NEWSLETTER
tuesday, august 24th
7:30 meeting outside scout hall
ASM Helpdesk will open at 6:45pm before each meeting in August
Masks Required During Troop Meetings at OGUMC
Going forward, masks are required during troop meetings and scouting activities INDOORS AND OUTDOORS on the OGUMC campus for all individuals REGARDLESS OF AGE OR VACCINATION STATUS.
We can meet indoors when appropriate (i.e., due to weather, Court of Honor, to use AV equipment, etc.), but everyone MUST BE MASKED, including covering both your mouth and nose at all times indoors and outdoors.
As a Troop, we will also continue to encourage and enforce social distancing both indoors and outside. We also continue to encourage all eligible Scouts, Adult Leaders and anyone else eligible that may come in contact with Troop 77 Scouts to get vaccinated and help minimize the risk to the Troop and our Scouts.
Our mask policy will be strictly enforced for Troop 77. We understand the need to be flexible and recognize that Scouts will inadvertently violate the policy, but any repeated or intentional violation of the new indoor mask policy will be grounds for immediate removal from the meeting and potential suspension from future meetings.
FROM THE SCOUTMASTER
We had a great Court of Honor last week, and I am sorry some of you had to miss it. We gave out a ton of rank advancement, merit badges, and awards/training acknowledgement. If you were unable to attend, please see Mrs. Crawford to pick-up your packet of completed badges, partial blue cards, etc. Charlie Brewer did a great job as MC and a big Thanks to Bryan Ackerman who unknowingly volunteered to help Charlie out and Carlos Schaffner also volunteered reading names so Charlie did not have to go through all approximately 300 names himself after Troop 177 decided to delay their Court of Honor. Great job Evan George of putting together the photo slide show (we will work on length and music at the next one). Also, a big thanks to Mrs. Crawford and Mr. Brewer for all their hard work in making sure almost everyone that should have been recognized got recognized. There are always a few people that get missed at these things, typically due to how dates are entered in Scoutbook, so if we missed something for you, then please let us know and we will get it resolved. Finally, thank you to the Hospitality Team for feeding us yummy cupcakes and brownies and being flexible as we had to change venues, etc.
This week’s meeting will see us complete SPL and Patrol Leader elections. As those of you that were at the Court of Honor last week are aware, David Anderson is running unopposed for SPL, and for his ASPLs, he has selected: Mitchell Payne, Myles Garber, Cadhan Cole, Nash Booth, and Even George. I think it’s a great slate of ASPLs and a solid cross-section of the Troop that will make up the next Senior Patrol. Electing Patrol Leaders is a very important decision, and I encourage each patrol to have as many members present as possible. In addition to elections, we will be having discussion and training regarding the upcoming Cub Scout Bike Rodeo (8/26 from 5P to 8P). Mrs. Henderson will be helping us get ready for that event. We may also have some discussions regarding Positions of Responsibility with the Traditional Scouts and the Older Scouts discussing how to make our planned revival of the Instructor Program a success.
Please make sure you get signed-up for our Broad River Kayaking trip that will be September 18th and 19th. We will likely be paddling both days, so it should be a lot of fun. Remember, if you plan on going on the kayaking trip and have not taken your swim test in the 12 months, then please contact me ASAP at ctcole0308@gmail.com, so we can arrange for that to happen in enough time fo you to make the trip. This is not something that you should wait until the last minute to try and get done. Registration for the Broad River Kayaking Trip closes at 10P on September 6th, so make sure you mark your calendars and register early. Similar to the recent rafting trip, we need firm numbers by 9/6, and it will be difficult to add spots after that date. Everyone will also need to fill out waivers and then like for this trip also. You can find more information on this trip in the Newsletter and on the Troop’s website under the Camping tab.
