Adult Summer Camp Meeting, 1 June 7:35 in MPR Lobby

Annual Troop 497 Car Wash – 3rd June 2022 -

The annual car wash is quickly approaching. Please turn in all corporate sponsor donations this week so that they can be included on our sponsor banners. Remember to bring the corporate sponsor materials to be distributed to the beginning of the Troop Meeting on 1 June.

Adult Help Needed During Troop Meeting on 1 June to Stuff the Sponsor Bags
Adult help is needed during the Troop Meeting on Thursday, 1 June to stuff the sponsor bags with the material and gifts provided by our Corporate Sponsors. The more help we have the easier this task becomes so please join us.

Adult Help Needed for Day of Car Wash - Sign Up on line NOW!
We ask that all parents volunteer at least one shift, but we welcome you to stay all day like most of our dedicated leaders and parents. We still need to fill many positions, so if you always wanted to handle a fire hose, this is your chance. Please sign up by adding your name to this Google Sheet. The sheet has places for the minimum number of people to sign up. There is an opportunity for everyone to help out during the day by relieving people and helping out wherever we need more help during the day. So, Come on out and lend a hand to this family fund raiser. You can also reach out directly to Dean Christopherson if they have difficulty with signup file:
Call or text: 443-462-8848     email: christopherson.de@pg.com.

Car Wash Attire
Scouts and adults washing cars should wear swim trunks, car wash T-Shirt (provided), shoes that can get wet and a good sun shade hat. Sunscreen will be available, but bring your own if you prefer a specific type/brand.

Car Wash Schedule – ALL SCOUTS are expected to participate for the entire day (8:30am – 3:30pm)!
Remember to sign in and get your 2023 Troop 497 Car Wash T-Shirt.

Remember to invite your family and friends to come by and get their cars washed. Thanks for helping to motivate the boys on achieving their sponsor goals, and making this car wash a success!

Please respond to Jeff Mann (Jeff@Mann-Home.com or 443-377-6699) if you have any questions about the car wash. Check the web site and watch for twitter messages for any updates.

2023 Summer Camp Trip, 15th to 28th of July 2023

Detailed information about Summer Camp is now available on the Information/Major Events page of this web site. That page is the repository for Summer Camp information and it will be updated as new information is available. If still relevant, the information will remain on that page until we return from Summer Camp. If there is any major new information to share with the Troop it will be posted here as an announcement and remain on this page for about two

• Itinerary added, 10 February

SUMMER CAMP ITEMS TO DO NOW!

• Scouts and Adults should get physicals and complete the Annual Health and Medical Record - YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER MUST SIGN ON THIS FORM
• Complete the Colorado Certification of Immunization for all youth participants. - YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER MUST SIGN ON THIS FORM
• ADULTS MUST BE REGISTERED AS BSA ADULT LEADERS. Start your registration process now.
• Learn to swim! All Scouts and Adult leaders must pass the BSA Swimmers test to white water raft during our touring week.
• Keep your summer camp payments current. The troop needs your money to pay for many of the fees long before we go to camp.

Volunteers Needed for Service on Saturday, 27 May, 9:00 AM at Shed

First Thursday Path to First Class, 1 June, 6-7 PM, St Joseph School Art Room

The First Thursday meeting will be held from 6-7 PM in St Joseph School Art Room. Meet in the School Lobby near the MPR. 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

Troop Meeting, Thursday, 1 June, 7:30 - 9:00 PM, Multipurpose Room

We will meet in person in the Multipurpose Room this week and follow the current Archdiocese Covid-19 protocols which is that masks are optional.

Patrol Leaders Council (PLC), Sunday, 4 June, 7:00-8:00 PM

PLCs will generally be scheduled for the first Sunday of each month and start at 7:00 pm. 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 Mr. Boutilier's home shortly before 7 PM so the meeting can start on time. Check a troop roster, which have been emailed periodically to all parents, for the address. Parents should return at 8:00 PM to pick up their sons.

Committee Meeting, Monday, 5 June, 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

Water Weekend, 16-18 June, Register and Pay by 8 June

Our next camping trip is our annual Water Weekend on the Susquehanna River. We strongly encourage new Scouts and their dads to join us on this Father's Day weekend trip.

Actions required by participants before the trip:

• ALL ADULTS GOING OUT IN BOATS MUST HAVE COMPLETED SAFETY AFLOAT TRAINING WITHIN THE PAST 24 MONTHS. Follow this link for more information about Safety Afloat and a link to the BSA Training site to take the training.


• Complete the Event Registration Form by 8 June. The registration form now includes a section for adult participants or parents who are not camping to volunteer to drive 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 $30 for Scouts and Adults to cover the higher price of the food on this trip. - pay the troop treasurer at a Troop meeting.
  

General Information (Check back for updates)

• This is a tent camping trip with Troop cooking.
• The main activity is fun in the water. There will be swimming, tubing, canoeing, kayaking, and other activities on land and in the water for every level of swimming ability.

Food

• This will be a Troop cooking trip with a feast on Saturday evening.
• 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.
• Bring money for lunch on Sunday during the trip home.
• Adult Menu (bring your own food if you want something different) (Check back for updates)

Transportation

• WE NEED DRIVERS – please register to drive. The online Event Registration Form now includes a section for adult participants or parents who are not camping to volunteer to drive Scouts.
• 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.
• Driving directions to our camping location.  (Check back) We will be camping along the river in the front yards of friends of Troop 497.

  Carpooling:

• All parents are highly encouraged to volunteer to drive on at least one of the trips this spring.
• 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.
• Parents may choose to drive their own sons and not take other Scouts. They should still meet at the shed on Friday and return to the shed on Sunday with the Troop.
• Drivers have the right to require their passengers to wear masks while in their vehicles and whether they will fill the middle seats in their vehicles. Parents who don't want their sons wearing a mask should have their son assigned to a driver who does not require masking.

Order of the Arrow Chapter Meeting and Ordeal Weekends

• Location: American Legion Hall, 8666 Silver Lake Drive, Perry Hall, MD 21128, beginning at 7:00pm
• We would like to see as many Troop 497 Arrowmen as possible at this meeting!  Pizza and drinks will be served!

• Upcoming Ordeal dates:
• Ordeal 2 – Aug 18-20 – Camp Saffran
• Ordeal 3 – Aug 25-27 – Camp  Saffran
• Ordeal 4/5 – Sept 29-Oct 1 – Camp Saffran

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- Deposits Due NOW

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.