Summer is here!
First, the good news for scouts and bad news for parents: school is out. At least in the short run we can get the boys to camp and give mom a week’s extension of the school year. So here is the latest.
We will not have a formal troop meeting this week, June 8th since school is out.
Coordination in Lieu of Troop Meeting: Many of the scouts and parents have questions and must turn in paperwork and I still have work to do with the committee for summer activities. I will be at Bagley Township Hall Wednesday from 6:45 to about 8:30 or until the last scout or parent is taken care of. If you have med forms to drop or questions on camp or anything else, this would be a good time to come in and let’s get the issues taken care of. Same is true for the 15th. Same schedule for me as the 8th at Bagley. Don’t wait until the last minute.
Air show. We are going to the air show at the Gaylord Regional Airport, called Wings Over Gaylord, on June 18 and 19. We camp at the air show and assist with some of their activities and, in return, get to see the exhibits free. I have a partial list of attendees but if you would like to go, email me at the address below and be sure you are on the list. Alternatively you can contact Mr. Proux. Drop will be at the airport at the main gate and we will camp the same place as last year at the base of the tower. Anticipate cost of about $10.00 per scout. You should expect to participate in a project at the airport on Saturday and possibly for a short time Sunday morning—don’t know just yet the exact details. It will not be as difficult as last year.
Needed for the air show: Sleeping bag and camping gear for an overnight stay. I must have a new part A/C, and the permission slip we will post on line.
See this link for information on the air show: http://www.wingsovergaylord.org/
First Aid Class June 20 and 21 at Bagley.
The boys and adults who have not taken first aid last year need to complete it this year. First night is basic first aid, second is CPR. Class Begins at 7:00 PM sharp, runs to about 9:00 PM. I will be at the hall at 6:00 PM both nights to collect paperwork and clear up any last minute requirements.
If you are a new scout this year, you should be there. The training is well worthwhile.
Summer camp is June 26 (departing at about noon from Bagley) to July 2, arriving back at Bagley about noon on Saturday. We expect to leave camp at Greilick about 10:00 AM for the trip back.
Needed for the summer camp: Critical to attendance at camp is the scout physical for adults and scouts—all three parts with the same date—Part A, B and C. If you have not done this yet, you can get the physical done at the Walk In clinic on McCoy Road for about $25. Yes, you can take it out of your son’s scout account. I will collect the physicals when you have them or at the VERY latest, on either the 20th or 21st of June at 6:00PM at Bagley.
I encourage you to go online and log into the Scenic Trails website, look under Summer Camp 2011 and look through the camp guide and the programs offered. All first year and some second year scouts will be involved in Quest and will have about half a day and evenings for merit badges and other activities.
See this link for more information on summer camp: http://www.stcbsa.org/main/portal.php?page=6
See this link to print a part A,B,C: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/part_c.pdf
We will produce another summer camp letter by the 15th, but all you need to know is on the STC website. If you have trouble with that site, let me know and we will work through it.
We want every new boy to go to camp. I realize that there are many obstancles-money, working, transportation and maybe uniforms. Please let us help. The committee approved an $80.00 stipend for all boys attending camp and if there are still issues, please communicate with me. Please.
Silversides—the Submarine. Last year we booked a stay over on the WWII sub Saturday night and that is coming up July 16. On Saturday morning, we go to the water park in Muskegon. Then we go to the submarine to sleep and this year we will have an ROV class. This trip is unforgettable and is anticipated to have a cost of about $40.00, so brush off your mower and week whacker.
For those scouts not going to the Submarine, we need two boys to carry the Kiwanis banner in the Alpenfest parade on Saturday. Those two scouts will be the boys not at Silversides because the Saturday of the parade is the Saturday we will be at the submarine. Please support our sponser!
Alpenfest Dime Toss Booth. And don’t forget our sponsors the Kiwanis Club. During Alpenfest, we will work the dime toss booth and we also work it in August during the Fair. An adult is always present and when you think about devoting time to our sponsor, remember that the national dues for BSA are paid by them for us. This year we also need two boys to carry the Kiwanis banner in the Alpenfest parade on Saturday. Those two scouts will be the boys not at Silversides because the Saturday of the parade is the Saturday we will be at the submarine. So we will need everybody’s help in coordination to make this happen.
Even though many of you are new, there are changes every year. At the Camporee we received a series of new BSA policies which are designed to make scouting better for all of us—adults and scouts. Over the camp period we will be digesting those ideas and policies and you will see some changes when we come back in the fall.
Enjoy your summer. The days of youth pass away and one day if you are like me you will wonder why they passed so rapidly. Enjoy scouting and more importantly, enjoy your families.
Well, that is about it. Get those physicals and get them to me. As always, call me: home: 989-732-3464, office: 989-732-3307; cell: 989-619-0630 or email: karndt@arndtandassoc.com.
Until we meet again on the Scenic Trail,
Ken Arndt
Scoutmaster
