There was no regular committee meeting in December, so the information here has been assembled from here and there to stand in for a newsletter.
Scouts can take a boater's safety course at the January 10 and February 14 meetings.
The activity night for January will be open swimming at the high school on Wednesday, January 18. Note the change from the regular Tuesday night.
Activities:
Feb 12 - Skiing at Bittersweet ski area
Feb 21 - outdoor & scouting gear garage sale
March 11 - high ropes course at CMU in Mt. Pleasant
2006
Feb 21 Camping/Backpacking/Uniform Swap night (Start cleaning out your basement!)
June 11-23 Philmont
July Northwoods
July Mackinac Honor Guard
Announcements
Boaters Safety Part II on Tuesday, February 14th. Make certain you have your homework done and bring it with you!
Equipment Sale on Tuesday, February 21st Bring your old uniforms, ski, camping, and backpacking equipment to swap or sell.
Spaghetti Dinner Planning Meeting 7:30 Tuesday, February 14th. Everyone welcome to attend. Please come and volunteer for this very important annual event.
March 1st last and final Philmont payment due. All that is left is the transportation, training, and trek selection. Informal practice hikes every Sunday from now until June at 1pm, Hunters Orchard, full packs.
March 11th High Ropes course at CMU. Please pay your $15 during a February meeting. We still have room for a few more.
Calendar
February 7 Tuesday 7-8pm Wacousta Methodist Church
Class A Uniforms Required
February 12 Sunday Bittersweet Ski Trip, weather permitting
February 14 Tuesday 7-8pm Wacousta Methodist Church
Class B Uniforms (Red Shirts)
February 16 Thursday Wacousta Pack 260 Crossover
February 21 Tuesday 7-8pm Equipment Sale at the Church
Activity Night
February 22 Wednesday 7-8pm Wacousta Methodist Church
Adult Leaders Meeting
February 28 Tuesday 7-8pm Wacousta Methodist Church
Patrol Leaders Meeting
March 1 Wednesday Last Philmont Payment
March 11 Saturday High Ropes Course
March 14 Tuesday Mandatory Spaghetti Dinner Practice -
Free Pizza Night!
March 18 Saturday Spaghetti Dinner - note date change on this event
May 6-7 Weekend Campout & Service Work Weekend for new scouts
May 19-21 Weekend Spring Camporee: Robin Hood Men in Tights
June 11-23 Long Week Philmont
July 2-8 Week Northwoods
July 22-29 Week Mackinac Honor Guard
The troop's scouting gear and equipment sale worked well, except that there wasn't much gear for sale, and only a few people from outside the troop came. Well, only a few people from inside the troop came, too. But we plan to do more promotion and more advertising next year.
There are still spots open for more people to go on the high ropes course. The only requirements are that attendees must be above 5th grade. There is no special equipment or clothes required. We will meet at the township hall at 8 AM on Saturday, March 11, and leave for Mt. Pleasant soon after. We will be on the course from about 10 AM until 1 PM, more or less - then have lunch, and come home. The cost is $15 per boy, plus whatever they need for lunch afterwards. We should be back at the township hall by about 3:30 PM that Saturday.
Tuesday, March 14 is MANDATORY server training. Come early - we'll start at 6:30 that night. The scouts will practice serving pizza to each other and their parents. (And we'll have free pizza for scouts AND their families, too!)
Saturday, March 18 is the annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser at the Masonic Hall. All scouts must turn in their signup sheets showing what shifts they will work. If we don't get a signup sheet for you, you will be assigned shifts to work.
Boater Safety will be finished on March 21 - there will be a review of the material, and a test. Be sure to bring your materials with you!
The troop is looking into getting an automatic defibrillator as a gift to the church for sponsoring us. These devices are popping up everywhere - in schools, malls, airports, businesses, and more. A co-worker of one scout's father recently had a heart attack, and his life was saved by prompt use of a defibrillator. The cost is reasonable - maybe as low as $300. We will be very happy to accept donations towards this cause.
Northwoods is coming up soon - we need a parent's committee to start getting boys signed up for merit badges, get the information packet together and distributed, rides planned, etc, etc. This is a great opportunity to get involved in your son's scouting activity!
