January Newsletter

Our Theme this Month is: Computers and Electronics  

Please note the following upcoming events.  Refer to the 2015-2016 Program Plan for the complete year planning events.  Note that the plan is subject to minor changes.

1. PLC: [Patrol Leader’s Council] Jan10th - at 5:00-6:00 at the Church. Senior Patrol Leader, Asst. Sr. Patrol Leader, All Patrol Leader’s. & Asst. Patrol Leader’s and other members of the PLC including Scribe, Historian, Quartermaster are also encouraged to attend. 2. Troop Committee / Parent Meeting: Next Meeting is Jan 10th at 6:00 PM at the Church. All parents are invited to attend this meeting and learn what is up coming in the Troop activities.

3.Camp-out this Month:      Date: Jan 15-17, 2016      Location: Camp Manatoc - Brandywine            Leave Friday @ 6:00 PM Return Sunday @ 1:00 PM             Cost: depending on which activity you do.  See permission slip for details. Permission slip must be filled out and returned by:  1/12/2016

4. Monthly Dues:                    “A Scout is Thrifty…” Please keep up to date on your monthly dues.  We collect $10.00 each month for troop operation.  This can be paid or taken from your son’s Scout Account.  Scout Accounts are funded by participation in fundraising activities.  The Scout Account can be used to pay for Summer Camp fees, Monthly camp-out fees, Troop Dues, Uniform expenses, and Troop related expenses that are approved by the Scoutmaster. Please check with Jim Baughman on status of your son's Scout Account.

NEW Advancement Requirements for Rank Advancement PLEASE READ!

 See complete list at www.meritbadge.com for all details on your particular rank. [I have not yet found a list from council, but this website will have the details].  You will have to link to the current rank you are working on and see those changes – Please note: 

   Boys joining on or after Jan. 1, 2016 MUST use the new requirements.

   Boys who have joined prior to Jan. 1, 2016 have the following options:

§  Who are working on a particular rank MAY continue to work on the existing requirements, but MUST convert to the new requirements upon completion of that particular rank (it will be a true rank at that point).

§  Who are working on Tenderfoot through First Class MAY continue to work on the existing requirements, but MUST convert to the new requirements upon attaining First Class.

§  Who have completed First Class MAY complete the rank they are currently working on in the existing requirements, but then MUST convert to the new requirements for subsequent ranks.

§  We will have to make requirement update sheets for those with older scout books.  Remember this upon your review of things to complete for your next rank[s].

As of January 1, 2017, all Scouts MUST use the new requirements regardless of rank.

5. Michael Shoultz’s Eagle Court of Honor

Michael Shoultz  will be receiving his Eagle Scout Rank on Sunday January 10th.  The all members of the troop are encouraged to attend.  It will start at 3:00 PM - at the church.  See you there!

6. January Campout – Winter sports at Brandywine

The Troop will be traveling to Peninsula Ohio to have a weekend of snow sports.  The options are snow skiing, snowboarding or snow tubing.  It will be a cold weekend – so plan accordingly. See attached for those details.

7. Winter Court of Honor January 26th

We will have our Winter Court of Honor on January 26th @ 6:30 PM at the Church.  This Ceremony will be for awards that have been earned since the Fall Court of Honor.  We will have a pot-luck dinner before the ceremony.  Please contact your patrol leader to find out what dishes you are to bring. [You will bring a main dish and one side or dessert]. The troop will provide the table service and drinks. I hope you all will come and support the boys and watch them receive their awards.

8. FOS [Friends of Scouting] Campaign!

We will also hold our 2016 Friends of Scouting Pledge Drive.  We will have our presentation on January 26th during the Court of Honor.  This is the time when we as parents of Scouts can participate in the annual contribution campaign drive held by our Council.  This is an important part of our Scouting organization, and I encourage all to come and participate in this campaign. 

9. University of Scouting!

The University of Scouting [For Scouts, Adults & Leaders] will be held on Jan. 23rd at Westerville Central High School. This is a training activity for adults and has a variety of topics that will be offered.  Cost is $35.00.  [This will include lunch] if you are interested.  Sign up at http://www.skcscouts.org/universityofscouting/  For the scouts - there will be some merit badges also offered at this the training event.  See the link above to find out which ones.

10. Cave camping in February

The February campout will be to the Marengo Cave in Indiana.  We could not get into Blue Springs Cavern as we had hoped.  This will be a great outing, but we will not be sleeping in the cave.  Watch for more details on this outing later in January.

11. Eagle Project Help – Save that date…

Wayne Kreml is currently working on his Eagle Project.  He needs your help.  Please mark this date and plan to assist him on March 4^th.  Details to follow once we get closer to the event.

  

12. Dorchester International Brotherhood Camporee – May Campout 

The troop is now starting to plan the trip to Dorchester Canada which will be May 6-8 [Mother’s Day Weekend]. This event is an international Camporee weekend that will have lots of activities for the scouts to interact as well as meet scouts from Canada and other states. If you are interested in going please plan to have the following documents for the trip: 1] Birth Certificate and 2] Insurance card / Proof of Health Insurance.  We are not going to have to have passports to go for the scouts, but any adults will have to have one.  We will need help on this trip to transport the troop.   We will have more information on this later as it relates to cost and travel arrangements.

13. Summer Camp 2016!

This year we will be going to Camp Chief Logan in Jackson Ohio – July 3 - July 9^th.  Keep a look out for upcoming information in the months to come. Early bird camp fee is due on March 29^th to the troop; we have to have into council by April 1^st.  Cost due at that time will be the total amount of $260.00.  After that date is will be $280.00

14.  BSA Health Forms

Health Forms from summer camp last year are now on file for the next 6 months.   If you did not go to summer camp you should have at least Part A and Part B of the New Health Form submitted to the troop.  [Part C is the visit to the Doctor’s office]. This is important information that we have and are able to take on our outdoor outings in case of an emergency.  Please help us by getting this information into the Troop. As any medications changes please update Part A of your son’s form. See the website for a link to the latest revision of this form.