Uncategorized

April 28 is Owen Shotwell’s Eagle Court of Honor

On Monday, April 28, our next meeting is Owen Shotwells Eagle Court of Honor. Please come in full Class A uniform (shirt tucked in) neckerchief, slide, pants (no sweatpants) and if you have a merit badge sash. Please arrive at 6:45pm. We will begin the ceremony at 7pm. We will be on the first floor of Father Cotter Hall. Everyone in the Troop including Parents & family are all welcome to attend. This is a wonderful celebration of Owen’s accomplishments!

YIS,

Kelly Mayback 

Philadelphia Big City Trip Itinerary

Troop 286 Philadelphia Big City Trip Itinerary

Sunday, April 13, 2025:

·       8:00 am Meet at Blessed Sacrament Church to leave (we are not following each other every car drives independently)

·       Lunch on your own in the car with your driver wherever you plan to stop

·       3:00 pm ish arrive at Musser Scout Reservation, 1125 Camp Road Pennsburgh

·       3:00 pm – 10:00 pm Eat dinner, decompress, shower and be ready for lights out at 10:00 pm

Monday, April 14, 2025:

·       6:00 am – 7:30 am Get up, get dressed, eat breakfast, pack lunch and be ready to leave at 7:30am

·       7:30 am – 8:30 am Travel to Fern Rock Transportation Center, 5864N N 11th St, Philadelphia, PA 19141

·       9:00 am – 10:00 am Travel to The Franklin Institute, 222 N 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103 on subway

·       10:00 am – 1:00 pm Explore the Franklin Institute

·       1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Eat a packed lunch 1^st floor of Franklin Institute

·       1:30 pm – 5:00 pm visit Independence Visitors Center, Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Christ Church Burial Grounds @2:30 pm, Philadelphia Mint, Rocky Steps

·       5:00 pm -6:00 pm Travel to Citizens Park for Philadelphia Phillies vs San Francisco Giants Major League Baseball Game, Troop providing BOGO hot dogs and drink for dinner

·       At Games End Travel back to Fern Rock Transportation Center to cars and head back to camp

·       11:00 pm – 12:00 pm lights out

Tuesday, April 15, 2025 (times to be determined by adults)

·       Breakfast, Lunch at Fort Akelia

·       Travel to Valley Forge

·       Possible 5 mile hike @ Valley Forge

·       Tour of Valley Forge National Park and visitors center

·       Dinner in King of Prussia on troop and back to camp

Wednesday, April 16, 2025 (wake up, eat, pack up and head for home)

Yours in Scouting

Dan

Meeting Plan 3/31

Meeting Plan 3/31 at 7pm

Gathering Activity 7pm-7:15pm:
Keep it up! And Rank Line Up led by SPL, ASPLs

Flags & Announcements 7:15-7:25pm 

Patrol Corners 7:25-7:50pm: work on advancements

Skill Building 7:50pm-8:15pm: SPL & ASPLs teaching knife/axe safety, how to set up an Axe Yard. Mrs. Mayback teaching totin chit to Daniel and Jackson.

Closing Flags & Announcements 8:15pm

What is next?

Here are sign ups for our upcoming events – thank Lisa Abramo for setting up the Google forms!

April 5th: Scouting for Food

Tops – Young Street

9:00 – 3:00 (2 hour shifts)

We will be collecting food as shoppers enter and leave Tops.

April 8th: Sabres Game @ 7:00pm

Price will depend on how many of us go and where our seats end up.

Please let me know by using this google sign up by March 27th if you are planning on going

April 12th: Earth Day Clean Up

Town of Tonawanda Youth Parks & Recreation Department @ 9:00am – 12:00pm

Please respond using this google form

Big City Trip: sign up by or on 2/3. April 13-16 in Philadelphia. Look for a detailed email from Mr. Dahlke 

May 16th: Bisons Game @ 6:00pm

Choices are:

Game – $13

Game and Campout – $22

Game and Food – $22.50

Game, Campout, and Food – $31.50

I will order for all of us so that we can be seated together. If you order on your own, your seats will not be with the group.

Please respond using this google form by May 8th

Deep Fried Campout in Allegany: 

Mark your calendars for May 9-11 at Group Camp 5 in Allegany State Park. More details to come on this weekend. Please remember adults must be registered & complete Youth Protection Training in order to stay overnight. This is open to the entire family! This a fun weekend that the Pack & Troop do everything together.  RSVP your family headcount.

YIS,
Kelly Mayback 
Scoutmaster Troop 286

Meeting Plan  3/24

Meeting Plan  3/24 at 7pm

Gathering Activity 7pm-7:15pm:
Spaghetti & marshmallow tower building 

Flags & Announcements 7:15-7:25pm 

Patrol Corners 7:25-7:50pm: work on advancements

Skill Building 7:50pm-8:15pm: Flags folding & ceremonies 

Closing Flags & Announcements 8:15pm
Do you have news to share?

What is next?

Here are sign ups for our upcoming events – thank Lisa Abramo for setting up the Google forms!