Upcoming schedule:
March:
7 - Introduction and orientation for new scouts and their parents
11 - High ropes course
14 - server training
18 - spaghetti dinner
21 - boater's safety class
April:
Spring break at school
May - 6-7 - Heritage park campout/service work/5 mile hike
19-21 - council-wide spring camporee in Charlotte
29 - Memorial Day parade through the metropolitan district of downtown Wacousta
Summer:
June 11-23 - Philmont
July 2-8 - Northwoods
July 22-29 - Honor guard at Mackinac Island
Spaghetti Dinner Success! Thanks to everyone that assisted in the Spaghetti Dinner. This was one of the most successful years ever! Big thanks to Terese and Cathy for organizing and keeping everyone on track. Make certain you show up at the April 8th meeting for a special thank you treat!
Philmont Crew Members don't forget that your $$$ for the train is due to Kim this month. Informal hikes every Sunday at Hunters Orchard Park. Come with a loaded pack and if no one else shows up, walk it anyway!
Northwoods We need a tentative count for all the scouts that are planning on attending this summer. Please e-mail rammkim@msu.edu ASAP if you think you may be going. Downpayment of $95 is due now, final payment of $105 due in June. Lots of new merit badges being offered (Personal Fitness, Vet Medicine, Backpacking and Hiking) as well as big improvements to the rifle range. You won't want to miss it!
May 6-7 Service weekend. We will be working at both Heritage Park and the church. This is mandatory for new scouts. Older boys are needed to assist with younger boys rank advancement. We need a scout volunteer to lead the 5 mile hike, preferably one or two boys with backpacks that need to prepare for Philmont
May 19-21 Spring Camporee, Robin Hood Event. We need scouts and parents to sign up and assist with preparation for all of the events. This one looks like a lot of fun and costumes are encouraged. More information available at the April 11th meeting.
Calendar
April 4 No meeting due to Spring Break (unless you are in Pennsylvania with the Philmont Crew)
April 11 Class B Uniform Meeting at the church 7-8pm Citizenship merit badge, new boy orientation, CPR, meal planning for service weekend and Spring Camporee assignments
April 18 Activity Night Zap Zone Laser Tag 7pm
April 25 Patrol Leaders Meeting at the church 7pm
April 26 Adult Leader meeting at the church 7-8pm ALL PARENTS WELCOME!
May 2 New Parent Orientation
May 6-7 Service Work Weekend - New Scouts
May 29 Wacousta Memorial Day Parade
June 11-23 Philmont
July 2-8 Northwoods
July 22-29 Mackinac Honor Guard
Northwoods You must confirm your attendance at either the May 2nd or May 9th meeting this includes adults. There will be an information session for parents on May 2nd with Tony and Debbie. Northwood's packets including Physical, Medication, and Camper Release forms will be distributed. If you had a physical for attending last year, it is still good this year but you will still need to complete the Medication and Camper Release forms. Steve will be starting a tentative merit badge list with the boys. Your down payment of $95 is due now if you have not already made it; final payment of $105 due in June.
Service weekend - The church has requested that we do some additional work at the parish house and at the church on Saturday. This is mandatory for new scouts. Older boys are needed to assist with younger boys rank advancement so I expect to see some of you Saturday morning as well. We need boys at 9am at the church with gloves, rakes, and wheelbarrows to do weeding and spread woodchips. We will then proceed to the parish house to do the same. Bring a sack lunch (all other meals will be provided) and your overnight gear. Sleeping bag, toothbrush, mess kit, clothes that are weather appropriate, sturdy shoes that can handle a 5 mile hike) After the church request is under control, we will move to Heritage Park for some additional tasks. The Philmont crew will be showing up at the park around 3pm for a backpack shakedown followed by a brisk 5 mile hike. Your pack should include everything you plan to take on the trail in Philmont plus some additional weight for the practice hike. (Big rocks, bags of flower, small dogs.) Philmonters are welcome to stay overnight let Kim know so that we have a headcount for breakfast. Pickup is 11am on Sunday.
May 19-21 Spring Camporee, Robin Hood Event. Scouts and parents must make a commitment at the May 2nd meeting so that we have a firm headcount. Michelle is going to help coordinate preparation for the event Coat of Arms, Robin Hood hats, and other cool stuff. This one looks like a lot of fun and costumes are encouraged. More information available at the May 9th meeting.
