Commitee Meeting Agenda for April 28

Committee Meeting Minutes from March 24

Members Present:  Lisa Hearl, Janet Stern, Peggy Ives, Lita Flowers, Sue Martin, Jeff Martin, Guido Lamonica, Neil McLaughlin

1. Reports:

Neil: The church has asked the scouts to clean up the outbuilding so that maintenance can get to the lawn items. Jeff will make sure this is done.

Lita: Training Dates: March 29 SM and ASM, April 19 New Scout Leader, April 4-5 Outdoor Skills. See SJAC website for details. Note: Lita is moving to Membership Coordinator. We will need a volunteer to be the Training Coordinator.

Jeff: Propane tanks have been filled. No other equipment issues.

Sue: Sue brought a registration and summer camp letter for committee review. She will get these out to boys. Summer camp fees will be due in full April 28. Sue will get list of boys going to camp to Jay and Neil. Need a copy of the roster to check who has not paid their registration.

2. Old Business:

Christmas Tree Sales:  The overall profit for the boys & the troop was very low. The hourly wage for any of the boys, & their helpers, who worked a tree lot was only $3.90 / hour. It was agreed that the tree sales is a lot of time & effort for very little profit. The committee discussed the possibility of the Appleebees pancake breakfast becoming an ongoing fund raiser which would take the place of the tree sales as a means to help raise individual & troop funds. The last profit from the Appleebee’s breakfast was $700. With everyone participating, each boy could potentially earn $50. Even if a scout is unable to be there on the breakfast date, he could sell tickets ahead of time in order to participate. The committee would need to review & set the profit for the troop & the boys. The next pancake breakfast is scheduled for October 25. It was discussed that the troop would continue supporting the tree sales, but possibly cut back on the number of lots & dates. The council, which offers support to all of the troops, does benefit from the profits of the tree sales & it would be understood that the troop should continue to participate. Further discussion will take place regarding specific details at a future meeting.

3. New Business

Leftover Popcorn & Peanuts:  There is quite a bit of leftover popcorn & peanuts from 2 years ago. Items were bought for booth sales & there were only a couple of booths that year. All items were not sold – leftovers include popcorn, lite popcorn, & caramel corn. The caramel corn should be fine as it is sealed within a tin & does not have an expiration date. The popcorn has already expired, but is still usable; however, the quality is not as good as it should be. A couple of ideas were discussed regarding getting rid of any leftovers:  donate it, set up a booth, or just offer it to the boys as theirs to eat. Sue volunteered to set up one booth to sell the leftovers. The caramel corn will be sold as is for $5; the popcorn boxes will be opened & sold for $1 / package. Any leftovers will be donated  to a selected group.

 

Road Clean Up:  The date is 4/19, 8a to 11a. Looking for an scout volunteer to Mr. Fox to lead this community service project. Jeff and Guido will check to be sure vest and bags are available. Those participating should wear long pants & bring gloves.  Janet will make the announcement to the troop and post on the discussion group.

4. Unresolved Business 

Recruitment:  Five new boys joined the troop from Pack 74. Currently, there are only 2 adult leaders – Al Coleman for the Bulls Patrol & Jim Straker for the Cobras Patrol. The troop is in desperate need of new adult volunteers to assist with the other patrols. The Ducks Patrol & the new boy patrol have no adult leaders. Jay will “mentor” the new boys for now, but would like to hand this over to someone interested in becoming an assistant scoutmaster. Jay is willing to do a presentation at PTO meetings, Back to School Nights, or any other open venue in hopes to recruit adults. An assistant scoutmaster does not have to be related to any of the active scouts.  Lita will check on options for Jay & bring back info to the committee. Jay offered to prepare a troop brochure to give to Ann Hoy to take to Winston’s school.

