Troop 1 Katonah, New York

The funeral for Scoutmaster William "Doc" Smith will be on Saturday, November 1, at 11:00am, at the Katonah Methodist Church , 7 Bedford Road, Katonah, NY. All who knew him or connected to him in some way are welcome. It is requested that all Scouts appear in full dress uniform. Please email Otto Vondrak or call 585-820-2341 if you have any questions. From the Journal News, October 26, 2008: Dr. William H. Smith, 88, of Katonah, died on October 22, 2008. Dr. Smith ("Doc") was born in New York City on December 16, 1919 and was raised in Cold Spring, NY. He attended the University of Rochester School of Medicine and interned in pediatrics at the University of Chicago and the University of Pennsylvania . During WWII he served in the Army in the medical corps. In 1950 he settled in Katonah to work as the first pediatrician at the newly formed Katonah Medical Group . He practiced with the group for 40 years and was the long-time Katonah-Lewisboro School District phys...

Dr. William H. Smith - "Doc" (1919-2008) It is with great sadness and deep regret that we inform you of the peaceful passing of Dr. William H. Smith, known to countless hundreds simply as "Doc." A valued friend to all, Doc continuously led Katonah Troop 1 since 1955. Teacher, healer, brother Scout and friend, Doc touched our lives in fantastic and positive ways that will continue to live on through all of us. Words simply cannot express our emotions at this time of great loss. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Smith's memory may be made to the William H. Smith Memorial Fund, 171 Bedford Rd., Katonah, NY 10536. Scoutmaster "Doc" Smith pins Dave Kane's Eagle award - 2008 Setting up Camp - Boston Freedom Trail - 1997 Dinner at Doc's Cabin in Maine - 2002 Canoeing on the Saco River - 2002 "In not knowing one's path through life is quite the dark trail traveled. Sadly when your guiding light goes out do not be taken back, but...

The Katonah-Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps . will be having their annual Chicken BBQ Dinner fundraiser this Saturday, October 18, from 5:00-7:00pm. This is a great opportunity for our Scouts to perform community service. If you are able to help out at all this weekend, even if only for an hour, please let us know.

All photos from the Muscoot District Fall Camporee at Durland Scout Reservation (formerly Clear Lake), October 3-5, 2008. There were 109 participants, competing at four stations: Bucket Brigade, Ax Yard Safety, Knots and Lashings, and Firebuilding. There was also a cooking contest, a wilderness survival shelter contest, and a special 100-point campsite inspection. Katonah's three patrols placed high in all areas of competition! Here are just a few photos from the weekend. Assembling for Opening Ceremonies at Clear Lake Assistant Scoutmaster Otto Vondrak was responsible for organizing the event, seen here checking in Patrols on Saturday morning. The Clear Lake waterfront in the morning. Two Scouts from Katonah take part in the Bucket Brigade Race! Our Scouts challenged their skills at the Firebuilding Station. Katonah Troop 1 ran the Knots/Lashings Station. Enjoying our own campfire on a chilly Saturday night.

Three patrols from Katonah Troop 1 competed at this year's Fall Camporee, the "Rally at the Ridge" at Durland Scout Reservation in Putnam Valley, New York. All three of our patrols took home ribbons in a three-way tie for second place! Every boy worked exceptionally hard with other members of their patrol, and were rewarded for their efforts. During the day, each patrol competed in four activity stations, including Knot Tying, Firebuilding, Ax Yard Safety, and the Bucket Brigade Race. Upon their return to camp, they worked together as a troop to build an emergency wilderness shelter, use ropes and poles to lash together a "camp help" (in this case, a Chippewa table ), and created an interesting dessert (cooking croissant pasty inside an orange rind) for the Iron Skillet cooking competition. Photos of the weekend activity and more details to follow.