Summer Camp info

Hi again!

Are you craving warmer weather and are thinking about summer and no school?  Maybe you are thinking about summer camp already?  If so, you are in luck!  I have information about summer camps!

I know it is early, but I'd rather let you know about some due dates now so that you can plan accordingly.  I am excited for our summer camp adventures.  I am also excited about two summer camp options this summer!  There are two options for your Scout this summer:

Option #1 - Muskingum Valley Scout Reservation June 28 - July 4th!

This is our annual week of camp and is the focus of Troop summer camp program. Their theme this summer: Myths and Legends

Muskingum Valley  http://www.muskingumvalleycouncil.com/camping/camps/boy-scout-summer-camp/

Camp Promo Video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeEimAyZ2Vw&feature=youtu.be

Here is the summer camp logo for MVSR:

We have the same campsite as last year - Zane.  It is a very nicely shaded campsite.  This is our third year at MVSR.  Historically we have been to a summer camp for two years and then we go to another camp for two years to have different experiences at another summer camp.  Be thinking about what you would like to do for 2021!  Do you want to continue going to MVSR or do you want to go to anther camp?  I will ask at our next few troop meetings and be getting feedback from you.  This will also be discussed at the next PLC Meeting.

What you need to do if you want to go to the MVSR summer camp:

1.  Make a $25, non-refundable deposit by March 3rd, 2020 and your Scout will receive the early bird incentive item.

2.  Pay the rest of the amount needed for the $270 by May 5th.  After this date, the price goes to $285.

These dates give us time to go to the council office and make a payment for the camp.  

Option #2 - Chief Logan Reservation July 5 - July 11th  

Chief Logan  https://skcscouts.org/camps/summercamps/scouts-bsa-resident-camp-chief-logan-reservation/  

In case you cannot make it for the MVSR Summer Camp June 28- July 4, I have decided to go to Chief Logan and spend a week at this camp since this might be the last year for Scouts to go to summer camp at Chief Logan.  The decision to close the camp will be made in May by our council.  If you want to experience Chief Logan, you are invited to go with me July 5th - July 11th.  It is not required and is definitely not something you have to do.  I wanted to experience Chief Logan myself.  They have a great Frontiersman program and I am hoping to be able to complete the first year program while at camp.

What you need to do if you want to go to Chief Logan summer camp:  

1.  Make a deposit of $280 by April 7th.

2.  Or make a deposit after April 7th until May 12th for $300

3.  Or after April 12th, it is $320.

These dates give us time to go to the council office and make a payment for the camp.

What you need to do if you want to go to one of the summer camps:

1.  Deposit for Summer Camp #1 - Muskingum Valley Scout Reservation is due March 3rd for the amount $25 for the early bird price.

2.  Payment for Summer Camp #2 - Chief Logan is due April 7th for the $280 price.

These dates give us time to go to the council office and make a payment for the camp. 

The permission slips for these campouts will be given out at the meeting on Tuesday night and shared in the next email to parents.  Let me know if you have any questions.

--

Phillip Freeman

Scoutmaster, Troop 136 in Grove City, OH 

Campout equipment and cooking

Hi again!

The Scouts who are cooking this weekend will need to share with me your meal plans.  I only got a couple of them last night.  You can send me a picture in a text or as an email attachment.  I want to be sure I know the utensils that you need to cook your meals.  I will bring all of the items you need to cook the meal, but you will need to bring the items needed to cook.   It sounds like we need at least four stoves for you to cook on this weekend.  I also did not get the names of those cooking and who they are cooking for in your groups.  That is important for me to know as well.

Those Scouts working on their Cooking Merit Badge will be responsible for purchasing their food items.  I called and talked with Todd last night, both Todd and I agreed that those Scouts working on the Cooking Merit Badge will purchase the food they need to cook for the Merit Badge.   Those Scouts working on the Second Class and First Class advancement would only be responsible for cooking the food purchased by the Troop. For example, think about a Scout working on the Woodwork Merit Badge.  The troop does not provide the wood kit for the Scout to take with him to complete the Woodwork Merit Badge.  The same would be for the food that the Scout needs to complete the Cooking Merit Badge.  I hope this helps to explain why we are asking the Scouts to purchase the food they will be making at this event. 

