Activities for March and April

We had a busy meeting last night! We will have a Forrestal clean up at 1:00 this Sunday (unless we have snow cover again). It looks like we will have 8 Cub Scouts bridging to Troop 88 in the next few weeks:

Friday, March 3 6:15-8:30 pm Grover Middle School
New Troop 88 Scout
Peter Carman
Troop 88
Michael Carman
Alan Wertz
Dan Dabbs
David Wertz
Kent Allenby (tentative)

Sunday, March 5 1:00-2:00 Forrestal Clean-up

Sunday, March 5 5:30 Princeton Day School Cafeteria
New Troop 88 Scouts
Mark O'Connell
Emmett Burke
Absnel Esteban
William Meyers
Nyle Neumann
Troop 88
Brian Allenby
Nolan Mickey
Alan Wertz
Pat Mickey
Kent Allenby

Monday, March 6 Regular meeting
Troop Committee Meeting (bring your Scout Books with you and wear your neckerchiefs!)

Tuesday, March 14 7:00-8:00 pm Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church
New Troop 88 Scouts
Brandon Mak
Kento Wada
Troop 88
Dante Ingato
Ross Merkin
Dan Schloss
Dan Dabbs
Kent Allenby

March 18-19 or 25-26 (depending on everyone's schedules): Sarnoff Campout

April 28-30 Central New Jersey Council Camporee "Be Prepared"
Middlesex County Fairgrounds
East Brunswick

That's about it for now.

See you all on Sunday at 1:00 pm at the turn at Forrestal.

Regards,

Kent Allenby

Peter's Bridging

Maureen,

Michael let us know that Peter will be bridging to Troop 88 this Friday from 6:15-8:30 at the Grover Middle School. To receive him with open arms will be:

Michael Carman Eagle Scout
Alan Wertz First Class Scout
Dan Dabbs Assistant Scoutmaster
David Wertz Assistant Scoutmaster

I will try and make it, but it will be a close thing.

We look forward to Peter carrying on Michael's tradition (and enjoying himself).

Regards,

Kent

New Scouts to Join Troop 88 from Pack 40

Mary,

We had our regular meeting last night and look forward to welcoming Brandon Mak and Kento Wada to Troop 88 at your Arrow of Light Ceremony on Tuesday, March 14 at the Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church from 7-8 pm. Bob and I will work out the final mechanics of our part of the AOL script when we arrive for the ceremony. Attending from Troop 88 will be:

Ross Merkin Life Scout
Dante Ingato Life Scout
Dan Schloss Star Scout
Dan Dabbs Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 88
Kent Allenby Scoutmaster, Troop 88

Last night we also set the schedule for the next couple of months. For March we are planning a local campout at our site on the Sarnoff property next to the Millstone River off Route 1 (a good starter campout for the new Scouts and close enough for their parents to visit if they want). The dates will be either March 18-19 or 25-26 depending on the Scout's schedules. For April, we are planning to attend the Central New Jersey Council Camporee, "Be Prepared" at the Middlesex Country Fairgrounds in East Brunswick on April 28-30.

If anyone asks what equipment the new Scouts might need, please pass along that we will go over this at the first couple of meetings they attend. It's probably best not to go out to a high end store and buy bunch of equipment as we have some in our Troop Room at the Church and one of the best places to get good but reasonably priced gear is Target.

We look forward to seeing you on March 14 and welcoming the new members of Troop 88.

Regards,

Kent Allenby
Scoutmaster, Troop 88
home phone 609-921-7472
cell phone 609-240-9389
Allenby.Kent@kyowa-kpi.com

Pack 43 Blue and Gold

Dear Pat and Daniel

We had our weekly meeting last night and look forward to welcoming the five Scouts from Den 12 into Troop 88 at Pack 43's Blue and Gold dinner this Sunday at 5:30 pm at the Princeton Day School cafeteria. Attending from Troop 88 will be:

Brian Allenby Life Scout, Senior Patrol Leader
Nolan Mickey First Class Scout
Alan Wertz First Class Scout
Pat Mickey Chair, Troop Committee
Kent Allenby Scoutmaster, Troop 88

We look forward to welcoming the five Scouts:
Mark O'Connell
Emmett Burke
Absnel Esteban
William Meyers
Nyle Neumann

Last night, we also set up the schedule for the next couple of months. For March, we are planning a local campout on the Sarnoff property next to the Millstone River off Route 1 (a good starter campout for the new Scouts and close enough that their parents can visit the campsite). The dates will be March 18-19 or 25-26, depending on the Scout's availability. For April, we will be attending the Central New Jersey Council Camporee, "Be Prepared" at the Middlesex County Fairgrounds in East Brunswick on April 28-30. If any of the Scout's families ask what equipment they might need, please pass along we will discuss this at the first couple of meetings they attend. It's probably best not to go out to a high end store and buy a bunch of equipment as we have some in our Troop Room at the church and one of the best places to get good but reasonably priced gear is Target.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday and welcoming the new members of Troop 88.