April 5th: Scouting for Food

Tops – Young Street

9:00 – 3:00 (2 hour shifts)

We will be collecting food as shoppers enter and leave Tops.

Please respond using this signup genius

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0E4BABAD2BA4FA7-55774185-scouting

April 8th: Sabres Game @ 7:00pm

Price will depend on how many of us go and where our seats end up.

Please let me know by using this google sign up by March 27th if you are planning on going

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFC7Yw7VrTL-aA3Bx1EJigUNb2EbN3EnNfGqcGsuJ3OorboQ/viewform?usp=header

April 12th: Earth Day Clean Up

Town of Tonawanda Youth Parks & Recreation Department @ 9:00am – 12:00pm

Please respond using this google form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSXSbPVA1xnLgzQe8tibZ0b2feM_ziuJ_QYNYkEA0LQqTNIg/viewform?usp=header

Big City Trip: sign up by or on 2/3. April 13-16 in Philadelphia. Look for a detailed email from Mr. Dahlke 

May 16th: Bisons Game @ 6:00pm

Choices are:

Game – $13

Game and Campout – $22

Game and Food – $22.50

Game, Campout, and Food – $31.50

I will order for all of us so that we can be seated together. If you order on your own, your seats will not be with the group.

Please respond using this google form by May 8th

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd6atlymz55zjQ1_jzYKz6VKd5KCsDKVXRNd6tSY2fWPUl-kQ/viewform?usp=header

Deep Fried Campout in Allegany: 

Mark your calendars for May 9-11 at Group Camp 5 in Allegany State Park. More details to come on this weekend. Please remember adults must be registered & complete Youth Protection Training in order to stay overnight. This is open to the entire family! This a fun weekend that the Pack & Troop do everything together.  RSVP your family headcount.

YIS,
Kelly Mayback 
Scoutmaster Troop 286

Meeting Plan 3/17

Meeting Plan 3/17 at 7pm

Gathering Activity 7pm-7:15pm:
Tic Tac Toe Pong

Flags & Announcements 7:15-7:25pm 

Patrol Corners 7:25-7:50pm: work on advancements

Skill Building 7:50pm-8:15pm: cooking safety, food safety and cooking

Closing Flags & Announcements 8:15pm
Do you have news to share?

What is next?

• Electronics Campout for Popcorn Sellers: March 21-23 (Owen, Luke, Evan, Mark, Cameron, Oliver, Sebastian, Zach, Henry, Alex, Jackson, Jack, John, Daniel, Phoenix, Timmy, Sean, Ryan) – separate email coming with packing list and more info!

• April 5th Scouting for Food at Tops on Young, 9am-3pm. You may sign up for 2 hr sessions or sign up for all 6 hrs. This goes toward your much needed service time. Must be in Full Uniform. Daniel is signed up so far.

• April 8th Scout Night at the Sabres. We need to see who is interested in order for a ticket price. Please RSVP a family headcount.

• April 12 is Earth Day clean up on Rails to Trails path in Tonawanda.  9am-12pm. Rvsp to Kelly by April 9th. This counts toward service time. Evan is signed up so far.

• Big City Trip: April 13-16 in Philadelphia. Look for a detailed email from Mr. Dahlke 

• Deep Fried Campout in Allegany: Mark your calendars for May 9-11 at Group Camp 5 in Allegany State Park. More details to come on this weekend. Please remember adults must be registered & complete Youth Protection Training in order to stay overnight. This is open to the entire family! This a fun weekend that the Pack & Troop do everything together.  RSVP your family headcount.

* Klondike Claim Jumper:June 13-15 at Don Miller Park Red Jack Club. More to follow. Mr. Oetinger is running this event.

* Sign up for summer camp!

YIS,
Kelly Mayback 
Scoutmaster Troop 286

Meeting Plan  3/10

Meeting Plan  3/10 at 7pm

Gathering Activity 7pm-7:15pm:
Claimjumper Mining Disaster run by SPL, ASPLs

Flags & Announcements 7:15-7:25pm 

Patrol Corners 7:25-7:50pm: work on advancements

Skill Building 7:50pm-8:15pm: The correct way to treat the Claimjumper Mining Disaster

Closing Flags & Announcements 8:15pm
Do you have news to share?

What is next?

• Electronics Campout for Popcorn Sellers: March 21-23 – please RSVP to Kelly Mayback by March 17

• April 5th Scouting for Food at Tops on Young, 9am-3pm. You may sign up for 2 hr sessions or sign up for all 6 hrs. This goes toward your much needed service time. Must be in Full Uniform. Let Kelly know If you want to participate.

• April 8th Scout Night at the Sabres. We need to see who is interested in order for a ticket price. Please RSVP a family headcount.

• April 12 is Earth Day clean up on Rails to Trails path in Tonawanda.  9am-12pm. Rvsp to Kelly by April 9th. This counts toward service time.

• Big City Trip: sign up by or on 2/3. April 13-16 in Philadelphia. Look for a detailed email from Mr. Dahlke 

• Deep Fried Campout in Allegany: Mark your calendars for May 9-11 at Group Camp 5 in Allegany State Park. More details to come on this weekend. Please remember adults must be registered & complete Youth Protection Training in order to stay overnight. This is open to the entire family! This a fun weekend that the Pack & Troop do everything together.  RSVP your family headcount.

