NEWSLETTER
tuesday, september 14th
6:30 Asm roundtable
7:30 meeting outside scout hall
Troop 77's latest eagle!
Trevor Voogd earned his Eagle rank today 9/12/2021. Congratulations Trevor!
From the Senior patrol leader
Hello everyone!
This week, we will be learning about backcountry cooking. We will have a demonstration about how to use the backpacking patrol boxes.
See y'all on Tuesday!
Nash
FROM THE SCOUTMASTER
On my 3rd straight weekend of Scout Camping out of 7 weekends in a row, Mr. Cole had to ride a horse and survived. If you know Mr. Cole well, you know that is enough said on its own!
I learned some more great stuff at Powder Horn that I cannot wait to share with the youth and adults planning campouts for the next year or two. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to rafting next weekend with the Troop. It should be a nice change of pace.
Don’t forget, if you want to go backpacking over the long Columbus Day weekend (not just the first weekend of October with the Troop), then please let me know. We have a great trip setup, and I was hoping for a little more participation from our older Scouts, but I understand a lot of you either have conflicts with dual enrollment or with Decatur City School’s Fall Break timing. This trip will give you an excellent glimpse into what something like Philmont would be like, and for many of you, it will probably be the longest hike (around 30 miles) you will do except for something like Philmont. To try to get a little more participation, I am opening this up to Scouts 13 and older and in the 8th Grade if you are NOT going to Philmont in 2022 or planning to go in 2023. Please let me know if you’re up to the challenge by emailing me at ctcole0308@gmail.com.
Thanks,
Mr. Cole
Scoutmaster Troop 77
advancement
Congratulations to the following scouts who ranked up this week:
Charlie Hunter - Second Class rank on September 7, 2021
Alex Ln - Second Class rank on September 7, 2021
Ryan Shimabukuro - Star rank on September 7, 2021
Trevor Voogd - Eagle rank on September 12, 2021
Here are a few Advancement tips:
Scouts should be managing their advancement. This means scouts should be bringing their merit badge cards, chit/chip cards, awards, rank advancements, etc. to the Advancement Table during the meeting.
Each week, set a goal to get something signed off for your rank, a question answered, get a blue card to start a merit badge, turn in a merit badge blue card, etc. It is amazing how much you can accomplish over time if you take care of something each week.
Merit Badge Blue Cards are available at the Advancement Table. Merit Badge Blue cards must be signed by the Scoutmaster (or one of his designees) on the “Application for merit badge” side of the blue card BEFORE you begin work on the merit badge. Then, the card is signed again once you have completed the merit badge.
Did you know the Assistant Scoutmaster Help Desk is open before each meeting? The Help Desk usually has 1-2 ASM’s who are available to sign off items, answer questions and help you with your scouting.
Cyber Chip - if you have earned your Cyber Chip and it was not on the Court of Honor slide or in Scoutbook, let me know so I can record it.
Totin and Fire’m Chit - if you have earned these, you need to let me know so I can enter it. Again, this is how it gets into Scoutbook and the Court of Honor slides!
Rank Advancement Process:
Scoutmaster Conferences - if you need a scoutmaster conference for Tenderfoot, Second Class or First Class, go to the ASM Help Desk during the meeting. For Scout, Star, Life and Eagle Ranks, you need to sign up on Mr. Cole’s sign up genius - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0448aba72ca4f49-scoutmaster1
Scout Rank - after your Scoutmaster Conference, you need to bring your signed Scout Handbook to the Advancement table to get it entered into Scoutbook and to get the patch awarded at the end of the meeting.
Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life Ranks - After you have completed all requirements, sign up for a Board of Review (see section below). The link to the sign up genius is in the troop newsletter each week. After the Board of Review, you (the SCOUT) need to bring your signed scout handbook to the Advancement Table. I will process the rank and get the patch to Mr. Cole to award at the end of the meeting.
Board of Review Process:
Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d44aead29a7ff2-troop
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.
Adult BOR Volunteers - It takes 3 adults to hold a BOR. Your help is very appreciated and we have a list of questions available if you need them. If you are willing to spend a few minutes to help the troop sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d44aead29a7ff2-troop
Yours in Scouting,
Pam Crawford, Advancement Chair
pamcrawford1@me.com
advancement opportunities
KAYAKING MERIT BADGE
Mr. Van De Water has a few spots left for his kayaking merit badge class. For more information and to sign-up, follow this link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c054fa4aa2baaf94-kayaking
MAMMAL STUDY MERIT BADGE
Mrs. Keith will be leading Mammal Study Merit Badge prior to our Troop meeting on Tuesday, September 28th. For more information, click here:
Order of the Arrow
Hello everyone, this is Ryan Shimabukuro. I would like to introduce myself as the Order of the Arrow (OA) Troop Representative. This newsletter contains important information about the OA, current and upcoming events, and more.