I’m really looking forward to great meeting and campout participation the fall. So, Patrol Leaders, please do what you can to get your whole patrol to come out to meetings and get as many of them as possible to try and make it to some campouts and activities this fall. In addition to our 2 water trips (rafting we already did and kayaking coming up next month), we are going to do some hiking/backpacking, have some opportunity to participate in Conservation Weekend (formerly Hornaday), have our traditional Thanksgiving Feast (and WEBELOS games) at Cloudland Canyon in November, and wrap it up with our campout in December, which is currently slated for caving but may change due to the then current status of COVID issues. We will also have our traditional volunteer activities at the annual OGUMC BBQ and be able to earn some merit badges with classes before regular meetings and at Merit Badge Extravaganza in late October.
I know things are a little crazy these days for all of us with the start of school, folks busy with work, all the uncertainty surround COVID, etc., but Scouting is a place to get away from all of that, even if only for a few hours a week and one weekend a month going camping. It really is an opportunity and a blessing to be able to distract ourselves with such fun, positive, and unique chances to “escape” for a little while on a regular basis.
Mr. Cole
Scoutmaster Troop 77
GOLDEN EAGLE LUNCHEON
Mr. Cole is hosting a table on behalf of Troop 77 at the Atlanta Area Council’s Golden Eagle Luncheon Friday December 10th (gathering at 11:30A and event starts at 12P) at the Cobb Galleria Center. The Keynote Speaker will be Chris Womack who is Chairman, President and CEO of Georgia Power. This is a great opportunity to learn more about Scouting in Atlanta and for those with additional means to enhance and further contribute to Scouting as we continue the character building and leadership development in the the young men and women participating in Scouts BSA. If you are interested in taking part in the Golden Eagle Luncheon, please contact Mr. Cole directly or register at https://www.atlantabsa.org/ge-register and put Clinton Cole in the “Who Invited You to Attend the Luncheon” line.
advancement
Court of Honor: We were able to have a great Court of Honor last week thanks to the hard work of so many volunteers to get the Scouts their Board of Review, process advancement items, creating blue cards, getting signatures, creating the advancement packets, and making sure everyone had refreshments (yum!). I appreciate everyone who helped make the COH a success. THANK YOU!!!
Advancement Packets:
We are looking for Ethan Rodgers' advancement packet and believe it was handed out to the wrong scout. Please check your packet and make sure you have the right one! If you have Ethan’s packet, please let me know (and bring it to the meeting and we will get you the correct one).
Sam Henderson’s advancement packet may have been in the parking lot so if you have it, he would like to get it.
Blue cards: included in your packet are completed blue cards which have been signed. These are yours to keep and I do not need any part of the blue cards for the items in your packet
Incomplete merit badge blue cards: the adult leader signature on the application portion has been signed. So, time to finish the requirements and meet with a merit badge counselor.
There are two patches from Camp Woodruff - one is the 2021 patch and the other signifies the number of years our troop has attended Woodruff Summer Camp.
If you find there is something missing or something that needs correcting in your packet, come see me at the meeting this week.
Board of Review: I so appreciate all the help from the BOR volunteers the past few weeks. This week we have 3 scouts signed up and need 3 adults per BOR. It is a nice way to get to know the scouts and their scouting experience so please help! Otherwise, they will have to wait which delays their advancement to the next rank. To sign up go to: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d44aead29a7ff2-troop
Scouts, if you need a BOR, sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d44aead29a7ff2-troop If all the slots are full, let me know so I can see about getting you on the schedule.
Pam Crawford, Advancement Chair
pamcrawford1@me.com
committee chair update
Hello Parents,
Welcome back to our 2021-22 Scouting year! We had a great Court of Honor celebration this past week and are looking forward to one of our most robust Scout programming years.