Regards,

Kent Allenby
Scoutmaster, Troop 88
home phone 609-921-7472
cell phone 609-240-9389
Allenby.Kent@kyowa-kpi.com

New Scouts in March

Good news! Brandon Mak and Kento Wada from Weblos Pack 40 have decided to join Troop 88. They will bridge at the Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church in Princeton Junction from 7:00-8:00 on Tuesday, March 14. I will be there but it also would be nice to have 1 or 2 of our senior Scouts present to welcome them into Troop 88. Is anyone interested in joining me?

Regards,

Kent Allenby

Cabin Camping at KMSR Scout Reservation

A great weekend at KMSR was had by the Scouts (Brian, Dan, Nolan, Dante and Alan), Scoutmasters (Dr. Dabbs, Dr. Wertz and Dr. Allenby) along with a representative of the Troop Committee (Mr. Mickey) and Mr. Ingato. As usual, the food was great, particularly the venison stew for Saturday evening's dinner prepared by Brian, Dan and Alan. After hearing the revised forecast Saturday afternoon, we decided to BUG OUT and came home Saturday night. There were, however, some who suggested we might stay over Sunday and return Monday-a delightful proposition, but with homework and work duties, not feasible.

The Forrestal clean up did not occur for obvious reasons. Once the snow melts, we'll try again.

As schools have been closed today, there will not be a meeting tonight. It's probably safer for all not to be driving to and from the church with the roads still icy. We will also not have a meeting the following Monday, February 20 as it is President's Day and most schools are off. The next meeting is February 27.

Enjoy the snow.

Kent Allenby

Cabin Camping February 10-12

We had a very successful open house last night with around 10 Cub Scouts and one First Class looking for another Troop. My congratulations to the Scouts for running an interesting program. Hopefully next month we will get many of them bridging over to Troop 88.

We will be going up to Kittatinny Mountain Scout Reservation this weekend for some cabin camping. We will meet at the church this Friday, February 10 around 4:45 pm and plan to leave by 5:15 pm. Bring a bag dinner and something to drink as KMSR is around 65 miles away and I expect it will take around 1 1/2 hours to get there. If anyone needs directions, they can be found at http://www.cnjc-bsa.org/camp/kmsr/mapto.htm. Essentially you take Route 206 North from Princeton across Interstate 78 and Interstate 80, continue on 206 through Newton and Branchville (watch out around Branchville as 206 North takes a left hand turn at a traffic light). Four miles north of Branchville you'll see a "Stokes State Forest" sign on the right. You start going down a hill and look for the "Kittatinny Mountain Scout Reservation" sign on the left and take a left onto Struble Road. The KMSR parking lot is 1/4 mile on the left. If there are any problems, you can try me on my cell phone (609-240-9389), but reception is very spotty at KMSR. You've gone too far if you reach Flatbrook Road or the town of Layton.

Be sure to bring wool socks and layers of clothing (not cotton but wool/fleece/polypropylene), boots and gloves.

Thus far, I have the following folks attending:

February Camping
Scouts Adults
Mike Carman Kent Allenby
Dan Schloss Dan Dabbs
Brian Allenby David Wertz
Ross Merkin (Sat only)
Dante Ingato
Alan Wertz
Nolan Mickey (Friday only)

In case you don't have the permission slip handed out last night, it's attached and I need you to bring it with you to the church. The cost for food is $15.00 and can also be brought to the church.

We'll do a Forrestal clean up on the way back and should be back at the church around 1:00-2:00 on Sunday depending on when people roll out of their sleeping bags on Sunday morning.

Regards,

Kent Allenby

Dante Ingato's Eagle Project

Reminder all scouts:

Please meet at my house which is located at 4 Manassas Court at about 8:30 am tomorrow morning. Please bring work gloves, wear old clothes. I could use a couple of hammers as well. Lunch will be served. We should be done by noon. Directions from Princeton are as follows:

Route 571 east towards hightstown. Make right at 1st light after passing West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South onto South Mill Road. Make left at next traffic light onto Village Road. Make 1st right into Millbrook development. 1st left onto Millbrook and next left onto Manassas Court. My house is the white stucco house on right.

