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                 Troop 9 was founded in October 1977 by a group of concerned citizens.   Our philosophy has been to provide the youth of Plymouth an opportunity to experience the outdoors, learn to be self-sufficient and develop leadership skills.  The scouts will be assisted by the adult leadership and the scout leadership corps.  The troop endeavors to make your son’s experiences safe and enjoyable.
A scout will be given every opportunity to earn merit badges and achieve various rank advancements, leading up to the coveted rank of Eagle Scout.  To date, 70 of our scouts have earned this prestigious award.  We believe our troop has a distinct honor in that four of our Eagle Scouts were in attendance at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis at the same time.  Those four scouts were James Crimmins, Brian Giracca, Craig Tessin and Clark “Chip” Wrye, IV.   
Troop 9 has been fortunate to have had many dedicated and unselfish leaders. The following men have served the troop as Scoutmaster, Vincent Best, Jack Burke, Ray Burton, David Coutts, Bruce Flockton, Paul Gilgan, Paul Grueter, Kevin Osborne, Tom Silvia, Roger Sullivan, Pete Westberg, Mike Young, and current Scoutmaster Bryan Belsito. Troop 9 adult leaders are or have been active in the community serving on local government boards, church committees and in various capacities in numerous Plymouth youth sports programs.  Thirteen adult leaders have been recognized by the District for their contributions to the scouting program and have received the District Award of Merit.  In addition, four leaders have been awarded the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award a Council can present to an adult volunteer, in recognition for their service to youth and their communities.
These adult leaders, along with our present leadership, have been instrumental in maintaining our record of scouting accomplishments and providing our scouts with a memorable scouting experience.
Beginning in 2002, the Troop’s Executive Board and adult leaders had discussed finding a Chartering Partner. During the summer of 2004, the Troop’s Executive Board decided to discuss with the Plymouth VFW Chapter #1822 about their becoming Troop 9’s Chartering Partner. The troop’s adult leadership believed that they would enhance the scouting program by providing resources that were previously unavailable to the troop and provided the troop with the continuity it was seeking. In addition, VFW Post #1822 is the Chartering Partner to the troop’s main feeder Pack, the former Pack 42. 
We are pleased to report that VFW Post #1822 agreed in July 2004 to be the Chartering Partner for Troop 9.    

In order to provide the scouts the opportunity to achieve their scouting potential, Troop 9 strives to maintain an active program which is anchored by the summer camp experience. Each summer, the troop reserves the Penobscot site at Camp Squanto which is located in the Myles Standish State Forest. For 2010, the week will be from Sunday, July 18 through Saturday, July 24 (week #4). In the course of this week, a scout will have an opportunity to earn merit badges that will include the Nature, Waterfront, Ranges (Rifle and Archery), Handicraft and Athletics areas.  These programs are fully staffed by paid and volunteer older scouts and adults. In addition to this, the troop is supervised by a minimum of 3 adult leaders as well as a minimum of 2 junior leaders.
We strongly encourage your son to participate in the summer camp program. The week of camping provides the first-year scout the opportunity to earn three or four merit badges which are suitable for their age and maturity levels. It is also designed to give them the support they need for that first time away from home. This week of camping helps to build a camaraderie within the ranks of the new scouts as well as from home. This camping experience helps to build a camaraderie within the ranks of the new scouts as well as giving them the opportunity to assimilate with the older scouts in the troop. 
The new scout will stay in a platform tent with another scout. The tents are located within conversational distance of the leaders’ cabin. Their site is separated from the other scouts. This is designed to foster a team spirit within their ranks and to reduce any anxiety they may have related to hazing, which IS ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN in scouting.