So, 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.
How do I become a member?
First you must meet the requirements for being a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The OA website states that a scout must 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. Then at the time of their election, youth must be under the age of 21, and hold one of the following ranks corresponding to the type unit in which they are being considered for election: Scouts BSA First Class rank, or higher, and following approval by the Scoutmaster, be elected by the youth members of their unit.
Current news:
Important information:
Ceremony Team
The ceremony team is always open to new members. However, our team urgently needs more people. Two of our ceremonialists are aging out next year and the only other approved one is me. I believe this is a great opportunity to all members of Troop 77 and 177. The ceremony team meets every Wednesday at Troop 129’s scout hut in Tucker from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Feel free to come and take a look. If you have any questions, you can contact me at ryanrshim@gmail.com. I am currently on the ceremony team and I have performed at last month's induction weekend. It was a lot of fun.
Current event:
Every Wednesday, the ceremony team will meet at Troop 129’s scout hut from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Address: 4217 N Park Dr, Tucker, GA 30084.
The other major events coming up this year are:
2021 Trailblazer - BASC - 10/1/2021-10/3/2021, BASR
2021 Fall Induction & Fellowship Weekend - BASC - 11/5/2021-11/7/2021, BASR
2021 LEB Retreat - 11/12/2021-11/14/2021
2021 Winter Banquet - VSC - 12/4/2021-12/4/2021, VSC
If you have any questions about the events, you can contact me or David Voll, the current Etowah Chapter Chief, at dvdaveiscool@gmail.com.
MERIT BADGE SUMMIT - october 30
The Atlanta Area Council's Merit Badge Summit helps Scouts learn about different fields by recruiting experienced professional counselors. Registration will be opening soon for the second Merit Badge Summit of the fall, which will take place on October 30th at the Volunteer Service Center (where the Scout Shop is located by the new Braves Stadium). More details on the October 30th Merit Badge Summit will be forthcoming soon.
Follow the link for more info: 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.
Swim tests for september kayak trip
We are in the process of arranging some limited dates for conducting swim tests prior to the Broad Rive Kayaking Trip in September. I assume most people that will be attending the trip already took the swim test at one of the five prior opportunities to do so earlier this year. However, if you did not, then please let Mr. Cole know by email (ctcole0308@gmail.com) as soon as possible that you are planning on going on the KayakingTrip and need to take the swim test, and we will let you know the dates for us to conduct the swim tests shortly.
You can also have the test completed yourself using the attached form and information https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/outdoor%20program/aquatics/pdf/430-122.pdf. Note that a Council-Approved Resource must be used to conduct the test as stated on page 2, and before you use an "etc." please contact Mr. Cole (ctcole0308@gmail.com) to verify who you want to use is acceptable. Once the test is completed, the test administrator should fill out page 1 AND provide a copy of their current certification or credentials. You should then scan (do not photograph) and email the completed page 1 and credentials to Mr. Cole at the email above or bring them to him at a Troop meeting. He will then sign them and keep them with the Troop's master Swim Classification records.
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.
CAMPING
September Campout - - Canoeing on the Broad River
September 18-19
Registration Deadline: CLOSED
Trip Leader(s): TBD Trip Planner: Andrew Kraft
Trip Links
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 Outdoor Award
If you have been with the Troop for a while (or are just curious), then check out the BSA website https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/advancement-and-awards/noa/ to learn more about the National Outdoor Award. The NOA is typically pursued by older Scouts with several years of Scouting experience, but it is never too early to see what is required and set some goals for earning an NOA one day in the future. If you qualify for any of the NOA awards or want to start tracking your progress toward an NOA, then please contact Mr. Cole as he was a spreadsheet that will help you consolidate and calculate the information needed. If you already have an NOA, you can continue to earn additional segments, so this is a great time to review your spreadsheet and see if you qualify for additional gold and sliver honors.
If you have any questions regarding the NOA program (or any other Award programs), please let Mr. Cole or Ms. Crawford know and we will help you pursue those.
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
SCOUT DAYS WITH the falcons
Atlanta Falcons Football -- October 3, 2021
Football season is back and you're invited to cheer on the Atlanta Falcons as they face off against the Washington Football Team. Discounted tickets will be available with a portion of each ticket sale going back to support Metro-Atlanta Scouting! Bring your friends and family to celebrate Scouting and receive an Atlanta Falcons Scout Day patch!
Please visit https://www.atlantabsa.org/scoutdays to learn more and buy tickets to both of these great events.
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