Troop 1-News and Views

 

Summer Camp 2010—So far we look happy

Now we move from summer into fall. We worked much harder than we expected at the Air show. We saw summer camp produce more merit badges and partials than ever before for the 19 boys on scene, and the weather was spectacular. Let’s not forget to thank one of our earlier Eagle scouts Ken Recor for the beautiful cash gift which made summer camp easier for all of you. The Brevort fishing trip was a small crowd, but the boys did manage to catch dinner on Saturday night. The first fall event at Hessel is ancient history (no pun intended) but we did see a few of our old friends— the Wagar Boys. Welcome back.



Beauchesne’s trying out their new boat at Brevort



That fish is no dummy, John!

Somebody won at cards---or lost, eh Noah?

  

Somebody has to clean up—
and these guys are setting an example!



And this is the crowd from Hessel—Monks, Bedouins or Apostles?

Upcoming events. First on the agenda for October is the Fall Camporee 1-3 October—next week. We expect to leave Friday about 5:30PM and return Sunday about 11:30AM This year the Cub Pack will send 9 adults and 9 Weblos Scouts with us—so we have work to do to get ready. Wednesday’s meeting will include planning for food and accommodations and planning for the team to go to the Pack meeting and explain the agenda next weekend. We only have this and next week to get ready. We also have a part to play in this fall Camporee since the theme is Olympics based, we will run one event which looks like the stilts race. Come and find out what we end up with on the 22d and the 29th.


Those of you (which is all of you) who have to teach a scout a skill under the new program will have a chance to show the Weblos guys how to cook or use stilts or fire build, so be sure to bring your book so that we can record it.

I will be attending the first Pack meeting on the 23d and would like 3 or 4 scouts to go with me. We can show the kids our gear and tell them a little about the Camporee.

Troop Committee and the Scout staff will meet on October 3 at Bagley to finalize the schedule for the year. Patrol leaders be on scene along with troop staff. Scouts at 6:00 or 6:30 and committee at 7:00PM.

Court of Honor is October 10th, Sunday, at Bagley. Troop buys the meat and drinks and we break the Troop by last name so that last names that begin with A to L bring side dishes and M to Z bring deserts. What could be simpler that that? Please make an effort to come and recognize our scouts.

Second is the Critter Walk on the 16th of October in Grayling at Hartwick Pines. It is an opportunity for 4 scouts to make a few bucks and join the program. We serve hot chocolate, Mr. Proux’s famous chili and hot dogs (for a profit). Sign up early, sign up often.

Uniforms Uniforms Uniforms. CC Tim Baker has noticed that our uniforms have been getting a little raggety... or something like that.

The SPL will be scheduling uniform inspections in the near term and, guess what, I think he has prizes for the best kept uniform. The committee voted and decided that our official scarf will be the forest green with gold lettering. New scouts got one when we welcomed you, others, take note on your Christmas lists or get one with your scout funds. If you need the honor troop patch, let Mrs. Proux know. You should all have a class A and a Class B now.

Grass is over for this season. Last cuts were about the 15th. Minor clean up yet at old St Mary (flags). Good job by all and it looks like more scouts cut more times this year than in past years.

November brings preparation for the Troop Lock in at the Community Center in preparation for the Christmas Tree Sales. Lock in is tentative for 6 and 7 November.

November is also the time to begin thinking about wreath sales. That sounds strange in the middle of popcorn sales, but the holidays will be on us before you know it. Wreath sales are very profitable—very profitable. For you that are planning for Florida Seabase and trips next summer, get ready. Now is the time to make your lists and even call on a few people. People are catching on to how good tree sales are— St Mary just asked us to use our wreath vendor too this year—there is competition. As Kevin Neff used to say, “Spend a minute making a call, make $20.00.” What could be easier?? Parents—step in—Jeff should have brochures by the first of November or so.

Christmas Tree sales need a mention. Jim Sales has agreed to help us again this year—thank the Lord. The only money our troop gets is from tree sales. That is badges, coffee, food for courts of honor and fees up front for summer camp, Hessel and all of the other events. We know that things work better when we have scouts on site and we must have at least one parent at the trailer at all times when scouts are there. We will be publishing a sign up list and we want to make it clear that each family must sign up for at least 3 separate shifts or, if desired, can combine the shifts on one day. We cannot let this drop or we simply will not have money to operate. Sandy is working on a profit and loss statement for the troop for our last full year and I expect that we may see it on the 3d—you will all be able to see just how tight our budget is.

One committee member suggested that a lack of participation could remove the scout family from one of the spring events. Another suggested that I, your loving scoutmaster, get as nasty as Vicki used to when participation waned. Believe it or not, I have Vicki’s old scout pants—hearing that I tried them on and I cannot get into them. Wouldn’t you know it. That said, let’s make this a team effort so nobody has to feel like they got treated like a strangled parakeet when its over. Deal?

Last. Silversides. We now have a paid space on the USS Silversides, the WWII submarine anchored in Muskegon. 16 July we will spend the day at the water park there (huge) and spend the night on the sub.

With any luck, we should have a finalized troop calendar to you on the 5th or 6th of October. In the meantime, your calls and emails are always welcome.

Don’t forget to join us at the Court of Honor!

Until we meet again on the Scenic Trail,

Ken

Ken Arndt Scoutmaster