Troop 398 News - Sept 21

TROOP MEETING - SEPT 22^nd
We need a big turn out for this important meeting.  We will have Patrol Meetings to elect new Patrol Leaders and Asst. Patrol Leaders. In addition, all patrols will plan menus for the Camp out next weekend.

NEW SENIOR PATROL LEADER
Congratulations to Daniel Moreland who was elected last Monday night to be our new Senior Patrol Leader. Daniel and his staff and newly elected Patrol Leaders will take over the operations of the troop on Monday, September 29th. If you want to serve on the SPL staff for the next six months, talk to Daniel at the troop meeting or email him at tamore3210@bellsouth.net

EAGLE SCOUT
Congratulations to Troop 398's 89th Eagle Scout, Patrick Sherer. Patrick received his award at a Court of Honor last Sunday.

POPCORN SALES
We kicked off our popcorn sales last Monday night. If you missed the meeting, see Mrs Quiterio to pick up your sales materials. Popcorn orders are due October 27. Our popcorn will be picked up on November 15.

2009 HIGH ADVENTURE CANOEING TREK
22 slots only Reservations open Sept 22
It is time to get serious about our High Adventure Trip for 2009.  We always try to plan a trip that will be a "once in a lifetime experience" and this trip should be fantastic! Our initial plan is to fly out of Nashville on Monday, July 6, 2009 by commercial air to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. We will spend the night in Winnipeg and then, on July 7, take a charter bus about 150 miles to the BSA Canoe Base on the outskirts of Bissett, Manitoba.  Bissett is known for its rich gold mining heritage and as a jumping off spot to some of the best wilderness adventure anywhere. It is also on the edge of the Atikaki Provincial Park, a great destination for trophy fishing and remote trips.  We will pick up food and pack equipment and spend the night at the base. The following day, July 8, our trip starts with an exciting floatplane ride north into the Canadian bush. Our crews will enjoy the opportunity to overlook some of the beautiful and rugged terrain through which we will be traveling and to enjoy the adventure (?) of the Canadian bush pilot experience. We will land on Scout Lake where we will load our canoes and begin paddling.  We will paddle a series of lakes, carrying our canoes and gear from one lake to the next, for six days. Fishing is supposed to be really good in this area, so we plan to allow plenty of time for that. On July 13, we will be picked up by float plane and return to the base at Bissett where we will spend the night.  After breakfast on July 14, the bus will pick us up and return us to Winnipeg by mid-afternoon where we'll board our return flight.  We will land in Nashville that evening.

Ideally, we would like to have two crews of eleven members each for a total of 22 youth and adult members on the trip. In addition, each crew will be accompanied by an "Interpreter"/BSA staff member who will be equipped with a satellite phone for emergencies. We must have a minimum of two adults per crew and we plan take up to 4 adults over 21 years of age per crew.  Scouts must be 13 years of age by July 7, 2009. All participants must qualify as a "swimmer" on the BSA Swim Test. These are the minimum requirements which have been established by BSA. In addition, the National High Adventure Division recommends that "neither age nor rank be the only criteria for participation on high adventure adventures. Maturity, the ability to carry a heavy load (85 lbs.) over steep, muddy, and rugged portages, and camping/canoeing experience should also be considered." It is important that each participant be able to carry their fair share, or it makes things extremely difficult for all crew members. Each youth member should earn the canoeing merit badge before the trip and all adults will demonstrate similar paddling proficiency.

Total cost will be driven primarily by transportation costs (commercial air, charter bus and float plane). As a first estimate, the total trip is estimated at approximately $1200 per person (this allows for a round trip airline ticket of $600 per person).  We'll do our best to negotiate a lower price through group rates. In addition, all crew members will be expected to participate in several fund raisers prior to departure to help further reduce these trip costs.

In order to secure a confirmed reservation for this trip, you will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of $150 per person to the Troop Treasurer, Mr. Holtman, by October 13, 2009. Another payment of $250 will be due in mid March 2009. Additional payments will be announced as we make our transportation reservations. You will be added to the trip roster in the order that your deposit is received.  Your deposit will not be refunded unless someone takes your place on the trip. If you want to go, but are unsure of your plans, you can ask to be placed on the "stand-by" list – no deposit is required. If a crew member drops out, you will be offered a chance to take his place by reimbursing the crew member you will replace.  We need a minimum of 8 crew members to reserve one crew and 16 crew members to reserve two crews.

To safely enjoy a rugged canoe trip, everyone must be physically prepared. On a canoe trip, you may be paddling 10 miles a day or more in windy conditions and may carry as much as 85 lbs. across a portage between lakes. You will be using your arms and upper body for paddling and your back and legs for portaging. A regular program of physical conditioning for at least six months prior to the trip is very strongly recommended. Plan some type of aerobic exercise for 30 to 60 minutes a session three to five times a week. Jogging, running up and walking down hills or flights of stairs, and hiking with a full pack are excellent methods of physical preparation.

How fast you can run or how far you go is not nearly so important as regular exercise. Other aerobic exercises such as swimming, bicycling, stationary cycling, and aerobic exercise classes can supplement your training. Start slowly and gradually increase the duration and intensity of your exercises.

ORDER OF THE ARROW SERVICE PROJECT
OA members, this is your chance to take advantage of the opportunity to visit Latimer and participate in the OA experience on the Bee Creek trail. On October 10-13 we will be working for 12 hours on the Bee Creek trail to honor the OA and the spirit of cheerful service. In reward all participants will receive a flap that will only be made in the first year for the Latimer trail crew. More in-depth information will be sent out on a later date concerning directions, food, supplies, and schedule. Spaces are limited so please keep this on your mind as a special opportunity to come to Latimer and be one of the first to help build what is sure to be a great scouting destination in the future. If you have any questions that will not be answered in the future emails or if you would like to go ahead and sign up please email me, Trey Banks, at Tbanks@lycos.com
Thanks, Trey McClain

FISH FRY/AUCTION FUND RAISER
Start looking for some items to bring in for the silent auction we will have in conjunction with our Fish Fry on October 11 at St. Mark's. We usually start serving at 5:00 PM and continue until we run out of fish or customers. Mr. Gieske will be coming up with some auction guidelines. All profit from the auction will go to the scouts and profit from the fish fry will go to the troop operating fund.

WINTER CAMP
Winter Camp will be Dec 27 - 31 this year at Boxwell Reservation. The fee is $80  Early Bird by Nov 14 or $90 after that date.  Adult leaders who would be interested in leading a troop contingent during Winter Camp should see the Scoutmaster. The Trail of Tears District is also looking for volunteers to lead a District Provisional Troop so those units who may only have one or two scouts whom can go and no leader or one leader can band together and have a great time at Winter Camp.

KEY DATES
September 26-28  Troop Camp out at Smyrna Airbase.  Service day on Sat. - shoreline clean-up. Canoeing and fishing. Sign up sheet is posted or reply to this email.

October 2  District Roundtable for Adult Leaders and Order of the Arrow Chapter Meeting at North Blvd Church of Christ at 7:00 PM

October 11   Troop 398 Fish Fry and Silent Auction. Fish fry profits will go to the troop operating fund and Silent Auction profits go to the scouts who bring items to auction. We will announce guide lines for the Silent Auction in the near future.

October 17-19 District Camporee at Camp Percy Dempsey, Boxwell Reservation. In addition, some members of the troop will be parking cars at Webb School on Sat and Sun for the Bell Buckle Craft Fair.

October 27  Popcorn orders due to be turned in to Mrs. Quiterio.