NEWSLETTER
tuesday, october 5th
6:30 PLC
7:30 meeting outside scout hall
From the Senior patrol leader
Hello all,
We had a great weekend of backpacking at Blood Mountain, and hiked some really rough terrain. I hope everyone had fun.
For those on the trip: If you find a headlamp that does not belong to you, please come to me. A headlamp was lost on the trip and we would love to see it returned to its owner if anyone picked it up.
This week the first years will be advancing with Nash and Ben. The Traditional Scouts will be participating in a knot program and game, for a prize of course. The older scouts will be meeting with Mr. Cole about the instructor program. Older Scouts have an idea of the area you would like to be an instructor for.
See you guys on Tuesday.
David
FROM THE SCOUTMASTER
We had a great weekend of backpacking in the Blood Mountain area this weekend after staying at Lake Winfield Scott on Friday night. Our Older Scouts (“Backpackers”) cranked out some miles, and Mr. Kraft and I shepherded our younger Scouts (“Mini Backpackers”) on a shorter hike, but they made it to the top of Blood Mountain. It was raining on Sunday, but Saturday was great, and I think everyone had a good time. If anything, I do think it was another example of why you need to “Be Prepared” before a campout or activity. I think both groups could have taken a little more time and been a little more prepared, and things would have gone a little smoother in a few places.
Don’t forget we have a PLC before this week’s meeting (starts at 6:30P). At a minimum, all new ASPLs, newly elected PLs, and Troop Guides should attend along with anyone else the SPL contacts and invites to the meeting.
As a heads-up, Mr. Cole will be at the meeting this week, but I will be in a meeting most of the time as we finalized details regarding our Columbus Day Weekend High Adventure Trip, which starts this Thursday. I will be at the PLC, opening flags, and closing flags (advancement and Scoutmaster minute), but I will be indisposed most of the rest of the meeting time. By the time the Columbus Day Weekend trip is over, I will have spent 7 of 10 nights in October on the trail and hiked about 40 miles. Please understand that I may be slow responding to email, getting Scout stuff done, etc. over the next week or so until this big trip is behind me, and I remember what it’s like to sleep in my own bed on a Saturday night. Please feel free to email me if you have questions, etc. on anything, but also make sure your expectations on response timing are lined up with my schedule. And somewhere in there, I actually have to do my real world job, as much as I would prefer just to be Scoutmaster and go backpacking all the time.
Philmont 2022 Particpants, please be on the lookout for notice of our next meeting or Zoom to discuss final Crew participants after some last minute additions and subtractions as well as getting started on our practice hikes and process hikes/meetings.
Finally, please make sure you read the whole Newsletter as there is always useful and valuable information therein. Parents, if the Newsletter only comes to you (i.e., your Scout is not signed up for Remind or cannot access the Newsletter through the web), then please make sure your Scout either reads it with you, or you print them a copy or something. While we need everyone to read everything we put out in any form (Newsletter, Remind, Scoutbook, Email, etc.), it is super-critical that everyone reads the Newsletter and stays abreast of what is going on in the Troop and upcoming opportunities, etc.
Thanks,
Mr. Cole
Scoutmaster Troop 77
advancement
Congratulations to Charlie Hunter for earning his First Class rank on September 28, 2021
Board of Review: Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d44aead29a7ff2-troop
Once you have signed up for a BOR, email photos of your scout handbook for the rank prior to your scheduled BOR.
For the BOR, Scouts bring your scout handbook, a pen and dress in FULL CLASS A uniform including neckerchief and merit badge sash (if you have earned any merit badges). After the BOR, brings your signed scout handbook to the Advancement Table to have the rank processed in ScoutBook and patch prepared for Mr. Cole to hand out at the end of the meeting.
Yours in Scouting,
Pam Crawford, Advancement Chair
pamcrawford1@me.com
CAMPING
November Campout - - Cloudland Canyon Thanksgiving Feast
November 6 - 7, 2021 (*Some Scouts arrive Friday night, Nov 5)
Registration Deadline: Monday, October 25 at 10:00 p.m.