Seabase Trip:  The troop has 6 boys & 2 adults attending Seabase this summer. The cost for camp has gone up to over $700 per person – including the adults who are attending & paying their own way. The group asked the troop if they were willing to donate $200 towards the gas costs which is projected to be $400+. The committee agreed to approve the donation of gas money. Neil also offered to check with the Men’s Group of the church to see if they would be willing to make a donation towards gas money.

5. Announcements:

Board of Review for a Life Scout scheduled for 3/31/08. Will need two registered adults in attendance to conduct the review.

 

Janet edited & updated the Boy Intro, Parent Intro & the Committee Positions. All documents are now available on the troop website.

 

New Parent Intro meeting will be 4/21/08 at 7:30pm. Peggy is going to do orientation session for new parents.

 

Upcoming Scout Events:  day hike -  4/5; hike & overnight camping  -   4/22 and 4/23.

Meeting Agenda for April 28

1. Approval of March minutes.

2. Reports: Scoutmaster, Outdoor Activities, Advancement, Chartered Organization, Training, Equipment, Treasurer, Membership.

3. Old Business: Summer Camp and registration fees status, annoucement of date for popcorn sale

4. New Business: Troop accountability of fees paid for trips, tighter control over money disbursed for trips.

Contact Janet if you have new business to be discussed.

5. Unresolved Business: Recruitment

6. Announcements:

There will be one or more BOR following the committee meeting. 3 registered adults will need to to attend.

The next Troop Committee meeting is 7:30pm on Monday May 19, HUAMC.

Committee Meeting Agenda for March 24

Committee Meeting: Monday March 24 7:30PM

Agenda

Reports: Scoutmaster (Jay), Outdoor Activities Coordinator (Gary), Treasurer (Sue), Advancement (Peggy), Training (Lita), Equipment (Jeff) and Chartered Organization (Neil)

On the table for discussion:

1. Recruitment- both boy and adult. We need to find a volunteer to be the membership coordinator (if we don’t have one already).
2. Fundraisers- tree sales results, Applebee’s
3. Leftover popcorn/peanuts. Need to determine if it is expired. If not, we need a volunteer to schedule a time/place to sell it in the very near future.
4. Schedule Rt. 20 Spring cleanup.

BSA Troop 37

Committee Meeting Minutes – 2/25/08

Members Present:  Peter Michaels, Lisa Hearl, Janet Stern, Gary Banks, Peggy Ives, Lita Flowers, Sue Martin, and Neil McLlaughlin

REPORTS:

Outdoor Coordinator:

Summer Camp:  Deadline to register the troop for camp is 3/1. Camp week is 6/22 – 6/28. There is a $40 deposit due 2/28 along with verbal commitment that scout is attending. If a scout changes his mind later and does not attend camp, the deposit will not be refunded. Camp fee is $185 this year and $225 if paid late. Money can be deducted from scout accounts with balances. All scouts receive notice about camp via direct contact:  Janet will contact new boys from Pack 74, Lita will contact the Ducks, Peter will contact the Bulls, Sue will contact the Cobras, and Chuck will contact the Roadrunners. Sue will maintain a list of scouts who will attend camp and verify payment.

Treasurer:

Disbursement of scout funds from accounts of non-registered scouts will be absorbed back into the troop’s account. All remaining funds from non-registered scouts will be considered a donation to the troop.

There seems to be 2 boys from summer camp last year that have not paid there fees. Neil will follow up & confirm if payment is still needed. If it was deducted from the troop’s funds, the deposit will cover the reimbursement.

The troop has completed rechartering to include all boys that identified that they wish to continue with the troop. Not all boys have paid the $30 registration fee that was due. Sue will send a letter to all of the boys who still owe money & let them know that the full amount will be deducted from their scout accounts. If a boy’s scout account does not have a sufficient balance to cover the $30 amount, a deadline will be set requesting that the registration fee be paid in full. 

Advancement: 

Merit badge counselors are needed in all areas. Boys should think about recruiting teachers, coaches, neighbors, etc. Parents will be encouraged to register as a counselor for areas that they feel comfortable teaching or that they may have some expertise in.

