Northern New England District Royal Rangers

August 25, 2010

Leaders of the NNED,

The District is looking to find out how many leaders are out there that still need to finish up their LTA modules to achieve their LMA. As you know, 2010 is the last year to earn your LMA under the old program, so if you haven’t finished your training, and only have one or two modules left, then we need to know right away so we can schedule the December training and the Instructors needed to pull this off.

We also need to know how many leaders need to complete their LTA Campout requirement to earn their LMA. This Campout can be in place of attending the National Training Camp (NTC), which will no longer be available as it is offered now. This Campout will be offered in October (see District calendar) only if there is interest.

The third reason for this letter is to notify all Certified Instructors of the upcoming ICS training, which we normally hold in conjunction with the LTA Campout. If your Outpost has CI’s who need to update their certification, then we need to know right away.

The following items will also be discussed at the December training, as well as at the ICS training:

· The ending of our current Leaders Medal of Achievement (LMA) as of December 31, 2010.

· New Outpost Leader Advancement Levels (OLAL).

· Transition for those with an LMA to the new OLAL.

· New Training Levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum after the Advanced OLAL is earned.

· New recertification process for trainers after 2010.

· The Medal of Excellence.

By Jay M. Woodward
NNED Publications Coordinator
 

    The weekend of August 21-23, at the Pemi Valley Fish and Game Club in Holderness, New Hampshire, Northern New England District Royal Rangers held its Summer Pow Wow, this year known as the FCF High Adventure.  The event’s location was changed from Camp Marist at Lake Ossipee where it had been held for the previous four years, and the task of putting it all together was done by none other than the brothers of the King’s Pine Chapter of the Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship.  Led by FCF President Bruce “Moose Call” Paquette, they came together, planned the events and made all the arrangements necessary for a fun and enjoyable weekend for all those in attendance!   Nearly 100 boys and leaders came out for a fun weekend of camping, fellowship, competition, good food, and most importantly, to draw closer to Christ.

    The motto of the King’s Pine Chapter is ad dare servire- “To give and to serve.”  The brothers of FCF really lived up to their motto and showed real servant’s hearts throughout the weekend, making all of the necessary arrangements for the weekend to be a success. They had their Dutch Ovens always ready for anyone who wanted to sample a taste of FCF cuisine.   They gave boys and leaders a real “taste” of what FCF is all about!

By Jay M. Woodward
NNED Publications Coordinator

The evening of August 14 was a special one at First Assembly in Auburn, New Hampshire. Justin Paton of Outpost #11 was honored for earning the coveted Gold Medal of Achievement (GMA) Award, becoming the 40th young man in the Northern New England District, as well as the fourth in Outpost #11 to earn his GMA, following Ryley Paquette, Steven Kroh, and Nathan MacGilvary. Indeed, he is in select company, becoming the fourth member of OP #11’s “Fantastic Four!”

It was a lot of hard work and dedication that got Justin to his GMA. He began his involvement in Rangers at the age of nine at the church he and his family were attending in Easton, Pennsylvania. In 2004, his family moved to Derry, and he became involved in OP #11. Justin is also a member of Frontiersman Camping Fellowship (FCF) and earned the nickname “Twenty Pieces” for his ability to eat twenty (small) pieces of Dutch Oven pizza at an FCF event! Justin also participated in several junior leadership camps that allowed him to earn his Saber. These opportunities have enabled him to grow Mentally, Physically, Socially, and Spiritually. Indeed, his involvement in Rangers has made him, in a word, “READY”!

By Jay M. Woodward
NNED Publications Coordinator
 

Ahoy, mates! On Saturday, July 31, NNED Royal Rangers held the annual Ranger Kids Fun Day at the Lawrence Barn Community Center in Hollis, New Hampshire. Sixteen Ranger Kids from across the Granite State, joined by parents and leaders, came out searching for treasure and fun! This year’s RKFD had a pirate theme, and kids got to sport eye patches and head bandannas for the occasion! And if that wasn’t enough, Commanders Jason A. Wright and Judy Tilton came fully dressed and ready for the occasion in some fancy-looking pirate gear!

The events of the day were run by the older Rangers in Outpost #3 in Nashua and Outpost #62 in Milford. They did an outstanding job, as they worked well with the Ranger Kids and served as a great example of Royal Rangers being a “boy led, adult facilitated” ministry! Most importantly, however, the day gave the opportunity to give honor to God as well. For the opening devotion, Commander Bob McKinney gave a word of caution to the young buccaneers, to store up treasures in heaven for themselves. From there, it was time for the excitement to begin! The Ranger Kids got to participate in a variety of games in the Lawrence Barn’s recreation room, including Putt Putt Golf, Cork Gun Shootout, Mini Ring Toss, Chicken Chuckin’, Frisbee Throw, Tilt’n Tetherball and Potty Toss! All of these games led to hours of fun for boys, leaders, and parents alike, and plenty of hungry pirates eager to chow down! Thankfully, Outpost #3, the host Outpost was ready, as they supplied plenty of hamburgers and hot dogs and cold drinks.