Trip Links
PHILMONT 2023 AND INDIVIDUAL TREKS
It’s somewhat hard to believe given we still have not gone on our Philmont 2022 Trek yet (that will not happen until next summer), it is already time to enter the lottery and start making plans for our next Philmont trip during the the Summer of 2023. If you have any interest (no matter how remote) in attending Philmont 2023 (which will be a combined Units trip with Troop 77, Troop 177, and Venture Crew 77; although, you do not have to be in a co-ed Crew if you don’t want to be), then please email Mr. Cole at ctcole0308@gmail.com and put “PHILMONT 2023” in the Subject line. You can attend Philmont with us in 2023 if you are 14 by the Summer of 2023 time (for practical purposes, please use June 1st as our departure date; although, our actual departure date will likely be later in the summer), OR if you are 13 and have COMPLETED the 8th Grade by the Summer of 2023. While it appears travel and ancillary costs will remain relatively close in 2023 to what they are right now for our 2022 trip, Philmont is raising its prices again. My best guess estimate is your total all-in cost for 2023 (Philmont fees, Travel (air and ground) fees, Miscellaneous fees, and Souvenirs) will be approximately $2,800. Keep in mind there are a limited number of Philmont Scholarships that are available and other activities (such as fundraising) that can be done to help mitigate some of the costs. In addition, we are constantly evaluating travel options and costs to be as Thrifty as possible. As some of you may know, Philmonts’ fees remained virtually unchanged or increased nominally for decades, and the now consistent nearly 10% year-over-year fee increases are simply a normalization of what probably should have been happening for the last 20 years and wasn’t.
While on the topic of Philmont, I want to remind those Scouts that have already been before or who are Older Scouts and not sure they want to spend 10 days on the trail with some of our younger Scouts, Philmont offers a number of robust individual youth programs for you to attend, and in some cases at no or very low cost. The individual programs to check-out can be found on Philmont’s website at:
https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/philmonttreks/individualprograms/
Those programs include: OA Trail Crew, Ranch Hands, Rayado (really good to do if you think you might want to work at Philmont in the future after turning 18), Roving Outdoor Conservation School (ROCS), STEM, and Trail Crew.
MERIT BADGE SUMMIT - october 30
Get ready! Registration for the October Merit Badge Summit opens this Wednesday morning, September 22 at 9AM. Registration for this event can fill up quickly so don't miss out!
Be sure to get acquainted with the Merit Badge offerings for next month's event. The Merit Badge Summit will be held October 30th at the Volunteer Service Center, 1800 Circle 75 Parkway SE, Atlanta, GA 30339. Registration fees for each class will be $20. Any additional fees will be communicated to you by the instructor after registration. All classes (with a few exceptions) will be 4 hours in length with sessions from 8 AM – 12 PM and 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM. Any Scouts staying for both sessions will need to bring a lunch.
The Merit Badge Summit is a great opportunity to learn from experienced instructors and make strong progress on some key Merit Badges. More details can be found here: https://www.atlantabsa.org/MeritBadgeSummit
GOLDEN EAGLE LUNCHEON
Mr. Cole is hosting a table on behalf of Troop 77 at the Atlanta Area Council’s Golden Eagle Luncheon Friday December 10th (gathering at 11:30A and event starts at 12P) at the Cobb Galleria Center. The Keynote Speaker will be Chris Womack who is Chairman, President and CEO of Georgia Power. This is a great opportunity to learn more about Scouting in Atlanta and for those with additional means to enhance and further contribute to Scouting as we continue the character building and leadership development in the the young men and women participating in Scouts BSA. If you are interested in taking part in the Golden Eagle Luncheon, please contact Mr. Cole directly or register at https://www.atlantabsa.org/ge-register and put Clinton Cole in the “Who Invited You to Attend the Luncheon” line.
winter camp 2021
Register today for 2021 Winter Camp at Bert Adams! For 5 days and 4 nights in December, Scouts BSA and Venturers will have the opportunity to camp and take part in unique programs and merit badges not available during Summer Camp. Check out our website for more information.