Scouts need to be held accountable for leadership positions, whether it be Historian or Patrol Leader or any other elected role, if they are going to use the position for rank. Adult leaders need to be diligent during Board of Reviews to verify the positions & question the boys to determine follow through from each regarding the duties of their elected positions.

Day hike Saturday, April 5 to Rip Rap Hollow

RipRap Hollow

I need a scout volunteer to work with me planning this trip.

Complete Description: http://www.hikingupward.com/SNP/RiprapHollow/

Highlights: Riprap Hollow is one of the best circuit hikes in the southern section of the Shenandoah National Park. The views from Chimney Rock, and along the ridge of Rocks Mountain, offer great vistas to the west and north. The spring fed stream in Cold Spring and Riprap Hollow is very scenic, and has a 50ft wide swimming hole fed by yet another mountain spring.
9.5 miles, 5.0 to 5.5 hours with a half hour for lunch, 2,225 ft elevation, 1 hour drive from C’ville to trail head on Skyline Drive - map

Troop Program through June

The troop program for mid-March through early June is now online.

Merit Badge Opportunities at the Virginia Aviation Museum

25 March (Tuesday / 9:30.a.m. – 4:30 p.m.): Introduction to Aviation — BSA Aviation Merit Badge Opportunity (but open to all 11 years or older). Visit our web site (vam.smv.org) for registration form, fee, and other details

26 March (Wednesday / 9:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.): Introduction to Weather — BSA Aviation Merit Badge Opportunity (but open to all 11 years or older). Visit our web site (vam.smv.org) for registration form, fee, and other details

26 March (Wednesday / 1:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.): Introduction to Weather — Repeat of above offering

27 March (Thursday / 9:30.a.m. – 4:30 p.m.): Introduction to Aviation — BSA Weather Merit Badge Opportunity (but open to all 11 years or older). Visit our web site (vam.smv.org) for registration form, fee, and other details

29-30 March (9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., both days): Wings ‘n Rails — All Aboard the Family Fun Express! Get ready for the Ninth annual model railroad extravaganza. Program is free with paid museum admission.

12 April (Saturday / 1:30 p.m. -4:30 p.m. p.m.): Meet Jay Jay™ Day — Bring your family and friends when Jay Jay the Jet Plane lands at the Virginia Aviation Museum! Meet Jay Jay and have your picture taken with this adorable little plane! Plus, face-painting, balloon art, button-making, crafts and more! Tickets are $8 each for all ages and include Virginia Aviation Museum admission.

26 April (Saturday / 9:30 a.m – 12:30 p.m. ): Outta’ Sight Flight — GSUSA Junior Aerospace Badge Opportunity (but open to all). Visit our web site (vam.smv.org) for registration form, fee, and other details

03 May (Saturday / 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.): F-14 Tomcat Forum — a rare opportunity immerse yourself in the history and operation of one of aviation’s most recognized icons. You learn why and how the Tomcat was developed. You’ll meet F-14 pilots and RIOs and hear their personal stores flying training and operational missions around the world from aircraft carriers

07 June (Saturday / 9:30 a.m – 12:30 p.m. ): Outta’ Sight Flight — GSUSA Junior Aerospace Badge Opportunity (but open to all). Visit our web site (vam.smv.org) for registration form, fee, and other detail.

09 July 07 June (Saturday / 9:30 a.m – 12:30 p.m. ): Outta’ Sight Flight — GSUSA Junior Aerospace Badge Opportunity (but open to all). Visit our web site (vam.smv.org) for registration form, fee, and other detail.

07 October (Saturday: SR-71 Forum (TENTATIVE DATE) … stay tuned

March 1st Day Hike to Camp Hoover

Hello Troop 37,

Brennon F. and Steven Mangano are the scout leaders on the on upcoming March 1st day hike to Camp Hoover. They will look a bit more into the trip details and lead us on day of the hike. If you have questions about the trip then please feel free to contact either Brennon, Steven or alternatively me.