Our August Committee Meeting was held last Tuesday and the meeting notes can be found using the following link and is also available under the Committee Corner page on the Parent Portal. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gZsHRAsXn-xKFPV0qeylSGF46LlrUSeF/view?usp=sharing
All parents are welcome to attend our monthly committee meetings that are typically at 6:30pm the 3rd Tuesday of each month
One key item from our committee meeting was that we need additional parent volunteers to help with:
Planning and leading/supporting monthly camping trips
Back office record keeping and communications management
We have a lot of volunteers who will be transition out of Scouting in the next 6 to 18 months and we need additional parents to help out. Our experienced volunteers/leaders are here to help new volunteers to help out in ways that work for your interests and personal schedule. Scouting is Scout led, and Parent Support.
If you were not part of the Troop back in May or did not have a chance to fill out our parent volunteer survey, we would really appreciate it if you could take 5 minutes to fill in the following survey: https://forms.gle/7khMdgWNWtxM4iqv6
Yours in Scouting,
Bruce King
Troop 77 Committee Chair
MERIT BADGE SUMMIT - october 30
The Atlanta Area Council's Merit Badge Summit helps Scouts learn about different fields by recruiting experienced professional counselors. Registration will be opening soon for the second Merit Badge Summit of the fall, which will take place on October 30th at the Volunteer Service Center (where the Scout Shop is located by the new Braves Stadium). More details on the October 30th Merit Badge Summit will be forthcoming soon.
Follow the link for more info: https://www.atlantabsa.org/MeritBadgeSummit
OGUMC BBQ
Save the date of Saturday October 16th for the Oak Grove UMC Barbecue. Details for the barbecue are still being finalized, but we expect all Scouts to volunteer to help out at that event. Also, we need about 6 volunteers to help cook cobblers for the overnight cooking crew on Friday the 15th starting around 6:30P in 2-man 1.5 hour shifts.
Swim tests for september kayak trip
We are in the process of arranging some limited dates for conducting swim tests prior to the Broad Rive Kayaking Trip in September. I assume most people that will be attending the trip already took the swim test at one of the five prior opportunities to do so earlier this year. However, if you did not, then please let Mr. Cole know by email (ctcole0308@gmail.com) as soon as possible that you are planning on going on the KayakingTrip and need to take the swim test, and we will let you know the dates for us to conduct the swim tests shortly.
You can also have the test completed yourself using the attached form and information https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/outdoor%20program/aquatics/pdf/430-122.pdf. Note that a Council-Approved Resource must be used to conduct the test as stated on page 2, and before you use an "etc." please contact Mr. Cole (ctcole0308@gmail.com) to verify who you want to use is acceptable. Once the test is completed, the test administrator should fill out page 1 AND provide a copy of their current certification or credentials. You should then scan (do not photograph) and email the completed page 1 and credentials to Mr. Cole at the email above or bring them to him at a Troop meeting. He will then sign them and keep them with the Troop's master Swim Classification records.
SENIOR PATROL LEADER (SPL) AND PATROL LEADER GUIDELINES FOR ELECTIONS FOR FALL 2021
FREQUENCY
The next SPL and PL terms will begin on 9/28/2021 and run through the end of the meeting on March 22, 2022.
SPL Candidates must declare to the Scoutmaster by email (ctcole0308@gmail.com) their intention to run for SPL no later than 10:00 PM on August 10, 2021 and demonstrate they meet the eligibility requirements below.
SPL Candidates must prepare and deliver a 2-3 minute speech on their qualifications and plans on August 17, 2021 and announce their specific proposed ASPL slate at that time (a candidate’s ASPL slate can include other SPL candidates) [NOTE: this is the same night as the next Court of Honor and this will be incorporated in that activity, so please be prepared to speak in front of not only Scouts but also parents as well as Adult Leaders for the Troop.]
SPL and PL Elections (and any potential Runoffs) will be held at the Troop meeting on August 24, 2021.
ELIGIBILITY
A Patrol Leader (PL) candidate must:
Agree to run for election and express the desire and responsibility for the position,
Be active in the Troop having satisfactory Troop meeting and campout attendance,
Have eligibility approved by the Scoutmaster before the election, and
Have registered for or completed ILST.
A Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) candidate must:
Meet the above Patrol Leader requirements,
Be Star rank or above,
Participate in pre-election candidate speech and announce specific ASPL candidates,
Be available to attend the PLC at the first Troop meeting in September (9/7/2021) as a (1) non-voting observer, and (2) in any PLC capacity the SPL-elect is currently serving,
Be a member of the PLC in the past 2 years,
Completed NYLT (can complete in June for spring/summer term or November for fall/winter term if not completed already, but you must be registered before elections),
Have earned 8 campout points or more,
1 point per campout for the past year
2 points for attending most recent summer camp (Woodruff in July 2021) or any other full-week Scout summer camp in the summer of 2021
1 point for each Order of the Arrow level completed (for Ordeal, 1 point will be credited if you are a recently elected candidate and registered for an upcoming Ordeal weekend)
1 point for each of the four BSA High Adventure Bases attended or registered to attend
Have attended at least 2 campouts in the 6 months prior to the election date.
NOTE: The Scoutmaster may waive any and all eligibility requirements based upon special circumstances, so if you are considering running but fall a little short somewhere, then let's discuss instead of just assuming you cannot run.
SPL REQUIREMENTS
Plan, attend and lead all PLCs, Troop meetings and campouts (some exceptions may apply),
Provide communication and newsletter updates as required,
Fill all Positions of Responsibility and communicate same to Scoutmaster immediately upon induction as SPL,
Be responsible for fulfilling all duties of an SPL for the full term (Scouts who “age-out” during the 6 month terms are not allowed to run for SPL if they will age-out more than 15 days before the end of their term),
Prepare and Host Annual Campout Planning Meeting (February) or Annual Planning Meeting (May) during SPL term and prepare and update appropriate planning forms,
Provide draft Troop Meeting and Campout Program Plans to Scoutmaster in writing at least 4-weeks prior to a meeting or campout,
Review all meal plans for campouts and provide a copy of the final meal plans to the Scoutmaster along with individual roles on the campout (e.g., grubmaster, quartermaster, patrol leader, etc.),
Regular Zoom or in-person meetings with the Scoutmaster for planning and training purposes, and
Attend upcoming Summer Camp as SPL (for spring/summer candidates ONLY).
SPL WINNER/RUNOFF
An SPL candidate will be elected SPL if he receives 50% or more of the votes of the Scouts attending the SPL election meeting. If no candidate receives at least 50% of the votes of the Scouts attending the SPL election meeting, then a runoff will be held at the end of the meeting. The runoff will be comprised of the two highest vote receiving candidates plus any candidate that receives at least (1 divided by the number of SPL candidate)% of the vote (example, if there are 5 candidates and no one receives 50%, you would have a runoff with the top two vote getters plus any candidate that received 20% off the vote). In the event of a runoff, the SPL candidate with the highest number of votes in the runoff will be elected SPL, even if the total votes received is less than 50% (i.e., there will be no second runoff). If there is a tie, then whichever candidate can tie the 6 Woodruff Knots the fastest will be declared the winner (or whatever other absurd challenge the Scoutmaster comes up with on the spur of the moment).
SPECIAL LIMITED TIME EXCEPTION
Due to the unusual size of the current class of Third Year Scouts (rising 8th Graders), starting with the Fall 2021 Elections, an elected SPL is limited to one (1) approximately 6 month term as SPL. An SPL elected prior to or during the Special Limited Time Exception period cannot run for re-election during the time period of this Special Limited Time Exception. A former SPL can become an ASPL during the time period if so selected by a future SPL. The Special Limited Time Exception will run from the start of the Fall 2021 SPL term (i.e, the upcoming election) through the end of the Spring 2024 SPL term. After expiration of the Special Limited Time Exception, an SPL who was limited to running for one term, can run again for additional terms.
