Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

We will be going on the Capital Trail Hike on December 5^th.  This is a great trip and an easy flat hike.  Bring lunch, raingear, water, and clothing appropriate for the weather.  Guests are welcome.   There is lots to see so bring a notebook for wildlife and plant identification.  You might want to bring binoculars and/or a camera as well.  We will depart from the church at 8:00 am and be back before dinnertime.   A permission slip will be included in next week’s update.   (No cost for this trip, but we will need some drivers.)

Winter camp is around the corner and summer camp is coming up fast.  We’ll need commitments!  Winter camp promises many unique merit badge opportunities. (January 15-18.)  More info to come.

For those who sold Popcorn, the money is due back no later than the meeting December 8^th, but next week is better!

We’re planning on trying for a SeaBase trip in 2011 – while that seems way off in the future, we need to plan now!  Members of the PLC are putting together information for a December meeting where we will discuss our options.  We need to know we have the commitment of enough scouts to make this trip a reality.   Please be thinking about going!

A note on behaving in a scout-like manner:  Remember that in order to be a good leader, you must also be a good follower.  Please do all you can to help your leaders be successful – youth leaders and adult leaders alike.  Some key words are helpful, cheerful, kind and obedient. (Heard these before?)

Advice from the Scoutmaster:  From the Scout Oath …”to help other people at all times”  Remember this Thanksgiving to be thankful for what you have, but also be thankful for the opportunity to help others.

Upcoming Events:

• 12/5 – Capital Trail Hike
• 12/22-23 – OA Carillon service project.
• 1/15-18 - Winter Camp

Please remember that Troop meetings start promptly at 7:30. Leaders are there from about 7:15 and Scouts can gather and take advantage of this time to talk to the leaders.  If you are leaving the meeting early, please make sure the scoutmaster or an assistant scoutmaster know you are leaving so we won’t go looking for you.

Fun and a Halloween Party – Thanks to Mrs. Tehan!!!

Bags Out is this Saturday October 31!.  Gather at Northside Baptist Church at 10:00.  Many hands make light work and this is approved service time.  7600 Studley Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23116.  Class A's please!

There is no meeting next week.  Election Day.  No School –No Scouts.

If you have any remaining Stew money or receipts, please make sure they get to Mr. Ames  at our next meeting!

The District Award Dinner is November 7th and is open to all scouts and families.   Ben Ward is leading the Flag Ceremony, and is looking for full Class A scouts to help out.

Equipment Amnesty Program!  We are missing several equipment items, coolers, tents etc.  Please check your sheds and garages for troop equipment.  For the next meeting there is a Troop Equipment Amnesty program.  No questions asked – just bring it back!

 OA dues are Due – forms are available from Ben Ward.

Advice from the Scoutmaster:  You can learn a lot from losing.  Learn from your mistakes and improve!

 Upcoming Events:

10/31 - Bags out - 10:00 Northside Baptist Church 7600 Studley Road.

11/3 – No meeting – Election Day

11/7 - Bags in

11/7 District Dinner (Ben Ward needs help with the Flag Ceremony)

11/14 – Chip Oaks Recruitment event – Overnight Camping!

11/17 – Hospital Visit – Meet at Memorial Regional by 7:30 – Don’t be late!

 11/21 – Hike – White Oak Canyon & Early service opportunity for CARATAS and NHPC

Please remember that Troop meetings start promptly at 7:30. Leaders are there from about 7:15 and Scouts can gather and take advantage of this time to talk to the leaders.  If you are leaving the meeting early, please make sure the scoutmaster or an assistant scoutmaster know you are leaving so we won’t go looking for you.

We had a great review of the Camporee – Scouts are now warm and Dry.  Then we played Human Checkers – Great team building!

If you have any remaining Stew money or receipts, please make sure they get to Mr. Ames by next week!

The District Award Dinner is November 7^th and is open to all scouts and families.   Ben Ward is leading the Flag Ceremony, and is looking for full Class A scouts to help out.

If any scouts are interested in arranging a Sunday Afternoon Mountain Bike Ride through the trails of Brady Saunders, please contact Mrs. Coffey.