Dante Ingato
(609) 799-1803
(609) 273-2445

February Camping Trip

Congratulations are due to Mike Carman for his Court of Honor. It was appropriate recognition for the work, participation and leadership he has demonstrated to make Eagle. For the rest of his life, Michael will be an Eagle Scout! Thanks as well to Maureen Carman for all the effort she put in to the pot luck supper and the wonderful Court of Honor.

A reminder that Dante Ingato has an Eagle project work session this Saturday. Dante: please send out the reminder with all the particulars to the Troop again so everyone knows where and when to get together. I will be there as will Brian.

Our winter cabin camping trip is coming up. We will leave from the church Friday, February 10 at 5:00 pm. Bring a dinner to eat either on the way or after we arrive at KMSR. We can decide on the meals next Monday, but Dan Dabbs has acquired some venison for a venison stew on Saturday night. We will do a Forrestal clean up on the way back and should be back at the church between 1:00 and 2:00 on Sunday, February 12.

Congratulations to Dan, Steven and Matt for rank advancement. Congratulations also go to Rinku whose Eagle papers came back from Council this week.

Remember that next Monday, February 6 is an open house for a number of Weblos Dens. With our existing Scouts getting more senior (and going off to college at a great rate), we need new Scouts. It's also important for our senior Scouts leadership skills to have younger Scouts. After Bridging in March, we might consider a Sarnoff campout to introduce the new Scouts to our private campground and to get them started on camping skills (and finding left handed smoke shifters).

If you are planning on attending the cabin camping in a couple of weeks, send me an email so I can get a count. I know that Dan Dabbs, David Wertz and I plan on going.

That's it for now.

Kent Allenby

Cabelas Trip A Hit - Outdoors is Indoors

Scouts, Scouters and Families,

At last night's meeting the consensus from those who went to Cabela's was clear: it's a very impressive and massive outfit. The walk-through aquarium grotto, the mountain in the center of the store, the variety of gear (Dr. Dabbs lamented the large selection of women's clothing, I overspent in the fly fishing area, the Scouts were attracted to the wide knife and gun collections). Only Pat Mickey took advantage of the wild game menu which included ostrich burgers and venison and bison bratwurst. Too bad it's 100 miles away.

Kent S. Allenby
Scoutmaster, BSA Troop 88
Allenby.Kent@kyowa-kpi.com

Upcomming Events on the Calendar

Scouts, Scouters and Parents,

Monday's meeting was eventful with election of a new Senior Patrol. Congratulations on our new SPL, Brian Allenby and our new ASPLs Dan Schloss and Nolan Mickey. Our Eagle Scout, Mike Carman, and Ross Merkin (soon to be Eagle) will advise the new Senior Patrol.

Upcoming Events:

Sunday, January 15, 2:00 pm: Forrestal Clean-Up.
Monday, January 16: No meeting due to holiday (MLK day)
Saturday, January 21, 10:00 am Cabela's trip. Meet at the church at 10:00. We plan to return by 6:00 pm. Bring money for lunch and to buy any outdoor items you can't live without. A permission slip is attached.
Monday, January 30: 7:30 pm Court of Honor and Pot Luck Supper at the church
Friday, February 10: 5:00 pm Winter cabin camping at KMSR

Forrestal Clean-Up: This is the Troop's major source of funds and a portion of the money earned is credited to the Scout's account for use in paying for trips and/or summer camp. If we get a good turn out it only takes an hour and beats selling Christmas trees on cold December nights or going door to door selling popcorn. We'll meet at the parking turn out halfway up the road.

Cabela's Trip: For those who don't know, Cabela's is a massive store (250,000 square feet) with excellent prices on everything from basic camping goods to high end fly fishing equipment as well as interesting aquariums and displays. Anything you might need for the outdoors is in stock. It takes 1 1/2 hour to get there (Hamburg, PA off of Interstate 78) but it's worth seeing. We will meet at the church at 10:00 and plan on returning by 6:00. Bring money for lunch (the food court at Cabela's has standard fare as well as exotic game meals) and to buy outdoor gear you just can't do without. Scouts and their families are welcome and it's a real experience.

Court of Honor: More information will follow, but we get to celebrate our newest Eagle Scout, Mike Carman, as well as a number of other advancements. This is a wonderful time for the families of our Scouts to get together to celebrate their accomplishments and to get to know each other better. Troop 88 is a small Troop and we'd like as much family involvement as possible. Come out and support the Scouts, the Scoutmasters and the Troop Committee.

Winter Cabin Camping: We plan to leave the church around 5:00 pm on Friday, February 10 to head up to KMSR with a return on Sunday mid-afternoon. This was a lot of fun last year and the cabin has an overhead light and a wood stove so it's comfortable (as long as someone remembers to wake up in the middle of the night to put a few logs in the stove).

That's all for now.

Kent Allenby