NEWSLETTER
Tuesday, February 7th
6:00pm Northern Tier Interest Meeting
6:30pm PLC Meeting
7:30PM troop meeting
From the SPL
Hey Troop 77,
I hope y’all had a great week! This week we will be meal planning for the Cumberland trip. We will also be going over some basic scout skills and knowledge.
If you want to run for SPL, the deadline to put your name in the running is 2/7 at 10pm. Email Mr. Cole before that time.
I hope to see you there!
YiS,
Alex King
(404)-679-8724
from THE SCOUTMASTER
I was fortunate to get to attend Pack 345’s Crossover this Sunday. It was a great ceremony, a beautiful location (Chattahoochee Nature Center) and the weather cooperated. On Tuesday, we will be seeing some new Crossover Scouts at their first meeting, so make sure you welcome them and their parents. The Crossovers will be out newest First Year Scouts and our current First Year Scouts (Water and Earth Patrols) will become 2nd Year Scouts. All other groups will remain the same year until Patrol Leader elections and installation of new Patrol Leaders (i.e., we will have three 2nd Year Patrols for a month or so but everything else will stay the same for now). Earth and Water Patrol will need to decide what they new patrol names will be and submit those to me for approval, and they will also have patrol leader elections at an upcoming meeting. However, before the elections, if anyone has a reason to switch from Earth Patrol to Water Patrol or vice versa, please come talk to me on Tuesday or send me an email as to why you want to make that change. Once the new 2nd Year Patrols have approved names, they can work on designing a flag (Mr. Borja or Mr. DeLange will hopefully be able to help you), coming up with a yell, etc.
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 those Reminds, be on the lookout for specific emails, and check the Troop Website for that trip to make sure you have all your ducks in a row.
Also, please makes sure you are following the information regarding the upcoming Advancement Saturday (February 11th) and Scout Sunday (February 12th) activities.
I hope everyone enjoyed Golden Spoon competition at last week’s meeting. Thank you for getting everything cleaned up and hopefully put away right so everything is ready to go for Cumberland. Parents, a quick apology that the meeting ran long last week, but the meetings with cooking, fire buildings, etc. are a little more difficult to predict the schedule, so thank you for all your patience.
Looking forward, here are some things to be aware of:
SPL and Patrol Leader elections are coming up at the end of February/beginning of March, so start planning now. Click Election Guidelines for requirements, details, and more information on the dates below. I see *so many* qualified candidates in the troop! I hope many of you will consider putting your name in. If you have any inkling you may want to run, especially for SPL, THEN PLEASE RUN! Even if you lose, the experience will be well worth your investment, and who knows, you might win and get to hold one of the most prestigious positions in Scouting, which is even more so at Troop 77 due to our size.
Key Election Dates:
2/7 - SPL Declarations
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). 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 post mid-February.
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
2/7:
6:00P - Northern Tier Informational Meeting in Scout Hall
6:30P PLC - Scout Hall
7:30P Troop Meeting (including Meal Planning for Cumberland Campout)
DECLARATIONS TO RUN FOR SPL DUE BY 10 PM - SEND TO MR. COLE BY EMAIL (ctcole0308@gmail.com) AND COPY MRS. HENDERSON (sara_crofton@yahoo.com)
2/11:
Advancement Saturday @ TBD AM - OGUMC
Campout Planning Meeting @ TBD PM - OGUMC
2/11: Porsche Automotive Maintenance Merit Badge Day: Session 1 @ 7:30 AM - Noon - VSC (Registration Closed; call AAC to see if any spots have opened)
2/12: Scout Sunday @ 10:30 AM - OGUMC Sanctuary
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)
eat out to support the troop (February 6)!
Dinner Out to Support Troop 77! THIS WEDNESDAY, February 6 at Salaryman Toco Hills!
Salaryman (owned by Troop 77's own Lo family) is opening their second location soon right here in Toco Hills! They have invited families to a special PREVIEW NIGHT on Wednesday, with proceeds benefiting the troop! Come be the first to check out the newest neighborhood eatery AND support the troop!
This is a staff training night, so RSVPs ARE REQUIRED to stagger arrivals: Click here to RSVP
advancement saturday (february 11)
Advancement Saturday is right around the corner! Join us on February 11th at OGUMC for some great outdoor activities! Please click below for more information and to sign up:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054FA4AA2BAAF94-advancement1
scout sunday (February 12)
Scout Sunday is THIS Sunday, 2/12 during the 11:00 AM Traditional Service at Oak Grove UMC. All scouts and families are invited and encouraged to join the service in person in the Oak Grove UMC Sanctuary. Scouts should plan to wear FULL Class A uniform (with neckerchief). We will have the first several rows reserved for Scouts and families, so please come fill up the seats!
Please stop by Grand Hall before or after the service, where we will have displays all about Scouting at Oak Grove set up to explore.
Scout Sunday is one of the most visible activities we participate in each year for the greater Oak Grove UMC community, and it is a great opportunity to thank the church and its members for all they do to support our troop.
Get 20% off at Academy Sports on February 8th
In celebration of Scouting's birthday this Wednesday, Academy Sports + Outdoors is offering scouting families 20% off their entire purchase on February 8! To access this special offer, download the coupon and either shop online at academy.com using the promo code or present the coupon upon checkout at any Metro-Atlanta Academy to receive your discount!
Access Your 20% off Coupon Here
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.
Northern Tier Info meeting
Join us Tuesday, February 7 at 6:00 p.m. in Scout Hall If you have interest in learning more about joining a crew to Northern Tier High Adventure Base during the summer of 2024. Mr. Leff and others will talk about their past experience, what the next trip will be like, and answer questions. Contact Mr. Leff (mitch@leffassociates.com) with questions.
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
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.
BOR ASSISTANCE NEEDED! - Parents - This week we have 3 Scouts signed up for a Board of Review which is the last step for them to earn their rank. It is a great way to know the scouts, what is going on in the troop, and what your own scout does when they earn their ranks. Each BOR takes 3 parents (those not already working with the troop) to meet with the scout - so if you can help at this weeks meeting, sign up on the same SignUp Genius the Scouts use (below). I have a list of questions if you are not sure what you would ask during the BOR. It is greatly appreciated!
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 2 upcoming Merit Badge Summit opportunities this Spring:
February 4th: (Please note that registration for the 2/4 classes is closed, but it never hurts to check-in with the Council and see if there are any last minute openings)
April 29th: Check https://www.atlantabsa.org/MeritBadgeSummit for details as to when registration will open.
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.
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
Escrow account balance report (please note "as-of" date as these balances change often)
Request Invoice Payment using Scout Escrow Balance
Expense Reimbursement Requests
Grubmaster/Cobbler reimbursement requests
Transportation/Trailer reimbursement requests
Other General Expense Reimbursement requests
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