NEWSLETTER
Tuesday, February 14th
6:30pm ASM Roundtable
7:30PM troop meeting
From the SPL
Hey Troop 77,
I hope y’all had a great week. I loved the participation on advancement saturday, as well as everyone who attended the scout sunday service.
This week, the Hedgehogs will present on exploration and will also talk a bit about the different opportunities we have to explore on the campout this weekend.
Quick reminder: if I didn’t take a picture of your meal plan, make sure you get it to me somehow. Whether through an email, or bringing it in next meeting.
I hope to see you there!
YiS,
Alex King
(404)-679-8724
from THE SCOUTMASTER
We had a damp but productive Advancement Saturday. Great job Mr. Brewer pulling this together and thanks to our Merit Badge Counselors and all Adults that came out and helped with various activities throughout the day--including Mr. Hendereson and Landon Keith's work on the Orienteering Course. Thank you also to Mr. Kraft, who facilitated a great annual campout planning meeting. Most of all, great job and congratulations to our Scouts that participated in merit badge classes, and especially those who followed Mr. Kraft's lead and put together a solid camping schedule for us through May 2024.
This morning, Scout Sunday was well attended, and thank you to everyone that came, and a special thanks to those Scouts that participated in the service and Mr. DeLange for pulling it all together. The display in the Grand Hall was well received, and I am always amazed when they ask anyone who has been involved in Scouting to stand-up and it typically includes about 95% of the congregation beyond those of us in uniform. OGUMC is a great place for Scouting!
Our newest second year Scouts (the Bullshark Patrol and the Moose Patrol, unless they are having any second thoughts) will hopefully be working on designing patrol flags, coming up with a patrol yell, and anyone interested in running for Patrol Leader of either patrol needs to let me know. We hope to have those elections on what is quickly becoming Golden Election Night (as coined, I believe, by Sam Henderson).
Hopefully everyone going to Cumberland has been keeping tabs on all the happenings for that campout. I will not be attending, so Mrs. Henderson has stepped up again and volunteered to be the Scoutmaster for that Trip. As is always the case with the Cumberland Campout, there are a lot of moving parts, so make sure you keep checking THE WEBSITE and pay attention for last minute Reminds, etc. as Thursday (mandatory meeting and gear drop) draws closer.
ASMs - Please try to attend this week's ASM Roundtable at 6:30PM on Tuesday before the Troop Meeting. We have some positions to reassign and few changes in process, updates on requirements, etc. to talk about.
Looking forward, here are some things to be aware of:
SPL and Patrol Leader elections are coming up 2/21 and 3/7 respectively, so make sure you attend those meetings!!!! This week, we will be hearing speeches from our SPL candidates and they will be identifying their slate of ASPLs. It is important for each Scout to hear this information to allow them to make an informed decision on SPL candidates. Currently, the three eligible SPL candidates running are: Sam Henderson, Carlson Schaffner, and Reese Vaughn. I want to remind everyone that they need to elect the best candidate who is going to put in the time and effort to oversee and plan for meetings and summer camp from late March until late September. I cannot stress enough that this is not a popularity contest!!
Key Election Dates:
2/14 - SPL Speeches and Announcement of ASPLs
2/21 - SPL Election
2/21 - PL Declarations
3/7 - PL Elections
3/28 (end of meeting) - New SPL and PLs installed
Order of the Arrow Elections are scheduled for February 21st (same as SPL elections and new 2nd Year PL elections). We are required to have 50% troop attendance in order to conduct the OA Elections, so all scouts should attend that night so the election is valid. A list of potential candidates will be released later this week. Due to a technical difficulty with Scoutbook, I am having to go back and reverify information for each individual Scout, and it's taking me a little longer than anticipated.
Everyone needs to start putting on their thinking and focus caps for the District Camporee in late March. This is not a demonstration activity like Scout Challenge was last year. Instead, this is where every Troop and Patrol in Hightower Trail District comes together and competes in a myriad of Scout Skill games and activities. Currently, Troop 77's Gladiator Patrol holds the honor as best patrol at Camporee, so let's see if we can have a new patrol step up and claim that mantle. Golden Axe is also part of the Camporee, and we need to work on being more competitive in that activity, where a select team from throughout the Troop is picked to compete. So, start thinking about and working on those skills now.
YiS,
Mr. Clinton Cole
Troop 77 Scoutmaster
february 2023 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 through the end of May and some summer activities (the AMPS is subject to change, but it should not change too much).
