Troop 42 - News and Announcements - Troop 42 of Easton, BSA

West Point Shakedown

4/29/2015

Reminder that the Troop will be meeting tonight at 7:15 Pm at the Church to finalize our preparation for West Point. Here are a couple of reminders concerning the shakedown and trip:

1.)Scouts should arrive tonight fully packed and ready to go, as we are hoping to load the truck tonight, saving time on Friday. I have attached the standard backpacking list of what to bring and we will review everything tonight to ensure that everyone has what they will need and remove anything that they don’t need.

2.)Parents should see me tonight to confirm that all paperwork is in order…we are only at around 80% complete, so it is important that we get all the proper signatures, etc.

3.)We will be distributing Troop gear and food tonight, so please return any Troop gear that you might still have at home.

4.)The Scouts should show up at the Church on Friday at 7:30 AM, as we will be leaving promptly at 8:00 AM, with no delays, since we need to be at the trailhead by 12:00 PM. Scouts should have already eaten breakfast and be in their Class “A” uniform, without neckerchiefs. Everyone should have a bagged lunch for Friday’s Lunch.

5.)All Scouts should have their Class “B” T-Shirt, Troop 42 Fleece jacket and Class “A” uniform with neckerchief and slide for the weekend. They will be wearing the Class “A” in the parade on Sunday, and should have a good pair of shorts or pants to go with the shirt. (No gym shorts/pants etc.) It would be great if they all looked sharp for this event. Additionally, Scout should not bring or wear any camouflage clothing to this event. (Per the military’s request)

6.)In addition to the listed equipment that the Scouts should have in their packs, please add either a pack cover and/or large plastic garbage bag for protecting the packs from the rain, which is presently predicted on our hike into camp.

7.)Scouts should have some spending money for the trading post and for lunch on the ride home on Sunday.

8.)Did I mention a good pair of hiking boots, Scouts should not be wearing sneakers, as they will only get wet and dirty.

scouting_-_backpacking_equipment_list_(1).pdf
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West Point Reminders

4/27/2015

1.)Scouts and Adults attending the West Point Camporee must turn in the following paperwork at Monday’s Meeting;
    - Payment of $40.00/Person
      - West Point Waiver
      - BSA Permission Slip
      - BSA Medical Form Parts “A” and “B” (For those that don’t already have one on file)
Please remember that we will not be collecting paperwork and/or money on Friday…so please turn everything in on Monday.

2.)Adults driving to West Point must provide vehicle and driver information at Monday’s Meeting so that we can obtain the proper Tour Permit. We need Make, Model and Year of vehicle, along with a contact phone number (cell).

3.)In addition to Monday Night’s Meeting, the Troop will meet again on Wednesday Evening at 7:15 PM, April 29th at the Church Parking Lot to finalize preparation for West Point. All Scouts attending West Point should bring their packs packed and ready to go, as we will be shaking everyone down and distributing Troop gear and food. Please plan on leaving your pack at the Church or packed into the truck ready for our Friday Morning departure. In other words, we would like everyone o be 100% ready for the trip by the end of Wednesday’s Meeting.

4.)The Troop will be leaving the Church Parking Lot on Friday at exactly 8:00 AM, please arrive around 7:30 AM in order to ensure that we depart on time. Unfortunately, we cannot afford to linger at the Church beyond 8:00 AM due to our required arrival at West Point by 12:00 PM. Scouts should eat breakfast prior to arriving and be in their Class “A” uniforms (you will not need your neckerchiefs for traveling, but will need them for the parade on Sunday) Additionally, Scouts should have a bagged lunch for Friday and some spending money for the Camporee and lunch on the return trip on Sunday.

5.)Scouts should remember that they will need hiking boots for the hike in on Friday. They MUST also have their Class “A” uniform with neckerchief and slide, along with their Class “B” T-Shirt for the weekend.

6.)Scouts should have a watch, preferably a real watch and not a cell phone or other electronic device as there will be no opportunity to recharge the batteries and attendance will be taken at various times thru out the weekend.

7.)Additional information and preparation will be taken care of at Monday and Wednesday Night’s Meetings.

