NEWSLETTER

tuesday, january 25th

7:30 meeting at Twin Lakes Swim & Tennis (info below)

from the Senior PatroL leader


Hi everyone,

This week we will be continuing our nature month by the Kraken Patrol. See you all Tuesday.

YiS,

David


PS: Anyone in the Kraken patrol - please contact me, since I have received no plans from your patrol.

FROM THE Scoutmaster


I hope everyone had a great week and is not too sad that we missed the winter weather this weekend.  It was chilly, but at least you could get a few things done outside during the day without freezing.

A big CONGRATULATIONS! to Alex King for being selected to serve on Atlanta Area Council's National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) Staff this summer.  Way to go Alex!

Again, please read this Newsletter in detail from top to bottom and Parents please make sure your Scouts read it too.  There is a lot going on in Troop 77, a lot of new information, and a lot of follow-up on old information, etc.

Meeting Location This Tuesday (1/25).  We will be meeting again at Twin Lakes Swim & Tennis located at 2841 Briarlake Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30345 this Tuesday (January 25th) under the sheltered area in the pool complex.  While obviously not as ideal as meeting at OGUMC, it worked pretty good last week, especially once Ben Burn figured out how to get all the lights on (a big THANKS! to Ben for his efforts).  Parking will again be somewhat limited, so be courteous and respectful of others as TL is letting us use the facility and restrooms (main reason for not being at OGUMC) for free.  We will let you know as soon as we know whether we will be meeting at Twin Lakes the following week or will be back at OGUMC.  Also, there is a 50/50 chance I will not be at the meeting Tuesday due to another commitment, so if you know you have something you need to talk to me about that is a priority, please try to shoot me an email.  PARENTS: please try to arrive a little on the early side (maybe 8:40Pish) this week for pickup.  Since temps will be pushing down into the 30s on Tuesday and likely dropping fast after dark, we will try to get wrapped-up early again if possible (no promises, but that will be our goal).  Depending on the temperatures and how everyone is feeling toward the end of the meeting, we may do Rank Advancement (but likely not merit badges) this week to try and get out of the cold early but still get those patches in the Scouts' hands as soon as possible.

Annual Campout Planning Meeting.  We will be having our Annual Campout Planning Meeting during the afternoon of Advancement Saturday on February 5th.  All members of the PLC or their designates should try to attend along with Older Scouts and Adults that are regular campers with the Troop.  Patrol Leaders, you should be talking to your Patrols and getting their input on the types and locations of campouts they would like to see happen from Summer 2022 through late spring 2023.  Please see the section on Advancement Saturday in this Newsletter and make sure you sign-up for the Campout Planning Meeting if appropriate.

Annual Planning Meeting Summary (APMS).  A  revised APMS is posted on the Calendar tab under the Calendar itself on the Troop's website.  I recommend everyone check-out the APMS every few weeks to stay abreast of what's currently happening at meetings, campouts, etc. in a summary format.  You  can also find a lot of information on the Troop's calendar on the website along with instructions on how to add the Troop's calendar to your personal calendar.

Eagle Court of Honor.  Ben Buxton and Brandon Rutland will be having a joint Eagle Court of Honor on Sunday January 30th at 3P in the OGUMC Sanctuary.  There will be no reception afterward, but we are happy that the Church decided to honor this pre-scheduled commitment and allow the ceremony itself to occur while the Church is closed.  Please wear masks inside the Church at all times, and please depart the Church quickly after the ceremony and do not enter other areas such as the Great Hall, Scout Hall, etc.

Patrol Campouts.  The Kraken Patrol is planning a Patrol Backpacking trip next weekend (January 29 and 30) in 25 degree weather--those are some tough Second Years!  I encourage all patrols to plan Patrol Campouts as they can be great fun.  If  you are a member of the Kraken Patrol and this is the first you are hearing about the Patrol Backpacking trip next weekend, please contact me as soon as possible.

Scoutbook Update.  Keep an eye out for a Google Form that we will be sending out sometime in the next month regarding providing information so we can edit/update Scout and Adult information in Scoutbook.  The information we will be requesting is very helpful for us to have for a variety of reasons, so please fill out the form online as quickly as possible upon receipt.  We will be listing anyone that has not filed out the form in future Newsletters until we get a 100% response.   Please note, we have limited ability to update Adult or Parent information in Scoutbook (although, we will be sending you a Google form for what we can update), so I would ask each Adult and Parent to go into their Scoutbook account online and review and edit their profile information over the next 30 days to make sure their information is correct.  If you do not have a Scoutbook Account, please follow the instructions on the Troop's website to set one up.  YOU DO NOT NEED TO UPDATE INFORMATION REGARDING SWIM CLASSIFICATION, ANNUAL HEALTH RECORDS, OR OA AS WE TRACK THAT INFORMATION SEPARATELY OUTSIDE OF SCOUTBOOK FOR SECURITY REASONS.  If you notice your OA information in your Scoutbook Profile is incomplete or inaccurate, then please bring that to my attention.

