August 31, 2021

Posted on by Troop 177

In this week’s newsletter

Meeting this Week

This week we’re going to keep learning about backpacking, I got the specifics from Mr. Vance, and he says we’ll be focusing on foot first aid, having a follow-up on last time, ways to reduce pack weight, food concepts, hanging bear bags, Leave No Trace, and some duties you can have during a trip. We also have been invited to a high adventure presentation with Mr. Cole, so our older scouts will go to that. If you have any questions, please email me, and I’ll see you all Tuesday!

-Leigh

Fall High Adventure

Mr. Cole with Troop 77 is still looking for Scouts who are interested in participating in a local high adventure backpacking trip October 6-11, 2021. If you are interested and available, he will be holding an information session during our meeting this Tuesday. Scouts who are interested in attending this trip will be excused after our opening flags for the presentation.

Campout Signup for Adult Volunteers

Thank you to all of the adults that have signed up for camping trips so far. It looks like we have pretty good coverage for most of the camping trips through next year. We still need a female adult volunteer to join us for the September campout, but it looks like we should have most other campouts covered. If you think you can join us, please complete the poll below, or contact Mr. Taylor.

https://doodle.com/poll/gciuvhg9vz4pq5bd?utm_source=poll&utm_medium=link

Please note that no Scouting or camping experience is required to serve as an adult volunteer on these trips. We mainly just need more responsible adults who are willing to provide some supervision for the Scouts.

First Aid/Public Health Merit Badge Night

If you haven’t signed up for a Merit Badge for September 7th, please visit the link below to do so. These Merit Badge sessions will take the place of our regular meeting next Tuesday, so everyone needs to sign up for one of the Merit Badges offered that night or sign up to be a first aid assistant.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c054fa4aa2baaf94-first1

First Aid is an Eagle required Merit Badge and a foundation for nearly every other Merit Badge in Scouts. If you have started this Merit Badge, but still have a few outstanding requirements, please sign up for the “First Aid – Partial” session. If you have not yet worked with a Merit Badge counselor, please sign up for the “First Aid – New” session.

Scouts who have already completed the First Aid Merit Badge are encouraged to work the Public Health, as this is part of the 50th Anniversary EPA Award that has to be completed in the 2021 calendar year.

Scouts who have completed both First Aid and Public Health Merit Badges may sign up to assist with teaching the First Aid Merit Badge.

Additionally, if you are a First Aid or Public Health Merit Badge Counselor and would like to assist in leading these

September Camping Trip

Signups are open for our September Camping. We will be kayaking on the Broad River September 18-19.

You can find all of the information on the Camping/Outings Page.

If you are interested in participating in the boating portion of the trip, remember that you must complete the BSA swim test in order to attend. See details below.

Additionally, we looking for an adult to serve as Trip Leader for this outing. Primarily responsible for working with the outfitter on site. If you would be willing to do this, please let Mr. Taylor know as soon as possible.

BSA Swim Tests

For our September camping trip we will be kayaking. In order to participate, Scouts and adults going on the trip will need to have passed the BSA swim test as a swimmer this year. Most Scouts completed this at our meeting in May, prior to our boating activity at Lake Allatoona. If you completed this test outside the troop, we will need documentation that it has been completed. If you have not completed the test and would like to participate in either of these activities, please let Mr. Taylor know as soon as possible so we can get a test scheduled.

Oak Grove UMC BBQ

The OGUMC BBQ is officially ‘on’ this year. Save the date for October 16.  The Scouts have been a huge part of making the annual BBQ happen in the past. This is an excellent way to show the church our gratitude for being a huge supporter of Scouting and to be a visible part of the community. More information on volunteering will be available soon.

Service Opportunities

We have updated the Community Service Page with a number of opportunities coming up this fall. Service hours are required for all ranks, and many merit badges and awards (like the 50th Anniversary EPA Award).

Conservation Weekend

Registration is open for the 2021 Conservation Weekend at Camp Woodruff November 12-14. This was formerly called Hornaday Weekend, but the BSA has renamed the conservation award. It is now the Distinguished Conservation Service Award, and the weekend has been renamed to match. The event is still pretty much the same though. Scouts will have the opportunity to work on up to three conservation themed merit badges, all of which will help satisfy requirements for the Distinguished Conservation Service Award, and will also participate in a workshop on creating and leading a conservation service project. The cost of the weekend includes camping, meals, merit badge costs, and a t-shirt.
Get all of the details at: https://www.campwoodruff.org/conservation

*Note that many of these Merit Badges will also help to satisfy the Earth Science requirement for the 50th Anniversary EPA Award.

Merit Badge Opportunities

With school out, now is the perfect time to spend some time working on merit badges. There are plenty of in-person and virtual programs available. Please remember, though, that before starting work on any merit badge, you need to have a conversation with your Scoutmaster or one of the Assistant Scoutmasters.

Atlanta Area Council will holds Merit Badge Summits throughout the year. The next one is scheduled for Saturday, October 30, 2021. Watch the Merit Badge Summit Web Page below for more information.
For more information: https://www.atlantabsa.org/MeritBadgeSummit

Atlanta Area Council offers many merit badge offerings throughout the year. Upcoming in-person merit badge opportunities include Railroading (September 18).
More information about these and other Merit Badge programs at: https://www.atlantabsa.org/meritbadgedays

Chattahoochee Nature Center offers nature themed merit badge classes on weekends during the summer. Upcoming classes include Nature on September 26 and Mammal Study October 3rd.
For more information and to register visit: https://www.chattnaturecenter.org/education/scouts/scouts-bsa/

Dunwoody Nature Center also offers a number of nature related Merit Badges. Upcoming classes include Insect Study on September 11 and Forestry on October 23.
Learn more and register at: https://dunwoodynature.org/scout-merit-badges/

Northeast Georgia Council has an aquatics adventure weekend coming up September 3-5. This weekends allow Scouts to earn one aquatics Merit Badge and get in some Scout camping. Held at Scoutland on Lake Lanier, the cost is $45/weekend for most merit badges, this includes camping and food.
Register at: https://www.nega-bsa.org/AAW

Northeast Georgia Council is offering two Radio Merit Badge classes in conjunction with the 2021 Jamboree on the Air. This is a free event that is open to all Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers, Sea Scouts, Girl Scouts & the general public. Come learn and have fun at JOTA 2021. JOTA is an annual Scouting event that uses amateur radio to link Scouts around the world, around the nation, and in our own community. Scouts of any age can participate, from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts, Venturers, and Girl Scouts. This is the official JOTA site of the Northeast Georgia Council Amateur Radio Club KK4BSA. Registration is only required for the Merit Badge Class. Anyone else is free to just show up. Space will be limited to 30 students.
More information here: https://www.nega-bsa.org/files/38861/Jamboree-On-The-Air–JOTA-
Register for Merit Badge at: https://kk4bsa.info/register-for-radio-merit-badge.html

Daniel Boone Council headquartered in Asheville, NC has a rolling slate of virtual merit badge programs, with new merit badges offered every week. These are usually two sessions in the late afternoon or evening. There are quite a few popular merit badges including a large selection of Eagle Required. These usually fill up, but if you look at later weeks, there are plenty of seats still open.
Learn more and register at: https://www.danielboonecouncil.org/virtual

Troop Communication

Please be sure to join our Remind Classes to get notifications on all of the Troop 177 happenings. There is an app, but you can choose to get notifications via text messages or email.

Troop 177 Parents

Troop 177 Scouts