Calendar
May 2 Class A Uniform Meeting at the church 7-8pm (Northwoods Info/Merit Badges)
May 6-7 Service Work Weekend See above
May 9 Class B Uniform Meeting at the church 7-8pm (Camporee Preparation)
May 16 Eagle Scout Ceremony
May 17 Northwoods Swim Test Grand Ledge HS Pool 7pm
May 19-21 Spring Camporee
May 23 Patrol Leaders Meeting at the church 7pm
May 29 Wacousta Memorial Day Parade
May 31 Adult Leader meeting at the church 7-8pm ALL PARENTS WELCOME!
June 11-23 Philmont
June 22 Forestry Merit Badge 8-5
July 2-8 Northwoods
July 22-29 Mackinac Honor Guard
Troop 70 JUNE 2006 Newsletter
Memorial Day Parade Come to Wacousta Elementary at 10:30 on Saturday to walk with the Scout trailer in the parade and distribute candy. Participating scouts will also assist with the flag ceremony in the cemetery. FULL CLASS A UNIFORM REQUIRED.
Northwoods Please make your final payment for Northwoods and confirm at the June 6th troop meeting that you have and are completing the Physical, Medication, and Camper Release forms. If you had a physical for attending last year, it is still good this year but you will need to complete the Medication and Camper Release forms. If you did not attend the swim test opportunity last week you will need to schedule this separately with Mrs. Haggerty and Ann Manning at the GLHS pool.
Camporee We are happy to report that no one starved during the camporee. And no scoutmasters were injured or drowned A good time was had by all, cub scouts included. Thanks to all the parents that assisted and the older scouts that helped out.
LOCATION CHANGE: The first and second June meetings will be at the Heritage Park Pavilion so that the boys can work on their orienteering merit badge. Don't get lost on your way there. Activity night will be at the church for all boys that still need to complete their physical fitness requirements for rank advancement.
Service Work Opportunities The Masonic Lodge is looking for volunteers to herd kids during Yankee Doodle Days in Grand Ledge for their IdentiKid program. Contact Mr. Kuhlman if you are interested in assisting. Also, the Delta Township Library is looking for volunteers to help with their summer reading program. Lots of hours available you just need to stop in and sign up.
Philmonters Last minute panic and informational meeting at the Kentners on Monday, May 29th. Bring your packs, your questions, your checkbooks, and a dish to pass.
Calendar
May 27
Wacousta Memorial Day Parade 10:30 at Wacousta Elementary
June 6Class A Uniform Meeting at the church 7-8pm (Northwoods Info/Merit Badges)
June 11-23Philmont
June 13Class B Uniform Meeting at the church 7-8pm (Camporee Preparation)
June 20Physical Fitness evaluations
June 22Forestry Merit Badge 8-5
June 27Patrol Leaders Meeting at the church 7pm
June 28Adult Leader meeting at the church 7-8pm ALL PARENTS WELCOME!
July 2-8Northwoods
July 22-29Mackinac Honor Guard
JULY Announcements
Sorry the newsletter is late. But it is summer and I'd rather be enjoying my flowers
Northwoods Gee, I hope they survived. Big thanks to new parent Bruce Clapp who stepped in to handle all the administrivia during the week.
Philmonters Yes, we all survived without major incident except for the bear when Lynn was bareWe will be sharing pictures and stories on Tuesday, July 11th.
Calendar
July 2-8Northwoods
July 4No meeting celebrate the holiday safely with your family
July 11Class B Uniform Meeting at the church 7-8pm
July 18TBD
July 22-29Mackinac Honor Guard
July 25Patrol Leaders Meeting at the church 7pm
July 26Adult Leader meeting at the church 7-8pm ALL PARENTS WELCOME!
AUGUST Announcements
Northwoods WHAT A WEEK! Congrats to all the boys that earned a gazillion merit badges! Way to go guys! Thanks to Dan C. for accepting the Order of the Ouch. Cal is glad to have a successor. A GREAT BIG THANKS to Mr. Clapp for being a super organizer and general all around good egg as well as all the rest of our parent volunteers: Lois Sanderson, Tom Smith, Ray Ainslie, George Bedard, Bud Lawson and Don Seal, Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Mackinac 6 boys are up the island this week giving directions and administering to all the hot and weary young ladies. We can't wait to hear about your adventures. Don't eat too much fudge.
Canoe Trip(s)? We'd like to do a short canoe trip from Delta Mills Park to the Jaycees Boat Launch in Grand Ledge on Tuesday, August 15th starting around 6:30. Stage your own canoe or kayak unless Lynn comes up with a better plan. More e-mails on this to follow. Also, we are looking for someone to coordinate for an August Saturday or Sunday of their choice a one day canoe trip on the Muskegon River near Newaygo. Wisners Canoe Rental (231 652-6743) has tubes, canoes, kayaks, and rafts. I don't know the rates but it is a great family river and a quick drive. Let Kim know if you are interested in planning this event.
