Winter Schedule Update from the Scoutmaster

The Christmas season is past and now it is Klondike Derby season.   This note provides an update to the troop for planned and (sometimes) unplanned events.

Saturday the 26^th of January.  Since the Headlands trip was put off until February, we decided to have our own event at Andrae along the Pigeon River.  Happily, we were able to join Troop 1240 from Indian River for the hike and sledding down through the trees. Looking forward to the Polar Bear now right Fiji, Jordan and Patrick?  Polar bear has been rescheduled to March 23/24 at Cole Canoe Base (see below)—way cooler and we get to examine our summer camp site. 

Summer camp deposits will be due this month.  As most of you know, we are going to Cole Canoe Base near Alger this summer the week of July 21^st week.  This is a good opportunity for all of our boys to catch up on merit badges and enjoy the Rifle River.

Summer camp cost is about $285 and we generally provide some stipend for each scout going from the troop.

February 3d—Scout Sunday and Patrol Leaders Meeting.  Events at several churches—Mr. Detgen is taking the troop flag to his church, Mr. Clink is taking a group to the E Free church and the scouts who attend St Mary will gather for Mass and gifts at 9:00 AM.  Dress nicely and neatly in your uniform for mass!  Later on in the evening after mass, meet for a committee and patrol leader meeting for all Patrol Leaders, Troop Staff and SP. Meet at Bagley at 6:00PM.

Saturday February 9^th is the Klondike Derby.  We depart early from Bagley on Saturday and work through the training and testing all day.  Lunch is provided.  This is a core event especially for patrol leaders since it involves moving patrols through stations for points.  It also gives us a chance to get our sleds out of storage and given them a run.  Cost for this event is typically about $10.00.

If you are thinking about now—how will we pay for this, especially summer camp—remember that we still cut grass all summer.  If we go in July, most scouts will have the chance to earn money ($12.00 per hour) for camp well before we go.  Please put this money making opportunity for your scout into your summer plans. 

The weekend of February 22d is Headlands.  We rent the mansion up in the Headlands preserve and this is our “electronics” outing.  We come home on Sunday morning with eyes bagging—fingers worn to a nub.  Hopefully the weekend uses up some of the gaming energy we all face with the scouts as a distraction to homework.

Cost is about $15.00.  This one also has a small project—this year trimming vines and branches.

March 9^th is the Merit Badge Tech in Traverse City.  This is a chance to catch up on all merit badge work and you can work on the badges we have already signed up for in the troop and have that work apply to our work here.  Cost for Scouts is $10.00 but we have to sign up now to get the best badges.  Log into Meritbadge.info/mbn/  We will work out transportation.

March 16^th is the Sportsplex Lock in.  No need to say much about that—scouts will play, we adults will work.  Cost for scouts:  $20.00.  Thanks to all of you adults who have signed up so far to help.

March 23d is the recon of Cole Canoe Base where we go to camp this year—and we will turn this into our Polar Bear.  The temperature will be cold but not January cold—and we get a look at the summer camp site.  Leave early Saturday morning come back to Gaylord on Sunday morning.  How about that?  Cost about $10.00.

It is shaping up to be a good first quarter-as always, call with questions-

Ken

989-619-0630 (Cell)

In Memory of Scouts from Sandy Hook Elementary School

Our Boy Scouts in Troop 1 decided to send cards and an undetermined donation to scout families affected by the Sandy Hook School shooting. The cards being sent were signed by all Scouts and Leaders at the meeting tonight, and depicts a photo of our troop from the Fall Court of Honor.  If your scout was not at the meeting tonight, and would like to sign the card then please try to make next week's meeting to sign it. 

Our Scout Chaplain, Jordon Menne read the following prayer:

Dear Lord,

The children whom we remember today now lie cradled in your love.

Chase Kowalski and Benjamin Wheeler were our brothers in scouting.

Soothe the hearts of their parents and families.

Bring peace to their lives.

Give them strength and courage to face the future.

Help us, as scouts, remember to treasure each moment with our family. 

