Upcoming Troop Meetings

This Week:  Annual Kick-Off with Scouts and Families, September 21st, 6:30pm at the Amvets Post 79

Next Week: September 28th, 7:00pm, Cole Center

From the Parent Committee Chair

September 12, 2022

We had a FABULOUS turnout for our first LIVE Parent Meeting in way too long, this past Thursday. I enjoyed meeting some new parents and actually seeing and talking with people in person, rather than to a screen. It was a productive meeting and an exciting way to begin the new year. I’m hopeful we’ll continue to have more parents joining our meetings and connecting with one another.

Here are the meeting notes. Please review them and let me know if you have any questions or comments. As well, if you were at the meeting, and your name isn’t listed in the “attendees” section, please let me know and I’ll add you. I think we missed a few people, inadvertently. 

The troop has so many exciting things coming down the pipe… our Annual Kick Off Event on 9/21, merit badges, trips, community service activities, and more! PLEASE be sure to continue to read the newsletter and stay up-to-date with Scoutbook invitations. Please RSVP whether OR NOT you and/or your scout will be in attendance.

A few important items:

• I need 1-2 additional people to help me with the Committee Chair role. 
• Theresa Kiernan needs someone to help with the Advancement Chair role this year.
• Barbara Comiskey needs someone to to help with the Outdoor/Activities Chair role this year.
• Mike Rice needs someone to help with the Equipment Chair role this year. He is the Assistant Scoutmaster that works on this from the troop side of things. We need a parent volunteer to help as well.

As always, email kendra0875@gmail.com or call 339-237-0420 with any questions!

Kendra Chase
Committee Chair, 2022-2023

Fall Kick-Off

When: September 21, 6:30pm
Where: Natick Amvets, 79 Superior Dr, Natick, MA 01760

Natick Troop 7 will be holding our annual Scouting Year Kick-off meeting on 6:30-8pm Wed 9/21 at the Amvets Post 79 in Natick.

Food, drinks, and desert will be served. Parents and siblings are strongly encouraged to attend and meet with the Adult Scout leaders to hear and see what the troop has done and is planning for the year. 

If you like to fish, be sure to bring your fishing pole to the event. The Amvets Post is on the water and we will be out back by the lake.

Please let us know if you will attend (RSVP) using this form, no later than September 18th, so that we can determine how much food to purchase.

Inspire a Cub Scout

Troop 7 has been invited to attend Cub Scout Pack 310 and Pack 7's "welcome" meetings.

Scoutmaster Opela is looking for Scouts who are interested in welcoming Cub Scouts to a new year of Scouting. Scouts may be asked to be their friendly selves, help run relay races or other fun activities set up by the Pack adult leaders.

If you are and your Scout would like to join the Cub Scout fun please contact Glenn Opela: glenn.opela@gmail.com

Parents/Adults if you would like to attend events you must complete the BSA online Youth Protection Training (YPT).  You do not need to be registered in Scouting to complete the training. Certification lasts for two years.  If you have questions about completing YPT, please email Theresa Kiernan: tkiernan8@gmail.com.

Scout Advancement

We have several Scouts who earned merit badges and completed advancement requirements over the summer.

A Scout's final step prior to completion of a rank is to participate in a Board of Review (BOR). Our next Board of Review will be on October 12, 2022.

We need parents to volunteer to participate in the Board of Review.  For each rank, there are a set of questions that we will share with participating adults.  If you are interested in helping Scouts advance by asking them a few questions and hearing about what they have learned through Scouting, please let Theresa Kiernan know you want to help!  Email: tkiernan8@gmail.com

In celebration of merit badge completion and advancement, the troop hosts a Court of Honor (COH).  During the Court of Honor Scouts receive their merit badges and we recognize Scouts who are moving to the next rank. Families are encouraged to attend the Court of Honor.

A Scout will volunteer to emcee the event, which is a great way for them to complete a requirement for the Communications (Eagle Scout required) merit badge.

The next Court of Honor will be on October 26, 2022. This is a fun event with light snacks.

Throughout the year parents/adults offer to lead merit badge sessions.  Typically sessions are offered on Wednesday evenings, prior to the start of the Troop meeting.  This Fall Alice Stecko and Bruce Tikofsky have volunteered to run Citizenship in the Community and Citizenship in the Nation, respectively.  Both merit badges are Eagle Scout required.

If your Scout would like to participate in the Merit Badge sessions please complete the Troop 7 Merit Badge Sign Up for Fall 2022.

Equipment Trailer

Parents/Adults Troop 7's equipment trailer needs a parking spot to call home.

If you have a spot OR you have any connections for a secured parking spot in Natick please contact Mike Rice: michaelrrc@gmail.com

Youth Protection Training

Parents/Adult if you would like to attend events you must complete the BSA online Youth Protection Training (YPT).  You do not need to be registered in Scouting to complete the training. Certification lasts for two years.

If you have questions about completing YPT please email Theresa Kiernan: tkiernan8@gmail.com

Community Service

On December 15th, Troop 7 will participate in Open Door, a free meal for the elderly and families in need at the Sons and Daughters of Italy Natick.

Scouts will help plan, purchase, prepare and serve a meal (typically appetizer, meal, beverage and dessert). They will chat and eat with attendees. Then clean up after.

More information and how to sign up will be posted in a future newsletter.