     In keeping with the team spirit, the troop requires each scout to have a summer uniform.  This uniform (Class B) consists of four tee-shirts, red, gray, green and blue and two pairs of nylon shorts, black and red.  A uniform order sheet will be provided to you in May. The use of the Class B uniform accomplishes two things: It makes it easier to keep track of our scouts and it gives our scouts a feeling of pride in their appearance. Please note that the Class B uniform is in addition to the Class A uniform which is worn at meetings and formal occasions at camp. The Class B uniform is also worn on the troop highlight trips. 
In addition to the day time advancement program, there are other activities to keep the scouts busy and entertained.  These include troop swims, war canoes and troop range times. In addition, there are camp-wide competitions such as the Apache Relay as well as camp-wide campfires. The schedule is designed to keep everyone active and involved.
As parents, we adult leaders have seen the benefits that a scout receives in attending a week at camp.  

 

 

 The Scout Oath 

  On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and  morally straight.

 The Scout Law

 A Scout is:
 Trustworthy
 Loyal
 Helpful
 Friendly
 Courteous
 Kind
 Obedient
 Cheerful
 Thrifty
 Brave
 Clean
 Reverent

Outdoor Code:

As an American, I will do my best to
Be clean in my outdoor manners
Be careful with fire
Be considerate in the outdoors
And be conservation minded

 

 

 

TROOP 9 MEETINGS:

            The weekly troop meetings are held every Wednesday (except when school is closed due to inclement weather, school vacation, or as noted) at West Elementary School from 7:00PM to 8:30PM.  During these meetings, the younger scouts work on basic advancement, which encompass the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class.  Beyond this, the advancement requirements concentrate on merit badge work, which is offered each week by our registered merit badge counselors.

TROOP 9 Advancement:
The change from Cub Scout to Boy Scout involves more than a change in organizations and new friends.  It also means a change in advancement procedures.  BSA stipulates that all advancements take place at scout meetings or sanctioned advancement activities, e.g., summer camp, Merit Badge University, etc. 
All advancement must be done in the presence of at least two adult leaders and a minimum of two scouts. BSA policy strictly forbids one-on-one advancement work and the signing off of advancement by a parent, unless the parent is a registered counselor.
Lastly, it is the responsibility of the scout to seek out an adult or junior leader to assist him in working on his advancement.  Please advise the scoutmaster should you have any questions on your son’s advancement.

 

The Westberg Campership was established in 1999 by the family and friends of Pete Westberg to honor his memory.  Pete was an active member in the scouting community and served Troop 9 as a Merit Badge Counselor, Assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster, the position he held when he died suddenly on July 7, 1999. 
Pete contributed an enormous amount of time and energy to the scouting program in general and Troop 9 in particular.  He was a positive influence for both scouts and leaders.  The Pete Westberg Campership has provided scouts with a week at summer camp since its inception in July 2000.  This campership is awarded to scouts who have demonstrated what we call “scout spirit”.  This can best be described as active participation at scout meetings, camping trips and overall service to the troop.  The campership trustees, Jim Fitzgerald, Dave Coutts, Jack Burke, Bill Martin and Erik Westberg award the camperships to the scouts based on their demonstration of “scout spirit”.  Every scout is eligible for this award. 
This campership will continue to be a reminder of Pete’s dedicated and tireless service to the troop and scouting program.  We were saddened by his death and miss him.  We take comfort in knowing that, even in death, Pete will continue to have a positive influence on our scouts and our scouting program

 

Eagle Scout Requirements
To earn the highest rank in Scouting, a Boy Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service and outdoor skills.  While there are many options available to demonstrate proficiency in these areas, a number of specific skills are required to advance through the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and finally, Eagle.  To continue advancing, a Boy Scout must pass specific tests that are organized by requirements including specific skills and merit badges.

     Merit Badges also signify the mastery of certain Scout craft skills, as well as serving to increase skill in an area of personal interest.  Of the more than 100 merit badges available, 21 must be earned to qualify for Eagle.  Of this group, 12 badges are required, including Camping, ‘Citizenship in the Community’, ‘Citizenship in the Nation’, ‘Citizenship in the World’, Communication, Environmental Science, Family Life, First Aid, Personal Management and Personal Fitness.  In addition, a scout has a choice between Emergency Preparedness and Lifesaving and a choice among Cycling, Hiking and Swimming.