Equipment Amnesty Program!  We are missing several equipment items, coolers, tents etc.  Please check your sheds and garages for troop equipment.  For the next two meetings there is a Troop Equipment Amnesty program.  No questions asked – just bring it back!

Keep selling Popcorn!!!

 OA dues are Due – forms are available from Ben Ward.

Advice from the Scoutmaster:  What you do speaks so loudly that I can’t hear what you say! Remember to Set the Example!

Upcoming Events:

• 10/31 - Bags out
• 11/3 – No meeting – Election Day
• 11/7 - Bags in
• 11/7 District Dinner (Ben Ward needs help with the Flag Ceremony)
• 11/7 - Recruitment weekend at Chippokes - leadership opportunity
• 11/14 – Chip Oaks Recruitment event – Overnight Camping!
• 11/17 – Hospital Visit – Meet at Memorial Regional by 7:30 – Don’t be late!
•  11/21 – Hike – White Oak Canyon & Early service opportunity for CARATAS and NHPC

Please remember that Troop meetings start promptly at 7:30. Leaders are there from about 7:15 and Scouts can gather and take advantage of this time to talk to the leaders.  If you are leaving the meeting early, please make sure the scoutmaster or an assistant scoutmaster know you are leaving so we won’t go looking for you.

Merit Badge Camporee 10/16-18 – Permission Slip is attached.

Meet at Carson Building at 6:30 PM, Friday, October 16th.  We will leave the church as soon as possible and proceed to Sandy Point in King William County.  We will return to the Carson Building on Sunday, October 18th around 12:30 PM.   Bring appropriate gear for the weather including rain gear, as well as paper a pen and a good attitude!

HELP NEEDED!!! - We may need an additional vehicle for transporting the boys this weekend. We have only 2 confirmed leaders staying the whole weekend and 12 boys. In addition, if someone has a truck that they can drive to pull the trailer, it would be most appreciated.

An urgent note to all scouts and parents of scouts in Troop 555:

 As we have looked at our equipment for the next camp out that is scheduled for this weekend, we have found that many items taken home for cleaning from past trips have not been returned to the Carson Building.

 This weekend, we are scheduled to camp at a location without a water supply, and we are missing water coolers from the troop trailer and/or shed.  New water coolers are expensive and the troop owns enough to have an ample supply of water for the camp out at Sandy Point.

 Again, this is an urgent request.  Scouts and parents are urged to look in your garages for troop equipment.

 If you find equipment that may be used this weekend, to specifically include water coolers, please send an email to Mr. Elliott (dbejr3@comcast.net) as soon as possible.  Thank you.

Popcorn ATTN: Special Prize offer for every Scout!!!!!!

·         Fill up your order form and automatically get entered to win a PS3!!!!

·         Every order form is another chance to win!!!

·         This drawing will be conducted after the Sale on Nov. 16th.

·         Don't forget about the Bow & Mallow!!!  No limit on how many bow and mallow's you can earn (EX: 1 filled order form = 1 bow and mallow).

Upcoming Events:

• 10/16 – 18 – Merit Badge Camporee!
• 10/31 - Bags out
• 11/7 - Bags in
• 11/7 District Dinner (Ben Ward needs help with the Flag Ceremony)
• 11/7 - Recruitment weekend at Chippokes - leadership opportunity
•  11/21 – Hike – White Oak Canyon & Early service opportunity for CARATAS and NHPC

Please remember that Troop meetings start promptly at 7:30. Leaders are there from about 7:15 and Scouts can gather and take advantage of this time to talk to the leaders.  If you are leaving the meeting early, please make sure the scoutmaster or an assistant scoutmaster know you are leaving so we won’t go looking for you.

Tonight Tonight Tonight!! (Thursday 10/8) - Troop Leadership Training at 6:30 on Thursday before the PLC at 7:30.  All newly elected and appointed leaders should attend!

Congratulations to the following scouts on Advancement: Matthew S. - Second Class, Scott M. - First Class – Keep up the good work!!!!

Merit Badge Camporee 10/16-18   Be ready to commit to attending Tuesday night!

Our lost equipment needs to be found!!!!!  Bring back all our equipment – Please!!!!! . There is a substantial amount of camping equipment missing. Please check your garage, your room, etc. for any equipment you forgot to return.

