December 14, 2021

Posted on by Troop 177

In this week’s newsletter

Committee Meeting

The second Monday of the month is always our Troop Committee Meeting. Please make plans to attend via zoom this evening. Invitations will sent out via Remind Monday Afternoon

Holiday Party this Week

I’m looking forward to the next meeting! We’re doing our White Elephant gift exchange and holiday party. We’ll also be making name tags for an Advancement Board. 

Feel free to bring snacks, but keep in mind COVID and dietary restrictions. Also, in case you forgot: please keep gifts under $20s and Scout Appropriate. 

Thanks, and see you on Tuesday!

December Camping Trip

We had a great trip to Providence Canyon this past weekend. Expect a trip report at our meeting this week.

50th Anniversary EPA Award

December 31st is the deadline to earn the 50th Anniversary EPA Award. Those that are working on this and still have outstanding requirements please try to get them finished as soon as possible. If you have already completed the required Merit Badges and service hours, please bring the completed application form to the meeting this week, so we can get the award submitted and purchased. If you still need to complete a merit badge for this award, please contact Mr. Taylor to find a counselor.

Download EPA Award Form

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).

Avi Narula with Troop 77 is collecting Cold Weather Clothing for Intown Collaborative Food Pantry and Tapestri. If you have anything to donate, please contact Avi.

MLK National Day of Service

For those not attending Cumberland Island, the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance is participating in the MLK Day of Service on Monday January 17th. This would count as conservation service for those that need it.
Learn more and sign up at: https://www.wawa-online.org/post/registration-open-for-mlk-day-of-service

Merit Badge Opportunities

No Troop Merit Badge Opportunities this month. If you would like to work on a Merit Badge, please contact Mr. Taylor to arrange to work on a Merit Badge independently.

Northeast Georgia Council is holding their annual Advance-A-Rama January 29, 2022 at Shiloh High School, just up the road in Gwinnett County. For more information at to register visit: https://www.nega-bsa.org/swaar

Atlanta Area Council offers many merit badge offerings throughout the year.
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 the weekends in the Spring through Fall. There are no upcoming classes, but check back often for new offerings.
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: Environmental Science January 15 & 16, and Bird Study February 19.
Learn more and register at: https://dunwoodynature.org/scout-merit-badges/

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

Merit Badge Process

For any Merit Badge that a Scout works on, the first step in the process is to have a discussion with the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster and get a signed blue card. While Troop 177 has embraced digital blue cards, Scouts still need to have a discussion with one of the adult leaders in the troop and get either a physical or digital sign off before beginning wok on the Merit Badge. You are welcome to sign up for any of the Merit Badges offerings that are listed on the website, please remember to talk to Mr. Taylor or one of the ASMs to get approval for the merit badge before taking the class.

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