Troop News

We had a one of the best attended meetings in a while...thanks again to Mr. Eggers (knots) Mr.Simon (knots and memory tricks for the Scout law), and and Mr. Young for taking the time to plan for cake baking/preparation (making home made chocolate frosting)...cool...

We re-introduced new Scouts N Smith (Robert and Pamela), Z Welborn, (Linda and David) J McKinney(Randy and Joan), and C Horn( Kyle and Debbie), all who joined the Troop last week through last night. Want to also acknowledge and again welcome C and F Hutchens (David and Tricia) as well as J Coker (Danny and Sandee) for their recently joining us for several months now. J Morris received his BSA Centennial Recruitment Badge as well as the standard BSA Recruitment Badge for recruiting Connor.

Congratulations again, to Mr. Branin for earning and receiving the District Award of Merit at the Annual Vulcan District Award Banquet last Thursday. Mark Branin has over twenty years of active service with the Troop and Council (twenty-one this year) in assuring the Troop's legacy in keeping the Promise of providing the program we are part of for the past 100 years. There are only three of these awards given each year for the entire District (29 Troops) within the Greater Alabama Council.

If you didn't have the Scout bring in the $17.00 for the merit badge day at Jefferson State this weekend, make sure he brings it in Saturday at 6:30 AM for our 6:45 departure. We should be returning around 4:30 - 5:00 PM..Thanks Mrs Kidd for coordinating this effort.

Next Monday will also be an important meeting for us as it will be the last one before the final Monday we depart for the Camporee....we will be finishing up all our activity practices....

We are going to be having nearly 30 or so WEBELOS I and II joining us at the Camporee this month for a total of about 60 - 65 when counting the dad or mom. The Patrols will be preparing their own meals as usual, but the Troop will be providing meals, as usual for the WEBELOS...we are going to need some assistance with cooking so if you can't plan on spending the weekend, let me know if you can spend some time during the day to help out with the three meals. The boys are going to be competing in all the games as well as setting up our Monkey Bridge in our area so we will be busy the entire time.

Thanks to everyone, and the special efforts of Mr. Steve Frost, we have completed our re-registration for the Year and obtained our status as a "Quality Unit (2010-2011)." Those late with the $30.00 fee (Scout) $15.00 fee (leader/active parent) should give the fees to the Scoutmaster as soon as possible to complete the process for the year.

As a reminder, summer camp registration is coming up quickly, and we will be calling all or partial payments for the June 12-18 adventure. The fee is usually about $205.00 for the week. Older Scouts who have their merit badges are encouraged to work the summer at camp as counselors and staff..this include room and board and pay...the time is well spent in leadership and team roles for a great time for all.

The Troop Junior Leader Training (JLT) is coming up on February 12 at the Hut starting at 8:00 AM. This is required for all Scouts to receive the basic fundamentals of leadership, in order to serve as the Senior Patrol Leader, and in order to attend the National Youth Leadership Training put on by the Council twice a year. If your son is active in the Troop, will run for Senior Patrol Leader, and will serve if elected, the Troop will offer a fifty percent scholarship for him to attend. Uniform of the JLT is the Class A uniform. There is a fee of $5.00 for lunch and we should be completed by 2:30-3:00 PM the latest. If your son missed JLT or has not attended and is older than the average Phoenix patrol member, he will be in the course but also serve as an assistant to the Senior Patrol Leader and the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader who will be teaching the course.

If your son wants to have all the fun he can stand, learn a new skill, and help out the Troop and Chapter, he needs to start attending the Sunday afternoon (2-4PM) Order of the Arrow drum, ceremony, and dance teams at the Metropolitan Church of God. The Scoutmaster usually attends and can carry three to four Scouts there. He needs to call P Kidd and let him know if he will attending. He also needs to be a member of the Order of the Arrow.

Thanks for all your support and encouraging attendance...

YiS Dan S "Delivering the Promise"