Swim Tests.  We will be hosting swim tests throughout the spring; however, since our Trip to Okefenokee Swamp has been canceled, the necessity for completing those swim tests immediately is less.  Some people will need to complete them before Survivalist as that will have a water element this year, and everyone going to Philmont in 2022 will need to complete one as we will be staying at a location with a large pool facility that you will likely want to take advantage of.  In addition, people will want to get the swim tests done before Lake Allatoona's Merit Badges Days begin.  Just remember that the swim tests we take in Atlanta WILL NOT be valid for Summer Camp at Camp Daniel Boone.  Due to the cold water in the CDB lake, each person that wants to take an Aquatics Merit Badge or the like must pass the swim test in the colder lake water (about 62 degrees - brrrrr!)

Thanks.  Mr. Cole

upcoming eagle court of honor

ADVANCEMENT SATURDAY


Our sign-up for Advancement Saturday is now open!  Please follow this link:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054FA4AA2BAAF94-advancement

We will be offering Scouts the opportunity to start seven different Eagle-required merit badges:  Camping, Citizenship in the Nation, Cooking, Communications, Family Life, Personal Fitness and Citizenship in the World.  

We will also have stations set up for First Aid (working on both rank and merit badge requirements) and Orienteering (First Class requirement #4a).  Additionally, the Help Desk will be open for those Scouts working on rank requirements.

Please bring $15, cash or check.  Fees will be used to update Troop gear.

Please e-mail Mr. Brewer (wesbrewer@hotmail.com) with any questions.

SCOUT SUNDAY 2022


Oak Grove UMC will celebrate Scout Sunday on Sunday, February 6 during the 11:00 AM Traditional Service.  Several scouts from across all four units (Troop 77, Troop 177, Crew 77, and Pack 577) will participate in the service, which will be streamed live from the sanctuary.  This year, due to the low capacity in the sanctuary, scouts who are not participating directly in the service are encouraged to join the live stream.  We are working to secure a space inside at a location outside the Church for all Scouts, Adult Leaders, and Scout Families to gather on Sunday, February 6th and watch the OGUMC service online together in uniform, etc.  Please look for more information and details regarding that in upcoming Newsletters.

positions of responsibility


Hello all,

I know that POR's are needed for a lot of you. The only one currently open is the second Librarian position. Unfortunately there are no other PORs that are open at the moment. Please email me at mylesgarber03@gmail.com if you are interested in becoming a troop 77 librarian. Thanks.

Myles

advancement


Congratulations to the following scouts who ranked up this week:


Board of Review - Since so many scouts need a BOR, the sign up genius has been updated with some additional slots including some virtual sessions for the next few weeks.  

ADULTS - we need a few Board of Review Volunteers this week at the meeting as we have 4 scouts signed up.  Let me know if you can help or sign up at the link below.  

Scouts - if you have finished everything for the rank including the Scoutmaster conference, then sign up for your BOR at this link:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d44aead29a7ff2-troop

Pam Crawford

Advancement

CAMPING

February Campout  - - Service Project on Cumberland Island  

February  18 - 21, 2022

Trip Planner: Andrew Kraft

Registration Deadline: Monday, February 7 at 10:00 p.m.

NOTE: If you registered for the January trip, you will still need to register for this campout, ensuring that your med forms are valid. Attending adults, ensure your YPT and Haz Weather training is valid through February 22. 

Trip Links        

new eagle required merit badge - citizenship in society


The first new merit badge for youth in the Scouts BSA program since 2017 will become Eagle required over the summer.  Called Citizenship in Society, it provides Scouts with opportunities to learn more about our world by encouraging them to explore information on diversity, equity, inclusion and ethical leadership — and to learn why these qualities are important in society and in Scouting.

To earn the merit badge, Scouts must conduct research; explore resources; have conversations with merit badge counselors, peers, parents and community members; and identify actions they can take to ensure inclusivity and belonging in Scouting and society in general.

The full requirements for the merit badge and materials for merit badge counselors can be found at www.scouting.org/dei.

