Troop Meeting, Thursday, 25 April, 7:30 - 9:00 PM, Multipurpose Room

Eagle Court of Honor – 28 April, 2:00 to 6:00 PM - ADULT  HELP NEEDED - SIGN UP BELOW

• The Troop 497 Court of Honor will take place on Sunday, April 28th 2 pm to 6 pm, in the Multipurpose Room of St. Joseph's School.
• This is our opportunity to honor Troop 497's newest group of Eagle Scouts, as well as celebrate all Troop members' newest advancements and merit badges earned.
• The event will include a dinner and dessert and will be a special not to be missed event.
• To reserve your tickets, please fill out the attached form and bring it with payment to the Troop meetings between 3/7 and 4/18.
• Ticket orders are due on 4/18.
• If you have any questions, please reach out to Amy Madsen at 410 440 6313 or acoatesmadsen@gmail.com. Thank you!.\

     ADULT HELP IS NEEDED FOR A SUCCESSFUL COURT OF HONOR

• Please sign up to help out using SignUpGenius using this link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E4BAAAB28A02-48557166-april

Summer Camp Activity Signup Now Available

Summer Camp is just a few months away.  We will be traveling to June Norcross Webster Scout Reservation in Ashford, Connecticut.  The camp has a wide variety of activities so every scout should find things they will enjoy participating in.  The camp is open to all registered Scouts and Adults with discounts available to troops that register early.  Please select your activities using the link below and make a deposit at Troop Meetings if you haven't already done so.  Go to https://forms.gle/4N29GicZAvf4srVn9 to select your activities.  Contact Mr. Clasing at 443-326-6132 if you have any question.

Go to the Major Events page under the Information menu for all the available Summer Camp information.

Swim Testing for Canoe Trip, Sunday 5 May and Tuesday 7 May

• If you passed your swimmer test at Water Weekend or at Summer Camp in 2023 then you are all set and do not need to test again before the canoe trip.
• If not, the Troop has arranged for swim tests on two days in May prior to the Canoe Trip for those who need it:
• Sunday, 5 May, 5:15pm-5:45pm
• Tuesday, 7 May, 7pm-7:30pm
• We will meet in person at Coppermine Health and Fitness located at the intersection of. Timonium Road and Greenspring Drive. 110 W. Timonium Road.
• Please be on time as we only have ½ hour reserved for the swim tests.
• Contact Mr. Downs with any questions: bedowns3@verizon.net

Antietam Creek Canoe Trip, 10-12 May, REGISTER ONLINE AND PAY BY APRIL 25th

Updated 26 April 2024

Our next camping trip is a canoe trip down Antietam Creek. Sign up early. We have a limited number of seats available in the canoes - they will go to the people who register first.

• Complete the Event Registration Form and pay the Troop Treasurer at a Troop Meeting by 25 April. We need a good count of participants to arrange car pooling and to buy enough food for the Scouts and adults.
• ALL Scouts and adults canoeing must participate in BSA required training during the meeting on 9th of May!
• New ALL Scouts and adults canoeing must watch this video as part of the BSA required 3 hours of canoe training prior to canoeing on Antietam creek.
  
• ALL Scouts and adults canoeing must have passed the BSA Swimmers test within the last 12 months to canoe.
• All Adults canoeing must have a current BSA certification for Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat.
  
  
• 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 $60 for Scouts and Adults using rental canoes - pay the troop treasurer at a Troop meeting. The cost for adults not canoeing is $10. Scouts must also pay their share of the patrol food to the family who purchases the food.

• This is a tent camping trip with Patrol cooking.This is an excellent trip for attempting your PASS meal requirement.
  
• The main activity for the weekend is Canoeing down Antietam Creek. This is an easy creek to paddle consisting of mostly moving water with some Class I and II rapids. These are mostly short rock fields or areas of turbulent water. The troop last paddle this creek in May 2023. Photographs from that trip are available on this website.
• Check this link for a Weekend Personal Clothing and Gear List. In additional to items on that list everyone should bring these items
  
  • a bailer made from a gallon container with a handle with a string attached
  • knee pads or a foam pad to kneel on
  • glasses strap for sunglasses or other glasses
  • sunscreen
  • watertight bag for any personal gear with a cord to tie it to the canoe
  • Clothing that can get wet canoeing and dry clothes for camping
• We will be camping at Antietam Creek Group Campground
• Information from our outfitter about the river, what to bring, and how to dress.
• American Whitewater Antietam Creek Description
• Antietam Creek river gauge at put in location

Food

• Money is needed for a fast food lunch on the way home on Sunday.
• This will be a Patrol cooking trip. The troop will supply Saturday's lunch on the river.
• Special dietary restrictions: Special dietary restrictions: If your son has special dietary restrictions you would like the troop to attempt to accommodate on this trip, please contact Mr. Ken Krach at kf62krach@gmail.com as soon as possible and also the patrol leader and family purchasing the patrol food. PLEASE BRING SPECIAL FOOD AS NEEDED.
• Adult Menu
• Check back closer to the trip.
  

