Meetings

October 1, 2022 Polk City Fall Festival

Signup is here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0444A9AE23A5F94-troop

September 11, 2022

The time for today's meeting with the Cub Scouts has been changed from 3:00 to 2:00 PM. Please meet at the church at 2:00 PM. We'll assist the Cub Scout leaders with their Pack meeting and continue to build connections with the Cub Scouts. The meeting should last about an hour. After the Cub Scout Pack meeting ends, our scouts are dismissed. We will not meet at 5:30.

Reminder: the Camporee is planned for Sept. 16-18 at Camp Mitigwa. This afternoon, please have your scout confirm his plans to attend or not. The food, adult leader attendance, and activities are already planned, and we have a tentative count for scouts, but we need confirmation today.

Namekagon Gear List and notes

2 pair of swim shorts

1 pair of lightweight pants (bugs and sun protection)

2 SS shirts

1 LS shirt (bugs and sun protection)

4 pairs of socks

1 pair of hiking shoes

1 pair of water shoes/river sandals (not flip flops, they will come off and float away)

Rain gear

Bandana

Sun hat or ball cap

Mess kit with silverware

Half roll of TP in a quart bag

Small bag with bandages

Sunscreen

Bugspray

Life Jacket (if they have one, they will be provided by the outfitter. I have extra)

Sunglasses

Fishing pole and SMALL tackle box

Knife

Toiletries

Sleeping bag

Sleeping mat

Camera

2 water bottles

Medications with directions for me if they have them and you are not going

Health forms from Camp Mitigwa

Personal backpack for the above items

2-3 Extra zip lock baggies

Safety first attitude and smarts

Clothes should be in a gallon size zip lock. One pair of socks and the hiking shoes will stay in the vehicles and be used when we hike on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. We will be on a river so it is important that their clothes and items are protected from unexpected tipping and water in general. The river may have sharp rocks or other detritus on the bottom. Water shoes, an old pair of tennis shoes or river sandals (like chacos) will be required to enter the water.

The cost for each person will be $75 for the trip. We are suggesting that your scout have at least $50 for travel and our two restaurant meals. The $75 for the trip should be paid by the next meeting, preferably cash, so that we can do the food shopping. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

We will be meeting at the free boat launch for Saylorville this Saturday the 23^rd at 5 pm to go over canoeing basics. If you have a canoe and paddles, please bring them along with the life jacket they will be using for the trip. I will bring extra lifejackets if you don’t have one. If it is too windy, we may change the location to Big Creek. I will send a remind by 4:30pm on Saturday if the location is changing. There is a greater chance of Thunderstorms on Sunday and we need to knock this out. If there are any scheduling issues, please let me know. We are still having a meeting on Sunday at our regular time and the river trip scouts will be collecting gear from the trailer for our trip. I will be at camp Akela the rest of the week till Saturday.

Scouts going; Aspen Englund, Mitch Brasier, Eric Jensen, Jacob Hamm, Davin Jury, Gabe Visalden, Drew Gilligan, Archer Happ, Beau Benton, Cedar Englund (cub scout, Pack 150)

Parents; Pete Englund, Matt Hamm, Tom Brasier, Jeremy Benton, Brody Gilligan

July 26 - Luke miller eagle invitation

July 10, 2022 - High adventure info

We are 3 weeks out from our high adventure trip July 31st-August 7th! We do not have final numbers on everyone who is going.

So far I have;

Myself-parent

Aspen Englund-scout

Aiden Trier-scout

Jacob Hamm-scout

Eric Jensen-scout

Drew Gilligan?-scout

Brody Gilligan?-parent

I know there were a couple of first-year scouts besides Drew that showed interest, but without parent approval, I cannot add them to my list. This means we cannot plan, food, canoes, shuttles, and the like.

This trip will be 5 days along the Namekagen River in Wisconsin and will take us through some very beautiful areas of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. The river flows at 3 mph and we are putting in around Trego, WI to avoid any rapids (class 1 (easiest)) and finishing in St. Croix Falls, WI. This will be a relaxing easy canoe trip and a great way to introduce scouts to canoe camping. Although it is not required that parents go on this trip with their scouts, we do need two and I would prefer 3. If we don't have at least 2 parents, we cannot do the trip as a scout outing. It would be wonderful if new scout parents can attend with their scouts. We are fundraising for this trip, so the costs will be under $100/scout. Compare that with an actual BSA high adventure trip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area for 7 days coming in around $1,200-$1,500/scout, not including transportation. We will also be hiking a portion of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, camping on Blake Lake, and taking a pontoon in addition to visiting the St. Croix National Scenic River visitor center.

We will be meeting at Big Creek or Saylorville on the 24th to go over canoeing basics.

If you read this email today and can let me know if your scout is attending, and/or you can attend, it would really help us with planning.

