Weekly Post, March 1, 2015

Post date: Mar 1, 2015 10:40:34 PM

Hello Troop 737,

We had a great New Scout and Parent Orientation this Saturday. We have an awesome group of scouts and parents coming on board. Thanks to all the scout trainers, Morgan Force, Adicus Pond, Chance Palmer, Jon Landin, Graham Dixon and Hayden Brown. Also thank you to all the adult presenters; Michael Johnson, Wendy Barber, Steve Landin and especially Dan Osborn who updated the presentation. I also wanted to thank Christy Pond for dealing with lunch, Tracy Hanson, our uniform coordinator, for equipping out new scouts and Art Gutierrez for staying overnight with us among other things. Thanks everyone … it was a real team effort.

This Monday we will be holding Troop elections. All scouts needing leadership positions for advancement need to sign up. If you cannot attend this meeting and need leadership positions please email me and we can work out something.

Monday night we will also be holding OA (Order of the Arrow) elections. We need to have a majority of scouts in attendance to have qualified elections, so please be there.

Next Saturday, March 7, we will be conducting Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) training. This is for all incoming and outgoing leaders.

Also on March 7, from 1 -3, there will be a Boundary Waters meeting. Attention 14 to 18 year old scouts. We have had a few people drop out so we really need some more scouts and adults to sign up. Don’t miss this trip of a lifetime!! There is some scholarship money available. Please contact me or Mr. Ballantyne. More info below.

Family Life merit badge

Thanks to all Scouts who attended the kickoff meeting for Family Life merit badge on 9 February. If you are interested, but did not attend, you may still sign up. For the next meeting on 9 March, we will have a 10-minute group conversation, followed by one-on-one time where Scouts can get signed off on requirements after they ‘demonstrate’ they know the material. If you have any questions or need, help, please e-mail Mr. Mills at victormills@mac.com and put ‘Family Life’ in the subject line of the e-mail. Have fun with your chores sheet!

Medicine Mountain Summer Camp in South Dakota. It turns out that I had the wrong information. If participants get their full payment in by March 15^th you will still be able to go to this great camp. There was also a misprint in my previous emails the total cost is $270 for early bird scout price. In addition to the typical scout camp activities this camp has a special program for high adventure that includes backpacking, mountain biking, rock climbing, caving and COPE. There is an extra cost for these activities. Check out the website for more information. A couple of other interesting aspects of this camp are that there are no camp activities scheduled for Wednesday. Participants are encouraged to go check out the sites of the Black Hills. Also there is a family camp just outside the scout camp where families can set up camp including RVs. This out of state camp is for scouts who are currently in the seventh grade and above. The dates are July 12 – 18. We currently have 8 scouts and 3 adults signed up to go. There is room for up to 25. So talk to you buddies and sign up! http://mountain.blackhillsbsa.org/

Camp Alexander in Colorado. This camp is located west of Colorado Springs near Lake George. We went to this camp in January and it looks great. There is a nice swimming pool, large lake, great shooting ranges and a Kiva for ceremonies. All new scouts and anyone who cannot make it to the SD camp are encouraged to go to this camp. We have reserved a campsite for the week of July 26 – August 1 that will accommodate up to 27 people total. See payment schedule 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’.

Upcoming signup deadlines

NOW Boundary Waters sign up now see below. We still have open spots for Boundary Waters. Where are all the 14 to 18 year old scouts? Don’t miss this chance of a lifetime! See info below

March 9 for Troop 737 Ski Day on March 14 to Loveland Ski Area

Scoutmaster Minute Review

Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) no Scoutmaster minute

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

March 2 Troop meeting 6:30 – 8pm Service patrol is the Spartans. Please show up 15 minutes early to help set up. ELC Troop Elections and OA elections

March 7 Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) training and Patrol Leader’s Council (PLC) meeting ( 9am – 12:30pm ELC All outgoing and incoming scout leaders will be expected to attend this training. We will be doing a shorten version of ILST training. Only snacks will be provided.