BLUE CARDS
At this time, unless specifically requested by a non-Troop 77 Merit Badge Counselor, we will not be issuing or authorizing Blue Cards through Scoutbook. If you make a merit badge request through Scoutbook, it will go unanswered, and you will need to make that request in person to either Mr. Cole or Ms. Crawford depending on the subject matter. If a non-Troop 77 Merit Badge Counselor asks you to use Scoutbook's Blue Card feature, then please see Ms. Crawford or Mr. Cole prior to the class for further instructions.
Also, we have become somewhat complacent on getting Blue Cards signed BEFORE a Scout starts a Merit Badge, and we plan on holding to a more strict and regular process going forward. Prior to starting any Merit Badge, you should fill out your details on the Blue Card, the name of the Merit Badge, and the name of the Merit Badge Counselor. Prior to requesting a signature to allow you to start the Merit Badge, you should have already spoken with and confirmed that the Merit Badge Counselor is willing to work with you on the Merit Badge. At that point, you should then get the Blue Card signed my one of the following: Mr. Brewer, Mr. Gupta, Mr. Narula or Mr. Cole. In the event you are attending a Merit Badge class event with a non-Troop 77 Merit Badge Counselor (e.g., Merit Badge Summit), then you should still fill out a Blue Card as above, except for the name of he Merit Badge Counselor, please insert the organization hosting the Merit Badge event. You should then get the Blue Card signed by one of the four authorized signers BEFORE attending the Merit Badge class. If you receive a new Blue Card at the Merit Badge event or if your record of completion is only available electronically (e.g., through Tentaroo for an Atlanta Area Council event), then you should see Ms. Crawford after the Merit Badge class (and bring your signed Blue Card) to ensure all the paperwork you need is received and in order for her to process your Blue Card and for me to be able to award your Merit Badge.
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.
TROOP 77 ADULT REGISTRATION ENHANCED RULE
As we enter the fall camping season with some great trips on the schedule and even more in the winter and next spring, I want to remind everyone of Troop 77's enhanced Adult registration rules. I have provided the basic rules below, but for the full text and how to register, etc., please refer to the Troop's Parent Guidebook under the Forms/Resources tab on the Troop website. A link to the full Rule can be found in the Attachments listed on Page 26 of the Troop's Parent Guidebook and referenced as "Adult Registration Rule".
The Guide to Safe Scouting states that, "All adults accompanying a Scouting unit who are present at the activity for 72 total hours or more must be registered as leaders. The 72 hours need not be consecutive."
1. Troop 77 will continue to follow the rule above, and it is enhancing the requirement for better protection of our Scouts as well as ease of implementation.
2. On all Campouts, Summer Camps, High Adventure or the like lasting more than 72 hours (Long Term Camp), all adults present FOR ANY PORTION of the Long Term Camp must be a Registered Adult with Troop 77 at least two (2) weeks prior to the Long Term Camp, except any parent attending "Parent's Night" or the equivalent and not spending the night OR any driver to/from a Long Term Camp that is spending less than 24 hours at the Long Term Camp (including drive time) with the Troop.
3. An unregistered adult parent/responsible adult of a Scout may attend one Troop 77 Campout of less than 72 hours (Short Campout) without being a Registered Adult (however, the adult will still need to complete Youth Protection Training and Hazardous Weather Training before the first Short Campout). Before an adult can attend a second Short Campout with the Troop, they must be a Registered Adult with Troop at least two (2) weeks prior to the second Short Campout.
Please remember that these rules are in place to keep all of our Scouts safe, so we appreciate your diligence and cooperation on these matters. In order to become a Registered Adult, you will need to fill out and submit a BSA application with background check authorization, pay your dues annually, and stay current with YPT and HWT. Please contact our Membership Coordinator regarding application matters or our Training Coordinator regarding training matters.