Please keep your receipts and being them on Tuesday to the meeting.  

I have attached a form that you will need to complete for reimbursement.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BylCpEtBUayDT0swLTBKNzZHNHM/edit  

Also, I learned something new about our troop that has been done for the Cooking Merit Badge. The Cooking Merit Badge counselor has met Scouts before or during the troop meetings at the campfire area and they worked on the cooking during this time.  This might be something that we can do for those that need to earn their Cooking Merit badge.  They would work with the Merit Badge counselor.  Cooking in the warmer temperatures might be a good idea!  :)  

Those going on the trip this weekend will need to plan for very cold weather camping.  The forecast is still about the same.  It will be colder on Friday night: 

DAY	DESCRIPTION	HIGH / LOW	PRECIP	WIND	HUMIDITY
FRI FEB 14	Partly Cloudy	25°16°	0%	NNW 6 mph	54%
SAT FEB 15	Partly Cloudy	42°32°	0%	S 7 mph	45%
SUN FEB 16	Mostly Cloudy	44°33°	10%	SW 7 mph	76%

What should I bring this weekend?

Here is a link to a Boy's Life article and pdf  about some basics for Cold Weather Outings.

Article: https://boyslife.org/outdoors/outdoorarticles/6981/checklist-for-a-basic-cold-weather-outing/

pdf: https://media.scouting.org/boyslife/workshop/gearlists/cold.pdf

Items to consider bringing and do during the campout:

Blanket over your head - One of the items that is not listed is a blanket to cover your head.  In the winter, I have a polyester hat and blanket that I have that allows me to breath warmer air than the cold air in my tent.  

Ground pad - Another items is to be sure that you have a good ground pad.  You do not want the cold ground to be next to your body.  You must have something that gets you off the ground.  

Bathroom - I always go to the bathroom before going to bed on a cold night.  It is much better sleeping on an empty bladder and not having to go to the bathroom during the night.

Sleeping clothes - I also have a complete set of clothes that I only use for sleeping.  I take off all of my clothes including socks and underwear.  I change into the fleece top, bottom fleece and socks only, no cotton underwear or cotton t-shirt.  The fleece wicks the moisture away from your body and keeps you warmer.

Batteries - Bring extra flashlight batteries because the colder temperatures makes the batteries lost their charge faster.

Hand Warmers - Bring several hand and feet warmers with you.  They very helpful in keeping you warm. 

Backpack or Rubbermaid tote - We will be using the trailer this weekend, so if you want to pack your items in a backpack or a Rubbermaid tote, you can choose either one.  Whatever works best for you.

Socks - You need to bring at least two pairs of socks for each day.  I think five pairs of socks should be good.  Do not bring cotton socks.  They need to be a blend or wool socks.  

Who is ready?  I am looking forward to earning another Polar Bear Patch for sleeping in the cold weather.  Are you?

--

Phillip Freeman

Scoutmaster, Troop 136 in Grove City, OH 

Scout Sunday, permission forms, and campouts

Religious - Scout Sunday, Duty to God on February 9th  

Thanks to several of our Scouts that were present at Scout Sunday.  Jim Rose started our Duty to God program again with the Scouts.  It is still not too late to begin if you could not attend the first meeting.  We were asked to help with the second service as well and so our meeting was a little shorter than we expected.  Jim met with those Scouts who were interested and as of right now, most of the Scouts wanted to meet at 6 pm before the meeting on Tuesday nights.  This would give them time to meet every other week for about three months.  This will begin some time within the next three or four weeks. There will be service projects involved and logging their daily Bible reading.  Thanks again to Jim Rose for taking the lead on this program for the Scouts.  I appreciate it!