Bike Rodeo Service Opportunity
For its first pack meeting of the school year, Pack 577 is hosting a Bike Rodeo on Thursday, August 26th. We need lots of youth and adult volunteers to help starting at 5:00 pm for pre-meeting setup and then running the stations for the actual event. This is a great opportunity for the troop to showcase itself to the pack. After all, cub scouts LOVE being around older scouts!
Mr. Cole has approved this event as a service hour opportunity.
There will be a pre-Rodeo meeting for all volunteers during the 8/24 troop meeting (time TBD).
Bike Rodeo Signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040C4CA9AF29A02-pack1
winter camp 2021
Register today for 2021 Winter Camp at Bert Adams! For 5 days and 4 nights in December, Scouts BSA and Venturers will have the opportunity to camp and take part in unique programs and merit badges not available during Summer Camp. Check out our website for more information.
BLUE CARDS
At this time, unless specifically requested by a non-Troop 77 Merit Badge Counselor, we will not be issuing or authorizing Blue Cards through Scoutbook. If you make a merit badge request through Scoutbook, it will go unanswered, and you will need to make that request in person to either Mr. Cole or Ms. Crawford depending on the subject matter. If a non-Troop 77 Merit Badge Counselor asks you to use Scoutbook's Blue Card feature, then please see Ms. Crawford or Mr. Cole prior to the class for further instructions.
Also, we have become somewhat complacent on getting Blue Cards signed BEFORE a Scout starts a Merit Badge, and we plan on holding to a more strict and regular process going forward. Prior to starting any Merit Badge, you should fill out your details on the Blue Card, the name of the Merit Badge, and the name of the Merit Badge Counselor. Prior to requesting a signature to allow you to start the Merit Badge, you should have already spoken with and confirmed that the Merit Badge Counselor is willing to work with you on the Merit Badge. At that point, you should then get the Blue Card signed my one of the following: Mr. Brewer, Mr. Gupta, Mr. Narula or Mr. Cole. In the event you are attending a Merit Badge class event with a non-Troop 77 Merit Badge Counselor (e.g., Merit Badge Summit), then you should still fill out a Blue Card as above, except for the name of he Merit Badge Counselor, please insert the organization hosting the Merit Badge event. You should then get the Blue Card signed by one of the four authorized signers BEFORE attending the Merit Badge class. If you receive a new Blue Card at the Merit Badge event or if your record of completion is only available electronically (e.g., through Tentaroo for an Atlanta Area Council event), then you should see Ms. Crawford after the Merit Badge class (and bring your signed Blue Card) to ensure all the paperwork you need is received and in order for her to process your Blue Card and for me to be able to award your Merit Badge.
ORDER OF THE ARROW
The following Scouts have been elected to the Order of the Arrow in 2021 but have not completed their Ordeal.
Benjamin Burn
Cadhan Cole
Miles Floyd
Michael Meschi
Peter Soulimiotis
Sully Varnadoe
I encourage those youth who have not registered for their Ordeal to do so at their earliest convenience. Please go to https://aacegwa.org/candidates/ in order to register.
Candidates elected in 2019 have until December 1, 2021 to complete their Ordeal. Candidates elected in 2020 have until the induction weekend which takes place closest to, but after, 24 months from the actual date of their election to complete their Ordeal.
Additionally, Ordeal Members are eligible to complete their Brotherhood Membership 6 months after completing their Ordeal Induction Weekend. Below are Troop 77's Ordeal Members who are eligible for Brotherhood:
Keegan Cole
Brandon Rutland
Kenny Gilbert
Thomas Howser
Bryan Zhao
Ken Gilbert
Brotherhood Membership completes the induction process for all members of the Order of the Arrow, so it’s important to complete the Brotherhood experience.
Brotherhood inductions are offered at Spring Gathering, Fall Fellowship and all Induction & Fellowship Weekends. We may have other members of the OA in Troop that are eligible to complete Brotherhood, but if you have not paid your current year's dues, you will not be on the list above. You are still eligible to register for events and can complete Brotherhood after paying your dues for this year. You can register for Lodge Events through your Tentaroo Account if you have one (or can set one up) at https://www.atlantabsa.org/admin2/login.
SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCES
Scoutmaster Conferences for Scout, Star, Life and Eagle are conducted by Mr. Cole. You can sign-up for Scoutmaster Conference for Scout, Star and Life by using the SignUp Genius on the Troop's Website under Scoutmaster Conferences (https://sites.google.com/troop77bsa.com/scout-parent/scoutmaster-conferences?authuser=0) and following the instructions on that webpage. Scoutmaster Conferences for Eagle can be arranged by emailing Mr. Cole at ctcole0308@gmail.com.
Scoutmaster Conferences for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class are completed by an Assistant Scoutmaster and should be arranged through the ASM Helpdesk or by contacting Mr. Jensen at garyljensen@gmail.com.
wood badge course registration
Looking to advance your skills as a Scout leader? Complete your Wood Badge training with the Atlanta Area Council. Registration for the final two Wood Badge courses of the year is open.
TROOP 77 ADULT REGISTRATION ENHANCED RULE
As we enter the fall camping season with some great trips on the schedule and even more in the winter and next spring, I want to remind everyone of Troop 77's enhanced Adult registration rules. I have provided the basic rules below, but for the full text and how to register, etc., please refer to the Troop's Parent Guidebook under the Forms/Resources tab on the Troop website. A link to the full Rule can be found in the Attachments listed on Page 26 of the Troop's Parent Guidebook and referenced as "Adult Registration Rule".
The Guide to Safe Scouting states that, "All adults accompanying a Scouting unit who are present at the activity for 72 total hours or more must be registered as leaders. The 72 hours need not be consecutive."
1. Troop 77 will continue to follow the rule above, and it is enhancing the requirement for better protection of our Scouts as well as ease of implementation.
2. On all Campouts, Summer Camps, High Adventure or the like lasting more than 72 hours (Long Term Camp), all adults present FOR ANY PORTION of the Long Term Camp must be a Registered Adult with Troop 77 at least two (2) weeks prior to the Long Term Camp, except any parent attending "Parent's Night" or the equivalent and not spending the night OR any driver to/from a Long Term Camp that is spending less than 24 hours at the Long Term Camp (including drive time) with the Troop.
3. An unregistered adult parent/responsible adult of a Scout may attend one Troop 77 Campout of less than 72 hours (Short Campout) without being a Registered Adult (however, the adult will still need to complete Youth Protection Training and Hazardous Weather Training before the first Short Campout). Before an adult can attend a second Short Campout with the Troop, they must be a Registered Adult with Troop at least two (2) weeks prior to the second Short Campout.
Please remember that these rules are in place to keep all of our Scouts safe, so we appreciate your diligence and cooperation on these matters. In order to become a Registered Adult, you will need to fill out and submit a BSA application with background check authorization, pay your dues annually, and stay current with YPT and HWT. Please contact our Membership Coordinator regarding application matters or our Training Coordinator regarding training matters.
NOTE: We are waiving Part 3 of this rule (except the requirements to be YPT and HWT trained) with respect to the upcoming Rafting Trip in August due to timing constraints and limitations on refunds by the rafting companies; however, Part 3 of the rule will be in full force and effect starting with the September Canoeing Trip and from that point forward. Remember, it is your responsibility to follow-up and register if you have been on one campout and are planning on attending a second one but have not registered. Please take that responsibility seriously, as oftentimes I do not have a chance to verify the issue until immediately prior to a campout. In that case, it might not be possible for you to get registered in time, and you might not be able to attend the trip or get a refund, so please plan ahead.
WHO WANTS TO DO SOME LOCAL HIGH ADVENTURE THIS OCTOBER?