Please let us know if you are going or not going by Monday evening’s troop meeting.

This is a wonderful day hike. Easy to plan and attend. See the information below.

YIS,

Gary

Day hike to Camp Hoover/Camp Rapidan on Saturday, March 1st.

• I am going but I need other parents. Who can drive please?
• Meet at church 8:00am and return approximately 3:30pm.
• Just need appropriate clothes, water, lunch, snack, personal first aid etc.
• Money: — Skyline drive fee.
• Parent Permission slip: http://people.virginia.edu/%7Egfb7c/Troop37/BSATroop37ParentPermission.pdf
• Drive to trail is about 1hr 30min. Map.

Camp history on line at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapidan_Camp

HIKE: Camp Hoover via Mill Prong trail. Round trip 4.1 miles; total climb about 870 feet; time required 3:50. Moderately rough in spots; not steep; three stream crossings, two of them very easy. See map above. Milam Gap is below and to the left of center.

Take the A.T. on the east side of the Drive, walk about 50 yards to the trail junction, and turn left onto the Mill Prong trail. For a third of a mile the trail descends gradually through overgrown fields and orchards, then enters older woods. Cross two small branches of the Mill Prong at 0.7 and 1.1 miles from the start. Thirty yards beyond the second crossing, the horse trail from Big Meadows comes in on the left. Note: for the next 0.8 mile you’ll be on the horse trail; horses have the right of way.

Less than half a mile beyond the trail junction, watch for a small waterfall on the right, where a cascade of water flows down over a sloping rock that spans the full width of the stream. Fifty yards beyond the falls, the trail turns right and crosses the stream. Use a little caution here; the rocks are slippery. Pieces of pipe that you may see on the far side of the stream were part of the original water supply system for Camp Hoover.

After another 0.3 mile, the trail ends and joins a road. Turn right, and follow the road to a small parking area. From here, the Laurel Prong trail goes to the right. (See the circuit hike, below.) Turn left to explore Camp Hoover (unless, as I said, it’s occupied.) The three original cabins that are still standing are The President, in the middle; The Prime Minister (which was used by Ramsay MacDonald, prime minister of Great Britain), on the right; and The Creel (which was occupied by two presidential assistants), on the left.

Go on around to the porch on the far side of The President. It’s a little unusual in that it was built around the trees that were standing there; the Hoovers tried to disturb the area as little as possible. A short distance down below the porch, the Mill Prong, coming from the left, and the Laurel Prong, coming from the right, meet to form the Rapidan River. (The very small stream that flows through the camp was man-made; it’s called Hemlock Run.)

Google Earth Map

Reminders for Cold Mountain Trip

    Hopefully you are all set to go for this weekend’s trip to Cold Mountain.  Here are some last minute notes.

    The winter camping guide is online at: http://people.virginia.edu/~gfb7c/Troop37/WinterCamping.htm   The key is to make sure you have dry and warm clothes while in camp.  We are only hiking 2.9 miles in to camp on Saturday and hiking out 2.9 miles on Sunday (see map).  See weather forecast below.

We will hopefully be on the trail around 10:00am.  And as long as we are in camp by 3:30pm we are ok.  That means we have 5 or so hours to hike 2.9 miles with snacks, lunch, enjoying the views, taking pictures, learning some outdoor skills etc.  Bring a list of merit badge skills you’d like to learn or practice.

    Saturday morning’s start time (7:00am at the church) is early because I want to make sure everyone has bed rolls, water, clothing and sleeping bags.  I want to make sure the group has stoves, fuel, food and water.   It is not fun having someone over night in a bad tent, light sleeping bag, on the cold ground with no hot chocolate.  Some in the group have not been backpacking w/me while others have.  In fact Scotty, Ben, Brandon, and Alexander went on the cold mountain trip last year I believe.

