Troop News and Views
Troop 1, Gaylord
April 2010
The summer camping season is upon us. Spring is always a busy time with the beginning of the camping season, grass cutting and the end of the school year.
Let’s start with first things first—both in the next few days.
The Spring Camporee is this weekend. That is April 30 to May 2. The following information sheet details that event. You should already be signed up but if not, email me. We anticipate the cost to be about $25.00 for this event. Most of you should already have your part A and C’s in the troop files but new scouts—make sure you or your parents bring yours in so we have it with us. Zack Zelkowski—we need an A and C from you. STC has yours and Lord knows where they put it.
Spring Court of Honor is Wednesday May 5th at Bagley. Scouts, Bring your families, girl friends, associates and enemies and we will have a blast. This year we have door prizes just in time for summer camp. We start as usual at 7:00 PM just like a regular meeting. Steve Sevener will be our guest and give a short talk on scouting. Many of you remember him as the scoutmaster who preceded me and he has hundreds of years of scouting under his belt. The theme for this one is ice cream social—and the Venture Crew is providing the ice cream—we will provide the brownies. Come and get your merit badge and promotions—and welcome our 5 new scouts. Class A uniform.
May 15th the first deposits for summer camp this year are due from scouts. That is $90.00 and that reserves your space at camp. As is usual the troop will be giving camperships as long as you are signed up to attend camp. So far it appears that we have 14 scouts on the list.
May 12th and June 2d are first aid this year. Attendance is mandatory unless you attended last year. First aid and the mowing safety class is May 12th—we start at 6:30. If you are going to mow, you must attend this session.
June second is the CPR part of the class, same time, 6:30. You must be on time for this one—if you are late, you will be a no show/no go—and we don’t want that. That goes for adults as well. All adults who did not take the class last year—and me who require repetitive practice—must attend.
The weeks of May 17th to 24th is expected to the the clean up period for the cemeteries in preparation for Memorial Day. Especially Hayes and old St Mary—this is a good way to get your feet wet. Be sure you are signed up and we will email you the times and date the week before. Start bringing those bucks in.
June 18-20 is the Airshow camp out at the Gaylord Airport. This one is a hoot—this year we have the WWII planes, the jets and this will be the weekend of the Young Eagles program—so if you come you can fly. For the little bit of work we do this is a grrrrrreeeeaaaaatttt campout. And, adults, no long drive.
June 27 to July 3 is our summer camp session this year at Camp Greilick. Most of you should already be signed up but, if not, do so immediately.
Once school is out our meeting schedules drop off. However, we will have a meeting both June 16th and June 23d at the usual place. We have a meeting on June 16th to prepare for the Airshow and prior to summer camp on June 23d to go over the plan for each scout for camp on the 23d of June.
In July—the week of the 20th we have a fishing trip planned which the Scout staff is working on. I think the destination is the UP somewhere and none of you will want to miss it. The week before that on the 14th we have the final planning meeting for the trip.
Physicals and Forms for Adults. Adults need a physical every year. Scouts can use the same physical for 2 or 3 years. So, at a minimum, adults going to summer camp this Year need a new physical. Adults also need a pervert check—see the scoutmaster for a form and the definition of a pervert. This form is not necessary unless you are going to be with the boys for more than 72 hours. Adults also need a referral form—references really. See Ken.
Scouts need a physical at least every two years and possibly every 3 years for camp. We need to be sure our 5 new Weblos graduates get a physical between now and summer camp, as well as new scouts like Collin who came over from T14. Family physician, PA or even a sports physical will work—but it must be on Part B form from Scouts.
PLEASE TRY TO MAKE THE COURT OF HONOR NEXT WEEK. We are honoring some adults who have been in the troop a long time and scouts who have worked hard to complete merit badges and promotions. If that doesn’t get you here—look for a door prize—watch, LED camp light? Hand warmer? And if that doesn’t work, think of the ice cream.
Get signed up for the grass cutting. This week you will be getting your scouting assessment form—how much do you want to do and how you intend to pay for it. Do it now—don’t wait. Get on the email list.
As always, call with questions or comments at 989-732-3307 (office) or 989-732-3464 (night) or email karndt@arndtandassoc.com.
Ken Arndt
Scoutmaster
