It's been a GOOD month for 111!

Unfortunately, however, I again have to start off with news on the sad side - as the Troop bids farewell to Philip Arquette and Andy Myers. The Arquettes are heading back up to their original stomping grounds in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on July 31st. Philip, who just made Star Scout, is the last of four Arquette brothers who spent time with 111 over the last 15 years. He leaves the Troop with. 16 Merit Badges and as our latest Senior Patrol Leader -he's already qualified for Life Rank (needing only 5 months of Troop Service time with his new Troop in Ann Arbor) and is well on his way to becoming the first Arquette Eagle. On behalf of the Troop, I'd like to take this opportunity to express our collective gratitude to Les and Elaine Arquette, who have put years of service into both Troops 111 and 143. Final note to Philip: I'm expecting an invitation to your Eagle Court of Honor!

The Myers have been transferred to Seoul, Korea (courtesy of the U.S. Air Force), where they'll spend the next two years; they hit the road this past weekend. Andy, who has 6 Merit Badges and just made Tenderfoot Rank, is looking forward to joining the Provisional B.S.A. Troop in Seoul. Older brother and Eagle Scout John will still be in the area, of course, attending George Mason University starting this September. Charley and Molly Myers asked me to thank all the members of 111 for helping make this posting a special one for both John and Andy.

Part I: John M. Bustamante/1991 will be the 43rd name engraved on the Troop 111 Eagle Plaque! (The M., by the way, stands for Marcus.) John went before his Eagle Board of Review on Sunday, July 14th, and passed (by all accounts) with flying colors. Our thanks to the Board of Review Members John Manning (Chairman), Roy Mimms (Patawomeck District Eagle Board Representative), Tommy Berra and Tim Arthurs. John, by the way, is currently enjoying Philmont Scout Ranch as his final activity with the National Capital Area Council - he's a member of a Council provisional crew made up mostly of members of Troop 673 (the Troop from Great Falls that we have done some co-activities with in the past). He's looking to remain at least partially involved with Scouting in San Antonio (Alamo Area Council), depending on how diverted he gets with sports and bands. And - as long as we're on a roll - I'd be remiss without mentioning our gratitude to Congressman Albert and especially Rebecca Bustamante, who put seven years and two Scouts into 111. Again Note: John's Eagle Court of Honor is tentatively scheduled for the Columbus Day weekend - mark it on the calendar, folks!

Part II: Although I'm about to unleash a swarm of Merit Badges earned at Goshen (Part IV, below), I'd be remiss if I didn't fade back to late June, when Geoff Evans earned Music Merit Badge (the first of hopefully many Music MB's to come). This brings our total for June to 10 Merit Badges (5 Cycling, 3 Safety, 1 Skiing and 1 Music) - our best month since last November, when the Scouts earned 1 Personal Management and 17 Fingerprinting Merit Badges. Signs of a growing and advancing Troop, folks!

Part III: As mentioned above, we got two rank advancements at Goshen: Philip Arquette earned Star and Andy Myers made Tenderfoot. The Board of Review (Tommy Berra, Paul Evans and Jeff Kempter) met in an unusual but highly appropriate setting - one of our platform tents! According to the Board, both Scouts looked good and - other than having to deal with the crabby Scoutmaster - really enjoyed Scouting with 111. As usual, Thanks! to the members of the Board of Review.

Part IV: Drum roll, please.... [Crash of Cymbals] - "The envelope, please... Hey I, why is this thing so heavy?" Yes, folks. Troop 111 enjoyed its most successful summer camp since the mid-60's: 67 Merit Badges, (only) 7 Partials, and 8 Mile Swims. Considering how many first year campers we had (more than half the crew), this was a truly amazing performance. The Honor Roll:

Philip Arquette: Environmental Science, Leatherwork, Lifesaving, Personal Fitness and Wilderness Survival.
Mike Arthurs: Mammals, Mile Swim, Swimming and Woodcarving (plus 2 Partials).
Matt Berra: Basketry, Canoeing, Leatherwork and Swimming (plus 1 Partial).
John Brady: Basketry, Mile Swim, Orienteering, Personal Fitness, Reptile Study and Rowing.
Will Driscoll: Basketry, Canoeing, Leatherwork, Mile Swim, Pioneering and Swimming.
Geoff Evans: Basketry, Mile Swim, Orienteering. Personal Fitness, Pioneering and Rowing.
Scott Gorman: Mile Swim, Personal Fitness and Rowing.
Patrick Kempter: Cooking and Leatherwork.
Greg Landrigan: Basketry, Environmental Science, Mile Swim, Orienteering and Personal Fitness (plus 1 Partial).
Jimmy Landry: Basketry, Leatherwork, Personal Fitness and Swimming.
Louis Martin: Basketry (plus 2 Partials).
Andy Myers: Basketry, Canoeing and Woodcarving (plus 1 Partial).
Joe Schwartz: Basketry, Canoeing, Leatherwork, Pioneering and Swimming.
David Stainback: Basketry, Canoeing, Leatherwork, Mammals, Mile Swim, Personal Fitness and Swimming.
Devin Steele: Personal Fitness, Rowing and Wilderness Survival.
John Tuck: Basketry, Canoeing, Fishing, Leatherwork and Swimming.
Chris Yarbrough: Basketry, Environmental Science, Mile Swim, Orienteering, Personal Fitness, Shotgun and Woodcarving.

