Troop News

There was obvious absence in the Venture I, II, and Penquians at last night't meeting and a disppointment regarding the number of Scouts coming on the backpacking trip this weekend to the Sipsey Wilderness.

Quest speaker Glenn DiNella spoke for Mrs. Brigit Kibelka regarding the great number of Eagle Projects waiting for life Scouts at the Hoover Shades Mountain Elementary School. They range from trail building or enhancement to different areas of landscaping, benches, table, or picnic tables. If your son is Life Scout, this is a good time for a project the Community not far from home.

Thanks to B Garrett and J Kunka, Backpacking information was covered in detail for the trip.

This has been a busy month so far, with more to come....

Congratulations to J Ellis for completing all the requirements for his Eagle.

Congratulations to N Madison for getting his own project started and to A Byrd for completing his.

J Kunka will be completing the last work day this Saturday for his Eagle Project. We expect all the Scouts not coming on the trip next Saturday will help him complete his Project. They will meet at the same location at 8:00 AM.

Congratulations to B Debalsi and J Taylor for completing the Order of the Arrow Ordeal this last weekend at Camp Jackson.

A special thanks to the following leaders who sit on the Vulcan District Eagle Boards: Mr. Mark Branin, Mrs. Cathy Kidd, Mr. Micky Harbin, Mr. David Davis, Mr. Wes Smith, Mr. Win Jones, Dr. Steve Smith, and Mr. Randy Watts. All of these leaders have been, or are still active members of the Troop, and through regularly sitting on the boards have attained a great deal of depth and perception about what it takes to earn the Eagle Rank. This added depth is an absolute tool for all our parents and Scouts in aiming for and planning to earn the Eagle rank. Every leader is encouraged to take part in the panels to help out, but also learn more about the required details to assist the Scouts as they prepare themselves.

The Backpacking Trip will cost $25.00 per person. Everyone going must be at the Hut this Thursday(17th) night at 6:30 PM with their prepared backpack to load with Troop gear and crew meals. We all will meet at the Hut on Friday Night (18th) for departure on the bus and will return the usual time on Sunday. We will be beginning and ending at the Thompson Creek entrance, camping in the vicinty of the Needles, and day hiking to the Yellow Poplar Tree (largest living tree in Alabama). As a note...he needs to bring a pair of Tiva's or a pair of Crocks to wade a stream without having to soak his hiking boots. He should also bring along insect repellant to use as required, We also stated, since it may be raining at times, to make sure he has a rain suit. Poncho's aren't permitted. If he wasn't at the Mopnday night meeting and still wants to go he needs to call his patrol leader or B Garrett to make sure he is on the list for the appropriate amount of meals.

21 September: There will be a a equipment take down and storage and PLC (6:30PM), and Committee Meeting at the usual time (8:00PM) . If you haven't attended with us, please plan on doing so.

The following weekend 25-27 is the OA Fall Fellowship weekend at Camp Comer...all members of the OA are invited and should attend to add to the weekend fun/games/Native American Dancing/ and more. The cost is $18.00. If enough members register to go, we are planning on leaving from the Hut, ( and other locations if announced) in the Troop bus, other vans, and car pools.

October 2 and 3 is the Annual Bluff Park Art Show. All Scouts and uniformed leaders should plan on attending as this is our annual service Project for the community. We will be emptying trash bags/picking up litter, assisting with the set up, and selling our own ice cream and water for Troop sales. Venture I and II will be cutting up pork at the Hoover Lions Hut next door to the Scout Hut (wear work clothes) on Friday night (Oct 2) starting at 10:00 PM after the game. Everyone wil assist on Saturday according to the Schedule we draw up on the 28th at the Hut. Uniform is Class A without sash and neckerchief.

All leaders are encouraged to become BSA trained in order to assist as Assistant Scoutmasters and Committee members to assure the boys are getting the most from the program. Basic Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmaster training is being offered as announced in the GAC Double Eagle newsletter. Please plan on attending.

In order to maintain the legacy of Troop 21, it is important that we have more than 3 leaders who are certified to drive our bus. Please plan on picking up a CDL to make this possible. Dr. Tracy Hamilton is our most recent graduate and he wil be happy, along with Mr. Larry Young, to prepare you to make it easy. Havent't time to drive the bus? We may have to ask for leaders to drive their cars for transporting the boys on trips if we don't....We have the problem solved..we just have to maintain it.

Dr. Hamiton passed out Wreath order forms at the meeting last night. The Troop sells Wreaths to support our operations, particularly in case tree sales are low. Each family should plan on selling a minimum of six wreaths product to help us out. Make sure you have one and mailing order forms if you want to purchase wreaths thatwill be mailed to an address. Please encourage the sales by selling them at work also. These forms are available from Dr. Hamilton at all meetings. Please make a point to help out with this to assure operational funding for the coming year.

Don't forget that all he sells in popcorn will be his to use for trips in the Troop. We will be taking 35% off of his total sales and that will be available to him in the Troop. Note that there is a sales item to send overseas to soldiers. Thanks to Mrs. Eggers for coordinating this.

We are still planning a canoe trip to BSA High Adventure Northern Tier (Minnestota/Canada) during summer 2010.. This is a rare lifetime adventure for the Scout for far less than what other Troop's pay....he has to be 14 years old and in good physical shape to carry a 40-50 lbs pack or the canoe. It will be 7 days and nights in the canoe and three days each way for bus transportation around the beginning of July. If he hasn't said he is going and wants to..Call Mr. Young 901-2063 and make a reservation before we open it up to the District and Council....The cost right now is a $1000 or less.

For whatever reason, we failed to pick an activity for January 2010 at the 2009 planning conference. We are going to start coming up with potentials on the coming trip but will decide at the September 28th meeting where will will go during the month of January, 2010.

Attendance: The Boys Scouts of America doesn't award the Eagle by correspondence courses. We expect him to be present in uniform (or as excused) on no less than 50% of trips and outings over the year. If he can't do that, then I need to know why to consider how he plans on doing it. If for instance he can't be there on a Monday night for several months because of sports, he should visit with another Troop to get the credit and the program, then resume with us later as his schedule premits. Scouting is more than meetings and trips..it is also being present at Scout Sunday, service projects on Saturdays, and other service opportunities as they arise. Please help out with this by encouraging attendance to make the patrol method of the program work. Once he makes the Life rank, he should immediately begin looking for an Eagle Project to complete before he start not haing enough time in his life to consider it. There are leaders in the Troop who are more than happy to guide him along.

Been to summer camp and bored? then consider sending him to the annual BSA leadership Course offered annually by the Council (NYLC). Or, earn the BSA lifeguard Certificate at summer camp, or become a Counselor at summer camp and earn money as well as leadership experience rather than not.

By being an active member of the Order of the Arrow, he can attend "Arrow Corps" projects which are located in several areas throughour the US. For a minimal fee they pay for nearly all the expenses plus room and board...these are located in all sections of the US and liste under Coosa50.org. These include Norther Tier, Philmont, and Seabase programs.

He only has until he is 18. That isn't that far off to earn a lifetime award of recognition and career opportunities he otherwise wouldn't have.

We are still missing one of the Eagle Project Books from the Hut. Please return it so others may share it.

Thanks for all your support..... "Delivering the Promise"

YiS Dan s