FEBRUARY
2/14:
6:30P ASM Roundtable - Scout Hall
7:30P Troop Meeting (including SPL SPEECHES and DECLARATION OF ASPLs)
2/16: Mandatory Cumberland Island Campout Pre-Departure Meeting @ 6 PM - Scout Hall
2/17-2/20: Cumberland Island Campout and Service Project
Depart OGUMC on 2/17 @ 6 AM (arrive at trailers at least 20 minutes early; pack bagged breakfast to eat at first rest stop)
Return OGUMC on 2/20 @ ~5PM (lunch on ferry included; no stop for dinner)
2/21: Patrol Leader Declarations due by 10 PM - Please send to Mr. Cole by email (ctcole0308@gmail.com) and copy Mrs. Henderson (sara_crofton@yahoo.com)
6:30P Committee Meeting - Scout Hall
7:30P Troop Meeting (including SPL ELECTION; OA Election)
2/23: Hightower Trail District Roundtable @ 7 PM - location TBD - (planned discussion regarding youth emotional development generally and post-COVID with child psychologist; best practices discussion regarding electronics and electronics policies in Scouting)
2/25: Porsche Automotive Maintenance Merit Badge Day: Session 2 @ 7:30 AM - 3 PM - Porsche Experience Center Atlanta (Registration Closed; call AAC to see if any spots have opened)
2/28:
7:30P Troop Meeting (including ANNOUNCEMENT OF SPL ELECTION WINNER)
End of February: Registration Closes for 4/29 Merit Badge Summit (actual date registration closes is TBD)
Scout Day at the Capitol (March 9)
We are proud to invite our Scouts to Scout Day at the Capitol on Thursday, March 9 from 9AM - 11AM.
At Scout Day at the Capitol, young people from across Georgia come together to learn about civics, citizenship, and how to engage in elected forms of government. Through this unique experience, families gain a deeper connection to the State Legislature and enjoy the unique opportunity to be under the Gold Dome.
All registrants will receive a commemorative patch! Scouts attending are encouraged to wear their uniforms. There is a $3 per individual registration fee which includes Chick-fil-A breakfast. Register early. This unique event will fill up fast!
Sign up for Scout Day at the Capitol!
Scout Day at the Atlanta Hawks (March 25)
Join hundreds of Scout families from across Atlanta for Scout Night on Saturday, March 25th as the Atlanta Hawks take on the Indiana Pacers!
Each ticket includes $10 worth of food and beverage credit that can be used at the restaurants inside the arena. Each scout will also receive an Atlanta Hawks-themed Scout Patch (while supplies last). Tickets can be purchased through the provided link below!
Lead and Learn on Summer Camp Staff
Parents & Leaders,
We are searching for excellent leaders, just like your Scouts, to serve on the staff at Bert Adams Scout Camp and Woodruff Scout Camp for Summer 2023. Tell your Scouts about this excellent opportunity for growth, and encourage them to apply!
Camp Staff members must be age 15 or older, but those that are 14 can serve as a Counselor-In-Training (CIT) for a two-week volunteer experience.
Click Here for more information and have them apply today!
CAMPING
February Campout:
Remaining 2022-2023 Campouts
March 24-26: Camporee at Bert Adams
April 21-23: Survivalist Extreme
May 12-14: Backpacking
changes to campout registration
Two guidelines are now in place for campouts. You can read the details on the Campout webpage.
Completion of requirements - If a participant does not have med forms or required (adult) training completed two weeks before the campout, the participant will not go.
Cancellation and Refunds - If a participant cancels their participation within two weeks of the campout, some or all of the fee will still need to be paid.
These guidelines ensure the onus is on each participant to anticipate what they need to do and to plan ahead when they register for a campout.
camp cards
It’s camp card time! Sell camp cards to your family, friends, & neighbors to help earn $ for your escrow account to offset costs for your Scouting trips - summer camp, camping trips, Philmont, etc. Cards sell for $10 each & you earn 50% commission ($5) for each card you sell. Discounts on the card include Dick’s, Waffle House, Papa John’s, Six Flags, Race Trac and more. In addition, the Online Savers Guide offers hundreds of other retailers. The sale lasts until April 1st. See Mr. Rogers at Tuesday’s meeting if you want to pick up some to sell. For questions email jeffrogers0422@gmail.com.
Health Forms - Please review and update
Parents, please check dates on your scouts' health forms (and yours if you go on camping trips) and renew them in a timely manner.
Here is the link to a Blank BSA Medical Form
A few reminders:
· At minimum, please complete Form A, Form B1, and Form B2.
· You must attach a front and back copy of your insurance card to your completed forms.
· Attach an immunization record if available.
· At minimum, you must provide a month and year for the Tetanus immunization on B2.
· Please attach a copy of the front and back of his COVID vaccination card, if he's vaccinated.
· Form C is required for any events longer than 72 hours and for high adventure treks; it must be completed by a doctor and and can take weeks or months to secure, so start NOW especially if your son plans to attend summer camp.
