Nov.4, 2021

We are going to be transitioning back into the building and we HAVE to follow new protocols, keep in mind these protocols are not just something the leadership just thought up on their own. These protocols were established by the CDC, BSA, COL, and Leverington church to provide the scouts the continuation of the scouting experience they have been adjusting to throughout the covid-19 pandemic. We also hope this will lead us back into the traditional program we are accustom to in Boy Scout Troop 334. IF THERE IS ANY QUESTIONS RELATING TO THIS NEW PROTOCOL PLEASE E-MAIL Scoutmastrdavid@verizon,net SEPERATLY AND HE WILL CLEAR IT UP FOR YOU.

IF ANYONE IN YOUR HOUSE OR YOUR BUBBLE GROUP IS SICK OR FEELING SICK FOR ANY REASONPLEASE DO NOT ATTENDANY SCOUT EVENT

1.       Meetings will be 730pm-830pm

2.       In class A uniform unless otherwise notified of difference

3.       Meeting game time will still be suspended for safety reasons

4.       Covid forms still required for all scout events and must be given upon arrival in paper form or shown to me as completed online via cell phone

New protocols for returning inside:

1.       Do NOT arrive before 715PM

2.       DO NOT enter building till Bill or David says so as we need to let the entire exercise class to leave the area before we enter the building (also try to air out the gym as well before the scouts enter)

3.       Parents need to stay out of the gym area unless requested to come in. This is twofold A)  We need to keep the population numbers down to the lowest possible. B) We need to limit the extra group noise as we will be conducting the whole meeting in the central gym area and not using lounge for program presentation and office for board of reviews.

4.       If payments are to be made for dues, registration, camping trips or things like that it must be sent in with the scout. (Actually this is not a new thing but infect something we have gotten away from but traditionally it has been the scout who brings the money in to teach them some responsibility and accountability).  If there is an uncertainty to payment/credits then you must make appointment to talk to Bill and he will arrange to meet you about this matter

.5.       Scouts will be dismissed and come outside to meet the parents are not to come in and pick them up. We will not push them into inclement weather and the can wait at the top of the steps for you to tell them you are there (not down in gym as in a lot of cases the call will not go through down to gym)

6.       FACE MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED WHILE INSIDE THE BUILDING AS WELL AS SOCIAL DISTANCING

Covid 19 check in procedures

There are now 2 ways you can do the pre-screening check in form

1.     Click on this link   https://scouting334.org/covid and fill out form it will take you to the Troop site allow you to fill in form and it will be downloaded into troop system. It is the easiest way to do it, we don’t have to kill trees to fill out form, and you don’t have to pull a leader from the scouts to fill out form.

2.     The old fashion way fill out the form print it out and bring it with you same link as before https://scouting334.s3.us-ea1.amazonaws.com/COL%20COVID%20Screening%20Sheet_f1.pdf

NO MATTER WHAT ALL EVENTS STILL NEED A SCREENING FORM!

The Leadership of Troop 334 is continuing to follow the CDC, Scouting of America and Leverington Church Covid-19 guidelines and will be making changes as needed, with the main focus in keeping everyone safe as we come out of the pandemic (remember we are not out of it yet!).

1. We will continue to meet outside whenever possible, if there is rain we can go to the gym with social distancing and masks worn 2.  There is still a restriction on game time (or playing around before or after meetings) due to social distancing requirements 3. Masks will be required, at least, till the end of June for outside gatherings, unless the scout or parent can provide the troop a copy of the vaccination record (these will be handled in the same manner as health forms dictated by BSA and Hippa) however, it is recommended to mask regardless 4. The check in form is still in force by the BSA and Troop. There are now 2 ways you can do the pre-screening check in form: Click on this link https://scouting334.org/covid and fill out form. It will take you to the Troop site allow you to fill in form that will be downloaded into troop system. or the old fashioned way, fill out the form print it out and bring it with you. Obtain the form through the same link as above. NO MATTER WHAT ALL EVENTS STILL NEED A SCREENING FORM. NO MATTER WHAT THERE IS STILL A REQUIRED TEMP CHECK AT EVERY EVENT NO MATTER WHAT, VACINATED OR NOT.  PLEASE COMPLETE FORMS and TEMP CHECK BEFORE THE EVENT as to not take attention away from the meeting or event.        IF ANYONE IN YOUR HOUSE OR YOUR BUBBLE GROUP IS SICK OR FEELING SICK PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND ANY SCOUT MEETING OR EVENT