Item that needs to be turned in this week 2/11:

1.  Permission Form for Maple Fest

Campout Maple Fest - March 6-8, 2020 Permission Form is due February 11th

We are helping with the Maple Fest at this campout.  Our station for the weekend will be the rope station.  The Scouts will be able to work in teams on this event.  Only one team will have to be at the rope station during the day.  This will allow the other team (s) to go and explore the Maple Fest.  The teams will take turns showing Cub Scouts the rope station. 

 Maple Fest March 6-8, 2020

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WIK43eF6hV9sPN2qu8Qz67HRGNZtXb1sVb78addSyHo/edit?usp=drive_web 

Campout next weekend for Chief Logan Klondike Feb 

We will have a great weekend camping at Chief Logan.  Plan for rain and cold weather. 

Here is the flyer for those that are going to learn more about what we will be doing:  https://skcscouts.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/flyer-Barb-Wasmer-3.pdf

You may want to prepare for these competition events:

Bow drill/First Aid 

Flint and Steel 

Most creative fire starting 

Catapult snow balls/first aid 

Light, med, real snow balls 

Dessert competition 

Service project 

Sled race 

Luau dinner provided  

If you are wanting to work on any of the Cooking for advancement or to being the Cooking Merit Badge, you will need to do the following:

Find ads from this week's newspapers and bring to the meeting.

Look at the Myplate.gov website and think about the items that are on sale.

Mr. Betz will be leading the discussion of thee merit badge tonight at the meeting for those interested in earning either the cooking requirements for the merit badge or the cooking requirements advancement.  This will be done during the skills instruction time at the meeting tonight.

Here are the Cooking Merit Badge Requirements:

5. Camp cooking. Do the following:
(a) Using the MyPlate food guide or the current USDA nutrition model, plan five meals for your patrol (or a similar size group of up to eight youth, including you) for a camping trip. Your menus should include enough food for each person, keeping in mind any special needs (such as food allergies) and how you keep your foods safe and free from cross-contamination. These five meals must include at least one breakfast, one lunch, one dinner, AND at least one snack OR one dessert. List the equipment and utensils needed to prepare and serve these meals.
(b) Create a shopping list for your meals showing the amount of food needed to prepare and serve each meal, and the cost for each meal.
(c) Share and discuss your meal plan and shopping list with your counselor.
(d) In the outdoors, using your menu plans for this requirement, cook two of the five meals you planned using either a lightweight stove or a low-impact fire. Use a different cooking method from requirement 3 for each meal. You must also cook a third meal using either a Dutch oven OR a foil pack OR kabobs. Serve all of these meals to your patrol or a group of youth. **
(e) In the outdoors, prepare a dessert OR a snack and serve it to your patrol or a group of youth.**
(f) After each meal, have those you served evaluate the meal on presentation and taste, and then evaluate your own meal. Discuss what you learned with your counselor, including any adjustments that could have improved or enhanced your meals. Tell how planning and preparation help ensure successful outdoor cooking.
(g) Explain to your counselor how you cleaned the equipment, utensils, and the cooking site thoroughly after each meal. Explain how you properly disposed of dishwater and of all garbage.
(h) Discuss how you followed the Outdoor Code and no-trace principles when preparing your meals.

Here is the weather forecast for this weekend.  We might get a Polar Bear patch by camping outside in the cold weather:

DAY	DESCRIPTION	HIGH / LOW	PRECIP	WIND	HUMIDITY
FRI FEB 14	Mostly Sunny	25°14°	0%	NW 7 mph	53%
SAT FEB 15	Partly Cloudy	42°32°	0%	SSE 7 mph	45%
SUN FEB 16	Cloudy	44°33°	20%	SW 7 mph	80%

2/25 Parent Meeting for the Mystery Campout over Memorial Day Weekend:

We will have another parent meeting on Tuesday, February 25th @ 7:15 PM.  This will be the meeting we pass out the permission forms for you to sign and turn back in at the meeting. You may also ask questions that you may have for the trip.  All items for this campout, permission forms and deposits will be due one month later on March 31st. 

