February 6, 2017
Been a few weeks since our last BSB, but we have some great news in this one!....
This Monday
Well we have a great meeting planned, it will have you hanging on the edge of your seat. Barring any major uprising in Racine on Monday, we have the Racine SWAT team coming to our meeting to show us all the tools of their job, you won’t want to miss them. Don’t be alarmed if you see some odd vehicles in the parking lot when you arrive.
Camp Fees
We have set the fees for the 2017 summer camp at Camp Freeland Leslie (same place as last year), you can find the full fact sheet HERE, be sure to open it, print it and sign up. We have some deadlines coming up so be sure that you get them paid on time so we can get you signed up with camp under the lowest fees. Last year we had a great first year but there is still some great opportunities we didn’t do last year that we hope can be added this year. Be sure to sign up for another great year of summer camp and start planning your advancement work, that will be coming up soon too.
Med Forms
Don’t forget to get physical exam scheduled to get your camp forms filled out. We have been getting some of these already, so don’t be late, if you/your parents, have not made your appointment yet, be sure to get that done.
Next Monday is going to be great too!
We have a Road Trip Monday scheduled for next week, Monday February 13, 2017. We will be meeting at Modine Manufacturing (1500 DeKoven Avenue) at 6:45 to check out the engineering department of Moday. Maybe even the wind tunnel. Bring your photo ID to the event, those that don’t have one, we will work around that situation. We also need to know how many cars will be staying there, so we can get you parking spots. We need to provide Modine security with a list of attendees in advance so we will have a signup sheet at this Monday’s meeting, if you can’t make it to the meeting to sign up, be sure to let me know via email or text by Tuesday so I have a complete list. If you are unsure, still let me know, easier to take you off the list, won’t be able to add you after. Modine has requested NO PHOTOS, so no need to bring your camera.
Elections are just around the corner
Seeing we will be on the road next week, be sure to turn in your leadership application form this week for the elections on February 20, 2017. We have some scouts who may be moving up to Leadership Corps, so be sure to sign up even if you think one of the older scouts is running. For those who were interviewed for Leadership Corps, sign up for a leadership position, you will know before elections if you got selected, but we are not ready at this time to announce a decision so we don’t want you to miss out. We will also be hold Order of the Arrow elections on Feb 20.
Did you know the Troop is on Twitter? NOW, you can get your BSB via twitter too. add @RacineTroop161 to your twitter!
What is the Troop 161 Family Account?
For those who don’t know about the Troop 161 Family Account, let me take a moment of your time to explain. There is a group of Troop alumni who have created a non-profit organization independent of the Troop operations that assist with many things. The mission statement of the group includes
1. Provide to male youth fun and safe outdoor and camping experiences.
2. Provide outdoor and camping experiences to the Racine community male youth at a reasonable price.
3. Train young men in leadership, outdoor, and camping skills.
4. Widen the opportunity of outdoor and camping experiences to disadvantaged male youth and the disabled.
This group has been around for 10 or 15 years and is funded by multiple sources, including direct donations, matching funds from corporations (like Dollars for Doers), the sale of used vehicles donated to the organization (program similar to Rawhide and other car donations) and other miscellaneous sources. Over the years they have raise money to assist not only the Troop, but also camp, the church and other organizations. If anyone would like to know more about this organization, please let me know, I can fill you in on the details. This group has been VERY helpful in several areas of the Troop. Parents, if you have a used vehicle or other donation you would like to make, the Family Account is a 501c (tax deductible) organization and we would be happy to entertain your donation. Talk to me, I will get it taken care of for you. Why do we bring this up? Read on into the Philmont news below.
IMPORTANT NEWS for Philmont Scouts
First, don’t forget your next Philmont installment payment is due as this is the first meeting of the month.
The next thing, is the Troop 161 Family Account is offering to all scouts going to Philmont, a $200 contribution towards camp fees for writing a 250 word typed essay with the theme, “How is your life different because of Scouting”. These essays should be done by March 6th and turned into me, and I will forward them to the Troop 161 Family Account committee members. These essays MAY be used for promoting the Troop and Scouting in the future. The only other requirement, is after the trip is over, that as a group, you share your Philmont stories with the Troop 161 Family committee so they know they made a good investment. Simple, and to think about it, it boils down to earn almost $1 per word, hope everyone exercises this offer. This offer is also available to all adults attending Philmont, but they don’t have to do the essay. Once these essays are turned in and approved, the monies will be given to the Troop in time for the April payment.
But wait there is more…
The Troop 161 Family Account also knows how important of a role the older Scouts are to the success of the Troop, especially when it comes to camp. They also understand that attending Philmont and summer camp can be very expensive. So they have one more offer for you. Any scout, going to Philmont will also be given $100 off their summer camp fee for attending both camps. The Family Account wants to assist you in any way they can, in supporting the Troop and its scouts and have decided this can make it happen. There are not additional requirements other than to be a good role model and mentor to the younger scouts. The $100 can be applied to the final fee and cannot be used for the deposit.
Were you thinking about going to Philmont but could not afford it? If this contribution changes that, you are still welcome to sign up for Philmont, but you need to talk to me before Feb 21, there is still room for one or two more people.
Don’t forget, there is a Philmont meeting on February 21, all Philmont participants should plan on attending. It will be at CBTL at 7 PM.
That should do it this week for all. Thanks, Mr. F.