Spring Clean-up at the Church

4/24/2015

Tomorrow, Saturday, April 25th will be the Annual Spring Clean Up at the Church. This is an opportunity for the Troop to give something back to the Church in recognition of them providing use of the facilities at no charge to the Troop over the course of the year. Scouts ard Adult Volunteers should come prepared to work a few hours in cleaning up the parking lot and grounds. We could use some brooms, shovels, gas blowers and wheelbarrows. The work will begin around 8:30 AM on Saturday Morning. We could use everyone’s help, as we might also spend some time inventorying our Troop trailer in preparation for West Point.

Weekly Updates

4/17/2015

1.)The Scout “O” is tomorrow for those Scouts that signed up, the Troop will be leaving the Church Parking Lot at 7:45 AM and returning around 2:30 PM. Scouts should be dressed appropriately for the weather, and each participant, including adults should have a compass, whistle, watch, water bottle and bagged lunch, along with the signed waiver attached (again) to the e-mail. Scouts should eat breakfast before coming to the Church, as we will not be stopping on the way to Westwood. For those Scouts who have not paid the $10.00 registration fee, please bring it tomorrow.

2.)There will NOT be a Scout Meeting on Monday, April 20th due to the holiday and school vacation week.

3.)The Troop will meet again on Monday, April 27th to continue preparation for the West Point Camporee. Please remember to bring in all paperwork (West Point Waiver, BSA Permission Slip and BSA Medical Form (Parts “A” and “B”)) as well as the payment of $40.00. The Troop will have a second and final shakedown on Wednesday, April 29th at the Church parking Lot, where all food and Troop gear will be distributed. All Scouts should bring their backpacks PACKED and ready to go, as we will try and store them at the Church until our departure on Friday Morning. This means everyone needs to be packed and ready to go by Wednesday’s Meeting, as we will have limited time on Friday for packing and paperwork.

4.)All Troop gear needs to be returned on Monday, April 27th in preparation for West Point.

5.)On Friday, May 1st, the Troop will leave the parking lot at 8:00 AM with or without everybody, as we need to be at West Point by 12:00 PM. Please arrive at the Church by 7:30 AM so that we can get everything out of the way for our 8:00 AM departure. Reminder that there will be NO collecting of paperwork and/or payments on Friday, and you cannot go to West Point without turning everything in on Monday or Wednesday, so please ensure that you are ready to go on Friday.

6.)The Troop will be returning to Easton on Sunday, May 3rd in the early evening, hopefully around 6:00 PM or so.

7.)In addition to planning for West Point, all Scouts should check in with either Mr. Rhodes, Mrs. Weatherby or Mr. Jennings to review your advancement, and if you are ready we will sign you up for a Scoutmasters Conference and Board of Review in June.

8.)Finally, please remember to turn in your Summer Camp payments by May 1st in order to get credit for the early bird deposit. Additionally, all medical forms need to be turned in by June 1st. If you need additional information on Summer Camp and/or haven’t signed up yet it is never too late to join the fun, so please see me for additional information.

Scout "O" - Information

4/16/2015

Please note the following additional information for those that signed up for the Scout “O” this weekend.

1.) Please let Mr. Jennings know if your plans have changed as there is a waiting list. Based on the existing head count we could use an additional driver, unless we squeeze a few in, please let me know if anyone is available to drive.

2.) Please provide driver information…year,make and model of vehicle, driver’s name and phone number (cell) via email to Mr. Jennings as he will need to get a tour permit for this event.

3.) The Troop will be leaving for this event from the Church parking lot by 7:45 AM, as this event has limited parking and we have a 9:30 AM start time. Scouts should dress appropriately for the weather, including the Red Class “B” Tee Shirt and/or Class “A” Scout Shirt. I recommend that everyone bring/wear their Troop fleece jacket.

4.) Scouts should have a bagged lunch, water bottle, compass, whistle and a watch (something that tells time.)

5.) Please bring the attached waiver properly filled out on Saturday morning….No waiver, No Scout “O”.

