Important Updates and Reminders
- TROOP MEETING PLANS - At the time of the release of this newsletter, the plan for troop meetings is to meet in person at the church every Thursday, starting on 1/14. Keep in mind that as Covid-19 regulations change, the plan for troop meetings may change.
- Please fill out surveys - As mentioned in the last newsletter, the PLC has created two google surveys to help gather data for future outings. The "Troop Ski Outing Survey" will help the SIC determine a ski resort for a ski outing in February. Anyone who is interested in going on this outing, experienced at skiing or not, is welcome to submit a response to this survey, including adults. The "High Adventure Outing" will help determine a location/itinerary for our annual high adventure week-long excursion. Because this is for a high-adventure outing, only scouts who are 13+ and first class should submit a response to this one. If you haven't already, please fill out the surveys (linked below) that are applicable to you. This should only take a minute or two, so why not spend a couple of minutes to increase the chances of getting to do what you want at future outings?
Troop Meetings and Outings
- Troop Meeting 1/7 Online: Knots Meeting - Luke Gedde and John Challenger will demonstrate commonly used knots, followed by a craft you can make using those knots. A great refresher if you haven't practiced your knots in a while!
- Troop Meeting 1/14: Debate Meeting - While in breakout rooms, you will have an organized debate with your patrol. The leaders of the meeting, Gabe Ohnstad and Tyler Sunahara may also cover the best techniques to win a debate or argument and how a debate is structured.
- Troop Meeting 1/21: Government Meeting - Learn about our county, state, and federal government as well as learning how you can pass a law that you think is necessary. Make sure not to miss this one!
- Troop Meeting 1/28: Danger of Drugs Talk - This is an annual meeting that covers second class requirement 7c, but all scouts who are available should attend. A law enforcement official will talk about the dangers associated with drugs and alcohol.
- Merit Badge Hike 1/18: After a quick gear and clothing check, embark on a 5-mile hike in the backcountry near Red Tail Park. This will cover requirements for both Hiking and Camping Merit Badge, so RSVP as soon as possible by emailing Mr. West (sean.landwest@gmail.com) if you need requirements for either of these merit badges. See Mr. West's email for more details.
- District Klondike Campout 1/29-1/31: Our first campout of 2021! Test your winter camping, survival, and scout skills while camping at Peaceful Valley. The campout will be packed with patrol competitions including snowball accuracy, a snowshoe race, boiling a pot of water, and starting a fire. The deadline to sign up is 1/11, so sign up soon! See Mr. Beffel's and Mr. Rainey's emails for more details.
Inspirational Message
Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore.
Dream.
Discover!
Mark Twain penned those words years ago and they are still valid today. Be prepared and take advantage of all the opportunities that come your way.
- Will Ballard, Senior Patrol Leader
Merit Badge of the Month
Insect Study Merit Badge
If you are interested in crawling around and looking under rocks and logs, the insect study merit badge is for you. The merit badge is about the study of insects and how they impact the world around you.
Three of the requirements are:
- Learning how insects are different from other animals;
- Pointing out and naming the main parts of an insect; and
- You will raise an insect from larval stage to its adult stage. (like a butterfly)
You will learn all about the life cycle and complexities of an insect, and how they use their senses to help them survive.
Patrol Reports
Crimson Hawks Patrol:
- Younger Patrol Members got a lot of requirements signed off this month
- Patrol Members have been attending Saturday Meetings, which has been extremely helpful for requirements
- Attendance rates have been increasing for Crimson Hawks Patrol
Iron Wolves Patrol:
- Patrol Outing planned for 1/5 via Discord
- A spreadsheet that will track the progress of each scout's requirements and ranks has been sent out to each member of the patrol
Laser Llamas - Nothing Submitted
11th Essentials Patrol:
- Recently had a patrol outing. Each patrol member brought a gift and they held a white-elephant gift exchange.
- First successful in-person patrol outing of this term! Congrats!
Warthogs Patrol - Nothing Submitted
Thanks for Reading!
Scouts and Adults,
I hope you liked this edition of the troop newsletter. I apologize that this edition was released a little later than usual; After learning that we would be returning to in-person meetings again, I decided to postpone the release of the newsletter until after the PLC met to re-plan the next month so I could provide a more accurate plan. If you have any comments, questions, concerns, or have a request for the next edition, feel free to email me at garrettrymer@icloud.com. Thanks and Stay Safe!
- Garrett Rymer, Scribe
Credits:
Photos by Tyler Sunahara