NEWSLETTER

TUESDAY, December 6th

7:30PM TROOP MEETING IN SCOUT HALL


PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE POSTPONING THE WINTER COURT OF HONOR UNTIL JANUARY.  THIS WEEK WILL BE A NORMAL TROOP MEETING.

From the SPL


Hey Troop 77,


I hope y'all had an amazing week! Due to unforeseeable circumstances, our CoH is being postponed until after the holidays and we'll have a regular meeting this week where the older scouts will lead a short presentation on the high adventure bases.


I hope to see you there!



Yours in Scouting,

Alex King

akingt77@gmail.com

(404)-679-8724

from THE SCOUTMASTER

Greetings


As Alex mentioned above, we will postpone the Court of Honor until early 2023.  So this week we will have a normal troop meeting in and around Scout Hall! 


Yours in Scouting,

Mrs. Sarah Henderson

Troop 77 Assistant Scoutmaster


december 2022 DETAILEd cALENDAR

Note: The majority of the dates in this section are on the Troop Calendar.  If you have not done so already, please subscribe to the Troop's calendar by following the instructions on the Calendar page of the Troop’s website.

In addition, on the Calendar page of the Troop’s website (underneath the calendar itself), you will find the latest released update to the Annual Planning Meeting Summary, which will give you an idea of what we will be doing for the next 10 months (the AMPS is subject to change, but it should not change too much).


DECEMBER 








CAMPING

Remaining 2022-2023 Campouts

January 14-15: Caving at Tumbling Rock 

February 17-20: Cumberland Island Service 

March 24-26: Camporee at Bert Adams

April 21-23: Survivalist Extreme

May 12-14: Backpacking

Attention all Adults - many hands make light work!


Troop 77 operations are 100% supported by Adult volunteers that donate time to support all the planning and management of our monthly campouts, summer camp, community service, high adventure trips, merit badge classes, advancement tracking, and other special events like Courts of Honor.


With approximately 120 Scouts in Troop 77 and several of our Adult Volunteers transitioning out of Scouting, we need more Adult Volunteers of both returning and new Scout parents to actively support Troop 77 so that our youth members have a fun and rewarding experience.


Although we can use additional support for most functional areas, our most URGENT NEED to have someone serve as our registered TREASURER.  Hamilton will no longer be able to support our banking relationship with UCBI and OGUMC after June 2023.  It’s critical that get another Registered Adult Leader to fill that role with the support of others that assist with invoicing and expense reimbursements.


We also need several Adults to assist with our 2023 Summer Camp Planning and Execution and other advancement activities and campouts. 


If you are not already a registered leader with Troop 77, then please complete the following form:   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdP1jPVk0cI7amqKz2O4pjdm-e8wqmIl6EYn6z_Xu8KTvoArw/viewform?usp=share_link 


 

Alternatively, if you would like to register as an official adult leader/volunteer with Troop 77 then please complete this form:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf7uuWrIadGojW-Y5YUWNvJcY6oNZ806_9HAa5gYl55rnrZfw/viewform?usp=share_link 


Please note that Adult volunteers for most support functions are NOT required to be a registered member of Scouts BSA.


Given the size and robustness of our Troop 77 Adventures and Advancement opportunities, we expect at least one Adult member from each Scout family to assist with at least one event/activity each Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer.  This could be as simple as serving on a Board of Review, leading a Merit Badge class, serving in a committee role, or helping with summer camp. 


Yours in Scouting,


Bruce King

Troop 77 Committee Chair

commchair@troop77bsa.org 

Scouts needed for the OGUMC Youth Christmas Tree Lot!   

 

The OGUMC Youth Christmas Tree lot is back in 2022!   This is a great opportunity to earn service hours and to serve our chartering organization, Oak Grove UMC.   DID YOU KNOW - the Christmas Tree lot supports were built as an Eagle Scout Project by Troop 77 alum Harrison Varnadoe.  