A reminder that next Friday we will be making cotton candy at the church and bagging it. (time to be determined, we can set up shifts) We will also be making cotton candy and sno cones at the four seasons festival next Saturday and scouts have an option to be in the parade and help at the bounce houses and games. All hands on deck!!

May 29, 2022

This is a reminder that we do not meet today due to Memorial Day. Our next Troop meeting is Sunday, June 5 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM at the Polk City United Methodist Church.

Please complete the attached medical form if you haven't yet and send it to Troop committee Treasurer/Secretary Michelle Blattel either by email or U.S. mail. There are four pages to the form. The first three pages are required for scouts to participate in Troop activities which last less than 72 hours such as day hikes, picnics, weekend camp outs, etc. The fourth page is required for scouts to participate in overnight camping which lasts more than 72 hours, such as summer camp. The fourth page must be completed by a medical professional as indicated on the form.

All scouts need this form updated annually. Please be sure to sign on both the first and the third page (third page signature is required so that scouts can take prescription or nonprescription medication). An additional attachment includes information, FAQs, and links.

Michelle's contact information:

Michelle Blattel mc68hawkeye@gmail.com

Scout's who have just recently crossed over to the Troop have started working on the Scout Rank requirement #6: Youth Protection. Youth Protection guidelines are nonnegotiable rules which Scouts BSA take very seriously, and because of this parents are asked to work with their scout to understand how we create and maintain a safe environment for all who participate.

Please work with your scout to complete the following activities and send me an email reply upon completion:

-review the five topics on pages 20-26 of the attached guide Youth Protection (also available here: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/100-015(18).pdf)

- CyberChip requirement #2, (Scouts BSA grades 6-8): http://usscouts.org/usscouts/advance/cyberchip.asp

-CyberChip requirement #3 (same source as above)

NOTE: the contract required for #2 can be just a few sentences. The purpose of this requirement is for you and your scout to have a discussion about how to be safe online, not to write an essay. Also, the Youth Protection Guide is a long document- you're welcome to read through it all, but the requirement is simply to go over the five questions on pages 20-26 with your scout.

Please email me when your scout has completed these activities so I can record your scout's advancement progress. Scouts will finish the rest of the requirements (Scouts BSA CyberChip Grades 6-8: 1, 4, and 5) with the troop.

By the way, a great source for the advancement requirements for scouts is: http://usscouts.org/usscouts/advance/ScoutsBSA/rank1.asp

Please email, text, or call if you have any questions!

Sincerely,

Mike Miller, Asst. Scoutmaster

May 1, 2022

Attendance: Luke, Aidan, Eric, Mitch, Gabe, Aspen, Derek, Drew,

Adults: Mike, Pete, Jeff, Peter, Sarah, Crystal,

Opening

Flag Presentation

Oath and law

Uniform inspection

Skills Instruction

Scouts talked about assigned leadership position. These start next week (no meeting until May 15):

SPL: Aidan

ASPL: Aspen

Scribe: Davin

Quartermaster: Jacob Hamm

OA Rep: Luke

Scouts who were not at tonight’s meeting- what leadership position are you interested in? Look in the Scout Handbook for the positions. Talk to Pete and Mike about which one you want.

Scouts who just crossed over from Webelos will be in new scout patrol. Each scout will take a turn serving as Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader.

Group Instruction

Three groups:

1- start planning Big Trip July 29 - Aug. 7 to Namakagon river in the great state of Wisconsin.

2- work on rank advancement (Scout rank)

3- choose which merit badge to work on next

Closing

Announcements- Big trip is July 29 - Aug. 7. No meeting next week due to Mother’s Day. On May 15 (2 weeks away) we will have an outdoor activity instead of a meeting.

Leader’s minute

Closing

March 6, 2022

Attendance: Luke, Aidan, Davin, Jacob h., Eric, Gabe, Jacob b, Aspen

Opening

Flag Presentation

Oath and law

Skills Instruction

Scouts learned the fishing merit badge, and worked in a range of stations including

• knot tying

• learning to cast with a different rod

Scouts also participated by playing “golf” with plastic fish

Jacob B. gave a weather speech.

Group Instruction

No Troop meeting March 13 or 20 because spring break

April 22-24 Troop campout is at: Mitigwa Camporee (not OA)

Scouts will plan food at March 27 meeting

This friday is another fish fry, and we are invited to sell popcorn!

April 9th merit badge university, at ames, on the troop facebook page

Closing

Announcements

Leader’s minute

Closing

February 27, 2022

Attendance: Luke, Aspen, Eric, Jacob h, Mitch, Gabe, Davin, Aidan,

Adults: Mike, Pete, Matt, Jane, Jeff, Sarah

Opening

Flag Presentation

Oath and law

Uniform inspection

Skills Instruction

Who is going on the spring break: Aspen, Jacob h.?, Gabe?, Davin

Agust high adventure: Aspen, Eric, Jacob h.?, gabe, davin,

August high adventure is at the namekagon river?

