Sunday, January 2, 2011

TROOP 14 EVENT-PACKED, “WELCOME BACK” NEWSLETTER FOR MONDAY, JANUARY 3RD

* UPCOMING DATES
* WELCOME BACK: NEXT TROOP MEETING & PARENT MEETING, JANUARY 4TH
* JOIN US FOR THE KIRK PARK CAMPOUT, JAN 14th-16th
* KLONDYKE & OPTIONAL POLAR BEAR CAMPOUT!
* SKI TRIP: CABERFAE PEAKS
* COAST - COUNCIL OUTDOOR ADULT LEADER SKILLS TRAINING
* WE HELPED THE HUNGRY IN OUR COMMUNITY
* SECURE YOUR PLACE ON THIS YEAR'S HIGH ADVENTURE
* 2011 HAUNTED HALL MEETING - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12TH
* WINTER EUCHRE TOURNAMENT RESULTS
* ORDER OF THE ARROW BANQUET
* OA ELECTIONS FOR 2011 & WHAT IS THE ORDER OF THE ARROW?
* NEWSLETTER 411: WHAT HAPPENS IF THE WEATHER GETS BAD?

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UPCOMING DATES

January
4th - Troop and Parent Meeting
11th - Troop Meeting
13th - Order of the Arrow meeting at District Roundtable
14th-16th  - Campout at Kirk Park
15th - OA Winter Banquet
18th - Troop Meeting
25th - Troop Meeting

February
5th - Klondyke: Boy Scout Winter Skills Competition.
18-20th - Ski Trip, Caberfae Peaks; cost estimated at $90/TBA

March and Beyond
* March Campout, March 18-20th @ Camp Gerber; cost = $20
* Council Outdoor Adult Skills Training: April 15-17
* May Hike: May 13th-15th, Hiking/Canoeing prerequisite for High Adventure, Cost: $60.
* Indy 500: May 28-29, Cost $90
* Summer Camp: June 19th-25th, Cost: $190/scout, $100/adult
* High Adventure: July 7th-July 13th

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WELCOME BACK: NEXT TROOP MEETING & PARENT MEETING

The next meeting will be both a Troop and Parent meeting.

WHEN: TUESDAY, JANUARY 4TH @ 7PM
WHERE:  HOLMES ELEMENTARY

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JOIN US FOR THE KIRK PARK CAMPOUT, JAN 14th-16th

Scouts and their adult male mentors are invited to attend this campout at Kirk Park Lodge on January 14th-16th. Sign-ups will be begin 1/11.

MEET: 5:30pm, Friday, 1/14 at Kirk Park, 9791 N. Lakeshore Dr, South of Grand Haven
RETURN: Noon, Sunday, 1/16.

Note: We will be sleeping in the lodge both nights. Bring board games, sleds, and outdoor wear.

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KLONDYKE & OPTIONAL POLAR BEAR CAMPOUT!

Klondyke is a Boy Scout Winter Skills and Camping event, held every winter in the snow. Usually, it involves an OPTIONAL overnight campout and multiple competitions where Boy Scout Troops compete against each other.

Each patrol uses a Dog Type sled that uses Scout power to pull it. The Scouts pull the sleds that are loaded with their personal and patrol equipment. The Scouts journey through woods and fields, up and down hills and stop at different activity stations where they are tested on different Scout skills. When they arrive at these stations they are timed and tested on their Scouting knowledge, their team work and their problem solving skills.

This year’s Klondyke will be in conjunction with the Polar Bear Campout! Scouts will have the option of participating in a Polar Bear Campout (camping in weather below 32 degrees for 22 hours!) or just participating in the Klondyke Derby.

All Scouts need to bring: Can of Non-perishable Soup, bowl, spoon.

IF YOU ARE ONLY ATTENDING THE SATURDAY EVENT:
Meet at Silver Creek County Park in Hamilton at 8:30am or sign up for car-pooling (we may need parent drivers!!).

