Scouts worked on advancements, played a game and packed the trailer for Weko. As the weather gets better, wear appropriate clothes and bring your lawn chairs because we meet outside by the shed when it doesn’t rain.
April 19-21, Weko Campout
Meet at the Church on Friday at 5pm to finish loading the trailer, (remember the tarps for tents and all cooking equipment for camp and while backpacking). Contact Beth McKim because we will not know what rides we need until Friday; so please stay with your Scout until we are sure all rides are arranged. Rides for Sunday will not be known until we see who is there on Friday. Tell the SPL if you want to do cooking tasks during this event. The Philmont Crew will also do a practice hike during this event. See attached permission slip. There is a packing list in your Scout books in the camping section near pages 268-269.
Keep checking the weather. Since the lows will be in the 40s and highs in the 50s, Scouts and leaders should be prepared for cold weather sleeping including an extra blanket to insulate under your sleeping bag. Wet feet can make for a long weekend. Be sure to pack a second pair of shoes or boots to change into if your primary footwear gets wet. Bring several pairs of socks so you can change multiple times if needed. Bring work gloves! In addition to work gloves a second pair of gloves for evening warmth and maybe a pair for sleeping are helpful.
Consider using garbage bags closed with twist ties to line your packs or duffels and to protect your sleeping gear if you don't have dry sacks. Putting articles of clothing in ziplock freezer bags adds a second barrier to help keep things dry.
Everyone will need a daypack for the hike, drawstring bags are not very comfortable so choose something with good shoulder straps. You will need to bring a few water bottles. At least 1 to drink and a quart of water to use for cooking over the camp stoves. Bring your own mess kit and cup for bug juice and hot chocolate. Bring your own toiletries (there will be no showering), deodorant, and medications. Headlamps and/or flashlights will be needed at night. Please remember hats, sun glasses, bug spray and sunscreen if you have exposed skin. Check for ticks daily and have tweezers or your favorite tick removal tool available. A small container for sending the tick for testing would be nice.
Sunday the group will pack up and head to the Church around noon but timing could change so stay flexible and check for texts or calls.
April 20, Clean up at Rod and Gun Club
If you aren’t attending Weko or the Philmont practice hike, you could help at the Rod and Gun Club. See Mr. Dansfield for more details if interested.
Cydney Bacon’s Eagle Project: Ferry Street Resource Center Donations
Please help the community by donating resources by April 28th, 2024.
Requested Donation Items:
Body Wash
Shampoo
Deodorant
Feminine Hygiene Products
Diapers
Baby Wipes
Laundry Detergent
Please bring items to Cydney at our next meeting or drop them in the boxes in Park Place and the Youth Room. Thank you for your donations!
May Patrol Events
Each patrol needs to have a patrol activity in May. Please send your ideas to your patrol leader to discuss at the next meeting. Once you decide on an event and get adult approval, invite the girls’ patrol and the SPL & ASPL.
Cook for Concerts?
The church is planning on concerts for the following dates and wondered if Scouts would be interested in selling hot dogs and brats at any of the concerts. All concerts are on Friday night at 7 p.m.
May 31
June 28
July 26
Aug 2 (probable Band Camp conflict)
Sept 6
Please sign up here so we know if we can do this: Cook for Concerts
May 11th, Blossomtime Parade
Scouts should assemble at 11 AM at the Krasl Art Center, 707 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph in Class A uniform. A water bottle is encouraged. We do not know our specific spot in the parade yet, but pickup will be at the park opposite The Livery - 5th Street & Park Street, Benton Harbor, typically around 3:30 PM.
There are typically many conflicts with Band and other float participants, so we want to encourage as many Scouts as possible to attend, so that we have a good showing for BSA. Please ask the Scouts to sign up via this form so that we have a good head count by March 14. Contact Mr. Dansfield or Greg Trezise at [email protected] with any questions.
May 30, 6-8pm Exploring Post Open House @ Cook
The Cook plant is Organizing an Exploring Post. This is going to be a great experience for anybody from 14-20 years old that wants to try out various career paths available at Cook. Also give those who participate a chance to network at Cook and have a leg up on getting hired at Cook. The Open House is May 30th from 6-8. Sign ups using the QR code in the attached flyer. I want to give Troop 623 a chance to check out this very different branch of scouting!
Mackinac
This will be the Troops 63rd year serving on the island! Below is the link to all Health forms. Fill out the one for over 72 hours. Always keep your originals and give copies.
Summer Camp, July 21-27- Sign up now!
We are going to Cole Canoe Base! Our Summer Camp week is July 21-27 and the cost per Scout is $385. There is a discount for siblings. Please email Mrs. Essig if you want to go to camp. Bring your payment to the next meeting and she will send you a link to update your Scout’s info so you can choose merit badge classes and water adventures. Merit Badge/Activity selection is open! Below is the link to all Health forms. Fill out the one for over 72 hours. Always keep your originals and give copies.
Merit Badge Counselors
Come to the meeting and we will fill out the form with you! Help keep the Troop going!
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.