Scout Notes - Monday, August 31, 2009

Swim Certification

Congratulations to those of you that completed the swim certification. Everyone should be good-to-go for our Illinois River Float Trip in September.

Meeting Schedule

Monday, August 31^st –

Troop Meeting – We will meet at 7:00pm for our regular meeting. Some things to remember:

Books – Bring your Scout Books so that we may work on advancement. This is especially critical for first year Scouts.

Ropes – Let’s get back on track with learning a new knot each week.

Hornaday Weekend – Let’s make sure that we have our gear ready.

Monday, September 7^th – Labor Day. No Troop Meeting.

Monday, September 14^th – We will be prepping for our Illinois River Float Trip. This will include meal planning as well as gathering Troop equipment.

Foosball Table – The table is up and running.

Upcoming Activities

Van Training – We will be holding FUMC Van Training on Saturday, August 29^th from 13:00 – 16:00 in the Scout Hut. This training is open to all adults in the Troop over the age of 21. As active as our Troop is, we need as many certified adults as possible. Please be sure to bring a paper copy of your driver’s license and vehicle insurance card. Mr. Southwick will be our instructor.

Eskimo Joe’s Scouting Adventure – Originally scheduled for Saturday, August 29^th, at Eskimo Joe’s, this event has been postponed. Stay tuned for the rescheduled date.

Life to Eagle Workshop – If you’re a Life Scout, please plan to attend this workshop. It walks you through what’s necessary to attain your Eagle rank. It will be held in the Scout Hut at 7:00pm on Tuesday, September 8^th.

Hornaday Weekend – Scheduled for September 11-13 at Will Rogers Scout Reservation. This is a great opportunity to get in some camping as well as up to three merit badges on Saturday. Some of the merit badges offered will include: Energy, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Forestry, Gardening, Landscape Architecture, Insect Study, Nuclear Science, Plant Science, Pulp and Paper and Soil and Water Conservation. Stay tuned as more opportunities are being added. Meals will be provided with Mrs. Duck as the chef. Yipeeeee! The cost is $40 per participant and the permission slips are due on Monday, August 31^st for the early bird rate. The permission slip is on our website. Mr. Gragg will be the Scoutmaster in charge.

Illinois River Float Trip – Scheduled for September 19-20. Anna Hawks has agreed to be the Scoutmaster in Charge. A permission slip is posted on the Website and was handed out last week. Please get these slips in early so that we may get counts to reserve the kayaks.

Popcorn Sales – I have the date of September 21^st as the start date for popcorn sales. Begin warning friends and family that you’ll be coming around as this is our one funds gathering initiative that supports our Council and your camping adventures.

Please also note that we’ve switched popcorn suppliers, from Trail’s End to CampMasters. I had a chance to sample some of the new popcorn and I personally give it a “thumbs up.” There will be greater variety and the taste is much better. There are also magazine coupons that we’ll be selling, which will be new.

OA Fall Fellowship – I have tentative dates of September 25-27 for the fellowship and ordeal.

Leader Specific Training – This will be held in the Scout Hut for any of our new leaders on Saturday, September 26^th. Cost is $5 per person. Training will begin at 10:00am.

Camp & Canoe Outing – We will be holding a camp and canoe weekend at Lake McMurtry on October 10^th and 11^th on the West Side. Note, this is the other side of the lake from where we do Webelos Weekend. Our plan is to start the day with a 5 mile hike and then spend the balance of Saturday canoeing to finish off the merit badge and have some fun. The permission slip will be out shortly. Mr. Shanahan will be the Scoutmaster in charge.

Scout Notes - Monday, August 24, 2009

Scout Hut Cleanup

Tip of the hat to everyone that helped clean up the Scout Hut on Monday evening. It had been quite a while since we had been in the facility and you did a bang up job of getting it back into shape.

Meeting Schedule

Monday, August 24^th –

Troop Meeting – We will meet at 7:00pm for our regular meeting. Some things to remember:

Books – Bring your Scout Books so that we may work on advancement. This is especially critical for first year Scouts.

Swim Gear – Some of you still need to pass your swim test. If you need this, please come to the meeting with your swimsuit and a towel. We’ll go to the YMCA during the meeting for a quick test. Remember, this is needed for the Float Trip and advancement.

Ropes – Let’s get back in the habit of bringing our ropes and working on a knot a week.