YIS,
Kelly Mayback 
Scoutmaster Troop 286

February 24 is Axe throwing!!

February 24 is an out meeting!!! Axe throwing!! Grand Throw House, 361 Lang Blvd, Grand Island, NY 14072. We will be Axe Throwing from 7pm-8:30pm ish. It’s a $20 per person rate, which is a great discount! 
• Everyone needs to sign a waiver before that date: https://www.grandthrow.com/waiver

This is open to all our scouts, adults and siblings are welcome to join as well. Closed toed shoes are required. 
Thank you Mr. Harold for setting it up.

YIS,
Kelly Mayback 
Scoutmaster Troop 286

Summer Camp Sign Up and Bunk Deposit of $100

Summer Camp will be here before you know it.  Details are as follows: 

• If you go to the doctor for your physical take your medical form with you!!!!
• At Scouthaven from 7/6/25 through 7/11/25
• Bunk deposit of $100.00 is due by 3/15/25
• Total pricing $550.youth
• Total pricing $230.00 Adults
• Campership applications due 4/1/25
• Final payment due 5/1/25
• Late fee of $25 added after 5/1/25
• Merit Badge Sign Up scheduled to open on 5/15/25 and a Scout must have $275 paid 

Yours in Scouting,

Dan

Scout Days at Holiday Valley 3/1/25 and 3/2/25 (EARN THE SNOW SPORTS MERIT BADGE)

Troop 286,

Happy winter, Scout Days at holiday valley are upon us again and mother nature has left a lot of snow for you to enjoy.  This event is available to all family members as well and this year if you attend Scout Days you will be offered the opportunity to earn the Snow Sports merit badge as well.  Details are as follows:

• I cannot supervise the scouts that attend so this activity is designed for families to come and provide supervision for scouts.
• Scouts provide transportation to and from the event.
• Skiing or Snowboarding options are as follows for 3/1/25 and 3/2/25

1. Everyone must wear or rent a helmet $10
2. Lift and Lesson Day $47
3. Lift and Lesson Night $37 ages 12 and above for lessons at night
4. Lift Lesson and Rental Day $64
5. Lift Lesson and Rental Night $52 ages 12 and above for lessons at night
6. Lift = an eight hour left pass
7. Lesson = a 50 minute professional lesson
8. Lesson times 10:30 am, 1:30 pm on Saturday 3/1/25
9. Lesson times 10:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:30 pm on Sunday
10. Night Lessons on Saturday are 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 pm  

• Most will need lift, lesson and rental if you do not have your own equipment
• After your lessons James and Dan Dahlke will guide you in the skiing activities needed for the snow sports merit badge
• We will have one off snow class at a later date to complete the merit badge

Please reply to this email if you intend on attending this event and maybe we can organize a group of 286 scouts to attend on the same day which would create its own supervision on the slopes.  For parents that do not ski Holiday Valley has a beautiful lodge for you to enjoy.

Yours in Snow Sports

James and Dan

Meeting Plan 2/10 at 7pm 

Meeting Plan 2/10 at 7pm 

Gathering Activity 7pm-7:15pm:

Start building a contraption in your patrol for the Egg Drop! 

Flags & Announcements 7:15-7:25pm 

Patrol Corners 7:25-8pm: work on Egg Drop as a patrol 

Closing Flags & Announcements

What is next?

No Sledding Crockpot Campout February 14-16 @ Scouthaven. We are staying in the Lakeside Lodge. Please drop off your Scout after 6pm. The cost is $25 per person. Sledding (need helmet) and Scout Advancements based on who is attending are for Second class 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 4. First Class 5B, 5C, 5D and 9C. We will learn how to make Charcloth, fire building and stove lighting. Timmy and Sean are fulfilling their meal planning & cooking requirements. Packing list email coming in a separate email. Please sign up on Monday if you haven’t already!

• February 17: Presidents Day – no scout meeting

• February 24: Out meeting!!! Axe throwing!! Grand Throw House, 361 Lang Blvd, Grand Island, NY 14072. We will be Axe Throwing from 7pm-8:30pm ish. It’s a $20 per person rate, which is a great discount! 

• Everyone needs to sign a waiver before that date: https://www.grandthrow.com/waiver

This is open to all our scouts, adults and siblings are welcome to join as well. Closed toed shoes are required. Sign up

Monday! Thank you Mr. Harold for setting this up!

• Scout Days @ Holiday Valley March 1 & 2. Details to follow. Mr. Dahkle is leading this event.

• Big City Trip: sign up by or on 2/3. April 13-16 in Philadelphia. Look at separate email from Mr. Dahlke 

• Deep Fried Campout in Allegany: Mark your calendars for May 9-11 at Group Camp 5 in Allegany State Park. More details to come on this weekend. Please remember adults must be registered & complete Youth Protection Training in order to stay overnight. This is open to the entire family! This a fun weekend that the Pack & Troop do everything together. 

YIS,

Kelly Mayback