As is traditional the Troop meeting started as usual, up to the time for Scout Skills. Then preparations were started for the arrival of the Pizza and snacks. After the Pizza and soda the grab bag gift exchange took place and each Scout was given tow gifts from the Troop: A Scout Sign Zipper pull and a BSA Lanyard for keys.

The members of the Troop are proud to hear that the Board recommended that Marco receive the Eagle Scout Award. It will not be official unnnntil the Award paperwwwork returns from the Natioal Office in a few weeks. When it it received we will plan for the presentation Ceremony in early 2006.

Quail Hill Scout Reservation is in Manalapan, NJ which is Monmouth County. The Troop has been using Quail Hill for is annual Turkey Roast for many years. This special campout started decades ago and for a number of years was held at Sanita Hills Scout Camp near Pawling, NY before the camp was sold off by the Greater New York Councils.

Once Sanita Hills was sold we tried Quail Hill and found it suitable as a new location for this special camping trip. The camp has mostly tent campsites. There are two cabins and a leanto site as well. It has a small Lake and an OA site, Chapel and Training Lodge.

Our Turkey Roast is probable one of the most popular of weekend trips on the Troop schedule. A full Turkey Dinner roasted over and open fire with all the trimmings and a Dutch oven dessert.

Attending was Michael Mehl, Adam Abdelaziz, Sammy Abdelaziz, Darren Thomas, Raymy Vasquez and Ruben Veliz all Scouts from the Troop. The adults along this year were Walter Forst and David Fairhurst. It was cold but bearable with our using the Scout Lodge. Special note though goes to Michael Mehl and Sammy Abdelaziz as they slept out in a tent in the below freezing weather. For this they get to join last years attendees in becoming members of the Quail Hill Polar Bear Club.

Scouts averaged $4.42 per participant, with collected donations from 74 cents to $11.47.

Troop 998 has has had difficulty recruiting adults to support its program during the last year. As a result their program has not been as active as the Scouts wanted and needed. When Mr. Ferraro of our Troop Committee heard this he invited the Troop to come to visit us to see if they would want to combine with us to provide their Scouts with an active program.

It was a good visit. The Scouts joined in and participated in the Troop meeting. The two adults who brought the Scouts visited with the Scoutmaster and talked of the two Troop's programs and what Troop 350 could offer. We invited the Scouts and adults at the close of our meeting to return and consider joining with us so they could continue in Scouting.

This fall the Troop is again participating in the Graeter New York Councils campaign for the sale of "tails End" Gourmet Popcorn to taise funds for Scouting.

Each Scout was given the information sheet and sales signup for customers. Each Scout was asked to be as positive as is possible in making it work for the Troop. There is no minimum to be sold. There was no quota per family. There was only the reminder to do your best.

The funds raised by the Troop assists in keeping the weekend camping costs down. The funds raised last year paid for the extra costs of Cabin reservations and special campouts such as the Turkey Roast. In the past it has also been used for the three day special events such as Steamtown National Historic Park, National Baseball Hall of Fame, Howe Caverns and the Iroquois Nation Museum visit in upstate New York.

All those present were in Uniforma and had their Breakfast as the guest of the Scoutmaster. It was a time to think about the start of the new season. To have some fellowship and to set the tone for the coming seasom.

We gave presentations on the follwing:
The Calendar of outdoor activities, the Parents Role in the Troop, Fund Raising and the financial mamagement of the Scout Program here, Summer Camp 2006 & possible discounts to the Fee and special programs.

We started modestly. Half the current membership was bac the first week. We did have two new members though. Graduated Webelos Scouts from Pack 563. The second week was a little off with one less attending.

We did have elections for Patrol Leader as promised. Ruben ran unopposed as Adam did not want the job again. Adam was willing to be Ruben's Assistant however, so there is some continuity.

And the third meeting was a nice one. With three more Scouts returning. We had a parents meeting. The kickoff to the Fall Popcorn Fundraing drive and a Court of Honor for the Summer's Advancent. It was an active meeting that shows the promise of the coming year.

