2008 Trader Flap Design Chosen

At the Lodge Executive Committee Meeting on April 5, the LEC received news that the 2008 Trader Flap was in production. The flap was designed by Chris Bernier, and was voted on by the LEC by email in the weeks preceding the meeting. The flap was one of two submitted, and is expected to be ready for the spring Ordeals.

Update 4/8: We have received the first sample of the trader.

Lodge Wins National Service Award

Madockawanda Lodge has won the National Service Award for the third time! The award was given in recognition of the service our Lodge performed in 2007. The National Service Award was created in 1999 to recognize lodges in each region that have performed outstanding service, both in a qualitative and a quantitative sense, to their council. More information, and the years of previous awards, can be found on the Awards page.

Winter Camp 2008
By Matt Randall, PTC Field Director

What a fantastic Winter Camp we had at Camp Hinds during the week of school vacation this year! Again, the lodge ended up fully staffing the affair with arrowmen, not by design, but because they were the most qualified individuals for their respective assignments. Our staff of 12 helped provide quality programming for 20 Scouts in our council, and one Scout from Massachusetts. The youth participated in a unique variety of programs, including diverse merit badges such as Auto Mechanics, Public Speaking, Photography, Salesmanship, Shotgun Shooting, Winter Sports, Home Repair, Aviation, and Cooking. The boys also spent a night out in the wilderness in Quinzhees built by them, braved the peaks of Rattlesnake Mountain, had a fun, full morning of snow tubing in Oxford, and survived meals cooked by Wayne, Sticks, and Greg. After the rain on Monday that turned the camp into a sheet of ice, Mother Nature took pity upon us and provided an excellent week for us to do what we do best - build leaders.....this time of year, in the snow! I want to extend a heartfelt "Thank You" to my staff for the week - Caleb Frederick (SPL), Nate Smith (ASPL/QM), Ian Hawkes (PL), Sean Knight (PL), Dustin Wiggin (PL), Greg Solomon (Volunteer), Mike Mirisola (ASM/Medical), Wayne Holden (Cook), Matt Allaire (ASM/Kitchen), Tom Morris (ASM), Aaron Wiggin (ASM), and Paul Beaupre (ASM/Volunteer). I also would like to thank Cathy Gosselin for doing all the mailings and paperwork back at the office, and to Matt Gosselin for keeping the lights on at the camp. Together this team helped provide 612 hours of service for the lodge in 2008.

Lodge Welcomes New Staff Advisor

At the University of Scouting on April 5, the Lodge welcomed its new Staff Advisor, Pine Tree Council Assistant Scout Executive Bryan Thomas. Former Staff Advisor Matt Mower stepped down from the position to be better able to serve K Valley District, where he is District Executive. Bryan has been involved with the OA in his previous Council, and is a Brotherhood member.

Conclave Registration Packet Now Online

The Conclave Registration Packet is now available on our website, under the Forms page. We are still waiting for the training descriptions to be posted on the Section website, and will let you know when they are available. Please direct any questions about the Conclave registration process to a Lodge Officer, or a Section Officer.

Recipients of Silver Beaver Announced

Three members of our Lodge will be presented the prestigious Silver Beaver Award this April. They are Tracy Wiggin, Matt Dubois, and John Trott, II. The Silver Beaver Award is a council-level distinguished service award. Recipients of the award are registered adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. The Silver Beaver is an award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. It is given to those who do not actively seek it.

Description from Wikipedia.

New Programs Coming for 2008

Since you’ve just broken out a new calendar for the year, its time to break out your marker and fill it in with great Lodge events. In 2008, Madockawanda Lodge will bring you great events with service and fellowship throughout Pine Tree Council. I encourage everyone to come to the University of Scouting and not only take classes but also provide meaningful service to your Council in making the event a huge success. In the spring please come to the Ordeals. This is a great way to provide meaningful service to Camp Hinds and Camp Bomazeen and enjoy the fellowship of your Brothers while heralding the newest group of Ordeal members. With the Ordeals comes the Section NE-1A Conclave in early June, were you can take part in a variety of training cells and inter-lodge competitions, as well as see great shows. In early July everyone should come out to Founder’s Day which is a great opportunity to provide service to Pine Tree Council camps. In the fall there is a final Ordeal and well as them the Lodge Leadership Development, which is filled with awesome training cells, good food, and inter-chapter competitions such as the famed 2nd Annual Turtle Cup. Then concluding the year with the Annual Banquet. 2008 will also include service projects to be announced at both the Lodge and chapter levels, and it is important that we all get out and provide service to our Council and communities and defend our procession of the Silver Tomahawk. This year is going to include a large number of exciting events and is a great opportunity to be active in your Lodge. Along with being an active participant in YOUR Lodge, I strongly encourage you to become active in one of Madockawanda’s committees such as the Section NE-1A Champion Ceremonies and Lodge Newsletter teams. Some other committees include Elangomat, American Indian Activities, and Website, and a full list of Madockawanda Lodge committees can be found here, on the lodge website.