     At each level of advancement, a Boy Scout takes part in a Scoutmaster conference.  These conferences help the scout set goals for himself in line with his individual talents and abilities.  At each conference, the Scoutmaster helps him evaluate his success in accomplishing his present goal and, together, they set up the next goal the Scout will work towards.

     Beginning with the rank of Star Scout, and continuing through the rank of Life Scout, and finally Eagle Scout, the Boy Scout must demonstrate participation in increasingly more responsible Service Projects.  These Service Projects may benefit the Scouts, Community, Church or School.  Also, at these levels of rank, the Scout must demonstrate leadership skills by holding one or more specific leadership positions within his troop or patrol

Troop meetings are held on Wednesday evenings (unless noted) at West Elementary School from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM.  Scouts are expected to attend in Class A Uniform.  Meetings are held only when school is in session.  There are no meetings if school has been canceled or during school vacations.

 

Parental Involvement:
The success we have experienced in Troop 9 is due to outstanding adult leadership and involvement.  This means we are always looking for adult support and participation on various levels of leadership.  This includes merit badge counselors, summer camp leadership, weekly meetings, and weekend camping trips, Klondike Derby as well as Committee Members and Assistant Scoutmasters. 
In order to ensure that our scouts get a consistent level of leadership, the Cranberry Harbors District offers various training programs and, depending on your commitment, we will be more than happy to assist you in choosing the right program.  In all cases, it is required that all leaders first complete an application and attend the official BSA Youth Protection Training Program.  This is necessary to protect, not only the youth, but the leader.
In conclusion, we hope the information we have provided in this newsletter has been both informative and helpful in your and your son’s decision.  We encourage you to visit other troops so you can find the “right fit” for your son.  If there is any additional information that we did not cover, or if you have any questions, please contact a Troop adult leader.

 

Below is the Troop 9 patch.  This patch was designed exclusively for our troop.  What makes this patch special to us is the fact that it honors one of the troop’s founders, Ed “Swib” Swirbalus, Jr.  He was active in the troop from its inception, serving as the Troop Committee Chairman.  He wanted to increase the opportunity for the motivated scout to attain Eagle.  He did this by structuring the troop’s scouting program so it maximizes the participation of the adult leaders.  This gave the scouts more opportunities to attend camping trips, develop leadership skills and earn merit badges.  “Swib” organized the format for the troop’s Eagle Court of Honor to be a solemn tribute to the young man that was being honored.  In addition, he started what has become a troop tradition, namely, the April Highlight Trip.  These trips earned our troop its nickname, the Ramblers. He worked with, what was then, the Squanto District in establishing the current district’s, and arguably also the Council’s, premier event, the Cranberry Harbor’s Klondike Derby.  He was a recipient of the District Award of Merit. He passed away in July 1988.  The troop wished to honor him for his unselfish service to scouting in general and Troop 9 in particular by spelling “Swib” in the mountain trail.  You will notice that the sun dots the “i”. 

MERIT BADGES
There are currently 117 merit badge offerings.  This does change as BSA adds or eliminates badges as they deem appropriate.  To earn Eagle, a scout must earn 21 merit badges, 12 of which are from the required list.  When a scout attains First Class rank, the emphasis for advancement shifts to leadership and merit badges.  Page 7 contains a chart showing the merit badges and the troop’s merit badge counselors.  Currently, between summer camp and our counselors, the troop is able to offer 96 badges (82%). This does not include badges that are offered at the District’s Merit Badge University. 
The merit badge program provides an opportunity for a scout to explore more than 100 fields of skill and knowledge.  The program is one of scouting’s basic character building tools as it provides a scout with the opportunity to gain the self-confidence that comes only from overcoming obstacles to achieve a goal.
The merit badge programs also provide an adult with an opportunity to work with the scouts and be a part of their success.  Please consider bringing your talents to the troop.   You’ll find it to be a rewarding experience.