SPL and PL ELECTIONS

It's hard to believe, but SPL and PL elections are right around the corner.  Declarations for approval to run for SPL and PL are due to Mr. Cole by email (ctcole0308@gmail.com) before 10P on February 8th [Note: the only way to find out if you are ready to be SPL or PL and learn about and experience the process is to run, so even if you do not think you will win, RUN]; SPL Speeches and ASPL Declarations will occur during the meeting on February 15th, and the SPL Elections will be on February 22nd.  Patrol Leader elections will also be February 22nd.  The new SPL and PLs will officially take office and be sworn in on March 22nd, and the majority of CURRENT PoRs will end that same day with a few exceptions (those started recently, Troops Guides and Quartermasters) and new PoRs will hopefully be filled and ready to take over that same day.  The current SPL and PL Election Guidelines can be found at:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10JkBQ4VRJKsmtYOEWf6mZj9do37V8BI_/view?usp=sharing

  If you are interested in running for either position, you need to review this document.  FIRST YEAR PATROLS:  Remember, you will become Second Years during this election cycle, so you will be electing a Patrol Leader, and subsequently deciding on a Patrol Name, Flag, Yell, etc., so BE PREPARED and think about who you want as a leader and what Patrol name, etc. you  might want (btw, all Patrol names are subject to Mr. Cole's approval).

OA ELECTIONS


OA Elections are coming up on March 8th, so we need maximum attendance at that meeting.  If at least 50% of the eligible voters (Scouts) do not show up and vote, then the election does not count, so please mark that night on your calendar, highlight it, draw a circle around it, and let's see if we can get 100% attendance.  Remember, unlike SPL and PL elections, each Scout can vote for every candidate on the ballot if you think they are worthy.  You are not limited to voting for only one person.  I will have the final list of eligible OA candidates published in the Newsletter as soon as registration closes for the new Cumberland Island Trip because those camping nights may make some additional Scouts eligible and some Scouts might rank up before the election making them eligible.  Remember, OA is Scouting's  National Camping Honor Society not a popularity contest--so please reward those Scouts that have put in the effort camping with the Troop.  Without including those Scouts who may become eligible by attending the Cumblerland campout or ranking up, which I have reached out to separately so you should know who you are, the following Scouts should be eligible for election this year (if your name is not on this list or I did not email you about Cumberland camping nights or rank advancement and you think it should be, then please contact me).  You can find the OA eligibility rules for 2022 OA Elections at https://oa-bsa.org/coronavirus/temporary-camping-night-policy-due-covid-19


Eligible for OA Election of this Newsletter:

[Note: my understanding is OA eligibility for 2023 elections will return to the standard rules, which are as follows:

"Have experienced 15 nights of Scout camping while registered with a troop, crew, or ship within the two years immediately prior to the election. The 15 nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of at least five consecutive nights of overnight camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America. Only five nights of the long-term camp may be credited toward the 15-night camping requirement; the balance of the camping (10 nights) must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps of, at most, three nights each. Ship nights may be counted as camping for Sea Scouts."]

EAGLE COURTS OF HONOR


For those Scouts that earned their Eagle in 2020, 2021 or early 2022, we are trying to clear the backlog in trying to schedule an ECoH for you if you want one, or get your Eagle Certificate, medal, etc. to you if you have decided you do not want to have one.  For the following Scouts, Mrs. Cole (hpcole77@gmail.com), our lovely Eagle Court of Honor Coordinator, needs to hear back from you by March 1, 2022 if you plan on having an ECoH; however, how fast she can schedule it is uncertain with the ongoing COVID situation.  If she does not hear back from you, or if you let her know you definitely DO NOT want to do an ECoH, then we will either mail or deliver your box of bling, certificate, etc. to the address we have on file.  I believe all of you have received an Eagle Rank Patch, but if that is not the case for some reason, then please let me know, and I will make sure you get one of those as well.


This week's word/number riddle is: 200  = D __ __ __ __ __ __  for P __ __ __ __ __ __  G __  in M __ __ __ __ __ __ __

Be the first to email the answer, etc. to Mr. Cole (ctcole0308@gmail.com) and win a prize and recommendation.

UPCOMING COUNCIL/DISTRICT EVENTS


SCOUT DAY AT THE CAPITAL


Scouting prepares young people to be good citizens. Spend the day witnessing first-hand the political process in Georgia. Take on the Capitol Scavenger Hunt. Watch your legislators recognize your Scouts from the House Gallery. And have a chance to ask actual representatives your most pressing questions! 

The Capitol will provide a note explaining the activities the Scouts participated in during the day. This event starts at 7:45 AM. Please check with your school's administrative staff to determine if this will qualify as an excused absence. 

Agenda:

There may be an opportunity to enter the Senate gallery and view the Senators at work.  The time for that is yet to be determined.

