Troop 563 September 2000 Newsletter

Livingston,  Montana    September 2000    Volume 3    Issue 8

Two Great Trips in August:
    The Troop went for a great two night backpacking trip in early August. We hiked to Campfire Lake and spent our first night. In the morning we broke camp and walked down to Moose Lake for a day of fun and relaxation. We had great meals and wonderful views. The boys that attended, finished most of their Backpacking Merit Badge requirements. A few more trips is all it will take to wrap it up.
    In late August the Venture Crew took another look at Tongue River Cave and found yet more passages. We did the Dead Bat Crawl, of course, and then visited the Sand Room. Next we went deep into the cave to the Waterfall Room and pushed further than ever before to the terminal siphon of the cave. We finished by finding the less explored downstream passage and then headed for the surface. In all we were only in the cave about 5 1/2 hours but we saw more of the cave than on any previous trip.

District Fall Camporee at the OTO Ranch:
We will be attending the District Fall Camporee at the historic OTO Ranch on Friday, September 22 to Sunday, September 24. We will leave from the Lincoln School at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Scouts need to bring a sack dinner. We will return at 11 a.m. on Sunday when Scouts should be picked up at the Lincoln School. The cost is $11 per boy.

Welcome to the Troop Package:
Mrs. Jovick and Mr. Andrews are working on a "Welcome to the Troop" package. We hope to created a document that will familiarize new families to the structure of Boy Scouting and our particular Troop. If you have any suggestions for the content please let one of us know.

Summer Court of Honor Results:
At the second Summer Court of Honor of the year we acknowledge the dedication of all of our Scouts to the spirit of advancement. We had 61 Merit Badges earned at Summer Camp and an additional 16 since then. Jonathan earned his Tenderfoot rank and the BSA Snorkeling Award. Jack earned the First Class Rank. Daniel and Jere earned the Life Rank. Tyler earned his 1 year Service Star and David earned his 3 year star. The World Conservation Award was earned by Brian, Jay, Danny, Daniel and Jere. Venture Letters and Venture Caving Pins were earned by Jack, Nicholas and Jere. This summer was the busiest ever for our Troop and all of these awards are the result. Congratulations Scouts!

Citizenship in the World Merit Badge:
The Merit Badge focus for the month of September is Citizenship in the World. We only have one meeting planned for starting this badge with the possibility of a guest speaker during the committee meeting on September 25th. Boys that have not finished this badge will need to meet with a merit badge counselor to complete it.

History Section of Troop Web Page:
Jay, the Troop Historian, has scanned many pictures of our past Scouting events. They have been added to the web and are now prepared for viewing. He will be working on the picture captions in the near future. Please give any great shots of an event that we are missing to Jay. Check out the history pictures from our Troop Web Site which can be accessed from: http://www.livingston.k12.mt.us/users/sandrews.