Please help staff the lot!  Youth and adults are needed every day to staff the Christmas Tree Lot!  Put your sales skills to work, and help families find the PERFECT tree!  Sign up for an available shift HERE:  https://signup.com/go/SVQQLxE 


advancement



Board of Review (BOR) - Scouts - If you are ready for your Board of Review, sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D44AEAD29A7FF2-troop 


advancement OPPORTUNITIES

merit badge minute

Bert Adams Winter Camp

Registration is open for Bert Adams Winter Camp.  Between December 27 and 31, Scouts have the opportunity to earn up to 5 merit badges.   Cost for the 4-night event is $220.  For more information, click here:  https://www.campbertadams.org/wintercamp


DUTY TO GOD: RELIGIOUS EMBLEM AWARD

Hey guys, this is Zander Parris the Chaplain’s Aide for the troop. One of the main things that I do as Chaplain’s Aide is help you earn the Religious emblem for your faith. Religious Emblems are awards you can get for learning more about your religion and growing stronger in your faith. Please fill out the survey below so that we can recognize your religious beliefs and help you earn the religious emblem for your faith.

https://qfreeaccountssjc1.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bBjpz5FeOrsG0jc 

Jamboree band

Attention all Band folks - here is a great opportunity with the Jamboree Band!

If you play a musical instrument in your high school or college band or even just for fun and will be at least 16 on or before July 19, 2023, the Jamboree Band is a great way to experience a National Scout Jamboree at a lot less cost than it is to go with a contingent.

Scouts and young adults who are interested should contact the Jamboree Band Director, George Pinchock at pinchock@aol.com and let him know you are interested. Mr. Pinchock is the Associate Director of Music at Villanova University in Pennsylvania where he works with the concert, marching and pep bands, and advises student performing groups. He served as director of the Jamboree Band in 2013 and 2017 and is the Scoutmaster of Troop 50 in Schwenksville, PA.

Band members get to do just about everything participants do plus play concerts for thousands of Scouts and Scouters.

winter Camp

The Atlanta Area Council is excited to offer Winter Camp at Bert Adams Scout Camp for Scouts BSA Troops and Venturing Crews. For 5 days and 4 nights in December, Scouts BSA and Venturers will have the opportunity to camp and play at one of America's premier camps.  Our winter camp will introduce unique programs and merit badges that are not available at either of our summer camps. We've pulled together the best of our summer camp staffs for an all-star leadership team. Scouts BSA and Venturers can attend as a Troop or Crew, patrol, or as an individual provisional Scouts BSA/Venturer.  Activities include over 60 Merit Badges, Games, Cracker Barrels, an epic Klondike Derby, Cold Weather Camping Activities, Campfires, and other unique programs.

https://www.campbertadams.org/files/42668/2022-winter-camp-flyer

Important Note: If you are interested in attending Winter Camp as a Troop, then please contact Mr. Cole by email at ctcole0308@gmail.com so we can gauge if there is enough interest to make this a Troop event or assist you with individual registration.


NYLT


Only two National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) sessions remain this year.  We strongly recommend all eligible Scouts that have not previously attended NYLT to register and take part in BSA’s preeminent Youth training opportunity.  This six-day course is designed to equip Scouts with the skills to improve their leadership in all aspects of 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.

To be eligible for NYLT, before the week you plan to attend, you must:


The remaining 2022 NYLT Session Dates are as follows:


Fall Session (Part 2) - Saturday, Dec 3 2022  -  Sunday, Dec 4 2022

Adventure Camp (Bert Adams Scout Camp)


Winter Session - Monday, Dec 26 2022  -  Saturday, Dec 31 2022

Camps Emerson & Gorman (Bert Adams Scout Camp)

You  can find additional information and register for NYLT at: https://aacnylt.org/

ORder of the Arrow


Hello everyone, this is Ryan Shimabukuro, your Order of the Arrow (OA) Troop Representative. This newsletter contains important information about current and upcoming OA events, and more.