· BEFORE TURNING IN FORMS, PLEASE SCAN A COPY and save for your records.
For those going on the Cumberland trip, your scout (and you if you are going) must have a current "C form" (physical completed by a doctor). If a participant does not have all med forms fully completed and turned in by February 2 that person will not go to Cumberland.
Any questions, let us know.
Best regards,
Jeanne Fell
Sara Henderson
404-229-3190
Troop 77 Medical Form Coordinator team
advancement
Congratulations to Troop 77's newest Eagle Scout, Henry Todd!
Advancement Desk - Parents are always welcome to come hang out at the Advancment Table to get to know the process the Troop uses for scouts to rank up, earn merit badges and awards. And we can usually use a little help at each meeting - filing things, processing merit badges, etc. Feel free to stop by at the meeting any time or reach out to me with any questions.
Board of Review (BOR) - Scouts - If you are ready for your Board of Review, sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D44AEAD29A7FF2-troop
Pam Crawford
770-891-0769
advancement OPPORTUNITIES
merit badge minute
Atlanta Area Council
The AAC is offering Aviation Merit Badge class on April 1st. Cost is $20 per Scout. Follow this link to register: https://www.atlantabsa.org/meritbadgedays
The AAC's next Merit Badge Summit is scheduled for April 29th (See below). Registration isn't open yet, but save the date now!
And, finally, registration for the AAC's Aquatic Merit Badge days will open on April 4th. This is a great opportunity to earn Swimming, Lifesaving and Small-Boat Sailing merit badges (and more!) before your Scout goes off to summer camp. Stay tuned for more information.
Chattahoochee Nature Center
The Chattahoochee Nature Center is offering Mammal Study Merit Badge on February 26th. Class costs $45. Sign up here: https://www.chattnaturecenter.org/education/scouts/scouts-bsa/
Dunwoody Nature Center
Dunwoody Nature Center has updated its merit badge offerings for the winter and spring. DNC is offering Bird Study on February 25, Nature Study on April 8, Soil and Water Conservation on May 27, and Sustainability on June 24. For more information, click here: https://dunwoodynature.org/scout-merit-badges/
merit badge summits
Merit Badge Summit is a quality Merit Badge program that helps Scouts learn about different fields of knowledge. By recruiting experienced professional counselors, Scouts receive an unparalleled experience. The per-class registration fee of $20 includes program materials for most classes with only a few exceptions. All classes (with a few exceptions) will be 4 hours in length. Classes will usually be offered either from 8 AM – 12 PM or 1:00 PM – 5:00PM. If you are staying all day, please bring a lunch. There is an additional cost option for Chick-Fil-A box meals for either a sandwich or nuggets at $10 per meal. Follow this link to find out more information: https://www.atlantabsa.org/MeritBadgeSummit.
There are one more upcoming Merit Badge Summit opportunity this Spring:
April 29th: Check https://www.atlantabsa.org/MeritBadgeSummit for details as to when registration will open.
DUTY TO GOD weekend: march 17-19
The Northeast Georgia Council is hosting a Duty to God Weekend at Scoutland campsite (3685 Looper Lake Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506) on Lake Lanier (~1.5 hrs from OGUMC) . The program will offer training specific to BSA Chaplains & Chaplain Aides. Anyone interested in serving in these roles should consider going. Currently, the cost is $50 per Student and includes one free adult attending per student.
The program is also offering the RP3 programs (Protestant) and NCCS Religious Activity programs (Catholic). These programs can be used to meet some/all BSA Duty to God religious emblems requirements for these two faiths. Participants will receive a patch upon completion! Adults can also participate and earn the patch. These Duty to God offerings are open to all youth from Kindergarten through 12th grade and adults. All are welcome (siblings, youth groups, etc.) as a student does not need to be a Scout to participate in these programs.
Registration includes Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Sunday breakfast, course workbook, patch, and materials
For more info, go to:
BSA sign up at https://www.nega-bsa.org/DutytoGodWeekend
Protestant* at www.praypub.org/rp3
Catholic at www.nccs-bsa.org/index.php/religious-activities
If you are interested in going or already signed up, please let Mr. Wade know via the Chaplain email address: chaplain@troop77bsa.org
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.
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.
SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCES
Scoutmaster Conferences for Scout, Star, Life and Eagle are conducted by Mr. Cole. You can sign-up for those Scoutmaster Conferences on the Troop's website under Scoutmaster Conferences and follow the instructions and use the Sign-up Genius link under SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCES SIGN-UP FOR SCOUT, STAR AND LIFE RANKS. IF YOUR SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCE IS BEFORE 7P, ONE OF YOUR PARENTS MUST BE PREPARED TO STAY FOR THE CONFERENCE TO REMAIN YPT COMPLIANT. 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.
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.
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 –
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