Patrol Leaders Council (PLC), Sunday, 20 October, 7:00-8:00 PM, Joe's
Cafe NEW DATE
PLCs will generally be scheduled for the second Sunday of each month.
Check the announcements for any changes. All patrols should be
represented by their Patrol Leader or a designated substitute. All
Seniors are expected to participate. Adult Leaders are welcome to join
the meetings.
The PLC will once again be in person. Please arrive at Joe's Cafe
shortly before 7 PM so the meeting can start on time. Parents
should return at 8:00 PM to pick up their sons.
Backpacking Green Ridge State Forest, 8-10 November, sign
up and pay by 24 October
Please register to participate using the Online Event Registration
Form and pay the Treasurer at a Troop
meeting.
Our next camping trip is backpacking in the Green Ridge Forest in
Maryland. This is the only opportunity this year for you to complete the
PASS backpacking requirement.
NO UNIFORMS FOR THIS TRIP - JUST BRING WHAT YOU NEED!
Meet at the shed at 6:00. We don't have much to pack so we plan
to be on the road by 6:30 PM.
Actions required by participants before the trip:
- Complete
the Event Registration Form and pay the
Troop Treasurer at a Troop Meeting.
We need a good count of participants to arrange car pooling.
- The registration form should be completed by all Scouts and
Adults participating during any part of the weekend including just
driving.
- Only Adults, who are registered with the BSA and Troop 497, are
permitted to camp overnight with Troop 497 Scouts.
- Re-register if you need to make updates or cancel your participation
after you submit your initial registration.
- The
cost for the trip is $20 for Scouts and $10 Adults. Pay
the troop treasurer at a Troop meeting.
General Information
- The main activity for the weekend is backpacking.
- This is a great opportunity for Scouts to experience backpacking
like we do at Philmont and is done by many people in the mountains and
parks. Scouts and adults carry everything they need for the weekend in
their backpacks.
- Check this
link for a Weekend Personal Clothing and Gear List.
Read the Additional
Backpacking Information attachment for more details
about preparing for a backpacking trip.
- Wear some bright colored outerwear,
orange preferred, and also something colorful on the
back of your pack. Hunting is very popular in the Green Ridge State
Forest at this time of year. (Think O's
clothing or safety clothing)
- Bring money for the stop for lunch on Sunday
- Bring your pack ready to hike.
- Carry a flashlight in your pocket for when you arrive.
- Patrol food and gear will be divided Friday before leaving.
- There is no reliable potable water in the Forest. We will have a
water cache setup along the trail about 1/2 mile before our Saturday
campsite where we can refill our personal water bottles and obtain
additional water for cooking Saturday evening and hot drinks on Sunday
morning. A limited amount of water will be available in our campsite
Friday night and Saturday morning. Bring all your water bottles
filled.
- This is very different than car camping, which is what we typically
do. On this trip, if you need something, you have to bring it - no one
else is going to bring it for you! This means it takes more planning
by adults and Scouts. Don't worry, the Seniors will provide
instruction during the meetings before trip.
- Don't purchase a pack for this trip. The Troop will have
packs available at the Court of Honor on 24 October. We have them in a
variety of sizes and adults will be available to help fit them to
scouts. You might also arrange to borrow one from another troop
member. Anyone willing to loan a backpack should contact Mr. Downs.
- We will return to the shed on Sunday at 2 PM and take care of
the gear used on the trip. Parents should arrive at this time to pick
up their sons who had carpooled with another adult.
Additional Backpacking Information - MUST READING FOR EVERYONE!
All Scouts, Adults, and Parents: you should
carefully read this information. It is more detailed
information about backpacking in general and also information specific to
how THIS backpacking trip will be run.
Hikes and Maps
We will all camp together on Friday and Saturday nights. On Saturday
we will have two routes for backpacking. The longer route is about 13
miles. This route is for older Scouts and Scouts who need it for PASS. The
Scoutmaster must approve all Scouts going on the long hike. We will also
have a shorter backpack, around 6 miles, for new and younger Scouts. We
will all hike out together about 4 miles on Sunday morning.
