Meeting Activities
Scouts packed trailers for Summer Camp and Mackinac and discussed logistics. Lots of details below and to come!
 
Advancement 
John Norland advanced to Eagle Scout
 
***Merit Badge Counselors***
If you are a Merit Badge Counselor, you need to renew your status in Scout Book by June 30th. Please ask Mr. Hill if you have questions.
 
Summer Camp
Everyone needs to scan their health forms A, B1, B2, C and insurance card and send them to Mr. Sparkman ASAP. Forms and other info in link that was emailed

Scan or take pictures of all blue cards, and your progress in the back of your Scout book before packing it for camp. Just in case. Rain is expected so putting your Scout book and cards in ziploc plastic bags would be good.
 
Sunday meet at the Church at 8:30am to load the trailer and head to Camp Gerber. We hope to leave at 9am and plan to stop at the McDonalds for lunch on the way before getting to camp so send some accessible lunch money. 
 
Everyone checks into camp together at 12:30pm. We are in Orion. Wear good walking shoes for the tour and have your bathing suit and towel at the top of your daypack to easily change for the swim test. Medications should also be easily accessible for check in. Pack a good amount of cash for your Scout to get drinks, snacks and souvenirs at camp. $60 does not go that far and some of the badge activities have supplies you need to buy. You can give an emergency envelope of $ with your Scout’s name on it to the adults going to camp if your Scout needs extra or help budgeting.
 
Pack your Class A’s that will be worn for dinner and other events as well as all the usual stuff for summer camp. Rain gear will probably be needed. Keep checking the forecast for the camp location to help you plan clothing. Send lots of  extra socks and underwear and shoes/hiking boots that can handle a lot of walking and sandy ground. Two water bottles, toiletries, medications, lots of clothing that can get dirty, shower shoes and supplies, hand sanitizer, DEODORANT, bug spray and sun screen, tweezers for ticks, flashlights and headlights, Scout books, paper, pens and pencils, completed prerequisites, Totin’ Chip, Firem’n Chit, knife, cordage, compass, bathing suit and towel, sleeping system for summer, jacket and layers. Props for skit for Fire Bowl. Hat, sunglasses, first aid kit, daypack, Merit badge books (they got them Monday), printed Merit badge worksheets, mess kits, etc. Give your Scout a paper copy of their schedule so they know what Merit badges they are in and when and where to go. A watch that doesn’t need frequent charging would be good too. Check the Scout book for a list and anything else I missed. 
 
Drivers who are bringing Scouts home on Friday
Stay tuned for updates from leaders, but for now, plan on being at Camp Gerber by 8pm on Friday the 8th to attend the Fire Bowl and bring the Scouts home. Rain may move this schedule up.
 
Tents and Parking
We have had a VERY successful fundraising season so far! Thank you so much to all who have participated. Scout funds should be in accounts in about a month. There are still some upcoming opportunities so check the link that was emailed.

Weekend Camping
Sign-ups for the weekend campout are still open - check your email for the link.

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 and played a game. It was a low key meeting because many of the PLC were gone on other activities.
 
Advancement
Eric Burrow was promoted to Life Scout
 
Iron Man Triathlon parking! July 25-26th!
I've created a signup sheet for the triathlon parking.  This is our main fundraiser, and we need everyone who can help.  Sign up for whatever slots you can help with.  We will again pass most of the money earned to the kids in their scout accounts.  

Mackinac Camp
Scouts attending Mackinac Camp need to turn in health forms! Please get your part C forms filled out by your doctor. This may take a few days. Physicals need to be within a year of when you go camping. Scan forms A-C and bring copies to the meeting or email to your forms to Mr. Langlois or Mr. Lorenz ASAP.

Summer Camp!
Make sure to get your physical forms ready and have Part C filled out by your doctor. These are required for camp! Also, start on prerequisites if your activity has them. Please pay Mr. Sparkman ASAP if you have not done so already. Update the spreadsheet with your camper's details and information. Please choose activities or free time for all 4 sessions. Please note that some last more than 1 session. Sign-ups for the weekend campout are still open

Future Events
We are hoping to have a pinewood derby build and camp at the church Aug. 13-14th as a recruiting event.
 
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 and experienced sheltering from incoming bad weather. Many also took home a copy of the US Constitution.
 
Mackinac Camp
Scouts attending Mackinac Camp need to turn in health forms! Please get your part C forms filled out by your doctor. This may take a few days. Physicals need to be within a year of when you go camping. Scan forms A-C and bring copies to the meeting or email to your forms to Mr. Langlois or Mr. Lorenz ASAP.

