Scoutmaster's Message - Aug 27, 2018

Welcome back to the 2018-2019 scouting year. As always we will follow the MARSD school calendar, and our first meeting will be Wednesday September 12th starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Matawan United Methodist Church.

I would also like to report that we had a very successful summer camp at Forestburg Scout Reservation. As always the scouts enjoyed merit badge classes, the monkey bridge, zip-line, patrol cooking, the Gaga pit, and other activities. A special thank you to Mr. Kinneman for making Wednesday night's flag retirement ceremony the highlight of the week. And congratulations to A. Besculides for receiving this year's ashes.

I would also like to congratulate our outgoing SPL, Scotty H., on a job well done. With his guidance we had a very successful year and were able to preform a variety of community service projects, had our first family picnic and organized the first ever summer pool party.

I would like to announce that Joe Landi for being elected the Troop 66 Committee Chair. Mr. Morizio will still remain on the Troop 66 committee and Eagle Advancement committee, but has decided to step aside to allow Mr. Landi to take charge.

The Troop 66 committee and our new SPL Thomas F. have already started planning a very exciting year. Our first trip is already scheduled for the weekend of September 14th - 16th to Camp Rodney down in Maryland. The weekend will include Patrol cooking, Scout skills and kayaking on the Chesapeake Bay.

The Troop 66 calendar for 2018-2019 will be out soon, but I wanted you to know a few important dates. The fall Troop Court of Honor will be held on October 10, 2018 and will include a parent meeting, and our spring event is scheduled for June 5, 2019. The annual Cake Auction will be held on April 3, 2019 pending approval from the Cliffwood VFW. And finally the Troop committee has decided to make the very successful Troop picnic an annual event and it's been scheduled for Saturday, June 22, 2019.

On the topic of calendars, everyone should mark July 14-20th as Forestburg Summer Camp 2019!

I want the Troop to know that I spoke with Mr. Shea today, and he's doing well and hopes to stop by a meeting very soon to visit with us. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.

Finally, I would like to thank the scouts, committee members and especially the assistant scoutmasters for making my transition to Scoutmaster a smooth one. Forestburg gave us an opportunity to discuss both the past and future of our Troop, and we're expecting a great year ahead. If anyone has any ideas or would like to discuss the Troop's future, please contact me.

See you on the trail.

YIS,

Robert Kee, Scoutmaster

Troop 66, Matawan