Notes from Troop 874 Meeting, May 1, 2008

Permission Slip for Camp Henson Trip – Permission slips are due Thursday, May 8 for the weekend trip to Camp Henson, May 16-18. See attached troop web site for generic permission slip. http://www.troop874.com/Policies/TroopPermissionSlip.pdf

Patrols will also be collecting money for food purchase.

Permission Slip and Fees for June Rafting Trip Due Thursday, May 8 – Permission forms for Scouts and Scouters to go whitewater rafting on June 6-8 are due Thursday, May 8. The event fee includes the $20 fee for camping. You only need to pay the $20 for camping if you are not rafting. The $20 camping fee includes food for the entire weekend. The troop is picking up the cost of the camp site. There is a separate fee for the Falling Water guided tour. See attached form for more info.

If you have questions, we will answer them at the meeting on Thursday. Please print the forms, fill them out and bring them to the Troop meeting this Thursday. We need to make reservations immediately.

Registration for Camp Saffron – Thursday, May 8 is the deadline for registration for the 2008 summer camp. The troop will attend camp from July 13 to July 19. The fee is $285 plus some additional fees for merit badges. See the troop website for registration and permission slip and for complete information or contact Doreen Klose. http://www.troop874.com/Form/2008_Summer_Camp_Registration_01.doc

Over the next several meetings Patrol Coaches will work with scouts attending summer camp at Camp Saffron to identify appropriate merit badges. The troop asks that scouts, parents, and the troop (Patrol Coach) enter into a "contract" identifying merit badges to be undertaken by individual scouts at summer camp. Parents should look to discuss merit badges selections with their scouts and to sign the contract. More info will follow in the coming weeks.

Outer Banks Crew - The Outer Banks Crew is looking for another driver. The trip will run from July 13 – July 19 and will visit several sites on the Outer Banks. See Mr. Brett Sivo if you are interested in driving.

Mulch Still Available – The Troop has several bags of mulch available. Contact Mike Filipczak and he will bring bags for individuals to pick up at the Thursday meeting.

We Remember – The Memorial Day weekend will kick off with the traditional decorating of military graves at Baltimore National Cemetery on Friday, May 23. Scouts are strongly encouraged to join other members of the National Pike District and Arrowhead District in placing US flags on the graves. It is an amazing site to see flags fluttering from the 42,000 graves. The event will include a brief ceremony commemorating those who gave their lives in defense of freedom. The troop will meet at Glen Mar and depart for the Cemetery at approximately 5:00 pm, Friday, May 23. This event is considered an outing for the purposes of advancement. More importantly, it is an important civic duty!!!

Bud Hunt

Assistant Scoutmaster

Previous Notes Worth Repeating

Important Notes on Youth Protection for Pioneers

Some of the Pioneers have not made Scout rank simply because their parents have not taken the time to review with them the pamphlet on child abuse on the inside cover of the Scout Handbook. The booklet, "How to Protect Your Child from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide" is part of a continuing effort to educate parents and scouts about child abuse. For the safety of your son parents are requested to take a few minutes to review the information in the booklet and discuss it with you son. More than your son's advancement may be at stake! By the end of this month Pioneer scouts should have attained the Scout rank and have about half of the Tenderfoot rank requirements signed off. For more information contact Jerry Fleischman, Assistant Scoutmaster, Pioneer Program.

Popcorn Kernel

The troop is looking for someone to run this fundraising event. Proceeds go to the Wish Upon A Star program to provide Christmas presents to needy families from Glen Mar. Colleen Beaumont has served as chairperson for this event for several years and is willing in assisting the new chairperson. The Council adds many incentives to increase the profit from this event. The new chair can also establish incentives for the scouts to attain. This is a great opportunity for the parent of a new Pioneer scout to take on. See Colleen Beaumont.