By Jay M. Woodward
NNED Publications Coordinator

The afternoon of June 19, 2010, was a special one for Nathan MacGilvary of Outpost #11 in Auburn, NH, as he was honored for becoming the 40th boy in NNED Royal Rangers, and only the third in the annals of OP#11, to earn the coveted Gold Medal of Achievement! Nathan’s road to the GMA began at the age of five as a Straight Arrow. From there, he learned skills and had leadership opportunities that enabled him to grow Mentally, Physically, Socially, and Spiritually. He has also earned some very distinguished honors along the way. In 2005 he was given the National Medal of Courage for saving a little girl from drowning, and in both 2007 and 2008 he was a Regional Ranger of the Year and earned the Junior Leadership Medal! In addition, he is also a member of the Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship, earning the name “Steel Knuckles” at his Frontier Adventure. His service to God is not limited to Rangers, however, as he volunteers at The Place, an outreach ministry in Manchester reaching out to troubled youth. In a word, Rangers has made Nathan “READY”!

On Tuesday, June 1, Commander Gaylon Long, a member of Outpost #36 in Tilton, New Hampshire, and a member of the NNED Security Color Guard, went home to be with the Master Ranger, Jesus Christ. Commander Gaylon was known for his wit and Southern drawl, and over the last several years played an important role in the Ranger ministry. His son, Jacob, is a Discovery Ranger at Outpost #36 and his wife Chris has served on the Church Board at Praise A/G in Tilton. Commander Gaylon attended Security Color Guard Camp in 2008, and during Pow Wow 2009, headed up Security team with Jacob working alongside him. A Vietnam veteran, Gaylon’s background made him the right man for the job! In addition, he was honored by OP #36 at Pow Wow 2009 by choosing the 2nd Infantry Division, of which Gaylon was a member, as its chosen regiment, along with the call, “Second Infantry Division, Second To None!” Gaylon could be seen at many Ranger events, and he also earned his Leaders’ Medal of Achievement.

In addition to leaving his family, his wife Chris and son Jacob, he leaves the Rangers family was well, and he will be greatly missed. Cards of condolence can be sent to:

175 Bean Hill Rd
Belmont, NH 03220

By Jay M. Woodward , Pony Express Editor

June 4-6 marked the 2010 NNED Shooting Sport and Spirit Challenge Weekend, held at the Pemi Valley Fish and Game Club in Holderness, New Hampshire. This year’s event, saw fifteen boys and as many Commanders come out for a fun weekend of shooting various types of guns, camping, fellowship, and time to draw closer to Christ. It is also a time for real mentoring, as men get to spend quality time with boys by giving them hands-on instruction on how to safely use a firearm, and have fun in the process! Moreover, the smell of gunpowder has been proven to attract boys, especially the older ones in Adventure and Expedition Rangers, who were old enough and met the requirements to attend.

By Jay M. Woodward Pony Express Editor

May 22, 2010 was a very special day for Outpost 11, as Steven Kroh was awarded the highest honor for a boy in Royal Rangers, the Gold Medal of Achievement. He is the 39th boy in Northern New England, and only the second in Outpost #11 history to have achieved this distinction.That alone puts Steven in some pretty elite company! Steven’s road to the GMA began in 1998 at the age of five as a Straight Arrow Brave. From there, he learned skills and leadership opportunities that enabled him to grow Mentally, Physically, Socially, and Spritually. In addition, Steven has also played trumpet for the Manchester Central High School band, and has built and programmed robots with his schools First Robotics Competition team called CHAOS! In a word, Rangers has made Steven “Ready!”

At Steven’s GMA ceremony, held at First Assembly in Auburn, NH, he was showered with words of praise from his Pastor, Garry Hamilton, Youth Pastor Matt Ellis (who was also a GMA recipient in 2001), and Commander Bruce Paquette, who was the Master of Ceremonies. Commander Mark Lacombe read several congratulatory letters from National Royal Rangers Director Doug Marsh, Governor John Lynch, Senators Judd Gregg and Jeanne Shaheen, and State Senator Dave Boutin. Even Sarah Palin sent Steven a letter to congratulate him on his achievement!

Pow Wow Work Day- The damp weather didn’t stop boys and leaders from coming out on May 1 to Camp Marist for Pow Wow Work Day. Several of NNED’s finest came out to prepare their campsites in advance for Pow Wow. The big project, however, was setting up the poles to the Gateway, which took lots of cement, water, machinery, and of course, Dunkin’ Donuts coffee to put each log pole into place on each side! The poles will support the Gateway banner, which will create a grand welcome to all who come to Camp Marist in August!

Check out all the photos

Rangers Make Dinner For Real Men- On May 21, at the NNED Men’s Retreat at Sunday River, Maine, Rangers came through again in creating a delectable feast at the Light for the Lost Banquet. District Director Jerry Love teamed up with Commanders Willy Gusha and Dale Montoya, bringing the Missions BBQ Trailer and became blue-ribbon chefs for the day, preparing steaks, chicken, and baked potatoes, enough food to feed the approximately 130 men who were in attendance at the Men’s Retreat. The chefs received complements from Men’s Ministry Director Ed Shearer and many of the men who gathered for the outdoor banquet! The theme of Men’s Retreat was “Real Men” and this was definitely a meal that lived up to the name!