March 7 Boundary Waters meeting ( 1pm – 3pm ELC. Attention 14 to 18 year old scouts. We have had a few people drop out so we really need some more scouts and adults to sign up. Don’t miss this trip of a lifetime!! There is some scholarship money available. Please contact me or Mr. Ballantyne. More info below.

March 9 Troop meeting 6:30 – 8pm Service patrol is the Spartans. Please show up 15 minutes early to help set up. ELC Advancement night.

March 16 Troop meeting 6:30 – 8pm Service patrol is the Spartans. Please show up 15 minutes early to help set up. ELC Game night and Knot relay.

March 12 Program Comittee meeting 6:30 pm ELC All adults are welcome. We will go over the upcoming activities. Meet in the basement in the room under the sanctuary.

March 12 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.

March 14 Troop 737 Ski Day at Loveland Ski Area, see more info below

March 21 - 30 Spring Break Family Camping trip to Fruita See more info below.

March 30 Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) meeting 6:30 – 8pm ELC If you are a Patrol Leader or in a troop leadership position please come and help plan the upcoming Troop activities. If you are a Patrol Leader and you cannot make it to this meeting you need to talk to your assistant Patrol Leader or someone in your Patrol so that all Patrols are represented at the PLC.

Troop 737 Ski Day @ Loveland Ski Area- happening on Saturday, 3/14/15

Child (ages 6-14) @ $25

Youth (ages 15-18) @ $35

Adult (ages 19+) @ $40

This year, eligible attendees include all scouts, plus any parents and siblings that are experienced skiers (with their own equipment!) and, we must have a minimum of 20 “pre-paid” scouts/attendees registered in order to get these low rates.

We can try to do the merit badge paperwork prior to, or after the actual ski day, so as to allow more time for fun on the slopes! As most all know, Loveland is only about an hour west on I-70 and is easy to get into and out of. Meals/drinks will be your own responsibility and food can easily be carried in Tupperware/backpacks (and drinks in cans/bottles) to protect it.

Please sign up as soon as you can so that we can gauge troop interest as we still have to make our Troop reservation in advance of our trip.

Kindly yours,

Pete Schiffers & Alex Eves

(co-HALOs for this event)

Spring Break

It’s time again to start planning for this year’s spring break trip. The committee has decided that we will have a more open and flexible spring break trip this year. We will start in Fruita CO, at the JAMES M. ROBB-COLORADO RIVER STATE PARK - FRUITA SECTION, CO and then if individual families want to go on to Utah or elsewhere then can come and go as they wish. Individual scouts can be accommodated if they have another family take them as a member of that family while on the trip. We will not be making group reservations anywhere, and there is no sign up. If you want to participate, go on the website to reserve a camping site. Remember, the James Robb State Park has about five locations, two with camping. You want to be sure that you reserve at the Fruita Section. There are three types of camping sites at the Fruita Section:

Tent Camping; $16 per night, 1 tent and 6 people maximum. Each site has a picnic table with nearby water, flush toilets and showers.
Electric/Water sites for tent, car or trailer camping; $20 per night. Flush toilets and showers are nearby. 1 trailer and a tent, or two tents, two vehicles and a maximum of 6 people.
Full hookups; $24 per night. Same restrictions as the electric/water sites.

Note: the water at camp sites is sometimes still turned off during spring break, depending on the prevailing temperatures. I have been there when it has been on the entire time, off for the first part of the week and off for the whole time. However, there is always water at the entrance to the campground. Bring jugs just in case.

