Troop 563 April 2002 Newsletter

Livingston, Montana    April 2002    Volume 5    Issue 3

March Campout:
We had our monthly campout in March at the Rustads. We have camped there every March or April for the past four years now. It is a great pioneering and wilderness survival location and just a few minutes from town. All four of our newest Scouts were in attendance along with six other Scouts. We did some pioneering projects and put up wind and rain flies during the sunny morning and early afternoon. We then walked over to the Humane Society and picked up trash on the way there and all around their building. We then spent about an hour petting cats and walking dogs. When we returned to camp we all worked on requirements toward rank advancements and merit badges and set up the rest of camp. We had a short game of capture the flag in the early evening and then went to sleep. It was quite chilly in the morning and we all earned 23 Frost Points. So far Jerome is in the lead this year with 93 Frost Points. He just might make it this year! Mr. Andrews has 66, Jere has 62, Nicholas, Mike, Billy and Mark each have 54, Daniel has 31, Tyler has 24, Emmanuel, Ben, Micah and John each have 23, Brent, Ken and Josh each have 12, Brian has 7, and Jay has 5.

Welcome Andy:
Another Scout bridged over from Pack 552 at the March 21st Pack Meeting. His name is Andy and he has begun his work toward Scout and Tenderfoot Ranks. He has attended the last two Scout meetings and will hopefully go on the April campout. Our Troop now has 22 Scouts with about 18 of them active. We hope for the best as Andy begins his trail toward Eagle.
Cycling Merit Badge:
    For the months of April, May and June our Troop will be working on Cycling Merit Badge. This merit badge is one of a group of three that are required for the Eagle Scout Rank. You must earn one of the three but if you earn the others you can still count them toward Eagle Palms or as non-required merit badges. Not a single Scout in our Troop has this badge and we have some great bike rides planned for this spring!
     So far we have worked over the first aid requirements and the bicycle safety checklist at recent Scout Meetings. On Saturday, April 13th we went for our first ride. Four Scouts participated and completed the 10 mile bike path, five miles in each direction. It was difficult going toward the valley with a steady wind in our faces. Once we arrived at the end of the bike path the sun came out and we had a bit to eat. The way back was much easier and we completed it in about half the time.
     We will be doing another 10 mile ride in April and then two 15 mile rides in May and two 25 mile rides in June. Scouts should bring flat tires to fix at the Scout meeting on April 22nd.
    I encourage all Venture Scouts, 13 years and older, that are doing the 125 mile Continental Divide Ride to participate on all of the bike rides that they can. Additionally, ride as much as possible during the week and keep your cadence high! During the spring training you should use easy gears and spin your pedals fast to keep the stress on your knees to a minimum. You can push those faster gears after you get back in shape. Unless of course you have been biking all winter like some of us!
    On the first of June we will also be continuing our work on Climbing Merit Badge. Stay tuned!

Livingston, Montana April 2002 Volume 5 Issue 3
March Campout: We had our monthly campout in March at the Rustads. We have camped there every March or April for the past four years now. It is a great pioneering and wilderness survival location and just a few minutes from town. All four of our newest Scouts were in attendance along with six other Scouts. We did some pioneering projects and put up wind and rain flies during the sunny morning and early afternoon. We then walked over to the Humane Society and picked up trash on the way there and all around their building. We then spent about an hour petting cats and walking dogs. When we returned to camp we all worked on requirements toward rank advancements and merit badges and set up the rest of camp. We had a short game of capture the flag in the early evening and then went to sleep. It was quite chilly in the morning and we all earned 23 Frost Points. So far Jerome is in the lead this year with 93 Frost Points. He just might make it this year! Mr. Andrews has 66, Jere has 62, Nicholas, Mike, Billy and Mark each have 54, Daniel has 31, Tyler has 24, Emmanuel, Ben, Micah and John each have 23, Brent, Ken and Josh each have 12, Brian has 7, and Jay has 5. Welcome Andy: Another Scout bridged over from Pack 552 at the March 21st Pack Meeting. His name is Andy and he has begun his work toward Scout and Tenderfoot Ranks. He has attended the last two Scout meetings and will hopefully go on the April campout. Our Troop now has 22 Scouts with about 18 of them active. We hope for the best as Andy begins his trail toward Eagle.	Cycling Merit Badge: For the months of April, May and June our Troop will be working on Cycling Merit Badge. This merit badge is one of a group of three that are required for the Eagle Scout Rank. You must earn one of the three but if you earn the others you can still count them toward Eagle Palms or as non-required merit badges. Not a single Scout in our Troop has this badge and we have some great bike rides planned for this spring! So far we have worked over the first aid requirements and the bicycle safety checklist at recent Scout Meetings. On Saturday, April 13th we went for our first ride. Four Scouts participated and completed the 10 mile bike path, five miles in each direction. It was difficult going toward the valley with a steady wind in our faces. Once we arrived at the end of the bike path the sun came out and we had a bit to eat. The way back was much easier and we completed it in about half the time. We will be doing another 10 mile ride in April and then two 15 mile rides in May and two 25 mile rides in June. Scouts should bring flat tires to fix at the Scout meeting on April 22nd. I encourage all Venture Scouts, 13 years and older, that are doing the 125 mile Continental Divide Ride to participate on all of the bike rides that they can. Additionally, ride as much as possible during the week and keep your cadence high! During the spring training you should use easy gears and spin your pedals fast to keep the stress on your knees to a minimum. You can push those faster gears after you get back in shape. Unless of course you have been biking all winter like some of us! On the first of June we will also be continuing our work on Climbing Merit Badge. Stay tuned!