Livingston, Montana September 2000 Volume 3 Issue 8
Two Great Trips in August: The Troop went for a great two night backpacking trip in early August. We hiked to Campfire Lake and spent our first night. In the morning we broke camp and walked down to Moose Lake for a day of fun and relaxation. We had great meals and wonderful views. The boys that attended, finished most of their Backpacking Merit Badge requirements. A few more trips is all it will take to wrap it up. In late August the Venture Crew took another look at Tongue River Cave and found yet more passages. We did the Dead Bat Crawl, of course, and then visited the Sand Room. Next we went deep into the cave to the Waterfall Room and pushed further than ever before to the terminal siphon of the cave. We finished by finding the less explored downstream passage and then headed for the surface. In all we were only in the cave about 5 1/2 hours but we saw more of the cave than on any previous trip. District Fall Camporee at the OTO Ranch: We will be attending the District Fall Camporee at the historic OTO Ranch on Friday, September 22 to Sunday, September 24. We will leave from the Lincoln School at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Scouts need to bring a sack dinner. We will return at 11 a.m. on Sunday when Scouts should be picked up at the Lincoln School. The cost is $11 per boy. Welcome to the Troop Package: Mrs. Jovick and Mr. Andrews are working on a "Welcome to the Troop" package. We hope to created a document that will familiarize new families to the structure of Boy Scouting and our particular Troop. If you have any suggestions for the content please let one of us know.	Summer Court of Honor Results: At the second Summer Court of Honor of the year we acknowledge the dedication of all of our Scouts to the spirit of advancement. We had 61 Merit Badges earned at Summer Camp and an additional 16 since then. Jonathan earned his Tenderfoot rank and the BSA Snorkeling Award. Jack earned the First Class Rank. Daniel and Jere earned the Life Rank. Tyler earned his 1 year Service Star and David earned his 3 year star. The World Conservation Award was earned by Brian, Jay, Danny, Daniel and Jere. Venture Letters and Venture Caving Pins were earned by Jack, Nicholas and Jere. This summer was the busiest ever for our Troop and all of these awards are the result. Congratulations Scouts! Citizenship in the World Merit Badge: The Merit Badge focus for the month of September is Citizenship in the World. We only have one meeting planned for starting this badge with the possibility of a guest speaker during the committee meeting on September 25th. Boys that have not finished this badge will need to meet with a merit badge counselor to complete it. History Section of Troop Web Page: Jay, the Troop Historian, has scanned many pictures of our past Scouting events. They have been added to the web and are now prepared for viewing. He will be working on the picture captions in the near future. Please give any great shots of an event that we are missing to Jay. Check out the history pictures from our Troop Web Site which can be accessed from: http://www.livingston.k12.mt.us/users/sandrews.

Special Troop Committee Meeting Date:
The next Troop Committee Meeting will be on the fourth Monday of September rather than the traditional third Monday. At 7 p.m. on September 25th we will sit down to look at the Troop Budget and then to agree on the Scope and Sequence of the 2001 National Jamboree Trip. Mr. Andrews has prepared a preliminary itinerary which can be modified in any way toward the goal of creating the most incredible experience for our Scouts. As discussed earlier the boys that wish to attend the National Jamboree can either 1) go with the Montana Council, 2) go with the Troop or 3) meet the Troop van back East for a portion of the trip. If your son decides on option 2 or 3, the cost will be around $650 for all transportation, meals, camping and fees. Driving round trip from Livingston is included but flying will be an additional expense covered by the family. Please attend this very important meeting if your son is interested in going to the Jamboree.

Order of the Arrow Fall Fellowship:
There will be a gathering of OA members at St. Thomas Camp in Monarch on September 29 through October 1. The cost is $20 which includes meals, showers, beds and a patch. There will be a rededication ceremony to remind us of the mission of the order. OA members that are interested in attending should give Mr. Andrews their $20 by September 19th.

District Adult Training:
The District is offering Adult Indoor Training on Saturday, October 7th. This training is for all registered adults that want to experience the patrol method as if they were Scouts themselves. In addition, there will be an Outdoor Training on Friday, October 13 through October 14. These sessions help adults to understand the goals of Scouting and how to best reach them. Mr. Andrews encourages all adults, that help at meetings or on trips, to experience this program at least once. Let him know if you are interested by Monday, September 25th.

District Merit Badge Day:
The next District Merit Badge Day will be Saturday, October 21st. Communications, Citizenship in the Community, Scholarship, Soil and Water Conservation and Fingerprinting Merit Badges will be offered from 8:00 to Noon in Bozeman. Life Saving Merit Badge will be offered from 9:00 a.m. to Noon at the Bozeman Swim Center. Boys will be asked to decide whether they are participating and which badge they will work on by October 9th.

Future Events Summary:

September
Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Theme

4 no Scout Meeting (Labor Day)

11 Court of Honor 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Armory

19 (Tue.) Scout Meeting 7 - 8:30 p.m. at SGMS room A-105

22 - 24 District Fall Camporee at OTO Ranch

25 Troop Committee Meeting 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. (Scout Meeting?)

29 - 1 OA Fall Fellowship

October Railroading Merit Badge Theme

2 Scout Meeting 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Armory

7 District Indoor Training

9 Scout Meeting 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Armory

13 - 14 District Outdoor Training

16 Troop Committee Meeting 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. (No Scout Meeting)

21 District Merit Badge Day

23 Scout Meeting 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Armory

28 - 29 Troop Campout (location TBA)

30 Scout Meeting 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Armory and Board of Review

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