Troop News

Want to thank all the leaders who attended the University of Scouting Saturday March 8, 2009. Want also to congratulate Mr. Micky Harbin, who served as a Vice Chairman in the development of the program which has become an institution in the GAC for the past twenty years now.

Has your son thought more about his Eagle Project yet....the next step is to see Mr. Harbin, Mr. Davis, or Mr. Houlditch about getting the planning started, the approval requirements at District level, and planning to assure it's success to the end.

A summer camp payment was due two weeks ago for $75.00. Please assure you mail a check to Mr. Lepianka if you haven't. The Troop has covered this fee and about half have forwarded a check. He is also present at meetings. Another $75.00 is due in April and a final in May for the total amount.

There are still a few Scouts who have not forwarded their annual re-charter dues of $30.00 for the Scout and 15.00 for the leader....Please mail those to Mr. Lepianka also, with the amounts noted on the Check for Deposit to your credit.

We had a good turnout last night for the meeting and had the Order of the Arrow and Troop elections. We also had a excellent presentation from Mr. Doug Graham on executive level Banking and Human Resource careers. Mr Graham is the Troop's District Commissioner, and a past member of the Vulcan District Training Committee. He is an Eagle Scout, who worked for two years as a Ranger at Philmont when he was a youth. He has spent for than the past fifty years voluntarily serving the BSA. He served as an Assistant Scout Master with the Troop while his son earned his Eagle and participated in trips to Philmont, Northern Tier, and Sea Base. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow and has served as an instructor in Wood Badge Courses. He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel, USAR, with over twenty years service. His presentation centered on the character traits and the importance of personal persistence, endurance, and drive in order to succeed, emphasizing the importance of all of these traits in obtaining the Eagle rank and personal strength when facing changes in careers, personal challenges, and expectations in school and the work place as one matures.
Mrs. Kidd presented an excellent Scoutmaster Minute and reminded the Scouts of the April 4 Advance-O-Rama coming up and the opportunity to earn two merit badges.

The uniform until next October is Scout trousers/shorts, belt,Scout Socks. The uniform for the Crossover for the WEBELOS on March 23 is Class A with merit badge sash and Troop Neckerchief to welcome in the new WEBELOS and their families.....Remember to drop the Scout off at the Church (BPUMC) at 7:00 PM and pick him up at 8:00 PM.

As you know the dates for Shiloh have been moved up to November 13-15..go give families more time for the Holidays. Please mark your family calendars.

The May Trip for Deep Sea fishing has been changed to Rappelling at Bucks Pocket State Park, if we can get the instructor...if not we will canoe at Grimes Canoe Base in TN or ride bikes on rails to trails at the Chief Latiega Trail in Anniston or the Silver Comet in GA.

Don't forget..there is not meeting on March 16 due to Spring Break.
We've learned that Junior Leader Training, that we have used for Troop Leadership Training over the past 25 years has been modified. We will be talking to this in the Troop Committee in the immediate future in order to incorporate the new training into the Troop for this year.

Congratulations to Mr. Doug Hardy for his intent to attend the District SMLT and leadership Essentials this month and as described in the last Troop Blog. This gives us the added depth we constantly need for the Troop.

As you know we are having a very busy, fast moving year and are looking forward to it all. Thanks for all your support...Have a good Spring Break with the family.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"