In addition (as if this wasn't enough), Will Driscoll, Joe Schwartz and John Tuck partially completed their Totin' Chip Awards and five or six Scouts are still working with Tommy Berra and ChuckYarbrough towards Fishing Merit Badge. Will, Joe and John also belatedly received their Parvule Dei Awards at the Saturday afternoon Mass.

A Big Thanks to our Summer Camp Fathers Tommy Berra, Bill Brady, Paul Evans, Bob Gorman, Jeff Kempter, Mike Landrigan, Jim Landry, Joe Schwartz and Chuck Yarbrough, all of whom contributed mightily to this success.

Congratulations to all Scouts who advanced this past month.... ....Keep up the Good Work!

So how was it? Well, when one of "things I liked most about summer camp" mentioned on nearly every Scout's evaluation was 'the great food', you just know it had to be a great time! Actually, it was truly a pretty good week. We started off with a much better set of expectations among the Scouts, who were really looking forward to this year's camp (although I didn't notice it myself, some of .the parents told me that the Scouts were so apprehensive last year that the assembly resembled a funeral.). We got out of Arlington about 9:30, and after the usual fast-food lunch, got into Goshen just about 1:45 (right on time). Our week started off with some really hot weather and a couple of fairly spectacular thunder storms that washed out some of our early-week activities, but both situations cleared up by the end of our stay. As usual, we got Site One at Camp Olmsted, which is a nice cool spot in the pines at the end of the camp (this was our third straight year at this particular site - which we like for the privacy, access to some good fishing and cooler temperatures during the heat of the day. After the usual registration hassles, we managed to get the Scouts just about every Merit Badge that they wanted to take (yes, they again sprang a few 'surprises' that were not on the original schedule - oh, well.) Anyway, it went a lot smoother than last year - what a difference a little pre-organization and experience makes! Days were filled with Merit Badge Classes and our own special sign-up activities - Troop Rifle Shoots (2), Troop Archery Shoots (2), Pirate's Breakfast, Troop Volleyball (we got killed - twice!), the infamous Great Wildcat Hunt, a Troop Service Project, Totin' Chip and free time aquatics - Canoes, Funyaks, Rowboats and Swimming. Nights were busy with "Merit Badge Homeworks", the Great extended basket-weaving and stool-winding sessions, chess games and just 'hanging out'. We came in second place twice for Honor Troop of the Day, and ended up in fourth place (out of 17 Troops) for Honor Troop of the Week - not bad at all. Believe me, we had one tired set of Scouts come Saturday afternoon - but again, they did the best job 111 has put in in nearly 25 years. I hope you all got an earful when your Scout (or husband) got home! - same time, same place, 1992!

(I) although things are awfully tight, I'm still looking to try and get in an Orioles game sometime in late August. Despite the Orioles poor standings, they are nearly sold out on most of their remaining games (especially weekends) - this because it's their final season at Memorial Stadium. More on this later. (II) Of course, the major activity for August will be the Shenandoah National Park Backpacking Trek. Again, this event is expected to be rather strenuous and is therefore open only to the larger Scouts in the Troop. Those Scouts attending will be attempting to earn several Merit Badges and the 50 Miler Award.

A) The next summer meeting will be held on Monday, July 29th (usual place and time). Casual dress.

B) The next Scout Mass will be held in September.

C) Safety Merit Badge - I am trying to work with smaller groups towards finishing up their Safety Project over at Potomac Overlook Park. I've handled six Scouts so far - there are at least 8 more to go. Interested Scouts should attempt to form groups of 4 minimum for about a two hour session. You will need work gloves, old clothing and old sneakers that you can afford to get thoroughly soaked."

I have also obtained statistics for crimes and accidents in Arlington County for the last two years - this partially fulfills this requirement/or the Scouts, HOWEVER, they are still expected to obtain additional statistics/row your newspapers. For example, you can cut out the "Police Beat" section in the Arlington Journal (Section A, Mon. - Fri.) or the Crime Report Section in the Thursday Washington Post. I'd like to see at least two week's worth of Arlington Journals or 1 month's worth of Washington Posts. If this presents insurmountable problems for anyone, please call me.

We will be trying to get this and other requirements together during our remaining upcoming summer meetings.

D) Notes on Merit Badge Partials - A Goshen Partial is only good for six months: i.e., you must contact an area Merit Badge Counselor by January 7th, 1992. It is much better (and easier) for all concerned if the Scout gets the partial finished as soon as possible; in our experience. Merit Badges which are still incomplete by the start of school are essentially history (at least, unless I bug the heck out of the Scout involved, which is no fun for either one of us). All Scouts who received partials had the blue card, the respective Merit Badge Booklet and the names and addresses of all local counselors forwarded along with their Goshen Patches. Time's a wastin', folks!

E) Troop Credits:
Deleted for Web version.

- Dr. Bob, Scoutmaster

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7 April 2003