Welcome to Troops 390/7390
Welcome to the official website of Scouts BSA Troops 390/7390. We are chartered by Faith Lutheran Church of Fairlawn, Ohio and belong to the Soaring Eagle District in the Great Trail Council of Scouts BSA.
What's Happening in Our Troop?
Upcoming Event Calendar
Mar 14 – Troop Elections
Mar 17-19 – Scout Skills/New Scout Campout, Manatoc, Concord
April 1 – Fairlawn City Women’s Club Rummage Sale Cleanup
Apr 21-23 – Shooting/Fishing Campout at Ashtabula Rod & Gun Club
May 9 & 16 – BOR
May 19-21 – Hocking Hills Campout, Logan, OH
May 27 – Western Reserve Flag Laying
May 29 – Fairlawn VFW Memorial Day Ceremony
May 30 – COH
Jun 2-4 - Cedar Point Campout, East Harbor State Park
Jul 16-22 – Summer Camp, Manatoc
Jul 24-29 – Bike Trek, Great Allegheny Passage
Jul 25-30 – Sea Base High Adventure
Aug 17-19 – Bike/Camp/Canoe
Sept 22-24 – GTC 100 Year Camporee, Manatoc
Oct 20-22 – Tuscazoar, MB Signs/Signals/Code
Nov ? – Scouts Skills/AOL’s invited, Manatoc
Dec ? – Wilderness Survival
Rubber Ducks Fundraising for Groups:
Scouts have been invited to participate in the Rubber Ducks Fundraising for Groups. Scouts 12+ will have the volunteer opportunity to work concession stands in 4-5 hour shifts. This will entail setup, selling concessions, and cleanup at the baseball games. Parents will need to volunteer with their Scout. Each person who participates will be eligible to earn $50 per shift to go toward their Scout’s account. Stay tuned for more information.
Upcoming Service Opportunity:
April 1 – Fairlawn City Women’s Rummage Sale @ Fairlawn Community Center @ 1 PM. Scouts will assist in cleaning up after that event.
2023 High Adventure - Sea Base
- Dates: July 25-30, 2023
- $100/month payments per attendee are due each month
- The crew is full
2023 Low Adventure – Bike Trek, Great Allegheny Passage, July 24-29
This trek is open to Scouts of all ranks and ages. Prerequisites: can ride a bicycle and it's in good working order. The riders will carry their gear on their bikes and camp. Along the way will be a day of whitewater rafting Yougiogheny River and a train ride up the mountain side. We will need some adults to accompany the Scouts on this ride. Trek leader, Andre Portteus, promises ice cream every day. Cost for the trip is estimated to be around $500. Those interested in going should make it known and plan on paying $100/month. A gear list is available.
Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge:
Any scout who participated in the Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge class led by Judge John Oldham, was given paperwork. Scouts will need to reach out to Judge Oldham when they have completed all the requirements.
Did you know?
- PLC Committee Meetings will be held the 1st Tuesday of every month at 6 PM.
- All parents are welcome at Troop Committee Meetings. The next meeting is Sunday, April 2, at 7 PM at Faith.
Mularcik Welding Scholarship
In 2012, long time SCFB (Summit County Farm Bureau) member, Mr. Brad Mularcik of Copley, began teaching the Welding Merit Badge for the Boy Scouts of America. He is a past Troop 390 Assistant Scoutmaster. A self-taught hobby welder, Mr. Mularcik believed that he knew enough about welding to introduce kids to it. Teaching the merit badge caused him to become aware of the skills gap in America and the need for more young people to enter the skilled trades, particularly welding.
Despite having a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mr. Mularcik believes that a college degree is not the only path to success, that there is too little attention paid to the skilled trades as a career choice for young people and decided to put his money where his mouth is by offering a $1,000.00 scholarship to help young people of Summit County Ohio who are seeking a career in welding.
Mr. Mularcik established this fund to provide scholarship support to deserving individuals seeking a degree and/or advanced training in the field of welding. The annual distribution shall provide at least one $1,000.00 scholarship to a student who meets the selection criteria:
- Recipient must be a resident of Summit County, Ohio.
- Recipient must be a high school graduate or individual enrolled in or plan to enroll in a post- secondary vocational training program, college, or university in the United States seeking accreditation, certification, or a degree related to welding.
Individuals interested in applying for this scholarship can visit the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation and submit their application between January 2 and March 31, 2023.
Newsletter Items
To add items to the monthly newsletter, contact Natalie at nwill0804@gmail.com.
Scoutmaster News - Elise & Dale
Welcome to the 6 new Scouts: Jack Cooley, Trevor Garvey, Jaxson Chalupsky, Mikey McCarron, Colin McKee, and Danny Mostoller who crossed into our Troop from Pack 3390 & Pack 3300.
The Troops were very successful in Soaring Eagle Klondike at Manatoc. Scouts placed 4th and 9th out of 31 Patrols. Will Davis’ chili took 2nd place in the Submarine Galley Challenge. Congratulations to everyone! You can see pictures from this event.