In life they were Tiger Cubs, in death they were made Eagles

Honored with the Spirit of the Eagle award.

Chase and Benjamin, you will not be forgotten.

We also remember Caroline Previdi, Catherine Hubbard, Dylan Hockley. 

These children were related to a scout in troop 170. 

Let us keep their families in our prayers.

In Jesus’s Name

Amen.

A copy of the prayer is being included in the card.
May the souls of the children and adults who died in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy rest in peace.

One last thing for lock-in volunteers..

Whomever signs up for card games for the lock-in, I need some ideas.  Do we want to have a tournament of some sort, do we want to simply teach card games, or provide cards or board games.  I need some ideas - FAST!

Give it some thought and email me, jbushonghome@charter.net

Attention Parents of Troop 1 Scouts!

We need all parents of Troop 1 scouts to sign up to work the lock in on March 16th. Our Sportsplex lock-in is a great event that bring in scouts from all over Northern Michigan.  We need all our parents to work the Saturday, the night of the lock-in until the wee hours of the morning on Sunday. If you can't come Saturday night, consider coming early Sunday morning to relieve tired parents.

Saturday night beginning approx 7:30 pm, the folks who sign up for registration should arrive and help me get set up.  I need 2 parent volunteers for that.

NEW - Folks who sign up to work tactical games should arrive by 8pm to assist the Discovery Center in setting up their games, and should take directions from the Discovery Center on what they want you to do.

Folks who sign up to work Swimming should arrive by 8:30 to take direct from Kathy Arndt so that the swimming tests go smoothly and quickly.  They need to get their requirements done so that the rest of the folks can have free swim

NEW Whomever signs up for card games, I need some ideas, a tournament?  Teaching card games?  I don't know.  Help me out!

Sunday morning arrive early to allow tired parents to go home.  We need help serving donuts and cleaning up.  The folks who have worked all night don't have a lot of steam by this time!

There are a myriad of other important jobs, but the most important thing is that you sign up!  Please help Troop 1 provide a night of quality entertainment to approx 300 boy scouts.

Sportsplex 2013 Parent sign-up

Merit Badge Tech Day March 9, 2013

Hey Scouts!  Merit Badge Tech day is an annual event that offers merit badge classes to boy scouts.  This is a fun way to earn merit badges in just a day!

Check out the link at www.meritbadge.info

You or your parent will have to make an account to sign up.  Cost is only $10.  Once you sign up for a class, check out the prerequisites and complete them before March 9.  You can complete 2 merit badges in a day if you plan accordingly and work hard.  This is a great way to get those Eagle badges completed. 

Scouts may want to try to carpool with other scout parents who are attending!  Don't miss this great opportunity.  Class sizes are usually 15 to a class, so register early to get the classes that you want.  Mail your check to Troop 31, c/o Lisa Myers.  (I'll be back online to update with the address when I get it)

The event is held in Traverse City.

TBA Career Tech Center, 880 Parsons Road, Traverse City MI 49686

17th Annual Gaylord Sportsplex Lock-in

March 16, 2013  8:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Flyer:  Lock-in Flyer

Cost: $20 per scout, $20 per adult leader 

Registration includes all activities and food

8:00 – 8:30 p.m.            Registration 

8:30 –12:30 a.m.           Tactical Sports Arena Open

9:00 – 5:00 a.m.            Ice Rink Open

9:00-9:45 p.m.               Second Class and First Class Swim Tests

9:45 p.m.– 4:00 a.m      Pool Open

10:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m   Card Playing (tournament to be determined)  

12:00 Midnight              Pizza! Door Prizes Drawing!

1:00 a.m.                        Dodge Ball

3:00 a.m. - 5:00 a.m.    Bowling Alley Open

5:00 a.m.                        Breakfast (donuts, milk, juice, coffee)

6:00 a.m.                        Lock-in ends

Troop 1 of Gaylord is proud to host the 17th Annual Sportsplex Lock-in! As always, we will have pizza, pop, snacks, and  DOOR PRIZES!  Bring your instrument and have an impromptu jam session.  All registered Boy Scouts and Venture Crews are welcome.  This is NOT a bring a friend event. 

