October 12, 2021

Posted on by Troop 177

In this week’s newsletter

Meeting this Week

For the month of October Autumn has planned all of our meetings around a Cooking theme. As cooking is required for rank advancement, and two Eagle Required Merit Badges (Cooking and Camping), and our November campout includes a Thanksgiving feast, this is the perfect time to learn something new about Scout cooking. For this week’s meeting Autumn has planned the following:

After Flags, scouts will split into three groups. Scouts who need to sign off cooking requirements for Tenderfoot-First  After flags, we will use the things we discussed at the last meeting to update the patrol box. This can take as long as we need it to, and when we finish that, we will work on setting up the propane stove and discussing how that works. If we still have time after that, we can play a game.

November Camping Trip

With our October camping trip behind us, it’s time to start looking forward to our November trip. Traditionally, Troops at Oak Grove UMC have held a Webelos recruitment outing and a Thanksgiving dinner at Cloudland Canyon every other November. This year is one of those years, so we will be planning to teach some Webelos all about the patrol method and what it means to be in a Troop, as well as preparing a backcountry feast for the troop and the younger Scouts who will be visiting. The trip sheet is up and sign up is open on the Camping and Outings page.

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.

Winter Camp

Winter Camp is a lot like summer camp, but shorter and colder. Held at Bert Adams December 27-31st, Scouts can attend and work on earn merit badges, play winter games, learn Dutch oven cooking, compete in the Klondike Derby, brave the polar bear swim and much more. We will be discussing this in future meetings, but wanted to make sure everyone was aware of the opportunity and the dates.

Details can be found on the Atlanta Area Council Winter Camp webpage.

Summer Camp 2022

Save the date! Summer Camp 2022 will be July 17-23 at Camp Daniel Boone in Canton, NC. This is one of the best Scout Camps in the country with a lot of great traditional camp opportunities, as well as high adventure opportunities like white water rafting, zip lining, backpacking, etc. It’s sure to be a lot of fun, so make plans to attend.

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).

Scout Days

Scout Days are unique opportunities for your family to attend exciting experiences around the Atlanta Area with other Scouting families. All Scout Days are offered at a discounted price of admission, and a portion of the proceeds from each Scout Day is given to the Atlanta Area Council.

On November 13th and 14th, the Georgia Aquarium is hosting Scouts Days, with discounted admission that includes the Dolphin Presentation, Sea Lion Presentation and 4D Theater. The Georgia Aquarium is always fun, and this is a great way to get in the Marine Aquarium visit, if you are working on the Oceanography Merit Badge (see below).

Purchase tickets via the link on the Atlanta Area Council Website: https://www.atlantabsa.org/scoutdays

Merit Badge Opportunities

As we head into fall there are still many great opportunities to work on Merit Badges both virtually and in-person. 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.

Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge — For Scouts that started the E-Prep MB at Summer Camp, Mrs. Crawford with Troop 77 will be meeting with Scouts from 6:30 – 7:30 on October 26th (prior to our Troop meeting) to go over requirements 2c, 6c and 8b.  To get full credit, you will need to prepare and bring your home emergency kits as required by the badge. If you have not started the E-Prep MB, you may begin working with Mrs. Crawford to earn this Merit Badge.
If you are planning to attend the Emergency Preparedness session please sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c054fa4aa2baaf94-emergency

Weather Merit Badge — Your very own Scoutmaster, Mr. Taylor, will be leading a Weather Merit Badge session at Frazier-Rowe Park on October 17th from noon to 2:00 p.m. This Merit Badge satisfies the Earth Science requirement for the EPA 50th Anniversary Award, and is also very useful for understanding how to read the weather when planning outdoor activities.
Sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c054fa4aa2baaf94-weather

Oceanography Merit Badge — Also on October 26th, Mr. Wade with Troop 77 will be leading an Oceanography Merit Badge Session prior to our Troop Meeting. This will be a two part session with the second part occurring later in the fall. This Merit Badge also qualifies for one of the Earth Science Requirements for the EPA 50th Anniversary Award. Also, this Merit Badge requires a visit to a marine aquarium, and the Atlanta Area Council has two Scout Days at the Georgia Aquarium coming up.
Sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c054fa4aa2baaf94-oceanography

Atlanta Area Council will holds Merit Badge Summits throughout the year. The next one is scheduled for Saturday, October 30, 2021. Registration is open.
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 Aviation (October 16).
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 Insect Forestry on October 23.
Learn more and register at: https://dunwoodynature.org/scout-merit-badges/

Northeast Georgia Council is offering two Radio Merit Badge classes in conjunction with the 2021 Jamboree on the Air Saturday, October 16th. 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

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