Summer Camp!
Make sure to get your physical forms ready and have Part C filled out by your doctor. These are required for camp! Also, start on prerequisites if your activity has them. Please pay Mr. Sparkman ASAP if you have not done so already. Update the spreadsheet with your camper's details and information. Please choose activities or free time for all 4 sessions. Please note that some last more than 1 session. Sign-ups for the weekend campout are still open.

Iron Man Triathlon parking! July 25-26th!
I've created a signup sheet for the triathlon parking.  This is our main fundraiser, and we need everyone who can help.  Sign up for whatever slots you can help with.  We will again pass most of the money earned to the kids in their scout accounts.  

Future Events
We are hoping to have a pinewood derby build and camp at the church Aug. 13-14th as a recruiting event.
 
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 helped unload and reload tents from weekend party set-ups, several scouts took home coolers to sanitize for Mackinac Island trip. Please clean carefully with bleach and water then return them next meeting. They need to be clean to hold food. Please also return all tents borrowed for camping, especially the orange ones! Scouts worked on advancements and played sharks and minnows.
 
Party Tent Sign-Ups
Please sign up to help with tent setups. We have some this week and into the summer. You will earn money for your Scout Account.
 
PLC meeting next week!
PLC meeting will be at 6pm on Monday, June 13th, before the regular meeting.
 
Summer Camp
Make sure to get your physical forms ready and have Part C filled out by your doctor. These are required for camp! Also, start on prerequisites if your activity has them. Please pay Mr. Sparkman ASAP if you have not done so already. Update the spreadsheet with your camper's details and information. Please choose activities or free time for all 4 sessions. Please note that some last more than 1 session. Sign-ups for the weekend campout are still open.
 
We need some web and tech savvy parents to help the Troop. Please contact Mr. Hill if interested!
 
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.

No meeting next week due to Memorial Day.

We conducted a flag retirement ceremony, working through a portion of the flags we have on hand to retire.
 
The scouts worked on advancements and merit badges.  The flag retirement ceremony counted for one of the items for younger scouts.
 
Car Show
Steve Wright pitched the troop helping with the car show June 18 (Jun 19 - weather day). Want help from 5-6 people at 7 to 10 to help with the pancake breakfast. Would like 2-4 through out the day to keep it clean - swapping out bags 10 - 4

The boys need to determine if they want to participate and let Steve know.  He hinted at a donation.  Not sure the amount.  The committee will look at making it part of the fundraising drive this summer, splitting any donation up to the scouts that work the event.
 
Announcements:
Sign-ups for tents are being put together.  We are still nailing down the setup and takedown times.  Again, we will put the majority of the money earned toward the scout's accounts that work. We'll sum up the summer's take and the setups/takedowns worked.  This can be used for scouting related items (registrations, camping, gear, etc).  If you have questions, talk to one of the leaders. 

Summer Camp merit badge signups.  If you haven't already done so, and are going to camp, please sign up for merit badges

Parking for the Steelhead Triathlon on 25-26 June. Be on the lookout for the signup sheet for parking. 

Flag Retirement Ceremony
The Troop will be having a Flag retirement ceremony at the next meeting (6/23).   Class A Uniform is required.
 
Mackinaw Practice on 5/22
All other Scouts going to Mackinaw need to be there by 5. 
Final payment and health forms are due.   Full Mackinaw uniform is required.
 
Summer Camp
The list of merit badges call be found here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mPvrds8SWtFjZvQt_9VaTV3bIARLsenM/view?usp=sharing

Meeting Activities
Scouts played a game, and worked on advancements.

Advancements
Spencer Hirsch moved up to Scout

Eagle Scout Projects and opportunities for service hours
Nathan Sparkman is doing the pre-build and install for his Eagle Scout project.  They are building the platforms nightly from 3-5pm at the church.  There is measuring, cutting and screwing together the major pieces to prepare for the install this Sunday.  If you have questions, reach out to Nathan

May 13, 5:30pm at Elks Club for John's Eagle Scout Project, food provided. Wear clothes for pouring concrete outside and working outside.

The Crop Walk is this Sunday May 15th at the Church.  They need help setting up (around 12:45) and take down (4:00 pm).  

May 14th is the Blossomtime Parade!

Please be ready with your scout shirt and scout pants/shorts or jeans. Arrival time 10-11am. Drop off Scouts at Krasl 707 Lake Blvd, Saint Joseph. They will meet with Mr. Dansfield (296)325-1733 (cell) on the bluff across from Krasl and eat lunch at Saron Lutheran Church. At 12:30pm they will get together to be ready for the parade at 1pm. They will walk the parade and then end at the Livery (190 5th St., Benton Harbor) to be picked up at 3-3:30ish.

