2004-5: Year in ReviewThe 2004-5 Program Year started off with a major change in the Youth Leadership. SPL Andrew Kasim and ASPL Alex Beltran were both made JASMs to assure a continuity in that important position. Troop Guide Matt Aronberg became SPL and ASPL James Willen in turn took over as Troop Guide. Panther PL Adam Aronberg and Raging Squirrels PL Jonathan Carr-Malatzky became the new ASPLs, while Kevin B. and Michael S. stepped up to Patrol Leaders. In December, Walter Johnson became a JASM, while Martin Boyle took over as Patrol Leader of the Sons of Liberty. Also during the year Sean B. was named Troop Scribe and Gabriel L. became Troop Quartermaster Many of the JASMs matured out of the program in 2004-5 by reaching the age of 18. All have been registered as ASMs, and all are either already attending college or will begin in the Fall of 2005. These new ASMs include: David Sampayo (Dartmouth), David Dillon (Manhattan), Chris Rodriguez (Five Towns), Maurice McGrath (Catholic), Mat Tabacco (Cornell), Walter Johnson (Temple), Gil Moss (Harvard), and Colin Fernandez (Fairfield). The year also saw three new Eagle Scouts: Adam Aronberg, Walter Johnson, and James Willen You can check out their Trail To Eagle and see pictures of their Eagle Projects, Boards of Review, and National Eagle Court of Honor below. In addition, the Troop formed a new scout patrol, the Falcons, under the leadership of PL Connor McGrath. Over the course of the year, the Troop inducted 13 new scouts, including 3 Webelos who crossed over from Pack 613. Click on the thumbnail images below to see an index of all pictures available for that event. Pictures for events are added as they become available.
Fall: September - November 2005September: Camping Skills Fundamentals
(see the full September calendar) October: Pioneering
(see the full October calendar) The first of the Eagle Leadership Service project was held on the 30th - Adam Aronberg's Bike Registration and Safety Project. Run in conjuction with the NYPD and Montefiore Medical Center, safety helmets were distributed free of charge and registration numbers were etched in the bikes, with the numbers recorded by NYPD for purposes of ownership identification and loss recovery. In addition to the Troop events, Ranachqua Lodge ran its Fall Ordeal on the weekend of the 15th - 17th. Eight of the newly elected Scouts - Justin Andreadis, Kevin B., Sean H., Walter Johnson, Chris M., Michael S., James Willen, and Erik Z. - were inducted into the Order of the Arrow. In addition, Matt Aronberg, Adam Aronberg, Jonathan Malatzky, and ASM Howard Malatzky undertook the Brotherhood Quest. Matt served as an Elangomat, while both Adam and Jonathan filled in on the Ordeal Rite team. November: Disabilities Awareness
(see the full November calendar) The second of the Eagle Leadership Projects, Walter Johnson's plank bridging and clearing on the "Betsy Trail" in Pelham Bay Park was on the 20th. Over 100 feet of plank bridging was installed over areas that habitually have heavy, deep mud on the trail, This will both increasing the recreational accessiblity of the trail, which runs from City Island Circle to the south end of Orchard Beach, and protect the natural undergrowth from trampling as hikers seek to avoid the muddy sections. This will also protect novice hikers who might otherwise venture into areas with poison ivy. This trail is also a segment of the soon to be reopened Pelham Bay Park Historical Trail. Click on the thumbnail images below to see an index of all pictures available for that event. Pictures for events are added as they become available. Winter: December 2004-March 2005December: Holiday Party / International Dinner
(see the full December calendar) January: Leadership Skills / Merit Badge Prep
(see the full January calendar) February: Hobbies / Scouting History
(see the full February calendar) February also marks the biggest event in the city program year, the Annual Wintoree. Held on the 12th and 13th at Clear Lake Scout Reservation, the Wintoree was once again a great success in its own right - lots of fun and lots of advancement, especially at the merit badge fair. But this year's Wintoree also included two special events. ASM Jim Dell and TCM Ellen Beltran both had their Wood Badge Beading Ceremony at the Wintoree. The second special event on the Wintoree was the formal ceremony of James Willen's Eagle Leadership Project. After having collected well over a thousand US flags for retirement and having a workday just to work on removing the groumets from the flags, there remained only the ceremonial burning of the flags to retire them. This was done with great honor and respect on the Wintoree. But because of the large quantity, and the fact that extra care had to be used to burn the nylon flags, even the whole Wintoree weekend was insufficient to properly retire all the flags! Since the co-theme in February was hobbies, the Troop meeting on the 18th was Hobby Night, with a large number of Scouts displaying their collections and modeling. Also of note in February, three OA Brothers in the Troop were named as Committee Chairmen in Ranachqua Lodge - Justin Andreadis (Unit Elections), Kevin B. (Publications), and Erik Z. (Camping Promotions). March: First Aid
