MARCH/APRIL 2024
 

Namaste, Scouts & Families!

Following up on our November, December/January, and February newsletters, please read on for the highlights so far, plus important updates and volunteer opportunities for the months ahead.

SCOUTMASTER’S CORNER

It’s been a great year so far! We’ve added new Scouts to our Troops, we’ve participated in a variety of service projects, we’ve camped and climbed and hiked, and we’ve developed our Scouting skills. Much credit is due to our youth leadership teams that comprise the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC). Great job! We also know that there are many adult leaders who volunteer countless hours to enable all these great activities.

As we head into the final few months of the Scouting year, I encourage everyone to keep pushing forward in your journey: Challenge yourself to learn new skills, to step up in your leadership, and to exhibit the ideals found in the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan. Enjoy the moment and support each other!

Keep on Scouting!

Mr. Tyler
Scoutmaster, Troop 60B

VOLUNTEER CORNER

Parents: Troop 60 Needs You!

The BSA Troop 60 Committee sets troop policies and handles administrative functions, allowing the Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters to focus on working directly with the Scouts. As several of our committee members will be leaving at the end of this school year, we invite more parents to join us to help keep Troop 60 running smoothly.

Please contact Runa Gokhale if you’re interested in one of these anticipated vacancies — or stepping up in any other capacity (including as a merit badge counselor).

• Treasurer: Handle funds, pay bills, supervise fundraising, and maintain our accounting through the AES business office. (AES badge-holder preferred.)
• Advancement Chair: Organize boards of review, courts of honor, merit badge counseling program and related supplies to ensure Scouts advance through their ranks.
• Membership Chair & Registrar: Ensures a smooth transition of new Scouts into the Troop, orientation for new parents, and annual rechartering process with our umbrella organization.
• Equipment Chair: Responsible for inventory, storage, and maintenance of troop equipment.
• Outdoor Activities Chair: Source and secure campsites and transportation options.
  

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

Save the Dates

• March 19: Troop Meeting, 6:15-7:45 p.m. @ AES MPR
• March 30-April 2: Campout @ Kereri Lake (outside Dharamshala)
• April 9: Troop Meeting, 6:15-7:45 p.m. @ AES MPR
• April 23: Troop Meeting, 6:15-7:45 p.m. @ AES MPR
• April 27-28: Campout @ TBA
• May 4: Merit Badge Extravaganza, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. @ AES
• May 7: Troop Meeting, 6:15-7:45 p.m. @ AES MPR
• May 19: Court of Honor, 4-6 p.m. @ AES HOP
• Summer Camp 2024: Options include Camp Tifie in Utah (June 22-29) and the Far East Council’s Camp in Mongolia (July 28-August 3).

 Summer Camp Opportunities

A week of camping at a BSA Summer Camp is a chance to spend time outdoors with fellow Scouts, make new friends, employ the Patrol Method, earn several merit badges, and try new things. There are several camps offered in Asia, and many more across the United States,  including Camp Tifie in Utah (June 22-29) or Camp Mongolia (July 28-August 3). For more information, please contact your Scoutmaster.

SCOUT LEADER SPOTLIGHT

Cada Wilcox,
Blue Jay Patrol Leader 

• Birthday:  February 14
• What brought you to Scouting?  My brother John did it first and it sounded fun so I tried Cub Scouts. My friends Rosie, Ariana, and Ananth were in Cub Scouts. So I went then crossed over.
• What is your current rank?  First Class
• When did you join Troop 60?  February 2023 at the Webelos crossing over ceremony last year.
• What was the first merit badge you earned? Wood carving. It only took 1 session so it was quick..
• What was your favorite merit badge to earn?  It was either Art or Climbing because both are fun to do. Art is relaxing, and climbing was a challenge. Plus, repelling was extra fun.
• What was the most challenging merit badge to earn?  Family Life because it took so long and it was hard to keep track of all the chores.
• Which merit badges do you still want to earn?  Citizenship in the Community and Citizenship in the Nation because they are Eagle required and they are cool patches.
• What is your goal for Troop 60 this year?  I want Troop 60 to go on 20 to 30 nights of camping because, since I crossed over, I only went on 15 nights of camping and I want Scouts to have a better chance of reaching the OA (Order of the Arrow).  Also, campouts are one of the most fun things about scouting.
• What is your favorite thing about Scouting?  I like the campouts and the community.  Everyone helps each other and on the campouts, there is always a challenge like leeches, rain, or coldness — not that I like those things, necessarily — but it feels like I’ve accomplished something more when I’m done.
• Favorite camping meal:  Almost all the camping meals are good but I think I like the crepes with Nutella made by Sophie.
• Where else have you been involved with Scouting?  India is my first Scouting experience. I went to Nepal last summer for camp.
• What do you like to do when you’re not busy Scouting?  I like to read, write, and play with my siblings. And I like to play tag as well as do art.

ADULT LEADER SPOTLIGHT

 Bimal Chudasama,
Assistant Scoutmaster

• Birthday:  December 21
• What brought you to Scouting?  I joined Troop 60 in the spring of 2022 when my son Ariv [Snowy Owl Patrol Leader] was introduced to scouting with friends. The unit was short of ASMs, so I stepped up to fill the gaps.
• Your favorite merit badge or rank requirement to help Scouts earn?  I have not done any merit badges yet, but do involve myself in troop activities. Growing up in Tanzania, we used to camp and do activities not knowing they are teaching us real life experiences and preparing us for unexpected changes in the world.
• Your goal for Troop 60 this year?  My goal is to get more kids to join the troop when they arrive at post and spread the knowledge that Scouting has to offer.
• Favorite thing about Scouting?  My favorite thing is the Scouting activities like camping and hiking and cooking up meals and pitching tents. I love camping, but have started to GLAMP.
• What do you like to do when you’re not busy Scouting?  I play softball (slow pitch) at AES and the video game World of Warships. I don’t encourage kids to play video games, but a little is okay. As I tell my son, there is a limit and never cross that time. Important things come first and learn to prioritize your responsibilities.
  