Future Dates from the 2020 Yearly Program Plan:

February 14-16 Chief Logan Klondike at Chief Logan

February 25 Parent Meeting for Mystery Campout

February 29 SCUBA in Westerville with Captain Rick's SCUBA

March 1 Mulch Sales Begin with passing out flyers on Sunday afternoon

March 6-8 Maple Fest at Camp Lazarus

April 3-5 Spring Camporee at Chief Logan

April 17-18 Mulch delivery

April 24-26 Tar Hollow Campout with Pack 136

May 22-25 Mystery Campout (Location is a SECRET!)

--

Phillip Freeman

Scoutmaster, Troop 136 in Grove City, OH 

Scout Sunday, Parent Meeting, Program plan

Good afternoon!

Religious - Scout Sunday, Duty to God on February 9th  

Right now, there are only four Scouts that have signed up for this really cool opportunity!  You can still sign up between now and Sunday morning!  Be at the church at 8:30 AM on Sunday.  We will begin handing out the programs for the service at that time.  We will pass out the collection plates and a Scout could read the scripture to the church. Please let me know if you are interested.  I will put you in touch with the pastor at the church to get your reading so that you can practice it before Sunday.  Here is the signup for Scout Sunday:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050d49aca62fa1fe3-scout

On Sunday after Scout Sunday, we have a great opportunity offered to us by Assistant Scoutmaster Jim Rose to earn a Duty to God Award religious knot as a youth.  Here is where you can find the information:  https://www.praypub.org/religious-emblems 

The Duty to God will be done over three months.  There will be one meeting each month.  Once we meet on Sunday, we will determine when we want to meet again and the outline of the program.  This is a great opportunity for our Scouts to learn more about how they honor God while in Scouting.  Here is the website for more information:   https://www.scouting.org/awards/religious-awards/    and    https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-879_WB.pdf

Item that needs to be turned in next week 2/11:

1.  Permission Form for Maple Fest

Campout Maple Fest - March 6-8, 2020 Permission Form is due February 11th

We are helping with the Maple Fest at this campout.  Our station for the weekend will be the rope station.  The Scouts will be able to work in teams on this event.  Only one team will have to be at the rope station during the day.  This will allow the other team (s) to go and explore the Maple Fest.  The teams will take turns showing Cub Scouts the rope station. 

 Maple Fest March 6-8, 2020

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WIK43eF6hV9sPN2qu8Qz67HRGNZtXb1sVb78addSyHo/edit?usp=drive_web 

2/25 Parent Meeting for the Mystery Campout over Memorial Day Weekend:

We will have another parent meeting on Tuesday, February 25th @ 7:15 PM.  This will be the meeting we pass out the permission forms and also allow you to ask questions that you may have for the trip.  All items for this campout, permission forms and deposits will be due one month later on March 31st.

Future Dates from the 2020 Yearly Program Plan:

February 14-16 Chief Logan Klondike at Chief Logan

February 25 Parent Meeting for Mystery Campout

February 29 SCUBA in Westerville with Captain Rick's SCUBA

March 1 Mulch Sales Begin with passing out flyers on Sunday afternoon

March 6-8 Maple Fest at Camp Lazarus

April 3-5 Spring Camporee at Chief Logan

April 17-18 Mulch delivery

April 24-26 Tar Hollow Campout with Pack 136

May 22-25 Mystery Campout (Location is a SECRET!)

--

Phillip Freeman

Scoutmaster, Troop 136 in Grove City, OH 

Campouts, SCUBA, Religious Sunday, and PLC meetings

Hi Troop 136!

There are two forms that are time sensitive and are due at the next troop meeting on February 4th.  These are the Chief Logan Klondike Permission Form and the SCUBA Diving Permission Form.  I need to register our Scouts and Adults by February 7th for the Chief Logan Campout.  I also need to make the down payment for Rick's SCUBA by February 7th to reserve our spot for those interested in the one hour introduction course.  The third item is due on February 11th for the Maple Fest in March.  

