Last Update: 13 October 2024. Click
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recent update to this page.It is updated several
times most weeks. Click underlined text to follow the link to
additional information.
Photographs Needed from Calvert Cliffs and Assateague Trips
Please select your best photographs from these camping trips and put them
in cloud storage. Then, Email the
Webmaster with the link so he can post some photographs to the
album pages on this website for both trips.
All adults that are interested in attending summer camp this year are
encouraged to attend this online meeting. An information session for
parents of scouts will occur at a future date.
The Troop adults run the merit badge program and all activities for
this summer camp. We need a significant amount of help to plan and
execute to make this a successful trip.
Please fill out the following form before the meeting to indicate your
interest in merit badges and area coordination. Merit
Badge and Coordinator Interest
Please update your Zoom App to
the latest version before joining the meeting. Zoom Meeting ID: 883
1455 5884
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
Join us on every Thursday evening for our Troop Meetings. Check these
announcements for any updates.
Youth Protection Training Required to Re-register Adult Leaders
You must have completed online BSA Youth Protection Training (YPT) in 2024
to be able to re-registered as a BSA Adult Leader. Take the training and
send a copy of your completion Certificate to Adam Spence and Ken Krach BEFORE
1 DECEMBER.
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.
No Troop Meeting, Thursday, 31 October, Halloween
There will not be a Troop meeting on Halloween. Enjoy your evening with
ghosts and goblins!
Backpacking Green Ridge State Forest, 8-10 November, sign
up and pay by 24 October
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.
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. Arrange to rent
one from the troop or borrow one from another troop member. The rental
cost is $10 with a $20 deposit. 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!
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.
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.
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 leave. Most of the roads in the Forest are dirt roads.
They are mostly in good condition but higher clearance vehicles are
still preferred. This qualifies as a long trip.
Carpooling:
All parents are highly encouraged to volunteer to drive on at least
one of the trips this fall.
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 theonline 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.
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.
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.
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.