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Scout Name: Tyler Woodruff

School: Science Leadership Academy at Beeber

Nominated as Student of the Month By: Klair McGlynn – Kindergarten Teacher at Shawmont Elementary

At the beginning of each year, Science Leadership Academy (SLA) at Beeber Principal Chris Johnson tells every student to “take the masks off” (not the COVID-reducing kind). That’s because at SLA Beeber, students are encouraged and celebrated for unapologetically being themselves — they do not have to be self-conscious nor do they have to hide who they are. SLA Beeber staff and students also assume the best in people — that we all understand right and wrong, and have a capacity for greatness and positive change. In fact, one of the questions that students have to answer in an admissions interview is, “What problem do you see in the world around you that will work to solve?” Tyler Woodruff is the epitome of this mindset.

Perhaps the best evidence of Tyler’s capacity for good is that his nomination did not come from a teacher or staff member at SLA Beeber. Instead, Tyler was nominated by a kindergarten teacher from Shawmont Elementary School, the school he attended as a youngster. You see, during a year when high schoolers were learning from home, Tyler found himself with a little more flexibility to get outside and run. He runs past his old elementary school every day, and every day he noticed that the Shawmont school yard was lacking in educational and recreational enrichment activities for the students. “I noticed the basketball nets had been torn down, I saw graffiti on the walls that kept coming back,” Tyler remembered. “I think it’s the Eagle Scout in me — I saw something that I could do to help and wanted to find a practical solution.”

Tyler’s matter-of-factness is impressive — he describes his urge to help others as if it’s second nature, like breathing. It’s almost as if he assumes and expects that everyone would do what he did next. Tyler simply (and boldly!) went to the Shawmont principal and asked “What can I do to help?” Armed with answers, a love of working with his hands, and tools to match, Tyler got to work solving a problem for the Shawmont community.

First, he retrieved years and years of recess and P.E. equipment that had been lost over a fence and down a thicket and bramble-covered embankment. Balls, toys, you name it, Tyler salvaged it. He could have stopped there; after all, no-one else had even tried to save that stuff! But he decided to do more. Using some leftover paint from a Scout project, Tyler hand-painted a series of socialized yard games on the schoolyard concrete. These games, intended to simultaneously provide fun and academic enrichment, have enhanced the outdoor experience for Shawmont students and families. “It was a wonderful gesture for the Shawmont family,” said Ms. McGlynn. “It speaks volumes of Tyler’s character and good citizenship. His legacy lives on at Shawmont! Kids actually come after school to play in the yard now…that hasn’t happened in years!”

Tyler is unapologetic in his selflessness, and refuses to be anyone but himself. Luckily for the world around him, Tyler is an other-focused, solution-oriented, caring person, problem solver and citizen — an excellent example to his peers, teachers and younger sister Emma. Tyler plans to take his love of working with his hands and problem-solving to the next level as a student at the University of Pittsburgh next year where he’ll study Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering. If anyone can put robots to good use for the benefit of others, it will be Tyler Woodruff.

We had the privilege of chatting with Tyler after he was selected as Senior of the Month. Here’s more of what he had to say:

1. What does being named Senior of the Month mean to you? It means a lot. It means that I was able to do something that benefited a whole group of people in a positive way, and I’m happy about that!
2. Why do you think you were nominated as Senior of the Month? I try to find ways to help whenever I can. I guess Ms. McGlynn noticed that about me!
3. What is one thing you’d like to share about yourself that most people don’t know about you? I love challenges of any kind. I’m not someone who ever backs down from a challenge so if you challenge me to do something new, I’ll probably give it a shot. If you challenge me to a competition, you’re in for a battle.
4. What do you enjoy most when you are not at school? I enjoy tinkering and building things with my hands. I also love to run — I go for a run every day. If I really need an escape, I play video games as well.
5. What is the best thing about attending school at SLA Beeber? SLA Beeber taught me how to be outgoing. I was a shy, introverted kid before high school, but once I got to SLA Beeber as a freshman I was able to reinvent myself. Those who know me now wouldn’t recognize my 8th grade self. People are just nicer and more accepting (at SLA). I felt enabled to try new things I might have never tried before. Once I got going, you couldn’t stop me!“Tyler found his people at SLA Beeber. They are the nicest, most respectful kids I had ever met,” said Tyler’s mom Joy, a teacher at Taylor Elementary. “It’s a testament to the leadership and culture at the school. That is the kind of school that SLA Beeber is and I wouldn’t send my kids anywhere else.”
6. What is one thing that the School District could do to improve our service to students? Please improve the buildings. Some of the improvements are minor, and I wish the District could prioritize even those minor improvements. I’d like to spend even more time in school than I already do, but I don’t want to feel unsafe when I’m there.