Thank you to Paula Young for chairing the 2023 Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser. Parent and scout participation helped make this event a success. Thank you to everyone who helped with this event. Believe it or not, discussions are already underway for next year. The Troop is looking for Paula’s replacement to take on the 2024 fundraiser.
Troop elections are coming on March 14. Scouts who need leadership positions for rank advancement should be thinking about a position they are interested in.
The next campout is scheduled for March 17-19 at Manatoc, the Concord Lodge. The plan is to work on scout skills. The Troop is looking for parents who will help drive scouts and camp for the weekend.
Troop Campership Applications:
This year the Troop is offering camperships for 2023 summer camp and adventure outings. Factors involved in the decision may include but are not limited to the financial status of the Troop, the number of applications received, participation of the Scout in Troop activities, the Scout’s participation in fundraising activities, and disciplinary issues. No cash will be awarded directly to the applicant, nor is the campership to be applied toward gear or personal expenses. Applications will be kept confidential & approved by the Scoutmasters and the Troop Committee. Applications are available under Forms -> Applications and should be turned in to Mrs. Nester or Mr. Sroka by March 28, 2023.
2023 Summer Camp at Manatoc, July 16-22:
The 2023 Camp Manatoc Summer Camp Guide is available for viewing on the Troop website, Forms/Checklists page. The guide is a great resource for most questions about the summer camp program, trainings, merit badges being offered, and fees. Summer Camp Early Bird fee is $375 if paid in full before April 14th. The price increases to $385 from April 15-July 6. Afterwards, the price will be $395. There is a sibling discount of $35 which will be applied after the first sibling pays the regular fee. Certain Merit Badges may incur an additional fee for class materials. The summer camp swim test is coming soon. Date and time TBD.
BSA Health Forms are beginning to expire. If you have a question about an expiration date please ask Mrs. Nester, Mrs. Forster, or Mr. Sroka. Parts A&B are required for weekend camping, additionally, Part C is required for summer camp and the adventure trips.
Den Chief Training
Council will be hosting a Den Chief training session on April 1 from 9 AM – 12 PM at Camp Butler. Den Chiefs are Scouts who volunteer to work with local Cub Scout Packs to assist Den Leaders at Den meetings. They serve as helpers and Scouting role models. Please let Mrs. Nester or Mr. Sroka know if you are interested in becoming a Den Chief.
Winter Camping Advice from Mr. Sroka
October was the first month we have camped in weather below 50 degrees since April. Being prepared can make the difference between a long weekend and an enjoyable event. You can’t have fun is you’re too busy being cold.
There is a cold weather camping gear list on the website under Forms/Checklists: The list goes back to 2005 but is still relevant.
The importance of good foot care cannot be overemphasized. Wool socks are more expensive but good quality ones keep your feet comfortable and wear like iron. My personal favorites are Smartwool and Darn Tough. (Socks are great Christmas gift ideas.) Cabin shoes also are a good item to pack. (Another gift idea.) This allows the scouts to get out of wet footwear and have protection against wood splinters and nails in the cabin floor. Boots that can be laced tightly and will not fill with snow in a knee-deep drift are preferable for Klondike. Rubber boots (like LL Bean) will not keep your feet warm when you’re outdoors all day. The website has good suggestions on gloves. (A great gift idea.) I find that Thinsulate will keep hands and heads warm, even if wet.
For warmth, down is king but synthetics rule; whether it’s sleeping bags or clothing. Down is the warmest but loses its ability to insulate if it gets wet. Wool is also traditional cold weather wear which will keep you warm even if wet. The cold weather best strategy is layers with a tech fabric (polypropylene) base which will let moisture evaporate yet keep in body heat. Fleece also breathes and retains heat. Great thing about fleece is you can find plenty at places like Gabe’s, Salvation Army, or Village Discount Outlet. Don’t spend good money on clothes that may get torn or burn holes their first time out. With clothes put names on EVERYTHING. We are always finding unclaimed clothes.
For cold weather sleeping, what is underneath can be more important than what’s covering you. The ground will drain away body heat faster than cold air. An extra blanket may achieve more under than above the sleeper. Inflatable ground pads will not insulate against the ground as well as a closed cell pad.
The Values of Scouting
Scouting is a values-based program with its own code of conduct. The Scout Oath and Law help instill the values of good conduct, respect for others, and honesty. Scouts learn skills that will last a lifetime, including basic outdoor skills, first aid, citizenship skills, leadership skills, and how to get along with others. For almost a century, Scouting has instilled in young people the values and knowledge that they will need to become leaders in their communities and country.
THE SCOUT OATH OR PROMISE
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and
To obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
Mentally awake, and morally straight.
SCOUT MOTTO
Be Prepared
SCOUT SLOGAN
Do a Good Turn Daily
THE SCOUT LAW
A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful,Friendly,
Courteous, Kind, Obediant, Cheerful,
Thrifty, Brave, Clean, Reverent
OUTDOOR CODE
As an American, I will do my best to:
Be clean in my outdoor manners
Be careful with fire
Be considerate in the outdoors, and
Be conservation minded