Meeting Activities
 
Scouts worked on advancements, demonstrated their patrol yell, played a game and unpacked the trailer from the Klondike Derby.
 
PLC Meeting change!
PLC meeting canceled Feb 15, moved to Feb. 22 at 5:30-7pm.
 
No meeting Feb. 21st because of Presidents Day!
 
Scout Sunday is this Sunday!
 
Scouts need to arrive at 9:30am to get instructions and greet congregants at the church for the 10:30am service on Feb. 20th. Scouts will help with service activities like lighting candles, etc. All Scouts are invited to attend and we will have a reception in the Fellowship Hall afterwards. Please wear your class A’s and a mask.
 
Mackinac 2022 Sign-ups
 
Plan now to attend the 2022 Mackinac Island Service camp. This will be our 60th season of service to the state of Michigan, and we are looking forward to a great week.
 
The first sign up will be Feb 15, 2022 at 7pm at the First Congregational Church, 2001 Niles Ave., Saint Joseph, MI 49085. Second sign up will be Feb. 24, 2022 same time, same place. The church asks that everyone wear a mask.
 
Our week of service will be July 16 - July 23, 2022. The fee this year will be $225. First payment of $75 will be due at sign up, and $75 due at first practice, balance due at last practice.
 
All Scouts must be at least 2nd class and approved by their Scoutmaster. A parent must be with each Scout, so they can sign the application agreement. We will also need a small photo of each Scout, and an up to date health form. A copy of the form is preferred. The adult fee this year will be $120. 
 
If you have any questions, contact Jerry Ingram.
 
Summer Camp!
 
Although it may not seem that way today, summer will be here before we know it.  Mr. Sparkman has compiled a list of options for Scout summer camp this year.  The Troop will decide where and when to go based on your responses.
 
If your Scout is interesting in attending summer camp, please complete this survey and select your preferences from the options listed in the email you should have received.
 
This leads to our next request.  We will need at least 2 adult volunteers to help organize and attend summer camp with the Scouts this year.   If you are able to help out with summer camp please let us know.
 
Finally, regarding summer activities, I have had a number of Scouts ask about our plans for a high adventure trip this summer.   As of today, there are no plans for a high adventure trip this summer.    In talking to Dylan about this, he needs some adult volunteers to help plan and run a high adventure trip.  For those who are not aware high adventure trips are typically higher intensity activities like white water rafting, overnight backpacking or canoeing.  These trips are more demanding so Scouts need to meet minimum age and skill/rank requirements (Typically 12 years old and first class rank).  If you have thoughts on a high adventure trip for the summer and can help organize and run the event, please let us know. - Eric Walsh
 
 
Merit Badge Counselors
 
The troop is in need of merit badge counselors. 
 
The need is most urgent for the Eagle required badges….
(a) First Aid, (b) Citizenship in the Community, (c) Citizenship in the Nation, (d) Citizenship in the World, (e) Communication, (f) Cooking, (g) Personal Fitness, (h) Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, (i) Environmental Science OR Sustainability, (j) Personal Management, (k) Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling, (l) Camping, and (m) Family Life.
If you are interested in becoming a merit badge counselor look at the options on the list at this link.  Talk to Mr. Sparkman or Mr. Langlois to get the forms to sign up.

Meeting Activities
Scouts worked on advancements, demonstrated their patrol yell, then practiced the 8 knot contest to prepare for the Klondike Derby.
 
Reminder: Order of the Arrow members will meet Thursday Feb 10 at the usual place and time.
 
Klondike Derby
The Klondike Derby is this Friday - Saturday, February 11th through 12th, at Coloma Rod and Gun Club. See the Carcajou... attachment for details. Each Scout is $15 and should bring a can of soup.
 
Each scout was assigned some supplies to bring for the team's sled, please check with your scout on what they need to bring and see if you have it at home or need to go shopping.
 
Everyone at the Derby needs to bring a lawn chair!
 
As you pack, set aside the following thing to be included in your backpack/team sled:
Each scout needs to bring rain gear, a full change of clothes in a waterproof bag or ziplock, and 2 liters of water to put on the sled (Items can be in personal backpack, just put on sled at required events). Please check out page 4 in the attachment for details and page 5 for hints of what the activities will be.
 
We prefer the scouts be 4 to a tent for warmth but are willing to go down to 2 for personal choice. The troop will bring winter tents for scouts to use.
 
Pack some masks for close contact activities.
 
Meet at the church at 4:30pm this Friday to help pack up and head over to the Derby. We need more drivers!!!
 
Here is a refresher of Mr. Walsh's cold camping advice from earlier this year if you need it. They recommend a 0 degree bag for the upcoming Derby.
 
Bring a sleeping pad to get you up off the ground. But if it is one that has air inside, also bring a blanket to put on top so it doesn't suck away your body heat. He recommended using a low temperature sleeping bag so check the rating. You want the sleeping bag rating to be 20° lower than what you expect to experience for safety. He recommends using a mummy bag but if you don't have one you can use a regular sleeping bag and maybe put an extra regular sleeping bag inside of it or add extra blankets. Wear a hat to sleep so you don't get cold. Hooded sweatshirts are nice. Bring Long John's and a long sleeve shirt to sleep in that are different from the clothing that you wear during the day. Dirty and wet clothing are not very insulating. Also bring a different thin pair of gloves to sleep in. He recommended bringing hand warmers but not using them directly on your skin. Make sure you wear a shirt between your body and the hand warmer near your chest and clean dry socks on your feet near the one at the bottom of your sleeping bag. Once you wake up drop the hand warmers into your boots. Keep your boots inside the tent and try and keep them from freezing. Bring an extra pair of boots or shoes in case one pair does get wet and freezes. Don't let yourself get so hot that you sweat and then get yourself wet. Jeans are not a good idea. Synthetic layers are your best friend. Wool can still insulate when wet. Wear lots of layers! Bring your winter coat and gloves and make sure to pack extra socks, like 5 or 6 pairs for 2 nights. None made of cotton.
 