Monday, August 31^st - Regular Troop Meeting at 7:00pm. Will focus on advancement as well as prep for the Hornaday Weekend campout.

Monday, September 7^th – Labor Day. No Troop Meeting.

Monday, September 14^th – We will be prepping for our Illinois River Float Trip. This will include meal planning as well as gathering Troop equipment.

Foosball Table – The table is now in the Hut and I hope to have the handles reinstalled shortly. Thanks to all that signed the thank you card.

Upcoming Activities

Van Training – We will be holding FUMC Van Training on Saturday, August 29^th from 13:00 – 16:00 in the Scout Hut. This training is open to all adults in the Troop over the age of 21. As active as our Troop is, we need as many certified adults as possible. Please be sure to bring a paper copy of your driver’s license and vehicle insurance card. Mr. Southwick will be our instructor.

Eskimo Joe’s Scouting Adventure – At 11:00am on Saturday, August 29^th, at Eskimo Joe’s there will be a rally for the rollout of a new Joe’s t-shirt celebrating the 100^th anniversary of Scouting. Pepsi product will be supplied to all attendees. If you’re able, please come in uniform.

Life to Eagle Workshop – If you’re a Life Scout, please plan to attend this workshop. It walks you through what’s necessary to attain your Eagle rank. It will be held in the Scout Hut at 7:00pm on Tuesday, September 8^th.

Hornaday Weekend – Scheduled for September 11-13 at Will Rogers Scout Reservation. This is a great opportunity to get in some camping as well as up to three merit badges on Saturday. Some of the merit badges offered will include: Energy, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Forestry, Gardening, Landscape Architecture, Insect Study, Nuclear Science, Plant Science, Pulp and Paper and Soil and Water Conservation. Stay tuned as more opportunities are being added. Meals will be provided with Mrs. Duck as the chef. Yipeeeee! Although I don’t have the firm cost yet, I’m told that it will be about $40 per participant. The permission slip will be out shortly. Mr. Gragg will be the Scoutmaster in charge.

Illinois River Float Trip – Scheduled for September 19-20. Anna Hawks has agreed to be the Scoutmaster in Charge, but I believe we still need a second adult. We will also most likely be joined by the Perkin’s Troop as they need this trip to complete a merit badge. A permission slip is posted on the Website and was handed out last week. Please get these slips in early so that we may get counts to reserve the kayaks.

Popcorn Sales – I have a the date of September 21^st as the start date for popcorn sales. Begin warning friends and family that you’ll be coming around as this is our one funds gathering initiative that supports our Council and your camping adventures.

Please also note that we’ve switched popcorn suppliers, from Trail’s End to CampMasters. I had a chance to sample some of the new popcorn and I personally give it a “thumbs up.” There will be greater variety and the taste is much better. There are also magazine coupons that we’ll be selling, which will be new.

OA Fall Fellowship – I have tentative dates of September 25-27 for the fellowship and ordeal.

Leader Specific Training – This will be held in the Scout Hut for any of our new leaders on Saturday, September 26^th. Cost is $5 per person. Training will begin at 10:00am.

Scout Notes - Monday, August 17, 2009

FUMC Playground Cleanup

I received a very hearty “Thank You” from Chris Ward to everyone that assisted with the cleanup of the FUMC Playground during our last meeting. Job well done!

Meeting Schedule

Monday, August 17^th –

Committee Meeting – This will be held at 6:00pm in the Scout Hut. All adult leaders and the SPL are invited. This is a critical meeting as we’ll begin to form our activity calendar for the new Scouting Year. Note: Updated draft calendars have been uploaded onto our website.

Board of Review candidates need to arrive at 6:30pm in full Class A Uniform.

Troop Meeting – We will meet at 7:00pm for our regular meeting. Please bring your books so that we may work or sign-off on activities.

Foosball Table Donation – I’m still working on the disassembly of the table so that we may move it into the Hut. I will bring a thank you card to our meeting on the 17^th for everyone to sign.

Upcoming Activities

Illinois River Float Trip – Scheduled for September 19-20. Anna Hawks has agreed to be the Scoutmaster in Charge, but I believe we still need a second adult. We will also most likely be joined by the Perkin’s Troop as they need this trip to complete a merit badge. A permission slip is posted on the Website and was handed out last week. Please get these slips in early so that we may get counts to reserve the kayaks.

