Meeting tonight, Hiking trip this weekend

Thanks to S Hardy for representing the Troop at the Order of the Arrow Annual Conclave at Camp Tuckabatchee (just north of Prattville) this last weekend.

There were over 650 Scouts, representning the region's nine Lodges and Leaders in attendance with a two night and a day full of activities, including games, American Indian Dance competition, athletic game competitions between lodges, and classes ranging from leadership, membership, recruitments and to hiking historical trails in the Southeast.

S Hardy, who will be a member of a pre-ceremony ordeal team with the current Scouts in the Troop had an opportunity to practice with some experienced mentors during the weekend.

The weather was cool for sleeping and warm and sunny the entire two days for activities.The food was all served in the camp dining hall as usual... We returned before noon on Sunday with three patches.

Tonight's meeting at the hut is mandatory for all those coming on the trip this coming weekend when we back-pack Savage Gulf State Park just north of Chattanooga. TN (thanks to Mr. Branin). We are going to try to leave at 1:00 PM since school will be out for the Hoover system. A request for early absence at Prince of Peace should be underway. We will confirm this tonight at the meeting. The earlier departure will give us more time on the ground in the evening rather than arriving much later in the evening (10:00-11:00 PM EST).

P Kidd and selected Venture Scouts will talk to equipment requirements and back-packing in general. As on all hiking trips.... Make sure the scout has wool socks with polypropelene sock liners for the hike as to assure no blisters normally associated with cotton socks. The older Scouts will hike between 8 - 10 miles depending n the weather and other circumstance..

.the Phoenix patrol will not back pack as much as day hike from our base camp in preparation for backpacking with required equipment later on in the year. They will be eating back packing meals and camping back packing style. Each Scout should have a minimum of two quart sized water bottles (Nalgene type or Gatorade type plastic bottles, and a rain suit (not a poncho) pending the weather, if rain is forecast.

We will need a good representation of leaders, especially for the Fox, Shark, and Phoenix patrols to give us the depth and experience for the area. We would like older Scouts, who would prefer a shorter hike, to mentor the new patrols rather than preferring not to come on the trip.

The trip's cost will be determined tonight based on number who will be in attendance. If you or your son cannot be there tonight, please advise someone who will so they can speak for you intentions.

The May order of the Arrow Ordeal is coming on the weekend of May 8. Troop Order of the Arrow members who do not have their Brotherhood, and who received their Sash and membership last August and the years before, should plan on attending so we can arrange some car pooling transportation and represent the Troop as it should be. Go to the website: Coosa50.org for all the required details and registration requirements. Pay your dues and remember the oath your took at the Ordeal. Remember, you can only wear the OA pocket flap if you are an active member and paying your annual dues of $8.00. Active members will talk to this tonight at the meeting.

See you at the meeting tonight. Please assure your son gets this information for his planning out his time. Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

Yis..Dan s "Delivering the Promise"