Below is general calendar information for Troop 6 Cranston. This calendar is non-specific in nature. A specific calendar is available in the members-only section. Members should refer to that calendar regularly. Changes to the private calendar can be subscribed to by members to receive automatic updates.
September is the start of our Scouting year. The month includes Junior Leader training for Scouts elected to leadership roles over the summer at camp. That same weekend we hold a family cook-out and Yawgoog Court of Honor where all the awards earned at summer camp are distributed. It also gives us some time to go over what the new year holds in store for us and to give parents an opportunity to bring their talents to the Troop in a variety of ways.
Our first campout with the new Junior Leaders is typically held in October at the Netop District Camporee. Every few years this is the Council Camporee, with thousands of Scouts and Scouters participating. We have already started our Fall merit badge programs and usually continue with religious awards training through December. We end the month by distributing Scouting-For-Food bags the last weekend of the month.
November is a fickle month where we may have our first real cold-weather campout, or maybe it will be warm! Our wreath sale kicks into full swing and they are delivered to our happy customers right after Thanksgiving. We start the month by picking up a truck-load of food that is delivered to the RI Food Bank through the Scouting-For-Food program. We are usually the largest, or one of the largest contributors to this great cause. Our Scouts involved in religious programs usually do a project to help the less fortunate. Distributing meals on Thanksgiving is all but a tradition with Troop Six. We usually hold our second Eagle Court of Honor this month.
This month the central activity is the annual lock-in. Scouts spend a day at our charter organization playing games, working on advancement, and having an all-around good time. Fresh pizza is served and the adults get some time to discuss how things are progressing.
The first campout of the year finds us down at Yawgoog in cabins. Don't worry moms, the Scouts are kept nice and cozy at night. Winter activities abound at this campout and if weather permits, snow shelters may be the home of some of the senior Scouts. And let's not forget the infamous Troop Six Beat The Clock competition. Patrol against patrol, this competition is highly anticipated among veteran Troop 6 Scouts. When the dust is all settled, the shaving cream off the balloons, the pies all eaten, and the final "Who Wants to Win a Dollar" contest round is complete, only one patrol can call itself the champion!
In the past, Troop 6 has participated in a variety of different things in February. Still too cold to stay in a tent, the Troop may again find themsleves in cabins somewhere. Or you may find us out baking beans at a Bean Hole Bake somewhere or at the Klondike Derby. Come join us and find out what we're doing this year! We also recognize all the hard work our Scouts have put in during the first half of the Scouting year with our Winter Court of Honor.
Our second major fundraiser is during the month of March. Early in the month Scouts are trying to sell the last of their Macaroni Dinner tickets. This annual event typically brings in 400-600 hungry patrons to the kitchen of Troop Six. Later in the month you usually will find the Troop going on a trip somewhere that is both fun and entertaining. Recent trips have included NYC and the Freedom Trail in Boston.
Usually April will find the Troop on their first spring campout. The second session of merit badge classes have been underway for a couple of months and should be starting to wrap up for early May.
May finds the Troop at another Camporee, usually at the district level - but sometimes at the Council level. The Troop is making preparations for its annual road trip and getting geared up for another successful summer at Camp Yawgoog. Usually we hold an Eagle Court of Honor toward the end of May — as well as in the November timeframe.
Just when you think the year is winding down, it seems Troop Six is winding up! June brings the annual road trip, a Court of Honor for all the advancements and merit badges recently earned, and more preparations for summer camp!
July finds the older Scouts participating in something special for them. Usually high-adventure oriented, this has recently included white river rafting, sea kayaking, and climbing Mount Washington, the highest point in the north-east. Recently, this program has expanded through Crew 6 Cranston and there are now events through-out the year.
Camp Yawgoog beckons the Troop in August. This completes the Scout year for our Troop. At camp we face stiff competition as we vie for Sandy Beach champions. First year Scouts start working on their first merit badges — and typically come home having earned three or four! Elections are held at camp for the Junior Leaders for the following year and the Scouts build new and stronger friendships that may last them a lifetime!