IF YOU ARE ATTENDING THE CAMPOUT:
Scouts will camp outside at Silver Creek County Park in Hamilton (see Troop website for packing list - have YOUR SCOUT do the packing themselves!).

MEET: 4:45pm, Friday, 2/4 @ Holmes Elementary
RETURN: Approximately 5:30pm on Saturday 2/5.

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SKI TRIP: CABERFAE PEAKS

More information will be available at Tuesday’s meeting.

WHEN: February 18-20th
WHERE: Caberfae Peaks
COST: Estimated at $90/TBA

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COAST - COUNCIL OUTDOOR ADULT LEADER SKILLS TRAINING

COAST training will be held April 15-17. This training will ensure that new leaders are proficient in basic outdoor skills pertaining to tent camping, outdoor cooking, fire building, and leadership.

!!!NOTE: This training is REQUIRED for ANY ADULT attending Boy Scout Camp. For most of you, this will be a “one and done” since this is only required once every 10 years! Join our leaders for this fantastic weekend at Camp Gerber. See the emailed newsletter for more information.

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WE HELPED THE HUNGRY IN OUR COMMUNITY

Troop 14 collected $28.15 at the last Troop Meeting. This was donated to Love, INC. to assist in the purchase of a food truck. Great job, guys!

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SECURE YOUR PLACE ON THIS YEAR'S HIGH ADVENTURE

Sign-up for High Adventure has started. This year's High Adventure is canoeing at Boundary Waters in Ely, Minnesota. Dates will be from July 7th-13th.

We can only take a limited number of people. To sign-up, we need a parent's signature and a $100 dollar deposit.

See the emailed newsletter for more information.

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2011 HAUNTED HALL MEETING - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12TH

It is time to gear up for our 13th year!

WHEN: 6:30 PM
WHERE: SL Library Common Room.

Having wrapped up 2010, we are ready to begin planning 2011. Come prepared with ideas, especially related to themes! If you are interested in viewing the minutes from the last meetings, see the emailed newsletter for more information.

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WINTER EUCHRE TOURNAMENT RESULTS

Twenty other youth competed for the award. Between the seasoned veterans and the newbies, they did a great job! Please plan to be present at the end of January 6th’s Troop Meeting when the trophy is awarded.

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ORDER OF THE ARROW BANQUET

OA members and their families are invited to attend the OA Banquet. Some transportation will be available from the Kirk Park Campout, although FAMILIES are encouraged to attend with their Arrowman. See the newsletter for more information.

WHEN: January 15th, 5-8:30pm
WHERE: Grand Rapids Masonic Lodge, 233 East Fulton Street.
COST: $10/OA member, or $30/OA Member AND family

Note: OA Scouts MAY register at the January 6th troop meeting. Otherwise, late fees will apply (15/member with $10 per additional family member), attending along with many other OA members.

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OA ELECTIONS FOR 2011 & WHAT IS THE ORDER OF THE ARROW?

OA Elections for 2011 will be conducted in February of this year.

You may be wondering, what is the Order of the Arrow?

The Order of the Arrow (OA) is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). It uses Native American-styled traditions and ceremonies to bestow recognition on scouts selected by their peers as best exemplifying the ideals of Scouting.

After being elected or nominated, candidates may participate in a call-out ceremony to recognize those scouts and scouters that were selected before they attend their Ordeal. The call-out ceremony is performed at summer camp. Candidates subsequently participate in an Ordeal induction, intended to emphasize service and self-sacrifice.

Members of the OA are expected to promote camping and render service to Boy Scout councils and their communities. Members wear identifying insignia on their uniforms, most notably the OA sash, and are eligible for special OA awards. The OA program sponsors several events, awards, and training functions

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NEWSLETTER 411: WHAT HAPPENS IF THE WEATHER GETS BAD?

Now that it's snowed, many people start asking, how will I know if Troop 14's weekly meeting is canceled?

Troop 14 will only be canceled if Spring Lake Public Schools is closed or cancels all of their evening activities.