Congratulations Tyler, and good luck at Pitt!

***Tyler became an Eagle Scout on December 21, 2020 and has chosen Pittsburgh University after touring the campus during our Summer Camp visit to the area. He had stated it was never a consideration until being on site!

It has long been tradition for Troop 334 to take a weeklong specialty summer camp trip about every three years. Usually we head out of state to non-scout commercial campgrounds in places like Canada, Massachusetts, Ohio, Virginia (AKA National Lampoon Boy Scout outing) that is a story for another day and the instate exception of Pittsburgh, which sadly some of our scouts thought was another state! During that week we try to learn while having fun and making unforgettable memories. We like to introduce the scouts to the wider world around them, while maintaining the average summer Boy Scout camp costs. Usually, a trip is built around one point of interest, like an aerospace center; historical site; or some cool sightseeing attraction. From there we consider planes, trains, automobiles and other forms of transportation, sports attractions, amusements, roadside oddities, and a visit to at least one campus of higher education.

We have slid down fireman poles, learned how to make French pot ice cream, saw behind the scenes of a secret invention company, learned about skunks, ridden the oldest wooden roller coaster on our coast and listened to stories about some of the worlds worst tragedies. We’ve also toured the campuses of prestigious universities like William and Mary, Harvard and University of Pittsburgh to name a few. We’ve sat in their classrooms, ate in their dining halls, picnicked on their lawns and interacted with many of their students. Some of our scouts have never been outside of Philadelphia, let alone to another state. Some have never been on a university campus or even know what different schools offer. We’ve experienced city colleges that look like office buildings and study halls that look like something from a Harry Potter movie. We’ve met students from big cities, small towns and other countries all living together in one space. More importantly, we have had scouts say: “Wow, this is a college I could go to?” “I didn’t know they offered that as a major, that’s cool” and “huh, maybe I want to go to college”.

This year we were heading to Boston after being invited to Emerson University for some hands-on time in their Communications and Media College and to tour places some of us have never been. With the worldwide pandemic hanging on strong Boy Scout Council determined the risk of touring, local or otherwise, to be too high, and we found ourselves in a recalculation of destination. We had hoped to divert our attention to our local council camp. Then, in the best interest of our scouts that went virtual. We were more than a little bummed at that as we recently learned one of our scouts who traveled to University of Pittsburgh with us had been accepted there for his coming freshman year. When speaking about it he said our tour had a small part in his decision to apply there! That, that right there is why we do what we do. UOP may never have been in consideration for this scout if he hadn’t experienced it firsthand. He may not have ever seen the amazing Nationality Rooms at the Cathedral of Learning, toured the campus with a Rhodes Scholar, or competed in a contest for school swag. So when we say we’re taking your scout on a college tour during our week, it will always be interesting somewhere along the way, it will always introduce them to something new and it may just be the start of some big dreams!

(to learn more about the newest Pittsburgh Panther check out the Scout in the Spotlight) https://scouting334.org/ranks/scout-in-the-spotlight-eagle-scout-kyle-ross/

COVID-19 The virus that’s shutting down the world as we know it.

During this difficult time it is very hard as a leadership to navigate current situations as well as plan a head. First of all, I want to thank all of you who have been supportive and helpful during this time. It is hard enough to work things out and then worry about being seconded guessed. As a leader I need to plan ahead but at the same time figure out what I can do to help my scouts use this time wisely as well. To that end the Boy Scout Leadership has come up with the following information and recommendations.

Information

1. We are still looking ahead at OA camping trip (Friday 4/3 -4/5),

2. Eagle Scout Banquet and court of honor (4/18),

3. Parent and son canoe trip (6/7). Which require deposits and payments beforehand.                                                                                                                     

OA Camping trip (4/3-4/5) cost OA Members $35.00, those elected to take ordeal $45.00, those doing Brotherhood $40.00 Due by Monday March 9^th, 2020.  