And we may even grow some more. We have been contacted by a Scout Leader of Troop in northern Sunset Park area about having the few Scouts in that Troop transfer into ours. They don not have the adult support to continue. We'll see if that comes to pass. As well as the Eagle Board of Review for our Senior Patrol Leader the last Friday of September.

Dave Coleman was the Contingent Scoutmaster for the Brooklyn Council Troop. Marco Ferraro was the Assistant Senior Patrol Leaderrr for the Troop.

Marco Ferraro, Adam Abdelaziz, Samy Abdelaziz and Ruben Veliz with the help of Troop Committeeman Juan Ferraro and parent Michelle Abdelaziz went off to Camp Aquehonga on August 7th for the Week #6 session.

UPDATE: Each has earned at least two Merit Badges. Also went on the Canoe trip on Thursday of the week.

No doubt they had a good time.

TCM Juan Ferraro was off to Cub Work for two sessions with about fifteen Cub Scouts and five adults.

Rumor has it that ASM Sergio Ferraro went to the Florida Sea Base with a Troop he met while working at TMR.

TCM David Coleman was the Contingent SM for the Brooklyn Jamboree Troop to Virginia.

SM Walter managed a ride to see newly reconstructed Stillwell Ave Terminal.

It was a little damp during the day but not so bad that we didn't enjoy the activities. The Zoo however was having exhibits reconstructed so some things were closed. Maybe next time we'll see it all.

Although the goal was to collect the many small items and fill maybe five cartons - reports are that the goal was exceeded, in terms of cartons that is. The final count and details will be in Marco's Eagle Project despription. The California Organization has said they need things by the 15th, so Marco & others packed, repacked and shipped everything by the second week of June.

A draft copy of the Eagle Service Workbook for the Eagle Application is done. Just getting things together and in order of submitting the Eagle Application.

The members of the Troop are proud to hear that the Board recommended that Marco receive the Eagle Scout Award. It will not be official unnnntil the Award paperwwwork returns from the Natioal Office in a few weeks. When it it received we will plan for the presentation Ceremony in early 2006.

The Troop was in Powell Cabin at Alpine Scout Camp in Alpine, New Jersey. The Camp is about ten miles north of the George Washington Bridge. There are over 700 acres in the Reservation for Scouts to explore.

We have a great weekend weatherwise. The sun was out, but it was cold, thankfully without wind. There was about five inches of fresh snow and the sleds Dave F. brought were alot of fun. The groups explored the Pirate Ship, Fort, Mine and the Activity Center with the Science and Technology Room.

There was good food including baked items from the Dutch Oven for three meals. A Peach Cobbler for Saturday Supper, Buscuits for Breakfast and humongous slices of Devils Food Cake for Lunch on Sunday. Every meal was done well and was very filling.

This year we had guests, the Webelos from Pack 563. The three Webelose were invited along so they could complete a requirement for the Arrow of Light.

Six of the Eight Scouts showed and all together we had about 21 people attending. Certainly the smallest number, but not in the amount of enjoyment at being together. We had a Pot Luck meal where there certainly was enough to eat. A brief talk on activities of the Troop and then a closing. A Court of Honor was held to give Merit Badges and honor the Panther Patrol for its 1st Place finish in the Brooklyn Klondike Derby.

It was a nice winter day for a change in Brooklyn when the five members of the Pather Patrol went to Coney Island with the help of Dave, our Troop Committe Chair, in his van. Dave was also the main force behind the building of the Sledge. Another Committee Member, Juan was with them and help run a station during the event.

The meeting was hampered by a lack of heat and generally cold weather outside, so not all the Scouts attended either. But the Webelose got to participate in the games and Scoutskills of menu planning for the February Cabin Campout. We have invited the Webelos along because they are working of their Arrow of Light Badge for which a campout with a Troop is a requirement.

Although the goal was to collect the many small items and fill maybe five cartons - the goal was exceeded, in terms of cartons that is. The final count and details will be in Marco's Eagle Project description.