As part of his Wood Badge Ticket, Mr. Cole and other Leaders are taking a crew of co-ed Scouts (we will be doing this through the Venture Crew made up of Scouts from Troop 77, Troop 177, and Venture Crew 77) on a Local High Adventure Trip that will simulate the backpacking adventure of attending Philmont (without it taking 14 days, traveling to New Mexico, and costing nearly $2,500 like Philmont does). This is not a preparation hike for our 2022 Philmont Trip but rather a completely standalone adventure. The trip will be over the long Columbus Day weekend leaving the evening of Wednesday 10/6/2021 after school and returning Monday 10/11/2021. I am looking for three sets of volunteers:
(1) approximately 8-10 Scouts (14+ or have completed the 8th grade) both girls and boys to go on the actual hike itself (NOTE: If more Scouts are interested, then we can have more than 1 crew and everyone eligible should be able to go],
(2) approximately 5 Older Scouts, preferably with Philmont experience, to meet us on the trail for one day (likely either Saturday or Sunday) and host a Philmont-like Program Activity (and then those Scouts can hike before and after that day in the same area), and
(3) Adult Leaders to (a) go with me and the High Adventure group (Thanks Ms. Henderson and Ms. Indu for stepping up as Female Adult Leaders) on the hike, and (b) at least two leaders to hike with and assist the Older Scout Program group.
If you are interested in getting involved in this project, then please send me an email at ctcole0308@gmail.com with what part you are interested in doing (hiking crew, program crew, or Adult Leader).
National Outdoor Award
If you have been with the Troop for a while (or are just curious), then check out the BSA website https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/advancement-and-awards/noa/ to learn more about the National Outdoor Award. The NOA is typically pursued by older Scouts with several years of Scouting experience, but it is never too early to see what is required and set some goals for earning an NOA one day in the future. If you qualify for any of the NOA awards or want to start tracking your progress toward an NOA, then please contact Mr. Cole as he was a spreadsheet that will help you consolidate and calculate the information needed. If you already have an NOA, you can continue to earn additional segments, so this is a great time to review your spreadsheet and see if you qualify for additional gold and sliver honors.
If you have any questions regarding the NOA program (or any other Award programs), please let Mr. Cole or Ms. Crawford know and we will help you pursue those.
NATIONAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING (NYLT)
NYLT is a week-long advanced leadership course designed to teach Scouts the tools, techniques and skills they need to be better leaders – not only in their units, but also at home, in school, and in their daily lives. Led by an exemplary, highly-trained youth staff, NYLT participants work hard and play hard together through group activities, games, and adventures as they experience Scouting at its best.
You can find additional information, details, registration links, etc. on the Atlanta Area Council's NYLT website at: https://aacnylt.org/
The remaining course sessions for 2021 are as follows (winter sessions in parking lots near Adventure Camp or Camp Emerson in Covington, GA - all sessions are proximate to Bert Adams Scout Camp in Covington, GA):
Session 4 (Weekend 1): Saturday, Nov. 20 2021 8:00 am - Tuesday, Nov. 23 2021 3:00 pm AND
Session 4 (Weekend 2): Saturday, December 4 2021 8:00 am - Sunday, December 5 2021 3:00 pm
Session 5: Sunday, December 26 2021 1:00 pm - Friday, December 31 2021 5:00 pm
If you are interested in Staffing NYLT as a youth next summer, then please check the following webpage regularly: https://aacnylt.org/staff-nylt/. If you find out they are accepting youth staff applications, etc. for next summer, then please let Mr. Cole know so we can update the Newsletter and announce that information.
SEwing
Scouts, Parents and Adult Leaders:
Ms. Todd (jantodd4@bellsouth.net) can still use some more Scouts, Parents and Leaders to join the sewing group. I think we only had one or two people step-up to help her, and we could use several more. Without our sewing group, you would need to get patches sewn on at the Scout Shop or elsewhere, and you often are charged $2 - $3 to have a patch sewn on, and that can really add up. Ms. Todd and her group provide this service to us for FREE, but we also need to give back and help her out by providing more people willing to sew.