Online reservation system: http://coloradostateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/james-m-robbcolorado-river-state-park--fruita-section/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=CO&parkId=50069

Stare Park Information: http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/JamesMRobbColoradoRiver/Pages/default.aspx

What to do in Fruita:

Colorado National Monument: Hiking, road biking and touring one of the most beautiful landmarks in Colorado.
Hiking along the Colorado River.
Mountain biking on the Kokopelli trails and the Book Cliffs. This is world class biking for every skill level, from the never have done it, to the experts.
Fishing in the Colorado River or better, in the park lakes that are stocked annually.
Canoeing, rafting and boating on Colorado River. This is generally considered an expert level activity. If you have never done this on the river, you need to consider your skill level.

I will be camping at Fruita for the entire spring break with my family. We will be at camp site #041 starting on Saturday, so check-in with me when you get there and we can make plans. I will show you where the bike trails are, arrange a hike in the desert, and otherwise help set you up on any type of activity you can think of. I have spent many spring breaks in Fruita and know the area pretty well.

Let me know if you have any questions, and if you have any interest in participating. I would like to try to keep track of interest so I can share that information with the troop.

Hope to see you in Fruita CO this spring break.

Cary Hoffman

Summer camps.

Sign up early and make your payments. The troop will not be fronting costs. If you do not make your payments on time you will not get the early discounts and you may not be able to go. There is plenty of time for scouts to make money for summer camp. If money is an issue please contact me, we can make it happen

For the out of state we will be going to Medicine Mountain Scout camp in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This is for scouts who are currently in the seventh grade and above. The dates are July 12 – 18. We have reserve a total of 25 spots. The first 20 scouts who sign up and pay the deposit will be set to go. The other 5 spots are for adults. We are looking for a HALO (Head Adult Leader Organizer) to head up this group. Here is a YouTube video about the camp. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EEWMdCk6uY

Medicine Mountain Scout Ranch in SD – July 12 – 18 Maximum 25 total slots

Deposit due at initial sign-up scouts $10.00

Deposit due at initial sign-up adults $5.00

Early Bird Scout Price Due March 15, 2015 total $270 after initial deposit $260

Early Bird Adult Price Due March 15, 2015 total $100 after initial deposit $90

Standard Scout Price Due May 1, 2015 total $295 after initial deposit $285

Standard Adult Price Due May 1, 2015 total $125 after initial deposit $115

Late Scout Price After May 2, 2015 total $320 after initial deposit $310

Late Adult Price After May 2, 2015 total $150 after initial deposit $140

Include all merit badge costs

NOTE: This does not include transportation and food costs to and from camp.

The instate camp which is for all Scouts is Camp Alexander, which is about 45 miles west of Colorado Springs. The dates for this camp are July 26 – August 1. We have signed up for a campsite that accommodates 21 to 27 people. So again, first come first serve. Here is a video about Camp Alexander https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lfDd-s9_AkQ See costs and payment dates below.

Camp Alexander in Colorado – July 26 – August 1 Maximum 27 slots

Total Costs Scout $320 Adult $235

Payment Schedule:

Initial deposit due upon sign-up $35

Due January 5, 2015 $75 per camper

Due March 2, 2015 $100 per camper

All remaining fees due April 27, 2015 $110 per scout, $25 per adult

Some merit badge costs are extra.

Boundary Waters: It is time to make your deposit of $100 so that the planning can start on crew make-up, transportation and entry points. As it now stands we have 19…only 8 scouts and 11 adults.. (Isn’t this supposed to be a trip for the older Scouts?). Parents need to understand and encourage the older scouts to attend.. where are all the 14-16 year old Scouts… It is the best way to keep those older scouts in Scouting and moving towards achieving Eagle. We need at least 5 more scouts to sign up so we can have 3 full crews of 8. The deadline has been extended to January 1^st. Please sign up or let me let me know if you are interested. 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).

Big Horn Training. This is the preeminent Boy Scout leadership training. All the scouts that have attended this training have had a great time and found the training to be invaluable. All scouts who are 13 years old or older and have achieved at First Class can attend. I know I wish I had the opportunity to take this training when I was in school. Here is a link for more info: http://www.denverboyscouts.org/openrosters/view_homepage.aspx?orgkey=1897

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.