Hello Troop 208! We’ve had a great summer of week-long camps, an incredible experience at the Centennial Jamboree, serving on staff or participating at NYLT and lots of service hours for Eagle Projects. Now it’s time to start thinking about our scout year. We’ll begin by gathering all of you who will hold a leadership position this year, or would like to, for a training and planning weekend at Amy Jenkins at Camp Cutler on September 10-12. A successful troop begins with this weekend so if you would like to be in troop leadership, plan on attending this weekend.

Our focus will be preparing to work together this year as a tightly-knit leadership team through fun team-building activities and completing BSA’s Troop Leadership Training led by your Senior Patrol Leader and me. Also, as James mentioned in his email, he’s looking for your input on adding new activities to the calendar this year – if you have an idea you’d like to suggest, you need to do the research and come prepared to make a presentation. While much of the calendar is set, we still have flexibility in the months of Dec-May. You own the calendar so “be prepared” to sell your idea and then own the planning of the event.

Attached is the permission slip. The cost is $15 for scouts and leaders. I need to know if you plan to attend by Sunday September 5 so food shopping can be done.

Parents will cook for us so we can concentrate on the program so convince one of your parents to sign up for a good time of great fellowship. In the past, adult leaders have slept outside with the exception of a few who need to stay inside with you scouts. Plan on using your backpack for all campouts including this one – it’s a good habit to get into. You must bring your own drinking cup, bowl and spoon (aka mess hit) – we will not have extras on hand.  Rain gear and water bottles are a must as well. As outlined in the uniform guide, hiking boots are required.  If you want camp shoes for around Amy Jenkins you can bring them but wear your boots.

Remember: We travel in Class A uniforms.

For new scouts and parents, just to review, this is an outing for the older scouts only. We finalize and train the leadership positions for the scout year. We will see all of you the following Monday night Sept. 13 at our first regular troop meeting.

Please send an email if you have questions about this event. Let’s go camping!

Regards,

Andy Gates