New this year, Tactical Sports Arena!  Team games using Long Range Quick Load “Vortex Vigilon” Nerf Blasters with unlimited ammunition.  The games are designed to be as much like paintball or airsoft as possible.  Scouts will learn the rules 15 minutes prior and then will be allowed to play in 15 minutes increments, 16 scouts at a time.  Scouts may be allowed to play more than once if time allows. 

As in the past we will have ice skating and hockey available all night.  Bowling will be shortened by 1 hour and dodge ball will be shortened by 4 hours to introduce the Tactical Sports Arena.  The buddy system is required when going next door to the Bowling Alley to bowl. There will be a designated room for scouts to bring their own video gaming systems (at their own risk.) In lieu of a video gaming tournament, we will instead have a room set up for card games, maybe a tournament.

Pre-registration is required, $20 non-refundable registration fee per troop. 

Sportsplex Lock-in Registration Form 

Troops who   pre-register by Feb 20th will be entered into a drawing for a troop prize. Patches from previous Troop 1 events will be on sale at registration desk. Hope to see you there!

For more information contact: jbushonghome@charter.net

http://troop1gaylord.blogspot.com/

Information for Boy Scout Meeting tonight!

Tonight we'll have a special Eagle presentation in honor of Kory Wegmeyer and Kenny Arndt. Our new scouts will get a glimpse of the end results of all the hard work done as a boy scout.  They will be serving chicken and cake afterwards. 

FYI, Headlands is cancelled for January.  The earliest date to rebook is February 23rd or March 2nd.  We will discuss those dates at an upcoming meeting.

Price reduction on Trees! All trees $12.00

Here's our last chance to get rid of trees and put some profit in our pocket. All trees $12! Spread the word!

We need folks to work on Saturday as our last day at the tree lot, if trees still remain.  Check your schedule and see if you can put in a hour or two.

Christmas Party at tomorrow's meeting!

Don't forget the scout meeting tomorrow is the Christmas party!  Bring a treat and/or game and let's have some fun before we go on our Christmas vacation!  See you tomorrow, 7:00 pm at Bagley Township hall.

Need a volunteer for Tree lot Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat!

Hi everyone!  We still have trees to sell! We need a volunteer for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday in hopes to sell some more trees. Every tree we sell is profit for the troop.

FYI, the flags were left outside at the tree lot tonight (Tuesday) so I put them in my van. Kmart was already closed for the night, so I couldn't get the trailer key.  I will drop the flags off tomorrow to whomever is working!

If you haven't signed up to work, please do!  if you've already put in all your shifts, please consider one more.

Thanks!

Parents!  We need a few shifts covered at the tree lot today.  The shifts that are open are 2:00-4:00pm and 4:00-6:00pm.  We still have 88 trees left to sell.  This is the fundraiser that supports our troop, so it is important to make a profit from the tree sales.  If you can work at the tree lot today, please do!  We appreciate all the folks who have helped work the tree lot this year. 

In addition, if there are still trees left after today we need people to sign up for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week.  And if there are still trees by Saturday, Dec 21, then we need people to work on Saturday as well. 

Thank you for your support!


Please click this link to sign up for tree sales.  Tree Sales Sign up sheet

Volunteer Time for the Holidays!

Scouts remember to work on Saturday December 15 for Toys For Tots and the Kiwanis!  Hours to work are 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at the building in between the Middle School and South Maple Elementary.  (It used to be called the Stars building)  All scouts need volunteer time, and we should support the Kiwanis club because they support us.  Look for Assistant Scoutmaster Eric Clink when you arrive!

Don't forget that next weeks meeting is the Scout Christmas party!  The scouts planned the party, so you'll have to ask your scout what they decided to do.  But I'm sure treats would be appreciated!

Lastly, our merit badge counseling sessions are in full swing. Work on your merit badges over the Christmas break so that you will be progressing by the time we resume scout meeting on January 9th!