I hope everyone had a chance to partake in this weekend's fantastic weather. Hopefully we will see the same scenario play out next weekend as we go for our camp Indian Trails camp out. As we move further into spring and more things become available we as a troop can reincorporate many of the interesting things that we had hoped to do last year but couldn't. Hikes, trips and even the unconventional meeting idea are all on the table. Some of the strangest meeting ideas turn out to be the most interesting times. Let me know what's on your mind and let's see if we can't turn it into something the group could really get into.
Monday Meeting 3 - 15
At this week's meeting we will be going over the upcoming camp out and menu planning.
IMPORTANT -
March Camp-out - Camp Indian Trails - re-post
(just in case you have not seen this yet)
There are two major updates for our March camp out. It is confirmed that the cabin in Gilberts WILL NOT be able to host us this spring. Therefore, we will be switching the location to Camp Indian Trails just north of Janesville WI.
The cabin that I was able to rent sleeps 28. It also has plenty of room both inside and outside if you would prefer tent camping. Please note: Most of our 3rd years need at least one night in a tent that they have pitched in order to qualify for 2nd class. This would complete that requirement.
We all know our March camp out will most definitely be different than any we've had in the past. This year it will be a combination of our electronics camp-out and our spring kick off camp out. We will be allowing scouts to bring any games they want with them on this camp-out. Any electronic, board game or card games they would like to bring is fair game. The weekend will be a mixture of scout skills and games. I believe everyone will be able to get something done and if I am correct could qualify for a rank advancement by the end of the month. I will need a volunteer to pull the trailer for us.
Is it spring when the snow starts to melt or is it spring when the daylight gets longer? Is it spring when you can start to see the flowers come up or is it spring when you can see the grass again? Is it spring when you can go out without a heavy coat and not freeze or is it spring when you can clean your car's carpet and realize how much junk is on it. All of these questions and more will not be answered in tonight's letter. I just ask these questions because I have writer's block and need a filler and opening.
So lets get to it.
Monday meeting 3 - 8 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 committee meeting 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
New fundraising possibilities
New meeting events and locations
camping, when, where, how.
March Camp-out - Camp Indian Trails / update
There are two major updates for our March camp out. It is confirmed that the cabin in Gilberts WILL NOT be able to host us this spring. Therefore, we will be switching the location to camp Indian Trail's just north of Janesville WI.
The cabin that I was able to rent sleeps 28 and has plenty of room both inside and outside if you would prefer tent camping. Please note: Most of our 3rd years need at least one night in a tent that they have pitched in order to qualify for 2nd class. This would complete that requirement. As of now(3-7) we will be the only troop in the camp on that weekend.
We all know our March camp out will most definitely be different than any that we've had in the past. This year it will be a combination of our electronics camp-out and our spring kick off camp out. We will be allowing scouts to bring any games they want with them on this camp-out. Any electronic, board or card games they would like to bring is fair game. The weekend will be a mixture of scout skills and games. I believe everyone will be able to get something done and if I am correct could qualify for a rank advancement by the end of the month. I will need a volunteer to pull the trailer for us.
Spring break - repost
Because this year will be still tight on traveling I would like to know if each family is going to be around for spring break. If a majority of our families are going to be local for spring break a suggestion that was made was we have a field meeting at the Museum of Science and Industry. The museum in trying to reopen has done some very ingenious things to get themselves back in business. Last year when we went to the field museum the boys in attendance were able to earn a rank by the end of the day.
If you've stepped outside over the past week you've probably noticed that the winters back may have been broken. At least we hope so! All of the sunshine and higher temperatures seem to be a hopeful sign that spring really has sprung. Now that I have said that, we will probably get another 16" of snow and the return of colder temperatures within the next week (positive thoughts for sun & warmth are appreciated). I just hope the groundhog knows what he's talking about this year and we are heading for a much balmier temperature.
I would like to thank everyone that came out to our February day hike and compass course yesterday. We really did luck out on the weather. It was probably one of the only bright and sunny cloudless days we have seen for some time. I hope that as springtime gets closer we are able to do more like this around our area.
Monday meeting 2 - 22
For the first time in almost a year we are being allowed to use Saint Marks church as our meeting location. (101 S 6th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174) We will be crafting care packages for Lazarus house. The troop will have cleaning supplies and food prep gloves on hand. If you could bring any plastic sandwich bags, brown paper bags, bottled water or apples it would be appreciated.
M.B.U
If you missed registering for the event this month never fear there is one in May.
It's possible to pick up two or three merit badges in a day and add to your sash bling (not to mention some great adds to your knowledge base)!
If you're interested, below are the links to M.B.U and the T.F.C info
The next session is on May 8th at Camp Big Timber it is an in person event.
March campout alternative - repost
As everyone is probably aware our usual March two-night, (Friday & Saturday) camp out is at the lodge at camp Tomo Chi Chi Knolls in Gilbert's. Usually we are able to use the lodge for our spring camp-out to get back into the swing of things after a long winter. This year being different we may not be able to use the lodge because of Illinois' strict rules. There is however an alternative as of right now. BSA camp Indian Trails in Janesville WI is open and has the ability to host us. They have cabins and campsites available for our usage. If the lodge in Gilbert's is not accessible I would like to propose going to camp Indian Trails for our March camp-out.
This letter will be a bit of a longer one then usual. We have a lot to go over and a lot to think about. At the bottom of the letter I go over the March camp-out. I need feedback on this topic so please let me know what you think.
Monday meeting 2 - 15
Get ready for something different. Last year on President's Day we went to the field museum and had a special field meeting. This year with keeping up the tradition of doing something different we are going to hold a sports night. For a while the boys have been wanting to blow off some steam and play some games so this meeting we will be over at the Pottawatomie Community Center Gym. The address is: 8 North Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174
This will be an extended meeting from 6p to 8p. This is a class B event so please make sure to wear any gym clothes or exercise clothes you want to.
Bring any basketballs or tennis balls you have. If I am not mistaken Dennis and Nick from pack 260 will be coming over for a visit.
Future forecast events -
Geneva Day Hike Saturday 2 - 20, 10a - 2p
We will be taking a hike downtown Geneva while practicing map and compass skills. A few weeks ago we did a tutorial of how the compass works in downtown Saint Charles. Let's put the practice to use and navigate an orientation course for 1st class. The compass course will cover about one mile in walking distance and will take you to some of the better known places around town.