(see the full March calendar) Click on the thumbnail images below to see an index of all pictures available for that event. Pictures for events are added as they become available. Spring: April - June 2005April: Cooking
(see the full April calendar) The new 85th Anniversary red neckerchiefs were distributed to the Troop at the April 22nd meeting. A one per person item, these neckerchiefs will be available, as supplies last, only to scouts and Scouters registered with the Troop during the anniversary year of 2005. April 23rd saw all the three Eagle candidates sailing through their Eagle Boards of Review with flying colors. Heading the Board was Ms. Zonia Carrion, the New Horizon Advancement Chairperson. May: Backpacking
(see the full May calendar) With Backpacking as a theme, the Troop's overnight (May 21-22) was held at Fahnestock State Park on the Appalachian Trail. While the younger and less experienced scouts established a base camp at one of the park's camping areas, a group of older scouts did a moderate backpacking hike on the AT and camped at one of the Trail's campsites as a shakedown for August's Trek. Periods of heavy rain made conditions challenging, and the Troop responsed well, with some important lessons learned. A true highlight of the program year came on May 28th during New York City's Fleet Week. ASM Philip Brady, now on active duty in the US Navy, arranged for a special tour of his ship, the Aegis cruiser USS Cape St. George, when it docked at Stapleton Piers in Staten Island as part of the festivities. A group of nine Arrowmen from the Troop attended Ranachqua Lodge's service project on May 14th. The OA Brothers did a lot of work to get Alpine's Cub World ready for the June Parents/Scouts weekends. June: TMR Prep
(see the full June calendar) This year, however, there was a BIG exception. The Annual Dinner and Eagle Court of Honor was held at Smith Hall on the campus of Mount St. Vincent on June 11th. Adam Aronberg, James Willen and Walter J. all participated in their Eagle Court of Honor, while Connor M. received Scout of the Year and Justin Andreadis was the recipient of the Fred Jarecki Memorial Community Service Award. Click on the thumbnail images below to see an index of all pictures available for that event. Pictures for events are added as they become available. Summer: Late June - August 2005Late June - July: Summer Camp
(see the full July calendar) The Greater New York Council's National Youth Leader Training was held in last week of June (June 26 - July 2) at Camp Kunatah in Ten Mile River. One of the only NYLTs in the country offering kosher food, the course drew participants from as far away as California! It was also very much a Troop 240 happenning. SM Joe Acquafredda was the Course Director and the NYLT Scoutmaster. SPL Matt Aronberg, ASPL Jonathan Carr-Malatzky, and PL Connor McGrath, along with TCM Edna Acquafredda, were members of the staff. PLs Kevin B., Martin Boyle, and Michael S. completed the course. All of the Troop's youth leadership corps and all of its Patrol Leaders are now trained. Connor also went to Philmont in early July for the NYLT Instructor course (Matt and Jonathan went last year.) Besides the NYLT staffers mentioned above Troop 240's OA Troop Representative Justin Andreadis spent the summer at Camp Acquahonga on staff as a CIT. ASM Fred Gervat ran both the GNYC Eagle Camp and Westchester-Putnam's NYLT course in August at Clear Lake Scout Reservation. ASM Jim Dell was a member of the staff for both. Erik Z. also completed the Westchester-Putnam NYLT as a participant. August: High Adventure
(see the full August calendar) In addition, four scouts from the Troop were members of GNYC's Bronx-Manhattan Councils contingent (Troop 241) to the National Jamboree from July 25 to August 3, 2005. Attending were SPL Matt A., ASPL Adam Aronberg, ASPL Jonathan Carr-Malatzky, and OA Troop Representive Justin Andreadis (who was given time off from his camp staff position to attend.) ASM Fred Gervat was a member of the Jamboree staff. Click on the thumbnail images below to see an index of all pictures available for that event. Pictures for events are added as they become available.
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