event-district

  By Jay M. Woodward

NNED Publications Coordinator

In October 2011, one of Northern New England’s own, Daniel Forsythe, earned his Gold Medal of Achievement, in the South Carolina District.   For years, Daniel and his family were an important part of Outpost #36 in Tilton, NH and of NNED Royal Rangers as well.   His father Bill served a Commander in Outpost #36 for several years, including a stint as Senior Commander.   His brother Jonathan, a.k.a “Buck” earned his GMA in 2002, and brother Adam would earn his in 2006.  Also, his brother in law, Walter McLeod, earned his GMA in South Carolina in 2002.  Indeed, Rangers runs deep in the Forsythe family!

Daniel earned his Bronze and Silver Medals of Achievement in 2008, prior to he and his family’s moving to the Palmetto State in early 2009.  Upon their move, Daniel became involved in Outpost #49 at Christian Life Church in Columbia, where he would work toward completing his GMA, including performing a church landscaping project for his required GMA Project.  Indeed, Rangers has made Daniel “READY”!

Daniel’s GMA ceremony was held in November at Christian Life Church, where his many accomplishments in Rangers were on display, from his Straight Arrows vest to his Discovery Ranger vest with merits and Maine Yukon Day patches to his JTC beret and other trophies he earned along the way!

By Jay M. Woodward
NNED Publications Coordinator

December 10, 2011 was a special day for NNED Royal Rangers, as the new Ranger Essentials training course made its District debut at Trinity A/G in Derry, NH. 19 Ranger leaders from around the District came to this exciting new training event, which was taught by District Director Kendall Sperrey, District Training Coordinator Dana Lemieux, and Pastor Tim Haynes. Ranger Essentials, along with the new version of Ranger Basics, are major components of the Rangers Ministry Academy (RMA) and are required in order to be certified at the “Ready” Leader Level of the RMA.

As its name implies, Ranger Essentials teaches leaders about the essentials of the Rangers ministry, covering topics that include building friendships with boys, building relationships with local pastors, and giving life-changing devotions. Leaders also get a greater understanding of the direction in which the Royal Rangers ministry is heading.

By Jay M. Woodward
NNED Publications Coordinator

Ahoy, mates!  On Saturday, October 1, At The Farm in Gardiner, MA, Southern New England District Royal Rangers held their Ranger Kids Day.  It was a fun day filled with games and other activities, and the Guest Speaker was none other than NNED’s own, former district director Jerry Love, decked out in his famous pirate outfit, which was fitting for the occasion, because this was the final voyage of the USS Ranger pirate ship, which has set sail on Northern New England’s lakes in the past, the last time being the 2004 “Master and Commander” Camporee in Vermont. 

Whenever NNED has gotten into the pirate spirit, the USS Ranger has been the ship of choice!    There have been many fond memories of the ship throughout both NNED and SNED, and has played a big part in some amazing evening pageants!
  

 Rangers got to take one last ride before the ship was officially decommissioned, and who better to bid the USS Ranger farewell than Commander Jerry himself!   It made SNED’s Ranger Kids Day an event to remember!  Indeed, the USS Ranger will be gone, but not forgotten!

By Jay M. Woodward

NNED Publications Coordinator

On the weekend of August 19-21, NNED Royal Rangers held Pow Wow 2011 at Camp Bomazeen in Belgrade, Maine. Over one hundred boys and leaders from across the District’s three states came together for a time of fun, fellowship, competition, and most importantly, drawing nearer to Christ. This year’s Scripture verse was John 8:36, “He who the Son sets free is free indeed.”

For many, Pow Wow is the most anticipated event of the summer, and this year’s event didn’t disappoint! On Friday, boys and their leaders arrived, settled into their campsites, and were then able to enjoy a fun afternoon of swimming, canoeing, and kayaking! The evening services were held at the Camp’s outdoor amphitheater, with worship led by Pastor Tim Haynes, followed by leaders’ testimonies and a short devotion by this year’s Pow Wow Guest Speaker, Gerry “Moose Whisperer” Blodgett, an avid outdoorsman who is also a passionate evangelist with a heart for reaching the lost. His presence, along with his songs and many outdoor stories and testimonies, brought joy and laughter to both boys and leaders throughout the weekend!