Eagle project, PLC, and committee meetings

Hi Troop 136!

Eagle Scout Project:

If you are able to help with Carter's Eagle Scout Project this weekend, in my email is the link to sign up to help.  We will share it with our friends and family as well so you may see some names that you might not know.  You may sign up for more than one space if you need service hours.  Please see the guidelines for the service project.

PLC Meeting on Sunday at 4:30 pm on Sunday:

The PLC Meeting will take place at 4:30 on Sunday.  We will plan the next two months for both in person meetings and virtual meetings.  The Committee will discuss in person meetings following the guidelines set forth by the state.  This meeting will be virtually.  I will share the link with you using the PLC Contact list on Sunday afternoon.

Committee Meeting at 6 pm on Sunday:

The Troop 136 Committee will be meeting virtually on Sunday night at 6 pm.  Christa will be sharing a link with those on the committee.  We had a few new parents at our last meeting.  If you would like to attend and find out what we do to plan as adults for the troop activities, please join us!  Let me know if you are interested and I can send you the link.

--

Phillip Freeman

Scoutmaster, Troop 136 in Grove City, OH

Mine craft continues tonight and virtual camping

Hi Troop 136!

Minecraft server meetup tonight and tomorrow night:

Tonight and tomorrow night between 7 and 10 pm, Scouts from Troop 136 and Troop 275 will be able to meet and game virtually using Minecraft and Discord.  

In my email is the Minecraft server information:

A parent from Troop 275 will host the server. Zach started a Discord server and both Zach and Carter were able to get it to work this afternoon and it is ready to go for you to enjoy! In my email is a link to the Discord server so that you can chat with everyone while you game. 

 

This is for you to enjoy.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  The parents from Troop 275 and Troop 136 are very excited to see the Scouts become actively engaged with each other.  The parent that is from Troop 275 is someone that we know from our time with our Cub Scout Pack.  We even had a LAN party at his house when they were in Cub Scouts.  Everyone brought their computers, XBox or Playstations along with their TVs to his house and we had a lot of fun!  I hope getting together this weekend with your friends from the Troop is the same fun experience we had a few years ago.  Enjoy!

Please obey the Scout Law and Oath or you will be removed from this server. This is for the Scouts of Troop 275 and 136. This is not for all of your friends to join. This was specifically developed for you in mind. Please be nice and enjoy the time with fellow Scouts!

Virtual Camping nights:
If you want to earn two nights of camping this weekend, you will need to follow the same rules as before. You will post a pic on Friday night with your tent and again Saturday morning. To get credit for a second night of camping, do the same on Saturday night and another on Sunday morning. Post these pics to the Band app. If you need an invitation to the Band app, please let me know. If you only want to earn one night of camping, you may do that as well.

Tuesday night, 7/28 Scout Meeting:
On Tuesday night, we will again have a shorter Troop meeting between 7:00 and 7:30 followed by a virtual patrol meeting with the Blue Blazes.  Our guest speaker is a teacher with South-Western City Schools.  She is also our Committee Chair.  We are very excited to hear about STEM projects using Math from Christa Ewing on Tuesday night. 

Here is the meeting plan:

 Troop 136_Meeting_Plan 7/28/2020

During the Blue Blazes patrol meeting between 7:30 and 8:00, you will have the option to review the patches for your patrol and choose to keep the name Blue Blazes or select another patrol name. The discussion of the patrol patch will be the responsibility of the Patrol Leader.  You will also discuss your plans for the cardboard boat race that we have scheduled for Tuesday, September 8.

Here are two links to review before your meeting on Tuesday:

https://www.scoutshop.org/catalog/category/view/s/patrol-emblem/id/740/?p=4&product_list_limit=all 

https://tradingpost.classb.com/see-all-boy-scout-patrol-patches/  

Have a great weekend!

--

Phillip Freeman

Scoutmaster, Troop 136 in Grove City, OH 

Tonight's meeting, Alumni Tournament, PLC yearly planning, and Troop activities

Hi Troop 136!

Meeting link for tonight's meeting is in my email

Here is the meeting plan for the meeting tonight:

 Troop 136_Meeting_Plan 7/21/2020

Alumni Tournament:

I have followed up to see if we are needed again this year for the Alumni Tournament, but have not heard back yet.  I am aware that the Rotary Club will not be involved.  As soon as I know, I will let you know.  This may not be a fundraising event this year. 