Annual End of Summer Picnic/Court of Honor at Heritage Park Bring a Dish to pass for 8-10, and your own plates, utensils, napkins, and beverages for our end of summer/beginning of the school year picnic at Heritage Park in Wacousta. The troop will provide dogs, buns, and condiments. Don't forget bug spray and a lawn chair for the Court of Honor following the potluck. Dan D. I hope you can do the charcoal etc???
Website - Tony asked if anyone has been receiving spam related to the website mail lists. If so, please drop him an e-mail.
Calendar
August 1 Class A Uniform Meeting at the church 7-8pm
August 7 Class B Uniform Meeting at the church 7-8pm
August 15 Canoe trip on the Grand River 6:30
August 22 Patrol Leaders Meeting at the church 7pm
August 29 Extra Tuesday! Help your mom around the house.
August 30 Adult Leader meeting at the church 7-8pm ALL PARENTS WELCOME!
Sept. 5 Court of Honor/Annual Summer Potluck Heritage Park 6:30pm
Announcements
Tuesday, September 5th - Fall Picnic Court of Honor, 6:30 at Heritage Park. Lots of awards to give out. Bring a dish to pass, beverage, lawn chairs, bug spray, table service and a good attitude from the first day of school.
Tuesday, September 12th - Annual Activity Planning Meeting Come submit your ideas for this years activities. Canoeing up north? Boundary Waters? Isle Royale or Maine backpacking? Sea Base? Cow Milking? Bike Trip? Rank Advancement work and Board of Review night. Parent help needed.
Tuesday, September 19th 6:30 PM Nature hike at Lincoln Brick. Bring a flashlight and your scout book
The troop is raising money to buy a defibrillator for the church. This will be a gift to the church in appreciation of their continued support for the troop. Contributions can be made to any troop committee member.
The first fish fry will be on Friday, October 13. We need 3-5 volunteers to work each fish fry, on the 2nd Friday of each month through May. This counts as service time towards rank advancement, and scouts that work get a free meal that night, too. The Masonic Temple has helped the troop many times in the past, especially with the spaghetti dinner, our biggest fundraiser. Please sign up for a shift at the next meeting.
NEEDED: Our Popcorn Kernel needs an assistant in training. Contact Deb Lea or Kim Ramm if you are interested.
Calendar
September 5 Tuesday 6:30 Heritage Park Picnic/Court of Honor
Class A Uniforms Required
September 12 Tuesday 7-8pm Wacousta Methodist Church
Class B Uniforms Required (Red Shirts)
September 19 Tuesday 6:30pm Activity Night
Nature Hike at Lincoln Brick Park
September 26 Tuesday 7-8pm Wacousta Methodist Church
Patrol Leaders Meeting
September 27 Tuesday 7-8pm Wacousta Methodist Church
Adult Leaders Meeting
Oct 20-22 Weekend Fall Camporee
Oct Popcorn
Nov 18/19 Wreath Building
2007
July 1-7 Week Northwoods
Announcements
POPCORN Contact Deb Lea this weekend (Sep 30/Oct 1) to pick up your popcorn. If you absolutely, positively cannot pick it up this weekend, you MUST take delivery at the October 3rd meeting.
October 8th: Nick Schooley is looking for some help with his Eagle project. Please contact him if you can assist on Sunday. (This is a change from the previously announced date of October 1)
Recharter It's not too early to start thinking about rechartering. We hope you all intend to renew for another year. $25 per scout or $35 per family. Give payment to Kim Ramm by December 15th. Scouts older than 18 can recharter with the Venture Crew if you want to keep participating.
White Water Rafting We have decided to return to Ohiopyle, PA and cruise the mighty Youghagheny River next summer. Details to follow, cost is usually less than $100 per person, and this is a great family trip if you haven't been before. Tentative dates are June 20-23rd, 2007. Sign-up sheet will be available beginning in October.
