow Boarding Trip at Gunstock Ski Area Gilford, NH.
Arrive: Friday, February 7, 2020, 7:30 PM at Gilford Youth Center directions
Depart: Saturday Feburary 8, 2020 at approximately 5:00 PM or when done skiing and ride is available.
Cost: Base Cost plus see the options below.
Base Cost: $16.00 (includes Friday cracker barrel, lodging, Saturday breakfast, snacks at the ski area and donation to stay at the Gilford Youth Center).
Meals: Friday night cracker barrel and Saturday morning breakfast are included. Scouts are responsible for their own dinner Friday and lunch / dinner on Saturday.
Forms: Please Sign and Return the following forms with payment by: Thursday, January 30th. Troop 437 Permission Slip
If you are renting or getting a group lesson, the waiver and info must be into rohanian@gmail.com by this Friday January 24th.
If renting, please send an email to rohanian@gmail.com with the following info: name, age, height, weight, shoe size, level (I, II, III), if snowboarding (regular or goofy)
Helmet is an additional $9 (required if you do not have one)
Note: if you are renting, please fill out the attached form with the requested details.
Beginner Package all ages $90 – includes equipment rental, two hour group lesson and lift ticket to beginners slope.
All scouts must wear helmets while skiing or snow boarding. If you do not have one please arrange to rent one. Also there are waiver forms for all rental and lessons that must be signed and handed in.
What you need to bring:
Sleeping bag, pad to sleep on, cash for lunch and incidentals, ski / snowboard equipment and appropriate ski attire.
Do a Good Turn Daily! The Scout Slogan. It is one of the defining values of a Scout. Troop 437 is always looking for opportunity to give back to our community and help those who can use a helping hand. We are creating a Remind communication list to help communicate opportunities when they arise that Scouts can help on. Are you interested in hearing about opportunities to Do and Good Turn (and who wouldn't be)? Simply follow the steps below to signup for the Troop's "437GoodTurns" Remind list and you will receive text messages, e-mail, or phone notifications when an opportunity arises.
The Troops first "Good Turn" endeavor is to help Mr and Mrs Bruno with snow shoveling this year. Mr Bruno is a Veteran, a life long scouter, and the Troop's charter organization representative. He has contributed countless hours towards the success of the Troop, the American Legion Post, and the larger scouting community. We will be sending messages to the Remind list soliciting volunteers when there is shoveling to be done. For most snow storms it should only take a couple of volunteers and if we share the work over the winter it should be easy to accomplish and will be a big help to Mr and Mrs Bruno.
If you know of opportunities that you think would be good for Troop 437 to help out with please let the Scoutmaster know.
So by now I am sure you are wondering - How to I get on the 437GoodTurns Remind list? Well it is very simple - do one of the following:
Nobscot Scout ReservationThe January trip is winter cabin camping at Nobscot Scout Reservation in Sudbury MA. We'll be meeting at the Abbot School at 9am on Saturday and carpooling from there. We expect to return to Abbot late Sunday morning.
We have two cabins reserved -- one for the Boys Troop and one for the Girls Troop -- which will help keep us out of the rain. Yes, Rain. As of this writing it looks like the weekend will be unseasonably warm and breezy with a chance of rain throughout. All Scouts must have rain gear and a dry spare set of clothing!
Check the Troop website for recommended camping gear (https://www.westfordtroop437.us/node/1521), only thing you do not need is a tent (unless you want to sleep outside on a rainy night...).
Remember, the Patrols will be holding an Iron Chef Competition. Are you up to the challenge of cooking over a wood stove or cooking over a fire in the cold winter air? The PLC will provide some additional details at the upcoming meetings. Bring a good set of hiking boots and we'll enjoy the scenery and hills of the Camp.
EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT! - Hello Parents, when the Troop goes on a trip, we collect funds to pay for food and other planned expenses for that trip. Most of the time one (or more) Scouts on the trip is the grub master and purchases and (you!) pays for the food. On rarer occasions you may be asked to purchase something that the Troop needs for a trip or a meeting. You can be reimbursed by the Troop for these purchases. All we ask is that you complete an expense reimbursement form and submit it, with receipt(s), at a regular Troop, within 90 days of incurring the expense. All forms should be submitted to the Troop Scribe, or his designee (your Scout should know who that is). Forms and instructions are available on the Troop website at: https://www.westfordtroop437.us/taxonomy/term/1055. Reach out to the Treasurer or any of the adult leaders, if you have any questions.
Do a Good Turn Daily! The Scout Slogan. It is one of the defining values of a Scout. Troop 437 is always looking for opportunity to give back to our community and help those who can use a helping hand. We are creating a Remind communication list to help communicate opportunities when they arise that Scouts can help on. Are you interested in hearing about opportunities to Do and Good Turn (and who wouldn't be)? Simply follow the steps below to signup for the Troop's "437GoodTurns" Remind list and you will receive text messages, e-mail, or phone notifications when an opportunity arises.