Troop 563 September 2002 Newsletter

Livingston, Montana September 2002 Volume 5 Issue 8

Welcome to Three New Scouts:
Our Troop has grown again to 24 Scouts. We welcome Matt who is a Tenderfoot Scout with many 2nd Class and 1st Class requirements completed. We also have Chris and Seth joining Scouts for the first time. They are all 8th graders and look forward to camping and adventures. We wish them the best on their trail toward Eagle and the challenges that the future presents.

September Merit Badge Focus:
During the month of September our Troop will focus on Truck Transportation Merit Badge. At the first meeting, we reviewed the requirements and determined that they would be fairly easy to complete. If anyone knows a truck driver that would be willing to talk with the Scouts during one of the next Monday meetings, please give this information to Mr. Andrews. We may head out to the Livingston Truck Stop for a bit of a field trip later in September. We will need some help in transporting kids during this meeting.

Board of Review #1:
There will be a Board of Review on Monday, September 23rd for Scouts that have completed their Tenderfoot and Second Class Ranks. Scouts should also finish any incomplete Merit Badge Blue Cards by the 23rd if they wish to receive the Merit Badge at the October 7th Court of Honor. There are lots of incomplete blue cards from summer camp (25) and many from previous work (78). Scouts should make an effort to call their merit badge counselors to make an appointment to finish their work. Parents should push their sons to do a little advancement work every month. A Scout that continues to advance stays involved.

Three District Camporee:
We will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Lincoln School on Friday, September 13th to leave for the Fall Camporee. This will be a special camporee with Bozeman hosting the districts based out of Butte and Helena. The theme will be centered on Native American games and skills. Scouts should eat dinner before leaving on Friday or bring a sack dinner for the night. During the day they will compete with many other Troops in many different games. Saturday evening will be the award ceremony and campfire skits. Our Troop will be leaving Saturday night and returning home at about 10 p.m. Scouts should bring $5 Friday before leaving to cover the food cost for the one night trip. The Troop will pay the camporee fee for the Scouts and adults. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson will be supervising the group this weekend. September brings the beginning of another season of Frost Point accumulation. However, the weekend looks like it will be a little too warm to earn any.

Finding a New Charter Organization:
Our Charter Organization is currently the Montana National Guard. We have not been able to meet at the Armory since September of 2001. The Sleeping Giant Middle School and Lincoln School have been great facilities for our meetings as a stop gap measure, but we should really have a more permanent situation. Our Troop Committee will discuss finding a new Charter Organization in the not too distant future. This group must provide a facility for us to meet at, maintain quality adult leadership for the Troop, represent the Troop at the district level, provide some storage space and provide service opportunities for the Scouts. Anyone that has an idea for a new Charter Organization should bring it to the attention of the Troop Committee.

Livingston, Montana September 2002 Volume 5 Issue 8
Welcome to Three New Scouts: Our Troop has grown again to 24 Scouts. We welcome Matt who is a Tenderfoot Scout with many 2nd Class and 1st Class requirements completed. We also have Chris and Seth joining Scouts for the first time. They are all 8th graders and look forward to camping and adventures. We wish them the best on their trail toward Eagle and the challenges that the future presents. September Merit Badge Focus: During the month of September our Troop will focus on Truck Transportation Merit Badge. At the first meeting, we reviewed the requirements and determined that they would be fairly easy to complete. If anyone knows a truck driver that would be willing to talk with the Scouts during one of the next Monday meetings, please give this information to Mr. Andrews. We may head out to the Livingston Truck Stop for a bit of a field trip later in September. We will need some help in transporting kids during this meeting. Board of Review #1: There will be a Board of Review on Monday, September 23rd for Scouts that have completed their Tenderfoot and Second Class Ranks. Scouts should also finish any incomplete Merit Badge Blue Cards by the 23rd if they wish to receive the Merit Badge at the October 7th Court of Honor. There are lots of incomplete blue cards from summer camp (25) and many from previous work (78). Scouts should make an effort to call their merit badge counselors to make an appointment to finish their work. Parents should push their sons to do a little advancement work every month. A Scout that continues to advance stays involved.	Three District Camporee: We will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Lincoln School on Friday, September 13th to leave for the Fall Camporee. This will be a special camporee with Bozeman hosting the districts based out of Butte and Helena. The theme will be centered on Native American games and skills. Scouts should eat dinner before leaving on Friday or bring a sack dinner for the night. During the day they will compete with many other Troops in many different games. Saturday evening will be the award ceremony and campfire skits. Our Troop will be leaving Saturday night and returning home at about 10 p.m. Scouts should bring $5 Friday before leaving to cover the food cost for the one night trip. The Troop will pay the camporee fee for the Scouts and adults. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson will be supervising the group this weekend. September brings the beginning of another season of Frost Point accumulation. However, the weekend looks like it will be a little too warm to earn any. Finding a New Charter Organization: Our Charter Organization is currently the Montana National Guard. We have not been able to meet at the Armory since September of 2001. The Sleeping Giant Middle School and Lincoln School have been great facilities for our meetings as a stop gap measure, but we should really have a more permanent situation. Our Troop Committee will discuss finding a new Charter Organization in the not too distant future. This group must provide a facility for us to meet at, maintain quality adult leadership for the Troop, represent the Troop at the district level, provide some storage space and provide service opportunities for the Scouts. Anyone that has an idea for a new Charter Organization should bring it to the attention of the Troop Committee.

Included with this Newsletter:
     Twice a year, March and September, the Troop Directory is updated and mailed to all Scout families. Please put this by the phone for handy access. Scouts will need this list for calling their fellow Troop and Patrol Members when planning events.
    Once a year, in August, the Scouts work on the year plan for the following year. These start in September and run through August. The Green Bar and Troop Committee have approved the enclosed Year Plan for 2002 - 2003. Keep this around so you can plan for campouts and other major events. We try not to change our plans too dramatically, but you never know, so keep reading your monthly newsletter for the latest.
    Also included is the monthly Troop Committee Meeting Minutes which are written by our Troop Secretary, Mrs. Moody. These meetings are open to all adults involved with the Troop. They are held the third Monday of each month but we usually cancel July and December. They are held at the same time as our Troop Meetings which are 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Sleeping Giant Middle School room A-105. Please attend these meetings to learn more about what you son's Troop is doing and to volunteer some time to help out. If you wish to register as a voting member of the Troop Committee, the Troop will pay your $8 fee and a little paperwork on your part is all it takes.

Venture Caving Trip:
We will need some help driving kids to Wyoming for our next Venture Caving Trip. An adult that helps to drive does not necessarily have to enjoy any time in the darkness of a wonderful cave. We plan to visit one of Mr. Andrews' favorite caves high in the Teton Mountains. This cave requires a four mile hike to reach it and provides backcountry camping opportunities. It has ice in it year round and has a huge entrance, 30' wide and 80' tall, with a river flowing out of it. We hope to leave Friday, October 11th and return Sunday, October 13th.

Future Events Summary:

September
Truck Transportation
Merit Badge Theme

13 - 15 Fall "Three-District" Camporee, Headwaters State Park

16 Troop Committee Meeting and Scout Meeting, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at SGMS room A-105

23 Scout Meeting, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at SGMS room A-105 with Board of Review #1

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

October
Woodwork Merit Badge Theme

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

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

7 Fall Court of Honor, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at SGMS library

11 - 13 Venture Caving Trip

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

21 Troop Committee Meeting and Scout Meeting, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at SGMS room A-105

26 - 27 Troop Campout

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

November
Electronics Merit Badge Theme

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

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

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

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

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