NOTE: We are waiving Part 3 of this rule (except the requirements to be YPT and HWT trained) with respect to the upcoming Rafting Trip in August due to timing constraints and limitations on refunds by the rafting companies; however, Part 3 of the rule will be in full force and effect starting with the September Canoeing Trip and from that point forward. Remember, it is your responsibility to follow-up and register if you have been on one campout and are planning on attending a second one but have not registered. Please take that responsibility seriously, as oftentimes I do not have a chance to verify the issue until immediately prior to a campout. In that case, it might not be possible for you to get registered in time, and you might not be able to attend the trip or get a refund, so please plan ahead.
NATIONAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING (NYLT)
NYLT is a week-long advanced leadership course designed to teach Scouts the tools, techniques and skills they need to be better leaders – not only in their units, but also at home, in school, and in their daily lives. Led by an exemplary, highly-trained youth staff, NYLT participants work hard and play hard together through group activities, games, and adventures as they experience Scouting at its best.
You can find additional information, details, registration links, etc. on the Atlanta Area Council's NYLT website at: https://aacnylt.org/
The remaining course sessions for 2021 are as follows (winter sessions in parking lots near Adventure Camp or Camp Emerson in Covington, GA - all sessions are proximate to Bert Adams Scout Camp in Covington, GA):
Session 4 (Weekend 1): Saturday, Nov. 20 2021 8:00 am - Tuesday, Nov. 23 2021 3:00 pm AND
Session 4 (Weekend 2): Saturday, December 4 2021 8:00 am - Sunday, December 5 2021 3:00 pm
Session 5: Sunday, December 26 2021 1:00 pm - Friday, December 31 2021 5:00 pm
If you are interested in Staffing NYLT as a youth next summer, then please check the following webpage regularly: https://aacnylt.org/staff-nylt/. If you find out they are accepting youth staff applications, etc. for next summer, then please let Mr. Cole know so we can update the Newsletter and announce that information.
SEwing
Scouts, Parents and Adult Leaders:
Ms. Todd (jantodd4@bellsouth.net) can still use some more Scouts, Parents and Leaders to join the sewing group. I think we only had one or two people step-up to help her, and we could use several more. Without our sewing group, you would need to get patches sewn on at the Scout Shop or elsewhere, and you often are charged $2 - $3 to have a patch sewn on, and that can really add up. Ms. Todd and her group provide this service to us for FREE, but we also need to give back and help her out by providing more people willing to sew.
Mrs. Todd will share her knowledge, help you understand exactly where patches go, best stiches to use, etc. This is also a great volunteer job because you do not have to do the work at meetings!
So, if you have a sewing machine and some basic skills (I know some of you do because I see new patches sewn on your Scout’s shirts), please reach out to Ms. Todd and she will get things coordinated. Uniforms are a main tenet of Scouts, and we need some additional help to get us where we need to be given the size or our Troop.
Thanks. Clinton Cole
Scoutmaster Troop 77
merit badge minute
Dunwoody Nature Center is offering Forestry Merit Badge on October 23rd. Follow this link for more info: https://dunwoodynature.org/scout-merit-badges/
The Atlanta Area Council will be offering its Merit Badge Summit on October 30th. Look here for additional information: https://www.atlantabsa.org/caabmb
Earn merit badges at home with the Daniel Boone Council. The course list will be continuously updated over the summer, so check back often. Scouts need a valid Cyber Chip before starting any on-line merit badge. Scouts also need approval from Mr. Brewer, Mr. Cole, Mr. Gupta or Mr. Narula before enrolling. More information through the Daniel Boone website: https://www.danielboonecouncil.org/virtual
Registration for "Conservation Weekend" at Camp Woodruff is now open. Camp will be held the weekend of November 12th and costs $95 per Scout. Scouts can earn up to 3 merit badges over the weekend, many of which fulfill EPA award requirements. https://www.campwoodruff.org/conservation
community service opportunities
JUST UPDATED! Click the link below to see all of the community service opportunities available this fall.
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