Scouts worked on advancements and practiced making stretchers out of flagpoles and tee-shirts then carrying each other for a timed race.
Thanksgiving feast packing guide
Bring your class A shirt!
Mr. Walsh showed his gear for cold weather camping and advised the scouts on what to do and bring for the Thanksgiving feast this weekend. Friday 5:30pm drop-off. Sunday pickup time around 10-12noon or TBD.
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 said that in 20° bag is probably your best bet but can go lower. 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. None made of cotton.
Dues are Due NOW!!
2022 Annual Dues: The annual Scouting BSA dues are due! Thanks again to the Scouts’ (and adult volunteers) efforts in tent rentals and event parking, the troop will be collecting $0 in annual dues. The Michigan Council and National BSA - that provide content and insurance, do need to collect $132 per Scout, and $57 per adult volunteer. You can use Earned scout account money for this, make a check payable to BSA troop 623, or even pay on-line by credit card at this link. Payments are needed by the end of the Month! Thank you. - Orrin Lorenz
$132.00 for scouts without Scout Life Magazine
$57.00 for adults
$12.00 more for Scout Life Magazine
Advancement
Eric Burrow was promoted to Star
Scarlet Schmidtman ranked up to Tenderfoot
Klondike Derby
February 4th to through 6th at Coloma Rod and Gun Club
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/