Events and Registration

The link to our Egwa Tawa Dee Lodge website is https://aacegwa.org. It has a calendar of upcoming events and information on how to register for the events. 

Dues

Yes, there are dues in the OA. This year, and every year, dues are $25. They are due NOW! In some situations, if you did not pay dues last year, then you will need to pay those in order to pay your dues for this year and stay current. HOWEVER, this is important, if you attend OA events in which you pay a fee, the fee should cover your dues.

The Troop does NOT reimburse for payment of Adult or Youth OA dues, unless the Adult or Scout is actively involved in OA (e.g., attends monthly meetings, Chapter and Lodge events, Conclaves, Fellowship Events, Service Events, etc.), in which case you need to talk to me or Dr. Gilbert.

The link for paying dues is: https://www.atlantabsa.org/OAMemberRenewal

What is the Order of the Arrow?

According to the Order of the Arrow’s website (https://oa-bsa.org/), the Order of the Arrow is an honor organization that recognizes Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. This recognition provides encouragement for others to live these ideals as well. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long-term resident camping, and providing cheerful service to others. OA service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich and help to extend Scouting to America's youth.

Etowah Chapter:

The following are the elected officials (and advisor) in our Chapter:

Chapter Chief: RJ Holloway rj@rj-holloway.com

Vice Chapter Chief: Violet Todd violet.todd.7@gmail.com

Etowah Chapter Advisor: Ramus Caribbean EtowahAdviser@aacegwa.org

If you have any questions about the events, you can contact me or RJ, the current Etowah Chapter Chief at rj@rj-holloway.com.

Thanks!

Ryan

Summer Camp     June 18-24, 2023


Summer Camp is the week of June 18-24 at Camp Sequoyah in Delta Alabama. This is a different week and location than our original plan for summer camp in 2023. July ended up not being an option due to the timing of our Philmont crews and Woodruff (and most camps) not having an 8th week of summer camp. 

Financial Management Support LInks


Attention Parents!

There's a new Financial Management Tab on the Scout/Parent Portal to assist with tracking and management of expense reimbursement and escrow accounts.  

Please use the links on this webpage to submit expense reimbursement requests or for campout/other payments that you'd like to pay using your Scout's escrow balance.

Escrow Accounts


Expense Reimbursement Requests

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.  IF YOUR SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCE IS BEFORE 7P, ONE OF YOUR PARENTS MUST BE PREPARED TO STAY FOR THE CONFERENCE (SO THAT WE HAVE TWO ADULTS PRESENT AND NO ONE-ON-ONE CONTACT) SO THAT WE CAN REMAIN YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING COMPLIANT.

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.

EAGLE COURTS OF HONOR HELP 


For anyone (Scouts or Parents) who can volunteer some time to help organize a few things, get things setup, or help take things down at the end of Eagle Courts of Honor, Mrs. Cole could certainly use the help.  It’s not an overwhelming amount of stuff to get done by a team, but it starts to get overwhelming if you are having to do it all by yourself. If you’re interested in helping with the Eagle Courts of Honor please contact Holly Cole (hpcole77@gmail.com or (770) 401-4992) and let her know.  With a big backlog from COVID and being fortunate to have 1-2 Scouts earning Eagle a month, this is a great way to give some time to the Troop on a night other than Tuesdays and a great place to start volunteering.

UPCOMING COUNCIL/DISTRICT EVENTS


See below links for activities:


Atlanta Area Council Calendar


Hightower Trail District Website


community service opportunities

Click the link below to see all of the community service opportunities available now.

https://sites.google.com/troop77bsa.com/scout-parent/service

Communication     


Remind Application

Troop 77 Parents –

Troop 77 Scouts

Troop 177 Parents –

Troop 177 Scouts

Scoutbook

Other Announcements

Troop 77 Calendar: Use the following address to access the Troop 77 calendar from other applications. You can copy and paste this into any calendar product that supports the iCal format.

https://www.scoutbook.com/ics/17077.45861.ics