Parents Night!! Yes, spring is only a few weeks away, and as always it is ushered in by our Parents Night program and our auction. This year, Robert H. is our chairman, assisted by Chris L. and Andrew M., so we know it will be a good one. The subjects are Nature (Buffaloes), Planets (Bear), Geology (Pioneers), and the Roman Empire (Tigers). There will also be songs and skits by the patrols, and there will be a reshowing of the pictures that Ed Kowynia took at camp last summer, capably edited by Mike Bujewski. There will also be refreshments furnished by our Mothers Club, so it should be a great evening - but it won't be great for your son if you are not there to watch him strut his stuff!
Summer Camp will be on the agenda, and as always we will be collecting your share of the camping fee. This year the fee for two weeks is $420.00. Since the troop will be paying half of the fee through the proceeds of the auction, the parents share will be $210.00. If , however, you have two boys going to camp, the second boy will only have to pay $100.00. Since we must pay the full fee in to the camp's office shortly after this date, payment must be made on Parents Night. (Penalties are added for late payment, and none of us want to do that).
Advancement will have to be completed by May 31st. otherwise the scout will not go to camp with us. And there is no refund on any payments made. There is no deviation from this rule unless the boy is in the hospital or suffers some similar catastrophe. Summer school, job, etc., is no reason whatever for a refund. SO check with your son and see how he stands on advancement before making your deposit. Russ does not have his advancement records with him on Parents Night so give him a call at home if you have any questions. The reason we have so many boys in our troop making Eagle is because of this rule.
What advancement is required? Every Tenderfoot must make 2nd Class, every First Class Scout must make Star, every Life Scout must make 3 merit badges or attend Russ' special sessions. Every Eagle Scout must also make 3 badges (although his project for Eagle counts as one). So there is no misunderstanding, every 2nd Class Scout must be 1st Class and every Star Scout must make Life.
We have two campouts scheduled for the boys so they have plenty of opportunity to complete their outdoor requirements.
The first is the week end of April 18-20, and the second will be May 16-18.
Surviving Anything is scheduled for January 14th and 28th.
Our Potluck Dinner is scheduled for January 28th.
Both will be at Camp McQueen and we have chosen two beautiful weekends. As always, there will be advancement in the morning and softball in the afternoon. There will also be plenty of time for them to lie on their backs and watch the fluffy clouds.
This and That: Our assistant scoutmaster, Steve Prus, and his wife had another little baby girl. That gives him three daughters. He is still behind Mark Kearns who has four. Since Brian Sanders also had another daughter, he has two, but says that he will catch up soon. These guys are not doing anything to replenish the troop! Francis, as you probably know, has two sons. Jim Greisenauer is now a proud member of the Niles police force, so we have 3 policemen among our leadership... and one plumber... and one old guy...
All for now!