Troop News

The attendance at the Hut last night for quartermaster  take down and storage was above average and we had an excellent turn out for the following Committee meeting.

MEMORIAL WEEKEND ACTIVITIES

This Saturday, May 26, for those who can make it, we will meet at the Montevallo National Cemetery at 8:45 AM  in the Class A uniform w/sash and Troop neckerchief to assist w/a flag ceremony and the inserting of 1400 individual flags on the burial sites of all the interred veterans.  It should last an hour or so.

As importantly, and more so, we need Scouts in the Class A uniform at 2:45 PM on Sunday, May 27,  at the Veterans Memorial off of the Liberty Park Exit on 459 to assist in a flag ceremony and program for veterans which the Troop usually assists with.  I NEED THE NAME OF THE SCOUTS AND LEADERS TODAY AS A REPLY who can be present for the program outline for Mr. Roger Ethrington by tonight via email so he can make his usual plans with the persons present. Family members are welcome for the ceremony also. This has be come a Troop annual event and the coordinators are starting to count on Troop 21 for their support.

They will be having a larger ceremony on Monday May 28th at the Montevallo National Veteran's Cemetery also at 8:30 AM for those who want to assist in the Class A Uniform. it will last for about an hour.

CAHABA RIVER CANOE TRIP

Thanks to Mr. Cox and all his work, the trip was one of our best, exceeding last years good time and experience.

It was a fun-filled,  high adventure weekend with perfect weather (see web site pictures).

 The only problem we had was that there were fifteen members who obligated themselves to go for planning purposes then did not attend, causing the Troop a loss in funding.   To overcome the loss, the Committee unanimously voted to charge those who were absent to pay for the cost of the obligated canoe and other expense  for the amount of $27.00...the cost of overspending for meals will be absorbed.  The 15 committed but not attending will be asked to pay the amount before the next trip/activity to Mr. Elmore.

As large as the Troop is,  once committed,  the activity fee will have to be paid by the unexcused absentees  to assure avoiding going into the red for the trip/activity.  Emergencies approved by the Scoutmaster or the trip coordinator will be the exception.

SUMMER CAMP

If you have not paid the required fees, please plan on doing  that immediately so Mr. Simon can get this behind us.  Please also plan, as stated by Mr. Simon, to assure we have the completed and detailed checked BSA Medical form (2012 is required)  for Camp, otherwise he will have to be returned home after arrival because of failure to provide the required medical/prescription documentation for the staff (page 41) of the Camp Sequoyah Guide for medical prescriptions.

We will be taking nearly 62 Scouts and leaders to Camp this year and will be setting up in two adjacent camp sites: Frontier Land and Boiling Springs (see the Map in the Camp Sequoyah 2012 Guide).  Leader's coming should plan on bringing a vehicle as the bus will likely be full to capacity w/Scouts.  To assist with this will ask a fuel fee per person ($5.00) going to camp  to offset the expense.  It will be payable by check or cash  or WePay to Mr. Elmore the day we leave (June 10).

MR CRABTREE'S WOODBADGE GOALS:  emphasis on an annual newsletter to all Troop 21 Alumni since the Troop's inception since 1918..to begin the process of fund raising for Hut expansion and general donation funds to perpetuate the Troop's legacy into the immediate and near future.  He recommended that leaders who have not attended SMLT and OLS as well as Woodbadge to do so, in order  to encourage  further Troop esprit, continued camaraderie and to provide the Scouts with "trained leaders."

THERE IS NO MEETING ON MAY 28TH DUE TO THE MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY

JUNE 4    MANDATORY MEETING FOR ALL THOSE COMING TO CAMP FOR ORIENTATION AND OTHER INFORMATION.   JASM Max Gunn will give the Scoutmaster's Minute.

JUNE 7     QUARTERMASTER NIGHT         SPL/ASPLs /Patrol leaders/Ast Patrol Leaders/Patrol Quartermasters and Troop Quartermasters report to Hut on Thursday night at 6:30 PM to load the Frank Tank and Troop Trailer for summer camp.  Uniform not required..should take about an hour to an hour and a half.

JUNE 10:  Arrive at hut dressed in Class B uniform (red T shirt) at 10:30 PM for a 11:00 PM departure.

JUNE 13:  Parents visiting should arrive anytime after 3:30 PM to spend the evening w/the Scout..please bring his favorite meal for supper to eat in the Camp w/him rather than driving out to a restaurant.  Dress for the weather.  If you cannot make it, arrange for another parent to bring his meal and other items.  Parents should plan on visiting...sharing a ride has also worked in the past.

JUNE 16:  Arrive home after brunch at McDonalds.  Should arrive at the Hut at about Noon.

JUNE 18:  Patrol leader's Conference at 6:30 PM and Troop Committee Meeting at 8:00 PM. If you are a new parent, please plan on attending at 8:00PM and participate in the discussion/business.

JUNE 2O:  Sea Base Crew departs for Ismoralda in the Florida Keys until June 26th

JUNE 25:  Regular meeting  Speaker and Troop games (WE NEED A PROGRAM OR A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER..please call me for an idea)

JULY 2:  No meeting due to the 4th of July holiday

JULY 7-21   "Yellowstone Trip"  Al to Wyoming environs, "Trip of a Life Time,"

JULY 9     Regular Meeting Speaker/program /troop games (WE NEED A PROGRAM OR A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER..please call me for an idea)

JULY 16   Regular meeting Speaker/program/troop games ( WE NEE A PROGRAM OR MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER..please call me for an idea)

JULY 23   Regular meeting Speaker/program/troop games:  water sports activities guidelines: (WE NEED A PROGRAM OR MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER..please call me for an idea)

JULY 26   Quartermaster night  for preparation for water sports Trip.. uniform not required. About an hour

JULY 27-29   Water Sports at Smith Lake on the Nelms' Property...need ski boats/ski doos/ canoes..potential:
               Nelms, Stubblefield, Brantley, Hardy, Poole, Presely... Troop canoes.....others

JULY 30    6:30 PM Equipment take down and storage/ 7:00 PM Patrol leader's Conference and Troop Committee Meeting

AUGUST 6  Troop Court of Honor for summer camp and earlier rank advancements and merit badges ..Pot luck dinner...details to be announced in last week of July...

AUGUST 17-19   Troop White Water Trip to the Ocee and Nantahalla Rivers

AUGUST 2O  Gear storage, PLC, and committee meeting

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance:

YiS Dan s                                      "Delivering the Promise"