Troop 874 Notes September 10, 2009

Leadership Training – The troop will hold leadership training this Saturday, September 12. All current leaders are expected to attend. Scouts will meet at Glen Mar on Saturday at 8:00 am for transport to Patapsco Valley State Park. A full day is planned and lunch will be provided by the troop. The training will last one day and scouts will return to Glen Mar by 5:30 pm. Parents should plan on picking up their scout at that time.

Cycling Merit Badge – Mr. Dean Clark has two rides scheduled this weekend. The Saturday trip will begin at 4:00 pm from BWI Overlook Park. The Sunday ride will begin in the morning at the Baltimore and Annapolis Trail in Glen Burnie and will cover approximately 25 miles. Contact Dean Clark for more information.

Gear Return – Next week the troop expects all troop gear to be returned. All gear is expected to be clean and dry.

Permission Slips – Permission slips for the September 25-27 trip to Pine Grove Furnace State Park are to be turned in next Thursday (September 17). Use the attached generic permission slip. See the note below on the “Two Week Rule”.

Most Recent Eagle Scout – Congratulations to Gordon S. who recently completed his Eagle Scout Board of Review.

The "Two Week Rule" - The two week rule was implemented many years ago as a way of getting better, more accurate information on who was going on camping trips. The policy has been somewhat lapse over the last few years but the Committee and Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters agree that this is a health and safety issue. Additionally the matter was briefly discussed at the Patrol Leaders Council and those present agreed that having information in a more timely manner would make their jobs easier.

So simply put the policy is that permission slips for camping trips must be turned in to the Patrol Leader two Thursdays (8 days) before the camping trip along with money the Patrol has determined would be collected for food, etc. Failure to turn that permission slip and money in will mean that the Scout will not be able to attend the trip. Obviously there are always good and meaningful reasons why the Scout may not make the deadline for submitting the permission slip in which case the scout should first check with his Patrol Leader and see if it is still possible for the scout to go on the trip (meaning food hasn not been purchased or other logistics have been considered). The scout should then contact the Camping Chair, currently Randy Possehl, who will evaluate whether there was sufficient reason for the permission slip to be turned in late. The scout will then check with the Transportation Coordinator to verify that he has sufficient space to transport the scout. The Camping Chair will then let the Patrol Leader know it is okay to take the money and turn in the slip.

The good news for drivers on camping trips is that they will know the night before we depart who will be riding in their vehicle! The Scout's parents who are not going on the trip will also know who their son is riding with.