Popcorn Sales – I have a tentative date of September 21^st as the start date for popcorn sales. This will be confirmed as we kick off our new year. Begin warning friends and family that you’ll be coming around as this is our one funds gathering initiative that supports our Council and your camping adventures.

OA Fall Fellowship – I have tentative dates of September 25-27 for the fellowship and ordeal.

Scout Notes - Monday, August 10, 2009

Saturday Service – Skyline Recycling Center Cleanup

We will be meeting at the Skyline Recycling Center on Saturday, August 8^th at 10:00am for our periodic cleanup activities. Each Scout should show up in Class B Uniform and bring work gloves, brooms, dustpans, and trash bags. We will pickup the area and assist any customers with their recyclables. In addition to the recycling area, we’ll also pickup around the school.

Meeting Schedule

Monday, August 10^th – Troop Meeting at the Scout Hut. Please come dressed in your Class B uniform. We will be helping the FUMC prepare their preschool playground for the upcoming school year. Will involve the movement of playground sand, bush trimming and a thorough washing of the toddler area. In addition to Class B’s, please also bring work gloves. We will also need volunteers to bring the following: Wheelbarrows and shovels for the sand, hedge trimmers, loppers, and one/two long garden hoses. Please let me know if you’ll be able to supply any of these items. I will plan to leave one wheelbarrow and hose in the canoe garage.

Monday, August 17^th – Committee Meeting at 6:00pm in the Scout Hut with Troop Meeting at 7:00pm. Board of Review candidates need to arrive at 6:30pm in full Class A Uniform.

Foosball Table Donation – I’m pleased to announce that Ted Dempsey has donated a very nice Foosball Table to the Troop for installation in the Scout Hut. Ted is a former Boy Scout that I work with who fondly remembers his time in Scouting and Philmont. I presently have the table in my garage where it’ll need to be disassembled so that we may move it in the Hut’s door. I will bring a thank you card to our meeting on the 17^th for everyone to sign.

Upcoming Activities

Illinois River Float Trip – Scheduled for September 19-20. This will be a topic of discussion at the Committee Meeting so that we may begin the formal planning. We will also most likely be joined by the Perkin’s Troop as they need this trip to complete a merit badge. A tentative permission slip is posted on the Website, but be aware that the cost may change as I’m working with the outfitter to gain favorable pricing.

Popcorn Sales – I have a tentative date of September 21^st as the start date for popcorn sales. This will be confirmed as we kick off our new year. Begin warning friends and family that you’ll be coming around as this is our one funds gathering initiative that supports our Council and your camping adventures.

OA Fall Fellowship – I have tentative dates of September 25-27 for the fellowship and ordeal.

My Schedule – I will be traveling on business on Monday, August 10^th, but should be back in town for the Committee and Troop Meeting on the 17^th.

Scout Notes - Monday, August 3, 2009

Philmont Trek – We’ve returned from Philmont, fresh with stories about the vistas we saw and perils we experienced. Check our website for raw photos from the trek and see one of the participants for stories. Although we faced some serious challenges, I believe everyone had a good time and is glad that they were able to conquer the trek.

Meeting Schedule

Monday, August 3rd – We will plan to hold our meeting on the East Side of Lake McMurtry where we’ll be using our canoes again.

Note: Bring your books to the lake for Summer Camp Sign-offs.

Monday, August 10^th – Troop Meeting at the Scout Hut. Please come dressed in your Class B uniform. We will be helping the FUMC prepare their preschool playground for the upcoming school year. Will involve the movement of playground sand, bush trimming and a thorough washing of the toddler area. In addition to Class B’s, please also bring work gloves. We will also need volunteers to bring the following: Wheelbarrows for the sand, hedge trimmers, loppers, and one/two long garden hoses.

Monday, August 17^th – Committee Meeting at 6:00pm in the Scout Hut with Troop Meeting at 7:00pm.

Upcoming Activities

Illinois River Float Trip – Tentatively scheduled for September 19-20. This will be a topic of discussion at the Committee Meeting so that we may begin planning. We will also most likely be joined by the Perkin’s Troop as they need this trip to complete a merit badge.

Popcorn Sales – I have a date of September 21^st as the start date for popcorn sales. This will be confirmed as we kick off our new year.

OA Fall Fellowship – I have tentative dates of September 25-27 for the fellowship and ordeal.