Calendar
October 3Tuesday7-8pm Wacousta Methodist Church
Class A Uniforms Required
Advancement, Merit Badge work, Scoutmaster
Conferences and Board of Review, Parents needed
October 10Tuesday7-8pm Wacousta Methodist Church
Class B Uniforms Required (Red Shirts)
Fingerprinting Merit Badge
October 13FridayFish Fry Wolf, Mason, Openlander
October 17TuesdayActivity Night
Corn Maze Location TBD
Oct 20-22WeekendFall Camporee
October 24Tuesday7-8pm Wacousta Methodist Church
Patrol Leaders Meeting
October 25Wednesday7-8pm Wacousta Methodist Church
Nov 10Fish Fry Seal, Momber, Masters, Smith
Dec 8Fish Fry Sanderson, Crabtree, VanDeCasteele
2007
Jan 12Fish Fry Ramm, Ballou
Jan 12-14Winter Camping weekend/Polar Bear Kiwanis
Mar 9Fish Fry Kentner, Schooley
June 20-23White Water Rafting, Ohiopyle, PA
Wacousta, Michigan
November 2006 Newsletter
Announcements
Schedule Change: Activity night this month has been moved to WEDNESDAY, November 15th for a swim party at the Grand Ledge High School pool. There will not be a scout meeting on Tuesday, November 14th. Cost is $2.50/person exact change appreciated or $7/family. I'm certain Nick and Alex have some fun activities planned
Death of a Scout Troop? We hope not! However, in order to keep the scouting experience alive for our boys, we need to build our adult leader base. The following positions will need to be filled within the next 6-12 months:
Service Work Coordinator
Fundraiser Coordinator
Popcorn Kernel
Spaghetti Dinner Coordinator
Newsletter Secretary
Web Master
Northwoods Coordinator
Advancement Chair
Treasurer
Committee Chairperson
Scoutmaster
Assistant Scoutmaster
Step forward now while the knowledge base is still here to share!
Wreath Building: Don't forget to sell your wreathes! Building will begin on the 18th and continue until we are done. More details to come during scout meetings.
December Cookie Bake Don't forget December's cookie bake on the 19th. Bring 2 dozen nicely decorated cookies and 4 blank Christmas cards to the church at 6:30. We will provide pizza and pop. Assembled plates of cookies will be distributed at Serenity Place in Grand Ledge.
Recharter It's not too early to start thinking about rechartering. We hope you all intend to renew for another year. $25 per scout or $35 per family. Give payment to Kim Ramm by December 15th. Scouts older than 18 can recharter with the Venture Crew if you want to keep participating.
White Water Rafting We have decided to return to Ohiopyle, PA and cruise the mighty Youghagheny River next summer. Details to follow, cost is usually less than $100 per person, and this is a great family trip if you haven't been before. Tentative dates are June 20-23rd, 2007. Sign-up sheet will be available beginning in October.
New Policy on Troop Eagle Scout Account:
Troop 70 has a separate sub-account that is funded by donations, primarily from money left over from other scout's Eagle Project money. The troop committee has set a policy that this money be made available to help scouts fund unanticipated costs associated with their Eagle projects, according to the following guidelines:
·The Eagle candidate must have already had his project approved, including the budget, and raised the funds that he projected he would need.
·The scout must petition the committee in person, stating what the money is needed for.
·The maximum contribution from this fund will be $50.
·The money must be used for supplies and services directly associated with the project. This could be materials, rental of equipment, or fees charged by professionals such as electricians, architects, or inspectors, for example.
·Any money appropriated from the fund that is not used for the Eagle project will be returned to the fund.
·The Troop 70 committee may grant exceptions to this policy when, in the opinion of the committee, it serves the function of Troop 70 and of Scouting to do so.
Calendar
November 7Tuesday7-8pm Wacousta Methodist Church
Class A Uniforms Required
November 10Fish Fry Seal, Momber, Masters, Smith
November 14TuesdayNO MEETING
November 15WednesdayActivity Night
POOL PARTY GLHS Pool
November 18-19Wreath Building
November 21Tuesday7-8pm Wacousta Methodist Church
Class B Uniforms (Red T-shirt)
Agenda TBA
November 28Tuesday7-8pm Wacousta Methodist Church
Patrol Leaders Meeting
November 29Wednesday7-8pm Wacousta Methodist Church
Dec 8Fish Fry Sanderson, Crabtree, VanDeCasteele
2007
Jan 12Fish Fry Ramm, Ballou
Jan 12-14Winter Camping weekend/Polar Bear Kiwanis
Mar 9Fish Fry Kentner, Schooley
June 20-23White Water Rafting, Ohiopyle, PA
