Troop News

The Sipsey Wilderness backpacking trip this weekend was one of our best with about a total of 25 Scouts and Leaders. Want to thank Mr. Branin and Mr. Oliver for making an initial familiarization trip to the trailhead in the Bankhead National Forest several weeks ago, then being present for the actual trip. Want to thank Mr. Turner, Captain Gandy, Mr Elmore, and Mr. Bolding for the time and effort they took in planning and being there for the Scouts also.

Despite the weather, it rained Friday night at about the time we initially tented at the Thompson Creek Trailhead. The weather stayed clear Saturday, but although it rained again on Saturday night while in camp, we had an excellent, exciting trip. Inclusive of the day hike, once arriving at our overnight camp site near the Needles, the boys hiked about a total twenty miles without issues. The river and creeks rose more than average, creating some hiking challenges, and along with the natural ambiance the Forest is noted for, the wilderness met all it usual reputations for taking the time to be there.

Though not the first time recently for us, Sipsey Wilderness hiking used to be a regular backpacking trip for the Troop, and we had the opportunity visit old familar camp sites used over the years, it was the best choice of trails this time for the scenic variety the Thompson Creek entrance afforded.

Everyone (leaders and Scouts) on the trip is requested to re-check their packs for Troop gear, and return tonight to assist in cleaning, re-packing, and storing the gear for about an hour starting at 6:30 PM. A PLC (Planning Conference) will follow. Other than planning for October, we will select a trip for January. The Troop Committe Meeting will start as usual at 8:00 PM. If you haven't attended on with us, and haven't made a trip, please plan on attending if you can to say hello.

There is a Order of the Arrow, Nunne-Hi-Chapter meeting this Thursday night (Sept 24 at 6:30 PM as described in Mr. Melton's OA announcement) your son should attend if he is a member (wears an OA flap on his right shirt pocket).

This is a big, OA annual weekend coming up (Sept 25-27) at Camp Comer for the OA Fall Fellowship (we are leaving on the bus from the Hut at 5:30 AM on Saturday morning to spend the night and returning around Noon on Sunday. We will stay in Camp Comer tents and bed platforms. All activities and meals are paid with the registration fee ($18.00), and uniform is the Class A with OA sash.

We assume J Kunka's Eagle project was completed with the help of all the Scouts who didn't make the Sipsey Trip on the 19th....

Make sure the Scout attends the Troop meeting on the 28th for a special guest speaker presentation and to get on the Schedule for the Bluff Park Art Show coming up on the 3rd of October. Please remind him that we will schedule Scout and Leader volunteers on the 28th meeting to cut bar-b-que meat for the Hoover Lions Club on Friday night (2 Oct) at the Lions Bar-b-que Hut next to the Scout Hut at 10:00 PM for about an hour (Venture I and II) and for completeing the entire Schedule for October 3 for selling Troop ice cream, water, and wreaths as well as picking up litter, assisting the artists, and other service tasks. Uniform is full Class A without neckerchief and merit badge sash. He doesn't have to be there all day..but he is expected to be present at times to help out (same for uniformed leaders).

Whew..more yet....

October is coming and we will be making our first trip to Camp Thunder in Georgia for the high and low COPE course, as well as Tower Rapelling that Ruth Mathis and Mr. Eggers have been briefing about for the past two months.

Please encourage his selling six Troop Christmas wreaths this year and Pop corn to assist the family budget with financing his trips and activities. Wreath money is due the last weekend of October to Dr. Hamilton and Popcorn money is due to Mrs. Eggers on Novermber 2 (Court of Honor for rank advancement, merit badges, and change of Troop leadership).

The Troop will participate on Veterans Day in November with the Veteran's Day Parade in downtown Birmingham. We will take the bus and Frank tank to participate as usual to march with the other 500 Scouts in the afternoon...watch for details.

Then..we go to our annual trip to the National Shiloh Military Park...if you are a leader and prefer not to hike, please plan on going so you can help Mr. Smith with the cooking as the leaders prepare the meals for the Scouts this one time of the year. If your son is a Shark patrol member, he needs to plan to be there to earn the compass and orienteering requirments for First Class.....We will also be inviting a WEBELOS II Den to join us.

And then....................the Christmas tree lot set up and tree sales during December along with our annual Christmas party.....What an end to a great year of Scouting......

Thanks for all your support...Sipsey pictures to follow on the Web Site by Mr. Simon.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"