Troop 497 Announcements

Last Update: 19 November 2019. 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.

Photographs and a Track from the November Backpacking Trip Available on this Site

Photographs from the backpacking trip are available in our 2019 album from the "Photographs" menu. There is also a gpx track file of the long hike. You can explore our hike in Google Earth Pro, OpenTopoMap, or other program that can read and display GPX files. You will see the track of the long hike on a satellite view in Earth or on a topo map in Open Topo Map. You can move your mouse around and see where we were at various times and even an elevation profile linked to the track. Explore and enjoy.

Venture Ski Trip, 24-26 January 2020, Deposit Due 21 November 2019

Full cost of the Ski Trip ($310) must be paid by the completion of the Troop meeting on Thursday January 16th. Please make checks out to Troop 497.
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 $310. Fee includes 2 nights lodging, 2 buffet breakfasts, dinner Saturday evening, 2 day and 1 night lift ticket. Equipment rental and lessons are extra. Seven Springs has 31 slopes and trails. Information on the Resort is available at https://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.
Check out the photos from previous year's ski trip and read the flyer giving more information about the trip including payment details.
Helmets will be required as per BSA guide to safe Scouting. You can rent a helmet or purchase one prior to the trip.
Questions, call Mr. Andy Reidler at 410-916-4083 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.

No Troop Meeting on Thanksgiving, 28 November

There will not be a troop meeting on Thanksgiving, 28 November. Enjoy your holiday with family and friends.

Committee Meeting: Monday, 2 December 7:30 PM

The Troop Committee will meet MONDAYS at 7:30 at the parish center this year. 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.

First Thursday to First Class: 5 December, 6-7:30 PM

This is a great opportunity for Scouts to work on rank advancement through First Class and for Scouts and parents to get their questions answered. Scouts can also work on the Cyber Chip rank requirements. The program starts promptly at 6:00 PM in Joe's Cafe - the bottom room of the Parish Center. Pizza will be supplied from 7-7:30.

Patrol Leaders Council (PLC), Thursday, 12 December, 6-7:30 pm in Parish Center

The next PLC will take place in the Parish Center 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.

Senior Surprise Camping Trip, 6-8 December

Our next camping trip is to Camp Dan Beard at Broad Creek. This will be our annual Senior Surprise competition and also include some shooting sports.

This is the last opportunity until April for you to cook a PASS meal so sign up with Mr. Kakel and send him your PASS meal menu and cooking method.

This is a patrol cooking trip so get your menus in to Mr. Michels for approval. This is also a cold weather tent camping trip so bring appropriate clothing and gear for the expected temperatures and weather conditions.

Here are the directions. Please familiarize yourself with directions before the trip. Sign up to drive, 37 miles.

No Troop Meeting on 26 December

There will not be a troop meeting on 26 December. Enjoy your holiday with family and friends and we will see everyone at our first Troop Meeting in January on the 2nd.