PLC Yearly Planning Meeting:

We met virtually on Saturday for about 3.5 hours to complete all of the planning.  We are still working on the details and once the committee approves the plan, I will share it with the troop.  We had 20 Scouts participate in the survey and had fun planning our events using your feedback.  Thanks for completing the survey.  

Troop Activities will be categorized as skill or adventure:

FYI - I recently saw a troop's meeting plan in a group that I belong to and they categorize their outings as skill or adventure.  We will begin to use this same method for our activities after the committee approves of the plan.  You will see the activities focused on skill, adventure or the activity might be both a skill and an adventure.  A skill would be something directly related to advancement.  This might include completing activities focused on the skills needed to know for the ranks up to First Class.  An adventure activity would be focused on fun, but not directly related to advancement.  A Scout can count the nights of camping and may complete other merit badge requirements, but the focus of the trip would be on the fun activity planned.  You will notice that the adventure activities will sometimes cost more than the skill activities.

--

Phillip Freeman

Scoutmaster, Troop 136 in Grove City, OH 

Court of Honor, PLC planning, and more

Court of Honor - Drive by:

We will have a drive by Court of Honor tonight in the church parking lot.  You will need to wear Class A uniforms.  It will start at 7 pm, but you can arrive up to 7:45 pm to receive your awards.  Below is a list of Scouts that are receiving awards at the Court of Honor.  If your name is not listed, since this is a drive by meeting, you do not need to attend.  We are trying to socially distance as much as possible.  As you drive up to the table, only the Scout and one parent can get out of the vehicle to pick up the awards and take pictures.

Scouts receiving awards tonight:

Alex R.
Anderson H.
Caden P.
Caleb C.
David S.
Elias E.                
Jackson B.        
James B.
John K.
Nicholas W.
Noah W.
Shane F.
Will W.
Zach B.
Zack N.

PLC Planning Meeting for Saturday 7/18:

At this point in the year, we plan for the next 18 months.  Using the form that you complete with your parents, this helps us decide what we will do as a troop.  The options have changed and more have been added as we can use the form to get a lot of information from the Scouts and parents about what type of program they want.  This might take some time to complete, so take a few minutes to look it over and complete this by Friday night.  We will be using this information at our PLC Meeting this weekend.  Your input is valuable and will help determine the programs that the PLC chooses to do.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdn4w8MrMHwE2FlMo6Gc78hMUhnYi5JuTY_69PqB7ngpc6zHQ/viewform  

Meeting 7/21:

Beginning Tuesday, we will have shorter troop meetings followed by Patrol Meetings.  This will allow the Patrol Leaders to develop leadership and they have some items that will be discussed at the meeting.  We will use the same link as the normal troop meeting, but only the Scouts who are part of the patrol will stay and have their meeting along with the adults to monitor the discussion.

 Troop 136_Meeting_Plan 7/21/2020

Future Events:

July 14 - Court of Honor - Drive by

July 18 - Virtual meeting for the PLC to determine the list of activities for the next 18 months using the data we collect from the Scouts before the meeting (Time to be determined at the July 12th PLC Meeting)  Here is the form to be completed by July 16th

July 21 - 7:00 - 7:30 virtual meeting for the Blackhawk Patrol from 7:30 - 8:00 

July 25-26 - Possible Fundraiser for cleaning up the softball fields at Murfin Fields

July 28 - 7:00 - 7:30 virtual meeting for the Blue Blazes Patrol from 7:30 - 8:00 

August 4 - 7:00 - 7:30 virtual meeting for the Dragons Patrol from 7:30 - 8:00 

August 11 - Tanglebrook Park Meeting for new Scouts to help with Tenderfoot and Second Class Rank Advancement, no formal virtual meeting for the troop  

August 18 - 7:00 - 7:30 virtual meeting for Troop with a focused virtual meeting just for the Blackhawk Patrol from 7:30 - 8:00 

August 25 - 7:00 - 7:30 virtual meeting for Troop with a focused virtual meeting just for the Blue Blazes Patrol from 7:30 - 8:00 

September 1 -  7:00 - 7:30 virtual meeting for Troop with a focused virtual meeting just for the Dragons Patrol from 7:30 - 8:00

September 8 - Cardboard Boat Race at YMCA pond

September 15 -   Tanglebrook Park Meeting for new Scouts to help with Tenderfoot and Second Class Rank Advancement, no formal virtual meeting for the troop  

No July or August Campouts scheduled yet.  The SPL did not make any decision about virtual campouts at our PLC Meeting on Sunday. I will ask him to check with the PLC to see when a good date might be to plan some troop virtual campouts.