Food
- Scout and Adult Menu
- Everyone must bring their own Friday evening snack and
breakfast and lunch for Saturday.
- Scouts will either purchase food for Saturday evening if they are
preparing a patrol meal. Otherwise, each Scout must bring their own
food for Saturday's dinner.
- Adults must bring all their own food. There will be no food
purchased or brought for the adults.
- See the attached Additional Backpacking Information document for
more information.
- Special dietary restrictions: Everyone is on their own on
this trip.
Transportation
- Drivers you need room for some backpacks and gear for you and your
passengers in your vehicle. We won't be taking a trailer on this trip,
however, there will room in one of the trucks for packs that won't fit
in your vehicle. Drivers and their passengers should be doing the same
long or short hike so they stay together for the weekend. Don't mix
long and short hikers in the same vehicle if it can be avoided.
- WE NEED DRIVERS – THAT HAVE A CLEARED VIRTUS DMV CHECK BY THE PARISH - potential
drivers take the Archdiocese Virtus training and check the box to
drive youth and give permission for a DMV check. It takes about 10
days. SO DO IT NOW. Go to the Registration page under the
Information menu for a link to the training.
- Please register to drive using the Online Event Registration
Form.
- Click to view the Suggested
Driving Directions. It is 132 miles and about a 2:10
hour drive. Please familiarize yourself with directions before the
trip. There are annotated topographical maps showing road details, for
use with the directions and for backpacking, available in this
announcement and a State Forest driving map will be available on
Friday before we leave. Most of the roads in the Forest are dirt
roads. They are mostly in good condition but higher clearance vehicles
are still preferred.
Carpooling:
- All parents are highly encouraged to volunteer to drive on at least
one of the trips this fall. This qualifies as a long trip.
- All adults attending the trip, and parents willing to drive scouts
but not camping, should confirm whether they will be driving scouts at
least one week before the trip when they register for the camping
trip. You should still complete the online registration process
if you are volunteering to drive but don't plan to camp.
- The Troop's transportation coordinator may actively recruit parents
to drive to/from the camping location if we don't have sufficient
adult volunteers to drive. You may be asked to drive one or both ways.
Annual Bull & Oyster Event, 15th November, Columbus Gardens,
Nottingham, MD
Our Parents Club Annual Bull and Oyster Roast will take place on Friday
evening, 15 November at the Columbus Gardens in Nottingham, MD from 7 to
11 pm. Print the Flyer.
Details: This is a major fund raiser for the troop. The participation
of every family is required to make the event a success.
What we need from each family:
- Buy Tickets. Tickets are $65 each or $60 each for a table
of 8, 9 or 10. Consider inviting your family and friends to meet our
300 guest goal. The tables seat 8 or 9 guests comfortably with a table
of 10 being cozy, but comfortable among friends and family.
- Sign Up to Help. We request that each family sign up to
assist at an event table for a 1 hour block. Sign-up sheets are
displayed at troop meetings.
- TV Raffle Tickets. Each boy will be given tickets to sell to
friends and family. Tickets are $5 each and the purchaser does not
need to be present to win.
- Patrol Baskets. Your son’s patrol is making a patrol basket
to be displayed at the event. This basket will provide an item that
attendees will buy chances to win which helps the troop. In addition
the patrol that accumulates the most chances will win a prepared
dinner with the adults and seniors at the Senior Surprise camping
trip. The cost of the basket is to be shared by all members of the
patrol. Assist your son and his patrol in putting together a great
basket.
- Dad’s Beers of the World basket. Please bring in a six pack
of your favorite beer to be added to the Dad’s basket. You can bring
them to any troop meeting before the event.
- Mom’s Wine Basket. Please bring a bottle of wine to be
added to the Mom’s basket. You can bring them to any troop meeting
before the event.
- Attend and have a wonderful evening!
We are also in need of Silent Auction
Items. Please consider items you have or solicit items from
employers, friends and family. Here are suggestions for items
that have proved to be valuable in the past.