Parent and son trip (June 6-7) deposit 35.00 per-person Due by Monday March 16^th. 

Eagle Banquet (April 18^th) 15.00 per-person Due by Monday April 13^th 

All monies/ checks can be dropped off to the Craighead house 611 Gates Street on or before due dates listed above. Put in envelope and mark for what event. Checks made out to Troop 334

ADVANCMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

1. If you are 1^st class or higher I would use this time to work on merit badges. If you do any of the Citizenships, American Heritage, Environmental Science, Personal Management, Sports, Personal Fitness, or any other merit badge (look at meritbadge.com)

2. Those scouts below 1^st class, Joseph F., Tyler G., Broddy, Leif, Nicholas K, John P, Nate, Sung-il, Brandon, Thomas V, Eddie, Kyler. We need these scouts to put together a Personal first aid kit, Make a menu for a camping trip (Cracker barrel, Breakfast, lunch, Dinner, Cracker barrel, Breakfast). Then a shopping list for that menu for 20 people (what to buy and how much) PARENTS PLEASE ONLY GUIDE THEM OR LET THEM DO IT THEM SELF! Please do not do it for them it is something they will need to know as they get older.

3. Those working on Eagle I will still work with you as needed, continue on filling out paper work and any other tasks you need.

Fundraising

1. Based on current cancellations all Troop Fundraising (Camp Cards and Marciano’s) will be placed on  hold until it can be determined the best way to go forward.

2. The Car Wash on May 16th will remain on the schedule.

3. The script program is still up and running!                   

We will revisit fundraising once Scout meetings resume. As changes happen we will let everyone know.

On April 27th we welcomed the newest members of Troop 334. Eleven young men bridged from Cub Scouts to the Troop. We are looking forward to many great adventures with them in the coming years.

WELCOME:

Avery E., Ben T., John P., Joseph F., Kyler W., Leif H., Nathan R., Nicholas K., Sung-Il R., Truett E., Tyler G.

Thank you to Tyler, Jimmy, Jonathan, Nyjay, Sebastian, and Ethan for coming out and welcoming the Eleven newest members of Boy Scout Troop 334. It is appreciated that you took time out of your Saturday afternoon to help the new boys feel welcome.

*Picture credit to Marisol Rosado Ramos! *

The Henry Houston American Legion Post 3 recently presented Boy Scout Troop 334 with a donation in recognition of the troop’s longtime support of local veterans. From Eagle projects to build and spruce up the Veteran’s Memorial at Gorgas, to serving at the Veteran’s Thank You picnic, and of course proper retirement of the flag they so whole heartily sacrificed their lives for, our relationship with the Veterans is a special one.

This donation will be shared with the troop’s Cub Scout Pack. Accepting the donation from Post Commander Bruce Driscoll is Scout Master David Craighead.

The PennSTAR Flight Program provides critical care air and ground medical transportation to the Tri-State Area within a 100-mile radius of Penn Medicine. PennSTAR provides rapid transport of critical care patients between medical centers, as well as “on-scene” services at the site of accidents and trauma-related incidents.

They operate six helicopters and one critical care ambulance 24-hours a day, seven days per week, staffed by expert pilots, critical care flight nurses and flight paramedics. All clinicians are cross-trained to operate in both helicopter and critical care ambulance so the superior level of care delivered to their patients is consistent regardless of the transport modality. All transport requests and support communications between the transport teams, medical centers, and emergency crews are coordinated and integrated by a dedicated communications center.

Our scouts had another unique opportunity and got to visit with the flight crew, both skilled men and woman. One was even a Scout Leader! We got to ask questions and learn about how the program runs and what we should know in case we ever encounter the team in action. The most important lesson we learned is how critically important it is to have good communication and patience. There is a lot happening in a very small space and many voices calling out valuable information that can’t be missed. Lives literally depend on excellent communication.

We were given very detailed tours of the inside of an ambulance and even a helicopter. We learned along the way what a care provider does on board and how much they have to think about while caring for a patient. They had many great successful and encouraging stories and of course noted that not all things work out how they hope, but you can never lose hope. It was a beautiful morning at the field.