Transportation

• WE NEED DRIVERS – please register to drive using the Online Event Registration Form.
  
• Everyone going on the camping trip should meet at the shed on Friday evening in full uniform at 6:30 PM.
• We will pack the trailers with Patrol and Troop equipment and food.
• We will disperse to the cars driving to our camping trip.
• We will return to the shed in full uniform on Sunday at 2 PM and unload the trailers 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.
• Click to view the Suggested Driving Directions. It is 82 miles and about a 1 hr 30 min drive.

  Carpooling:

• All parents are highly encouraged to volunteer to drive on at least one of the trips this winter.
• 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.

First Thursday Path to First Class, 2 May, 6-7 PM, Joe's Cafe

The First Thursday meeting will be held from 6-7 PM in Joe's Cafe which is located in the basement of the Parish Center. Enter through the side door to the parking lot. The First Thursday meeting will be followed by a pizza dinner at 7 PM for active meeting participants.

These classes are available to scouts that are working on the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, and 1st Class and will be offered on the first Thursdays of the month.  Scouts do not need to sign up in advance. For more information about the First Thursday Path to First Class program, call Mr. Raj Mahanti (443-528-1437).

We will need lots of help from the seniors, patrol leaders, older scouts and adults

Patrol Leaders Council (PLC), Sunday, 5 May, 7:00-8:00 PM, Joe's Cafe

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 location shortly before 7 PM so the meeting can start on time. Parents should return at 8:00 PM to pick up their sons.

Committee Meeting, Monday, 6 May, 7:30 - 9:00 PM

Please update your Zoom App to the latest version before joining the meeting.
Zoom Meeting ID: 883 1455 5884

• All adult leaders and parents are welcome to participate. Committee meetings are generally scheduled for the first Monday of each month. Check the announcements each month for updates.
• To be admitted to the meeting you must use your first and last names when you join.
• Please join a few minutes early so we can start on time. The meeting should be available for joining about 7:20 PM
• Alternate phone audio 1 929 205 6099

Troop 497 Car Wash – 1st June 2024 (Rain date: 8 June)

• The annual car wash is quickly approaching. We started distributing the Car Wash donation packets to the scouts at the Troop meeting on Thursday April 11th. If you did not receive your packet, you have two options, either go to the Current Events Page on web site and print the forms, or contact Jeff Mann to arrange a pickup of your packet. Please get started right away on getting sponsors. Included on that page, and here, is this presentation for Scouts and Parents explaining the Car Wash.


• Each scout is expected to raise at least $200.00 in pledges and/or corporate sponsorships. The first $200.00 in pledges is split 50/50 between the troop and the scout family account. Every pledge over the first $200 goes to the scout’s family account, which can be used to pay for summer camp, monthly camping trips, and any supplies related to scouting.


• For every $25 in donations that each scout turns in each week, they will get one ticket for that week’s prize drawings.


• We are in need of donations for the weekly prize drawings. The prizes can be anything you think the boys will like, from a $5.00 gift card to Dunkin Donuts, to the unused Christmas gift that is sitting in your basement, or a donation of your time. In the past families have donated prizes of “time” by sharing their personal passions/interests like fishing, sporting events, family games, and other similar activities. No prize is too small! Please respond to Jeff Mann (Jeff@Mann-Home.com or 443-377-6699) to let me know if you are able to offer any prize donation. Please bring your prize donations to the weekly Troop meetings.


• Thanks for helping motivate the boys on achieving their goal, and for helping to make this car wash a success!
  

Troop 497 Car Wash – T-Shirt Design Contest, Submissions Due by 2nd May

• All Scouts are welcome to submit a design for the Car Wash T-Shirt.
• See examples of past designs in the presentation for Scouts and Parents explaining the Car Wash.
• Must be letter paper size, i.e. 8.5x11.
• One color for image and text (usually white or black).
• Must be in electronic format, JPG is best.
• Must be submitted to Mr. Mann by May 2nd.
• Must not contain any offensive messages, signs, or trademarked images.
• We will vote on winning design at the May 9th Troop meeting.
• Please contact Mr. Mann for more information! Jeff@Mann-Home.com; Mobile/Text: 443-377-6699

2024 Summer Camp - June Norcross Webster Scout Reservation, Ashford, Connecticut

SUMMER CAMP ACTIVITY SIGN-UP FORM

• You can now make your requests for Summer Camp Activities.  Go to https://forms.gle/4N29GicZAvf4srVn9 to make your selections.
• Contact Mr. Clasing at 443-326-6132 if you have any questions or difficulties choosing your activities.

PAYMENTS

2023 Summer Camp Photographs

High Adventure Trips 2024 – Payment Schedule

Those Scouts and adults who have expressed interest in Sea Base or Northern Tier in 2024 must make a deposit and remain current with the payment schedule to remain on the attendee list.

We anticipate that the demand will exceed the capacity. Note that all participants who make a deposit must also obtain approval to participate from the High Adventure Committee, which includes the Scoutmaster and Mr. Strueber.

2024 High Adventure Payment Schedules

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.