Senior Surprise at Camp Horseshoe, 13-15 December, Meet at 6:30 at the Shed
Register online now using the Online Event Registration Form

More information about the trip is posted below.

There were hats in lost and found after the last trip. See if one is yours at the shed on Friday!

Youth Protection Training - RENEW NOW - send 2024 YPT Certificates

BSA Membership Renewal Notices - No Action Needed

Volunteer Needed to Deliver Food Items from Troop to a Food Bank

Photographs from Events through the Open House Are Available

Senior Surprise at Camp Horseshoe, 13-15 December, Meet at 6:30 at the Shed

Bring money for lunch on Sunday

Please register to participate using the Online Event Registration Form and pay the Treasurer at a Troop meeting.

Our next camping trip is to Camp Horseshoe for Senior Surprise. This is the last opportunity in 2024 for you to complete your PASS meal. The next two trips will be adult cooking.

Actions required by participants before the trip:

• Complete the Event Registration Form and pay the Troop Treasurer at a Troop Meeting.  
• 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 Senior Surprise competition
  
• Check this link for a Weekend Personal Clothing and Gear List.
• Bring money for the  stop for lunch on Sunday
• Carry a flashlight in your pocket for when you arrive.
• 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.

PASS Meals 

The December camping trip will be an opportunity for Pass Meal cooking. December will be dark, cold and possibly winter weather conditions. Anyone interested in preparing their Pass Meal at Senior Surprise should contact Mr. Harry Kakel to get on the schedule. Multiple Scouts from the same patrol can prepare a Pass Meal but the total number of Pass Meals is limited on the trip. First come, first serve.

• This is a Patrol cooking trip. Please submit your menus to Mr. Michels for approval by 25 November.
• Special dietary restrictions: Special dietary restrictions: If your son has special dietary restrictions you would like the patrol to attempt to accommodate on this trip, please contact his Patrol Leader, and family purchasing the patrol food, as soon as possible. PLEASE BRING SPECIAL FOOD AS NEEDED. 
• Adult Menu.

• Fri. and Sat. Cracker barrel: Misc snacks and drinks.
• Sat. Breakfast: Scrambled eggs casserole style with veggies and bacon bits, juice, coffee, tea, hot choc.
• Sat. lunch: bratwurst on rolls, condiments, chic noodle soup, cookies, fruit.
• Sat. Supper: chili, rice, corn bread, cakes, drinks.
• Sun. breakfast: hot instant oatmeal, donuts, pastries, juice, coffee, tea, hot choc.
• Sun Lunch: bring money for lunch on the way home.

• Please register to drive using the Online Event Registration Form.
  
• Click to view the Suggested Driving Directions with maps. We are tenting in the Campcraft area and setting up patrol cooking facilities in Goodman Pavilion, see the Camp Horseshoe map in the driving directions.
  
• You should still complete the online registration process if you are a Virtus approved driver and 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.

Christmas Party, Thursday, 19 December, 7:30 - 9:00 PM, Multipurpose Room

• The annual Troop Christmas party is on Thursday, 19 December at the regular Troop meeting.
• No uniforms required for the party. Scouts are encouraged to wear ugly sweaters and/or themed pajamas.
• Please bring a canned or non-perishable food item to donate for our food drive for people in need.
• There is a $10 entrance fee to cover the cost of refreshments.
• There is also a voluntary gift exchange - participation is optional. To participate, bring a wrapped gift for under $25 that you would like to receive - no gag gifts. The gifts will be mixed up and everyone bringing a gift will receive one in exchange

Junior Leader Training, 4th January, Save the Date

Venture Ski Trip, 24-26 January 2025, openings available

• Full cost of the Ski Trip ($225) must be paid by the completion of the Troop meeting on Thursday January 9th. Please make checks out to Troop 497. Read the flyer for more details.
  
• You will need to purchase your lift ticket on line and depending on your lift ticket it will get you discounts on rentals and should get you discounts on lessons. Note, prices go up October 9th. Read this document for instruction on how to purchase your Epic Pass.
• Seniors, patrol leaders or those who have been patrol leaders and venture scouts are eligible for this trip to Seven Springs Mountain Resort.
• Cost is $225. Fee includes 2 nights lodging, 2 buffet breakfasts, lunches and snacks in the cabin, and dinner Saturday evening. Seven Springs has 31 slopes and trails. Information on the Resort is available at www.7springs.com
• There is a first $50 deposit due by 14 November. The first deposit holds your spot and reservations are on a first come first serve basis. Make all checks payable to Troop 497.
• You will need to purchase your lift ticket on line and depending on your lift ticket it will get you discounts on rentals and should get you
  discounts on lessons. Note, prices go up October 9th.
• Check out the photos from previous year's ski trip and read the flyer giving more information about the trip including payment details.
• Questions, call Mr. Andy Reidler at 443-280-4268 or email your questions to areidler429@comcast.net.
• Check back closer to January for a permission form and equipment request form which must be returned it to Mr. Reidler.

Northern Tier, June 2025, Openings Available

The 2025 Northern Tier Trip has been reserved. The canoeing adventure commences 6/28/25 and spots are available. Contact Dr. Deborah Tierney, who is coordinating the trip, for additional information or to request to join the trip.

Additional Resources for Scouts, Parents, and Adults

Please visit the Resources page under the Information menu above for additional information about Troop 497 programs and activities.