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Photographs from Assateague Weekend Wanted for Web Site

If you took some good photographs during the the camping trip to Assateague we would like to post some to the web site. Please upload the photos you want to contribute to Google Drive, OneDrive, or a similar site that allows someone to download them all at once. Then send a link to the Webmaster. Thank you.

Patrol Leaders Council (PLC), Thursday, 18 October, 6-7:30 pm - SCHOOL LIBRARY

The next PLC will take place in the school library before the Troop meeting. Seniors should arrive at 6:00 pm; Patrol Leaders at 6:15. All patrols should be represented by their Patrol Leader or a designated substitute.

Gettysburg National Military Park Camping: 26-28 October

Our next camping trip is to McMillan Woods Youth Campground in the Gettysburg National Military Park. This will be our first time camping at McMillan Woods. You can find more information on the campground at https://www.nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm.

• This is your best opportunity this fall for completing a PASS meal so send your menu to Mr. Kakel today.
• There will be opportunities to complete or continue working on your cooking merit badge from summer camp. Contact Mr Wynne for details.
• There will be an opportunity to work on your fires for Wilderness Survival merit badge
• Check back for more information about the program
• Please sign up to drive at a troop meeting. Here are directions for drivers. 

Parents Meeting: 

Our annual parents meeting was held on 4 October. Here is the presentation that was given during the meeting with a few updates based on information provided during the meeting. Check out the monthly program and goals page for the 2018-2019 information on monthly themes for meetings and camping - please note the camping is tentative until we have reservations.

Bull Roast, Friday, 9 November, 7-11:00 PM - Volunteers Needed

Location: Valley Mansion on Cranbrook Road

Event & Raffle Tickets – to be handed out at the 4 October Parents Meeting

• Tickets cost $55.00 per person or $500.00 for table of 10 if purchased by October 25th and $550 after October 25th. Each scout family will receive 10 tickets to try sell for the event. Extra tickets will be available at the Troop meetings.
• TV Raffle Tickets: Each family will receive 12 tickets to try to sell.; If you need more raffle tickets Jeff or Maria Mann will have them at the Troop meetings. Jeff or Maria will be at the Thursday Troop meetings collecting money and ticket stubs.

Donations are needed for the Silent Auction & Harvest of Prizes(raffle baskets):

• Do you own a business or know someone that owns a business?
• Maybe you have season tickets to a sporting event or entertainment activity and you cannot attend one of the games or event. You could donate the tickets for the game/event to the Bull Roast. Re-gift that unwanted item you received to the Bull Roast.
• Use of a vacation home for a weekend or week as a silent auction item.
• We will have a box for donations in the lobby outside the gym on Troop Meeting nights. A letter acknowledging you donation can be provided if requested.

Patrol Baskets: Each patrol is responsible for creating a basket. The basket is a group effort so scouts should check with their patrol leader to see what is needed for the basket.

Moms: We will be collecting bottles of wine for the Mother's basket, Wines of the World. Donations may be brought to Thursday Troop meetings and placed in the donation box in the lobby outside the gym.

Dads: We are collecting 6 packs of beer for the Dad's basket, Beers of the World. Donations may be brought to Thursday Troop meetings and placed in the donation box in the lobby outside the gym.

Volunteers: A successful Bull Roast requires lots of volunteers to plan and staff the event. Won't you volunteer some time to ensure the success of our most important fund raiser? Sign up to volunteer using our Bull Roast SignUpGenius site by clicking the link.

If you have questions or would like to help plan the event, please contact Rich Koors at rkoors@yahoo.com or sign up using the above link. This event is sponsored by the Parents Club of Boy Scout Troop 497.

Amazon online purchases yield revenue for Troop 497

We hope you'll take advantage of a shopping tool that will keep you out of crowded malls while paying a dividend to Troop 497.  Best of all, it costs you nothing!

• Instead of going to amazon.com to shop go to smile.amazon.com. Once you sign in you will see "Supporting: Parents Club of Boy Scout Troop 497 Inc" at the top of your window. Make purchases as you would normally on Amazon – there's no markup or premium on the price you'll pay – and once you buy an item, Troop 497 receives 0.5% of the selling price.

It's that simple -- here is additional information, including how to sign up, on our Resources page.

Philmont: 23 June - 5 July 2019 Openings still available

• Travel dates would likely expand the time to 6/21/2019 thru 7/6/2019, it is strongly suggested that participants arrive two days in advance to avoid altitude sickness.
• Philmont Cost: $970.00 per person (not including airfare, accommodations, activity fees, and food)

Several prior announcements have been made about the Philmont trip for next year.

• We currently have five adults and ten scouts set for two crews.  We can accommodate another 9 scouts on the trip (maximum). 
• We have more than the normal amount of adults (generally two per crew) but if any adult feels particularly strong about going let us know.   
• Remember scouts and adults must meet height/weight requirements to qualify, no exceptions or refunds.  
• Philmont is an amazing experience that will have a life-long impact on your Scout.
• It is challenging mentally and physically and the satisfaction of conquering Mount Baldy is incomparable.

Your Scout must be at least 15 prior to the trip and must be able to attend the prep-hikes and shakedowns in advance of the trip. Those already slated to attend have been training but it is certainly not too late for jumping in on the experience. 

Please contact Roger Munn as soon as possible if you or your Scout are interested.