Remember there is group gear to pack.  Please leave some room in your pack so you can carry your share of the group gear.

    There is a campfire ban in place.  What a bummer.  The evening hours will be a touch cooler.

Please bring you parent permission forms if you are under 18 years — http://people.virginia.edu/%7Egfb7c/Troop37/BSATroop37ParentPermission.pdf I will collect the forms Saturday morning.

Jordan is grubmaster for the ducks.  Niko is grubmaster for the roadrunners.

Current weather forecast — We are at 3,600 to 4,000 feet.  Friday night will have been in the 20’s. Saturday: A slight chance of showers after noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 45. Southwest wind between 3 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 254. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

I have the tour permit and the map printout from above.  I will get the medical forms from Peggy.

Once we are on the trail, this is your trip (within certain boundaries!).

    If you have questions then please contact me and I will help as best I can.

Scouts going

Brandon M.
Alexander E.
Jordan F.
Taylor F.
Brennon F.
Scotty T.
Steven M.
Niko C.
Ben S.

Adults going
Jay F.
Gary B.
Mike C.

Yours in scouting,

Gary

Cold Mountain final preparations

What to consider when planning an outdoor event in the winter — On line winter camping guide.

Cold Mountain trip details

November 17-18 winter backpacking trip

Contact: Gary Banks, gbanks@virginia.edu, 434.981.9530.

SIGN UP DUE DATE IS NOVEMBER 12. 2007 AT THE TROOP MEETING

$15 /scout due with signup for group food purchases

1. Where: Cold Mountain, In general, circuit hike of 6 miles total.

2. Dates/Times: Leave Saturday, Nov. 17, 7:00am, Return Sunday, Nov. 18, early afternoon. We can call from vehicles ahead to parents in C’Ville.

3. Meals guidance: backpacking, backpack stove cooking, no camp fires for cooking purposes, make cooking and cleaning easy because of cold, limited daylight, minimum cooking gear. No cans. One pot boiling water meals.

• Breakfast Saturday at home Saturday before trip
• Lunch Saturday - Patrol meal requiring no cooking
• Dinner Saturday - Patrol meal, remember weight, cold takes longer, and limited daylight hours. Think one pot boiling water meals.
• Breakfast Sunday - Patrol remember weight, cold takes longer, and limited daylight hours. Think one pot boiling water meals.
• Lunch Sunday - Patrol meal requiring no cooking.
• Personal Snacks like cheese and crackers, granola bars, and trail mixes (Cheerios, chocolate chips, peanuts, raisins, and M&M’s).

4. Money: Grub master can’t get stuck with food bill. Food purchases will be shared.

5. Deadlines — NOVEMBER 12, 2007

• Required troop parent permission form. I have a paper version available on-line to print and sign.
  
• Letting Gary know you are going. Call, email. I will acknowledge. Tell me you are going. Tell me you are not going.
• Fifteen dollar group food deposit required. Non-refundable. Cash, check or money already in your individual scout account. Money will be disbursed to grub master. Balance held in your individual scout account.

More details about the trip online.

Summary of last year’s trip to Cold Mountain online

Applebee’s Fundraiser

Save the date for our Troop Pancake Breakfast at Applebee’s (Rt. 29)! Saturday January 26, 2008; 7:30 until 10AM As you are aware, the troop is in need of additional funds and this fundraiser can raise lots of money for us! Applebee’s Inc. donates all the food and drinks plus use of their restaurant so we get all the profit from this event. We will need all boys and parents to help sell tickets and get the word out. We’ll also need 10-12 boys/parents in uniform on 1/26 to help serve- no experience necessary. There will be a signup sheet for scouts in January.

Right after the New Year, we’ll be issuing each scout breakfast coupons that they can sell as well as flyers which can be posted around town. The success of this event depends on the advertising we do- Applebee’s does not get involved with the marketing. Thanks!