Campout - February 14-16  Permission Form is due February 4th

The PLC voted on January 22nd to attend the Chief Logan Klondike.  We will meet at the church at 6 pm and leave at 6:30 on February 14th.  Plan for cold weather camping that weekend.  We will be sleeping in tents. We will have lunch and dinner provided at the Dining Hall by the staff.  This means that we will only provide a cracker barrel and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.  The cost is $25 Scouts, $20 for adults. There are several Scouts who need to earn the Cooking Merit Badge.  This is the time to work on those requirements.  You will work with the counselor to complete requirement #5.   

 Chief Logan Klondike February 14-16, 2020

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KMduUMnS368BTiYjeXDB8OfuLnmsvO95ionC3ZPD3gM/edit?usp=drive_web

SCUBA Diving - February 29th Permission Form is due February 4th

The PLC wanted to go SCUBA Diving this year.  This is an event we will have on Saturday, February 29th.  It is open to youth and adults.  You will need to be a swimmer for this event.  If you passed the test last summer, you will not need to retest.  If you did not pass and want to take the test if you did not pass the test, you can schedule with the Scoutmaster to take the test or you can show up and they will administer the test at the pool before we begin the one hour introduction to SCUBA Diving.

 SCUBA with Captain Rick's February 29, 2020

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SScaWnKX0nLNvtKKl_5K7LwHulmHJV3_Jz64rIUtAic/edit?usp=drive_web

Campout Maple Fest - March 6-8, 2020 Permission Form is due February 11th

We are helping with the Maple Fest at this campout.  Our station will be the rope station.  The Scouts will be able to work in teams on this event.  Only one team will have to be at the rope station during the day.  This will allow the other team (s) to go and explore the Maple Fest.  The teams will take turns showing Cub Scouts the rope station. 

 Maple Fest March 6-8, 2020

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WIK43eF6hV9sPN2qu8Qz67HRGNZtXb1sVb78addSyHo/edit?usp=drive_web 

Religious - Scout Sunday, Duty to God on February 9th

Here is the signup for the event.  We need more Scouts to participate.  Right now, there are only two that have signed up!  Be at the church at 8:30.  We will begin handing out the programs.  If you want to help pass out the collection plates and even read some scripture to the church, please let me know.

Here is the signup for Scout Sunday:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050d49aca62fa1fe3-scout

Jim Rose is also working on a plan for our troop to offer to our Scouts the Duty to God presentation to the Scouts.  The Duty to God will be done over three months and will be a great opportunity for our Scouts to learn more about the program what they can do to honor him while in Scouting.  Here is the website for more information:   https://www.scouting.org/awards/religious-awards/    and    https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-879_WB.pdf

PLC Meeting (Patrol Leader's Council Meeting) Goals:

When we finished the training of our PLC this month on January 26th, I challenged each Scout to set goal(s) they want to accomplish while they are in leadership positions.  Below are the goal(s) they have set for the next three months.  Our next troop elections will be held on May 5th.  At that time, I will ask each Scout who have served in their positions what they were able to accomplish during these three months.  If they want to be reelected or want to run for office, they need to focus on these goals and the accomplishment of these goals.  I am very excited about our PLC and the progress they have made so far.  Here are the goals and my goals as well:
Shane (SPL):
     1. When sign is up everybody gets quiet within 10 seconds
     2. Communicate with scoutmaster more
     3. Have a copy for camp out schedule on hand during campouts
Zack (ASPL):
     1.Help SPL
     2.Get to know the whole troop better
Noah (Historian/Patrol Leader):
     1.Get to know patrol
     2.Learn what to do as Historian
Calvin (Patrol Leader):
     1. Keep patrol on task
     2. Lead patrol effectively
     3. Make sure patrol accomplishes something
Alex (Librarian):
     1. Update library
Elias (Scribe):
     1. Take notes efficiently and document them

