Meeting Notes from Troop 874 January 22 2009

Troop Senior Patrol Leader Elected! Congratulations to Sam K. for being selected as SPL! Sam will lead the troop from March 2009 – August 2009. Sam follows in the steps of his brother Tristan K. who was SPL several years back. Sam and Jared G. stepped up to take on the responsibility of SPL and the Troop owes them both a great big Thank You!!!

Order of the Arrow Elections Scheduled for Thursday, January 29. The Troop will hold elections to the Order of the Arrow on Thursday, January 29. To be eligible scouts must be the rank of First Class Scout, have camped for at least 15 nights and attended at least one summer camp since joining the Boy Scouts. The Troop will develop a list of eligible scouts. For the secret election to be valid at least 50% of the unit's registered scouts must be in attendance and vote so all scouts are encouraged to attend.

Scout Dues Are Overdue! More than 50 scouts are more than $5.00 behind in their troop dues. Scouts should check with their Assistant Senior Patrol Leader or Patrol Leader to determine if they are behind in their dues. It is the scout's responsibility to keep their dues current.

Glen Mar United Methodist Church Sponsoring Food Drive. Glen Mar United Methodist Church will be conducting a food drive throughout January to support the Eva Johnson Foundation, which provides food to the needy living in the Hilltop Section of Ellicott City. Many are experiencing difficulties during the current economic crisis, but the needy of our community are having the most difficult time. Eva Johnson Foundation is experiencing much greater demand for food, and at the same time the amount of food being donated has decreased. Although giving now is more difficult, our generosity is more meaningful.

Item needed are:

Paper towels Toilet tissues Washing detergent

Bath soap Dish detergent Tuna Helper

Spaghetti Sauce Spaghetti pasta Tuna

Macaroni & Cheese Hamburger Helper Baked beans

Canned fruit Canned Soup Tea bags

Other non-perishables will be appreciated

Representatives from the Glen Mar UMC will be on hand on Thursday, Jan 29 to receive food donations from the Scouts. See attached flyer for more information

2010 trip to Philmont Scout Ranch. The Troop has won a coveted slot to attend Philmont Scout Ranch from July 21 - August 2, 2010!!! Nine 9 scouts and 3 adults have indicated a willingness to participate in a 10 day backpacking adventure at Scouting's premier high adventure camp located in New Mexico. A formal waiting list for additional scouts and scouters will be formed. See Mr. Meister to add your name to this list. Total costs are currently estimated at $1350 (Philmont fee plus transportation). Attendees should plan on backpacking no less than 50 miles at elevation exceeding 6,000 feet above sea level. Philmont requires that a scout hold the rank of First Class or above and be at least 14 years of age by August 2010.

Backpacking at High Knoll, July 5-11. Scouts interested in attend this backpacking adventure at Blue Ridge Mountain Council Camp this summer should bring $50 deposit on Thursday, January 29. This trip is considered a shakedown for to the Philmont Trip in 2010 but all scouts 13 years of age and the rank of First Class are invited to attend High Knoll. For more information on this high adventure camp go to:

http://www.bsa-brmc.org/pdfs/camp/camppromo/hk.pdf

Summer Camp at Camp Ockanickon Scout Reservation. Troop 874 will attend Camp Ockanickon from July 12 - July 18. The fee for camp is $374 and an initial payment of $150 is due by February 19. See the attached letter for more information on this camp.

Outer Banks Adventure (OBX). Venture Scouts in Troo 874 are planning on another OBX Adventure during the 2009 summer. A commitment of $75 is required by Thursday, January 29. See Conor Soop for more information.

Scout Sunday. Glen Mar is looking for participants from the Scouting Community for Scout Sunday on February 8. All scouts from Troop 874 should consider participating in the activity. A Scout is Reverent!!!

Skiing Trip in February 2009. Permissions slips are available for individuals interested in participating in the troop skiing trip in February. Initial payments of $75 are due. See Mr. Dave Eddy.

American Odyssey Relay Race. The Troop is looking for one more scout to round out the rooster for the Relay. Interested scouts should complete the attached registration form and return to Mr. Hunt ASAP. The fee is $100 and the check should be made to Troop 874. The Troop hopes to field a team of at least 8 scouts and 4 adults for this April 2009 event. For more information contact Mr. Hunt or Mr. Pearsall. Check out http://www.americanodysseyrelay.com/ for more information from the race organizers.

Information worth repeating:

Patrol Equipment. All tents and patrol boxes MUST be returned to the next regular troop meeting if they have not already been returned. All cooking equipment must have been cleaned since the last camping trip. Tents should have been set up to dry and have been cleaned since the last camping trip.