Mackinac Practice
If you have signed up for Mackinac you must attend the practices! May 22 will be a mandatory practice. Come dressed in your full uniform including Class A, shorts, scout  socks, dress shoes, a watch, and red jacket (or buy one there).

Summer Camp
Please pay Mr. Sparkman ASAP if you have not done so already. Update the spreadsheet with your camper's details and information. Please choose activities or free time for all 4 sessions. Please note that some last more than 1 session. Sign-ups for the weekend campout are still open.

We need some web and tech savvy parents to help the Troop. Please contact Mr. Hill if interested!

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 practiced setting up the camp kitchen boxes, held elections, played a game, and worked on advancements.
 
Troop Elections results
Senior Patrol Leader:  John Norland
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader: Silas Lorenz
Historian: Kevin Svetlev
Flag Retirement Officer: Eric Burrow
Quartermaster: Ian McKim and Blake Bacon
Scribe: Emmet Lorenz
Librarian: Blake Bacon and Jackson Galsterer
Leave No Trace Trainer: Levi Leitert and Blake Bacon
 
Advancements
Brandon Wilder moved up to Life Scout
Cydney Bacon moved up to First Class
 
 
May 14th is the Blossomtime Parade! Arrival time TBD.
Details are being finalized, please stay tuned and be ready with your scout shirt and scout pants/shorts or jeans.
 
Summer Camp
Please pay Mr. Sparkman ASAP if you have not done so already. Update the spreadsheet with your camper's details and information. Please choose activities or free time for all 4 sessions. Please note that some last more than 1 session. Sign-ups for the weekend campout are still open.

Mackinac Practice
If you have signed up for Mackinac you must attend the practices! May 22 will be a practice. Come dressed in your full uniform including Class A, shorts, scout socks, dress shoes, a watch, and red jacket (or buy one there).
 
Eagle Projects
You can earn some service hours and help others while helping our older scouts on their Eagle Projects on May 9th, 13th?, and/or 15th. Finalized details to come.
 
We need some web and tech savvy parents to help the Troop. Please contact Mr. Hill if interested!
 
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.

Summer Camp details, again if you need them!
 
We need more adults to attend! One needs to be female for our lady Scouts! Right now we can't go without more adults!!

The votes were tallied and Camp Gerber looks like the winner. Weekend camp at Camp Tamarack would be the weekend of July 22-24.
Again, we're looking at Gerber Scout Reservation from 3-9 July (maybe come home 8 July after fire bowl - that's up to you).  The link below is to the sign up sheet.  I need an entry for each scout and each adult that will be going.  
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out and ask. 

Meeting Activities
Scouts unloaded the trailer, discussed the Weko campout, and worked on advancements.
 
Troop Elections will be April 25. Please come apply and vote.
 
May 14th is the Blossomtime Parade! Arrival time TBD.
 
We need some web and tech savvy parents to help the Troop. Please contact Mr. Hill if interested!
 
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, played an escape room game, and planned for the upcoming campout.
 
Upcoming events

Weko Beach campout!
We are planning to have a campout April 22-24 at Weko Beach. Please complete the permission form and return it with your payment. This should be a fun one so parents may want to try this one out! Please bring rain gear, sleep system for the expected weather, yard work gloves and rakes. We will go on a 5 mile hike so pack a daypack, water bottles and other essentials listed in the scout book. Meet at the church at 5:30pm Friday the 22nd to load the trailer and coordinate rides. We should leave around 9-9:30am and be back at the church between 10 and 10:30am Sunday.
 
Summer Camp!
 
We need more adults to attend! One needs to be female for our lady Scouts! Right now we can't go without more adults!!
The votes were tallied and Camp Gerber looks like the winner. Weekend camp at Camp Tamarack would be the weekend of July 22-24.

Again, we're looking at Gerber Scout Reservation from 3-9 July (maybe come home 8 July after fire bowl - that's up to you).  The link below is to the sign up sheet.  I need an entry for each scout and each adult that will be going.  
Deadline is 4/18 or ASAP to give us a chance to get everything done in time.  
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out and ask Mr. Sparkman. 

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. We need time for you to complete a background check and paperwork.
You can attend different camps without the Troop as a provisional scout. Contact the council of the camp you are interested in for details.
 
Troop Elections will be April 25. Please come apply and vote.
 
May 14th is the Blossomtime Parade! Arrival time TBD.
 
We need some web and tech savvy parents to help the Troop. Please contact Mr. Hill if interested!
 
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.