NEWSLETTER

TUESDAY, January 17th

6:30PM committee meeting

7:30PM TROOP MEETING

important message for all parents

Please plan on celebrating and supporting your Scout's progress during our Court of Honor Ceremony on Tuesday, January 24th at 7:30pm.  After the ceremony completes during the 1/2 half of the meeting, we're asking all parents to stay for refreshments, socialization, and updates on what's happening with Troop 77 as we transition into our Spring and Summer activities for the Scouts.

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

• 1/17:

  • • 6:30P Committee Meeting - Scout Hall

    • 7:30P Troop Meeting

      • Meal Planning for Golden Spoon competition on 1/31

• 1/20: Registration Closes for Cumberland Island Campout @ 10 PM - Online

• 1/24:

  • • 7:30P Court of Honor - OGUMC Grand Hall (1/2 Meeting)

    • 8:15P Troop Meeting

    • 8:15P Parent Meeting

• 1/26:  Hightower Trail District Roundtable @ 7 PM - location TBD - (planned discussion regarding Venturing Crews, Scouting after age 18, and Order of the Arrow)

• 1/26: Hightower Trail District Banquet at 5:30PM - Dunwoody Nature Center (cost $30 per person)

• 1/31: 

  • • 7:30P Troop Meeting (GOLDEN SPOON COMPETITION!!)

FEBRUARY

• 2/3: Registration Closes for Advancement Saturday @ 10 PM - Online

• 2/4: Eagle Scout Merit Badge Summit: 

  • • Morning Session @ 8 AM - Noon; 

    • Afternoon Session @ 1 PM - 5 PM 

    • VSC (Registration Closed; call AAC to see if any spots have opened)

• 2/7: 

  • • 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)

UPCOMING COUNCIL/DISTRICT EVENTS

See below links for activities:

Atlanta Area Council Calendar

Hightower Trail District Website

February Campout: 

February 17-20: Cumberland Island Service 

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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

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

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

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:

• 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.

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 –

•  https://www.remind.com/join/troop77p

• Or text @troop77p to the number 81010

Troop 77 Scouts

• https://www.remind.com/join/troop77s

• or text @troop77s to the number 81010

Troop 177 Parents –

• https://www.remind.com/join/troop177p

• Or text @troop177p to the number 81010

Troop 177 Scouts

• https://www.remind.com/join/troop177s

• 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

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