6.) The event starts at 9:30 AM and runs until 3:00 PM, we will likely finish up around 2:00 PM or so, depending on how many courses we go thru. If you are being picked up early, please let Mr. Jennings know so that arrangements can be made. The directions to the Scout “O” are “From Route 128/I-95 take Exit 16B on to Route 109 West towards Westwood. In about 1/5 miles, take 4th Right onto Dover Road and continue until the “O-Sign” at the third right at Carby Street”

7.) Please bring your payment of $10.00, if you have not already paid.

scouting_-_scout_o_-_waiver_&_release.pdf
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Weekly Reminders

4/12/2015

1.)    On Saturday morning, April 18th , the Scouts that signed up for the Scout “O”, map & compass event will be leaving from the Church parking Lot at 7:45 AM. Scouts should remember to bring a compass and be properly dressed for the weather…please wear your Class “B” shirts and green fleece for this event. This is a rain or shine event. Please have breakfast before you arrive at the Church and bring a bag lunch. We should be back in Easton, by 3:30 PM. More information will be provided at Monday Night’s Meeting. Scouts that have not paid the $10.00 fee for this event should so as soon as possible.

2.)    There will be no Scout Meeting on Monday, April 20th due to the Holiday, however there will be two meetings the following week, April 27th and April 29th in final preparation for West Point.

3.)    The Troop will be heading to West Point on Friday, May 1st. We will leave from the Church promptly at 8:00 AM, so please be on time. Please see earlier e-mail for detailed information on the West Point trip.

4.)    The Troop will be scheduling Scoutmaster conferences and Advancement Boards of Review in early June. There will be a sign-up sheet for those Scouts ready for Advancement at Monday’s Meeting, on April 27th. Please take advantage of Advancement opportunities over the next couple of weeks to finish up the next rank. The Troop will only offer SMC’s and BOR on scheduled dates, so please sign-up accordingly or wait until the next schedule opportunity. Mrs. Weatherby, Troop 42’s Advancement Chairperson, will be reaching out to parents to volunteer to sit on the scheduled BOR’s, if you are interested, please see her at one of the upcoming Monday Night Meetings.

5.)    The Troop is tentatively planning an outing June 6th and 7th. There will be a sign-up sheet at Monday’s Meeting. More information to follow, however this trip is likely to center around Advancement Opportunities and we will be “trailer” camping.

6.)    Reminder that the Troop will be conducting an Eagle Court of Honor for Alex Klein on Saturday, May 30th. Please mark the date on your calendar, as more information will be coming out for this planned event.

7.)    The Spring Court of Honor is tentatively scheduled for Monday, June 22nd. Scouts should be planning advancement with that date in mind.

8.)    Scouts should turn in their Merit Badge Selection sheets for Summer Camp, as well as final payment in order to receive full credit for the early bird discount by May 1st. In addition, all medical forms are required to be turned into the Camp by June 1st or at least an understanding of when we can expect them. Delays in turning all the proper paperwork in on time, results in lengthy delays in August when the Scouts arrive at Camp, so please assist the Troop in properly getting everything in on time.

West Point - Important Information

4/12/2015

Our trip to the West Point Camporee is only a few weeks away and the planning and preparation is well underway. Please note the following updated information;

1.)The Troop will be heading to West Point on Friday, May 1st at 8:00 AM…..meaning we are leaving the parking lot at 8:00 AM, since we need to be at West Point by 12:00 PM, so please try and be at the Church by 7:30 AM. Scouts should be in their Class “A” uniform and should have already eaten breakfast. They should also bring a bagged lunch that we will be eating prior to our hike over Bull Hill. Everyone should have some cash on hand for the lunch on the trip home as well as the trading post at the Camporee.

2.)The cost of the West Point trip which includes Troop registration and food while camping will be $40.00/per person. Please try and bring your payments in over the next couple of weeks.

3.)All Scouts and Scouters attending West Point MUST have on file the West Point waiver (see attached), the BSA Permission Form (see attached) and Parts “A” and “B” of the BSA Medical Form (see attached again). Please turn this paperwork in as soon as possible, as you cannot attend this event without the paperwork. We will NOT be collecting paperwork on Friday, May 1st…so please turn it in at Monday Night’s meeting.

