Troop News, Eagle Court

Well, here we go for a brand new year with it's potential for being our best.

A reminder that J Ellis's and X Quo's Eagle Court are set for tomorrow, Sunday, January 3, 2010 in the old Sanctuary of the Bluff Park United Methodist Church located at 733 Valley Street, Hoover, 35226. The Sanctuary is best approached by either upper parking lots with the Frank Tank parked in front.

This is a six and seven year achievement for the Xinke and Jim. Please plan on attending with your son or encourage his attendance. Normally the ceremony, including the following reception lasts about two hours. Uniform for the Scout is the Class A plus uniform with Troop neckerchief and merit badge sash.

Mr. Harbin will start preparations at Noon. The host patrol is Venture II as requested by Mr. Harbin to assist in preparation requirements.

Please also remember, and remind the Scout, that there is no meeting this coming Monday (January 4) due to the Holiday, and since we will be having the Troop Annual Planning Conference (APC) on January 9 at the Bluff Park United Methodist Church in the class room near the kitchen and adjacent to the gymnasium.

Uniform for the Scout for the APC is the class A uniform w/o neckerchief and sash. Since we will be indoors, sweat pants or sweat shirts under the uniform is not permitted as he can wear a cold weather jacket. We will be staying overnight so he needs a sleeping bag, foam/Thermarest and pillow. He should wear the Class B, red "t" shirt, under the Khaki shirt as well as optionally bring some casual clothes for activities after all the planning is done and we return from dinner Saturday night. The Senior Patrol Leader and the PLC will plan some Saturday evening activities with lights out at a time decided by the PLC. If the Scout is not staying the night, his parent will have to tell me that he isn't.

I will need one leader to stay the evening through the night until we release and the Scouts are picked up at 8:00 AM on Sunday. Please reply or call me if you can.

The cost is $10.00, per person, cash or check made out to Troop 21, to defray the cost of Saturday morning snacks, lunch (sandwiches or hot dogs), and dinner (CiCi's Pizza or the Golden Corral). We will start at 8:30 AM. The host patrol are the Sharks, who should arrive at 8:00 AM to assist with the set up. Normally, we enter from the lower rear parking lot where the Frank Tank will be parked. All Scouts, less those with a parent's excuse, will stay the night and will not leave the property without the Scoutmaster's personal permission. Scouts are not permitted to bring a vehicle, but if given permission to bring the vehicle by the Scoutmaster and parents, are not permitted to leave the property (Scoutmaster will secure the keys since this has been a problem in the past) until dismissal in the morning at 8:00 AM, Sunday.

Since we will be planning activities for the entire year, we expect all the Scouts (unless they are out of town) to be present to assist with the planning. We will need a school calendar as well as input from leaders, and strong input from the two Venture patrols and their adult counselors)on the activities they will also plan for the year. We will be covering parts of the new, Scout required leadership methods for Scouts as well as going over requirements and planning activities for the caving trip on January 16th and 17th. The remainder of the Scout leadership requirements will be scheduled by the Scouts on a Saturday in February (this course is required if the Scout will run for Senior Patrol Leader).

Thanks for all your support and encouraging attendance for this important activity for us. We look forward to seeing you there as you drop your son off and for those who can, join us in coming up with some memorable adventures for the coming year.

If he hasn't paid his dues $30.00 for the year (leaders are $15.00) , please bring the to the meeting (preferably with check made out to Troop 21, BSA). A BSA Consent Form for the activity is not required. Mr. Young will collecting Northern Tier fees and we will be talking to the trip also.

Looking forward to seeing you and/or your son at the Eagle Court tomorrow.

YiS Dan S, SM "Delivering the Promise"