Carter (Troop Webmaster):
     1. Revamp the website  

Phil (Scoutmaster)

     1.  Help every Scout will earn at least one rank during 2020

     2.  Have weekly meetings with the SPL discuss upcoming items

     3.  Help the SPL follow up with Scouts who did not attend a meeting/event during the month

     4.  Communicate with the Troop using Band App, email and website at least once per week

     5.  Setup a GoogleDoc to track all of our troop procedures to help the new Scouts and parents coming to our troop know what we do in our troop

Band app:

In case you have not downloaded the Band app yet, you are missing out!  You can see updates, pictures and other items that help with basic communication within the troop.  When you download the app, there is an access code that you will need. Please see me so that I can give you the access code.   We are limiting who has access to this for a variety of reasons.

--

Phillip Freeman

Scoutmaster, Troop 136 in Grove City, OH 

January Meetings

Hi!

We will have Pack 136 visiting us and we will have smores and hot chocolate available at the firepit beginning at 6:30 pm.

Here is the meeting plan for tonight 1/21:

 Troop 136_Meeting_Plan 1/21/2020

Here is the meeting plan for next week 1/28:

 Troop 136_Meeting_Plan 1/28/2020

February Plan:

Scuba Diving has been scheduled for February 29th @ 12 pm.  The price to participate is $50.  It will be a one hour introduction to Scuba Diving with Captain Rick's team.  I will hand out a permission slip for the event.

February campout: 

Option #1

Campout on February 14-16 at Chief Logan for their  Klondike.  Here is a link with the information:  https://skcscouts.org/venue/chief-logan-reservation/

Option #2

Campout at a Camp Lazarus in a cabin or outside.  We can reserve a heated cabin, a non-heated cabin or camp outside in tents.  There is a Ohio State Hockey night with Simon Kenton on Saturday night.  I will present to the troop tonight the idea of doing this as well.  Here is the information: https://skcscouts.org/tag/hockey/

We will determine which activity that we want to do tonight at the meeting.

--

Phillip Freeman

Scoutmaster, Troop 136 in Grove City, OH 

January 2020

Hi!  Many of our Scouts will be enjoying a four day weekend coming up.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Campout:

There were eight Scouts and three adults who traveled to Camp Manatoc for the weekend.  We camped in a nice cabin called "Gilwell" with heat on Friday night and traveled to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday morning.  We spent the day on Saturday at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and ate lunch on the benches outside of the location.  I was quite surprised by the number of items from thousands of artists.  Every Scout had something different that they liked about the museum, even something as simple as stickers were fun.  Everyone really enjoyed this trip.  However, the high winds during the day on Saturday caused us to lose power during the day and it came back on during the night to provide us with some heat and we were grateful.   Here is the link for the photos of the trip:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/iKPG7fpJWUjxSbzY9

Here is a reminder about what to bring tomorrow night for the potluck:

Blackhawks - Main Dish

Blue Blazes - Dessert

Dragons - Side Dish

Meeting Plan:

Ian Ba will be the MC of the Court of Honor.  Here is the schedule:

7:00 - Flag ceremony

7:05 - Introductions and prayer and begin eating

7:40 - Friends of Scouting presentation

7:50 - Begin the Court of Honor

8:20 - Finish the Court of Honor

8:20 - 8:30 Cleanup 

Cleanup:

Before each Scout leaves, the folding chairs need to be put away, the tables need to be put away and the grey soft padded chairs need to be setup as four rows of about 7 rows.  This takes about 10-15 minutes with everyone is helping.

Friends of Scouting Presentation:

We will have a presentation regarding the Friends of Scouting fundraiser.  Please plan to bring a check or money to donate.  I donate every year.  I hope you consider donating as well this year.  Our council will probably make some tough decisions very soon about closing camps and those decisions will be based on the amount of money raised during the Friends of Scouting donations this year.