  

--

Phillip Freeman

Scoutmaster, Troop 136 in Grove City, OH 

No virtual meeting on July 7, Newer Scouts will have a Physical Fitness test on July 7, Virtual Court of Honor and Hybrid Patrol Meetings

Hi Troop 136!

I want to take a moment to thank someone special.  Kathy Bohanan, the wife of our former Scoutmaster Kirk Bohanan, met me on Sunday before we left for camp last week.  She handed me a lot of handmade face masks to give to the Scouts for the week.  I thought this was an amazing gesture of serving others and several of the Scouts wore the masks during the week.  They were made with love and I wanted to thank her publicly since I neglected to do so in the first email yesterday after camp.  Thanks Kathy for keeping our Scouts safe!

Camp Follow Up:

I hope you are doing well and those Scouts who have come back from camp last week are still recording your temperatures every day this week using GoogleDoc.  Please be diligent about keeping this updated so that I can share with the camp the information.  They are using this information to help the county determine what they are planning to do with their schools this fall and all of the protocols needed for the schools.  This information is important for more than just safety.  You are impacting the lives of others in Muskingum County.

Meeting for Newer Scouts on Tuesday, July 7th Tanglebrook Park @ 7 pm just South of the intersections of Grove City Road and Demorest Road:

The meeting tomorrow night will only be for the newer Scouts who are working on their Tenderfoot and Second Class Ranks.  The physical fitness part of the requirements #6a, and 6b for Tenderfoot and 7a and 7b for Second Class.  Please wear Class B shirts with running shorts and running shoes since we will be at the Tanglebrook Park location.  The park is located just South of the intersections of Grove City Road and Demorest Road.  Please bring a water bottle that is full of water. Wear a mask that can be removed for the run part of the test.  If you cannot be there tomorrow night, please let me know when I can meet your Scout at the park so that we can get them started on the physical fitness part of advancement for Tenderfoot or Second Class this week or next week.

 

Tenderfoot (Fitness):

6a. Record your best in the following tests: 

● Pushups (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds.) 

● Situps or curl ups (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds.) 

● Back-saver sit-and-reach (Record the distance stretched.) 

● 1 mile walk/run (Record the time.) 

6b. Develop and describe a plan for improvement in each of the activities listed in Tenderfoot requirement 6a. Keep track of your activity for at least 30 days. 

Second Class (Fitness):

7a. After completing Tenderfoot requirement 6c, be physically active at least 30 minutes a day for five days a week for four weeks. Keep track of your activities.
7b.  Share your challenges and successes in completing Second Class requirement 7a. Set a goal for continuing to include physical activity as part of your daily life and develop a plan for doing so.

Covid-19 restrictions: 

We will have a few adults present: myself, Roland and Christa.  Only those newer Scouts who are working on Tenderfoot and Second Class will be there at the meeting.  We will be socially distanced and will not touch each other or get close to each other.  Parents may watch at a distance.  I will provide hand sanitizer just like we did at camp if needed.   The Scouts will be asked to complete the situps and pushups in the grass without assistance.  I will measure the reaching part using a ruler.  No one will be holding their feet for the situps.  Adults will be wearing masks and your Scout will be asked to wear a mask until the running event when they may remove for the run.  

FYI from Grove City about the Tanglebrook Park:
COVID-19/Coronavirus 2020 Update  – All Grove City area parks except for the Skate Park are open and available for you to get the fresh air and vitamin D your body craves. Relieve cabin fever, get your heart rate up, and let your spirits soar as we work our way through this challenging time. Make a game of hitting a new park every week as you get your steps. Tag #AdventuresInSolitude as you explore and remember to practice social distancing and safe hygiene practices. Find more Adventures in Solitude on our page dedicated to keeping you up-to-date on Grove City experiences here.
Tanglebrook Park contains a children’s playground, a running track, and four beautiful tree carvings within two 100-150 year old trees!