Mrs. Todd will share her knowledge, help you understand exactly where patches go, best stiches to use, etc. This is also a great volunteer job because you do not have to do the work at meetings!
So, if you have a sewing machine and some basic skills (I know some of you do because I see new patches sewn on your Scout’s shirts), please reach out to Ms. Todd and she will get things coordinated. Uniforms are a main tenet of Scouts, and we need some additional help to get us where we need to be given the size or our Troop.
Thanks. Clinton Cole
Scoutmaster Troop 77
SCOUT DAYS WITH the BRAVES and the falcons
Atlanta Braves Baseball -- August 28, 2021
Cheer on the Atlanta Braves as they face off against the San Francisco Giants. Discounted tickets will be available, and a portion of each ticket goes back to support Metro-Atlanta Scouting! Bring your friends and family to celebrate Scouting and baseball - Two great Atlanta traditions.
Atlanta Falcons Football -- October 3, 2021
Football season is back and you're invited to cheer on the Atlanta Falcons as they face off against the Washington Football Team. Discounted tickets will be available with a portion of each ticket sale going back to support Metro-Atlanta Scouting! Bring your friends and family to celebrate Scouting and receive an Atlanta Falcons Scout Day patch!
Please visit https://www.atlantabsa.org/scoutdays to learn more and buy tickets to both of these great events.
CAMPING
September Campout - - Canoeing on the Broad River
September 18-19
Registration Deadline: Monday, September 6 at 10:00 p.m.
Trip Leader(s): TBD Trip Planner: Andrew Kraft
Trip Links
Trip Sheet - Coming Soon
Online Signup - Coming Soon
Waivers - Coming Soon
merit badge minute
For those interested in earning the EPA award, Dunwoody Nature Center is offering the REPTILES & AMPHBIANS merit badge on Saturday, August 28th and the INSECT STUDY merit badge on Saturday, September 11th. Registration to open soon. Please mark your calendars if interested. A complete list of upcoming workshops can be found here: https://dunwoodynature.org/scout-merit-badges/
Aquatics Merit Badge Days at Camp Allatoona Aquatics Base: There is one more 2021 session in September. Register here! https://www.atlantabsa.org/caabmb
Earn merit badges at home with the Daniel Boone Council. The course list will be continuously updated over the summer, so check back often. Scouts need a valid Cyber Chip before starting any on-line merit badge. Scouts also need approval from Mr. Brewer, Mr. Cole, Mr. Gupta or Mr. Narula before enrolling. More information through the Daniel Boone website: https://www.danielboonecouncil.org/virtual
Registration for "Conservation Weekend" at Camp Woodruff is now open. Camp will be held the weekend of November 12th and costs $95 per Scout. Scouts can earn up to 3 merit badges over the weekend, many of which fulfill EPA award requirements. https://www.campwoodruff.org/conservation
community service opportunities
JUST UPDATED! Click the link below to see all of the community service opportunities available this fall.
https://sites.google.com/troop77bsa.com/scout-parent/service
Communication
Remind Application
Troop 77 Parents –
Or text @troop77p to the number 81010
Troop 77 Scouts
or text @troop77s to the number 81010
Troop 177 Parents –
Or text @troop177p to the number 81010
Troop 177 Scouts
or text @troop177s to the number 81010
Scoutbook
At least one parent/guardian MUST activate their Scoutbook account.
Only the linked parent/guardian can activate the scout's access to their Scoutbook account. (If you scout does not have an email please make them a free account at gmail.com)
To activate your Scout's account complete please click here How to activate your scout's Scoutbook account
Scoutbook has a mobile app. Search for “Scouting BSA” in the APP Store or Google Play and download today! Your login is the same as the web version.
Coming soon a scout will be able to check their escrow account, if medical forms are out of date, swim test status and much more