Troop News

This weekend, thanks to all who supported us, was one of our best weekends at the Art Show. We covered all the service requirements an more, enjoyed some great weather, and maintained the Scouting image as the Scouts usually do. Thanks to all the leaders and Scouts who participated or encouraged attendance. Thanks in particular to those leaders who came at 6:30 AM and who helped conclude the service at 4:30 PM.

This weekend was also a strong Order of the Arrow weekend at Camp Comer, and thanks to Mrs Kidd and Mr. Gunn we transported ten scouts. We more than represented the Nunne-Hi Chapter and had as much fun as ever. For the first time in twenty two years, we had not one but two of our Scouts awarded the Vigil Honor, the highest rank bestowed on OA members in the Lodge.

Congratulations for a great deal of hard work and dedication by P Kidd and J Kunka and to their parents for all their support and encouragement. The the Vigil Honor in the OA is only awarded to less than twenty members annually of the Greater Alabama Lodge consisisting of more than 2000 members. It is only awarded by a vote of the Lodge's Leaders Executive Council based on a minimums of service to the lodge, the local chapter, and overall service and dedication to the OA

S Hardy earned his Brotherhood rank during the weekend only after being a member for a minimum of 10 months.

All of the Scouts attending were able to practice on the new ceremonial drum recently acquired by the Nunne-Hi lodge during the day and all of the boys were able to perform at the first ceremonial presention along with dances at the Arena celebration Saturday night.

If you son is an OA member, encourage his attendance and strong membership as it is a vital tool for success in his Scouting career that he would not otherwise have the opportunity for.

We completed the weekend with more than ten Scouts, along with Mr. Morrow, Mr. Camp and Mr. Crabtree as assisting Mr. Eggers in the last group of Scouts completing the Historic BSA carpentry merit badge...that is for a total of nearly 28 Scouts who took the time and advantage of Mr, Eggers time, tools, and experience. Each session lasted more than four hours of knowlege acquisition, but most importantly, hand son experience for a life time. Thanks again to Mr. Eggers and the adults who assisted him in each group and for the parents and leaders who encouraged attendance.

Tonight's meeting, thanks to Mrs Eggers, will be very informing based on the experience of a guest speaker who survived serious injury in the wilderness based on lessons learned about survival when help was not immediately available.

Remember..wreath sales are due at the coming Court of Honor with hopefully all families having sold a minimum of six. The Troop web site lists the cost of each item, they can either be delivered by the Scout or mailed to an address if out of town with mailing information forms also available at the Hut with the individual sales brochures he needs to get a copy of. This is important for the Troop in maintaining a strong operational budget, for the Scout to pick up on sales techniques, and for the family to pitch in for the overall effort. These funds are used for all our operational needs and requirements during the year.

The Pop Corn Sales are also BSA worthy and sponsored by the BSA..remember.... of all the sales he makes, he earns 35% of the gross for his own use in the Troop for trips as well as to defray the cost summer camp. This can also be family endeavor to help out the household budge for trips he will be taking.

The October trip will be to Oak Mountain State Park. We will be teaching and excellent Wilderness Survival merit badge to the Young Scouts (Dr. Nelson and Mr. Bennefield) and the older Scouts will have an opportunity to mountain bike the Oak Mountain 22 mile bike trail with Mr. Camp and Mr. Berry well as other leaders who will ride. If he hasn't biked the trail encourage it.We haven't done this as Troop for many years and if he hasn't ridden it himself, he needs to with the troop.

Some of the fourteen and older sisters in the Troop have expressed an interest in forming a Venture Crew in the Troop. We had one at the turn of the decade until all the girls graduated and went off to college. If you are a parent with a 14-18 year old daughter who wants to learn just about all your son is learning about outdoor skills, attend the next Troop Committee Meeting, and we will discuss it and its potential. You can find out more about the Program in the BSA Web Sites under Venturing or Venture Crews. It will required dedicated men and women leaders who, in loving the outdoors, are willing to take the time to make the Program work. This is not a just for women program, is built on strong co-educational principles involving both young men and women under the BSA Venturing program.