4.)The Troop will supply all food for Friday Night’s Dinner, Saturday’s Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and Sunday’s Breakfast.

5.)Scouts MUST have their Class “A” uniform with neckerchief for Sunday’s parade as well as their Class “B” shirts for the remainder of the weekend. In addition they should bring along some ‘gym” clothing for the Cadet led physical work out early Saturday morning.

6.)Over the next couple of weeks we will be reviewing all the details for attending this event, all Scouts attending should plan to be at these meetings. Everyone (Adults included attending the Camporee) must be at the Monday, April 27th and Wednesday, April 29th “shakedown meetings, as we will be making all final arrangements, including food distribution.

7.)Reminder that this trip is considered a backpacking trip with everything being carried in and out from the Camporee.

8.)Nearly 7,000 Scouts and Scouters are expected to attend this event, and it is completely organized and run by the Cadets at West Point with the expectation that the Troops will utilize BSA policies in letting the Scouts run their Program. (Adults are simply chauffeurs and there for the Health & Safety of the Scouts), therefore Scouts should remember to utilize and enforce the buddy system at all times and understand all the details as previously planned by the Troop. The Troops SPL and ASPL are expected to make sure the Troop is organized and ready for this event and aware of the overall schedule of events.

scouting_-_west_point_-_2015_-_bsa_permission_form.pdf
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scouting_-_west_point_-_2015_-_waiver_&_release.pdf
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scouting_-_summer_camp_-_medical_form_-_2015_(1).pdf
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Logistics for this Weekend's Camping Trip

4/9/2015

(a) We will meet at the church at 745 am Saturday morning and depart by 8 am. Please be sure to eat breakfast beforehand.
(b) We will return to the usual Tedeschi's parking lot Sunday afternoon around 230- 3pm. Scouts will call when we are 15-20 minutes away.
(c) Scouts should plan to bring a few dollars for lunch on the way home.
(d) All Scouts should know their food plans, as part of the last Troop meeting was dedicated to working out menus and procurement responsibilities. That includes Saturday Lunch, Sat Dinner, Sunday breakfast. Scouts are on their own for additional snacks.
(e) Please be prepared to come with snow boots & hiking shoes. When we get there we'll determine which to wear based on snow/mud conditions, and we'll leave the others in the cars.
(f) All Scouts should bring at least two Nalgene bottles of full of drinking water.
(g) Scouts should bring extra socks. There will be wet conditions and we'll want to be prepared.
(h) Scouts with compasses should bring them, as they are one of the ten essentials anyway. There will be maps at the trail head and we anticipate the Scouts leading the hike.
(i) All Scouts attending this trip must have completed medical forms A & B anytime in the past year, they're attached. This mostly applies to our newest Scouts. We can collect them Saturday morning.
(j) Attached is a suggested backpacking list. Items marked 'Troop' are supplied by the Troop. In terms of clothing, Scouts should bring an extra pair of pants and dress in layers.
(k) The Weather forecast for the weekend looks splendid; but don't let that fool you. Be prepared for cooler temperatures and be sure to have rain gear.
(l) We suggest everyone have a garbage bag to keep their backpacks dry in the event it does rain, and any sleeping bags that are tied to the outside of the backpack should also be bagged in a trash bag to stay clean and dry.
(m) Did we mention extra socks ?

scouting_-_backpacking_equipment_list.pdf
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scouting_-_summer_camp_-_medical_form_-_2015.pdf
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Hidden Valley Camp Merit Badge Selections

4/6/2015

Hidden Valley just came out with the attached pre-requisite information for the Merit Badges at Summer Camp. Please review this information prior to submitting your Merit Badge selections and/or review your Merit Badge selections and make the appropriate adjustments. Please turn in your Merit Badge selections sheet found on page 17 of the attached Guide to Hidden Valley for Parents. Basically, all parents need to choose 3 Merit Badges, one for each time period, and turn the information in at the next meeting.

scouting_-_hidden_valley_-_2015_-_merit_badge_pre-requisite_information.pdf
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scouting_-_summer_camp_-_parents_guide.pdf
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