April Troop Campout:
We will meet on Saturday, April 27 at the Lincoln School and bike about five miles to the campground. The problem is, we don't know where that is yet. We have looked into the Carter's Bridge Fishing Access but they won't let us camp there. Anyone that has an idea about where we can camp should talk to Mr. Andrews. The plan is to have our gear carried by vehicle to the camp and for us to arrive and depart on our bikes. We will be back at the Lincoln School at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 28. The trip cost is $5 for the one night campout and this should be paid at the April 22nd Scout meeting.

Incentive Program:
The incentive program has six additions for more earning potential for hard working Scouts. These are a uniform inspection, best camp attendance, best meeting attendance, most service hours, most merit badges and most service to the Troop. Each category starts in January and July with awards of $25 each June and December.

Summer Camp Reminder:
There are 13 boys that have paid their $50 deposit for summer camp (Emmanuel, Ken, Mike, Billy, Jay, Danny, Mark, Nicholas, Ben, Jere, Micah, Jerome, and John). This year we are going to Camp Cowles which is north of Spokane, Washington. We will be leaving the morning of Saturday, July 6th and returning the afternoon of Sunday, July 14th. On May 1st the next $100 is due. Please bring this to the April 29th Scout meeting or see Mr. Andrews whenever it is convenient. The final payment of $50 is due on June 1st. The total fee is $200 which includes the seven days and six nights at Camp Cowles, two additional days of camping and the admission to Silverwood Amusement Park on Saturday, July 13th. If any other Scouts would like to go to summer camp please talk to Mr. Andrews. Any adults that can help with driving or wish to attend camp should talk to him too.
Future Events Summary:

April
Climbing and Cycling
Merit Badge Themes

15 Troop Committee Meeting 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at SGMS room A-105. Scouts have a guest speaker and should attend.

20 Clean-up Fleshman Creek. Meet at Sacajawea Park at 10 a.m. and bring work gloves. Done at 1 p.m.

22 Scout Meeting 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at SGMS room A-105. O.A. elections and $5 for campout due

27 - 28 Troop Campout at ???? Meet at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Lincoln School. Back at 1 p.m. Sunday.

29 Scout Meeting 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at SGMS room A-105

May
Climbing and Cycling
Merit Badge Themes

2 District Roundtable Meeting 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in Bozeman

3 Green Bar Meeting 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. at SGMS room A-105

6 Scout Meeting 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at SGMS room A-105 with Troop Elections

11 Cycling Merit Badge 15 mile ride. Meet at 10 a.m. at Lincoln School

13 Scout Meeting 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at SGMS room A-105 Bring $8 for two night campout. Board of Review # 3

17 - 19 Spring Camporee in Three Forks. Meet at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Lincoln School. Back at 11 a.m. Sunday. O.A. Tapout Ceremony

20 Troop Committee Meeting 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at SGMS room A-105. Scouts have a guest speaker and should attend.

27 Memorial Day (no Scout meeting)

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