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BSA Troop 60 Newsletter: November 2022
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NOVEMBER 2022 NEWSLETTER

Namaste, Scouts & Families!

Following up on our October news and views, read on for the highlights so far and important updates for the months ahead.



SCOUTMASTER’S CORNER

October was a very successful month of working on fitness and rock climbing while going camping, cleaning the AES Scout Closet, and holding a fundraiser. The fun continues!

For November, I want to discuss rank advancement — a topic that deserves a lot of attention and explanation, but I will touch on just lightly here. Advancement is one of the Eight Methods of Scouting. It is a means to an end and is meant to be experiential in nature. Individual rank advancement is primarily the responsibility of the Scout, supported by parents and leaders. While we will work on some rank requirements as a Troop or in patrols, there is really no way for Scouts to complete ALL the requirements without putting in some individual effort and initiative. Some Scouts will advance quickly, while others will take more time. Progress, not speed, is important.

In Troop 60, we use the following policy: for Scout to First Class ranks, a Scout may demonstrate their knowledge of a requirement to a Scoutmaster (SM), Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM), or another Scout in the Troop holding at least Star rank to be signed off in the Scout's handbook. Parents (except for the SM and ASM) may not sign off rank requirements for their own child; however, they can and should assist their Scout in learning and practicing the skills. After the requirement has been completed, only registered adult leaders can sign off requirements in Scoutbook. Ranks will generally be awarded during Troop meetings, and then recognized at the next Court of Honor (award ceremony).

Please reach out if you have any questions on this topic!

Scout on!

Mr. Tyler, Troop 60 Scoutmaster

SCOUT LEADER SPOTLIGHT

Aakash Bello, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader

ADULT LEADER SPOTLIGHT

Warren Harrity, Committee Chair

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

Save the Dates

Eagle Scout Gala Watch Party: Nov. 18

The Far East Council (FEC), which provides Scout programs and services for more than 3,400 young people and 1,200 volunteers — including Troop 60 — across Asia, will livestream its 2nd Annual Eagle Scout Gala to celebrate the young men and women who earned their Eagle Scout rank during the past year. Troop 60 is hosting the Delhi, India "watch party" at AES on Friday, Nov. 18 in the AES MS/HS Library’s Tagore Room. This is a unique opportunity for Scouts and families, as well as all Eagle Scouts in our community, to get inspired and feel connected to the thousands of Scouts in our Council. Light refreshments will be served as we watch the event from 3:45 to 5 p.m., IST; all Scouts are welcome to wear their uniforms! Please RSVP at this link.


CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

[Now Postponed] Community Cleanup

Scouts, families, friends and neighbors are invited to participate in a Community Cleanup on Nov. 5 morning, at a Delhi site less than 5 minutes driving distance from the American Embassy School. (Scouts: This activity qualifies for up to three service hours.) Full details and sign-up form can be found at this link.

Merit Badge Counseling

A sincere thank you to the parents who have volunteered to be Merit Badge Counselors (MBCs)! We need more volunteers, particularly for our Eagle-required badges, including Citizenship in the Community and Personal Management. (Check out the full list here.) If you’re interested, please email Kathryn at ktolfree@hotmail.com.

 

MONTH IN REVIEW

Closet Cleanout: Oct. 8

By Camryn Eastman, Lone Scout & Future Troop 60 G Patrol Leader

About two dozen Scouts and adult leaders participated in the AES Scout Closet cleanout, including my mum and me, meaning that there were plenty of hands helping to first move stuff out of the cupboard and then to sort it all — deciding on what should be kept, what should be donated, and what should be thrown away.

At the start of the cleanout, the closet was so full of stuff that only a few people could walk in at a time! We found lots of interesting Scouting mementos, including old badges, maps, patches, and scarves. There was even a small time capsule, labeled “Do Not Open Until School Year 2023-2024.” [Editor’s Note: Check back next year for that story!] There were more than a dozen old tents, as well; the damaged ones got thrown away, while those in good condition were either stored (more neatly) back in the closet or taken by my family to donate to charity.

Once everything was sorted, all the stuff being kept was put back in the closet, which now had much more floor space than at the start.

The day taught me that a big job like that is much easier when a team works together. And, there is a lot of history with Scouts at AES — many people have been Scouts before me, and there will be many more after me.

Diwali Drinks Fundraiser: Oct. 9

By Sumer Sidhu, Phoenix Patrol Member

Twelve Scouts and nine adult volunteers did a great job staffing the beverages booth at the PSA’s Diwali Dhamaka Mela. We sold cold drinks and raised more than 32,000 INR to support future Troop 60 activities.

A big shout-out to Sarthak Tokas at the AES Canteen for keeping our booth well-stocked and helping us every step of the way to make this fundraiser a success. Special thanks to Yakult, as well, which provided free cases of its probiotic drinks for us to sell.

The event was a great opportunity for Scouts to practice our business skills and was a lot of fun, as well! In less than five hours, on a rainy day, we sold about 145 cans of soda (with Coke being the most popular choice) along with the probiotic drinks, lemonade, and water. The enthusiasm from the troop was overwhelming, our sales were good — and hopefully will be even better next time. [Editor’s Note: This will most likely be at the AES International Food Festival on Saturday, Feb. 4. Save the date!]

Chattarpur Campout: Oct. 15-16

By Tyler DeWaal, Scoutmaster

Troop 60's campout at Chattarpur Farms  offered another opportunity for our Patrols to bond, cook, and learn together. The campout featured improved meal plans and a spontaneous dinner cooking competition, with the Phoenix Patrol coming out on top. The evening campfire featured memorable antics and fun songs, followed by a marshmallow roast.

Scouts enjoyed some night games and settled into bed to the thumping beats of the neighborhood’s pre-Diwali music parties, which lasted well into the early morning (seemingly only affecting the adult leaders' sleep). Morning began with a flag ceremony and breakfast, and we continued working on Scouting skills and rank advancement, with older Scouts and adult leaders assisting the younger Scouts.

Many thanks to the Sidhu family for providing the campsite, especially Simran for her planning and on-site support! Thank you also to Assistant Scoutmasters Ronsher Sidhu, Alexander McKenney, and Michael Farmer, and Committee Chair Warren Harrity.

With several campouts under our belt, Troop 60 has been able to implement the Patrol Method, follow duty rosters, develop cooking skills, complete some requirements, and camp under different conditions. Scouts should feel proud of what we've achieved so far. We’re ready for our next adventure in November: a 2-night campout in Sariska!

Indian Mountaineering Foundation: Oct. 18

By Evan DeWaal, Phoenix Patrol Leader

Troop 60’s October theme was Rock Climbing, which was really fun!

During the first Troop Meeting, we separated the new Scouts from the senior Scouts to work on a fitness-related requirement (I hope you guys are still following your plan), then worked with the senior Scouts on rock climbing basics, such as knots, equipment, and safety. Afterwards, we did some trust falls as a group.

For the second Troop Meeting, we went to IMF (Indian Mountaineering Foundation), which has an outdoor rock climbing wall. We all had a blast, and everyone got to climb the wall a few times. [Editor’s Note: Troop 60 was joined by three Webelos from Cub Scouts Troop 3060, who had no trouble keeping up with the big kids!]

I really had a great time planning and leading the rock climbing theme, and I tried to remember and follow the Scout motto along the way: Be Prepared!

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

Don’t be a stranger! Reach out to anyone mentioned in this newsletter, or click on these links for helpful information: