Bluff Park Troop 21

Troop News, Qtr Master Night Thurs night

2012-02-13T20:11:00.000-08:00

Tonight was one of our better attended meetings in a while ....will have more than 80 on the Camporee, so it will be one of our biggest Camporee yet.....Welcome again to the WEBELOS attending tonight and who will be with us at the Camporee.

NOTE: If your son is the quartermaster for the Trip, remind him that the Troop will be providing Saturday lunch: hot dogs, Raman noodle soup, peanut/butter jelly sandwiches...We will plan on having breakfast at McDonalds on Sunday (on his own) morning, but the patrol can bring a light breakfast for the camp break down....

Make sure he dresses for the weather for the weekend....if it turns cold and wet, he should be dressed for it ..same for in case it turns warm.

Thursday night, 16 Feb, is quartermaster night to pack and load the trailer and Frank Tank..uniform is not required..it normally takes about an hour. He should be there at 6:30 PM.

Leaders coming on the trip are welcome to drive their cars as the bus looks like it will be filled w/Scouts..If over loaded, we will let the older Scouts get in cars.

There are several BSA, wallet sized registration cards on the Troop Hut's meeting table.. If you haven't picked up his card from last year of recently just joining, it is likely there.

The Troop will be camping at the Tanneyhill State Park primitive camping area (across the bridge). If you want to see him in the camping mode, come by an visit anytime during the day....We will be located on the hill overlooking the other camp sites.
\
Jessie Coker lost a black pocket knife on the last camp out....he is still looking for it

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan S "Delivering the Promise"

Camporee

2012-02-08T06:48:00.001-08:00

The fees for the up and coming Camporee are as follows:
$18.00 per person for the camp entry fee (leaders and Scouts)
$ 12.00 per person for meals
$ 2.00 per person for fuel
$ 32.00 per person total

WEBELOS

Fees for camping as stated in the Camporee booklet
$2.00 per person per meal w/Troop

Please bring cash/check made out to Troop 21, BSA, or through WEPAY to the Monday night meeting (February 13) to assure our head count and meal requirements.. Please also bring the BSA release form for the campout as found in the Troop Web Site

Uniform for the Camporee weekend is the Khaki Shirt/Scout trousers or shorts/Scout belt/ Scout Socks...if the weather is warm, the Scout may wear the Troop Red T shirt during the day around camp and for the competitions....if the weather is cool or w/rain he should dress for it and be prepared for both to be comfortable.

Monday, Feb 13th is the final prep night and all who are going should be present to assist with our head count and to hear final announcement.

Thursday, Feb 16, is Quartermaster night and all Quartermasters, both Troop and Patrol should be present to assist in packing and loading our gear.

Scouts should be prepared to leave at 5:00 PM at the hut on Feb 17th and we should be returning before Noon on Sunday..if the Scouts want, we will stop for breakfast again at McDonalds (on their own cost for the meal) in Bessemer, and if not, we will return straight to the Hut on Sunday Feb 19th.

Thanks for your continued support. See you Sunday on Scout Sunday, Feb 12, at the BPUMC at 8:30 AM. Thanks for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Troop News

2012-02-07T15:08:00.000-08:00

The Monday night meeting (February 6) was well attended for the most part with a great deal accomplished in cooking, string burning, knife throwing, and knot tying..thanks to all the leaders and Venture Crews present for making it happen as smooth as it was.

NOTE: The August trip will be rescheduled for August 17-19 on your calendars...the original date would have conflicted with the first day of the Hoover School system....Mr. Branin will schedule our white water trip, as planned for these dates in August.

NOTE: The April trip will not longer be scheduled for backpacking at the Walls of Jericho...rather, thanks to Mr. Kyle Horn, and with the majority approval of the Scouts..we will be going to Troy, Alabama for some zip lining, high and low rope challenges, and other Scouting activities for the weekend (Camp Butter and Egg, LL.C.)

NOTE: Thanks to Mr. Cox, the October trip will be a three day trip (Hoover School system off day) to Mobile, Alabama vicinity to canoe the Barttram Canoe trail.....this will be a first for the Troop as a "carry your camping gear" in the canoe trip down in South Alabama.

More details on the trips will be announced.

PRESIDENTS DAY Feb 20th: The one day trip to Montgomery on February 20th with State Representative Paul DeMarco is definitely scheduled at this time.

The 20th is a School holiday and a good reason for the Scout to be out of the house. We will meet at the Hut at 7:30 AM and return before 5:00 PM. The cost for the day with will be his cost for lunch (brings his own money) at the State House cafeteria or McDonalds (whatever is decided by the group)..and gas @ $8.00 peer person (check made out to the Troop or cash).....Uniform is Class A Plus ....or Khaki shirt, Troop Neckerchief, Scout belt, Scout Trousers, and Scout Socks. Please assure he is dressed for the for the weather. The Scout needs to go to Meritbadge.org and look up the requirements for the Citizen in the Nation merit badge (Eagle required) as this trip will accomplish most of the requirements if he does them while we are there, before we go, or when we return.

SCOUT SUNDAY February 12th: As many Scouts (families invited) should join us as the Bluff Park United Methodist Church this coming Sunday for the 8:45 service lasting about an hour and beginning at 8:30 AM....this is an annual event for us and our numbers show our appreciation for the congregation for serving as our Charter Organization. Uniform is Class A Plus or Khaki shirt, Troop Neckerchief, Merit Badge Sash, Scout belt, Scout Trousers, and Scout Socks.

Thursday, the 16th of February, is Quartermaster night for Camporee preparation and gear packing...all quartermasters, troop and patrol, are required (see attached assignment sheets w/recent Court of Honor) to be present to prepare and pack our gear for the Camporee

February 17th-19th will be our CAMPOREE weekend at Tanneyhill State Park. We meet at the Hut at 5:00 PM on the 17th and will return before noon on Sunday the 19th. A good time to visit the Troop w/the family to see him and the other patrols in the camping and activities mode.

There will be a PLC (patrol leaders conference) and equipment take down for the Scouts on February 20th at 6:30 PM and a Committee meeting at 8:00 PM.

We will need a final head count on Monday night meeting (February 13th) for tents and meal planning as well as final briefing for the weekend so if he is attending the Camporee, he needs to be there..all the activities are posted on the Troop Web Site. WEBELOS should also plan on attending the meeting for final information and planning purposes if possible. Uniform for the Camporee, for the entire period is the Class A uniform: Khaki shirt, Scout trousers, Scout belt, and Scout socks...It will more than likely be cold and or wet, so assure he dresses for the weather before he leaves the house....including a sock hat or cap in case the weather is bad.

Most of the Crocs and Eagles, and some of the recently new entering Scouts, should be getting close to having their five or ten activities completed for Second and First Class by time of and during the Camporee...so he needs to bring his Scout Book for a Scoutmaster's Conference and Board of Review if he is ready.

REMINDER: Current Leaders and WEBELO dads coming in this Spring....if you want the title of Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM), you need to attend the Scoutmaster and leader Training held on February 25th at the Scout Service Center..It is one day of training with the companion weekend training at Camp Jack Wright on March30-31 and April 1..there will not be a conflict with the Troop's schedule, it will be a good time to go and get it behind you...

REMINDER: .If you haven't had the required Youth Protection (YP) training at this time..please go to Scouting.org and complete that w/certificate of completion as the second arm of required training....If you wish to work with us a Committee member, rather than a ASM, go to Scouting. org and take the Committee Challenge course be active with us as well as YP. Both certificates should be copied to Mrs. Cathy Kidd for the Troop and Council records.

Remember to go ahead and get the complete Scout uniform for meetings and trips with the Troop.

For the really dedicated. interested, and involvedin Scouting..in addition to SMLT and OLS, there are two Wood Badge courses coming up in the Council this Spring and Fall...(1) April 13-15 at Camp Comer and April 27-20 at Camp Westmoreland....and (2) September 15-17 at Camp Comer and Oct 13-15 at Camp Westmoreland.

Details for registration for these and the SMLT and OLS are found on the Vulcan District and GAC web sites accessed, thanks to Mr. Simon, off of our Troop Web Site....

"Scouts deserve trained leaders."

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan S "Delivering the Promise"

testing

2012-02-04T13:25:00.000-08:00

testing

Troop News

2012-02-03T15:01:00.001-08:00

As you may not know, the normal celebration of President's Day, normally a school holiday, by the the Greater Alabama Council is not going to happen this year for various reasons.

Mr. Cox has recently talked toState Representative Paul DeMarco, who is willing to host the Troop on February 20th in Montgomery (the anniversary by the way, of John Glenn's (Eagle Scout) first orbiting the earth). As you also know, Nevin had invited Mr. DeMarco over to the Troop (December 10, 2011) and along with a discussion of several different topics, Mr. Demarco presented the Troop with an Alabama State Flag that flew for a day over the State House. Mr. DeMarco is an Eagle Scout (Troop 320) and wants to assist the Scouts with programs that are worthy of their time.

The coming, proposed visit will satisfy several, if not most or all, of the requirements for the Citizen in the Nation Merit Badge (Eagle required) and add a great personal experience to the Scout's career and general knowledge of State and National government with the visit to the Capitol and other areas we will plan on visiting.

Pending a finalized agenda, we would leave the Hut at about 8:00 am or possibly sooner in the bus....in the Class A uniform w/Troop neckerchief, spend the day as a quest of Representative DeMarco, inclusive of his State House and museum tours, have lunch, be introduced to other government officials (perhaps the Governor), spend more time on other tours, then head for the Hut in order to arrive around 5:00 PM.....We will more than likely not have a regular meeting owing to the Holiday that night (Feb 20th).

We will bring this trip up at this coming Monday's meeting (February 6) for a show of a hands on who wants to go....we would like to see about 20 or more make it a day with us ....there will be nominal fee for fuel and lunch for the trip....we will need a follow- on vehicle and one or two additional leaders other than myself. This trip will be a first for the Troop with anticipation of an annual event once more if the Council will kick back in with the regular program as they have in the past which included a visit with the Governor and other officials

Talk to your Scout about it...check your own calendar....we will see his answer this Monday for a head count to see if we will be going. If he will not be at the meeting, but would like to attend the trip..please reply so we can count him.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Troop News

2012-01-25T18:41:00.000-08:00

There will be a make up session for the Troop composite photos at the Hut on Sunday at 1:30 PM for an hour or so..If you cannot make it then, we will have it again on Monday during the beginning of the regular meeting. Please assure your son is include in the photo. Mr. Snow is also taking individual and family portraits for free if the 20.00 for the composite is paid when the picture is taken and for an additional $10.00 if paid when the pictures are printed and delivered.

There is a Troop Eagle project (Ml Frost) taking place on Saturday behind the Bluff Park Elementary School on Park Avenue starting at 8:30 AM until the afternoon....this is considered a service project for the Troop as well as for Michael's Eagle project so please encourage attendance.

The Sunday afternoon meeting for this summer's Yellowstone trip is still scheduled at the Hut as well as the OA drum and ceremony team practice.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance...

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Troop News

2012-01-23T16:36:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Mrs. Kidd we had the best merit badge day yet at the Oak Mountain School on the 21st. ...I have the returned, completed blue cards from the following Scouts:

E Hill Cit in the Nation

J Branin Cit in the Nation

N Johnson Geology and Salesmanship

C Brownbridge Geology

N. Smith Cit in the World

Z Fox Engineering

W Griggs Indian lore

N Bolding Engineering

If the Scout has another blue card that he is not complete with from this weekend, he needs to get with a counselor in the Troop, complete it, then turn it in to Mr. Cole as soon as he can finish the requirements.....I will turn the above cards into Mr. Cole on the meeting on January 23. These above completed merit badges will be awarded at the April Court of Honor, but he is on record for earning the m on the 21st.

There as just another offering for merit badges just put out last night by Mrs. Kidd..please respond quickly to get the Scout's choice..they go fast. It is a good opportunity for two merit badges.

The Meeting on the 23rd is in Class A Plus for the annual individual portrait...Even if he does not want a composite picture for 20.00, he needs to be dressed to take a picture to be in it for the rest of the Troop who do.

The OA banquet Saturday night was agreat success..thanks to the Mrs Kidd and Mr. Gunn for providing transportation with us.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

M Frost Eagle Project

2012-01-23T16:33:00.000-08:00

Fellow Scouts and Leaders,

I am requesting your help to finish construction on my Eagle project
this Saturday. I will be constructing a deck at the Bluff Park
Elementary School outdoor classroom. So far the posts for the deck
have been set in concrete and the first band has been attached to the
deck. We will be attaching the second band, setting the floor joists,
and laying the decking thus completing the project. Work will begin
at 8:30AM on Saturday morning January 28th.

Breakfast and lunch
will be provided and we should be finished with the construction
process by 4:00. Any time that you can volunteer during the day
will be appreciated.

Thank You,

M Frost

Rank Advancement

2012-01-08T19:38:00.000-08:00

If your son entered the Troop as a Scout, with no previous rank or experience (has not achieved Tenderfoot or any rank above that) he needs to bring his Scout Guide/Book with him on the Yorktown Trip so I can see where he is....

if he did not go to summer camp last year with us, and he is less than a Tenderfoot, he should plan on being there (Summer Camp) this year ( without exception)...If he went to camp last summer with us and is only a Tenderfoot, or close to Second Class, he needs to bring his Scout Guide with him on the Yorktown trip for a Scoutmaster's conference to assure he is close to finishing his 1st Class rank...a year is normally our norm in the Troop for attaining the First Class rank.

If any of the above applies to him and he is not coming on the Yorktown Trip, he needs to be at the February Camporee to see what his progress is and to be checked off and heading toward the Star Rank to keep him on track.

Summer camp is coming, as stated, he will need an updated BSA Physical with Parts A, B,C, and D completed and as applicable. The fee is usually around 205.00, more or less, as announced, and he will soon be asked to select his merit badges...as many as he chooses. The dates for Camp are June 10-16..please schedule him to go before or after you family vacation in order to continue his advancement toward Eagle...I

f he merit badge complete (more or less), he should consider being a counselor at Camp earning his room, board, and earnings along with leadership skills in dealing with other. If he is 18, he should consider picking up a summer job, real good pay and adventure, at one of the High Adventure camps such as Philmont, Northern Tier, or Sea Base many of our Scouts have done this over the years and have gained a great deal from it.Current experienced members are S Hardy, M Frost, P Kidd, J Ng, and J Kunka.

As mentioned earlier...go ahead an open: woodmanbadge.com and make a copy of the current Eagle Requirements hand book published there that he will need for his Eagle in the Vulcan District. If he is a Life Scout, he should be considering completing a project and earning his Eagle now, rather than putting it off when he will only be even more busy than he is now. Mr. Chris Morrow, the Troop's Eagle Advisor will speak with him any time he is asked to get the process rolling..Not delaying minimizes the stress he may experience by waiting until the "final hours."

Troop News

2012-01-08T19:36:00.000-08:00

The Saturday annual planning conference was one of the best attended in many years...with not only Scouts, but also leaders (67).

We will be publishing a Troop calendar (2013) thanks to Mr. Simon on the Troop Website as soon as the plan recommended this weekend is approved by the Troop Committee meeting at 7:00PM on the 17th following the January Troop PLC (Senior Patrol leader, assist senior patrol leaders, and patrol leaders) at 6:00-7:00 PM. Uniform not required.

The 2013 Calendar is one of our busiest and most exciting for the coming year.

As a leader, if you did not newly register or re-registered(renew) with the Troop this weekend, or have not earlier registered for 2013 with Mr. Cole before this last weekend, and you did not attend the Youth Protection Training (bi-annual requirement) and want to be remain active w/the Troop to remain registered, you need to contact Mr. Cole to assure it is completed. The Scout has to be renewed each year also in order to be carried on our rolls. Leaders attending trips will need to be uniformed, registered as a Scouter with current Youth Protection training, along with a current BSA medical form. The next trainer's class for leaders is the SMLT (companion course is the Outdoor Leadership Program) listed below along with going to: Scouting.org for more current training and to:woodbadgeman.com for other leader and Eagle preparation information.

The meeting started on time Saturday morning with a listing of Troop Goals for 2013, a list of speakers for programs at regular meetings, and a list of monthy trips/activities to be published by Mr. Simon following the Committee meeting on the 17th.

Thanks to Mrs. Kidd, and Mr. Simon for technical support, the class for Youth Protection was given to all present leaders followed by the BSA YP format for all the Scouts. Mrs. Kidd also presented the annual merit badge counselor briefing for those present.

We completed afternoon activities with an summary of Troop leadership responsibilities for the Scouts then adjourned to dinner at the Golden Corral in Hoover. Final announcements were made by the Senior and leaders before breaking off for the evening..Thanks to Mr Morrow, Mr. Hanke, and Mr. Horn for staying the night until we departed on schedule at 8:00 AM Sunday morning.

IMPORTANT There will not be a regular meeting at the Hut, Monday, January 9.

The USS Yorktown trip, thanks to Mr. Branin's coordination efforts, will begin at 7:00 AM on January 14th to arrive on time at the Ship .....please refer to previous memos (Jan 4) for the final fees due on departure ($38) and cash for two McDonald meals and soveniers, complete Scout uniform w/o sash or neckerchief, and our schedule for the trip...if there are any final coordination questions please call Mr. Branin.

Please don't be late on Saturday morning for our departure...with the bus, the troop trailer, and follow on vehicle (s). Finally..please assure the Scout is dressed for the weather between here and Charleston.

Overview for the next few weeks:

Our next activity following the USS Yorktown trip to Charleston SC (Jan 14-16),

the Order of the Arrow winter Banquet, January 21, Gardendale

Troop composite pictures on January 23 (make up on January 29th at 1:00 to 3:00 PM),

the vulcan Disrtict Banquet on January 26th (Dawson Memorial)

and the Shelby County Merit Badge Day on February 4th, (Oak Mtn HS)

the Vulcan District Camporee at Tanneyhill State Park (February 17-19)

2012 Eagle Recognition Banquet, Feb 24th, Gardendale

Vulcan District Scoutmaster/Leader Training (SMLT) Feb 25th at Cantebury MC

Regular Monday night meetings will begin of January 23.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Annual Planning Conference, Re-charter registration, Yorktown Trip

2012-01-06T10:12:00.000-08:00

The Troop's annual planning conference will be held this Saturday, January 7, at the Bluff Park United Methodist Church. He should plan on arriving at 8:00 AM.

The boys should enter through the new side entrance (South) and bring their overnight gear into the gym or straight down into the Youth Group area, the lower south entrance below the large South entrance. He will need his sleeping bag and pillow, and air mattress, as we will sleeping in these rooms over night. He should be picked up at 8:00AM Sunday, Jan 8.

I will need one leader, or more if you would wish to stay, to accompany me overnight with the Scouts. I need to know before Saturday morning.

The uniform is the Khaki shirt, Scout shorts or trousers, Scout belt, and Scout socks. We will be traveling in the bus for dinner, so he should dress for the weather. He will have to have his khaki uniform shirt (Class A) for supper . This program is an all day lock-down for the Scouts..and none can leave or sign out w/o the Scoutmaster's permission.....parent's may drop the off or pick them up as required.

The Troop will provide morning snacks. The cost for lunch is $3.00 per person (hot dogs). We will travel to the Golden Corral in Hoover for Dinner at about 4:45 PM in the class A uniform. The cost of the meal, along with lunch will be collected from those having lunch and/or dinner in the AM as we arrive so the Troop can pay the group rate.

Cost for the meals: Lunch is $3.00
Dinner is 5.00 for Scouts age 12 and under or $5.75 w/gratuity: ($8.75 total for the day)
Dinner is $13.60 for Scouts age 13 and older or $15.60 w/gratuity ($18.60 total for the day)
Dinner is $ 13.00 for Seniors or $14.95 for seniors ($17.95 total for the day)
The Troop family plan is in effect: Families with two Scouts attending and one parent pay
for just two persons(parent and Scout) . Two parents and one Scout pay for three persons.
The purpose of the plan is to assist families w/more than one active Scout normally
accompanied by one parent.

Please bring a check (preferred) or cash for one or both meals in the morning..w/checks made out to Troop 21, BSA)

Program: 8:00 am to noon Troop Goals and Troop planning activities for 2012
Noon to 1:00PM Lunch
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Troop planning continued
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Leader Training (Youth Protection) Other training, if any TBA
3:00 PM 4:30 PM Mr. Bennett conducts make- up Aviation merit badge training for
for those who need the class portion since last year.

4:30 to 7:00 PM Preparation for and departure for dinner at the Golden Corral

7:00 PM Troop Leadership Training for the scouts

8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Mr. Bennett completes Aviation merit badge training for Scouts
Free time for those not attending in Youth area

Sunday 8:00 AM Pick up Scouts

Scouts should bring their Scout Handbooks for Scoutmaster Conferences and Boards of Reviews (Class A Uniform w/sash) Saturday between and after activities.

The purpose of the planning conference is a Troop annual event, giving the Scouts and participating leaders an opportunity to plan Troop Goals for the coming year, and to plan out all their monthly activities for the year also,

Though it will be approved simultaneously that evening by attending leaders, the Committee meeting following the Yorktown Trip 17th will approve and finalize the Annual Plan. Attendance is encouraged to assure we have the majority of the Scouts planning the year for us. Leaders are also encouraged to attend to add ideas for trips and activities. This is the best time to introduce trips or activities the boys would be interested in, particularly if new and untried.

Unless changed at the planning conference, there be a regular meeting on Monday, January 9, with a guest speaker and final planning for the USS Yorktown Trip on January 14-16, 2012.

The USS Yorktown Trip:

Scheduled to depart early on Saturday Morning/ time to be announce at the Planning Conference and a later Memo to the 42 scheduled to attend.

fuel and meal costs per person:

Fuel @ 1000 mile round trip @ 3.10 per gal for the bus and two/three cars is $26.00 per person
Meals $12.00 per person for Saturday night (14th) at CiCi's Pizza

Each person should have a check (preferred) or cash for a total of $38.00 for fuel and CiCi's Pizza.

Saturday lunch will be fast food on each person's own expense on the road (McDonald's).
Mondays lunch will be fast food on each person's own expense on the road (McDonald's)
Meals on the ship, included in the fee already paid for the ship will include all of Sunday meals and Monday morning,s breakfast on the ship (the Sunday lunch meal is a bagged lunch provided by the Ship dining facility).

The itinerary for the trip will be to depart Bham early Saturday morning (time to be announced (TBA) by Mr. Branin, eating lunch at McDonald's then eating our evening meal at CiCi's before or after boarding the ship Saturday evening.

We will Depart for historical Fort Sumpter, SC in the AM on Sunday morning and spend the remainder of Sunday and Sunday evening touring all four ships ( the carrier, a destroyer, submarine, and coast guard cutter). January is usually cold so please make sure the Scout and leader is dressed for the weather with the appropriate rain and cold weather gear..the ships are not well heated and the exterior of Ft. Sumpter w/the wind chill factor can be uncomfortable if not properly layered for the cold..including a sock hat for head and ear protection..conversely, it may be a pleasant sunny day....

After breakfast on the ship, we will depart for Bham, eating lunch on the road, and returning after 5 PM.

A memo will be sent with final details, if any changes, during next week.

Thanks for all you support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Christmas Party

2011-12-12T11:09:00.001-08:00

I would like each of the following patrols to bring each of the following items. Note that you may bring something outside your assigned area.

Venture-desert items
sharks-drinks
Phoenix-dips
Eagles-chips
Crocs-drinks

Troop News

2011-12-05T20:44:00.001-08:00

We had and excellent meeting tonight thanks to our special guest speaker, Alabama House of Representative, Paul DeMarco. He spoke to the importance of earning the Eagle rank, volunteerism in the community and the importance of acquiring leadership skills. He also presented a Alabama flag to the Troop that was flown over the capitol on December 2, 2012. Thanks also Mr. Cox for inviting Representative DeMarco as our speaker tonight.

We need a couple of pick up truck loads of fire wood to be taken from the Hut to the Tree Lot as we are selling all we put out there. Need some suggestions on this particularly with the cold snap coming in the next few days. Crews working the lot, should make sure all of the trees on the ground are set up on lot during the next day or so.

The Troop Christmas party is next Monday..the boys were briefed by the Senior on what all the patrols will bring. If your son wasn't present tonight, he needs to call his patrol leader to get up dated.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Tree Lot

2011-11-27T17:08:00.001-08:00

"The Tree Lot has never looked better" would be an understatement thanks to all who assisted in the set up. We have more advertising than ever before and all our banners are out pointing to our location.

On Sunday, Mr. Madison will be distributing the white pines to the community off of Tyler.

There are several new items Mr. young has introduced for sale including wreaths, garlands, mistletoe w/cards, and tree stands.....as well as asking something for the bough cuttings. Please take a look at the information board inside the Frank Tank when you sign in to get all of the details....the big Troop marquis is not on the main electrical supply and has to be plugged and unplugged at the beginning of the first shift and last shift, respectively at the southern corner of the Korean Catholic Church.

The lot string lights need only be turned on at sun down, not during the day. They should all be unplugged at the end of the last shift.

There is also access to the BPUMC building for use of the bathroom with a designated green card kept in the cashier's officer (trailer). It's the only access available, so make sure the card is always replaced for the next persons.

Families are reminded that the lot assignment is a family responsibility rather than just dropping the Scout off for his tour..Mom's can assist money handling in the cashier's office (Frank Tank) and Dad's are needed to assist in carrying heavier trees, trimming w/ the electric chain saw, tying trees on vehicles and other requirements in assisting the Scouts.

Thanks again to all for the support and for encouraging attendance.

There will be regular meetings as described in recent Troop Blogs.

YiS dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Tree Arrival Delay

2011-11-20T11:51:00.000-08:00

The trees will arrive at 4pm today instead of 2pm.

Troop News

2011-11-17T08:02:00.000-08:00

There was a well represented PLC and Committee meeting on Monday, Nov 14...

It was noted that the Shiloh Trip this year was the largest number (87) we've had attend in the past twenty years. The weather was as good as it could have been and there were no problems. It was the first time Porto-Poddies were available for the Troop and thanks to Mr.Eggers and his crew, the evening meal was excellent. Thanks especially to those who came up on the advance party to set up our camp and for those who stayed close to camp to assist with all the meals. We were on the road before 9:00 AM on sunday...thanks to Mr. Simon all the pictures are on the Troop web site along with all our other activities during the past month.v Thanks to Mr. Hill and Mr. Hanke, we are back on track for trail patches/awards.

November 20th: Mr. Young, Sr., confirmed and announced that this year's trees will arrive at 2:00 PM on this coming Sunday (November 20th) lnear the Korean Church on Valley....we will need all the help we can get to unload it so please make sure the Dad is there with the Scout to help...if we have the numbers, it will take a hour or less.

On November 21, at 6:30 PM, there will be tree committee meeting to work out the details on picking up the scaffolding, marquis's, advertisements/handouts, planning for electrical hook-ups......

November 21st will be a regular meeting with guest speakers and the Scouts addressing tree sales. This is an important informational program for all the Scouts and leaders who will be on the lot selling trees to attend. please encourage attendance. Scoutmaster's minute is Mr. Presley.

November 25th is the day after Thanksgiving and tree lot set up day starting at 8:00AM. Again, we need everyone to help out in order to expedite the set up in two-three hours. The first shift for sales starts at noon.

November 28th will be a regular meeting with a guest speaker. Scoutmaster's minute is Mr. Eggers.

December 5th will be a regular meeting with a guest speaker. Scoutmaster's minute is Mr. Paul Young.

December 12the is the Troop Christmas Party....more details will be announce by the Senior as to what each patrol will bring for refreshments. A dirty Santa format with more guidelines on gifts TBA.

December 18th Tree lot comes down at 1:00 PM or as announced depending on sales. This is also a every Scout and Dad attendance requirement take an hour or less for the take down.

The next meeting will be on January 7.. at the Bluff Park United Methodist Church youth group area.. It will start Saturday morning and be complete Sunday morning...the Scouts and leaders present will plan the goals and activities for 2012. Snacks will be provided by the Troop in the morning and we will have a lunch in the facility ($3.00 per person). We will go the the Hoover Golden Corral with each person paying their own way (usually less than $12.00)....we need to be clear of the church by 8:00 AM Sunday. One leader other than the Scoutmaster will have to be present and spend the night.

If you have ideas to present to the Scouts about trips and activities for the year, this is good time to attend and contribute to the Troop's planning our agenda. Everyone is welcome.

Thanks to Mr. Branin, our January trip is the USS Yorktown set on the Martin Luther King Holiday. More information will follow regarding details and final fees for fuel and meals. Those who are going have reserved their seats at the PLC and Committee meeting or earlier ...we are looking at about 38 scouts and leaders at this time.

There will be a PLC and Committee meeting the night we return (16th) following the trip, or if we arrive late, the meeting will be on Tuesday (17th) the following Monday if we get back early enough. The first troop meeting will be on the 23rd.

We have arranged for Troop composite Photos on the 23rd with a follow-up time (1:00 PM-3:00PM)) on Sunday the 29th for those who cannot be there on the 23rd. These pictures are for the Troop composite and will include all active Scouts and leaders in the Class A uniform for a $20.00 fee. More details and fees for a photo package will be announced.

The 30th of January will be be a regular Troop meeting

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

Troop News

2011-11-09T13:44:00.000-08:00

There was a great deal of information passed down from both the District Round Table and the District Committee Meeting which will be affecting us in the next few months:

The District is taking recommendations for the District Award, the Silver Beaver, and Marketing Excellence.

At the time, the District Awards Banquet is scheduled for January 26 at Dawson Memorial. The Troop can get a fee of $100.00 for a table of 8 or if less, a fee of $15.00 per person.. The Order of the Arrow members will assist with meals as they did last year.

If you are a trained leader and would like to earn the green "Trained" knot to wear on the uniform, go to Woodbadgeman.com for details and pass in the required paperwork in the next few weeks. They will award these at the District Banquet....same for other earned knots which leaders may earn by serving in active positions in the Troop/Committee/District/Council.

The District will be pushing and planning for another District Service Project as they did last year by cleaning out the Oxmoor cemetary. It will be a direct conflict with the Troop as the day of the service project will be the same day as our annual planning conference (January 7) at the BPUMC.

March 10 has been designated as the District Merit Badge workshop day, where the Scout can earn two merit badges...more information is coming. We will likely attend other district merit badge days also as we have in the past, as they are announced.

Mr. Allison (woodbadgeman.com) is looking for Catholic Scouts to work on the Catholic Religious medal again this year. Mrs. Linda Griggs is starting to coordinate the religious medal for Methodists who will be assisted by Rev Reid Crotty of the BPUMC....these medals are for the Scout's lifetime and are worn as a rope on the uniform as a youth and a leader.

There is new Eagle Project workbook now in print that the District will use as a guideline for future Eagles. It will be passed out and talked to at the next District Round Table..Very important as it is the guidlines the candidate must work with in order to be approved by the Board.

Want to add some excitement and knowledge as well as help out the boys and the Troop? sign up with the Vulcan District Eagle Boards and sit as a member..it will broaden our base and experience for our Scouts as they approach their projects by giving you a broad band knowledge or the various projects and how to successfully complete them....several members of the Troop are member now and will talk you through it: Mr. Branin..Mrs Kidd...Mr. Smith..Dr. Smith...Mr. Jones..Doug Hardy...

The University of Scouting will be held on March 3, 2012 in Cullman High School again. There are a great deal of leader courses available that we all need to be certified with if not through the internet.

The Spring SMLT will be held on February 25th , 2012 at announce location and the OLS will be held on April 30th at Camp Sequoyah. If you are an active leader with us, and have not completed these two courses, you need to plan on it...the Troop will provide all your camping gear as usual.

A Council Wood Badge Course will be offered this Spring and Fall also: April 13-15 and September 27-29...Woodbadge is more in depth continuation of the SMLT and OLS and highly recommended for active leaders for work at the Troop level and with the Committee.

Interested in doing a 20 miler one cay back packing hike at Oak Mountain State Park? Bill Comer will be doing it with members of Troop 28 in fullfilling parts of the Hiking merit badge..He welcomes guests to hike along. They will start at 6:45 AM.....can hook you up with a number if interested.

Mr. Stacy Cole will be re-chartering the Troop very quickly beginning in December....the annual fee for a Scout is $30.00 and a leader $15.00...Each leader must have a certificate of Youth Protection, and signed off by Mrs Kidd, and be a documented /registered leader with the BSA. Please mail or give the fees to Mr. Cole before his deadline (TBA) in order be registered with the Troop this year (2012).

Because of our growing numbers, transportation for out trips is becoming more complex, rather than just hopping on the bus and going with the Frank Tank, Trailer, and a follow on car....in the future, when our trip numbers are high, we will probably have to rely on cars and SUVs to help out with the leaders and Venture Scouts (who normally ride the bus). In the future, as in Shiloh, the drivers will have the cost of fuel (normally part of the overall fee) subtracted from the overall fee and we will reimburse the driver carrying Troop passengers for the remainder of the cost of his /her fuel required for his vehicle for the trip.

The fees for the trips will probably be raised somewhat for non-drivers to compensate for fuel costs for all the vehicles we will have to consider taking. We will discuss this more in the next Committee meeting.

Hope to see your sons marching on Friday in the parade with us, and leaders as well if you have time off from work. Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance at all our activities.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Troop News

2011-11-07T09:56:00.000-08:00

On behalf of Mr. Madison and Reverend Reid Crotty, thanks to all the Scouts and families that were present with Mr. Scott and the Vulcan District Executive,for the Presentation Belk's made to the Greater Alabama Council with the Troop representing the Council at the Galleria last Friday and as described below by Greg.....Means a great deal to the Scouting family for your support and being present for the occasion.

Want to also congratulate Mr. Morris and Mr. Miller for completing the second part of the two- parts of Leader Training this weekend at Camp Sequoyah..that completes their requirement for the "Trained" tab they can wear on the uniform and that we will present at a Troop meeting. Also thanks to Dr. Rusty Brantley for attending also and for completing his first part of the two part series for his tab. As earlier stated these, and those who have completed these and all the training we have participated in since January 2011, are positive ear marks for our staying abreast of the learning curve for the boys.

Thanks also to Mr, Camp for attending Merit Badge Couselor Training certification last Thursday and for Chief Stacy Cole for catching up for us on Quality Unit Rechartering and Unit Rank Advancement requirements also on Thursday during the Round Table sessions.

The following Scouts, thanks to Mr. Simon assisting with transportation requirements, went to Camp Comer this last weekend for the November Ordeal. C Hutchens received his Brotherhood while along as a member of the group, while E Kidd, N Ng, and N Bolding all assisted M Gunn, S Hardy, S Hardy, and J Elmore with delivering an effective "Pre-Ordeal" ceremony to the candidates who were present. We stayed the entire weekend, playing the Nunne-Hi Chapter Drum during the afternoon and evenings for the candidates entertainment, then thanks to Mrs. Hutchens, we headed headed back to Birmingham, arriving at the Hut close to Noon on Sunday.

Monday night, Nov 7, will be busy with a final headcount for Shiloh, fee payment and consent forms to Mr. Elmore, an excellent movie presentation and overview of the battle, and Mr. Hanke will outline what persons will be hiking what trails..along with a show of hands for the advance party and who will be assisting with meals for Saturday's breakfast, lunch, and dinner.....If a leader or a Scout cannot be present Monday night and plans on going, regardless of what capacity, the advance party leader, Mr. Gunn has to know, the patrol leader who will raise his hand to assure he gets meals has to know, Mr. Hanke has to know for a trail assignment, and Mr. Eggers has to know for meal planning. So it is important to be there of make sure your status is known. This is one of our larger trips and the numbers have to crunch correctly.

Again, as we know, Friday, Veterans Day, is a holiday for the Hoover School System..and we will be marching in the parade as as explained in the October 18th Blog on the Troop Web site...No need for the Scout to stay at home when you can drop him off at the hut to march in the parade with us and the rest of the Greater Alabama Council..just drop him off at the Hut at 8:00 AM (we have things to do there), with all his gear for Shiloh, dress for the weather, have lunch money for the Golden Corral Lunch, then after the parade we will eat at McDonalds, before we get to the Hut prepared to leave for Shiloh......the makings of great day....Again this will be addressed at the meeting Nov 7.

Uniform for the parade is the same as Shiloh..Class A in either Scout Shorts or Scout long pants (zipped on) no jeans or sweat pants showing under the shorts for the parade...in respect for the Veterans and the uniform itself....Troop Neckerchief and merit badge sash are optional....

For Shiloh, he will need his class A uniform also, a hat to protect from the sun is recommended, day pack to carry his water and snacks as well as his jacket if he starts off hiking with one ( it is usually cold in the morning then gets warmer during the day) he should also bring his rain suit in the day pack in case of rain..same for gloves and hiking boots/shoes with wool socks and polypropolyne sock liners for hiking the trails at Shiloh..

For All: Dressing for Shiloh is best practiced using the layering principle..take it off and carrying as you go in your day pack, but putting it back on as required and as the weather changes.....

Thanks again for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Rank Advancement

2011-10-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

Several questions surfaced about rank advancement at the Troop Committee meeting..

What exactly does it take to advance?

Advancement in the BSA is based on the requirements in the BSA Boy Scout Handbook.....If an older Scout and is not working out of the 2009 printing...he needs to get a copy as soon as possible.

Pages 432-443 list the requirements. Pages 444-447 are log sheets to record his activities.

1. All of the advancement requirements for Tenderfoot are normally met at summer camp with the Troop. At camp he will also earn nearlyall of his Second Class and First Class requirements, less those activities he must undertake during campouts, meetings, and other activities. If he fails to attend summer camp, he will have to pick up the requirements through the year on camp-out and other activities.

As he completes the requirements of each rank, and each requirement is signed off by a Leader, but not his parent (unless the parent is passing off other Scouts simultaneously as the counselor/instructor), he should ask the Scoutmaster for a Scoutmaster's Conference in order to assure the requirements are met and the Scout is on track with the program.

Once he completes the SM Conference, and signed off in the book, he will ask the Advancement Chairman for a Board of Review, which as a group of two -three Leaders, will again assure the requirements are met, and signed off, that the Scout is on track, and any problems he may be having can be heard and resolved. The Board passes the review on to the Advancement Chairman, who assures the work is officially recorded in the Troop, the District, the Council as a permanent record.

Normally, a Scout in this Troop is expected to earn theFirst Class rank, afterhe completes summer camp, by March or April of the next year, depending upon his completion of the required ten Scout/Troop activities. As he continues in gaining rank, he will need to keep the Handbook completed in all detail, as the Handbook will be reviewed by the District Eagle Board at the time he is interviewed for the rank of Eagle.

2. A second phase of earning rank, starts as a Second Class Scout, when he is required to earn merit badges. He will earn four to five at his first summer camp w/the Troop. After the first summer camp, he is essentially on his own to pick up the total of 21 badges required for Eagle..a portion of which are Eagle required.

To earn the badge, he has to contact a Troop merit badger counselor as listed on the Troop Web site, or attend merit badge days, often sponsored by Disticts and Councils. These are usually advertised through the Troop or on web sites such as the Greater Alabama Council's Digital Eagle. A merit badge counselor is required to take annual training, given by the District or the Council. A Scout should seek out leaders other than his parent as a counselor, unless the parent is counseling other boys simultaneously in a group setting.

Before he speaks to a counselor, the Scout should get a "blue card" from the Scoutmaster, who once signed returns it to the Scout to work with the Counselor for the requirements..Once finalized by the Scout and the Counselor, the portion of the card designated for the Advancement Chair is turned it to become part of his permanent record.

3. The third requirement of advancement is "Scouting Spirit," or his advancement in rank through participating in Scout related service activities as outlined in the Scout Handbook. The idea is that he cannot earn his Eagle through correspondence courses, but is required to be active in the Troop by attending meetings, Troop activities other than campouts, monthly campouts, performing in the role of a leader within the patrol and within the Troop, fulfilling behavior included in being a team member. In summary aspects of Scout spirit which include anything addressed in the Scout Handbook, including wearing of the uniform, conforming to the tenets of the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout Slogan, and the Scout Motto and the Outdoor Code.

Our purpose as leaders is to assure the young Scout has the opportunity to earn the Eagle rank, to have fun and adventure, learn leadership and how to be team member, experience service to the community, and become a better person in meeting the needs of his family, his community, and his overall citizenship in the world.

With a troop the size we are, it takes a great deal of dedicated, trained leaders to make the program work. Each leader wishing to assist should register as a leader, immediately take the BSA Youth Protection Course (available on line), the Fast Start Course (available on line), and the merit badge counselor course (given annually by the District), then plan on taking the Scoutmaster Leadership Training Course (SMLT) and companion course, the Outdoor Leadership Course (OLS) offered by the District twice each year.

Your personal goal should be to monitor his Scout Handbook to assure he is getting checked off, staying abreast of and being active where possible in Troop activities, and as an active leader stay abreast of what his/your patrol is doing for their activities. If he getting behind, or is not what you think getting the most out the program, or has a problem, see the Scoutmaster other experienced leaders of guidance/assistance in keeping him on track.

He Should be achieving the rank of Life by the time he is 15 and should start thinking about an Eagle project as soon as possible to avoid the busy times he will be facing from all the directions he will be heading. Waiting until his 17th year for a project just places stress where it doesn't have to be.

There are three Eagle projects in back of the Scout Hut which will give him many ideas of what is possible in a short period of time without great expense.

There are few other successful organizations that excel as well as the Boy Scouts of America; there are few awards in life that are as gratifying and self fulfilling than the attainment of the Eagle rank as he begins writing resumes for job interviews, and through attainment of the rank will have a much greater chance of the interview or the selection compared to if he didn't.

It works..we just have to make sure it does. If he is life Scout and does not have a project in mind, he needs to go to: woodbadgeman.com to get himself oriented toward the requirements. There is a great deal of leader information here also. To stay abreast yourself, go to Scouting.org.

YiS Dan s

"Delivering the Promise"

Troop News

2011-10-18T11:13:00.000-07:00

The Quartermaster take down last night was well attended and as expected, we were completed in an hour.

The following PLC spoke to several issues, all of which were discussed by the following Troop Committee meeting..for newer Scouts/families..we always have a Patrol Leaders Conference (PLC) the Monday after the Trip.. to discuss the trip and plan for the next month's activities..the following Committee meeting discusses it's possibilities, applications, and blesses the plan while discussing other Troop business. If you want to be active with the Troop, you should plan on attending the Troop Committee meeting.

There will not be a meeting on Monday the 31st due to it being Halloween eve.

Christmas Trees: They will arrive on November 20, Sunday, at 2:00 PM..this is a family affair..please be there at 2:00 at the vicinity of the Korean Church on the corner of Valley and Tyler just up from the BPUMC.

Mr. Morrow will be calling for assistance to move the current power pole to it's new site shortly. Mr. Simon is starting to work on the Tree Lot schedule for publication. We will be opening the lot on the day after Thanksgiving and will run it until the week before Christmas day or so.

For new families...working the Tree lot is a requirement, more discussion later, for the Scout and a parent...if you can't be there, you have to arrange with another family to take your place....As Mr. Young, Sr., has stated..if everyone of the Scouts/family sells a tree to someone in the family or in the neiborhood, we won't have enough trees to sell....Please make sure you are dropping off or passing out the notices that Mr. Griggs sent for handouts for trees, wreaths, and firewood.

Wreaths: Mrs Griggs wants the money and orders at the time of the Court of Honor. Please collect the money in advance to avoid cancellations at the time of shipment..Remember, the goal for each family is 10 wreaths to assure we have sufficient operational funds for 2012.

Popcorn...Mrs Eggers wants the money and orders at the time of the Court of Honor...Remember his earnings, once the Council takes theirs for the product, are his for Scout activities in the Troop.

A Bansal's Eagle Project is coming up..more notices to be emailed....make sure you sign a consent form he will have when you drop the Scout off at the Bham Zoo for the project.

Court of Honor this coming Monday, October 24, at the Bluff Park United Methodist Church at 6:30 PM..Uniform is Khaki BSA shirt, Scout belt, Scout trousers, Scout socks ,Sash, and Troop Neckerchief.
This is a Pot luck dinner and a family affair as noted:

Venture entree plus bread or salad dish
Shark entree plus vegetable dish
Phoenix entree plus salad or desert dish
Eagles entree plus bread or vegetable dish
Crocs entree plus desert dish or bread

The Phoenix Patrol is the host patrol and they should arrive at 6:00 PM to help with the set up and arrangements.

The fee of $90.00 for USS Yorktown in Charleston is due on November 17th. This does not include fuel, meals getting there and coming back (10 hour trip on the bus), or souvenirs.....The $90.00 is our reservation fee per person....Please make sure we get it or we will assume he is not coming.

Due to several reasons, the Troop went into the red for the Cahaba River weekend particularly for the costs of renting the canoes and meals. This was due to Scouts stating they would be there and but make the trip after we guaranteed the canoes and bought the meals. This hasn't been the first time for this problem. To overcome most of it, we will require the trip's payment to be made the Monday, or sooner, before we leave or assume the Scout or family member will not be coming.

The Annual Troop trip to the Shiloh National Military Park is coming up in November (11-13). Fortuitously, the 11th is a school holiday. Also, the 11th is Veteran's Day, and the Troop will march in the Veteran's day parade in downtown Birmingham...so....

For Shiloh..we need leaders to go up on the early party on Friday (11th) to reserve our place and set up our camp..since school is out it would be great if you took the day and came with your son with the early party to help out. it would also work, since school is out if we could leave early as a Troop heading up there sooner than 6:00 PM so as to arrive earlier instead of so late. We will take a head count of this at the Court of Honor on Oct 24.

For the Parade...you can drop the Scout off in full class A uniform at 8:00 AM on the 11th at the Hut..we will stay busy with quartermaster projects until we go for lunch at 10;30 AM at the Hoover Golden Corral, then depart for the parade and should return at 3:00 PM. If we don't leave early as a group for Shiloh, then we will take the parade marchers to McDonalds for supper, or back to the Golden Corral, and return at 5:00 PM to depart for Shiloh...they will have to bring their Shiloh gear to the Hut in the AM. We will take a head count of this at the Court of Honor on Oct 24.

Flag Ceremony at the Hoover Library November 8, Tuesday at 4:00 PM...The following Scouts have volunteered to be at the Hooover library flag pole at 4:00 on Tuesday, Nov 8: S and S Hardy, J McKinney, A Miller, C Hutchens, and M Gunn...Mr. Greg Stocks will also be there with some Cub Scouts..Uniform is khaki shirt, scout belt, long Scout trousers, Scout socks, Troop Neckerchief, and merit badge sash.

The final Order of the Arrow November Ordeal for 2011, is Nov 4-6...If you haven't got your Brotherhood you can come and get it done, you can prepare for pass the test at the Chapter Meeting at the Briarwood Presbyterian Church Scout Hut on Oct 27th, then come to Camp Comer on the Ordeal weekend to get it. Or you can just come and help out. Our ceremony team will be going up Friday night..Contact S Hardy if you want to go. We will need adult transportation also. We will want to leave Friday evening at 5:00 PM or so. If your are a member of the Order of the Arrow and want to wear the pocket flap on the BSA shirt, you have to stay active by attending chapter meetings, Council ordeals and activities, and pay your annual dues of $8.00 per year....or not wear the flap...The Order is one of service and is recognized as part of earning the Eagle.

Thanks to Mr. Eggers, who at the Art Show, joined all the Tarp Poles in the Tent and Tarp boxes together with elastic ties so as to quicken the process of setting up tarps at our camp sites...

Thanks to Mr. Crabtree, we now have another ice cream maker that he has donated to the Troop. One of our own recently became dysfunctional...with a repair potential by Mr. Chuck Hanke.

Sorry for so much information in one place..but the next few months are going to be busy for us in anticipation of an even busier 2012.

Thanks for all your support and thanks for encouraging attendance.

The Court of Honor agenda is attached.

YiS Dan s

"Delivering the Promise"

PLC tonight

2011-10-17T08:59:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Mr. Cox and Mr. David Butler as outfitter, the trip down the Cahaba this weekend was one of our best in years......

Will talk more to it at the PLC on Monday Oct 17th as well as in the Committee meeting.

Scouts and leaders who went on the Cahaba trip, as well as the Troop quartemasters and patrol quartermasters should be at the Hut on Oct 17th at 6:30 PM for cleaning and storing camping equipment for about an hour..uniform not required.

We will start the Patrol leaders conference at 7:00 PM, uniform not required for the patrol leaders and assistant patrol leaders which should last an hour or less in planning the rest of Octobers and the first part of November's activities..uniform not required.

The Troop Committee meeting starts at 8:00 PM and lasts about an hour also...if you are not regularly attending, you are welcome to participate with us.

Troop News

2011-09-29T06:39:00.000-07:00

Monday night was well attended by the Quartermasters and assisting Scouts and our gear was dried, packed, and stored except for the ground cloths we had to continue to air.

Welcome again to the Lewis, Blackstone, and Miller families.

The PLC and Committee meetings were also well attended heading us to some active times in the coming weeks.

September 30-October 2

Fall Fellowship for Order of the Arrow members: there are about ten of us leaving from the Hut at 6:00 PM on Sept 30 Friday and will return Sunday. The Scouts are all on the Nunne-Hi Drum team and will be playing this weekend in the Arena at the Powwow/dancing arena at Camp Comer.

Bluff Park Art Show, Saturday 1 October

This is our annual service project for the Community and all Scouts and Leaders who can attend form 6:00 AM to 4:30-5:00 PM should help out.

The uniform is the Class A with Scout Socks, shorts, belt,and Tan Shirt...the Troop neckerchief is optional....

The Set up will start at 6:00 AM with Mr. Madison and crew setting up the two tarps for the BPUMC bake sales w/tables and chairs brought from the Church, hanging our water sales banner, putting up our tables and setting up the coffee/Geezer box.....Scouts can set up a tent along side the chuck box for a recruiting demo as the Hut will be open to visitors.

Scouts will sell the water brought over by Mr. Simon and iced by Mr. Morrow. If available, ice cream will also be sold by the Scouts at the same table or the designated vehicle, if present.

The Scouts and leaders set up cardboard trash boxes and pick up trash bags as they fill and take them to the dumpsters for disposal on a periodic basis throughout the day with the heavies from lunch onward (need the most Scouts from 11:00 AN to 3:00PM for this reason).

This year we will also be picking up designated glass/plastic/paper disposal bags as the fill in the park and taking them to designated drop-off points.

The more uniforms we have present and assisting with litter and present in the art building, the higher our visibility will be in terms of the image of Scouting and the environment/service. Thanks in advance for encouraging attendance. It's normally a fun day and a good projection of Scouting at work. The Show usually ends at 4:30-5:00PM. There is no parking except for service vehicles...there are, as advertised, bus pick up points from several sites throughout the city with buses that run on a regular basis. If you are dropping the Scout off, let the street officer know that by pointing out his uniform and assuring him you are just dropping or picking up.....

October 3 Regular meeting with Mr. Paul Mancel as a guest speaker...he is a local, successful bee keeper whose wares are sold at the Bluff Park Hardware store among other locations. Scoutmaster's Minutes in Mr. David Gunn.

October 10 Regular Meeting with Mr. Butler from the Cahaba River Society as we begin prepping for the Cahaba River Trip Scoutmaster's Minute is Mr. Simon Ng.

October 13 Quartermasters pack and load at the Hut at 6:30 PM Uniform not required

October 14-16 Cahaba River Canoe Trip (details and fees TBA)

October 17 PLC and Committee Meeting Uniform not required.

October 24 Troop Court of Honor at the Reid Crotty Fellowship Hall in the
BPUMC (same location as always).

Host Patrol: Phoenix: Arrive at 6:00 PM to assist with set up
Pot Luck dinner
Venture Family Entre/w/extra bread
Shark Family Entre/w/extra desert
Phoenix Family Entre/w/extra salad or bread or vegetable
Crocodiles Family Entre/w/extra bread or desert
Eagles Family Entre/w/ extra vegetable

October 31 Troop is deciding whether to have a meeting on Halloween night or not at this time.

Other Activities:

We are going to need two leaders and three or more Scouts to attend the annual flag ceremony at the Hoover Library on November 8. They should arrive in uniform at 4:00 PM for the 4:45 PM ceremony where they will lower the American Flag and fold it in honor or our veterans. Please call/reply to the Scoutmaster to work with this and Mr. Scott.

The Troop will be marching in the Annual Veteran's Day Parade on November 11 in downtown Birmingham as we do every year. WEBELOS are welcome to join us. We will leave from the Hut at 10:30 AM in the bus to have lunch at the Golden Corral in Hoover and from there go to the parade, returning around 3-4PM. Uniform will be Class A with Troop Neckerchief and merit badge sash. More details as announced.

Leaders: if you are active or inactive and assist w/merit badge counseling you need to attend the training at the Hut that Mrs Kidd has arranged for about an hour. (this Thursday, Sept 29th at 7:00 PM) Bring your folding chair. This is for merit badge counseling and is required annually if you assist with MB counseling at any level....they are tracking us at the Council level for compliance, so like the mandatory Youth Protection which is required each two years and before you can register as a leader, please plan on helping us out with this requirement also. Please pre register with Cathy as to have handouts prepared as required.

Youth Protection: As stated above, this is required in order to register as an adult and it is required as a class/Internet certification each two years in order to stay registered. We normally conduct this class each January at the Troop's Annal Planning Conference.

Scoutmaster Leadership Training (SMLT) and Outdoor Leadership Training (OLS) If your are an active Assistant Scoutmaster, you should have or plan on taking this training. It is available each Fall and Spring locally. It is an eye opener for understanding what the program is all about and where we are heading. Any camping gear for the OLS portion is supplied by the Troop. Email Mrs. Kidd for details (czkidii@aol.com). You receive and wear a patch for this one.

We will have one crew going to Sea Base (just north of Key West in Islamoralda) in June, 2012. Call Cathy Kidd for more details if you and/or you son(14 and older) hasn't signed yet.

YELLOWSTONE! Mr. Hardy is proposing a 15 day high adventure trip to Yellowstone National Park with sites before and after during July 2012 (or so). There will be no age restriction for Scouts. We will need a hauler for the Troop Trailer and one follow on car. We will be in the bus and anticipate a reasonable cost per person if we fill it. We will announce this to the Scouts at the next meeting and will start looking at numbers and commitment shortly after that as the details become known.

NOAC National Order of the Arrow Convention in Michigan will be held in the late July early August, 2012 time frame and the Troop will be sending our ceremony and drum team to compete.

Summer Camp 2012: the dates we are attending are June 10-16...at Camp Sequoyah.....All Scouts are recommended to go particularly incoming WEBELOS and Scouts who have not earned the First Class rank. There will be about 70 or more of us there for the week. It serves as one of the highlights of the year for spirit, camaraderie and esprit.

The USS Yorktown Trip (Charlestown, SC) is coming in January. As we have to make a down Payment for this in advance..we will be asking for the fee during the next few weeks from families as our numbers will be too great for the operations budget to carry.

LIFE SCOUTS: If your son is a life Scout, he needs to be thinking about an Eagle Project and not wait until his 17th year or more to consider it. If he is not as active as he should be with us, now, and missing the program, he should know it won't be less busy in the immediate future:

Go to Woodbadgeman.com and make a copy of the Eagle Rank requirements booklet that is available there that he will be held for at the time of his own project to serve as a guide for him now. This booklet is what the Eagle Board will use as the guidelines for the Eagle project he will work on.

Attendance: and uniform: Troop 21 is fully uniformed troop, except as announced, and all the parts are required as expected. Please make sure he is dressed on the way out of the house and has the parts he will need while on the trip..Some boys are only bring one pair of Scout Socks and one red shirt....It's hard when they have to put them on wet and dirty on the way home because he forgot his extras for that purpose.

Attendance: We recognize that time is more valuable than ever, especially today, and even more in the near future...The Troop requires that he attend a minimum of 50% of activities during the year in order to meet the purpose of the program and to satisfy the requirement of "demonstrating Scouting Spirit." Thanks in advance with your assisting with this to assure he gains the most out of the program.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s

"Delivering the Promise"

USS Yorktown, WePay

2011-09-29T06:37:00.000-07:00

In January 2012, the troop plans to travel & tour the USS Yorktown (http://www.patriotspoint.org/exhibits/yorktown/). While the final costs for fuel & meals won't be due until January, the ship requires that we pay-in-full for each attendee that will stay with the troop on the ship. That tour/camp fee is $90 per person & we must pay the final amount by 11/17/11.

To that end, if your scout (and others in your family) plan to attend the January outing, we're asking that you pay the Yorktown fee ($90/person) by November 11. You're welcome to pay the amount in a single $90-payment or break it up into two payments (i.e. one in October & the second by November 11). You may pay by check, cash, or online via WePay.com (WePay requires a membership log-in & a confirmed bank account). WePay.com members can pay at the following web address after having logged in:

WePay payments - https://www.wepay.com/group/deposit/22489

Incidentally, if you're a WePay member, you can create a shortcut on your desktop & copy/paste the aforementioned link into that shortcut. If you do so, double-clicking on that link will prompt you for your log-in info, then take you directly to the Troop 21 payment page.

If paying by cash, please include it in an envelope with the name(s) from your family that are covered by the payment. If you're paying by check, please make the check out to "BSA Troop 21" & list the names on the check. If paying online, you can notate in the comment box that the payment is for the Yorktown & list the appropriate name(s) there.

Also, the troop received a few cash payments for the most recent trip horseback riding, however the cash wasn't attributed to individual scouts. I want to make sure that the proper scouts get credit for having paid for the trip. If you paid by cash, please email me & let me know the name(s) & amounts that you paid.

As always, please let me know of any questions. Thank you.

Jay

Horseback riding trip

2011-09-20T10:13:00.001-07:00

Please don't forget the Release Form (Mystic Farms) mailed several days ago as an attachment...he needs to bring it in tonight along with his BSA Consent form and his check as described in the September 1 and September 15th memos in the Troop Blog Section of the Troop Web Site.

The fee is still 43.00 per person if he rides the horse (includes leaders) and completes the Horsemanship merit badge. The fee is $20.00 if he does not ride (includes leaders)He should bring a check tonight rather than waiting until Friday. Special required gear is a bicycle helmet and long pants for the horse riding.

If he has to come late or leave early, the address for the the program is 13762 County Road 42, Jemison, AL 35085.....going south on 65 take exit 218 and head east toward Jemison on Highway 42 crossing one intersection and continuing until you see the large, blue water tower on the left of the entrance to Mystic Farms. You can call me a 516-7161 to get to our site or continue into the site through the gate staying on driveway/road when you will see a big gate on the right and the bus down in a field as the road leads to it. We will either be there in tents or camping a bit farther down the hill. You can see the site in satellight version on Bing or Mapquest.

There are two large., well stocked lakes so he should bring his fishing pole and live bait (Walmart or whatever he prefers) and complete the fishing merit badge also as an option. The Troop has about five fishing poles/reels donated by Mr. Wes Smith he is welcome to use.

Popcorn Sales

2011-09-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

Boy Scout Popcorn sales have begun for Troop 21. Order forms were given out at last week's meeting. More forms will be available this Monday night, September 19th.

For those of you that are new to the troop, popcorn sales provide a way for T21 scouts to earn money for summer camp. The troop does not get any of the proceeds.....

The entire 35% commission of sales goes back to the scout in an account for summer camp.

Additional rewards include:

$300 Club. Scouts who sell $300 in popcorn will receive a $25.00 gift card.

$600 Club. Scouts who sell $600 in popcorn will receive
Two free tickets to the Saturday April 2012 Barber Indy Car race, and
1/2 off the GAC Boy Scout Summer Camp fee

$1000 Club. Scouts who sell $1000 in popcorn will receive
4 passes to Friday night April 2012 VIP meal with Boy Scout Indy Car Driver,
Two free tickets to the Saturday April 2012 Barber Indy Car race, and
1/2 off the GAC Boy Scout Summer Camp fee

Dates to remember:
Orders & Money are due Monday, October 24th, at the Court of Honor dinner.
Delivery date is around November 8th or 9th.

If you missed last week's meeting, you will be able to pick up order forms at tonight's meeting.

Be prepared to sell!

Elaine Eggers
T21 Popcorn coordinator

Troop News

2011-09-15T11:16:00.000-07:00

Please make a copy of the attached consent form., complete it, and have the Scout bring it on Friday (23rd) (or better Monday-19th) when we depart for the trip to Jemison (address on an earlier email if he must join us there). The cost of the trip is $43.00 per individual...Fee for riding a horse per person and the horsemanship program is $25.00..Troop meals are $12.00...fuel is $8.00 for Bus/Frank Tank/trailer/follow-on.

If you are a leader, and not riding a horse, the fee is just fuel and meals ($20.00). Please remember that he will need long pants and a biking helmet to ride and he should dress for the weather.

We will announce more details at the Monday (19th) meeting. As usual we will meet at the Hut on Friday (23rd) at 5:00 PM....and will return before Noon on Sunday ( 25th). Mr. Elmore asks for those going on the trip to bring the fees on Monday (19th) so as to quicken our departure time.

We have an exceptional speaker lined up for the 19th (Monday Meeting): Chief Charles Trucks, an icon of the Birmingham Police Department for more than 20 years, a US Special Forces veteran, and former Chief of Police of the City of Homewood, speaking to personal leadership and success in career fields of choice.

Thanks for your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Troop News

2011-09-12T07:22:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to H Elmore, N Ng, Mr. Elmore and COL Kidd for earning their membership in the Order of the Arrow this weekend at Camp Comer. Congratulations also to S and S Hardy, J Elmore, and M Gunn for their excellent job in serving as the Pre-Ordeal team for the candidates at the Ordeal this weekend. Pictures, thanks to Mr. Simon on on the Troop Web Site covering it all.

Thanks to Mr Simon and Mr. Elmore for making their vehicles available for the Trip.

Thanks to Mr. Stocks and B Stocks for attending the program at the Lakeshore Rehab Center in honoring veterans..there were about twenty Scouts and leaders present for the ceremonies.

Thanks to Mr. Morrow and all our leaders who serve on the Vulcan District Eagle Boards, the Eagle Boards last Thursday went well... Congratulations to L Young and his family for passing his final Board for his Eagle rank and congratulations to Karl Berry and family for having his project approved by the Board the same night.

The Board is always looking for members to help out and the Troop outnumbers most others in participation in the District....Ask Mr. Mark Branin, Mrs. Cathy Kidd, Mr. Wes Smith Smith, Dr. Steve Smith, Mr. Randy Watts and Mr.Win Jones for more details. Membership on the Board is not demanding and most importantly gives the Troop the depth we need for understanding Eagle Projects and their requirements for their success.

There is a regular meeting tonight at the Hut at the regular time (7:00PM). Thanks to Mr. Gunn we have an excellent speaker tonight addressing the Red Mountain Park in Birmingham with emphasis on available Eagle Projects.

We will also be completing the Schedule for the up and coming Bluff Park Art Show on Saturday Oct 1. Please encourage attendance to help out with this. Mr. Hill will give the Scoutmaster's Minute.

The Art Show coming up on September October 1 is a an annual event over the years which the Troop serves as the Service Troop for the event...we sell water, ice cream, coffee, and whatever else we can think of and is approved by the Board. So..all Scout leaders should be present all or part of the day to help out and earn their service time for the community.

One group will come in at 6:00 AM to do our set up and set up the Tarps for the Bluff Park UMC Bake Sale. Everyone else will man shifts during the day to pick up trash and litter in during the event, assist the artists as asked, take stations in the club house to watch over the art, and sell water, ice cream, and whatever else we choose for the day.

The final shift assure we are cleaned up. Please encourage attendance to assure our usual success in giving this annual service. The uniform during the entire day is Class A w/out merit badge and neckerchief.

We also have the Fall Fellowship weekend at Camp Comer on the Art Show Weekend. The Drum Team will be going there along with any other Scout or Leader wishing to participate. We will most likely require additional transportation for the Scouts and leaders, as well as for carrying the Drum for the performance they will be giving for all the dancers during the evening show at the arena. If you and/or the Scout are members, please think about attending. Details are found on the Coosa50.org web site.

The Nunne-Hi Chapter of the Coosa Lodge Order of the Arrow Drum team is one of several in the lodge..Thanks to Mr. Ben Putnum, Chapter Drumming Advisor, members of Troop 21 are the Nunne-Hi Team at present. They just performed excellently last year at the Regional conclave in Georgia and just this last weekend for about 250 Arrowmen and women at the Fall Ordeal....Thanks to S and S Hardy, E Kidd, P Kidd, N Bolding, M Gunn, and J Elmore they are only getting better as they move along....all the Order of the Arrow members of the Troop are invited to attend the practice sessions and join the team. The next session will be on the 18th and 24th (Sundays) of this month from 1:30 PM to 4:00PM..they will be learning and playing four additional songs and drum sequences at the Hut.

For the up and coming Horseman ship trip to Jemison..please make sure the Scout, and if attending, leaders, who will be riding, to bring head protection (Bicycle Helmets). As the Scouts will be earning the Horsemanship merit badge, he should go to the web site merit badge requirements list and start completing the written requirements, if any prior to his arriving for the trip so he won't have to worry about it later as well as to get an earlier start for understanding the required skill sets.

Thanks again for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Troop Election tonight

2011-08-29T10:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks again to Mr. Dale Brownbridge for getting all the wood in front of the Hut we gathered over the past few months, and split this weekend, with Mr. Nelms and Mr. Presley, and the nearly thirty people who showed up Saturday morning to get it done....A lot of work quickly and impressively stacked. Thanks to all for the potential it serves for us this year.

We need a good attendance for the meeting tonight for Troop Elections. The boys will be electing the Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol leaders, and all the other positions we vote for each six months. Those not elected are appointed or volunteered.

Again, there will be no meeting on September 5th due to the Labor Day holiday..

We have lined up some great programs for the month's meeting dates and the trip to Clanton will be a first for the Troop, following the Bluff Park Art Show on October 1. With the Cahaba Canoe Trip coming up in October, and Shiloh in November, we have an exiting Fall season coming up. In between all of this are the Order of the Arrow weekends for the Ordeal and Fall Fellowship.

Mr. Simon will be posting the updated Troop roster (dated August 17) on the Troop web site in the next day or so..please take a look at it and make sure your contact information is correct and the Scout's personal data is in sync where he is supposed to be. The roster is attached to this memo if you would like to open it now.

If your son is an Eagle or Croc and has been active since he joined in March...he should be nearing getting his ten activities required for 1st Class....If that is the case or he is getting closer, he needs to contact the Scoutmaster for a Scoutmaster's Conference and Board of Review..The campout coming in September will provide the time at that location to get a good number of these done. If he is working on higher ranks the same applies for his earning merit badges and performing required activities/responsibilities for that rank. If he is Life Scout ( Shark through Venture) ..he needs to have Eagle Project in mind and to begin planning on getting it behind him.

The Scouts and leaders attending the Sea Base Trip this year are asked to bring in their first $100.00 to Ms. Kidd for their required downpayment.

Uniform for meetings are a Scout T shirt or red Troop T shirt, Scout shorts, Scout socks, and Scout belt.

Splitting wood Saturday

2011-08-26T08:56:00.000-07:00

All, this is a reminder that the firewood splitting and stacking is this Saturday from 8AM till noon. We have a number of pallets set up behind the hut & ready for stacking on.

Mr. Nelms & Mr. Presley will be bringing splitters, so the hardest work will be in moving & stacking the split wood. All hands will make the work easier.

Please bring work gloves, water bottles & work shoes. Mr. Horn will be opening the hut so we have facilities, etc.

This counts as service and activity in Troop, so please put your name on the sign-in sheet when you arrive, and remember to sign out when you leave.

Regards,
Dale

Troop News

2011-08-24T06:36:00.000-07:00

August 22 We had a well attended PLC and Committee meeting yesterday. Thanks to all who attended for the input we received and the planning we made...Thanks especially to Youngs for their leadership in tree sales recommendations for the coming season and for Dr. Tracy Hamilton's input as the Troop's former Committee Chairman and former wreath and tree sales Chair.

August 29 We need a good turnout this coming Monday for Troop Elections. The new leaders will assume office on Octobe 24 at our Troop Court of Honor. Scoutmaster's minute is Mr. Brownbridge.

September 5 There is no meeting due to the Labor Day Holiday,

September 12 Regular meeting ( We need a program/guest speaker) Scoutmaster's minute is Mr. Hill

September 19 Prep for Campout (We need a Program/guest speaker as well as setting up the work Schedule for the Bluff Park Art Show coming on 1 October) coming 23-24 Sept Scoutmaster's minute is Mr. Paul Young

(NOTE THAT THE TRIP WEEKEND HAS CHANGED FROM SEPT 16-19 TO SEPT 23-25)

September 22 loading Troop gear for Trip to Clanton for the weekend..All the attending Scouts will earn the Horsemanship merit badge as well as getting a 3 hour or so ride. There will be stations they attend on all aspects of the merit badge requirements. The property has two ponds where the boys can earn the fishing merit badge if they haven't already.

The cost for 40 persons is projected as $25.00 for the riding fee w/specialist for the merit badge; $12.00 for meals and and $10.00 for fuel ( Bus + Frank Tank + 3 cars) is $40.00 per person

September 23 Meet a hut at 5:00 PM and return at around noon on Sept 25

September 26 PLC and Troop committee Meeting

Sept 30-Oct 2 Order of the Arrow fellow ship weekend at Camp Comer

October 1 Troop services the Annual Bluff Park Art Show from 6:00 AM until 5:00 PM....We sell water/ice cream/coffee/wreaths/firewood empty park trash cans, pick up litter, assist artists as needed.

If your Scout recently made Second Class at the recent Court of Honor, the recent trip to SC and the activities coming up in Sept should get him close to his 10 activities for 1st Class..when he completes those, he needs to get a Scoutmaster's Conference with the SM before a regular meeting or on the next trip we take in September. Same would apply to 2nd Class (5 troop activities) if he made tenderfoot at the last Court of Honor.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS dan s

"Delivering the Promise"

Troop News

2011-08-22T11:37:00.000-07:00

The white water trip to the Ocoee and Nantahalla was one of our best with about 59 Scouts and leaders...Thanks to Mr. Simon the photos are posted on our Troop Web Site.

Welcome again to A Miller and his family in joining the Troop last week and for participating in his first trip w/us this last weekend.

Thanks epecially to Mr Branin, Mr. Schock, Mr. Horn, Mrs and Mrs Young, and Mr Hanke for setting up the camp site at Gee State Park before we arrived. Thanks also to Mr. Gunn, Mr. Morris, Dr. Brantley, and Mr. Simon, and Mr. Schock for making their vehicles available for the trip to haul leaders in following the packed bus and for the advance party. It was good to see Dr. Bansal and Mrs. Cullwell lendin support on the trip as well.

As we have spoken to it, I called Raccoon Mountain (Tenn) and found that the fee for an overnight four hour wild cave expedition is $40.00 and $46.00 for a six hour tour. That doesn't include a ride up the cable car to Lookout Mountain that we would do in the morning and afternoon then eating a meal before we went into the cave after 6:30 PM..nor fuel for the bus ride up and back...There is space available at this if we want to go in place of Oak Mountain in September.

Our scheduled trip for September is to Oak Mountain for wilderness survival training for the scouts who have not earned the merit badge and for biking/backpacking/canoeing for those who have.

We have this choice to make at the PLC and committee meeting. We have been spending some good sized fees and putting some mileage on the bus recently with more coming..so I thought Oak Mountain would serve as a break away from that..but then caving fun and higher adventure as a break from the ordinary. Need some input on this from the PLC and the Committee tonight to make a final decision.

Uniform is not required tonight for the equipment take down and storage at 6:30 PM, the PLC at 7:00 PM, and the Committee meeting at 8:00 PM. If you havent attended a Troop committee meeting whether you choose to be active with us or not or just join in the conversation, please feel free to attend.

The Council Top Gun competition at Camp Sequoyah is the coming Saturday for any of our boys who may have done the shooting merit badge at camp and were invited by the Shooting Sports Director to attend..

Mr. Brownbridge and Mr. Nelms will be at the Hut this Saturday splitting our wood and stacking it. Please have the Scout come by and assist all who can be there to get this behind us.. The work will count as service for rank advancement for the boys.

The District will be putting on their routine adult leadership courses (SMLT..Scoutmaster Leader Training and the companion OLS.Outdoor Leadership Training) during October and November..These are excellent courses on assuring leaders understand the fundamentals of working as leaders with the Scouts in a Troop setting both at the Hut and in the field. If you haven't attended and will attend campouts with the Troop. please try to schedule some time and make a point of signing up. Same for all the course offered on myscouting.org. Please make sure you give Cathy Kidd all the resultant certificates your earn for the Troop and Council records.

We will also be talking at the Committee meeeting to a bus trip/campout to the north (Glacier) or to the west (Yellowstone) since Philmont and Seabase haven't been worked out due to sheduling issues ....

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Whitewater trip

2011-08-18T13:39:00.000-07:00

We had a well attended meeting tonight, with less than a few exceptions, all going on the trip were present.

There will be about 60 Scouts and leaders on the trip....

Patrol leaders, Ast patrol leaders, patrol quartermasters, and Troop quartermasters will meet at the Hut on Thursday (August 18) at 6:30 PM to prepare and load our gear on the Frank Tank and the large trailer.

.The early party will leave with Mr. Branin (Mr. Horn, Mr. Schock, Mr. Horn, and Mr. and Mrs Paul Young ) in the AM on Friday (August 19)....The main body of the Troop will meet at the Hut at 5:00PM Friday for a departure as soon as we can..Quartermasters parents purchasing meals can pick up a Troop ice chest in the back of the Hut to ice down meals for the Friday departure..include the ice on your receipt for reimbursement. Remember...aim for $3.00 per person per meal, no soft drinks or ice tea except as provided by the Troop, and no desert for the Saturday meal as we will have Troop ice cream.

We will get most of the 39 Scouts on the bus (36) with the remainder riding up with Mr. Gunn on Saturday (August 20) morning, and in Mr. Simon's, Mr. Horne's, and Dr. Brantley's vehicles on Friday following with the bus.

The Troop will eat a fast breakfast on Saturday, departing for rafting NLT 8:30 AM.

He will need lunch money for a stop for lunch at McDonalds, before we get to he Nantahalla Center/ put-in.

We will return back to Camp at about 6:00 PM, have dinner, ice cream, and a camp fire.

What he needs to have on the trip:

Red Troop T shirt w/scout shorts/scout socks, and Scout belt for trip to the camp site from Bham and return.

Shorts/bathing suit/T shirt /sneakers or boat shoes (Crocs not permitted) for the river..if cold natured, he may want to bring a nylon jacket over the t shirt under the required personal flotation device. Hats are optional.

Quart drinking water Water bottle and water bailer with rope for tying on the raft (gallon milk jug or orange juice jug used as a bailer and water sports on the river)

If he wears glasses, he should wear glasses restraints while on the river (will make him tie on with string otherwise)..

Towel, dry shorts/t-shirt socks and shoes for the 2 1/2 - three hour trip back to camp after rafting unless he wants to sit with wet clothes on the bus on the way back to camp. Showers for a dollar or so will be available at the Nantahalla, so he needs to have some body soap if he wants it once off the river.

We will depart Gee State Park, after a Sunday ( August 21) service, as soon as possible for a return before 2:00 PM to the Hut (he should have breakfast/lunch money for a stop at McDonalds).

IMPORTANT: When you drop him off Friday afternoon, please make sure you come in and sign the Ocoee or Nantahalla River Consent form inside the Hut and bring the regular BSA consent for from the Troop web site with him. He won't be able to leave without both being signed...the fee for the trip for Nantahalla remains at $60.00; the fee for the Ocoee remains at $112.00

Thanks for all you support and for encouraging attendance..

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Eagle Board of Review Procedures

2011-08-17T07:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Scoutmasters and Eagle Advisors,

We wanted to share with you some suggestions for submittal of the Eagle project books that will make things run a little better for our Board members and our Scouts. You will want to share this e-mail with your Life Scouts and with your Eagle advisors. At some point soon, these procedures will become mandatory.

1. Timing. The deadline for project books remains the last Thursday of the month and Eagle Boards will continue to be held on the second Thursday of each month, beginning at 7:00 p.m. (See discussion below on deadline extension requests.)

2. Eagle Project Books; One Binder, Two Additional Copies. While we request a total of three copies of each Eagle book, we do not want three separate loose-leaf binders for the books. We prefer one loose-leaf binder that contains the full project book accompanied by two separate Xerox copies of the proposal that are just stapled together. The copies can be sandwiched into the binder. If you are worried about them getting lost, put a couple of large rubber bands around the loose-leaf. This avoids the need for the Scouts to purchase three binders and will help us in the physical handling of the books. (On a personal basis, it means the difference between your humble Eagle Board Chairman having to carry 16 books in a given month or 48. It will also help out Angie in the Scout office in handling the materials.)

3. Binders with Pockets. As far as the binders themselves, we prefer a one-inch binder, rather than larger ones. Also, please submit binders that have a thin pocket inside the front cover. Most binders come that way now. The pocket is useful for holding the Eagle application, the letters of recommendation and the statement of ambition.

4. E-mail Addresses. The Project Book contains a blank for an e-mail address that is marked "optional". Notwithstanding that designation, we now always communicate with the Scouts about Eagle Board dates via e-mail. Please consider e-mail addresses to be mandatory.

5. Letters of Recommendation. Remember that final Eagle books should be accompanied by:
(i) the original Eagle application containing all the necessary signatures,
(ii) a statement of ambition and
(iii) three letters of recommendation. The best procedure is to have the letters placed in sealed envelopes, addressed to the Vulcan District Eagle Board of Review, and to submit them to the council office at the same time as the final project books and applications. Do not mail them to the Scout office. Having them mailed to the Scout office causes all sort of problems because they have to be sorted and make their way to the Eagle coordinator and sometimes don't get there before the Thursday deadline. If for some reason letters of recommendation are not ready by the Thursday deadline, please do not take them to the Scout office or have them mailed. Have the Scout bring them to Briarwood on the night of the BoR so that they can be reviewed by the Board.

6. Deadlines are Deadlines Except . . . . One of the things we try to teach Scouts is the importance of personal management, which includes meeting deadlines. To that end, we would appreciate your refraining from turning in books late or requesting extensions of the last Thursday deadline. The only exception should be for a Scout that is approaching his 18th birthday and is making a last ditch attempt to make it to Eagle. While we realize that it is entirely inconsistent to give those who have waited until the last minute a break in scheduling, our goal is, after all, to promote worthy Scouts. We can live with the inconsistency and hope you will be understanding.

7. The Perfect Eagle Book. In summary, the perfect Eagle book will consist of one 1" loose-leaf binder, with a pocket in the inside front cover, and containing the following:
(i) Complete Eagle project book having all necessary signatures and with all pages included. Some Scouts put every page in a vinyl loose-leaf sleeve. This is optional but not required.
(ii) Two complete stapled copies of the Eagle Project book (just sandwiched inside the binder, not in separate binders).
In addition, if this is the final Eagle Board of Review and not preliminary project approval, the following should be included
(iii) Completed Eagle Application with all signatures (in front pocket)
(iv) Statement of Ambition (in front pocket)
(v) Sealed envelopes with three letters of recommendation (in front pocket)

Further information on the Eagle application process can be found at our District's very own website: http://vulcan.1bsa.org/advancement.php

Our goal as a group is to make the procedures for Eagle reviews as efficient and logical as possible so that our Scouts and the panels can concentrate on the substance of the project books and engage in the serious dialogue that is intended for these boards. The October Vulcan District Roundtable will be devoted to training of Scoutmasters and adult leaders on the "Life to Eagle" Process. We will be there to answer questions about the BoR process, and Alvie Allison, our District Advancement Chairman, will lead the discussion. Make your plans to join us.

Thanks for your service to Scouting and especially for your work with these young men as they seek Scouting's highest rank.

Yours in Scouting,

George Taylor
Chairman, Vulcan District Eagle Board of Review

Justin Kelly,
Vice Chairman, Vulcan District Eagle Board of Review

Troop News

2011-08-14T14:33:00.000-07:00

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"

Troop News

2011-08-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

We have an exceptional program coming tonight with a presentation by J Ng.....he will be speaking to and presenting a program on his personal experience at the National Youth Leadership School (NOLS) in Alaska several weeks ago..please encourage attendance for the potential the program has for Scouts in the Troop. This will be followed by other short Troop topics.

Congratulations to Mr. Griggs and Mrs. Russell for earning their CDL's. We are looking forward to the rides down the road during our adventures getting there and back.

Thanks again to Mr. Dan Coker, for those Scouts who signed up for the rifle and shot gun merit badge this coming Saturday at the Brock's Gap Training Center, they need to be there at 8:00 PM with their water bottle, $10.00 for the merit badges and $3.00 for lunch (separate costs) A total of $13.00 can be made out the the Troop as a check or in cash. The July 26 Troop newsletter has all the details.

We have a headcount from the Court of Honor for the White water trip.....At the time, depending on final numbers..the cost for the Nantahalla trip is $60.. and the cost for the Ocoee is $112.00 (changed from 122.00 for a discount arranged by Mr. Branin for the Troop)..the fees were calculated in the August 2 newsletter and will absorb additional extra costs for fuel if we need addition vehicles and miscellaneous costs for the advance party as required for the set up.

At the meeting tonight we will talk to more details about the trip, including attendance on the advance party to set up our camp. Please encourage attendance so we can harden our numbers count...If you or your son intend to go on the trip but cannot be present for the Monday meetings, his patrol leader/quartermaster must know on the 15th whether he is coming or not for meal planning. As requested by Mr. Elmore, The checks for the trip should be brought in on at the meeting on the 15th to lighten the work load the Friday we leave in collecting them....Please also complete the BSA Consent Form found on on the Troop Web Site.

We will also talk to the swim test requirements at the meeting tonight for those who have not passed are still required to pass it this year.

The Troop's Order of the Arrow Drum and Ceremony Team met at the Hut yesterday with about seven in attendance....we will be scheduling some Sunday afternoons in preparation for the September Ordeal coming up soon.

Thanks to Mr.Doug Hardy, the first meeting of the 2012 Sea Base trip met at the Hut Sunday evening (last night) and about 23 have signed up for the trip in the middle of July with more details tonight at the Troop meeting.

The L Young Eagle Project met for it's second work day on the last Saturday and are nearing a completion stage...Logan will be announcing his final plans in the immediate future if more assistance is required...The project is a premier example of an excellent bridge building plan and execution that all of the Scouts should understand for planning their own in the future.

We have a great deal going on with an action packed plan during the next few months....please encourage attendance and thanks for all your support in assuring the program is as strong as it is.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

COH tonight at BPUMC

2011-08-01T06:43:00.000-07:00

The work at the Young Eagle Project was true learning process and strong teamsmanship for those who were present as can be seen on the Troop Web Site posted by Mr. Simon today...as was the Court of Honor today for J Ng, A Byrd, and B Garrett....likewise posted on the Troop web site. Thanks for all your support and encouraging attendance to make both of these successful...Congratulations again to B Garrett,J Ng, and A Byrd for earning their Eagle rank and to their parents, family, and leaders who assisted in the endeavor.

L Young's project will continue next Saturday....at the same place..encourage the Scout, as well as leaders, on helping out with this.

The Troop Court of Honor is tomorrow (Monday, August 1) at the regular location at the Bluff Park United Methodist Church..the Shark patrol is the host patrol and should arrive at 6:00 PM to help w/ the set up... Uniform for Scouts is tan shirt/neckerchief/Scout shorts/Scout sock, and merit badge sash. Dinner is the Pot Luck format with what to bring posted on an earlier Troop News letter. Starting time will be be at 6:30 PM

Thanks to Advancement Chairman, Mr. Stacy Cole, all the merit badges earned at summer camp, as well as all recent rank advancements will be given at the Court tomorrow, so please encourage attendance. We will be making a great deal of announcements and asking for commitments to our up and coming activiites.

Attached is the Agenda for tomorrow night..please make a copy...give a copy to your son and point out to him where he should be prepared to speak of an activity when called upon.

Thanks again for all your support and encouraging attendance...being there is ninety percent of making all of this work for us.

YiS Dan S "Delivering the Promise"

Eagle Court of Honor Sunday 1pm @BPUMC

2011-07-31T07:21:00.001-07:00

31 July, Sunday (EAGLE COURT FOR B Garrett, A Byrd and J Ng) 1:00 PM in the Old Sanctuary of the Bluff Park United Methodist Church. Uniform is Class A + (Tan Shirt w/sash and neckerchief) Reception and Slideshow follow....

Troop News

2011-07-26T08:20:00.000-07:00

The Water Sports Weekend was one of our best with 45 leaders and Scouts in attendance.

Thanks again to Charles and Cathy Kidd for the use of the property and to all the leaders who made their power boats (6) available for skiing and tube pulling. Thanks to the special efforts of Mr. Cox, as well as his towing the troop canoes to the lake, fifteen Scouts earned the canoeing merit badge. Meals were excellent and the campfire closed activities for the evening. We returned to the Hut at about 10:30 Sunday.

Thanks to Mr. Madison, the Troop canoe trailer was refurbished with new tires and greased bearings making its use timely for the trip.

Thanks to those who attended the equipment take-down and storage Monday night, quartermaster activity went quickly and was wrapped up in time for the 7:00 PM Patrol Leaders Conference. There was also good attendance for the Conference, lacking the Shark patrol.

The coming week and weeks following are going to be busy for the Troop.....please encourage attendance as much a possible...

28 July (CHRISTMAS TREE AND FUND RAISING COMMITTEE) there will be a meeting at the Hut starting at 6:30 PM to discuss fundraising. The meeting will continue into 7:00 PM for discussion of the Christmas Tree sales lot set up and sales strategy this year. We will began at the Hut and travel to the site for recommendations and ideas.

30 July, Saturday (L YOUNG'S EAGLE PROJECT) more information to follow in a bulletin

31 July, Sunday (EAGLE COURT FOR J NG, B GARRETT, AND A BYRD) 1:00 PM in the Old Sanctuary of the Bluff Park United Methodist Church. Uniform is Class A + (Tan Shirt w/sash and neckerchief) Reception follows....

1 August, Monday (TROOP COURT OF HONOR) Sharks are the Host Patrol and should arrive at 6:00 PM to assist with the set up. This is the usual Pot Luck dinner affair with an agenda to be mailed shortly:

Venture I and II Entre plus vegetable dish
Sharks Entre plus desert dish
Phoenix Entre plus salad dish
Eagles Entre plus salad, or bread, or desert dish
Crocodiles Entre plus bread or salad

Uniform is tan shirt w/sash and Troop neckerchief..important announcements regarding future trips will be announced and head counts taken

6 August (L YOUNG'S EAGLE PROJECT) more information to follow in a bulletin

8 August REGULAR MEETING w/Special guest speaker (J Ng and the National Outdoor Leadership School that he recently attended in Alaska. Scoutmaster's minute: Mr. Crabtree

13 August (RIFLE AND SHOTGUN MERIT BADGE) at the Steel City Shooting Sports range on South Shadescrest Road...reservations are required in order to participate by calling or emailing Mr. Danny Coker. He has to have the reservation..

If the Scout needs to finish up from the May shooting sports campout, this is the time to do it...he can also contact Dr. Nelson if he just needs to clean a rifle...or attend on the 13th for the same.

We will meet at the Hut at 7:30 AM and drive to the range. Leaders/parents can stay the entire time or drop him off..we will not be taking the bus as originally planned. Or, you can bring him to the range and pick him up when he calls you. Directions (3721 South Shades Crest Road, Hoover, 35244) to the range are: From the intersection of 150 and South Shades Crest Road, continue East on South Shades Crest Road passing a intersection/light (Brock's Gap Parkway) then taking a left in front of the railroad tracks, at the sign pointing the direction of the range. The intent is to be complete by 5:00 PM..Rifle will be from 8:00 until noon...Shotgun form 12:30 to completion by 5:00 PM

The fee is $10.00 for the event in a check or cash made out to Troop 21. Mr. Kyle Horn will provide hot dogs for lunch for an additional cost of $3.00 per person in addition to the $10.00 fee or he can bring his own.

August 15 REGULAR MEETING... Guest speakers Mr. Mark Griggs and Nevin Cox regarding whitewater safety....S and S Hardy regarding Order of the Arrow ceremonies and drum...

In order to go on the Trip to the Nantahalla or the Ocoee in TN, Scouts and leaders need to have passed the annual BSA Swimming test, this year, either at summer camp or as checked off at a local pool by a certified life guard using the guidelines written in the BSA Scout Handbook..Please make sure this is done to assure we conform with these BSA water safety and safety afloat requirements.

The costs so far, without adding meals/ fuel/park camping fees per person is $95.00 for the Ocoee and $20.00 for the Nantahalla..our numbers, at a headcount at the Court of Honor, will determine the cost of fuel with $12.00 added for meals. Please encourage attendance to keep the costs for fuel down.

We will need Leaders/Scouts to go up on the early party friday morning of the trip to assure we reserve space in the State Park we camp in....if you can help out with this please call Mr. Branin ...Like Shiloh...this is important and required in order to set up our tents and tarps owing to the late arrival of the Scouts Friday night.

August 18th (QUARTERMASTER LOADING AT THE HUT FOR THE TRIP)

August 19-21 WHITEWATER TRIP to Tennessee (More details to follow in a bulletin).

August 22 EQUIPMENT TAKE DOWN/PLC/TROOP COMMITTEE MEETING

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Troop News

2011-07-22T12:43:00.000-07:00

Uniform for the Trip is Red T shirt, Scout shorts, Scout belt, and Scout socks. He'll need his bathing trunks and a sneaker or boat shoe for canoeing if he will work on the merit badge. Sun Screen and a water bottle will be important for him.

He should eat dinner or bring it with him on the bus as we will not be stopping enroute to the lake property.

We meet for final loading at 5:00 PM.. the cost per person is $30.00 Please bring the consent form you can download off the Troop web site to save time when he gets there. We will make a stop for ice at the Piggley Wiggley then head out.

They should be ready for activities after a big breakfast between 8:30 and 9:00 AM on Saturday morning.

Water activities will last into the late afternoon before preparing dinner. If he will need a Scoutmasters Conference or a Board of review he should bring his Scout book for signing off.

We will probably stop for a snack and fuel on the way home Sunday and plan on arriving between 11 and Noon.

Mr. Simon has loaded the Philmont pictures on the Web site....they are well done and gives a good idea of the adventure.....

Thanks for your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Water Skiing and Canoeing this weekend

2011-07-19T06:48:00.000-07:00

A good meeting but off in attendance..

There were multiple topics covered tonight including preparation for canoeing this weekend by Mr. Cox, preparation for water skiing by P Kidd, details of food portions and dutch oven cooking, a review of the visit to the City Council by Mr Crabtree, and a summary of the Philmont Trip by several members of the crew who returned this evening.

Note: There was final headcount for the Trip resulting in about 40 instead of the planned 60...based upon the less than expected, we need to boot the individual fee for the trip to $30.00 instead of the planned $25.00 in order break even with the projected expenses... If you have already written a check for $25.00 we will keep it. you can add the $5.00 to the next trip.

If you or your son were absent tonight and plan to attend but didn't earlier advise the patrol leader , he needs to call the patrol leader to assure he is included in the headcount for meals for the Scout and a parent. If a leader, I will need to know for the number of tents required..

The Senior, the ASPL, Troop quartermasters, and patrol quartermasters need to be at the hut at 6:30 PM this Thursday to gather and load our gear..Uniform not required.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance...

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Troop News

2011-07-15T07:32:00.000-07:00

Dr. Nelson will be at the Scout Hut on Sunday at 1:30 PM for those Scouts who need to complete the rifle merit badge (clean a rifle) they worked on during the May trip.....the next opportunity will be on August 13th w/Mr. Dan Coker when those who want to work and complete the shotgun or rifle merit badge can at the range on South Shades Crest in Hoover.

There were several Scouts who completed the shotgun merit badge at the Shooting Sports activity at
Camp Sequoyah in May...they need to call the Scoutmaster some time this week or see him Monday at the meeting to complete those requirements. Please make sure he does this in order to be awarded the badge at the August Court of Honor.

Thanks to Mr. Cox, and all the leaders who went on the trip last night, the climbing activities at "1st
Avenue Rocks" was as much fun as they could have in a couple of hours. we left the hut just short of 6:00 PM and returned by 8:30.

Congratulations to D Holditch for being awarded his Eagle last night at the Eagle Boards..Thanks again to Mr Morrow for his work as Troop Eagle Advisor in making sure all the work and details for the Eagle projects are completed as planned and required with our Scouts and their families.

As earlier announced, M Phillips will be working on his Eagle project tomorrow 9am ....this is an activity and check off for service for the Scouts that need it... as well as help him complete it...uniform is not required but the red t shirt and shorts is optional. They will meet at the Deer Valley Elementary School on the Ross Bridge Parkway. Groups of Scouts and leaders (driving vehicles) will place plaques on street storm drains in the Ross bridge area. .

Finally, attendance is required for Scouts at the Monday night meeting (July 18) to complete preparations for the Troop water sports trip next weekend. We need a head count, go over basics, and cover other topics planned in the PLC. As of today we are expecting six power boats and our six canoes (to work on the canoe merit badge) at lake Logan Martin (July 22-24).

Thanks for all your support and encouraging attendance.

Rock Climb Thursday Jul 14

2011-07-12T08:44:00.000-07:00

If your son is coming to the First Ave Rocks climb this Thursday he needs to be at the hut with his red troop t shirt, shorts, and Scout Socks....the fee is $10.00 per person before we get on the bus....please go the the below listed First Ave Rocks web site and complete the release form for both the leader and Scout, then go to the Troop web site and complete the BSA release form also...he needs both to participate.

If he can't be there at 5:30 PM you may bring him there in your car..and he can ride the bus back, but he will need both waivers and the $10.00 to participate.

We haven't been here before, but thanks to Mr. Cox we have a great deal and anticipate a lot of fun.

1st rocoks is Located 2417 1st Ave. S

www.firstaverocks.com

New Scout rank requirement & Troop News

2011-07-01T10:38:00.000-07:00

For some confusion and information:

If your son attended summer camp for the first time this year.....his book should be checked off by a leader who attended summer camp or the Scoutmaster for nearly all his Tenderfoot, Second class, and First Class requirements. If he did not attend summer camp with the Troop, he needs to see the Scoutmaster to confirm the requirements he has and the ones he will need.

He should be a checked off as Tenderfoot Scout if has gone to summer camp with the Troop and Second Class if he has made his first aid kit, went to Shiloh with us last Fall for Trail 4, and gone on (2) campouts and three other activities with us; if not, he will have to go camping for some of those activities since the time he crossed over as a Scout....if he has gone camping with us and attended other activities, he only needs five activities, (two of which must be camping) (requirement 3a second class) along with his first aid kit (requirement 7b second class).

If he went to Shiloh with us last November, and did half of Trail 4 then he has completed the compass requirement for Second Class (1b) if he also was at summer camp this year for Col Kidd's course on the compass. If he went to Shiloh, but did not come to summer camp this year, then he has not completed requirement (1b) for Second class.

For First Class, he must camp out (regular three day camp out) a total of three times as a Scout and have seven more Troop activities (First Class Requirement # 3) for a total of 10.

With exceptions, nearly all the boys earned Tenderfoot at camp, and only need their activities count for Second (plus the first aid kit) and First Class....

When the believe they have completed those requirements for Second Class, they should see the Scoutmaster for their Second Class Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review.

When ready for their First Class, the should see the Scoutmaster for the Scoutmaster Conference and then have a Board of Review with other selected leaders.

If they are not an exception,,,most should have their Second Class Rank by October or sooner, and their First Class rank by March, 2012 or sooner.

Activities, including camping, are important for the rank of Eagle...he learns all the advancement requirements, leadership, teamsmanship, and commuications skills by being with us as frequently as possible. Please encourage attendance to get the most out of the program.Eagles aren't made through correspondence courses or by not being there.

As we know, this Troop travels on a bus for all our major activities...we have to have CDL certified drivers for us to continue as smoothly as we do. Please think about helping out with this. We are down to about three at this time.

All of our Merit badge counselors will have to take an hour long certification course in the future (annually). please make plans to attend this for us.We will invite an instructor to a location of our choice....finally, please make sure you are up to date on you youth protection certification which all leaders have to have updated regularly....Youth Protection and all the other required leader certifications are available on Scouting.org..you need to give you copy to Mrs. Kidd. Youth Protection is required each two years if you are registered with the Troop.

Not finally, we need a leader or two to step up and serve as the coordinator for a Northern Tier or Sea Base trip in 2012..taking the bus or flying will be the decision of the attendees. Unfortunately, we will not be going as a Troop to Philmont in 2012, as we were not called up in the lottery system. 2013 is possible again. Minimum age for a Scout is 14..sll three of these high adventure bases can be found on our web site for more information.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance to assure our program is successful as it is.

YiS Dan s

"Delivering the Promise"

Troop News

2011-06-28T18:43:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of activities going on during the next several weeks this summer....

The Troop's Philmont crew heading out to Philmont this weekend with Troop 254 will leave Friday on 264's bus..they will return the weekend of the 17th.

Short Notice: This Thursday at 4:00 PM we need several Scouts to assist with a Flag retirement ceremony at Pleasant Grove at City Hall for about 15 Flags found in the Debris..I can carry three Scouts and we will meet at the Hut at 2:45 PM..Short notice but I think we can do it. I will ask Mr. Jones from Troop 96 to help out also. Class A Plus uniform. Please reply if your son cans assist.

There is no meeting on July 4 owing to the Holiday. Happy Fourth!

There will be a District Round Table at the usual place on July 7 starting at 6:30 PM

July 11th Regular meeting....will meet at the Hut at 6:45PM for a bus trip to a special visit to a big Game Hunter known in throughout the community and by our own Scouts...talking and illustrating his world travels.

Evening of July 14th..Thanks to Mr. Cox the Troop has some time and space to go Rock Climbing at First Avenue (First Avenue Rock). We haven't been there before and we need to make a reservation for numbers.....will have more details but will leave on the bus if we have enough who want to go. A note has been but out by Mr. Cox and we need replies as soon as possible.

Mason Phillips will be working on his Eagle Project July 16th, as noted in a message he recently sent out to the Troop.

July 17 several of the Scouts earned the rifle and shotgun merit badge at summer camp and just lack cleaning the rifle...we will work on that for those who can be at the Hut to clean a rifle with Dr. Nelson on July 17th starting at 1:30PM .

Regular meeting on July 18th for water skiing and canoe basics prior to the Canoe Trip on 22-24 July at Lake Logan Martin. Thanks to using the Kidd's property again and for Mrs. Kidd coordinating 6 speed boats and our canoes..it has the making of full weekend on the water for water skiing and the canoeing merit badge.

Thursday July 21st is quartermaster preparation and packing to leave.

July 22-24 Water sports weekend

July 25th PLC and Committee Meeting

August 1: Troop Court of Honor for Summer camp merit badges and rank advancement at the Bluff Park United Methodist Church 6:30 PM Host Patrol is Venture I and II (arrive at 6:00 for set up)

Venture 1 and 11 entree plus vegetable
Sharks entree plus desert
Phoenix entree plus salad
Eagles entree plus desert or bread or salad
Crocs entree plus bread or salad

August 13 Rifle Merit and Shot gun Merit badge at the Steele City Shooting Club....right now, if enough we will pick up from the hut, drive over in the morning and return in the early afternoon....Thanks to Mr. Danny Coker the fee is minimal, as announced earlier, and leader coaching will be on hand to move along quickly...need a reply if the Scout is interested.

Troop News

2011-06-23T06:54:00.001-07:00

We had a good turnout for the PLC and Committee meeting. If you are not a Committee Member, you are always invited to join us on our meetings the Monday night after the campout to add to our numbers, versatility, and assistance.

Thanks to Mr. Cole, the merit badge completion lists are published and are being put on the Web Site by Mr. Simon.

Nearly all of the attending Phoenix, who didn't attend summer camp last summer, and all of the attending Eagles and Crocs, completed the 1st aid Merit badge..and Tenderfoot requirements, but they have to make the required first aid kit to complete it...not a difficult task.and they don't need to include the face mask and the kit can be contained in large plastic baggy...as they complete it during the next week or so, they should show it to Mr.Cole or Mr. Simon...the kits completion also a requirement for the 2nd Class rank, 7b, Most of the Group are complete for Tenderfoot and most of all the second class requirements except for five activites (3a). The Group also completed (with exceptions) the Emergency Preparation merit badge, finger printing, and swimming merit badges.

We will make sure all the above lists are completed and checked before the next Court of Honor on August 1.

At the time, the July trip will be water skiing and the canoe merit badge or those who wish to earn it, August will be the White water trip to the Nantahala and Ocoee rivers, September will be wildernness survival (Eagles and Crocs) at Oak Mountain along with mountain biking for the older Scouts, and October is canoeing for all as will be planned in more detail and announced in the immediate future.

At the time our short term meeting schedule is as follows:

June 27th guest speaker about large model flying planes (Nick Bolding) Scout Master's minute: Mr. Cox

July 1 ten leaders and Scouts leave for Philmont as part of Troop 254 Contingent

July 4 No meeting owing to the Holiday

July 11th guest Speaker pending Griffin Davis Scoutmaster's Minute: Mr. Berry

July 18 Water Skiing prep, Canoe merit badge requirements, discussion of food portions, use of camp stoves at camp, Scout Master's minute Mr. Horn

July 20th thursday night loading gear for Trip

July 22-24 Water Sport Weekend

July 25 PLC and committee meeting

August 1 Court of Honor

Leaders still need to consider picking up their Certified Driver's License to help out with driving the bus..we are down to three drivers at the time and need the depth to continue to march. It required passing a written exam, a driver's test, and a physical (Troop underwritten).

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan S "Delivering the Promise"

PLC Monday night

2011-06-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

Summer camp this year was one of our best for attendance,for both leaders and Scouts, in recent memory... Our final count was 17 leaders and 57 Scouts.

There was no doubt who set the pace for spirit and participation. The weather for the most part held, and except for not raising the fire ban, we had all our activities as planned.

Thanks to Mr. Simon for hauling the trailer and for his posting more than 1500 pictures on the web site. Thanks to Mr. Cole all the merit badge, rank, and advancement for camp will be given in the up and coming Court of Honor on August 5.

A special thanks to Mr. Crabtree for inserting extra spirit through songs and cheers at camp, both in the dining hall, the parade field, and all the campfires.

Thanks to all the leaders who attended in assuring no problems arose and all the routine administrative requirements were met.

Congratulations to N Ng, H Elmore, Mr. Jay Elmore, an Col. Charles Kidd for being tapped out at the Wednesday night camp fire for the Order of the Arrow.

A reminder again that Mr. Nevin Cox will be collecting Butt sales money this Monday at 6:30 PM at the Hut before the Patrol Leader's Conference starts....Ast Senior Patrol leaders, Patrol Leaders , Ast Patrol leaders, and Troop and patrol Quartermasters should attend to put away gear and begin plans for June and July. The Troop Committee Meeting will begin at 8:00 PM.

Thanks again for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s

"Delivering the Promise"A

Summer Camp info.

2011-06-08T08:56:00.000-07:00

Driving Direction to Camp Sequoyah

Camp Site Map (we are at Boone's Place)

What to bring

Summer Camp

2011-06-07T07:12:00.001-07:00

We had great attendance last night at the meeting with Mayor Petelos as the keynote speaker, followed by speaking to camp requirements by the older Scouts and a review of the merit badge and advancement process by Mr. Cole.

The Patrol leaders, Asst patrol Leaders, patrol quartermasters, and troop quartermasters, and those who want to help out, needs to be at the Hut at 6:30 PM this Thursday to help load the Frank Tank with Troop gear. Uniform is not required and we should be completed in an hour or so.

He should be ready to go at the hut wearing his Tan uniform shirt over his red, Troop T shirt, Scout shorts, Scout socks, and Scout belt at 10:45 AM on Sunday for our departure. We will stop for a snack on the way to camp, but he should probably have lunch before he arrives.

Items we mentioned he should bring other than on the list would be:

a coat hanger to put his tan shirt on when not being worn for an activity...

a short piece of clothesline for the inside of his tent to hang his clothes on/up with a few clothes pins.

He will also hang his swim trunks on a line in the vicinity of his tent for them to air dry .

His drinking cup for water.

Insect Spray

his rain suit in case it is a wet week/ or if we get some rain

Some cash for the camp store....rifle shooting s free..shot gut shooting will cost .25 a shell when purchased at camp at the range. a Camp Sequoyah T shirt miscellaneous items

No electronic games or other electronics....he can bring his cell phone but he will not be able to recharge it w/o an outlet.

Except for the evening meal requiring the uniform, dress is casual in shorts, t shirts, athletic socks and sneakers. Some boys have a different shirt for each day with a couple pair of shorts....or he can wear the red troop t shirt and shorts if that is his choice.

if a second year Scout or older, He should bring his day pack for carrying his water bottle, notes, merit badge book and other items in camp with his name marked on it if misplaced or left behind. He will need his folding chair for campfires and for classes if a Croc or Eagle or working on his basic rank requirements. First year Scouts will have all their morning activities at our camp site, so a day pack isn't really necessary unless he wants to bring it along.

if an Eagle or Croc, he will need a long sleeve shirt and jeans or work pants to have at the swimming merit badge in order to learn to use them as a float. He will be in the water..ear plugs or swimming goggles are permitted if required.

if an Eagle or Croc he will need a disposable, long sleeve shirt, jeans, socks, and maybe an old pair of sneakers for doing "Venture Valley." a wet, plenty of mud slides an splashing of fun and cooling off adventure that all the first year Scouts and many older scouts participate in on Monday night.

If he wears glasses...an bring an older extra pair...or definitely head restraints to prevent them from falling in high adventure activities or if misplaced...or damaged..

A towel for swimming activities and personal hygiene.

Hammocks will not be allowed to prevent tree damage

When you come to visit him on Wednesday night, any time after 3:30 is fine..tell him what time you plan to be there and he will meet you at the parking lot to help carry his meal..if you cannot come and visit, please arrange for another parent to bring him his meal as the dining hall will not be open for supper on parents night.

The best route to Camp is as shown in the Troop Guide and as illustrated on the Troop Web site. It's about 80 miles, not including traffic, so allow extra time ...You may want to share rides if more practical. Bring a flashlight for walking.

The activities will normally end at about 9:30 PM or later...the camp roads are gravel so wear flats or sneakers since you will be walking from the parking lot to the camp and other activities...Be prepared for rain in case it showers or it is predicted. Good time to take his worn clothing home with you. We will be staying in Boone's Place, same as last year, an elevated site above the water activities area and on the right just past the camp store as seen on the map.

That's about it..read over the "What to bring to Camp lists, " and he should have everything he needs for a week of fun and adventure.

Summer camp is one of our best times of the year owing to our full numbers in one place for the week. It is the time we build camaraderie and esprit, earn rank and advancement, and get into the true spirit of Scouting in the outdoors.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance. please feel free to call or email if you have any questions

Troop News

2011-05-30T21:24:00.000-07:00

We had a good Memorial Day weekend w/the Troop.

On Saturday, E Ponder and G Bennett completed the Aviation Merit Badge by attending a short class at the Shelby County Airport, a pre-flight walk around their plane, and a forty minute, free flight around the Birmingham Bessemer Hoover areas for a forty minutes. Thanks Mr. Bennett for the advance notice and inviting the boys for the opportunity.

Thanks to all who came, the Troop was well represented at the annual Veterans Day Memorial ceremony in the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park near the Liberty Park exit. The Scouts assisted the flag ceremony and P Kidd and J Ng read a list of over 200 veterans representing the more than 4000 Alabama men and women who served and "gave their lives, so that we may enjoy ours today."

P Kidd also gave a presentation representing all the active duty families whose fathers and mothers are active duty at this time and in the future.

Scout attending were:

P and E Kidd K and J Berry C Hutchens J Coker I Eggers Z Cole A and D Cullwell
J and N Ng M Singh J young

Parents and Leaders Mr. S Ng P Young C Hanke C Kidd, P and E Eggers C Berry S Cole

Thanks to all the Scouts who attended and for the parents for all their support...

Remember...no meeting this Monday owing to the Memorial Day observance.

Next Monday will have Mayor Petelos as our Guest Speaker as well as older Scouts briefing on summer camp requirements..please encourage attendance to assure he updated with all the required details.

The Scoutmaster's minute will be Mrs. Kidd.

Finally..a note from Mr. Cox..that Pork Butts sales should be full swing by the Scouts and families participating.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s
"Delivering the Promise"

Thanks for .

Troop News

2011-05-23T21:07:00.000-07:00

This was a busy two weekends for Troop. Starting last May 15 after the return from the Camp Sequoyah campout, where we experienced shooting sports and the OLS course attended by twelve of our Leaders, thanks to the coordinating efforts of Mrs Kidd and their parents, and the hard work of the scouts, P Kidd, E Kidd, J Morris, N Bolding, and Z Morrow earned the Ad Altare Dei Catholic Religious medal at St. Pauls Cathederal. They and six others in the District were the only Scouts in the Council to earn the medal this year. Thanks again to all the leaders who made the Shooting Sports Trip as strong as it was by all the work you pitched in by making it work.

Scouts S Hardy, N Bolding, P Kidd, and M Gunn along with Mr. Gunn conducted the Pre Ordeal Ceremony at Camp Sequoyah this weekend (May 20-22). A great deal of work was accomplished by the Chapter while the ywere there in preparation for summer camp. We are encouraging the team and other members of the Troop and Chapter to not only stay active in drumming but to also play a bigger part in Ordeals by forming/adding to the Ordeal and Brotherhood teams for future ceremonies.

Thanks again to Mrs Kidd for her work and coordinating efforts twenty leaders attended the Red Cross Wilderness First Aid Course at the Bluff Park United Methodist Church and Moss Rock Preserve: Joe Berry, Mark Branin, Dale Brownbridge, Phil Eggers, Jay Elmore, Linda Griggs, Mark Griggs, Greg Groover, Chuck Hanke, Kyle Horn, Cathy Kidd, Charles Kidd, William Kok, Chris Morrow, Joe Schock, Greg Stocks, Larry Young, Paul Young, and Regina Young. The classes lasted twelve hours at the Church and five hours at the Moss Preserve for practical excercises.

Also thanks the the initiative on Sunday afternoon (May 22) of Mr. Brownbridge and Carl, the following leaders and Scouts picked up, cut, and stacked close to a cord of firewood wood at the Hut for later sales by the Troop: Mr. Simon, Mr. Young, Mr. Griggs and W Griggs, Mr. Paul Young and J Young, Z Fox, C Hutchens,and Mr. Hardy, S and S Hardy.

Please encourage attendance at the regular Monday night meeting tomorrow (May 23) . We have two special guest speakers addressing "animal psychology," and Mr. Elmore will give the Scoutmaster's minute. it makes for an interesting subject and demonstration.

We need more replies to me by this email to attend the Veteran's Memorial Service at the Alabama Veteran's Memorial at the same exit as Liberty Park. We need Scouts, Eagles, and leaders in the Class A uniform w/"troop neckerchief and sash to serve as color guards, readers, and uniformed representatives honoring Alabama Veterans.The should arrive at 2:45 PM expect the program to last for about an hour. Like other things in the District., we are a major player in activities such as these so we need to encourage attendance.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance in making us as strong a Troop as we are.

I have posted the last Troop Court of Honor on this memo to remind the Scout of his responsibilities in a position for the next six months. Crocs and Eagles are continuing to rotate each month.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Wood Collection this Sunday

2011-05-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

I would like to get a group of scouts & adults together for a couple of hours on Sunday afternoon to go around the neighborhood to collect firewood and return it to the scout hut before the 'treasure' is gone! We should meet at the hut at 2PM, and I envisage us being done by 5PM.

We need:
- Willing & able people
- Pickup trucks & trailers - anybody who can, please bring them.
- Frank Tank (& driver)
- Chain saws (for operation by adults only)
- Old pants, but class B shirt
- Sturdy shoes (steel toed if you have them)
- Water, snacks, etc.

We would muster at the hut & break down into groups according to people & available equipment, then head out to the neighborhood to make collections till 4, then return & unload for a 5PM finish.

Dale Brownbridge

L Young Eagle Project

2011-05-16T14:51:00.000-07:00

This is L Young,

I am working on my eagle project to build a twenty foot long bridge in

the nature area over by SM elementary school. The bridge will help the

school children to learn about nature safely. I have gotten the project

approved by the eagle board. I am looking for donations to help me

aquire the materials needed. I need 300 dollars more to be able to

complete this project. If you would donate what you can I would greatly

appreciate it. If you are able to give please e-mail me with your name and amount (find his info from the troop roster).

Also I am having work days on July 30, and August 6 please mark those

dates, and keep them open.

Thanks so much,

L Young

Troop News

2011-05-16T07:21:00.000-07:00

We had about fifty leaders and Scouts on the trip this weekend, not including all the leaders who attended the Outdoor Leadership Training at Sequoyah also....the weather held sunshine and no rain the entire time.

Thanks to Dr. Frank Nelson, his son Ben Nelson, Bill Benefield and the leaders who assisted on the range, Mr. Presley, on the shotgun target thrower and coaching for shotgun as well Mr. Eggers and all who assisted him with Archery, including Elaine, Mr. Elmore, Mr. Horne, and Mr. Schock, more than a few of the boys earned merit badges for shotgun, rifle, and archery.

We made up and completed all the new Scout preparation requirements for summer camp, and thanks to all the leaders who assisted the patrols, Mr. Fortner, Mr. Simon, Mr. Hutchens, Mr. Schock, along with the older Scout guides, the meals were never better with all the on going activities. Dr. Nelson said we set a new level for the number of shotgun and rifle rounds shot by the Scouts, inclusive of the number of skeet targets they put to use throughout the day.

The leaders attending the Outdoor leader Training, Chris Morrow, William Kok, Stacy Cole, Paul Young, Kyle Horn, Greg Stocks, Nevin Cox, Carl Brownbridge, Linda and Mark Griggs set a record for the Troop and the District by so many attending for weekend...likewise ...Stacy, Mr. Simon, and Paul Young contributed as staff for the program on highlighted subjects for the group.

Again thanks to all for all the support in making it work as well as it did though your support and encouraging attendance.

Monday night is a equipment take down and storage for all who attended the trip to make the work as easy as possible and share the load for all who participated..If your son is patrol or Troop quartermaster, a patrol leader of assistant patrol leader, he should also plan on being there starting at 6:30 PM at the hut..uniform not required. We should be out of there by 7:OO or 7:15..The patrol leaders Conference for all patrol leaders, assistant patrol leaders, and the SPL and Ast SPL as well as the Jr Asst Scoutmasters will start at about 7:00 to plan for the next month's activities. Uniform not required. it normally last until 8:00 PM..

Finally, the Troop Committee meeting starts at 8:00 PM and committee members as well as all leaders are welcome to attend and participate in Troop "goings on." and plans for the remainder of May and the coming month of June. Uniform not required.

Thanks for all your support and encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s

"Delivering the Promise"

Attached is the job description of all positions in the Troop as written in the attached recent Court of Honor..please make a copy for your son....Eagles and Crocs continue to rotated monthly.

Shooting Sports this weekend

2011-05-10T07:54:00.001-07:00

We had an great turn out last night and thanks to Mr. Young with the assistance of Mr. Brownbridge we had an excellent program on Scuba and Seabase.

Thanks to those who sent the camping fees and consent forms last night also to expedite the process. The cost remains at $25 per person. We should also have his BSA medical form by now, if not signed by the physican, and a parent is not coming on the trip, we need it filled out as much as possible, signed for consent treatment, with a copy of the family medical insurance card.

We are numbering close to 50 Scouts and about ten leaders...We should be ok on tentage but feel free to bring yours in case we come up short. We may be tight on the bus..so we may need some additional shared transportation for the leaders and older Scouts...we will determine that this Thursday and on the Friday we leave.

Patrol leaders, Asst Patrol leaders, patrol quartermasters, and Troop quartermasters need to be a the Hut at 6:30 PM Thursday to prepare and load our gear for the trip. Uniform not required.

The weather will be touch and go for rain...so make sure he brings his rain gear and clothing if it gets cool in the evenings and early mornings. Most of the activities will be sheltered for most part if we do get some rain....the next few day will tell.

If your son wasn't at the meeting and is coming on trip, same for leaders, he needs to make sure his patrol leader knows so we can plan on meals and tentage.

He needs to be at the Hut at 5:00 PM on Friday, in the Troop Red T shirt, BSA shorts, belt, and BSA green socks. He can wear any clothing Saturday and will return in uniform on Sunday..we are expecting to be back at the hut at noon or sooner.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Troop News

2011-05-03T10:54:00.001-07:00

We had a well attended turnout for the meeting Monday night.

Thanks to Dr. Nelson and Mr. Eggers we covered all the required material for firearms safety and archery..

Thanks to Mr. Coker, we will be looking at an immediate date in the future, probably after summer camp, for a few hours at a local range for those boys who will want to complete the rifle merit badge, and as required if we need more time, archery also.

We have a tentative number of fifty Scouts and leaders going on the trip during the weekend of May 13-15..The cost per person will be 25.00 ($12.00 for meals, $7.00 for supplies, and $6.00 for fuel).

We will plan meals and get a final count for the trip at the next Monday meeting (May 9) ..As always, each patrol will provide meals for each leader/dad accompanying the Scout.....so... if the Scout and/or leader cannot be present at the meeting on May 9, make sure the Patrol leader and Patrol Quartermaster knows that you and the Scout will be on the Trip as to buy the right amount of meals. The Scoutmaster will eat with Phoenix and Mr. Benefield, Dr, Nelson, and Ben Nelson will eat with Venture....Son not coming but you are? make sure his patrol knows they provide your meals.

As to avoid the time it usually takes to collect the trip fees and BSA consent forms on our normally departing Friday nights, please have Scout bring the Trip fees and his consent form to the May 9 Monday night meeting for collection by Mr. Elmore. If he brings cash, please put it in an envelope marked with his name and the amount. The BSA Consent form is located on the Troop Web Site. Remember, if we do not have his completed BSA medical form found on the Troop Web Site, and you are not coming on the trip, please make sure we have the formed filled out as much as possible, with the consent page signed, and a copy of your medical insurance carrier card attached in case emergency treatment is required.

For the Troop dads/leaders who will be attending the Outdoor Leadership Training (OLS) while we are there at Camp Sequoyah also, , the Troop will furnish your camping gear that you will require as a Patrol..unless you prefer to use your own....you will have the option to bring your own tents. We will talk to this at the May 9 meeting also.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s .

"Delivering the Promise"

Troop News

2011-04-26T15:24:00.000-07:00

A great Court of Honor last night..in fact one of the best yet. Thanks to all the families, the food was excellent and plentiful. Thanks to Mr. Simon, the evening's pictures are on the Troop Web Site.

Congratulations to Scott Hardy on his assumption his title as Senior Patrol Leader and thanks to Sam Hardy as out going senior for all his work in making it one of our best six months of Troop activities...

Thanks to all the leaders and Parents who attended for the large number of advancements and merit badges earned by the boys.

We had two guests last night: Mr. Roger Etherington representing the District and the Council "Friends of Scouting" annual campaign and Mr. Ben Putnam, Order of the Arrow Nunne-Hi Chapter advisor of the Coosa Lodge, who with Scouts E Kidd, J Elmore, S Hardy, S Hardy, and M Gunn put on a 20 minute demonstration of Native American drum and songs for the Troop. Mention was also made for P Kidd, S Hardy, and M Gunn for also serving on the Chapter's Pre-Ordeal Ceremony Team. N Bolding also a drum team member was absent.

As planned there was special recognition for Dr. Tracy Hamilton (Troop Committee Chairman), Mr. Bert Oliver (Troop Committee Treasurer) , Mr. Mickey Harbin (Troop Eagle Advancement Counselor) , and Mr Steve Frost (Troop Advancement Chair) for their time as Committee members and service with the Troop.

Thanks to Mr. Simon, we had a pictorial review of all activities over the past six months.

In keeping with Troop Goals, 2010, all of the Phoenix Patrol members who attended summer camp (2010) achieved their First Class Rank and we are anticipating their leadership into the coming years. Nearly all the Eagle and Croc Patrols were present to receive their "Scout" rank, Tote and Chip card, Fir'nchip card, and Outdoor Code.

We are missing a water purification kit in small black bag...if found, please bring it to the Hut for the Monday Meeting.

Thanks to Mr. Larry Young, the leaks in the water heater and rear sink are repaired.

The Monday meeting (May 2) will start at 7:00 PM as usual. The Phoenix, Crocs, and Eagle Patrols need to come to the meeting any time after 6:15 PM and before 6:45 PM to help make some wax fire starters to assure we have enough for the Shooting Sports trip in May. We will make the large bulk of the starters for 2011 at summer camp.

If the Scout is going to be attending the Shooting Sports weekend, he is required to be at the Monday meeting (May 2) for a safety and information briefing on weapons and archery. by Dr. Nelson and Mr. Eggers. We also need a head count for purchasing gear required for the trip. We will likely complete nearly all of the merit badges requirements on the Saturday while we are camp, with a make up to complete it sometime in the near future.

Don't forget that we will be having an Eagle Court of Honor for Eagle Scouts N Madison and A Byrd at 2:00 PM on Sunday May, 1, in the Bluff Park United Methodist Church, inside the old Fellowship Hall on the ground floor just located just in and to the left of the new covered church entrance beside the new playground area. Scouts should arrive at 1:45 PM in the Class A Uniform, with Neckerchief and Merit Badge Sash. A reception will follow.

Thanks again for all your support and especially for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s

"Delivering the Promise"

Summer Camp info.

2011-04-20T06:43:00.001-07:00

I know it's been a rush with all the change since joining the Troop but thanks to all the parents and leaders, we've come a long way in making the transition over to Scouts from WEBELOS rather well and quickly.

Several things are going to be important in the next few weeks....gearing up for summer camp will be the priority as it will be his first extended camp.

We have several lists in the New Scout Handout about what to bring and there is also a list on the Troop website.

We will be talking to preparation in the coming weeks before we go and will refer to written lists that have been passed out since he joined.

As noted in the last Monday night meeting, some of the boys still need the official green BSA socks for meetings now and they will be required when he wears his uniform at camp..I recommend he have a minimum of two pair. He needs them at all weekly meetings and will wear them for each evening meal at camp along with his tan shirt,red t shirt, and BSA shorts.

He can wear any type of shorts and Tee shirt starting at breakfast and throughout the day at camp until the evening meal, when the uniform is required. He does not need two tan shirts, as he will hang it up on a coat hanger (bring one with him) in his tent when not wearing it. Same for the Scout shorts/pants..and BSA socks (two pair should be sufficient). Most boys bring a least five t shirts and two or three summer shorts and a fresh pair of socks for each days activities. A regular change of underwear, a tooth brush and tooth paste are part of it. He shouold bring an empty plastic garbage sack for keeping his soiled laundry in and separated from the others. You can pick the soiled bag up when you come on Wednesday night to visit, just bring him a new bag to replace it for the last two day and nights.

When you visit him on Wednesday, you can arrive anytime after 3:00 PM. Try to agree on a time before you come so he won't have to wait too long for you to arrive. There is a map to the Camp in the Troop Guide, and we will be staying at Boone's Place. The roads are unpaved so wear foot the appropriate foot gear. If they predict rain....bring an umbrella and rain gear, as it probably will rain. Ask him to give you a tour of the camp, so you can get an idea of the layout and see what he has been doing.

He will normally meet you in the parking lot to help you carry any gear and his meal that night...you can eat as a family, w/other patrol families on a table in the Troop area or anywhere else as a picnic type meal (a fast food or family favorite works).

Cars won't be permitted in the camp area, so travel light. Some boys may ask to return home that night (due to homsickness), one or two seem to always ask, but we recommend that you do not as he likely will not return to the program. We will more than assure him that the remaining two days will be the best at camp. You can rest assured that he is having a good time w/the troop.

We recommend you mark his name on all his articles of clothing so as not to be mixed with his bunkmate or if left outside the tent we will know whose it is.

Summer camp is great experience that we look forward to each year. It is the first time during the year for a new Scout to bond with the Troop, experience group activities on a daily basis and enjoy the camaraderie and esprit that Scouting is all about. Based on our recent trips, the Troop; will be one of the most spirited Troops at camp and based on observed relationships already between the boys, it should be the most fun he has had so far.

Please don't hesitate to ask any questions, and make sure he attends the several meetings before camp to assure he is acquainted with with what it will be.

Don't forget to assure the BSA Physical form is complete..he will have to have it just to be admitted to camp.

Finally, don't forget to make sure he brings his Scout book/guide as we will be marking off nearly all of the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class requirements while he is at camp along with the four merit badges he will be earning.

Troop News

2011-04-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

A warm welcome to B Chaney, his Mom and Dad, Jack and Terri, for joining the Eagle Patrol as a new Scout this evening. We had a great meeting with great attendance and a lot of fun.

The past weekend Trip to the annual Section 9 Conclave at Camp Thunder near Molena. Georgia by the Troop's Order of the Arrow members, Mr. Gunn, M Gunn, N Bolding, P and E Kidd, and J Elmore was as successful as anticipated with their participation and competition in the Drum, song, and ceremony competitions. Once the weather passed on Friday night, the weekend was excellent and a good time had by all with an arrival home late Sunday morning.

Monday, April 25th is the Troop Court of Honor recognizing all the rank and merit badge advancement since October.

Mr. Simon will arrange a slide show of troop activities and the attached agenda serves as the outline of events..

Please make a copy for the Scout and yourself in case one or both of you are asked to speak/present.

This is a three times a year, pot-luck dinner, family affair..please plan on attending...for the opening.there will be a guest speaker presenting a Friends of Scouting presentation and District awards for some of our leaders, as well a drum and singing demonstration by our own Scouts who competed in the annual Order of the Arrow Conclave in Camp Thunder, Georgia this last weekend.

Uniform for the Scout and active leaders is the Class A uniform with the merit badge sash and Troop neckerchief.

The Host Patrol is Phoenix, so they should arrive at the Reid Crotty Fellowship Hall at 6:00 PM to assist with the set up. Drinks and condiments are provided by the Troop.

Each family in the patrol should bring an entre plus a side dish:
Venture Patrol: Entre and a salad
Fox: Entre and bread or rolls
Shark: Entre and a salad
Phoenix: Entre and a desert or a salad
Crocs: Entre and a desert or vegetable
Eagles: Ente and a desert of vegetable

We normally finish up by 8:30 PM.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Troop News

2011-04-18T09:57:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Mr. Simon..all of the pictures taken of the rappelling trip are on the Web Site....a good time by all..If you haven't taken a look yet...the chances are very good of seeing your son in several. Thanks again to Mr. Vander Hill for his expertise, equipment, and patience in making it possible for the Troop to have the opportunity.

On April 15, Friday, we are heading out to Camp Thunder, near Molena, GA, with S and S Hardy, P and E Kidd, N Bolding, J Elmore, and M Gunn to represent the Troop and the Nunne-hi Chapter of Coosa Lodge in the Section 9 Order of the Arrow Conclave.

Thanks to Mr. Gunn we have two vehicles for all..with luck and their acquired skills as singer and drum players on the Coosa Lodge Drum, they should scoop up some honors in the competition.

S Hardy and M Gunn along w/two Scouts from Troop 312 will also be competing in a ceremonies competition..they should also do well...

Both these teams under the tutelage/coaching of Mr. Ben Putnam and Mr. Don Russell (Chapter and Lodge Advisors) have spent many hours for the past six months practicing for this Conclave which will include 12 other Order of the Arrow Lodges representing all the Southeastern State with a tentative count of 700-800 Scouts and Leaders attending. Coosa Lodge 50, which the Troop belongs (Nunne-Hi chapter, is one of the largest and most active Lodges and have played a strong leadership role in the Section since 2000. The Nunne-Hi Chapter has led in nearly all the pre-ceremony and ordeal ceremonies, as well as lodge leadership for years in both Cherokee 50 and the Coosa 50 Lodges.

Behind a long line of Lodge Scouts preceding them, P Kidd and J Kunka have been recent Nunne-Hi Chapter Chiefs, and S Hardy, P Kidd, and B Debalsi remain as Chapter Vice Chiefs of Chapter areas of interest. Many of our Dads and leaders in the Troop now, have earned their member Pocket Flap through the Cherokee Fifty, which was combined, in 2000.

Make plans to attend the Troop Court of Honor on April 25 at the usual place and time at the BPUMC and as detailed in the last newsletter. This is a family affair so bring the entire family.

With more information to follow, we will be having a Troop Eagle Court of Honor on May 1, for N Madison, B Garrett, and A Byrd.

Thanks to Mr. Alvie Allison, Troop 93, and District Training Chair, and Mrs Cathy Kidd for all her coordination efforts several of our Scouts, J Morris, C Morrow, N Bolding, P and E Kidd will be earning the Ad Altare Dei Religious Medal on May 15th, at St. Paul's Cathedral in Birmingham.

A reminder for Leaders again that more than ten of our Troop leaders are attending the Outdoor Leader Training the same weekend as the Troop will be at Camp Sequoyah for our regular camp out...Though you will spend most of your time in the OLS you will be only several hundred feet away from our own camp out..sort of two birds with one stone opportunity.....Mr. Cole, LTCOL Kidd, and Mr.Simon will be serving as instructors while at camp also.

The Scouts will be showing some survival tapes and playing some favorite games during the meeting on April 18th which should lend for a good time for the boys.

May's scheduled Trip to Camp Sequoyah for shooting sports is always one of the most popular. They will be shooting the .22 rifle at stationary targets, 20 and 12 gauge shotguns at moving skeet targets, and will have an opportunity to earn the Archery Merit badge.

Summer camp in June is heading to be our biggest and best in years with over 65 Scouts and leaders attending so far. There will be plenty of potential for the most spirit and fun ever at a summer camp w/the Troop at Camp Sequoyah.

Thanks for all your support...and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Troop News

2011-04-11T06:32:00.000-07:00

We have never taken as large a group to Bucks Pocket State Park for rappelling...Thanks to all the leaders who were present to assure it's success under great weather conditions and great adventure.

Thanks to Mr.Simon, there are pictures on the Troop Web Site.

All those who were on the this weekend should be at the Hut Monday evening, at 6:30 PM, to take down and store the gear we used and are drying out. Uniform is not required. There will be patrol Leaders conference (uniform not required) starting at 7:00 PM once the gear is stored, for planning May, followed by a Committee Meeting (uniform not required) beginning at 8:00 PM for usual Troop business discussion..New parents and leaders are invited and encouraged to attend.

Regarding summer camp..leaders are welcome to join us at summer camp June 12-18, for the entire week or parts of it (first or second half or both). If you will be a resident, the uniform is required and you will be assisting with our advancement program for the Eagles and Crocs. It is not necessary to attend if your schedule is tight, and instead visit with the Scout (w/the family) on Wednesday night (family night) by bringing him a favorite meal and touring the camp with him. If you intend to attend as a resident, please advise Mr. Simon of the number and what day you will attend. The fee for the week will be $70.00 to subsidize camp meals @ $10.00 per day).

Thanks to Mr. William Kok, the Troop merit badge list and merit badge counselor list is being revised and accuratized in the next few days on the Troop web site. If you see your name on the list, and many of you will, please plan on attending a merit badge counselor 11/2 hour certification course during the next year, if you have not already, to meet BSA requirements and until then, assist the Scouts who seek your counsel to complete the badge.. If you are uncomfortable/unfamiliar with the badge, please refer to the requirements on meritbadge.com or just refer the Scout to another leader or the Scoutmaster. As you know, merit badges are significant part of the core program, and it success is a direct reflection of the Troop's part in assuring the promise for the boys is kept..Thanks in advance for your assistance.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Quartermaster night tonight 6:30pm

2011-04-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

Please remind the Scout that if he is a Patrol Leader, Ast Patrol Leader, patrol quartermaster, or Troop Quartermaster, he needs to be at the Hut at 6:30 PM Thursday, April 7 in order to prepare and load patrol gear for the camp out this weekend, whether he is coming on the trip or not...uniform is not required..we should be done in an hour or so....

Thanks for you support and for encouraging attendance..

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Election, Rappelling this weekend

2011-04-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

Despite the weather, and thanks for encouraging attendance, we had a full house for the meeting. Congratulations to S Hardy for being elected new Senior Patrol Leader for May - November, 2011. Thanks to Mr. Loring Jones, Troop 96, we had the Order of the Arrow elections, and trip preparations including meals were completed.

If your son was not at the meeting last night and intends to come on the trip..he needs to call his patrol leader to assure we have tentage and meals for him. If the parent was not present, s/he needs to call Mr. Madison for tentage as well...Parents will normally eat with their son' patrol, so assure the Patrol leader knows you are accompanying your son.

The trip to Buck's pocket is one of our most popular and well attended. Scouts should dress for the weather, inclusive of a rain suit for further insulation if it rains or gets cooler than expected....

If yur son is a Troop or patrol quartermaster, Patrol leader, or ast Patrol leader, he needs to be at the Hut on Thursday night, April 7, at 6:30 PM to prepare and load gear for the Trip. Uniform is not required, and he should be done in an hour or so.

The cost for the Trip is $45.00:

Meals $12.00 (Troop will provide the Saturday lunch meal) so quartermasters only buy Sat Breakfast, Saturday supper, and Sunday Breakfast) Remember no soft drinks or ice tea and no desert for supper.
Camp fees $2.00 per night per person @ 2 nights
Fee for rappelling: $20.00 per person (certified instructors w/equipment)
Fuel for bus Frank Tank and vehicles hauling the trailer and carrying Scouts and Leaders $10.00
Total: $45.00 per person

Leaders: If you are not going to rappell, you will not have to pay the rappelling fee. I need to know this by Thursday night for the instructors. If you don't advise me, we will assume you are going to rappell.

Troop Family Plan: a family need only pay for two persons on the trip, the third person is picked up by the Troop..if there are four persons in the family, then three have to pay the fees.

Normally, the Troop bus, Frank Tank, and one follow-on car is all that is required for a trip. Due to our current numbers, we invite some parents to bring a vehicle to haul an additional trailer or older scouts. We need to know by Thursday at the Hut if you can drive and what you are driving. If you drive, you need not pay the fuel portion of the trip and the Troop will take care of your gas. If you will be driving, please fill your tank prior to leaving as we will not stop until the Collinsville exit north of Ft. Payne on Interstate 59...

Thanks again for all your support and encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan S
"Delivering the Promise" "

New scout patrols, Election and OA Election tonight

2011-04-04T06:43:00.000-07:00

New Scout campouts at Oak Mountain are always the most fun and this year's was no exception..thanks to all leaders and experienced Scouts who came out to help, we got all we planned to do done...with the more than 52 Scouts and Leader attending.

The two patrols are called the Crocodiles and Eagles...they painted their chuck boxes set up their tarps tents and prepared their first meals, not to mention completing all the first half of their physical fitness requirements for Tenderfoot and the Tote and Chip and Firem"n Chit Card. The camp fire included skits, thorn and roses and our usual flag retirement ceremonies. After the Chaplin Service with Mr. Lepianka, we returned home on today at about 10:00 AM. Thanks to Mr. Simon, there are pictures on the Troop Web site, with more enroute... Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

There will be a regular meeting tomorrow, Monday at 7:00 PM...we are going to have Troop elections the Senior Patrol leader and all other elected and appointed positions for the next six months..

We are also going to have Order of the Arrow Election and it is important that more than 50% of the Troop be present(35 Scouts) so please encourage attendance to make sure we can have the election.

We will also be talking to the up and coming rappelling trip to Bucks Pocket State Park this coming weekend..if a leader and/or Scout is coming, he is required to attend this Monday's meeting in order for us to get a headcount to determine the trip's cost (the more who attend, the less the cost) and to plan their meals. This is important.

We know it was the first trip for the Crocs and Eagles as part of the Troop, but we had, as always over the years, a uniform problem we need to overcome...Scout Socks are part of the uniform..they are required to be worn with the trousers/ shirt/belt...wet or dry..please make sure he has a least two pair of green scout socks for wearing on the bus with the uniform at all times..same for the red Troop "t" shirt..he needs a minmum of two for each trip. or he will have to wear it damp/dirty for activities..you may want to consider marking his name on all his clothing parts with an indelible magic marker, on the inside of the material for recognition when they are misplaced.

New Scouts campout

2011-03-30T08:57:00.000-07:00

A reminder that the New Scout Campout is this weekend....2-3 April

We will meet at 7:30 at the Hut to turn in new Scout and new leader BSA registration forms ( youth protection certificate required for leaders (scouting.org)..we will collect all fees if your have them including the campout fee of 15.00. More details for this trip are found on the March 21 Blog, and earlier Blogs, on the Troop Web Site.

He need not bring his Scout book/guide as we will assure it is completed at summer camp for his rank advancement. So please assure he has a copy by summer camp. We will issue the red troop t shirts on Saturday morning also before we leave the hut for the campout. We will use Troop tents for the camp out as numbers will not be an issue. Parents are welcome to join us for the camp out or visit us at the Camp site. We will be in the Primitive Camp Site Area at Oak Mountain (the first right turn from the main gate into a gated dirt road after passing the the main asphalt road on the right leading into the main lake/beach/recreation area).

Older Scouts and leaders who are assisting as guides should also be present at 7:30 AM at the Hut.

We will leave from the hut to buy meals and ice at the Piggly Wiggly..then head out to Oak Mountain.

Please make sure he is dressed for the weather. If it portends rain, assure he has a rain suit, not a poncho. He will need a hat if the rain jacket hasn't a hood....common sense...but sometimes an issue for some on a cold rainy day....

If he cannot make the this new Scout camp out, Troop fees and BSA registration forms/medical forms should/can be turned in on Monday, April 4 at the regular Troop meeting.

We may be able to have a advancement to Tenderfoot requirement make up for the physical fitness requirement at the May campout so as to be ready for the Summer camp requirement.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call or reply....

YiS Dan s
"Delivering the Promise"

Troop News

2011-03-28T10:19:00.001-07:00

The last two weeks have been busy for the Troop with all the activities going on in different directions..

Congratulations to:

Mr Mickey Harbin for being awarded the distinguished Silver Beaver Award. This is the highest award the Council can give for distinguished service to Scouting

Eagle Scout X Quo and his parents for earning the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) College Scholarship.

Thanks to Dr. Frank Nelson and all his efforts, the Frank Tank is again road worthy for the Troop.

Thanks to all the coordination and work of Mrs Kidd, more than 14 of our Scouts earned two merit badges at the Vulcan District Merit Badge O Rama Saturday.

The Order of the Arrow Coosa Lodge Drum team made up entirely of Troop 21 members practiced this weekend for competition at the Regional Conclave coming up at Camp Drum Georgia, 17-17 April..they will also be competing in the ceremony competition the same weekend.

Thanks to Mr. Simon all of these activities pictures are posted on the Troop Web Site.

Thanks to Mr. Phillips for measuring, planning, and making twenty-five new Scout membership shingles hanging in the Hut for the two new patrols coming in for their first meeting tonight.

Dr. Frank Nelson will be the main speaker tonight among other activities in the Hut. Since the New Patrol's haven't got their red Troop t shirts for the meeting at this time, the uniform tonight will be the tan shirt...

Meetings for the rest of the Spring and summer through the Fall will be the Class B and Class C uniform.

The next three weekends are going to be very active for the Troop,

April 2-3 New Scout Campout at Oak Mountain
April 4 Regular Meeting..Troop Elections/Order of the Arrow elections
April 6 Thursday 6:30 PM Thursday Quartermasters pack gear.. Uniform not required
April 8-10 Troop Campout, Bucks Pocket State Park
April 10 Quartermaster night and Patrol Leader's conference... Uniform not required
April 15-17 OA Conclave, Camp Drum, GA
District Outdoor Leadership Training at Camp Sequoyah (OLS)
April 18 Regular meeting w/ guest speaker
April 25th Court of Honor in the Reid Crotty Fellowship Hall, Bluff Park UMC 6:30 PM

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s
"Delivering the Promise"

Troop News

2011-03-23T06:45:00.000-07:00

New Scouts will need a ruck sack or carry bag for his personal gear and folding chair to sit on around camp and by the camp fire. There is a camping check list in the Troop; Guide on things to bring including a knife, fork, spoon, drinking cup, and plate and all the personal items for an over nighter he would normally use. Electronic games should not be brought, same for other electronic entertainment devices. Cell phone is ok just to call you on arrival times at the hut if we are early or late.

Weather..expecting fair weather..but prepare for the cold and maybe some wet...needs a jacket, sock hat, water bottle, rain suit, and maybe gloves if it gets cold..

Once at the Camp site, he will set up his tent and stow his personal gear and if he wants change into regular jeans and shirts or camp clothes from his uniform. Uniform, if he has it will be the Red Troop; T shirt he will get when he gets there Sat, scout short/long pants/ scout socks/Scoutbelt. We will be having patrol activities for the remainder of the day and evening with a big campfire in the evening.

All camping gear, except his sleeping bag, ground foam or light weight air mattress, will be provided by the Troop. He will be buying his meals as a patrol Saturday morning as part of the earlier listed fees.

If he can't make the trip in the morning..he should join us in the afternoon to get his requirements for summer camp behind him....We will be at Oak Mountain primitive sites which are located on on the dirt road at the first gate entrance after driving past the road that would take you to the Oak Mountain beach and picnic areas by the larger lake. You will see the bus and Frank Tank parked in our area.

Don't forget to bring his and your BSA registration form, medical form if completed and partial if you will be camping with him and fees as you care to budget them. Red T t]shirts, as stated, will be given out on April 2 at the Hut before we leave.

Tonight was an excellent Cross over..Thanks to Mr. Cox and Mr. Stocks as well as all the leaders and parents for all the work and time in making it possible. Thanks also to P Kidd and J Ng for the excellent Order of the Arrow performance and to E Kidd for his work on the Drum tonight.

Thanks to all the leaders, parents and Scouts who attended to make the Crossover as strong as it was..

Congratulations to Mr. William Kok and Mr. Kyle Horn for representing the Troop in attending the SMLT last Saturday at Cantebury Methodist....

Thanks to Mrs Kidd, E Kidd, P Kidd, S Hardy, and N Bolding for representing the Troop at the Order of the Arrow American Indian Seminar at Camp Comer two weekends ago. They, and M Gunn, will competing in the pre_ordeal Ceremonies competition and Drum/singing competition at the Regional Conclave meeting of all the Section 9 lodges from Alabama, Georgia and Florida (about 700 Arrowmen). There will also be full regalia dancing competition as well as chapter competitions and gatherings. We will be leaving in GAC van for Camp Drum, GA during the third week in April...All troop arrowmen are welcome to register at Coosa50.org and join us.April 16-18.

The Frank Tank, thanks to all the efforts of Dr.Nelson will be road worthy and picked up tomorrow for general use.

Mr. Mickey Harbin will be awarded the distinguished Silver Beaver Award this coming Friday, March 25th at the GAC Recognition Reception at the Mt. Vernon UMChurch at 6:00 PM for his service to Troops 396 and 21, the District, and the Greater Alabama Council. You are welcome attend

14 Scouts will be attending the Vulcan District Merit Badge O Rama on March 26th at Birmingham Southern. Thanks to Mrs. Kidd for coordinating all the work to assure it works for the Troop and those who attend.

There will be a regular Order of the Arrow meeting at the Briarwood Presbyterian Church Scout Hut at 6:30 PM. All Chapter members should attend...Troop 21 has strong membership and as many as possible should attend.

The next Troop meeting will be at 7:00 PM at the Hut with a guest speaker.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

Don't forget to be working on the BSA medical form and payments due to Mr. Simon for summer camp (June 12-18)

Welcome again to the WEBELOs in joining the Troop. We look forward to your first meeting Monday.

Crossover tonight at BPUMC, New Scout Campout Apr 2-3

2011-03-21T07:46:00.000-07:00

As a reminder:

Scouts should arrive at the Hut, Monday , March 21 in their Class A uniform w/Neckerchief between 6:30 PM and 6:40PM. We will load the bus and travel over to the Reid Crotty Fellowship Hall at the Bluff Park United Methodist Church to be present and participate in the WEBELOS crossover If your son can't make the bus trip, you can drop him off where we normally have our Troop Courts of Honor and we will bring him back on the bus to the Hut....probably between 8:00-8:15 PM.

This is an important event for the Troop as nineteen WEBELOS and their parents are crossing over to join the Troop Monday. Once we arrive back at the Hut, the Scouts will be released.

As indicated earlier, If your son has not been to summer camp with the Troop yet and is working on his Tenderfoot rank with the Troop, he needs to be attending the new Scout Campout with us on April 2 through April 3 as to work on some of his requirements and assist with the WEBELOS in setting up camp and activities. He needs to be at the Hut at 7:30 AM on Saturday, prepared to go. We will return Sunday around 10:30 AM or sooner. Uniform for the weekend will be the Class B uniform (red Troop T shirt, Scout socks, belt, and Scout shorts..He should also be prepared for cool weather in the evening and mornings. WEBELOS will be issued their red Troop T shirts on Saturday morning when they arrive.

Older Scouts and leaders have also be invited to join us to serve as guides for the weekend.

The fee for the Trip is $9.00 ( 3 meals) $4.00 (fuel) $2.00 (Oak Mountain Park Camping fee) TTL $15.00.

If you are a WEBELO parent and will not be coming on the 2-3 April trip with your son, make sure we have a copy of the BSA medical form w/copy of the medical insurance card and parental consent portion completed (he will need this for all trips in the future as well as summer camp}.

Also to save time in departing the hut on Saturday, please bring a signed copy of the BSA release form also found on the Troop Web Site.

thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan Strunk "Delivering the Promise"

Summer Camp Merit Badge

2011-03-09T18:18:00.000-08:00

Please check the troop website, look at the Summer Camp Merit Badge Assigned list to make sure what you got are what you requested.

For those(older scouts) that have not requested anything so far, please check the Summer Camp Merit Badge Offered list and email me your request asap.

I will continue to update both lists.

Mr. Ng

Troop News

2011-03-08T19:39:00.000-08:00

We had the best showing in a long time for the quartermaster take down and storage, the patrol leaders council (PLC), and Troop Committee meeting last night...thanks for your support and for encouraging attendance...

March and April are going to be busy months with the following on the schedule:

Thanks again to Mr. Simon, as usual, recent pictures of the back packing trip to the Pinhoti Trail near Heflin and the recent District Pinewood Derby competition are on the Troop Website.

As you know first, or if preferred, the payments are due for summer camp 2011.
The cost as written in previous memos is $225.00..starting with $75.00 if in payments. The Scout is going to need, as stated, his annual BSA physical form filled out by his physician as soon as possible for trips and summer camp. Please make sure the parental consent page is signed by a parent in order for the form to be complete. Questions, email Mr. Simon.

Once you complete the BSA Medical form, please make a personal copy, and turn the original or a copy into the Troop...your copy will serve as that just in case of loss, attending OA events, or other events requiring a copy...saves a great deal of time...

March 11-13: Order of the Arrow, American Indian Seminar at Camp Comer...those Scouts attending and who would like to ride as a car pool need to call S Hardy and arrange it during the next evening or so...they should bring a copy of their BSA medical form..and cash or a check for registration as listed on the Coosa 50.org...

March 14th: No meeting or activities due to Spring Break

March 19th : Scoutmaster Leader Training (SMLT) found on the Greater Alabama Council and Vulcan District websites (found on the Troop web site). This training is recommended for all active dads and Moms who will be active with the Troop and need to understand the purpose of the "Boy led Troop."
The Training lasts one day at the Cantebury Methodist Church in Mountainbrook.

The fee is for lunch and some materials required for the course. The companion course is called the Outdoor Leader Training (OLS) and will April 15-17 at Camp Sequoyah. It is a camping in the outdoors under the auspices of the "Boy led Troop." by attending both the graduate is entitled to wear the Green Trained sleeve patch on the uniform. Any equipment needed will be provided by the Troop for you and the patrol to use.

March 21st: WEBELOS Crossover..the troop will meet at 6:40 PM to ride the bus to the Bluff Park United Methodist Church, or meet us over there, to the Reid Crotty Fellowship Hall. We will return to the hut in the Bus for rides home without any other activities. Uniform is Class A with Troop Neckerchief and sash. We are expecting 20 new Scouts to enter the Troop.

March 28th: Regular meeting..introduction of new Scouts...and continues with guest speaker.

April 2-3: New Scout campout..we will meet at the Hut at 7:30 AM..for preparation for the campout for the new Scouts at Oak Mountain....leaders and older scouts will serve as guides working through Troop protocols and camping guidelines as well as gearing into Tenderfoot requirements for summer camp. All Scouts who have earned the Tenderfoot rank and who entered the Troop and who have not been to summer camp with us need to attend....any Scout who is not a tenderfoot and will not be attending summer camp also needs to attend. We will return between 11:00 and Noon on Sunday April 3. Uniform is as much of the Boy Scout uniform on hand..if not purchased by April 2, then the WEBELOS uniform w/tan shirt should be worn.

Activities will include picking a name for the new patrols, painting their chuck box, making a patrol flag, physical fitness requirements...meals..fun.campfire w/skits, and a Sunday service before we leave.

Scout should dress for the weather, especially the cold if cold is expected.

April 4: Regular meeting: Unit Elections/job assignments for the next six months and Order of the Arrow elections with a delegate from the Nunne-hi Chapter, Coosa 50 Lodge. Troop Games. Discussion of requirements for the coming Rappelling Camp out at Buck's Pocket State Park (April 8 -10)

April 7: Troop and Patrol Quartermaster's meet to prepare and pack Troop gear for Trip

April 8-10: Bucks Pocket Rappelling trip to Bucks Pocket State Park..more information to follow....

April 11: Patrol Leader's Council Troop Committee Meeting

April 18th: Regular meeting with Guest Speaker

April 25 : Court of Honor at the Reid Crotty Fellowship Hall, Bluff Park United Methodist Church at 6:30 PM.more information to follow..

April 29-31 Wood Badge..an adult, two weekend course for better understanding the purpose of Scouting, the "Boy Led Troop" concept, and methods of running successful troops to assure the "Promise" to the boy is kept for a well grounded program, forward moving program. Graduates can wear the traditional course "beads" and enjoy the life long camaraderie and esprit the training provides. Information for registration is found on the Troop Web Site under the Greater Alabama Council:1BSA.org

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS dan s
"Delivering the Promise"

qtrmstr 6:30pm, PLC 7pm, Comm Meeting 8pm

2011-03-07T06:41:00.000-08:00

Thanks particularly to all the leaders who were part of the trip..despite the weather, it was one of our best attended, worth the time and efforts of all and certainly one our most character building...plenty of determination grafted into one of our most tried and true Troop mottos of improvising, adapting, overcoming....thanks to Mr. Simon..as usual..the pictures are on the Troop website ...enjoy....

A special thanks again to Mr. Branin for reconnoitering our drop off and pick up points, Mrs Kidd and the Venture Crew for picking up all the meals, and all the leaders who were present to assist, helped with transportation, and esprit..The Venture Crew who came made all the difference in assisting the Phoenix Patrol with carrying gear a required and especially esprit and camaraderie for some character building instances.

There will be a quartermaster meeting at 6:30 for all who attended to quicken the process of cleanup and gear storage..followed by a PLC (patrol leaders council) of planning the rest of the month..followed by the Troop Committee meeting at 8:00 PM ( if you have never attended, you are certainly welcome tomorrow night).

This is going to be an exceptionally busy month for us..so stay tuned for all the activities by reading your emails, passing them on the Scout and encouraging attendance....The Troop Blog Section on our Troop Web site will catch you up to as far back as you would like to go and bring you right up to where we are now.

Thanks again for all your support and encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Backpacking info., SMLT, Eagle Projects

2011-03-02T07:27:00.000-08:00

Those of your Scouts who are Life ranked, the recent Digital Eagle advertized Eagle projects available at Oak Mountain, Camp Tranquility..ohters are being offered by the Red Mountain Parks Project Manager...many...

If you are a leader who has not attended the Scoutmaster's Leadership Training (SMLT) on March 19th at Canteberry UMC in Mtnbrk..please sign up for it...the companion weekend course is set for April 15-17 at Camp Sequoyah..neither of these are a conflict with Troop activities..and you should plan on attending to give us the depth we need in our leadership for the Scouts......You will need a uniform...please consider it if you have not,,information is on the recent GAC digital Eagle you just received as email..when you finish you will learn all you ever wanted to know about a "boy led Troop."

If your son has not back packed with us before..the basics he needs are:

a backpack
two water bottles..each with a metal "D' ring to connect to his belt and pack
a compactible, light sleeping bag with a pair of long underwear, sock hat, and socks to sleep in in case it gets cold
a light weight therma rest or foam ground cloth for between the bag and the tent floor
a plastic spoon, plastic cup, and plastic bowl to eat from..light as possible
Back packing clothes to wear on the trail, including wool socks with polyprophelene sock liners to prevent blisters.
a flashlight with a head band or one that he can hold in his mouth. He won't need a change of clothes as he will leave his dry uniform in the bus when he hikes in from the trail.
an economical rain suit in case it rains or gets cold
a cap for his head in case it rains or gets cold..gloves for the cold are probably not needed. A light jacket for the cold may be in order also....
The leaders will have everything else he needs..the troop provides a tent,cooking gear, and water purification

We will be going as light as possible for only about 8 or less miles in a beautiful primitive area.

Thats about it...otherwise he will have too much to carry

We will shake him down on Thursday when he brings all his gear..the food is being provided by the older Scouts for a back packing menu.

will see him thursday night with his ready to go pack....at 6:30 PM at the Hut,then at the Hut on friday at 5:00PM in uniform with his back packing clothes in a bag to change into when we get there at the start point.

YiS Dan s

"Delivering the Promise"

Bring these to the meeting tonight if you are coming to Backpacking

2011-02-28T14:59:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

I'm following up on Mr. Strunk's email from last Tuesday regarding a couple of items for tonight's meeting that are somewhat out of character for us. We're asking that scouts & leaders planning to backpack this coming weekend please bring the following to tonight's planning meeting:

•Trip Payment ($22 per scout/leader for fuel & meals) - checks preferred

•BSA Trip Consent Form (found here)

Collecting these items tonight will allow us to have a better accounting of who will attend & help the troop better track & manage trip finances. We anticipate this becoming the standard practice moving forward as your Troop Committee seeks to manage the troop's finances as prudently as possible.

Thank you in advance.

Jay Elmore

Troop News

2011-02-23T06:31:00.000-08:00

The Troop will be going on a back packing trip to the Pinhoti Trail during the first weekend of March (4-6). He will also have to be present at the Thursday night quartermaster meeting (March 3) to pack his and other crew gear. Leaders and Scouts who plan to attend will be required to be at the Feburary 28th meeting for a headcount, information, and planning. He will also have to be present at the Thursday night quartermaster meeting (March 3) to pack his and other crew gear.

We will need two leaders with follow-on vehicles for the trip (not including the Troop trailer hauler).

We have four packs available at the Hut for borrowing if necessary. If your son is an older Scout and has not back-packed, attendance is encouraged for the experience. The Pinhoti Trail section we will be on is a relatively flat and the distance is less than eight miles.

The cost for the Trip is $22.00 (fuel and meals). Please bring a check and the BSA Release Form to the Hut, Monday Feb 28, to assist with our numbers Count.

Congratulations and thanks to Mr. Elmore for stepping up to Troop Treasurer, replacing Mr. Oliver..and thanks and congratulations to Mr. Hutchens for stepping up and accepting the position of new Scout advisor along with Mr. Hardy.

As you know we will be welcoming more than 18 new WEBELOS this Spring thanks the efforts and leadership of Mr. Greg Stocks and Mr. Nevin Cox. We will be starting the transition this Thursday night at the Hut and formally at their Crossover on March 21.

Have uniforms your son no longer wears? Bring it to the Hut and we will re-circulate it in the "experienced uniforms" boxes for newly entering Scouts.

Thanks again for all your support and encouraging attendance.

YiS dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Camporee recap, Backpacking in March

2011-02-21T06:41:00.000-08:00

The 2011 Vulcan District Camporee at Tannehill State Park was our best yet as far back as you can go..There were more than 400 Scouts and leaders in attendance from all of the Troop and Packs in the District (Largest in the Council-third largest in the US). We had a total of 81 Scouts, WEBELOS, and leaders/parents present and won more ribbons than anytime in our past. Thanks to Mr. Simon all of the pictures are posted on the Troop Web site at this time. Please take a look at them.

Thanks to Mr. Madison,. Mr. Branin, Mrs. Kidd, and Mr. Young we had our site reserved and the Canopy and many tents already set up. Thanks to Mr. Morrow, we used a gas/charcoal trailer cooker in order prepare breakfast for he WEBELOS (mountainman) and Grilled hot dogs for everyone for everyone for lunch.

Thanks to the earlier preparation by Mr, Young and Mr. Simon, The Troop won Blue ribbons for WOK cooking ( a three-course meal) and Back Pack Cooking, First Place blue ribbon and "most patrols participated" in cake baking (nine cakes entered by the boys), all the patrol won ribbons for activities during the day including first place for the pancake flip. Thanks to Mr. Crabtree and Mr. Lepianka and the other leaders for assuring the boys moved as patrols and competed in most of the competitions. The Troop competed in Foil Cooking, back pack cooking ,Wok Cooking, and Dutch oven cooking competitions and won a total of six ribbons. The WEBELOS also picked put Ribbons in several of their competitive events also.

Thank to Mr. Gunn and Mr. Madison for assuring all our camping gear was maximally utilized, set up, and taken down after use.

This year, for the first time in the Camporee past twenty-five year and more. history, the Troop assured the new Order of the Arrow, Nunne-Hi Chapter Drum was used ...thanks to Mrs. Kidd for transporting it to and from the event. P Kidd, E Kidd, M Gunn, N Bolding, S Hardy, and Mrs. Hardy and Mr. Lepianka made sure the crew had the volume, tempo, beat, voice control, and resonance for several practices and a demonstration for the entire at the encampment at the Camporee camp fire that night.

Thanks also to Dr. Nelson for assuring the Troop Monkey Bridge was set up Saturday, once the parts were all transported by Mr. Eggers Friday night.

Thanks to Mr and Mrs Eggers for assuring all the purchase and preparation for all the WEBELO meals during the weekend.

Not finally, thanks to Mr. Greg Stocks, Nevin Cox, and Chris Turner for coordinating the gathering and assuring the ease of all the participation in all the WEBELO competitions/activities with their parents during the entire weekend.

The weather was the warmest and most comfortable in the past twenty years, w/no rain or a threat of the same. We just had a great time a complete adventure as could be had in two nights and day that close to home.

If your son was at the Camporee, he needs to be at the Hut Monday, February 21, at 6:30 PM PM to take down and store equipment. Uniform not required..The more we have the quicker we leave.

If he is a patrol leader and assistant patrol leader he needs to be present for the Patrol Leader's Conference, starting at 7:00 PM..uniform not required..he should also be there for the equipment take down and storage.

The Troop Commitee meeting starts at 8A:00 PM...If you are not a member, plan to attend and join us for some Troop business...

Back packing is coming up the first weekend in March..he should have a compactable sleeping bag by now for this as well as a light weight sleeping pad, back packing footgear, and whatever else he feels required...we will be going to he Pinhoti Trail near Anniston..a relatively flat hike...We will take the bus and will require on vehicle to tow one of our trailers w/our gear.

Thanks for all you support and for encouraging attendance....

YiS Dan S. "Delivering the Promise"

NEW driving direction to Camporee

2011-02-18T06:35:00.002-08:00

The road that normally takes you to Tannehill State Park (exit off of 459) is not useable due to their replacing a bridge. You can go that way, but the detour is lengthy and takes longer.

Stay on 459 and drive all the way through to 59 heading to Tuscaloosa. Get off on Exit 100, take a left off the exit and go over the Interstate and head down the road until you see a intersection with a building/country store gas station and keep right following the signs to Tanneyhill...the road will take you directly to the entrance to the park.

The Scout Camporee is located on the far side of the Park (primitive sites) down the road past the restaurant and RVparks, cross the larger bridge, continuing toward the parking lot near the Troop bus on the far side of the encampment. Don't stop to register at the small building as we are pre-registered as a Troop. Or you can park in the center of the first big parking lot and head up the hill toward the center of the encampment.

From the far parking lot, where the bus is, the Troop is located in highest point of the center of the campouts (on your left facing the all the sites)...look for for Troop's white shelter and Troop trailers.

Someone will always be in the campsite.

YiS Dan s
Delivering the Promise"

Camporee

2011-02-18T06:35:00.001-08:00

Remember..we meet at the hut at 5:00 PM February 18th. Please be on time as we need to use the daylight and time for setting up camp. If he is in a sport activity, please get him excused early as not to slow the Troop down... From the Hut we will go to the Piggly Wiggly in "Bluff Park for ice..then head out to Tanneyhill State Park.

As you know, he needs to eat before he arrives as we will not stop on the way for snacks and he will not be permitted to run into the grocery store for food items. He can pack a lunch an eat on the bus or eat when he gets at camp if no choice otherwise.

Please assure he is dressed and prepared for cold weather and/or rain. It can be miserable if not prepared for it.

The cost is $35.00 per person..If a new Scout, he needs a copy of his BSA medical form filled out as much as possible by the parent if not time to see the pediatrician, with a copy of the family insurance card attached in case of an emergency. If he is not with us at 5:00 PM and is not staying the entire trip, he need not pay the $18.00 out of the $35 for registration, but he will not get a patch for the weekend. If he is not eating all the meals..he can pay $3.00 per meal that he has with us provided he has told his patrol leader he will be there and his food was bought for him as part of the patrol. If he is not riding the bus, he need not pay the $5.00 fuel fee.

If the family is not busy, bring them out to Tannehill and visit with the Troop to get a good idea of our camping operations and share the adventure with the other 700 Scouts and families that are expected to camp and visit. We will have about 80 scouts and leaders in and out of the camp site all day while they are in between activities, setting up the monkey bridge, and individual and team competitions.

If he is a Phoenix patrol member or a new Scout, he needs to bring his Scout Manual/Guide for any check offs he needs to be passed of on and that we will have time for. If he is close to earning his rank, he should bring his book for a Scoutmaster's conference and probably a Board of Review. If he is working on second and first class, he should write the five and total ten activities in his book so he won't forget them for his Conference with the Scoutmaster.

Thanks for all your support and encouraging attendance..."He has to be there to experience it."

YiS Dan s
"Delivering the Promise"

Scout Sunday, Wok Cooking Sunday, Camporee headcount Monday night

2011-02-13T10:26:00.000-08:00

Today's Scout Sunday was the most we have had in a long time...over fifty attended, making the impression that the congregation and Reverend Crotty was expecting. Thanks to all for your support and encouraging attendance..S Hardy and Mr. Scott made excellent presentations and the insert/brochure in the handout spoke well of last year's programs and activities.

There will be the OA drum team practice today at 2:00 Pm at the Metropolitan Church of God followed by Mr. Simon demonstrating WOK cooking at the Hut at 4:30 PM..S Hardy will also be demonstrating additional cooking..Great teaching points here for the Scouts. If your son is in the OA and passing this adventure up..he is missing all the fun it offers.

Remember if your son is coming on the Camporee this coming weekend, he needs to be at the Monday meeting for a head count and meal planning. If he cannot be there at the meeting, the patrol leader needs to know whether he is coming or not for our head count....

Finally....the Troop is required to have one or more leaders trained with Wilderness First Aid for every outing we go on. Right now, there may be none of us certified as the certification is only for two years (not three as we thought) and the bulk of us took it in 2008.

Please consider attending the Training Mrs Kidd is setting (see her recent email) up to assure we have the depth we need in the Troop..This is especially true for high adventure where each crew must have a leader/Scout certified in order to make the trip.....

Thanks for all your support and encouraging attendance...

YiS Dans "Delivering the Promise"

Catholic Religious Medal

2011-02-13T10:25:00.000-08:00

Mr. Alvie Allison is offering Boy Scouts ages13-14 or older the opportunity to earn the Catholic Religious medal for Scouting.
Ad Altare Dei
He is a ASM in Troop 93 in Hoover and the Vulcan District Advancement Committee Chairman.
He is an active member of Prince of Peace Church,you see him as a Eucharistic minister at the 8:30 Sunday Mass.

The first class and information meeting will be Sunday Feb 27th at Prince of Peace Catholic Church at 10:30 am, meet in the gathering space foyer.

Alvies email is Alvie.H.Allison@usdoj.gov and he has a website of very useful information on earning the Eagle Scout Rank called woodbadgeman.com.

This is a great opportunity for interested scouts to earn the Scouting religious medal while learning more about their Catholic faith.
Please email Alvie.H.Allison@usdoj.gov and myself czkidii@aol.com if you are interested in your son participating in this program.

YiS
Cathy Kidd

Scout Sunday Feb 13, 8:45am @BPUMC

2011-02-12T19:15:00.000-08:00

This was a super Saturday if there ever was one for all participation in multiple activities:

Thanks to the Senior Patrol Leader, S Hardy, for facilitating the Troop Junior Leader Training (JLT) today, as well as the older Scouts who assisted, thirteen Scouts picked up their "Trained" tabs for completing it. The JLT was completed by 1:30PM and the Scouts and leaders continued working with B Debalsi on his Eagle Project for the Bluff Park Elementary School..he had more than twenty leaders and Scouts assisting before the JLT pitched in...He nearly completed the project with a follow up/completion scheduled for Sunday.

Wanted to thank Mr. Lepianka, Mr. Huthchens, Mr. Simon, for assisting in the JLT set up and completion details.

Thanks to Mr Nelms, and his son C Nelms and Z Morrow, as well as all the other leaders and Scouts who pitched in, they were able to split all the logs that were in front of the Hut's wood pile..giving us a bigger pile of split wood has the potential to last a year or two or three of campfires. The hydraulic log splitter made a tough job a lot easier...they were completed by about 5:00 PM when the Eagle project also closed down for the day.

Don't forget Scout Sunday is tomorrow, February 13, at the Bluff Park United Methodist Church on Valley where we normally have our Courts of Honor. Pack 321 is invited to attend with us. Uniform is Class A Plus (merit badge sash and Troop neckerchief). Scouts and leaders/parents/families should be there at about 8:30 AM in front of the Sanctuary, for the 8:45 service. This is an annual event for us, counts for 1st Class Troop activities, and is a good sign of our strength as a unit if we have a a large number attend. The Service lasts for one hour.

Thanks for all your support and continued encouragement of attendance.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

OA Election Apr 4

2011-02-11T13:32:00.000-08:00

Troop Order of the Arrow elections are coming up on April 4, the same day as Troop elections.

An annual election Committee from outside the Troop will visit us for these elections.

The requirements for becoming a member are:

1st Class rank

15 days and nights of camping, six of which must be in a long term camp (summer camp) over a two year period

Nomination by the Scoutmaster

Once, nominated as eligible, the entire Troop votes for him by secret ballot

He must have the votes of 50% of all the Scout who are in a attendance..

50%, or more, of the Troop must be present for the vote that night

All Scouts, whether an OA member or not, vote for all the candidates, selecting those who based on their sincerity and acceptance of the high ideals of Scouting, best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives.

Phoenix Patrol Scouts should be very close to their First Class rank by this time of the year by having all the requirements met since summer camp last year.

In addition to all the checked off requirements in the Scout Handbook, they are required to have been present on a total of (10) ten troop or patrol activities, compared to just five (5) for the Second Class rank.

All the activities should be hand written on his advancement page of the Scout Handbook as he completes them so as to recall them at the Scoutmaster's Conference and Board of Review. If he has completed all the checked off requirements in the Scout Handbook, he should contact the Scoutmaster for his Scoutmaster's Conference in order to complete his Board of Review (by calling the Troop Advancement chairman).

If he does not meet all the requirements for First Class by the election this year, he should be eligible by 2012.

The Order of the Arrow is referred to as the "Honor Society of Scouting," based not on academics, but upon service to Scouting and the Community..it is for that reason that he is selected not for what he has done, but for what he will be expected to do for life long service under the auspices of the ideals of Scouting.

The Order gives him a chance to experience Scouting above the 'Troop level through participation in OA service oriented activities that he would not normally experience on Troop outings. Most OA activities at the Council level include the participation of several hundred Scouts, at the Region level, more than a 1000, and at the National level, thousands.

The Order also sponsors nation wide experiences in all geographical locations throughout the United States. He will also have the opportunity not only for fun and adventure, but to volunteer for further leadership roles in the organization up to including Chapter and Lodge Chief.

When he earns his membership, he is permitted to wear the distinctive Order or the Arrow pocket flap patch on his uniform shirt. He must remain active in the in the OA and pay his annual dues of $8.00 per year in order to continue wearing the flap through the remainder of his Scouting career.

There are three levels in the Order of the Arrow..Membership, Brotherhood, and Vigil. Usually, 100 per cent obtain membership, 50-75 percent obtain Brotherhood, and fewer than 10 per cent obtain the Vigil Honor.

In 2010, It had been more than twenty years since any of our youth in the Troop obtained the Vigil Honor, except last year (2010) when both Eagle Scouts J Kunka and P Kidd were nominated at the Council level, elected, and awarded the Vigil Honor by the Greater Alabama Council's Coosa Lodge. The Lodge has more than 2,500 members.

Scouts should strive for membership in the OA, as it is often seen as logical companion of the Eagle rank, opening, in immediate future years, doors to interviews and promotions for their careers throughout their life times.

Troop 21, among 28 other Troops, is exceptionally active with the Nunne-Hi Chapter of the Coosa 50. Thanks to the efforts of P Kidd, J Kunka, J Ng, J and K Berry, and the support of their parents, they formed the Coosa 50 "pre-ordeal" team for the last three years for all the Lodge's Ordeals and competed for honors at the National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) in Indianapolis, Indiana during the summer of 2009.

Thanks to P Kidd, E Kidd, S and S Hardy, and N Bolding, they have formed a ceremonial drum team and will perform at the up and coming District Camporee, the March American Indian Seminar at Camp Comer, the Section Regional Competition in Georgia at Camp Thunder, and perhaps the National competition at the 2012 NOAC, again in Indianapolis.

Information about the Order of the Arrow, our local chapter, and the Council Chapter, Coosa 50, can be found at the web site:Coosa50.org

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Troop News

2011-02-08T09:46:00.000-08:00

That we were busy last night at the meeting would be an understatement.. Thanks to Mr. Simon, Mr. Young, Sam Hardy, Mr. Gunn and all the boys and leaders who pitched in, we covered several forms of cooking, fire starting, and practicing for the competition for the Scout Law....all of the activities, all of which, thanks to Mr. Simon and Mr. Hutchens are on the Web Site.

The Troop's Order of Arrow members had a drum practice over the weekend, there are pictures on the web site, and will be drumming, singing, and performing at the Camporee while we are there..thanks to Patrick and Eric Kidd, Nick Bolding, Max Gunn, Sam and Scott Hardy for making that happen. We will meet next Sunday at 2:00 PM for a final practice..your son needs to be there if he want to get in on the fun.

This is still going to be a busy week.

Saturday February 12

1. B Debalsi's Eagle Project at the Bluff Park Elementary School..notice is on the Troop Web site....If your son isn't coming to the Junior Leader Training Program also at the Hut..he needs to be there to help him...lunch will be provided..he should be there dressed for the weather and to spend a good part of the day in helping complete it.

2. Troop Junior Leader Training (JLT) also on the same day at the Hut for all Scouts who have not participated in the past...Should be all the Phoenix patrol and some older Scouts who have not previously attended.

Uniform is Class A w/o neckerchief or sash and dressed for the weather..we will be inside the Hut for nearly all of it. Starts at 8:00 AM and finishes before 2:00PM Cost is $3.00 for lunch....will be taught by the SPL S Hardy and older Scout assistants/guides. This is the basic leadership course that will serve him for the remainder of Scouting and for the rest of his personal career(s)..so please encourage attendance.

Sunday February 13

Scout Sunday at the Bluff Park United Methodist Church on Valley. We will meet at 8:30 AM in the main sanctuary and go in as a group. As you know, BPUMC is our Charter Organization and has been for the past 66 years. We need a good turnout to show our selves..the entire family and Pack 321 is welcome..As in every year, the Troop SPL, the SM, and the 321 PM will be invited for remarks/comments. Uniform is Class A with merit badge sash and Troop Neckerchief. Long Scout Trousers should be worn without sweatshirts under the uniform shirt for uniformity.

Monday Feb 14 I'm going to ask S Hardy to have the boys who can to come in for the meeting at 5:30 as we need to make some cardboard and wax fire starters for the camporee and trips this Spring....If he doesn't get the message, through his patrol leader.... please see if he can come into the meeting any time after 5:30 PM to help out.

If the Scout is coming on the Camporee, this is a required meeting as we will be taking a headcount, planning Patrol meals, and making final announcements. The cost for the camporee is $18.00 per Scout/leader to register, $12.00 for four meals, and $5.00 for fuel for the vehicles..or a total of $35.00.

There will be over 700 Scouts and leaders in attendance at the annual Vulcan District Camporee at Tannehill State Park. If you want to visit and see the Troop and your son in full camping mode, please come out anytime during the day. The Troop will be located in the top center of the Camp sites. We will also be setting up the Troop monkey bridge in our area for a display and entertainment.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Troop News

2011-02-06T18:25:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Mrs Cathy Kidd and her coordination efforts we took 19 Scouts to the Three River Merit Badge Day on the Bus to Jefferson 'State Jr College..thank to Col Charles Kidd, Mark Lepianka, and Mr. Simon for traveling with us and spending the day.....pictures are on the Troop web site. neat patch...

If your son want some tips in Wok Cooking Mr. Simon will be at the Hut on this Sundahy Feb 6 at 4:30...this is in preparation for the competition at the Camporee but with "tips for life" from a pro......

If you son wants to help out and learn a few tricks about back pack cooking, Mr. Young will be at the hut at 5:00 PM Monday,Feb 7 for some practice and examples...Sam Hardy may also be there in preparation for lesson is foil cooking for similar competition at the camporee....

We will be doing some string burning practice, thanks to Mr. Eggers and Mr. Simon also on Monday night as well as other knots and practicing for tying/lashing for the chariot racing also.

Order of the Arrow drum competition and ceremony practice will be taking place as noted by Ben Putnam for all the members in the Troop who will practice that or want to get involved by being at the Metropolitan Church of God off of Acton road in the fartherest building down on the right as you pass the main Sanctuary entrance. Haven't been there and done it yet..good time to start if your Scout is a OA member and wants to get active with the Nunne-Hi Chapter 2-4PM Feb 6 (Sunday)

If you haven't up to this time..take the time and go to:Woodbadgeman.com and take a look at the way Mr. Alvie Allison has outlined rank and Eagle requirements for the Scout..His handbook is exactly what the Life Scout needs in order to prep for his Eagle Project...or other merit badges which are required.....excellent information of leaders on training, Scouting, and other subject areas...

Mr. Allision is the Vulcan District Advancement Committee Chairman and he has this information in this bundle better than ever before presented to keep the Scout on track to Eagle..including the project planning guide he will have to follow for his Eagle Project in the Vulcan District. Make a copy of it for him to start thinking about if he is coming up on Life or there already.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance,.

YiS dan s "Delivering the Promise'

B DeBalsi’s Eagle Project, Feb 21

2011-02-02T20:48:00.000-08:00

B DeBalsi’s Eagle Project

When: Saturday Feb. 12th, 2011, 9 AM- 3PM

Where: Troop 21 Scout Hut

Why: Building 2 rotating barrel compost bins for Bluff Park Elementary School’s outdoor classroom

Notes: I have access to an electric miter saw, drill, hammer, nails but may need additional tools such as these to keep everyone busy at the same time. We will definitely need someone to bring a post hole digger and at least 2 shovels (preferably garden spade). One person does not have to bring everything, just a small contribution from everyone will be fine. Donations will not be necessary, the project has already been fully paid for. Lunch will be provided.

Troop News

2011-02-01T09:07:00.000-08:00

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"

Troop News

2011-01-30T11:40:00.000-08:00

We had a great turn out for B Garrett's Eagle project...His his plan was to place 31 signs up in the Moss Rock Park and he got up 21 concreted in..will finish the others tomorrow with another crew....it was the first time we ever saw two horses and a mule working on a Eagle Merit badge..they helped carry all of the required equipment and tool...including the cement and lumber...

The mule, Ruth, wandered off and after a brief search, we found her at the end of Sevier Rd trimming a lawn....the Hoover PD and Fire Dept were glad to see the signs up as they are going to attach numbers so that when a person has an emergency in the park, they can tell the emergency service what marker they are near for a response.... Thanks to all the Scouts and leaders who attended.to make it as successful as it was.

The Annual Cub Pinewood Derby at the BPUMC was never better attended and operated better than ever thanks to Mr. Cox, Mr. Stocks, and Mr. Turner's efforts as well as all the other leaders who assisted.

Mr. Dean Sessaman's memorial and funeral was also well attended and represented by Scouters and Scouts alike today at 11:00 at his church on Lakeshore as well as at the service at Elmwood where he was buried. He had actively served as a leader for more than 40 years.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

Our next meeting is Monday night at the Hut.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

District Banquet

2011-01-30T11:39:00.000-08:00

The Vulcan District Banquet was held tonight at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood..from about 6:30 PM until 9:00...

Thanks to all the leaders who were present from the Troop in making it one of the best for attendance ...will post some pictures, thanks to Mr. Hutchens, on the Troop Web site..special thanks to S and S Hardy, E and P Kidd, C and F Hutchens, for being there with the OA in serving for all the leaders. Thanks to Mr Hardy and Mrs. Kidd for transportation requirements for the Scouts.

Mr. Mark Branin was awarded the distinquished Vulcan District Award of Merit for more than twenty years of service to the Troop and the District/Council. Thanks to Mr. Frost's work as Advancement Chairman, the Troop was submitted for and awarded it's Quality Unit Award for 2010....and thanks to the continued hard work of Mrs Elaine Eggers, the Troop picked up it PoP Corn sales pennant for 2010 also.

Congratulations again to Mr. Branin for his service and to all of our leaders/parents for assuring the Troop's continued legacy for "Delivering the Promise."

Several of our leaders from Pack 321 received numerous awards and uniform knots for service excellence also.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS Dan S Delivering the Promise"

Upcoming events

2011-01-23T18:24:00.000-08:00

As you know by looking at the Troop Schedule for 2012, there are some activities coming up pretty quickly other than meetings on Monday nights...

January 22 Winter Order of the Arrow Fellowship Banquet at the Mt. Vernon UMC in Gardendale (Coosa50.org for information)

January 27th Vulcan District Banquet at Trinity UMC in Homewood...I have our nine leader reservations, but Order of the Arrow Scouts are asked to assist in serving . they will also be able to eat there as quests (call Mr Brett Melton).

January 29th B Garrett's Eagle Project at the Moss Rock Preserve (see latest Troop Blog for details)....this counts as service and activities for advancement as well as helping Brittan complete the project).

February 3 District Round Table for Leaders, same location and time.

February 5 Three Rivers Merit badge day at Jefferson State Junior College. We will be taking the bus at an announced departure time by Mrs. Kidd. Lunch is provided.. Will return around 4-4:30PM. Fee for fuel is $5.00 per person.

February 12 Junior Leader Training for those Scouts who have not attended. This is required to run for Senior Patrol Leader and a pre-requisite for the National Youth Leader Training given at the Council Level...we will start at 8:00 AM provide lunch an be completed around 2:00 PM. This is a basic leadership course that should be attended to round out the program for his Eagle. Cost is $5.00 for lunch.

February 13 Scout Sunday..We will meet in Class A Plus (Troop Neckerchief and merit badge sash) at 8:30 AM for the 8:45 AM Service at the Bluff Park UMC for our annual service with the congregation. We need to have as many Scouts present as possible for a good representation of the Troop on this Day of national recognition of Scouting. Please encourage attendance..WEBELOS are welcome to join us..we are normally out by 9:45 AM.

Feb 18-20 Camporee at Tannehill State Park

March 5 University of Scouting at Culman High School If you aren't coming back packing with us, this is a good time to attend for basic leader certification courses.

March 5 Troop Back Packing Trip:

It is likely that we will back pack the Pinhoti Trail from the vic of Coleman Lake to our usual take out at Pine Glen camp site after spending the night at Sweetwater lake. Back packing will require a back pack, hiking boots w/wool socks and Polyprophylene sock liners, a compressible sleeping bag, and a backpacking air mattress or foam. The Troop provide all cooking gear, tarp, and the tent. We will talk to all of this at Monday night meetings. Most of this is written in the Troop Guide as information for a beginning hiker.

March 19 Scoutmaster Leader Training Designed for teach in one day all the fundamentals of working with a Scout Troop, its purpose, it's benefits. If you are a leader with us and have not attended this, please make plans to attend. The companion course, Outdoor Leader Training will be taught at Camp Sequoyah on April 15-17...it is required also in order to be consider "trained" and to wear the "trained" patch and green leader's knot. Both courses will round you out in Scouting's purpose at the troop level as well as introduce you to many contacts and reference for the future. Please plan on attending both if you have not at this time.

Thanks for all your support and for encouraging attendance.

YiS dan s "Delivering the Promise"

B Garrett's Eagle Project Jan 29 9am @Preserve Pwy

2011-01-20T06:26:00.000-08:00

Troop 21-ers!

Thank you all to everyone that have been able to contribute to my project

in some way. It is set in stone that the project will be on January 29th

at the Preserve. We are starting at 9:00 that morning and meeting at the

parking lot near the boulderfield(the one on Preserve Parkway). According

to the Head Forester for the City of Hoover, there will be news coverage

for this project. Anyone that would like to help will need a pair of

gloves, good shoes, and a water bottle. I will be providing lunch(which is

still to be decided, suggestions?) We will work from 9 until 12 then take

a lunch break and resume as soon as everyone is finished. We will probably

work until it gets dark. If you can only come for part of the time that is

perfectly fine. Please let me know if you will be able to help out.

Thank you all again,

B Garrett

B Garrett's Eagle Project (Jan 29)

2011-01-18T08:23:00.000-08:00

Dear Fellow Troop 21-ers!

I am beginning my long awaited Eagle Project at Moss Rock Preserve this

month and need your help. Im a Life Scout, a member of the

Order of the Arrow, and work in the Eco-Lodge at Camp Sequoyah in the

summers.

My project consists of putting trail signs up through the park to replace

older signs and those that have been stolen. As there is to everything,

there is a cost to this project and I am humbly asking for a donation of

any kind whether it be manpower, money, materials, or tools to borrow. The

total cost of this project is $500 if we use plastic signs. However, if we

can raise twice that amount then we can make metal signs that will last

much longer. I am hoping to begin the project to begin the project on the

last weekend of January(the 29th). Please let me know if you can

contribute or attend in anyway and if not, please pray that the job is

done safely and correctly.

Thank you for your time,

B Garrett

New Orleans trip

2011-01-18T06:37:00.001-08:00

We returned from New Orleans at about 4:15 PM tonight .

The trip was one of our best with about 36 Scouts and Leaders. It was a break-even as budgeted adventure which kept us busy the entire time.

Thanks to Captain Kelly Gandy for coordinating the agenda and for Major Baillee for making his Armory available, the time spent was a good as it could have been for not only for Chalmette National Historical Battlefield and the WWII D-Day Museum, but for all the sightseeing and meals we participated in while there.

Thanks to Mr. Simon, as usual, the pictures of Chamlette, the WWII museum, and our ramblings in downtown New Orleans are posted on the Troop website now.

Remember our next meeting is next Monday...in beginning in the continued preparation for the annual February Camporee at Tanneyhill.

Thanks for all your support and encouraging attendance.

YiS dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Troop News

2011-01-10T16:49:00.000-08:00

As mentioned, the Planning Conference this past weekend was one of our best attended in recent memory and the year looks like a best one coming coming. Mr Simon has already posted it on the Troop Web site along with the Troop Goals for 2011. Please take a look at it and post it on your calendars.

1. I am attaching a copy of the Troop Roster and a copy of the last Court of Honor. The roster is for you to check for current information, phone numbers, and emails, The Court of Honor is for you to make a copy of the current Scout and leader mentor responsibilities until the Court of Honor coming in April.

Please make a copy of the job list from the Court of Honor Agenda for the Scout so he can remember who is doing what (especially what he is supposed to be doing). If a leader is assigned as a mentor..nudge the Scouts to make sure they are thinking about their responsibilities and contributing to the Troop during his tour.

2. On January 22, all Order of the Arrow members are invited to the Winter Fellowship at the Mt. Vernon UMC in Gardendale. Reservations are required as stated in Coosa50.org.

3. Sam Hardy will be conducting the annual Troop Junior leader Training (JLT) at the Hut on February 12 at the Hut from 8:00 AM until about 1-2PM. Uniform is Class A. This is required of all Scouts, especially if they want to be the Senior Patrol Leader.....so please urge attendance. We only do this once a year and it is a pre-requisite for the NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training). It is an excellent boy run program that talks directly to group leadership..He will have to attend the entire morning program to get credit.

4. Scout Sunday this year will be held at the Bluff Park United Methodist Church in the main Sanctuary at 8:30 AM on February 13. This is important for us as the Church of course is our Charter Organization and we need a good showing in representing the spirit of scouting. The service lasts for one hour or less. Uniform is Class A plus (neckerchief and merit badge sash). We will sit in the front pews on the left as you walk in as usual as we come in as troop from the back. the entire family is invited to attend and sit with us for the service. We meet at 0830 for the service which begins at 8:45AM. Please plan on his joining us.

5. Mr. Mickey Harbin, the Troop's former Eagle Coordinator has been awarded this year the Silver Beaver Award by the Greater Alabama Council for his work over the past twenty years in Scouting. There will be a ceremony for he and the fourteen others who have earned the Award as noted in the recent Council Digital Eagle on Friday, March 25, 2011, at the Mt Vernon UMC in Gardendale. The ceremonies begin at 7:00 PM. a reservation can be made by contacting Carol Ashworth at: cashworth@1bsa.org or 205-969-4250.

6. There are opportunites for Eagle projects at the Red Mountain Parks program...Life Scouts should always be considering these and other opportunities all of the time in order to head that direcdtion. The Digital Eagle also noted several other opportunities for projects just waiting to be picked up by the boys. Please keep encouraging them.

7. The New Orleans Trip.

We will leave on the bus after meeting at the Hut at 8:00 AM, Saturday, January 15. We will head that way with Mr. Gunn as a follow on vehicle with what appears to be between 30-35 Scouts and leaders.

We will stop first at the Chamlette National Park in Chamlette, LA then go on to the National Guard Armory for lodging. We will leave for a local restaurant for the evening meal then return to the Armory.

On Sunday, the 16th, we will spend the day at the D-Day museum, have another restaurant meal, and head back to the Armory after a tour (of the City) for added adventure.

On the 17th we head back and return to Birmingham seven or so hours later... (3:00PM).

Uniform for the trip is Class A, including Scout socks, belt, tan shirt, Scout trousers or shorts...wearing sweats or jeans under the shorts won't be permitted..so if its going to be cold wear long trousers. Dress for the weather to include a coat when outdoors..there is always a Scout who comes ill prepared and usually remains miserable in the cold....He can dress into informal clothes in the Armory.

Travel is light as we will be limited to space on the bus only...we will sleep on cots, so a mattress isn't required. We will be indoors, so he should bring a lightweight sleeping bag and the minimal amount of baggage for personal use.

We will need his copy of his BSA physical form in case of an emergency along with the inclosed medical release that the parents sign for physician (we should already have this now). Remember...He will need a 2011 Medical form for summer camp.

Please go to the Troop web site and make a copy of the BSA release form so as to save time when he arrives to sign in..rather than filling it out at the Hut...please print clearly so we can read it.

He should bring a lunch unless he will eat at McDonalds when we stop there for lunch on Saturday.

Have him google/ wikipedia the DDay WWII museum, WWII (DDay Museum.com), and Chamlette National Military Park so he will have a good idea of what he is seeing historically....

Cost for the Trip:

We need a check or cash for $60.00 made out to the Troop when he gets to the Hut for:
$10.00 Museum
$30.00 for two evening meals including tip..the Troop will use credit card for one tab for the meals
$20.00 for fuel @ 800 or so miles for the bus and one follow on vehicle
In addition:
The Scout will have to have his own cash to manage for:
(2) two stops for lunch at McDonalds
(1) one lunch at the Museum (usually $10.00 or less or so) There is no McDonalds close by.
(2) two stops for breakfast at McDonalds
Souvenir cash

Meetings:

First meeting is February 21, then back to regular Mondays after that.

The next trip is the Camporee at Tannehill State Park. The meetings preceding the Trip will be focusing on preparing our quartermaster needs and for game competition at the Camporee. We will line up most of this during a PLC on the trip during the evenings after meals.

Thanks again for all your support and for encouraging attendance to assure the program is fullfilling its purpose in Scouting.

YiS Dan s

"Delivering the Promise"

2011 Camporee guide book posted

2011-01-09T17:54:00.000-08:00

Below is information about the Vulcan District Camporee coming up in Feb 18-20 (guide book is the attached document)....Mr. Simon will be putting this guide book on the Troop Web Site as soon as he has a chance for our further review and beginning preparations for it. The next Mondays for meetings( in Troop News Letter on Jan 10) will talk to our using them for Camporee preparation as we do every year.

I will need some one or a couple to attend the meeting on January 18th a Dawson Memorial to keep us up to date. Please reply if you can.

In noting the newly added competition (Geocaching) ,,we need a knowledgeable leader to step up who can serve as mentor for the Troop with this we can get a team of Scouts working on it.please reply if you interested.

We had a great planning conference yesterday with about 35 in attendance....will have more and final details on this and the New Orleans trip tomorrow in the January 10 Troop News..

There is no meeting Monday January 10 at the Hut.

Our first regular meeting will be January 24th at the regular time.

There will not be a Committee Meeting or PLC on the 17th after the Trip..We will have the PLC Sunday night in New Orleans in our overnight lodgings with the Scouts who will be there on the trip.

A Troop Newsletter will spell out the remainder January and into February meetings and Troop activities.

Thanks for all your support last year and especially the beginnings of 2011. Thanks especially for encouraging attendance at our activities.

Go Tigers!

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

New Troop Advancement Chairman

2011-01-09T17:51:00.000-08:00

Mr. Stacy Cole will begin transitioning into the role as Troop Advancement Chairman, replacing Mr. Steve Frost, who held the position since March, 2005....Scouts, parents, and leaders should begin calling Mr. Cole for Boards of Reviews, advancement questions, and other questions pertaining to the BSA Advancement Program....his info is in the troop roster.

We appreciate Mr. Cole stepping up to this role as much as we certainly appreciate all the work Mr. Frost has contributed in making the Troop Advancement Program as successful as it has been over the past five years.

Thanks for all the support in assisting Mr. Frost in keeping the legacy and for all the anticipated support we will be contributing to Mr. Cole for passing the legacy and assuring its future.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

APC @BPUMC Saturday

2011-01-04T06:40:00.000-08:00

On Saturday,January 8, at 3:00 PM, as noted by Mrs Eggers to Troop Committee members, we will have a Troop Committee meeting to finalize the January 8 planning during the morning and early afternoon session. While that is going on, Mr. Simon will teach the BSA Youth Protection to the Scouts. If you haven't attended our regular Committee Meetings recently, please join us for this one. Once completed will will be heading to dinner and you are welcome to join us for that also with the Scouts and leaders attending. We need as many leaders/parents as possible to attend the Youth Protection and merit badge counseling for about an hour and a half with Mr. Simon..Both are reguired by BSA guidelines. The training will start at 1:00 PM at the Bluff Park United Methodist Church in the family room adjacent to the Gymnasium. Park in the area of the Troop bus side of the church and come in the new south entrance way where we usually entered in the past.

Mr. Bennett has volunteered to do a make up for the Aviation Merit Badge once we finish some leadership training after we get back from dinner. If your son missed the Aviation Merit Badge program at the hut, this will be a good time to catch up on it..It will take about an hour, then he can join the free time for the rest of the evening.

There won't be a regular meeting on the 10th of January at the Hut and we won't have a PLC or Committee meeting on our return from New Orleans at the Hut on the 18th.

Out first troop meeting at the Hut will be January 24 at the Hut at 7:00 PM . If the Scout is an OA Member he should consider attending the January Fellowship in Gardendale as explained in the Coosa50.0rg newsletter and calendar. It is a one day event. I can take three in my car if any need a ride.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

recharting, Annual Planning Conf. Jan 8 @BPUMC

2010-12-30T10:17:00.000-08:00

So far only about 1/2 of our families have paid their dues for re-chartering for 2011..the fee is $30.00 for the Scout and $15.00 for a parent/leader...

if you are assisting the Troop as an active Assistant Scoutmaster, Committee member, or merit badge counselor..you have to register and be certified with Youth Protection..if you are a merit badge counselor for the Troop, you have to be annually certified also (YP is every two years).....You are probably listed as a Counselor and you can check that by going to the Troop Web Site and checking the merit badge counselor contact list. If you are not on it and should be..or would like to be ...please reply with the subjects you want to counsel with for the Scouts.

Please send your checks to Mr. Steve Frost in the next few days so the Troop can annually qualify as a "Quality Unit" in the District.

Please also plan on attending Leader training for Troop parents and leaders on January 8 at 1:00 PM, same place in the Bluff Park United Methodist Church vic the Gymnasium, for the Annual Planning Conference, w/Mr. Simon who will certify us with Youth Protection (YP) and Merit Badge Counselor in less than two hours.....The Scouts will also receive YP information during the day.

These dues and course are vital for the Troop....thanks in advance for helping out with your usual support.

YiS Dan S "Delivering the Promise"

No Meeting tonight

2010-12-20T11:03:00.000-08:00

Remember there is no meeting tonight and the first time we will meet again in January 8 for our Troop Planning Conference described in an earlier blog....

Please make sure you have mailed in your Troop Registration fee for 2011...$30.00 for the Scout..$15.00 for a leader...If you are going to assist us this year as an active leader ..or if you will assist us as a Troop Committee member or Merit Badge Counselor you need to be registered, complete Youth Protection every two years and Merit Badge Counselor training every year (January 8 at the Church). You can get Youth Protection on line at:myscouting.org but I am not sure about Merit Badge couselor for the same..that is why we are offering it at the Church on January 8 for about less than an hour.

The D-D Museum trip in New Orleans is coming up.....as stated in an earlier Blog, we will leave on the bus and a follow-on vehicle on Saturday, January 15th and return on the 17th..Details and times will be further discussed with the Scouts at the January 8 meeting regarding what activities we will be doing.....we will return in the afternoon of the 17th. He will not be camping as we will be in National Guard quarters for both evenings and eating restaurant/fast food while there.

We will want a definite head count on January 8 for both leaders and Scouts. the Group Rate is $10.00 per Scout ..$12.00 per leader..if we do the Confederate Museum Hall on Saturday the cost is $5.00 per Scout and $7.00 per leader...Chamlette is a National Park and is free.

I am speaking to Mr. Snow about picking up the Troop Pictures today... I will announce quickly when I will be at the Hut for you to pick the up....for those of you who wanted them for Christmas.

YiS Dan S "Delivering the Promise"

Troop News, Annual Planning Conference Jan 8

2010-12-19T20:05:00.001-08:00

Well, thanks to those who helped out today, we closed down the lot..in about an hour and a half... with about 50 trees placed on the side of the road. Thanks to Dr. Hamilton for the effort in ordering the trees and to Mr. Oliver for assuring a track on the cash flow and accounting. We are in good financial shape for next year.

Our next activity is January 8, as explained in earlier blogs....The leadership training for leaders will begin at 1:00 PM, on January 8, in the family room facing the gym, Bluff Park United Methodist Church, or if not large enough we will move at that time...Mr.Simon will be taking an hour or so to cover Merit Badge counseling and Youth Protection..these are both required for all our leaders if you are registered with the BSA and are active with the Scouts in the Troop. Please try to attend so we can get this behind us.

Please remember to send in the Scout's and your registration fee this week to Mr Steve Frost..this is important for us to retain our Charter and Quality Unit status. A previous blog on the Troop web site stated his address and phone number. We are not up to par with this for our numbers yet.

Thanks again for all your support his year. Have a Merry Christmas and News Years Holiday. Looking forward to our best year yet in 2011.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Troop news and upcoming events

2010-12-15T06:10:00.000-08:00

Families need to make sure they are mailing a check to Mr Frost (his address is in the Troop Roster), this week, if you haven't earlier, for the Troop's annual re-chartering. We have to get this in by January 1. The fees are $30.00 per Scout and $15.00 per Leader. Please call Mr. Frost at 441-6689 for any questions or further details.

I am attaching the current Troop roster. Please check the details and reply with any changes on phone numbers or email addresses.

Also don't forget that the Scout and Leader is going to need his BSA annual physical form completed for summer camp this year as it is required in order to be there. Make sure all the pages are attached on the form as they are all required by the Camp Staff. The fees this year are $205.00 and we will began collecting in February or March for part or all of the fee. The BSA physical form is required by the Troop for all activities.

Well, thanks to all who planned and participated, we had one of our best Christmas parties yet at the Hut Monday night. Thanks to all the leaders who helped in its preparation with the Scouts.

We will keep the Tree Lot open through this coming Saturday, December 18, night to assure, despite how slow it appears, to sell off as many trees as possible as all the trees sitting on the lot remain part of the budget for next year. We will meet on Sunday, December 19th, at 1:00 PM to take the lot down. We will need some volunteers to help out transporting the marquis and scaffolding.

Thanks to Dr. Frank Nelson and Bill Benefield, we are still planning on putting a rebuilt engine or rebuilding the Frank Tank current engine for use for the Camporee in 2011.

The first activity coming up in 2011 will be the Troop Planning Conference on January 8. As earlier stated, this is a Troop activity where the Scouts plan our activities for 2011. The Scout should plan on attending. Leaders are encouraged to attend and participate also to add to the ideas and thier practicality for the Troop.

We will start at 8:30 AM in the conference room adjacent to the Gym in the Bluff Park United Methodist Church. As this is a lock-in activity, the Scouts should bring a sleeping bag and informal clothes for the evening.

Uniform for the activity is the Class A uniform, with the red "Troop "T" Shirt worn under the tan shirt, until we return from Dinner Saturday evening, when they can change to regular clothing.

The cost is $15.00 to cover lunch, dinner, and transportation. We will have lunch at the Church and dinner at the Golden Corral in Hoover. Evening activities for the Scouts will be some leadership training and games. They need to be picked up at 8:00 AM on Sunday, January 9. I will need one or more leader to spend the evening and Scouts will not be permitted to leave without the Scoutmaster's approval.

Also on the 8th, Mr. Simon will be giving two classes: Youth Protection for the all the Troop Leaders who are due for it (each two years or through myscouting.org). The same will also be given to the Scouts that evening. Mr. Simon will also give the certification class for the Troop's merit badge counselors, which is an annual BSA requirement and all our leaders listed on the Troop merit badge counselor list on our web site need to attend this. If you are a leader and teach a merit badge and are not on the Troop list, you need to attend this training also. Please make plans for attending these classes at a time that will be announced by Mr. Simon. If I haven't added you to the merit badge counselor contact list, and you would care to participate and/or have the skills/knowledge to increase our depth on the badges, please call me.

The trip To New Orleans, during the Martin Luther King Holiday weekend is still being planned for less the costs at this time. We will be leaving on January 15th and returning on the 17th. We will not be camping, but rather staying in National Guard buildings for the two evenings along with fast food for meals . Fees will be for fuel for the bus and a follow-on vehicle, fast food, and entrance fees.

The Annual District Banquet is coming up on January 27 at Trinity Methodist in Homewood, usually at about 6:30 PM with meal included. There is not cost. We will have a table for eight and need to know who will be attending with me. Please call if you can make it now so I can register our names and reserve our table.

The Annual District Camporee (18-20) is coming up for February..Mr. Simon will post it on the Troop Web site from the GAC Web site for us to start looking over activities the Scouts will be competing in.

The District Advance O' Rama is coming up March 26th. Mrs. Kidd will provide more details for merit badge registration in the near future.

The annual University of Scouting for leaders will be held in the Spring at the Cullman High School Campus. More details of this will also be announced by Mrs Kidd in the near future. This is a good time to pick up leader certification courses needed by the Troop.

Finally, we will be announcing a wilderness survival first aid course ( two Saturday's) in the Spring or Summer. As in the case of CPR, we have to have a leader with this certification on all trips the troop makes, and with each crew on any high adventure trip that we go on. Please plan on attending to assure our numbers will be where they need to be.

We still need CDL drivers for the bus, as we are diminishing as we speak each year. Please call Dr. Tracy Hamiliton for details since he is the most recently certified.

Thanks for all your support this year and for encouraging attendance. It has made a difference in what we are doing for the boys and portends a great coming new year.

On behalf of our Troop Committee Chairman, Mr. Ken Madison, Reverend Reid Crotty, Pastor, Bluff Park United Methodist Church, the Greater Alabama Council, and all the Scouts and their familes, here's wishing you and yours the best of Merry Christmas's and the Happiest of New Years.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"

Troop Picture tonight

2010-12-06T10:12:00.001-08:00

Don't forget that tonight is the Troop Photo Composite night that we have planned for.

1. He doesn't have to purchase a picture...but he needs to take one to complete the composite for the Troop. Please encourage his attendance. He can leave when it is complete.

2. If he would like a copy of the Troop Composite, the cost is $20.00 tonight as cash, check, or credit card. The check can be made out to Scout Shots, Inc.

If he wants a single portrait in addition to the composite, the cost is $10.00.

3. The uniform is Class A plus, or tan shirt, merit badge sash, Troop neckerchief, belt, trousers/shorts/ socks.

Troop News

2010-12-03T12:10:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Mr. Phillips, Mr. Crabtree, Mr. Branin, Mr.Scott, and Chief Cole we had a good representation at the Round Table tonight and all have their certifications for Merit Badge Counselor.

What the BSA wants is for all the merit badge counselors we have in the Troop to be certified with a thirty minute or so course, as well as having certification with Youth Protection.

Mrs. Kidd is going to do both of these certifications with the help of Mr. Simon's technology at our Planning Conference on January 8..the time to be announced ( probably in the early afternoon.) All of you who are merit badge counselors in the Troop ( you can see where I have signed you up on the Troop merit badge counselor list on our web site for starters) need to be at the Planning Conference in January to have this not-much- more than an hour or so training behind us so we can be where we need to be in terms of our certification and Youth Protection. Unfortunately, this is an annual requirement, inclusive of two blank forms for us to fill out each time.

Mr. Nevin and Mr. Scott...you may as well invite all of the new parents coming in from WEBELOS to attend this also as to save us the repetition in the Spring as YP will be required of them before they can register..and soon thereafter as they become Counselors for us.

If you are a leader and can help out by becoming a merit badge counselor in the Troop, if you are not now, please plan on attending the January 8 training...

Remember... in order to be registered as a leader in the Troop, you have to have your Youth Protection Training updated every two years with a copy of it in Mrs. Kidd's Leader's Training Records book. If you can't make the January 8 training you can go to:myscouting.org for being certified with YP. You will have to listen to Mrs. Kidd for the merit badge counselor training as it is not on line.

Finally, we have to have our 2011 annual registration fee of $30.00 per Scout and $15.00 per leader in to Mr. Steve Frost by the end of December. The Scout is also going to need his annual physical form ready for summer camp with all the included pages filled out and attached..there are no exceptions to the rule for this and he won't be able to go without it.

Cehck Mr. Frost's address from the Troop Roster.

Remember the Dates for Summer Camp are June 12-18, 2011. I believe the cost is $205 ( to be announced) and Mr. Simon will be calling for the first payments or pay the total if you want in "February." to assure our reservation.

For those interested, the Winter Camporee 2011 is on line on the Greater Alabama Council Web Site. Mr. Simon will get around to putting a copy of it on our own Troop Web site shortly.

The Tree Lot:

We need an electrician to look at our first string of lights over the white pines to see what the problem is.. (they) have checked for bulbs and loose ends to no avail so far.

Please don't drop your son off at the lot if there are no adults present...they cannot be there without leader supervision..If you are going to be late make sure the team leader has that type of problem taken care of...Please remember, Scouts are not permitted to use the chain saws, even with leader supervision. They can use the tree hole punch, but only with adult supervision.

Saturdays are busy days for us at the lot..sometimes overwhelming.....if you and your son can come out and work some extra time that would really help out the crew on duty...same for Sunday afternoon.

If for the worst reason you don't open the lot due to sever weather conditions, or you do not make any sales that night, call Mr. Oliver so he won't have to make the pick up trip.

Please remember that all the equipment we use has to be locked up. Make sure the lock is locked and set on odd numbers to discourage an easy pick by a vandal. During the day on Saturday or Sunday, except for the marquis, the lot lights should be off to save on power.

When you take the lock off the hasp at the beginning of your shift, please lock it back on the hasp, so it can be readily found by the person locking for the night.

There are some Scouts still showing up ill prepared for the cold or rain. Please double check to make sure he is dressed for the weather as the four hours he is there doesn't have to be cold or wet for him in enduring the shift.

By the way..Mr. Smith is at home with light duty for the next couple of weeks recuperating from his surgery. He is doing fine and again said thanks to all for the card the Troop sent. His appetite has returned and he will be watching the game on Saturday.

Please remember to make sure the Scout shows up for his picture Monday in the class A uniform for the Troop Composite. It won't be complete without him.

Thanks for all your support and assistance in making the lot work as well as it is and for the spirit in assuring that it will.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"