NEWSLETTER

TUESDAY, January 10th

6:30PM ASM ROundtable

7:30PM TROOP MEETING


From the SPL


Hey Troop 77,


I hope y’all had a great week. This week the Axolotls will have a presentation on how to be a good citizen. There will also be a mini-presentation on caving in preparation for the camp out. 


First years, y’all will be working on basic first aid skills.


Everyone going on the camp out, I’m sorry for misinforming you last meeting. Each campers lunch will be brought from home, not by the grubmaster.


Hope to see you there!


Yours in Scouting,

Alex King

akingt77@gmail.com

(404)-679-8724

from THE SCOUTMASTER


I want to thank everyone who made it out for our first meeting of the year last week.  Between meal planning, citizenship discussions and jeopardy, and Wynn's Eagle Patch Ceremony (plus behind the scenes Caving Campout planning) it was a busy meeting.  This week we have our second installment on citizenship, and I cannot stress in this day and time how important citizenship is in every person's life no matter how young, how old, where you fall on the political spectrum, where you work, etc.  It touches every aspect of our lives and is a critical component of Scouting at all levels.  If you do not truly understand the process and meaning behind citizenship, you can never be a fully functional member of society in this country.  Harken back to the Scout Oath for a moment, "...do my duty to...my Country....", is your pledge to work on all aspects of citizenship.


As a reminder, Mrs. Henderson will again be donning the Scoutmaster mantle the next couple of weeks as I will be out-of-pocket for my Mom's surgery and the early part of her recovery.  Scoutmaster Conference dates and times will be available before the 1/17 meeting, but they may be limited.


Our rescheduled Court of Honor will be the first half of the meeting on January 24th with a slide show to follow.  Both Scouts and Parents should attend.  While we do advancement and recognition almost weekly, it is very important to be recognized in front of all your peers and all parents at a Court of Honor.  So, everyone please make sure you attend.  For something to be included in the Court of Honor, it must be fully completed and given to the Advancement Team by the end of the Troop Meeting THIS WEEK (1/10). [NOTE, THIS IS A WEEK EARLIER THAN I ERRONEOUSLY STATED IN LAST WEEK'S NEWSLETTER!!]


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.  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


To continue the election theme, Order of the Arrow Elections will be happening on February 21st (the same night as SPL elections).  We have to have at least 50% attendance in order to conduct the OA Elections, so everyone go ahead and circle that week on your calendar as a meeting you are not going to miss (because we want you to vote in BOTH elections that night)!  I will circulate a list of potential candidates in about a month.  OA is SBSA's National Camping Honor Society, and you can vote for everyone on the ballot or only certain individuals. This should not be a popularity contest, and I would argue strongly that given the strength of our camping program and skills as a Troop, anyone that is eligible should get elected.


We have released an updated Annual Planning Summary, which can be found at the bottom of the Calendar page of the Troop's website.  As always, it is a work in progress, but it gives a great snapshot of what we will be doing this spring and some information about things happening this summer, so I encourage everyone to take a look at it.


YiS,


Mr. Clinton Cole

Troop 77 Scoutmaster


January and 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).

JANUARY




Caving Campout - Camp Jackson









FEBRUARY















End of February:  Registration Closes for 4/29 Merit Badge Summit (actual date registration closes is TBD)



UPCOMING COUNCIL/DISTRICT EVENTS


See below links for activities:


Atlanta Area Council Calendar


Hightower Trail District Website


CAMPING

Remaining 2022-2023 Campouts

February 17-20: Cumberland Island Service 

March 24-26: Camporee at Bert Adams

April 21-23: Survivalist Extreme

May 12-14: Backpacking

mlk service hours opportunities



Frazier-Rowe Park Clean Up


On MLK Day, Frazier-Rowe Park will be hosting a park clean up from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.   Please consider giving your time, even if you are not in any immediate need for service hours.  Please e-mail Mr. Brewer at wesbrewer@hotmail.com with any questions. 


https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054FA4AA2BAAF94-mlkservice



Oak Grove UMC offsite service project


Saturday and Monday (9 - 1 pm and 1 - 5 pm) and an afternoon shift on Sunday (1 pm - 5 pm). Lunch will be provided for morning shifts.


A variety of skills are needed for the OGUMC MLK weekend project at the home of Stuart Maifield (226 Mead Dr, Decatur, 30033). Children 12 and older are invited to participate but they must be accompanied by a parent. Here is the link for more details

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c49adab2caaff2-mlkservice?fbclid=IwAR2FAnbbbBpfHYdWfPTEjnQd_6G7UAbr9bqvhm5yJQF-QZt5idz6wB7M4Rs#/ 


 

W.D. Thomson Park (friendsofthomsonpark@gmail.com)


Sunday January 15, 1:00 - 3:30pm

They will supply tools, water and some snacks. (Clean work gloves will be available if needed, but it's always better if you can bring your own!) This month's meeting spot is in the lower parking lot, between the picnic shelter and the field. Projects this month will include spreading more mulch on the native plant restoration area, and removing more invasives from the hillsides between the picnic area and the surrounding roads. In addition, we hope to plant some paw paw trees! We will work from 1-3:30pm, but please join us whenever you can.


 

Briarlake Forest Park (briarlakefop@gmail.com)


Monday, January 16 from 10:00 a.m. to noon.


Regular Community Work Day on Saturday, January 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m


Please bring your leaf rakes and work gloves.


 

**The above have been approved by the Scoutmaster, but transportation and supervision are to be provided by parents. Scouts should wear a Class B shirt and have someone from the organization sign a 3x5 card with the name of the organization and how many hours you worked.


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 

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.  For those going on the Cumberland trip, please remember your scout (and you if you are going) will need a current "C form" (physical).


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.

 

Any questions, let us know.


Best regards,

Jeanne Fell 

Sara Henderson

404-229-3190

Troop 77 Medical Form Coordinator team

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


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 Environmental Science Merit Badge on January 21st and Mammal Study Merit Badge on February 26th.  Each 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 Environmental Science on January 14, 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:




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


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 –

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