From the category archives:

Our Little Town

Building Character, Changing Lives

by mikea44646 on January 15, 2010

That is in part what Scouting is about. Tonight at the WEBELOS Den meeting of Pack 75 of Hancock NY I worked with a few boys in learning and understanding the Boy Scout Promise, the Boy Scout Law, the Boy Scout Motto, and the Boy Scout Slogan.

In teaching these I am reminded that “Character” is learned – by role models, by formal instruction, and through experiential learning and practice.

At The Family Foundation School, where I work, we also have a Scouting and Venturing programs. These offer troubled teen girls and boy students additional ways in which they can practice the virtues or ideals that contribute to the quality of one’s character. These are importent priciples or living skills for a young person on their way to responsible adulthood.

Next month two of the WEBELOS from pack 75 will cross over to Boy Scout Troop 74. As part of their preparation they are beginnig to answer these questions from the Scout Promise, Law, Motto, Oath:

1. On my honor – How do we define “honor”?

2. I will do my best – What do we mean by “Do My Best”?

3. To do my duty to God and my Country – What is meant by “Duty to God”?

4. What is meant by “Duty to my Country”?

5. To obey the Scout Law – What does, “To obey the Scout Law,” mean?

6. To help other people at all times – What does “To help other people” mean to a Scout?

7. To keep myself physically strong – What does this phrase mean to a Scout?

8. Mentally awake – What does mentally awake mean to a Scout?

9. Morally straight – What does morally straight mean to a Scout?

10. Be Prepared – What does the Scout motto mean?

11. What does the Scout sign signify?

12. Why is there a Scout salute?

13. A Scout is trustworthy – Define trustworthy in relation to what a Scout is.

14. A Scout is loyal – To whom is a Scout loyal?

15. A Scout is helpful – How is a Scout helpful?

16. A Scout is friendly – How is a Scout friendly?

17. A Scout is courteous – Define courteous.

18. A Scout is kind – Which of the sentences below best illustrates that a Scout is kind?

19. A Scout is obedient – Define obedient in relation to a Scout.

20. A Scout is cheerful – Why should a Scout be cheerful?

21. A Scout is thrifty – What is thrifty?

22. A Scout is brave – How is a Scout brave?

23. A Scout is clean – What does it mean to be clean?

24. A Scout is reverent – Explain what is meant by a reverent Scout.

{ 0 comments }

Hancock Community Cantata

by mikea44646 on December 20, 2009

The Hancock Community Choir presented “I Hear the Prophet Calling” (words and music by Pepper Choplin). The performance took place at the beautiful and spacious Emory United Methodist Church. It was a wonderful display of Community and fellowship.  Brenda Rood directed the more then 30 member choir.  Tom Wood “Woody” sang the signature solo with the words “I hear the Prophet Callin”.  This is one of two annual holiday cantatas performed by The Hancock Community Choir. Students from The Family Foundation School have an opportunity to participate in both.  Such singing opportunities are immensely important to the students who are learning to share their talents with and for the good of others.

The reception that followed was well attended and full of fun and fellowship.  Oh ya - as Father Ralph Groskoph, FFS Episcopal Chaplin said – there was “…a mountain of sinfully delicious treats!”  

My gratitude and appreciation to all. For me, opportunities like this help keep my focus on what matters. Merry Christmas and Happy New Years.

{ 0 comments }

Fire in Hancock – Setback or Opportunity?

July 15, 2009

 

Fire takes “Sweet River Studios” building

There was a fire in Hancock NY yesterday in the building housing some apartments and the “Sweet Rivers Studio” clothing store. I believe that everyone got out safe and that the rescue workers / fireman where able to contain and extinguish the blaze also with out lose of life. Thank [...]

Read the full article →

Thorns, rocks and caterpillar poop. . .

June 17, 2009

I enjoyed and want to share a recent post by Dorothy Ray in her blog -Life’s Journey Observed. Thorns, rocks and caterpillar poop. . .   This is an example of  an opportunity for being intimate with our environment. Also it is one more blessing that we share here in Upstate New York – Rural America. 
Similar posts that I [...]

Read the full article →

Sunshine, Music & SERVICE – Memorial Day in Hancock

May 30, 2009

Happy Memorial Day – (Week) -
Last Weekend was the Memorial Day celebration Spring Festival here in Hancock New York. What a great time we had. The Hancock Partners with the help of community members created an opportunity for sharing and honoring our men and woman in uniform.
Here we see students from the local therapeutic boarding [...]

Read the full article →

Look its Bambi – Close and personal!

May 27, 2009

- Here we see one of the fawns from the post below along with the shadows of the two students who took the picture.

Read the full article →

A Deer Family on the Soccer Field

May 27, 2009

Doe and two fawns on Soccer Field at the Family Foundation School Hancock NY

At the therapeutic boarding school just up the road, students will reply to the question “How are we doing today?” with the  answer  – “Bright eyed and bushy tailed!”
 
Well here is a picture of a Doe and her two fawns in the [...]

Read the full article →

Hancock NY – 2009 SPRING FESTIVAL

May 23, 2009

 The 2009 SPRING FESTIVAL sponsored as a project of the Hancock Partners is underway! Great times for all.  Among the many events throughout the weekend, students from theFamily Foundation School, a Therapeutic Boarding Schoolin Hancock NY, will be performing. 
“The Harvest & Spring Festivals, begun in 2005, have proved very successful and have grown in size and [...]

Read the full article →

Be a Partner of Hancock

May 12, 2009

I am proud to be a partner with so many who share the interest of fostering and promoting the economic and social growth of the Greater Hancock, New York area. As an outgrowth of this desire the Hancock Partners Inc. was formed and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Since its formation in 2003, the Hancock Partners [...]

Read the full article →

Eagle Scout – a leader for tomorrow

May 10, 2009

“The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations.”
The highest rank of Scouting is the Eagle Scout which requires among many other challenges, the successful completion of the Eagle Leadership Project. As the name suggests, the purpose of the Eagle Project is to demonstrate leadership. A [...]

Read the full article →