Some of it you probably didn't need to know, but it's always a good thing to know what you do and do not need. If you know what I know and I know that you know that what I know is going to be something useful, then knowing what I know beyond a need to know basis, is accomplished.
So let's make sure you know this stuff.
Lincoln's pilgrimage 4 - 23-25
This week we will be going over our plans for next weekend's camp-out. I hope to have almost all the details finished off by the end of the meeting Monday night. Locations agreed on, menus planned and departing times set. The coming weekend as of now looks a little rainy but we are still a week out from what may or may not happen weather wise. Whatever the weather and whatever the situation we will make the best of it and make our own fun when applicable.
This week's meeting will be at Saint Marks Church starting at 7 o'clock.
If you cannot be there in person but are still going to go on next weekend's camp out I can send you a zoom link and patch you in for the planning portion of the meeting.
Summer Camp Update - (Re-post from this week's Midweek update)
A change of date
The question was brought up whether we have the ability to change the date on which week we attend summer camp. I talked to Patrick at T.F.C hq and he said that there is a site available the week of June 27th - July 3rd and another one the week of July 11th - 17th. We would not be in the Shiloh camp site but that would not be a big deal.
Summer Camp Coordinator
I need someone from the troop to step up and run point on summer camp prep. This point person would have to.
• Schedule the scouts merit badge classes.
• Collect the youth and adult medical forms.
• Coordinate travel plans to and from camp.
This coordinator does not have to attend summer camp with us but it is a plus if they attend as well. This position MUST be filled no later than May 1st. This will give that person the ability to have everything taken care of in a reasonable amount of time.
Troop leadership
In order for the troop to be able to go to summer camp (C.F.L or other) we need at least four adult leaders present during the week. The BSA requires us to have at least two registered leaders at any regular camp-out or day outing. Because summer camp is classified as an extended trip (something lasting greater than 72 hours) We would need to have three or four registered leaders present to be on the safe side. Historically speaking we always have between three and four registered leaders present at any summer camp. A registered leader is either an assistant scoutmaster or committee member who has completed the youth protection training (YPT), background check and has submitted the position specific paperwork. Just being a parent volunteer in this situation does not qualify as an adult leader.
It's that time of the month again, we're calling all to gather, around the table to listen to stories, finding out what really matters. Searching for when and who is able and thinking up new things to do, new ideas to entertain, we may need but a few. Questioning about this and that, or what you may be likely to see, It takes just a little effort, a little from you and a little from me.
We can answer all your questions, we can place them in a line, we can knock them out of the ballpark, any place any time. There's so much to talk about this week I can't fit it all in one letter, so come to our meeting this Monday night that will finally make it all better.
That being said let's get to it
Monday meeting 4 - 11 P.L.C & C.M
This month's Patrol Leader Council and Committee Meeting will be held at Saint Marks Church. The P.L.C will begin at 6p and the C.M will start directly following it at 7p.
For those of you who can't attend in person we will have the live stream running on our zoom channel. The P.L.C video will begin at 6 o'clock or shortly thereafter. The C.M video will begin at 7 o'clock or shortly thereafter. Both meetings will be streamed on the same link. The link will be attached to the bottom of this letter and I will send out a reminder an hour before the meeting tomorrow.
Topics for each meeting may include but are not limited to
I hope that everyone had a safe and happy Spring break, passover and Easter. As the Spring starts to open up our possibility pool again we will be trying to do more outside as the daylight permits. There is a good chance that if the weather cooperates we will be able to meet up at Good Templar Park starting in May with the church as a bad weather backup.
Monday meeting 4 - 5
For our Monday meeting we have a representative from the Order of the Arrow coming to our troop to discuss what Order of the Arrow is and potentially electing a few scouts from our troop to join the organization. For many of you, you will probably ask what the Order of the Arrow actually is. This is a summary as to who and what they are.
For this election to work I need all available troop one members to be at the meeting. We have a few members of the troop eligible for election and I think it would be very good of us all if we were able to give them the chance to be Order members. After elections we will be holding a personalized swearing-in ceremony for a new member of our troop. Let's officially welcome Seth by giving him the appropriate attire of troop one.
We will have a live in person meeting at St. Marks Church 7p.
Future event forecast
On April 17th the Ottawa district will be holding a Spring-er-all day outing at Camp Big Timber. The troop has two options that we need to make a decision on as of our meeting tomorrow Monday. We have been asked to run the pancake toss booth. Troop 14 has also invited us to participate in the event itself. So, we need to make the decision whether we are just going to run the pancake toss or, run the pancake toss and participate in this event
Having the honor to welcome new scouts into our troop is a privilege that I always enjoy. Every new scout that joins brings with them a new sense of excitement and energy. Long after the brag vest is turned in for the merit badge sash and the numbers on the shoulder are switched around you find a new adventure with people you didn't even expect to meet. Placing yourself in a whole new environment and finding out that you are not only making it work but thriving at it.
I want to thank everyone that was able to come to the camp-out this past weekend. For the 1st time in over a year we finally got a chance to go camping. We were able to complete a lot while we where up at the cabin this weekend. There is still more to do but we at least got a big portion of it done. If the spring continues to open up for us April will be better and May may be even better still.