Spring break trip is at nine eagles state park

OA snowflake powwow report

Group Instruction

Scouts learned the fishing merit badge

Closing

Announcements

Leader’s minute

Closing

January 23, 2022

Attendance: luke, davin, aspen, mitch, aidan, eric, brayden, gabe, jacob B

Adults: Mike, Pete, Peter, Sarah, Jeff, Michelle

Opening

Flag Presentation

Oath and law

Uniform inspection

Scout dues are due. Total is $169 per scout.

Klondike derby work tonight and next meeting

Talked about when to work on sled, no date set.

Skills instruction

Knot Practice

• Clove hitch

• Bowline

• Timber hitch

Lashing Practice

• Square lashing

• Shear lashing

• Tripod Lashing

Went over menu for Friday night supper and Saturday breakfast for Klondike derby camping. Adults will check on cabin reservation.

Pete went over list of who was going to the hockey game.

Closing

September 6, 2026 RVTV info

Hello everyone, ready to "get loud" Iowa / Iowa State RVTV starts tomorrow and I have the following scouts signed up to help.

Aiden, Luke, Quinn and myself.

I have Will and Brayden as maybe. Mitch you were absent so let me know if you can come.

I NEED you all to come support our Troop with our fundraising efforts.

If you can come for a short time or the whole time, it is appreciated. Our fundraising helps support or opportunities for the year and keeps costs down for parents. So please come out and help.

We will be setting up our tent on the Northeast corner by the Library tent to sell popcorn, and cotton candy.

We will also be volunteering at the Legion with the candy walk, proceeds go to the Troop from 4pm -6pm.

Set up is at 2pm and we will be there until 8pm.

Please wear your Orange Troop class B shirt, and bring a chair. Also, a snack if you want one.

August 15, 2021

Agenda:

Opening – (take turns with all scouts)

Pledge of Allegiance

Scout Oath

Scout Law

Remember, a scout is kind, and courteous. One scout talk at a time.

Old Business:

Remaining calendar through September 2021 is as follows:

Aug 22 - regular meeting at 530pm

Aug 29 - regular meeting at 530pm

Sept 4-6 - no meeting / Labor Day (Possible service hour opportunity with the Polk City Chamber for RC TV. September 6^th.

Sept 17-19 camping in Colfax

Sept 26 - regular meeting 530pm

We have two camping events in September: Colfax Sept 17-19 – who is going?______________________________________________________Parents__________________

Camporee 24-26 we can earn merit badges at this campout – who is going?____________________________________________________Parents____________________

Fall Conclave will be coming up August 20 -22. You can register online at Scoutingiowa.org or through Mid Iowa Council. This is coming up if you have questions now is the time to ask.

RVTV – September 6^th at the Polk City Square. We have these scouts signed up to help. Luke, Quinn, Jake H, Davin, Jacob B, Eric, and Aiden. We will need to finalize our times selling popcorn and volunteer shifts. We will have this next meeting. Right now, I am being told that the hours can range from 12pm to 9pm. I will have more next week.

Annual Troop Planning meeting is September 12 – everyone come with at least one camp out idea and with a rank advancement idea or merit badge idea we can do as a Troop. Be Prepared.

Next Board of Revie will be October 31^st.

New Business:

Welcome everyone.

Tonight, we are working on geocaching. Please bring a GPS device if you have one. (Such as your phone if it has this feature.)

Any adult announcements?

Closing

Thank you Everyone for attending our meetings.

August 8, 2021

Agenda:

Opening – (take turns with all scouts)

Pledge of Allegiance

Scout Oath

Scout Law

Remember, a scout is kind, and courteous. One scout talk at a time.

Old Business:

Thank you for coming tonight. We have a lot of information to cover so please lets listen up and take notes if needed to share with your parents.

To start, I hope everyone who attended Merit Badge opportunity in Ankeny had a good time. Please check in with Mike and make sure your Scoutbook has been updated to reflect work completed.

Mike, I will be preparing an email this week. With all the service hours Scouts did for both the Polk City Mini Fest and the Motorcycle Ride.

New Business:

Welcome everyone. Fall Conclave will be coming up August 20 -22. You can register online at Scoutingiowa.org or through Mid Iowa Council. This is coming up if you have questions now is the time to ask.

Remaining calendar through September 2021 is as follows:

Aug 13–15 will be at Jester Park.

Aug 22 - regular meeting at 530pm

Aug 29 - regular meeting at 530pm

Sept 4-6 - no meeting / Labor Day (Possible service hour opportunity with the Polk City Chamber for RC TV. September 6^th.