Your registration fee includes:

Space for this event is extremely limited.

https://www.atlantabsa.org/ScoutCapitol

SCOUT DAYS - OPENING DAY WITH ATLANTA UNITED


Atlanta United vs. Sporting KC

Soccer season is kicking off for 2022! Join hundreds of Scouts from across Metro-Atlanta for Atlanta United's Opening Day, February 27, 2022. United will face Sporting Kansas City at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium at 3pm!  Enjoy time with fellow Scouts and adult leaders at Atlanta United's first game of the year! Purchase your tickets now and start off your new year in a great way! 

Enter promo code BSA22 when buying tickets at: 

https://offer.fevo.com/bsa-atlanta-home-opener-fundraiser-a2b92f9?fevoUri=bsa-atlanta-home-opener-fundraiser-a2b92f9%2F


Summer Camp

Sign-up has started for High Adventure at Camp Daniel Boone during our week of Summer Camp, July 17-23! Check out the info and sign-up as soon as you know you want to participate in a backpacking, climbing, or whitewater trek! They are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Here is the Adventure guide:

https://www.campdanielboone.org/files/40125/2022-high-adventure-guide 

and the full Summer Camp webpage:

 https://sites.google.com/troop77bsa.com/scout-parent/campingoutings/Summer-Camp?authuser=0

SHOOTING SPORTS DAYS


Upcoming Atlanta BSA Events:

Open Shoot - Archery, Rifle, or Shotgun

Date: February 19 from 9AM-4PM

Location: Bert Adams Scout Camp - 218 Scout Rd, Covington, GA 30016

Cost: $10 per session


Open Shoot - Archery, Rifle, or Shotgun

Date: April 2 from 9AM-4PM

Location: Woodruff Scout Camp - 31 Woodruff Dr, Blairsville, GA 30152

Cost: $10 per session


Note: This is not a merit badge day. Scouts can sign up for one session in the morning and another in the afternoon, or the same one all day. For signup information: https://www.atlantabsa.org/shootingdays


summer camp staff opportunities


As a camp staff member, you will experience an amazing life-changing summer and have a monumental impact in helping to serve Scouts. Opportunities to serve as a member of the Atlanta Area Council camp staff are available to outstanding applicants. For more information and to apply: https://www.atlantabsa.org/files/18189/Camp-Staff-Application


PHILMONT 2022 UPDATES


Currently, all Philmont 2022 Crews should be considering and meeting to discuss what itineraries (you need to select 6) you would like to request and making sure you are ready to submit those no later than February 16th, and I strongly recommend not waiting until the last minute.  if you do not select an itinerary, Philmont will assign you one randomly, and it will not be pretty.  If you need any help on itinerary selection, options, activities, etc., then feel free to contact Mr. Cole.  Finally, make sure you are getting those training hikes planned and on the calendar and everyone is working toward getting in shape for this summer's trip.

PHILMONT 2023 UPDATES


All current Philmont 2023 participants have paid and everything is up-to-date for now.  This is somewhat of a dead period as Philmont's focus switches back to 2022, and we will not have a lot to do with respect to our 2023 trip until early fall.  That being said, we do still have some open spots that could be filled, and we are still looking for a second Adult Female Leader over 21.  If you  know anyone interested that did not sign-up before or potential Adult Leaders, then please contact Mr. Cole.

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.

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.

wood badge course registration


Looking to advance your skills as a Scout leader? Complete your Wood Badge training with the Atlanta Area Council. Registration for the final two Wood Badge courses of the year is open.

https://www.atlantabsa.org/woodbadge

merit badge minute

Atlanta Area Council:  

For those already working on their shooting badges, Bert Adams Scout Camp is offering an opportunity for Scouts to complete the targeting portions of Archery, Riflery or Shotgun Merit Badges on February 19th.  Follow this link for more information:  https://www.atlantabsa.org/shootingdays


Dunwoody Nature Center:

The Dunwoody Nature Center has published its Merit Badge offerings for 2022.  Upcoming workshops include Bird Study, Nature, and Soil & Water Conservation.   For more info and to sign up, click here:  https://dunwoodynature.org/scout-merit-badges/


Chattahoochee Nature Center:

On February 27, the Chattahoochee Nature Center is offering Mammal Study Merit Badge.   For more info, click here:

https://www.chattnaturecenter.org/event/mammal-merit-badge-2/


Northeast Georgia Council:

The Apalachee Advance-a-rama will be held on February 26th at Central Gwinnett High School.  Scouts will have the opportunity to pick from over 20 merit badges, including many required for Eagle.  A small fee is required.  Click here to learn more:  https://www.nega-bsa.org/APAAR

community service opportunities

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

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

If you solve the word/number riddle above, you also have to include the words, "I'm Rich!" after the answer to get credit for being first!  Remember Adults, no helping--I'm trying to encourage our Scouts to read the whole Newsletter!

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