• Wear light-colored, protective clothing. Loose-fitting, long-sleeve shirts and pants made of tightly woven fabrics are best. Zippers beat buttons. Tuck in wherever possible and seal with duct tape if necessary. Finally, wear a head net.
   

• Avoid floral-scented soaps, hair sprays, and deodorants. Biters home in on such smells, as well as sweat, body heat, and carbon dioxide. Pace yourself to avoid breathing too hard, and wear venting clothing to keep perspiration to a minimum.
   

• Be choosy about your campsites. "Mosquitoes tend to concentrate in very isolated areas, especially around marshes and in the deep woods where depressions collect melted snow," says Bruce Eldridge, director of the University of California Mosquito Research Project. Blackfly populations, too, are greater in the vicinity of water-especially near pristine, fast-moving streams. Solution? Whenever possible, stay out of the shadows and steer toward windy areas like ridges and mountaintops. And when you pitch your tent, pick your perch carefully. "Try to camp where it's dry," says entomologist Terry Whitworth. "If you're right next to their breeding grounds, it's gonna be bad."
   

• Build a low-impact campfire if regulations allow. The smoke tends to discourage biters.
   

• Talk to the locals before you go. Biter populations are so variable it only makes sense to chat it up with those in the know. Try hunting and fishing stores, guides and outfitters, and chambers of commerce. In areas where blackflies and mosquitoes can be really heinous (northern latitudes in particular for blackflies), the locals watch the hatch patterns very carefully and often know just where to go to avoid the current crop.
   

• Calm the itch if the biting buggers still manage to get to you. We've heard of two multipurpose remedies for use in the field: Make a paste of baking soda and water, then dab it on the bite; or, rub on a bit of Preparation H ointment.

_________________________________________________________________________________________


Know someone who may be interested in Scouting?  Share this link with a friend.

_________________________________________________________________________________________
In Memoriam
Clifford W. Sylvester
1943-2008

Clifford W. Sylvester died early in the morning of Monday, May 12, 2008.  He died at the Genesis Long Green Nursing Home on Melrose Avenue in Baltimore City. He was 65 years old. 

Cliff had been affiliated with Troop 740 since 1999.  An active Scouter for many years, he had served as Scoutmaster of another Baltimore Troop from 1972-1986, and Committee Chairman from 1986-1988.  He was also active in the Lutheran Scouters of Maryland.

Retired from Baltimore Gas and Electric, Cliff Sylvester was a storehouse of information on the BGE distribution system and some of their generating facilities.  An expert in electronics, Cliff operated a side business, "Mr. Fix-It" that did home repairs.  Even after his retirement, BGE workers would call him for advice in solving problems. 

Cliff had been sick for several years, suffering from diabetes and heart trouble.  Over the last few years, he had one or more strokes that diminished his abilities. Over the last year he was bed-ridden.

Cliff is survived by his three children, Sheri, Susann, and Tim, and two grandchildren, Victoria and Timmy Sylvester.

Thank-you Clifford W. Sylvester for your service to Troop 740, and your support of Scouting's Ideals.  You will be missed.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Mark your calendars for two important upcoming Eagle Ceremonies!
 
Kyle Kelly's is scheduled for Saturday, May 31, 2008, 4pm at Calvert Hall College and

Will Eichhorn's is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2008, 7:30pm at Cartwright Hall/IHM.
 

_________________________________________________________________________________________
Suggestion Box
Send your suggestions to Troop 740 by clicking on the suggestion box.

_________________________________________________________________________________________
Bulletin Board:

From the Committee:
Reminder: Permission Slip and Payment for Camping Trips are due two weeks in advance of event.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Upcoming Events:
Check the Schedule on the Home Page for the most recently updated list of events and meetings.

Scout Meeting: Thursday, May 29, 2008 @ 7:30pm
Troop Meeting Room/ IHM

Kyle Kelly's Eagle Court of Honor
Saturday, May 31, 2008 @ 4:00pm
Calvert Hall College High School

Scout Meeting: Thursday, June 5, 2008 @ 7:30pm
Troop Meeting Room/ IHM

9th Annual Boy Scout Family Picnic
Saturday, June 7, 2008 @ 12:00pm
Double Rock Park/ Alex Pavilion

Scout Meeting: Thursday, June 12, 2008 @ 7:30pm
Troop Meeting Room/ IHM

Orioles' Game with Troop 740
Saturday, June 14, 2008; Game time @ 7:05pm
Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Committee Meeting: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 @ 7:30pm
Baltimore County Police/ Hillendale Substation (Loch Raven Blvd. and Taylor Ave.)

Scout Meeting: Thursday, June 19, 2008 @ 7:30pm
Troop Meeting Room/ IHM

Scout Meeting: Thursday, June 26, 2008 @ 7:30pm
Troop Meeting Room/ IHM

Will Eichhorn's Eagle Court of Honor
Saturday, June 28, 2008 @ 7:30pm
Cartwright Hall/ IHM

Upcoming Trips:

June 7, 2008
9th Annual Boy Scout Family Picnic (Double Rock State Park)

June 14, 2008
Take Me Out to the Ballgame with Troop 740 (Oriole Park at Camden Yards)

July 13-19, 2008
Summer Camp (Horseshoe Scout Reservation)
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Visit the Troop's Website today!
More information on upcoming trips, events and meetings is only a click away 

To be removed from this mailing, to change your email address, or to contact Troop 740, please email us at newsletter@troop740.org