Weekly Post, May 4, 2014

Post date: May 5, 2014 1:10:44 AM

Hello Troop 737

I just returned from the Eagle Court of Honor for Josh Sperry and Cole Wagenhals. What a great event! Congratulations go out to the Sperry and Wagenhals families, and especially to Josh and Cole. Well done guys!!

I think last week’s advancement night went quite well. I know I signed a lot of blue cards. Thanks to Mrs. Osborn, our Merit Badge Coordinator, for organizing the evening and to all the merit badge counselors who worked with our scouts.

Tomorrow night the theme will be knots. The plan is to have the patrols work on knots for about 45 minutes. Then we will conduct a knot relay. We will also be conducting a few games outside so please dress appropriately.

Tomorrow night is also the last time that advancements need to be entered into the advancement computer to be included in the upcoming Court of Honor.

Reminder that we have the church clean up and Troop garage and trailer organization on Saturday starting at 8:30. Please bring rakes with your name on them and work gloves.

I am sorry, but I am going to have to cancel the raft trip at the end of this month. We need to use that day, May 31, for our annual planning meeting. Come and shape the program and outings for the next year. This meeting is for scouts only but if anyone, including adults, has suggestions for programs or potential outings for next year, please email me. I will put them before the scouts and they will ultimately make up the schedule.

Upcoming signup deadlines

Sand Dunes Campout May 16 – 18 See below

Summer camp This is a not to be missed experience, where scouts can earn merit badges, learn scout skills, great fellowship with other scouts and have a great time. Sign up now and the earlier you pay the cheaper the fee. The in-state camp, Dietler at Peaceful Valley, is for first and second year scouts and all other scout who cannot go to Idaho. The date for this camp is July 6 – 12. We are looking for an HALO (Head Adult Leader Organizer) for this trip.

Island Park Camp in Idaho is for third year and above scouts. The date for this camp is July 19 – 27. All the scouts who have gone to this camp in the past have loved it. The first scouts to sign up and pay will get to go. When we fill up we will not be able to take any more.

Here is a list of upcoming events:

May 5 Troop Meeting 6:30 – 8pm Knots Service patrol is the Diamondbacks. Please show up 15 minutes early to help set up. The plan is to have the patrols work on knots for about 45 minutes. Then we will conduct a knot relay. Crows and Cranes outside.

May 8 Assistant Scoutmaster and upcoming HALO’s meeting 6:30 pm ELC All adults are welcome. We will go over the upcoming activities.

May 8 Troop Committee meeting 7:15pm ELC All adults are welcome. This is when the business of the Troop is discussed. There are quite a few open positions on the committee.

May 10, 2014 Church Cleanup and Garage/Trailer reorganization 8:30am – 12 Help our Charter organization clean up the church grounds. Once we have that completed we will be reorganizing the Troop trailer and garage. We need to get organized for the upcoming campouts and summer camps.

May 12 Troop Meeting 6:30 – 8pm Search and Rescue Dogs demonstration Service patrol is the Diamondbacks. Please show up 15 minutes early to help set up. Come see this very cool demonstration. Sharks and Minnows

May 16 - 18 Sand Dunes Campout Leave around 6pm on Friday and be back at ELC between 3 – 4 pm Sunday. This campout is a family campout so all parents and siblings are welcome to join us. This is a very unique place that is a lot of fun. Some of the potential activities include: climbing the dunes, running, skiing or boarding down the dunes, playing in the creek in front of the dunes, checking out all the cool bugs or just hanging out with your friends. There are also potential side trips to Zapata Falls, Sand Dunes Hot Springs Pool and the Alligator Farm. We have found a group campsite at the entrance to the Dunes but it is a little expensive. Total cost for the trip will be around $40 including food and gas. Campers and RVs are allowed in the campground but there are no hookups and it may be difficult to find a level spot.

May 19 Troop Meeting 6:30 – 8pm Court of Honor Service patrol is the Diamondbacks. Please show up 15 minutes early to help set up. All scouts who have achieved a new rank or merit badges since our last Court of Honor will be recognized. All parents are encouraged to come, especially Mothers.

May 31, 2014 Annual Troop Planning Meeting 9am – noon Come and shape the program and outings for the next year. If anyone, including adults, have suggestions for programs or potential outings for next year please email me. I will put them before the scouts and they will ultimately make up the schedule.

· Other important dates: .

· June 20 – July 2 Philmont If you have signed up for Philmont, the first and second payments are due now. We still do have room so if you are at all interested, please sign up or contact me or Mr. Riley. Philmont is one of the premier scouting events of any scout’s career. All of the scouts and adults who went last time had an awesome time and highly recommend that everyone should take advantage of this opportunity. Troop 737 was VERY lucky to get a chance to go again so quickly. There is a very good chance that if you are 14 or older, you may not get another chance to go Philmont. If cost is an issue, please contact me and we will see what we can work out.

· Summer camps:

o July 6 – 12 Camp Dietler and Peaceful Valley Colorado

o July 19 – 27 Camp Island Park in Idaho