PLC Meeting
Feb. 15 at 5:30-7pm right before the 1st Mackinac sign up.
 
Scout Sunday
Scout Sunday will be at the church during the 10:30am service on Feb. 20th. All Scouts are invited to attend and we will have a reception in the Fellowship Hall afterwards. Please wear your class A’s and a mask.
 
Mackinac 2022 Sign-ups
Plan now to attend the 2022 Mackinac Island Service camp. This will be our 60th season of service to the state of Michigan, and we are looking forward to a great week.
 
The first sign up will be Feb 15, 2022 at 7pm at the First Congregational Church, 2001 Niles Ave., Saint Joseph, MI 49085. Second sign up will be Feb. 24, 2022 same time, same place. The church asks that everyone wear a mask.
 
Our week of service will be July 16 - July 23, 2022. The fee this year will be $225. First payment of $75 will be due at sign up, and $75 due at first practice, balance due at last practice.
 
All Scouts must be at least 2nd class and approved by their Scoutmaster. A parent must be with each Scout, so they can sign the application agreement. We will also need a small photo of each Scout, and an up to date health form. A copy of the form is preferred. The adult fee this year will be $120. 
 
If you have any questions, contact Jerry Ingram.
 
Merit Badge Counselors
The troop is in need of merit badge counselors. 
 
The need is most urgent for the Eagle required badges….
(a) First Aid, (b) Citizenship in the Community, (c) Citizenship in the Nation, (d) Citizenship in the World, (e) Communication, (f) Cooking, (g) Personal Fitness, (h) Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, (i) Environmental Science OR Sustainability, (j) Personal Management, (k) Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling, (l) Camping, and (m) Family Life.
If you are interested in becoming a merit badge counselor look at the options on the list at this link.  Talk to Mr. Sparkman or Mr. Langlois to get the forms to sign up.
 

Meeting Activities
 
Scouts worked on advancements then practiced starting fires with flint & steel and knot tying to prepare for the Klondike Derby.
 
Klondike Derby
 
The Klondike Derby is February 11th through 12th at Coloma Rod and Gun Club. See the Carcajou... attachment for details. Each Scout is $15 and should bring a can of soup.
 
 
Here is a refresher of Mr. Walsh's cold camping advice from earlier this year if you need it. They recommend a 0 degree bag for the upcoming Derby.
 
Bring a sleeping pad to get you up off the ground. But if it is one that has air inside also bring a blanket to put on top so it doesn't suck away your body heat. He recommended using a low temperature sleeping bag so check the rating. You want the sleeping bag rating to be 20° lower than what you expect to experience for safety. He recommends using a mummy bag but if you don't have one you can use a regular sleeping bag and maybe put an extra regular sleeping bag inside of it or add extra blankets. Wear a hat to sleep so you don't get cold. Hooded sweatshirts are nice. Bring Long John's and a long sleeve shirt to sleep in that are different from the clothing that you wear during the day. Dirty and wet clothing are not very insulating. Also bring a different thin pair of gloves to sleep in. He recommended bringing hand warmers but not using them directly on your skin. Make sure you wear a shirt between your body and the hand warmer near your chest and clean dry socks on your feet near the one at the bottom of your sleeping bag. Once you wake up drop the hand warmers into your boots. Keep your boots inside the tent and try and keep them from freezing. Bring an extra pair of boots or shoes in case one pair does get wet and freezes. Don't let yourself get so hot that you sweat and then get yourself wet. Jeans are not a good idea. Synthetic layers are your best friend. Wool can still insulate when wet. Wear lots of layers! Bring your winter coat and gloves and make sure to pack extra socks, like 5 or 6 pairs for 2 nights. None made of cotton.
 
Scout Sunday
 
Scout Sunday will be at the church during the 10:30am service on Feb. 20th. All Scouts are invited to attend and we will have a reception in the Fellowship Hall afterwards. Please wear your class A’s and a mask.
 
Mackinac 2022 Sign-ups
 
Plan now to attend the 2022 Mackinac Island Service camp. This will be our 60th season of service to the state of Michigan, and we are looking forward to a great week.
 
The first sign up will be Feb 15, 2022 at 7pm at the First Congregational Church, 2001 Niles Ave., Saint Joseph, MI 49085. Second sign up will be Feb. 24, 2022 same time, same place. The church asks that everyone wear a mask.
 
Our week of service will be July 16 - July 23, 2022. The fee this year will be $225. First payment of $75 will be due at sign up, and $75 due at first practice, balance due at last practice.
 
All Scouts must be at least 2nd class and approved by their Scoutmaster. A parent must be with each Scout, so they can sign the application agreement. We will also need a small photo of each Scout, and an up to date health form. A copy of the form is preferred. The adult fee this year will be $120. 
 
If you have any questions, contact Jerry Ingram.
 
Merit Badge Counselors
 
The troop is in need of merit badge counselors. 
 
The need is most urgent for the Eagle required badges….
(a) First Aid, (b) Citizenship in the Community, (c) Citizenship in the Nation, (d) Citizenship in the World, (e) Communication, (f) Cooking, (g) Personal Fitness, (h) Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, (i) Environmental Science OR Sustainability, (j) Personal Management, (k) Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling, (l) Camping, and (m) Family Life.
 
If you are interested in becoming a merit badge counselor look at the options on the list at this link.  Talk to Mr. Sparkman or Mr. Langlois to get the forms to sign up.
 
https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/advancement-and-awards/merit-badges/
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