Future Events:

July 7 - Tanglebrook Park Meeting for new Scouts to help with Tenderfoot and Second Class Rank Advancement, no formal virtual meeting for the troop

July 12 - PLC Meeting @ 4:30 pm virtually

July 12 - Committee Meeting @ 6:00 pm (Not sure yet if the meeting is virtually, in person at church firepit in the grassy area or another location)

July 14 - Court of Honor (More than likely a drive by recognition with limited social interaction similar to the graduation ceremonies for high school graduates had this year, more information to follow after the Committee Meeting on Sunday, July 12th)

July 18 - Virtual meeting for the PLC to determine the list of activities for the next 18 months using the data we collect from the Scouts before the meeting (Time to be determined at the July 12th PLC Meeting)  Here is the form to be completed by July 16th

July 21 - 7:00 - 7:30 virtual meeting for Troop with a focused virtual meeting just for the Blackhawk Patrol from 7:30 - 8:00 

July 25-26 - Fundraiser for cleaning up the softball fields at Murfin Fields.  More information after the Committee Meeting on July 12th

July 28 - 7:00 - 7:30 virtual meeting for Troop with a focused virtual meeting just for the Blue Blazes Patrol from 7:30 - 8:00 

August 4 - 7:00 - 7:30 virtual meeting for Troop with a focused virtual meeting just for the Dragons Patrol from 7:30 - 8:00 

August 11 - Tanglebrook Park Meeting for new Scouts to help with Tenderfoot and Second Class Rank Advancement, no formal virtual meeting for the troop  

August 18 - 7:00 - 7:30 virtual meeting for Troop with a focused virtual meeting just for the Blackhawk Patrol from 7:30 - 8:00 

August 25 - 7:00 - 7:30 virtual meeting for Troop with a focused virtual meeting just for the Blue Blazes Patrol from 7:30 - 8:00 

September 1 -  7:00 - 7:30 virtual meeting for Troop with a focused virtual meeting just for the Dragons Patrol from 7:30 - 8:00

September 8 - Not sure if we will be able to meet in person or still meet virtually

September 15 -   Tanglebrook Park Meeting for new Scouts to help with Tenderfoot and Second Class Rank Advancement, no formal virtual meeting for the troop  

No July or August Campout unless the SPL determines at the PLC Meeting next week that we will have virtual campouts  

--

Phillip Freeman

Scoutmaster, Troop 136 in Grove City, O

Summer Camp,

Hi Troop 136!

Summer Camp Temperature Check Follow up:

Please remember to take your temperatures and enter into the spreadsheet each day this week:

Troop Meeting on Tuesday, July 7th:

Our meeting on Tuesday, July 7th might be a little different.  More information to be shared tomorrow in an email with details.

Planning for the next 18 months:

I will be sharing a form Scouts can complete as we begin to plan items for the next 18 months as we start to plan for activities for the troop this week.

PLC Meeting:

Our PLC Meeting will be next Sunday at 4:30 pm.  I am hopeful that we are able to meet at the church.  I will be asking if we are able to do so.  I will find out this week and get back to you.  I am sorry for those of you who had the date today for the PLC Meeting. This was not changed after we met in June and determined to move the PLC and Committee dates to next week. Congratulations to Will W. who was the first Scout to contact me about the time and started the conversation with fellow PLC members to see if there was a meeting today.  I love it when the Scouts keep us on our toes.  Nice job Will!

Committee Meeting:

Our Committee Meeting next week will be starting at 6 pm.  We are still not sure what they may look like as well.  We will get more guidance from the church to see if we can use the FLC for the meeting.  I will find out more this week and let you know.  Christa will have more information to be sent to the committee this week.

Future Events:

July 12 - PLC Meeting @ 4:30 pm

July 12 - Committee Meeting @ 6:00 pm

July 14 - Court of Honor (More details to come once we are able to use the church)

July 18 - Meeting for the PLC to determine the list of activities for the next 18 months using the data we collect from the Scouts before the meeting

--

Phillip Freeman

Scoutmaster, Troop 136 in Grove City, OH