Troop 497 Announcements

Last Update: 03 May 2021. Click your browser's refresh button to ensure you are looking at the most recent update to this page.
Click underlined text to follow the link to additional information.

Susquehannock Camping Trip Photographs

Photographs from our first full Troop camping trip since March 2020 are available in our 2021 album. Click on Photographs in the menu, then on 2021 Events, and then on Susquehannock State Park to view them.

NEW!! The Troop 497 Covid-19 Activity Questionnaire will now be done ON-LINE!!

Please use the link below before all in-person Troop 497 Scout Activities. The information is the same as you have been providing in paper form, but now you can enter it from any computer or smart phone. All links to the paper forms will be replaced with the electronic version. Starting 4/23/2021, if you come to an activity with a paper form, we will ask that you go online and fill out the electronic version as well so that all of the information will be in one central repository. Please go to the online Troop 497 Covid-19 Activity Questionnaire prior to all in-person activities and follow the directions. Thanks for your cooperation.

First Thursday Path to First Class, 6 May In Person or Zoom Meeting depending on weather

The First Thursday meeting will either be in-person or on online depending on the weather. Check back Thursday morning of the meeting. If the Troop meeting is in person, then the First Thursday meeting will be in person. If the Troop meeting is via Zoom, then the First Thursday meeting will be via Zoom.

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 only in-person or via Zoom Conferencing depending on the weather. Scouts do not need to sign up in advance. For more information about the First Thursday Path to First Class program, call Mr. Jerry McClellan (410-236-4258).

We will need lots of help from the seniors, patrol leaders, older scouts and adults whether the meeting is in person or via Zoom.

In-person Meeting, 5:30-6:30 PM

When we meet in person, the First Thursday to First Class meeting will take place between 5:30 and 6:30 PM at the troop shed (outside). There will be a pizza dinner for participants from 6:30-7:00 PM. Please bring a chair.

Anyone staying for the meeting must complete the online Troop 497 Covid-19 Activity Questionnaire prior to the meeting. We will verify that it has been entered online upon arrival as we check your temperature. If it has not been filled out we will ask you to do so before you can participate in the meeting. Please arrive a few minutes early to allow time to take your temperature and verify your Covid-19 Questionnaire. You only have to complete one Covid-19 Questionnaire for both the First Thursday Path to First Class and the Troop meeting the same evening.

Zoom Meeting 6:00-7:00 PM

Please update your Zoom App to the latest version before joining the meeting.
Zoom Meeting ID: 838 8622 1034

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 5:50 PM
Alternate phone audio 1 929 205 6090.
See the Resources page for additional information about the Thursday Path to First Class program.

Troop Meeting, Thursday, 6 May, 7:00 - 8:00/8:15 PM - In Person Troop Meeting

We will be meeting outdoors in the field behind the St Joseph School (the building housing the multipurpose room). The entry to the parking lot behind the school is just past the school building.

The meeting will start promptly at 7 PM and end around 8:00/8:15 depending on light.
Everyone must wear a mask during the entire meeting including persons dropping off or picking up Scouts.
Anyone staying for the meeting must complete the online Troop 497 Covid-19 Activity Questionnaire prior to the meeting. We will verify that it has been entered online upon arrival as we check your temperature. If it has not been filled out we will ask you to do so before you can participate in the meeting. Please arrive a few minutes early to allow time to take your temperature and verify your Covid Questionnaire.

In case of inclement weather we will have a Zoom Troop Meeting. The decision will be posted on Thursday morning of the meeting.

Please update your Zoom App to the latest version before joining the meeting.
Zoom Meeting ID: 266 100 760

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 6090.

Patrol Leaders Council (PLC), Monday, 10 May, 7:00 PM - NEW DATE

Please update your Zoom App to the latest version before joining the meeting.
Zoom Meeting ID: 814 5966 1007

PLCs will generally be scheduled for the first Sunday of each month and start at 7:00 pm. Check the announcements for any changes. They should last about 1 hour. 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.

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 6:50 PM
Alternate phone audio 1 929 205 6090

Broad Creek, Camp Oest, Camping Trip, 14-16 May - In Person Camping

We have scheduled our next camping trip at Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation, Camp Oest, sites Granite Peak and Marble Hill. More details will follow.

