The recommended process for earning merit badges in Troop 1

We have a lot of new scouts in our troop and we cannot cover everything in our initial troop meetings. Today I saw a similar post on Facebook posted by The Trails District.  I edited their comments and customized them to inform parents and scouts how the merit badge process works within our troop.

The recommended process for earning merit badges in Troop 1.

1. The Scout develops an interest in a merit badge and discusses his interest in the merit badge with his unit leader.

2. The Scoutmaster signs a blue card and provides the Scout with at least one counselor contact.

3. The Scout contacts the counselor.

4. The Scout and the counselor meet in a public place to discuss requirements, or bring a buddy or parent if you meet at a home. Depending on the merit badge, scout and counselor may meet several times to complete it. The scout should do the work.

5. The Scout finishes the requirements.

6. The counselor approves completion.

7. The Scout returns the signed blue card to his unit leader, who signs the applicant record section of the blue card.

8. The unit leader gives the Scout the applicant record.

9. The unit reports the merit badge to the council.

10. The Scout receives his merit badge, generally at a Court of Honor.

There are times that a scout may have to complete a merit badge with a different counselor due to many reasons.  That is acceptable.  There are other times that you may start a merit badge at summer camp or at merit badge tech day and then you finish it with a local counselor.  That is also acceptable.  Additionally, if there are only 1-2 requirements left to be signed off and there is no available counselor, the Scoutmaster has the discretion to sign off remaining requirements.

Service time opportunity... And a free lunch! This Saturday at Otsego County Park.

Spooky! Looking for scouts and a couple parents to volunteer at the Otsego County Park for their annual Halloween in the park. Sept 26th this Saturday they are asking for 1 adult assisting with the grilling of hot dogs and burgers and 4 scouts to assist with serving. They have all the supplies including gloves and utensils. They suggest it would be best to have two people assisting with serving either hot dogs or burgers to people, 1 to serve baked beans and 1 to serve chips.

There is no charge for you to come in or for the parents if you are dropping your scouts off. Please have them let the ranger know when they arrive. The lunch runs from 12:00-1:00pm. If possible can the scouts be here at 11:00 – 1:00.

You are welcome to have some lunch as well.   Please email the scoutmaster if you are planning to help. This is for service time for rank advancement.

Wednesday Sept 23 Recruit Night and Scout meeting

This Wednesday (Sept 23) 6:00 pm is recruit night for the Cub Scouts at Gaylord Intermediate School.  They asked if we could have a couple Boy Scout representatives there because occasionally they get older boys attending the sign up.  If you can attend the recruit night prior to our meeting, please comment below.  Plan to leave early to attend our meeting as usual at 7:00 pm, their recruit night goes until 8pm.

Additionally, one of the topics that we will discuss at our meeting will be the meal planning results from our recent camp out at Wilwin Lodge.  We'd like to discuss what worked well and what didn't about the menu plan, the shopping, the duty roster, the cooking and the clean up.  If you attended this camp out, please be prepared to discuss constructively.

Lastly do not forget your books!  Let's get everyone updated in advancement to prepare for our Court of Honor on October 18.

Popcorn Sales Sign up!

Here is an opportunity to earn money for your scout account! Sign up here to work a table in Tractor Supply or Jays. A percentage of the profit from these sales goes directly into your scout account to pay for summer camp, camping adventures, and scout related items. 

Thank you to the Popcorn Chair Tabitha for organizing this opportunity. 

Popcorn Sales Sign up

Committee Meeting Sunday!

Don't forget to attend our Committee Meeting tomorrow! 6:00 pm for scouts and 7:00 pm for leaders and parents. We also need to know who is going to chaperone for the Hessel International Scout Rally held at Wilwin Lodge in Trout Lake on Sept 18-20. See you tomorrow evening at Bagley Hall!f

Boy Scout Meeting tonight 7:00 pm!

Guess what day it is?  It's the first Troop 1 Scout Meeting of the new year!  Meet you all at Bagley Township hall at 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm.  Let's get down to business!  Bring your scout books for the advancement chair to record.  The October Court of Honor will be here before you know it.  Turn in completed merit badges, work on rank advancement and last but not least, let's welcome any new scouts that come to our meeting tonight!

Weekly Choice prints article of Adult Leader Recognition

Thank you to the Weekly Choice for printing the article about the Adult Leader Recognition Dinner that was held this spring.  How lucky our scouts are to have leaders as dedicated and talented as you all are!   I am so grateful to all of our adult leaders for giving their time to scouting and helping to make our scout program a special place to be.   Next January, recognition forms will again be made available for your input.  If you know a leader that deserves recognition please make sure to fill out a recognition form with your input. 

Thanks!

Aaron's Eagle Article in the paper

Check out Aaron Smith's Eagle article in the Gaylord Herald Times newspaper today, 9/1/2015

Julia Bushong, Scoutmaster Troop 1

Ben's Eagle project tomorrow 11:30am.

Reminder! Ben's Eagle Project is tomorrow (Sunday Aug 30) at 11:30am if you are able to come and help. We will serve lunch also. We have brush to haul to the trailer, wood chips to spread, some digging and some short posts to carry. If you have a bucket (to carry wood chips) or a wheelbarrow that would be helpful. Bring work gloves. The site is the Otsego County Demonstration Gardens. Turn towards the High School then turn right near the Health Dept and follow Livingston Blvd shortly until you see the demonstration garden sign. You will see our vehicles. Thank you!

Eagle Project work bee Sunday, August 30, 11:30 am

Ben's Eagle Scout project work bee will be this Sunday August 30, at 11:30 am. at the Otsego Conservation District Community Garden (off of Livingston Blvd.)  Lunch will be served. There is still ground leveling to do and wood chips to spread, and help is needed to carry the built platforms. Supplies you could bring if you have it include work gloves, shovel, wheel barrow or bucket, snippers. Please let Ben know if you can or cannot come.  Thanks.

Last call for a Tigers Game Thursday!

Last Call!  Is anyone interested in going to to Comerica Park for a Tiger's game this week? If Troop 1 had 15+ people interested in going to a baseball game, there is a special called Weekday Value Pack. This package is an Upper Reserve ticket and a food voucher (hot dog, small pop, and chips) for under $20.00 per person!
There is an afternoon game on Thursday Aug 27th that starts at 1pm. it would be a long day, but could be a down and back (leave at 9am, get back at 8pm). If you and your scout are interested in participating in this, Leader Kevin Reynolds is organizing it. Please comment below if you want to go and we will quickly make arrangements! We need 15+ people for this package deal. Don't delay! Kevin needs to know ASAP if you want to go.  Right now he doesn't have enough for the package deal so if you want to go email me or call.

New Boy Scout Rank requirements effective Jan 2016.

Parents and Scouts, please read the new Boy Scout Rank requirements effective Jan 2016.  There are changes that may effect your scout depending on his current rank.

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/programupdates.aspx

There is an article to download on this link.

The release of the new requirements in May 2015 is to allow unit leaders adequate time to plan their Scouts’ transition. Beginning work in the new requirements will be determined by the Scout’s joining date or current rank as of January 1, 2016:
For 2016:
• Boys joining on or after Jan. 1, 2016 MUST use the new requirements.
• Boys who have joined prior to Jan. 1, 2016:
• Who are working on the Scout badge MAY continue to work on the existing requirements, but MUST convert to the new requirements upon completion of the Scout badge.
• 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.
For 2017: All Scouts MUST use the new requirements regardless of rank.