Welcome!
Coming Up...
The January Theme is Hobbies.
Mini-Klondike 9-10 January. Friday 5:30 - Saturday 10:30 - Church basement - cost is $5.00 for pizza.
Troop patrol leaders will meet with Troop 25 on 11 January - same details as before. See Jim if there are any questions.
Regular meetings 12 and 26 January. No school on 19 January.
Troop Swim Night Friday 30 January. Morgan Park Middle School pool
Court of Awards 2 February. Last chance to turn in merit badge forms is at the 26 January meeting
Leadership Camp 23-25 January at the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula.
See events page for more details
Highlights from December's Troop Committee Meeting
Old Business
The Committee is searching for gymnasium space for Troop recreational activities. The Army Reserve building and Hermantown Community Church are two options. Other suggestions are welcome.
A collection bucket will be created to invite parents to donate funds for Scouting trips that are more than 50 miles away. The funds would be used to offset fuel costs for drivers. Camping permission slips will also have a label urging parents to donate when needed.
The Committee is looking for a used trailer to convert to an aluminum can recycling drop-off. Notify Don Bergholm if you have any ideas.
The Leadership Group trip to Porcupine Mountains in January will involve a Friday night hotel stay at Scout's expense. The Scouts will stay in a "yurt" on Saturday.
New Business
The Kooyers have donated several heavy-duty plastic bins for storing Troop dry goods and camping equipment. The Bergholms are donating several coolers for Troop events.
The Committee wishes to replace some of the Troop's camping equipment annually rather than randomly which is expensive. Savings can be realized when more than one item is purchased at a discount. Three new tents will be purchased for 2009.
Don Bergholm will coordinate a Christmas Card mailing to military service personnel. Scouts will be encouraged to write and sign each card.
The Giants Ridge ski trip did not attract many Scouts. It was suggested that if Scouts choose a similar event next year that it be scheduled during Christmas break.
Don Bergholm and Rick Borndal will look into getting a key for the back door at the church. Also they will determine if the panic door mechanism works so the door is not left ajar during meetings. Opening the room dividers and creating a larger space for Scouting activities seems to be working well. One area is left closed for Scoutmaster reviews and board of reviews.
The Committee has created a camping commitment policy:
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Scouts must submit their permission slip and payment to Leticia Lentz no later than the Monday prior to the event. This allows for a head count so driving arrangments can be made and food purchased.
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Camp fees will not be reimbursed if a Scout cancels after the Monday before the event.
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If there is no meeting the week of the event, Scouts must mail or drop off permission slips/payment or cancel directly to Ms. Lentz. It would be preferred this be done at a scheduled Troop meeting prior to the event, usually two weeks before the event.
A Troop Finance Committee will be formed to put together an annual budget. This process will help leaders determine annual operating costs and which fundraisers make the most sense. Also, leaders will be able to come up with the fairest percentage for Scouts and the Troop in the popcorn and wreath fundraisers.
Message from Troop Committee Chair Don Bergholm
Okpik
For those of you with boys signed up for Okpik in Feburary, but may not know anything about this adventure here is some information.
The camp is Feb. 20-22, 2009 with registration on Friday the 20th from 4:00 to 6:45 p.m. The cost for cabin stay is $60.00 per child/adult for the weekend. For musher camp the cost is $210.00. Right now we do not have enough drivers to get all the boys there. I know a few of the adults signed up to go only have room for their family so please, if your son is signed up consider attending camp or even just driving and spending the weekend in Ely. The sign up sheet for Scouts and adults is available at each Troop meeting.
For more concise information on this winter camp, please go to www.ntier.org and click on Winter Camping.
Committee Meetings
The Troop conducts a committee meeting once a month, typically the first Tuesday of the month. These meetings are open to any adult that wants to attend. We discuss logistics and issues surrounding the Troop, how it is run, how to manage our finances and much more. We need parents to be involved and attend some of these meetings so that everyone can have a say as to how the Troop functions. Even if you cannot attend a meeting, but wish to bring up a subject for discussion you can email me, Don Bergholm, at dbergholm@hotmail.com with your request. But again, I encourage every parent to try and attend some of these meetings. You may find them interesting!