Weekly Post, November 2, 2014
Post date: Nov 2, 2014 8:41:38 PM
Hello Troop 737,
Congratulations to the Diamondbacks, the winner of last week’s fire starting contest. They used the steel wool and battery method along with some good organization. Well done Diamondbacks!!
Thanks to the 16 scouts who participated in yesterday’s leadership training. I think we all learned something and had a good time doing it. A special thanks to Mason Force and Mr. Osborn for helping with the training. Also, thank you to Mr. Plaehn and Mr. Westfall for bringing lunch.
For Monday’s meeting the new PLC has planned a search and rescue simulation. Please dress appropriately (snow?) and bring headlamps or flashlights. We will also be doing campout prep for this weekend’s Survival Campout. All scouts and adults who plan on going should attend. We will start campout prep between 7:30 and 7:45.
Sean Kraemer is organizing a five mile hike, especially for Trail to First scouts, but anyone is welcome to join. Meet at West Parking Lot (Buffalo Park Road) at Alderfer 3-Sisters at 12:30 P.M. on Saturday, November 15, 2014. We will complete Second Class Requirement: 1b, five mile hike. We may complete Second Class Requirement: 6, identify 10 animals and First Class Requirements: 6, identify 10 plants. Please bring the 10 essentials, a compass, and please eat lunch before the hike. The hike will end at about 4:00 P.M. Thank you Sean and Mr. Kraemer for organizing this outing.
See Merit Badge College info below.
REMINDER To be included in the Troop 737 group text messages, text @troop737 to (303) 625-7829. This is mainly for Scouts but parents are welcome to join. You can opt-out of messages at any time by replying, ‘unsubscribe @troop737’.
The Troop plans for the Boundary Waters is firming up. The dates are 6/9/15-6/18/15, which includes one travel day each way to/from Minnesota. The final cost will be determined after we buy group-plane tickets, which won't be until spring, 2015, but the total cost will be about $900 per person. A deposit will be needed by 12/1/14 (expect about $100 down). This is a trip NOT to be missed by any Scouts at 14 ages or above (13 years old is allowed with a parent). Sign-up forms will be at Troop 737 meetings on Mondays...we need to start collecting names so 1) we know there is interest, and 2) to show commitment to that interest. Don't wait long - the trip as a number limit!
Make sure you pick up your special scout coupon for Dicks Sporting Goods.
Upcoming signup deadlines
TONIGHT!! November 3 Survival campout
Boundary Waters sign up now see above. First payment due December 1st.
Scoutmaster Minute Review
Have you ever been faced with a situation where there really wasn’t a clear right answer? Most decisions these days involve at least some gray area. There are very few black and white answers. Last week we talked about trying to do the right thing for the right reason and I encouraged you to think about the scout oath and law. Here is another tool to help you make decisions; it is called the
Four Way Test
In all the things we think, say or do:
1. Is it the Truth?
2. Is it Fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build good will and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
When considering your everyday actions I encourage you to think about the scout oath and law as well as the Four Way Test, especially when faced with a tough decision.
NOTE: Four Way Test business cards were handed out to all scouts and adults. If you would like one also please let me know.
Here is a list of upcoming events:
You can always check out the full schedule on the Troop website at: https://sites.google.com/a/themountaintroop.org/troop-737-home/troop-calendar
November 3 Troop Meeting 6:30 – 8pm Service patrol is the Titans. Please show up 15 minutes early to help set up. Search and Rescue simulation and campout prep for Survival Campout. We will be outside so dress appropriately and bring headlamps.
November 7 - 9 Survival campout Leave 5pm Friday return Sunday 1pm. Come learn survival skills and
earn your survival merit badge.
November 13 Program Comittee meeting 6:30 pm ELC All adults are welcome. We will go over the upcoming activities.
November 13 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.
November 10 Troop Meeting 6:30 – 8pm Service patrol is the Titans. Please show up 15 minutes early to help set up. Advancement night.
November 17 Troop Meeting 6:30 – 8pm Service patrol is the Titans. Please show up 15 minutes early to help set up. Career Night.
November 24 No Meeting Thanksgiving break
December 6 Winter Camp Training ( 8:30am – 3pm ELC Any Scouts or adults who want to go winter camping must attend this training. The leadership team has been asked numerous times to make an exception to this rule and we have turned it down every time. We want everyone’s winter camp experience, especially the first one, to be a good one. This is a very informative and worthwhile training.
December 12 Wulff Lock-in ( 9pm – Saturday 7am Wulff Rec Center This is always one of the most well liked events of the year. We are looking for a HALO (Head Adult Leader Organizer) for this event.
January 16 -18 Camp Alexander Cabin Trip Leave 5pm Friday return late on Sunday (no school on Monday). We have rented a cabin that sleeps 24. Activities include broom hockey, sledding and plenty of hiking/snow shoeing. There is Ice Climbing available for scouts 13 and older for an extra $32 but we need to sign up fairly soon.
As Scoutmaster of a very active troop, I am constantly being approached about our troop helping out in the community. The troop policy has been to give our Eagle projects the priority over any other service opportunities. Instead of bombarding you all with these other opportunities I will keep a list and if a scout wants to participate in a service project or he needs service hours for rank advancement, he can email me for the list.
2014 Frontier District Merit Badge College
Welcome to the 2014 Frontier District Merit Badge College. This years event will be held on five different dates, November 8, 15, 20, 21 and 22. The classes on November 21 will be held from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and on November 22 from 7:00 am to 4:30 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Building, 2710 S. Monaco Parkway, Denver CO.
Cost is $15 per Scout, with your paid registration, before October 1, 2014. On the morning of 10/1/14 a late fee of $5 will be assessed for registrations created and/or paid after that date. Registration closes on October 24, 2014. After that date, you can walk- in. Cost for walk-in's will be $25 and classes will be severely limited as 99% of Scouts register and pay online before Merit Badge College.
Here is a listing of the off-campus classes that are available throughout the month of November.
November 8, 2014 Classes
November 15, 2014 Classes
November 20, 2014 Class
Stay Tuned! Valley District Merit Badge College 11/8/2014