Please sign up for this trip on SignUpGenius. Sign up for each night that you will camp and let us know if you will bring a tent.
Adults attending need to sign up by Thursday 6 May so we can plan for adequate food.
Patrol Leaders should email their Patrol Menus to Mr. Michels for approval by 6 May.
For Covid safety everyone not in the same family needs to be in a separate tent. We don't have enough Troop tents for everyone so please bring your own tent for this trip if you have one.
Everyone, adults and Scouts, should bring a folding chair for their use during the weekend. Put you name on the chair.
Parents must drive their sons to/from Camp Oest.

Please arrive at Camp Oest main parking lot (see map in directions) in full uniform between 7-8 pm on Friday evening
Please pick up your son between 11:00 am and noon on Sunday from the Camp Oest main parking lot,

Please complete the online Troop 497 Covid-19 Activity Questionnaire prior to leaving for the camping trip.
Everyone should wear a mask when they arrive and have a spare mask available. Write you name on your mask.
Check out the weekend camping gear list on our Forms/Current Events page. There are two list which should help you decide what to pack.
The tent videos shown during the March 11th meeting are on our Scout and PASS Skills page under Information menu. Also on the page is a link to the P.A.S.S. Skills Instruction Manual which includes a section on how to setup up and take down a tent. This document is detailed and includes photographs illustrating key points. You will learn more by reading this section and watching the videos - they complement each other.
Here are directions from the Troop 497 shed to Camp Oest. These directions include a detailed map showing the campsites at Oest. It takes about 1 hour for the drive.

SeaBase Swim Tests: May 22 and May 29, 1-2pm at Towson YMCA

Scouts should plan to bring masks and snorkels. Now is the time to buy these as well as anti-slip snorkeling socks (if desired).

Wilderness First Aid/CPR Training: Saturday May 15 and Saturday June 12

Any registered Troop 497 adult interested in Wilderness First Aid and CPR training training should contact Juan Garcia at jgarcia1@jhmi.edu.

The training will take place at Juan Garcia's House at 31 Haddington Road, Lutherville.

2021 SeaBase Trip: Saturday, June 26 - Saturday, July 3

For those that have signed up for the 2021 SeaBase High Adventure Camp the trip will take place from Saturday, June 26 - Saturday, July3, 2021.

BSA Health Forms with Parts A,B, and C need to be returned shortly. The form can be found at this link.

Committee Meeting, Monday, 7 June, 7:30 - 9:00 PM

Please update your Zoom App to the latest version before joining the meeting.
Zoom Meeting ID: 398 703 538

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 6090

2021 Northern Tier Trip Refunds

The Northern Tier staff notified Troop 497 that the Bissett location will not be able to accommodate United States Scouts/Leaders during the 2021 summer due to continuing pandemic related precautions.

The full amount of any Scout/Leader deposits for the Northern Tier trip have been refunded to participants family accounts for future use in Scouting activities. If participants would prefer to receive a check refunding Northern Tier deposit payments please contact Troop Treasurer, Kevin Shaffer, via email (kevineshaffer@comcast.net) with a refund request including the dollar amount requested and mailing address. Please feel free to direct any questions or requests to Kevin Shaffer.

Sign Up for Advancement

There are now 3 ways to move forward with merit badges.

1. Thursday Path to First Class

Audience: Scouts working to advance to the rank of First Class
Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e084da4a72ba0ff2-first
Class Sessions: Offerings are on a rotating basis and are available for sign-up between Thursday Path to First Class sessions. The sign-up is available a week before each bi-weekly meeting and close the day before the meeting.
Request Adult Leader to Review Requirement(s): Scouts can request to review specific requirements with an Adult Leader during Thursday Path to First Class

2. Group Merit Badge Session Signup

Audience: All Scouts
Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e084da4a72ba0ff2-troop
Class Sessions: All offerings are for merit badge classes in a group format

3. Schedule a Counselor for a Personal Session

Audience: All Scouts
Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e084da4a72ba0ff2-schedule
Class Sessions: All offerings are for merit badge classes in a 1-Scout to 2-Adult format

If you have questions email Mr. Grim at jessgrim@verizon.net

PASS

Any First Class or higher Scouts interested in working on PASS, please contact Mr. Kakel to schedule the date and time for any item you want to work on. hkakel@verizon.net.
PASS meals can be cooked during the November camping trips.

Merit Badge Counselors

See the Resources page under the Information menu for list of merit badge counselors and additional information about working on merit badges.