Troop News

L Young's building his bridge behind the Shades Mountain Elementary School as his Eagle Project is complete and continues set the the high standard and attention to detail as demonstrated by those preceding him in the long tradition of the Troop in the Bluff Park and Hoover community. Certainly congratulations and thanks to all those who participated in assisting him with it in the past three weeks.

On Saturday, August 13, twenty-four scouts and about ten leaders met all day at the Brock Gap Training Center to work on earning their Rifle and Shot-gun merit badges. A large number of the Scouts earned the badges with the remainder to work again on the badges in when announced in the immediate future (October?).

Thanks again to Mr. Danny Coker and the Brock Gap staff who assisted, the instructional format was intense, fast moving, and complimented with non-interrupted opportunities to fire nearly the entire day. There were fifteen shooting orders and two skeet throwers were active at both locations within the range area. Pictures will be posted on the Troop web site.

Thanks especially to all our leaders for assisting in all phases, and to Mr. Kyle Horne for all the quartermaster detailing in getting our gear to the range, lunch, and wrapping up.

The final re-cap will be announced Monday night by Mr. Horn/Mr. Coker at the regular meeting for those who completed the badges and for those who can attend a make-up.

If you or your son is coming on the white water trip, he must be present for the Monday night (August 15) meeting to assure our accurate head count for meals and registration. If a leader or Scout cannot be present, (s)he has the responsibility to notify the patrol leader/patrol advisor as to assure our final count and to assure we have transportation assets. Don't assume you will be counted if you can't make it....

We still need a final count for an advance party...The Troop depends on leaders who will take the time to travel up in the morning with Mr. Branin to reserve our tenting area but also to set up tents for the Troop which will arrive around mid-night EST. So far there are only four-five who have volunteered..8-10 is better..please reconsider going early party and using your vehicle for passengers...If your son is a Venture Scout (and you will be accompanying him) going on the Ocoee River, we will need a vehicle or two to transport them from the camp to the "put-in." The Troop will underwrite the fuel costs. The advance party will normally depart from the Hut at mid-morning on Friday, or earlier, in order to secure our location at the Park.

The program on Monday will include a summary presentation by Mr. Griggs on white water safety, clothing to wear, equipment to bring. Mr. Cox will also add information, followed by other topics, meal planning, and Troop activities/announcements.

The Order of Arrow Ceremony team and Drum Team representing the Nunne-Hi Chapter of Coosa Lodge (S and S Hardy, P and E Kidd, N Bolding, M Gunn, and J Elmore meet Sunday (August 14) for practice at the Hut at 1:30 PM. If the Scout is a member of the OA and is interested in being a member of the team, he needs to attend for an hour or so. The Troop, thanks to the present team and J Ng, J Kunka, J and K Berry has never contributed now or anytime in the Troop's past as they are now...We have never had stronger dedication in numbers and spirit than we have now...It is good time to get on the team for the adventure, camaraderie, and esprit the OA offers. The first ordeal is coming soon in September. Congratulations again to H Elmore, N Ng, Mr. Jay Elmore and LT COL Kidd for being tapped out as members at summer camp.

The Council is continuing to press for trained leaders...assure that if you are a registered leader in the Troop that you have completed the mandatory Youth Protection (myScouting.org) and are planning on attending the Scoutmaster Fundamental course and Outdoor Leadership Course this Fall. Please go to: my Scouting.org and take as many of the courses as you can in order to give us the depth we deserve as a strong Troop. The District is also looking for leaders to sit on the Monthly Eagle Boards that hear and make the final approval of Eagle Projects...There are more than five leaders in our Troop who are currently serving.

We will talk to this at the Monday meeting. The experience of sitting on the Board increases your own understanding of the process, but most importantly gives the Troop and our own Scouts the benefit of your experience in what successful Scouts accomplish in earning their Eagle for those following them.

Unfortunately, there continues to an attendance issue with older Scouts....the Eagle rank is awarded based upon the Scout's demonstrated leadership, understanding and contributing to the team effort, and demonstrating and understanding and application of the Scout Law and Oath...if he is not attending regular meetings or trips/activities, he is not sharing the notes and wisdom of the guest speakers and weekly programs/activities....Failure to regularly attend will be a reflection on his record when he finally submits his application for the Eagle rank....finally, his absence deprives the younger Scouts the role model and experience of an older Scout who observed as he earned his own Eagle... please encourage attendance.

Thanks for all you support, time, and effort you are contributing to the program in assuring the opportunities we attempt are well met and more than meet the goals and expectations of the boys and the Scouting program.

YiS dan s

"Delivering the Promise"