Popcorn ATTN: Special Prize offer for every Scout!!!!!!

·         Fill up your order form and automatically get entered to win a PS3!!!!

·         Every order form is another chance to win!!!

·         This drawing will be conducted after the Sale on Nov. 16th.

·         Don't forget about the Bow & Mallow!!!  No limit on how many bow and mallow's you can earn (EX: 1 filled order form = 1 bow and mallow).

Can you knot tie knots? Learn for the knot challenge!!!!  Knot skills are knot optional!

Advice from the Scoutmaster:  Money can't buy the things that really count.

 Friday - Chicken Picking at 6:00 PM.

 *

Scouts should plan to stay the night as we need to keep the five pots stirring all night and the more scouts we have, the more shifts we can have, so the less time we all spend stirring.

 *   Any adults who can stay the night are encouraged to do so.

 *   Bright and early Saturday morning we all gather (about 6:00 AM) to dip the stew into the quart containers and prepare the stew for delivery.

 *   Everyone who possibly can (adults, leaders, brothers & sisters, grandparents, neighbors) needs to help out with Chicken Picking and dipping.

 *   All stew must be picked up no later than 8:00 Saturday morning and out to delivery.

 *   We will need some folks to help return the pots and clean up as well.

 *   NEED SOMEONE WITH A PICK UP TRUCK TO MAKE A DUMP RUN ON SATURDAY.

 *   Everyone must wear a hat all times when dealing with the food.

• 10-2-3 – Fall Stew
• 10/16 – 18 – Merit Badge Camporee!
• 10/31 - Bags out
• 11/7 - Bags in
• 11/7 - Recruitment weekend at Chippokes - leadership opportunity
  

Lots of news !!!

Service time opportunity:

Thanks to all who came to and participated in our Court of Honor Tuesday night.  Congratulations to all who earned awards, and a special thanks to all who brought food – especially Mrs. Showalter and Mrs. Tehan who lead the organization of the food!

We’ll have our regular meeting Tuesday night.  Here are some announcements:

It's time for...POPCORN!
It's Council's annual fundraiser and we are encouraging each Scout to sell $200.  Call your friends and family and ask your neighbors.  Tell them not only will they get the popcorn, but they will also be supporting Scouting.  
 
Anyone who fills up an order form will get a bow & mallow.  And, everyone who participates in the sale will be entered into a drawing for our Popcorn Prizes.  We have a flashlight, survival tool, t-shirt, and the grand prize of a bow & mallow.  
 
To liven up the competition a little, we put a challenge out there to the patrols.  The patrol with the highest sales will win a pizza party in November.  Let's see which patrol has better popcorn sellers!   
 
Orders are due 11/3 and popcorn will be here 11/21 - more info to come as we get closer to the date.  If you did not receive an order form or need another, we will have them at the next Troop meeting.  If you have questions, please contact Kelly Slicker at kellyslicker@hotmail.com or 730-2287.  Happy selling!

On the weekend of 9/25-27 we will be attending the district Skill-o-Ree.  More details to come, but be prepared to demonstrate or learn the following:

-          Axe, knife sharpening

-          Totin chip test

-          Log chopping

-          Log splitting

-          Fire starting

-          Rope making

-          Stone tossing

-          Orienteering

-          Water hauling

-          Campsite set-up

-          Flag etiquette

In addition to the Scout Skill challenges, there will be a scavenger hunt and a dutch oven cooking. At night, there will be a campfire full of songs, skits, jokes, tall tales and lots of fun. Units are encouraged to perform a song, skit, jokes, etc. at the evening campfire.

Elections are the 29th.  On the 22nd we need to know who is willing to run for the various positions!

Upcoming Events:

·         9/25-27 – Fall District “Skill-O-ree”

·         9/29 – Troop Elections

·         10-2-3 – Fall Stew

Please remember that Troop meetings start promptly at 7:30. Leaders are there from about 7:15 and Scouts can gather and take advantage of this time to talk to the leaders.  If you are leaving the meeting early, please make sure the scoutmaster or an assistant scoutmaster know you are leaving so we won’t go looking for you.