Troop 398 News - Dec 5

POPCORN SALES
If you have not done so, please turn in your popcorn money this Monday to Mrs. Quiterio or Mr. Holtman.

TROOP COURT OF HONOR
This Monday night will be a troop court of honor. We will have it at the main church worship center at 7:00 PM. Wear your Class A uniform. We will have something special right after the Court of Honor.  Steve Dix will show a video which was made during last summer's sailing trip out of Key West. Feel free to leave if you need to, but we hope you'll stay for the show!

DECEMBER PATROL COMPETITION
The patrol competition for December began last Monday night. The object is to see how many members each patrol can get to attend the troop meeting in Class A uniform. Each patrol member will receive 1 point for attendance plus 1 point for partial Class A uniform or plus 2 points for full Class A to include neckerchief and hat. Actual points awarded to the patrol will be divided by the possible points the patrol could have earned times 100 will be the total score. Turn out in support of your patrol.

PHILMONT HIGH ADVENTURE 2010
I just received an email from Philmont Scout Ranch congratulating us on being picked as a winner for a reservation in 2010 for 3 crews. That means we can take up to 12 adults 21years of age or older and 24 youth or adults from 14 to 20 years old. (Scouts must be 14 years old by Jan 1, 2010 or complete the 8^th grade by June 2010.) We will depart Murfreesboro on July 2^nd and check in at Philmont on July 5^th.  We will depart Philmont on July 17 and return home on July 19^th. I will be receiving a packet of information in 4 to 6 weeks. I will be able to give you more information in a few weeks. You can reserve a slot by giving Mr. Holtman a deposit of $100.

DISCOVERY CENTER NEEDS HELP
Our local Discovery Center is in need of empty cereal box-type cardboard and empty egg cartons for art projects. You can bring them to our troop meetings and send everything home with Gore. We need them as soon as possible, and up to the middle of December. Questions call Bonnie Ervin at the Discovery Center.

NOVEMBER CAMP OUT
It was dog-gone cold, but 29 hardy souls backpacked the 10 mile Piney River Trail near Spring City, TN. One of our "old" Eagle Scouts, John Pope showed up with his Dad to make this a really special trip. John is an engineer at the nuclear power plant nearby.  Everyone, to include 5 first time backpackers had a great time. Steaks were grilled, as were lobster and planked salmon (Mansfields and Frys of course!). Most of us used a few extra tricks to augment our sleeping bags in order to sleep warm.  I'm sure quite a few parents question why in the world I would take scouts out in freezing weather.  Well, first of all, I just plan the trip - the Lord plans the weather – since I know the Lord loves Scouts, I know he won't give us more than we can handle. Adult leaders and scouts plan their schedules around these weekends, and in most cases, it would be really hard to reschedule, so we go.  I think we cancelled once when there was a tornado, but that was only because the roads were closed. Actually we learn more and have better stories to tell during bad weather camping. Sure, we run the risk of having sniffles for a week after, but the wisdom we gain dealing with adversity lasts a lifetime. Weekend camps are the training ground for our high adventure trips into the Canadian and Rocky Mountain wilderness. There is no option when you're miles from civilization; you have to know how to deal with whatever weather comes along. So, January 9, pack his long underwear, send your scout off to the winter camporee and make yourself a nice cup of hot chocolate confident in the knowledge that you did what was best for him!

SERVICE OPPORTUNITY
The Salvation Army needs bell ringers. If you want to volunteer (or you are working on Citizenship in the Community) email Mr. Dix (sadix@comcast.net) promptly to let him know if you can ring on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Kroger on S. Church Street from Noon to 8 PM (we'll do 1 hour shifts, need minimum 2 boys per shift).  Service hours will be awarded for this activity.

ADULT CPR TRAINING
We are set up to go with American Heart Association CPR Training on January 15^th starting at 6:00pm and lasting 2-3 hours. It will be held in the Community Wing Area (Near the office) of St. Mark's. It is for Adult Leaders and cost is $3.00 per person. Dane Carey will be at the meeting Monday night if you have any questions and with a signup sheet for those interested? Dane's email is dcarey@unitedenertech.com.

DECEMBER CAMP OUT
We will return to Short Mountain for our Christmas Celebration again this year December 19 – 21. If this cold streak hangs around, we'll have some snow for sure. We will stay in heated cabins complete with beds and mattresses. We will spend Saturday morning doing service projects around the Bible Camp. We'll go hiking on Sat. afternoon. This will be followed by a big supper on Saturday evening (probably prime rib and sides with cobblers for dessert) Parents are invited to eat supper with us. The cost is estimated at $18 for all meals or $10 for Sat. Supper only. Sign up on the bulletin board as soon as possible and list all your guests.  Mr. Moreland is planning the Christmas devotional and he would like to show some pictures again this year of troop activities as part of the devotional.  If you have any cool pictures from any of our activities this year, please email them to Mr. Moreland at tmoreland@mtemc.com.

ADULT TRAINING AT MTSU MBU
New Leader Essentials, Leader Specific Training and Committee Training will be offered for Adult Leaders at the merit badge university while our scouts are taking merit badge classes on Saturday, February 28^th. If you are interested, see Mike Warren.

KEY DATES
December 19 - 21 Christmas Camp Out at Short Mountain - We will stay in cabins again this year. Parents are invited to eat supper with us on Sat., Dec 20.
December 16  PLC 6:30 PM at the Eagle's Nest
December 22  No Troop Meeting
December 27 - 31 Winter Camp We will not attend as a troop. Scouts who wish to attend will camp with a provisional troop.  Cost is $90. See Mr. Warren if you are interested.
December 29  We will have a troop meeting
January 2-3  Laser Tag  10PM Friday til 7:00 AM Saturday - The cost will be about $35/person
January 8  District Roundtable and OA Wede Chapter meeting, 7:00 PM at North Blvd. Church of    Christ.
January 9-11 Winter Camporee Camp Tubbs, Rock Island, TN
January 31  Tenn Tech Merit Badge University
January 31-February 1  Super Bowl Barbeque Fund Faiser
February 5  District Roundtable and OA Wede Chapter meeting, 7:00 PM at North Blvd. Church of Christ.
February 20 -22 Troop Camp Out
February 28   Middle Tenn State Merit Badge University