Sept 17-19 camping in Colfax

Sept 26 - regular meeting 530pm

We missed our board of review on August 1^st, we need to reset this date.

Also, in looking at the calendar I think we should have our Annual Troop planning meeting at the September 12^th meeting. Please everyone come to the next meeting with one place you would like to campout (do little research, look around at places that are close to home) and one merit badge idea.

Thanks to the Legion we all will receive two Class B shirts. Those will be handed out tonight. There is an opportunity for your parents, family and friends to receive these as well, the cost is $15.00. Please let me or Matt Hamm know right away if anyone wants one. Thank you, Matt and Julie Hamm, for the printing services and assistance with these.

The Jester Park campout Aug. 13-15. Mitch and Eric have planned the menu. Who is shopping or do we have all the items? Mitch said the youth site at Jester is reserved for us.

Who is planning to attend? __________________________________________________

Parents that can attend? __________________________________________________________________

Everyone wants to work on more merit badges, which is great. One of the suggested merit badges was fly fishing. Mike is a counselor for this and Quinn dad may be able to help. - Quinn can you ask your dad if he could help? If he can, we could use his help to teach some of the skills like knots, casting, and fly-tying. Mike has a fly-tying vise and materials, but if your dad could bring one that would be better so we could split up in two groups. We could make this apart of the August 22 or August 29^th meeting. (Mike what is best for you?)

I am also finalizing details for CPR training and certification in September. Date to be announced as soon as Officer Lawton gets back to me.

We have several opportunities coming up. With our Troop account at $59.00 we need to start fundraising. We are still waiting on two reimbursements from Mid Iowa Council, my mom is following up on those this week.

First, Pete was approached by Dam-to-Dam race with Des Moines. They are looking for 20 volunteers to stuff race packets for 4 hours on the 25-26 of August. I guess they pay from $250-$500 for your charity. Pete, do you have a number we can call to follow up? Is this money for our Troop or to Mid Iowa?

Is anyone free that wants to do this? _______________________________________________________

If so, I will call this week and get more information.

Bridgette Vos and Carol Easter did reach out regarding RVTV being hosted here in Polk City on September 6^th. We would help like we did with the Polk City mini fest. We would set up tables, tents, chairs, and assist with cans, and trash. The hours will be from 12pm to 11pm. If anyone is available, we can pair up and work in shifts or we can choose a time as a troop to assist all together. My mom will be working with Bridgette, so she will be there all day. This is just community service hours currently. We do not know yet, if a donation will be made to the Troop. I will update you all after the next meeting we attend for RVTV committee.

Who is interested in volunteering?________________________________________________________

September 24-26 Prairie Winds District Fall Camporee. This is a possible opportunity for us all for a September campout and Winter Survival merit badge. We can add this to our planning meeting as well, but for now who is interested?___________________________________________________________________

I also saw Don while working at Faraway and he reminded me of the Evergreen, Christmas fundraiser that if we start earlier, we would not be so rushed and would have time to make more. Who all wants to do this?

_________________________________________________________________________________ I will email Don if we all agree we would like to have this set up are ready by September / October to get sales in and product out for the holidays.

I have been told scouts decided they want to sell popcorn as a fundraiser. Matt went to this meeting. The troop gets to keep 31% of what we sell and another 40% goes to local scouting activities; the rest goes to the popcorn company. Popcorn sales will be a BIG task requiring a lot of time from scouts and the parent who takes charge of the troop's sales. We can make a lot of money, but it will take a group effort.

At this time, I am going to let Matt take over and we all need to listen, so we know what to do. Thank you, Matt.

July 21, 2021 - info about merit badge university

Scouts have an opportunity to earn merit badges August 7th at a Merit Badge University in Ankeny. Over 22 merit badges are offered. See the information below for more details. Scouts can take one merit badge in the morning and one in the afternoon; you can also attend only in the morning or only in the afternoon if that's more convenient. The fee is $25 per scout registered (the fee is the same whether or not you are taking one or two classes). The troop will pay the registration fee and parents will reimburse the troop; please make checks payable to Boy Scout Troop 89. Deadline for registration is July 31.

Registration opened June 14 so some of the classes may be full. Email me if you have questions or would like to sign-up.

Merit Badge University Ankeny First United Methodist Church

Open for Registration: 06/14/2021

Follow the link for details and available Merit Badges: https://meritbadge.info/MBN2/eventdetails.aspx...

Ankeny First United Methodist Church, 206 SW Walnut St; Ankeny, IA 50023, Saturday, August 7th, 2021

SCHEDULE:

7:30-8:30 am Registration

8:40 am Opening Flag Ceremony and Announcements

9:00 am – 12:00 pm Morning Merit Badge Sessions

12:00 pm-12:50 pm Lunch

1:00 pm-4:00 pm Afternoon Merit Badge Sessions