THE EAGLE NEST

60B Eagles Meet With U.S. Ambassador

Thomas Harrity and Abe McKenney, Troop 60’s newest Eagle Scouts, were invited to meet U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti last month. They had a great time talking with him about the path to Eagle, their projects, and plans for the future. The Ambassador also left the Eagles with some lifelong advice:

• Stay fit and exercise.
• Always be on time.
• Always be yourself.
• Hold the gift during photos so that you can’t be photoshopped out.
• Don't push yourself too hard, let some things come to you naturally.
• Truly engage with your community and get to know one specific aspect of it.
• Always be thoughtful.

India’s First Female Eagle: Sethulakshmi Chandrasekharan

Scouts BSA became coed in 2019, and our records indicate that you may be the first Scout girl to earn the rank of Eagle in India! How does it feel?

I didn’t know I was the first. But I am honored and feel a lot of gratitude and I hope to inspire more people in their Scouting journeys. I am proud to show some female representation in a male-dominated space :)

Tell us about your Eagle project!

My Eagle Project was the refurnishing of a playground in a local Special Children’s school in my village. When thinking of ideas for my Eagle Project I went through many options which got rejected due to various reasons. Being in a boarding school [in Bangalore] added an extra layer of difficulty to my experience. However, in the end I was extremely happy that the service I did was one which the school genuinely needed. My project took around a week to complete and I was working with my friends on it. My advice to aspiring Eagles is to start thinking early because the process of coming up with your project can take a while, also make sure that you are passionate about the idea of your project and see future in it, because at the end of the day if you as a leader don’t believe in your idea then your team won’t be able to either.

What brought you to Scouting?

My brother did Scouting throughout his middle school years. I remember seeing him doing fun activities every other Saturday and going on campouts, I would help my dad and him prepare by gathering items around the house to make a packing list. When my brother became an Eagle Scout, I was in awe of his Eagle Project and I was amazed by the skills he had learned over the process. This was the catalyst for me starting my Scouting journey when I was 14.

What was the first merit badge you earned?

Kayaking.

What was your favorite merit badge to earn?

Weirdly enough, it was Personal Management. I found the merit badge quite useful yet easy to do. I also really enjoyed Cooking. [Editor’s Note: Sethu worked on this one during Troop 60’s Sariska campout in Fall 2022!]

What was the most challenging merit badge to earn?

Swimming. Simply because access to a pool was difficult being in a boarding school but also because I don’t enjoy swimming as an activity very much. Hence, it was the last merit badge I earned.

As a Lone Scout, how did you stay motivated?

I was never technically a Lone Scout, as I was always associated with a troop. However due to COVID-19, I had a period where I had to complete many merit badges and requirements online. My main advice would be to be proactive in your approach to Scouting, because everything meaningful to earn comes with effort and dedication. Lastly, enjoy the process and remember how much of a privilege it is to be able to learn and do such cool stuff!

What do you like to do when you’re not busy Scouting?

I love filmmaking and listening to and playing good music on my guitar and the drums. I also enjoy talking to my friends about life.

What are your plans for the future?

I will be going to Lehigh University in Pennsylvania next year.

MONTH IN REVIEW & PHOTO GALLERY

Feb. 10-11: Chattarpur Farms Campout
By Samuel Beillard, Troop 60B Historian

What did you like about this campout? Three members of 60B respond:

Abe McKenney, Senior Patrol Leader:

• Lots of fun activities and games
• Rank advancement games
• 500, Ultimate Frisbee, rock-paper-scissors
• Good campfire skits and songs
• A large lost and found

Evan DeWaal, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader:

I really enjoyed the Chattarpur Farms Campout. We played many games, did lots of requirements, and overall had lots of fun. Due to our monthly theme being games, we brought lots of games, we played and learned many games. Overall it was an amazing campout.

[Historian’s note: Evan was seen smoking a sock for breakfast (see above).]

John Wilcox, Patrol Leader, Grumpy Old Eagles:

• The games were creative and fun.  
• It was nice and laid back after the Klondike Derby.

February-March: Service Project Recap

By Rosemary McKenney, Nightingale Patrol Leader

The Messenger of Peace is a global scouting award sponsored by the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). The main purpose of this project is to motivate scouts all over the world to step up and make the world better together. The Messenger of Peace aims to connect Scouts around the world in their service initiatives.

All through the month of February, Troop 60 took on a Messenger of Peace project. We worked with the American Welcome Association (AWA) to help organize the library, clean out old books, move shelves, and sort donations for resale in their Thrift Shop  (to benefit charity) or for NGO redistribution and usage. We talked about which of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the AWA and Scouts in our community can support.

Together, our Scouts and adult leaders recorded 114 service hours in this project. Way to go Troop 60!

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

Don’t be a stranger! Reach out via WhatsApp to anyone mentioned in this newsletter, email scoutmasterboys@bsatroop60.in (Troop 60B) or scoutmastergirls@bsatroop60.in (Troop 60G), or click on these links for helpful information:

• MyScouting
• ScoutBook
• Medical Forms (required annually!)
• Far East Council
• Scout Life Magazine
• AES Calendar