Troop 398 News - April 23

LASER TAG
We have a reservation for laser tag for Friday, April 25 at Laser Quest in Nashville. We will meet at the Eagles Nest between 9:00 and 9:15 Friday evening. We'll show  a movie until we  leave the Eagles Nest about 10:15 PM. We will return to the Eagle's Nest 7:30AM on Saturday. We will play back to back laser games from midnight until 6:00 AM. Bring extra money if you plan to play any of the coin operated games or get any drinks out of the machines.  We will order in pizza when we get there. Cost (assuming 30 or more participants) for laser games and pizza will be approximately $35. The more the merrier - if you haven't signed up that's okay, just reply to this email so we can make sure we have enough transportation for everyone.  Right now, we have one 15 passenger bus which leaves 18 scouts to be transported by 3 adults!  If anyone can get a church van for the evening, let us know ... otherwise we will need two or three more adults willing to transport scouts up and back.

MAY CAMP OUT
The May camp out will be May 2 -4 at Camp Beany Elam. We plan to do rappelling on Saturday as well as work on fishing Merit Badge and land navigation requirements. Each patrol will have its own campsite and will do it's own cooking. A sign up sheet is on the bulletin board.

CUMBERLAND MERIT BADGE UNIVERSITY
Cumberland MBU  was cancelled March 8th due to weather - it has been rescheduled for May 10th. Let Mr. Horne know if you are registered but can not go.

FLAG PLACEMENT
Flag placement is scheduled for Saturday, May 24th at the Stones River National Battlefield. Put it on your calendar, more details to follow.

SUMMER CAMP
Be sure to have your parents update your Class I  Medical  History  form. Take this with you and a blank Class II form if you plan to get a camp physical from your regular doctor.  Dr Galloway will be available to do camp physicals  next Monday, April 28. You must have your signed Medical History Form  with you to get a physical.

Mr. Doliana will administer the BSA Swim Test again on the following Thursdays at 7:00 PM at SportsCom: May 1, May 22 and May 29.  If you have not done any swimming since last year, we recommend you practice a couple of times before the test - especially your floating

Troop 398 News - April 16

SPEND THE NIGHT IN JAIL
We have a good group of about 25 scouts and 5 adults who think it would be cool to spend a night in jail. We will meet at the Eagle's Nest this Friday afternoon, April 18, between 4:45 and 5:00 PM. Mr. Meyer has secured a 20 passenger bus from his church, so that will help us considerably. You will be fed supper by the workhouse staff. Fingerprinting MB will be taught, so if you are interested, ask about that when you are being booked in. Wear Class B uniform, bring sleeping bag, tooth brush, towel, etc. No electronic games, please! Bring your signed permission slips if you have not turned them in.  Adults need to complete the talent  release which is at the bottom of the permission slip. The event ends at 9:00 AM, so plan to pick up your scout at 9:30 AM on Saturday at the Eagle's Nest.
If you are driving separately, please use the first entrance (Northern-most, coming from Middle TN Blvd) which will take you past 2 other large facilities (the new Juvenile Center and the old workhouse), and proceed to the drop-off point where scouts and their gear will be admitted at the back (west) of the building. Drivers continue around to the south side of the building and either park in front, or continue and exit the property (via the second southern-most exit). Driver participants will then enter through the front entrance (east, behind the flagpoles) where they will be directed through the building and then reunited with their troop. 'Booking' or intake will entail giving event personnel your parental consent and talent releases, after which you will be transported to your cellblock.

EAGLE SERVICE PROJECT
Note the following change: Due to weather concerns, Joey Falana will start work on his Eagle project this Sunday from 2:00 til 4:30 PM.  We will begin the clean up and prepare the area where we will build the pump cover, and plan the next work day.  Bring shovels, hoes, picks and gloves.

CUMBERLAND MERIT BADGE UNIVERSITY
Cumberland MBU has been rescheduled from March 8 to May 10.  If you need to cancel, please contact Dorsey Horne, email Dorsey.Horne@state.tn.us as soon as possible so we can request a refund. Please contact Mr. Horne if you would like to go, but did not sign up on the original list in case we have cancellations.

Troop 398 News - April 6

GARY WISER COMES THROUGH
Mr Wiser has finalized the deal to purchase the trailer mounted cooker  we used for the Super Bowl Fund Raiser for future troop events.  This cooker will save us a huge amount of time and labor.  No troop funds were used; this purchase was accomplished based on contributions and pledges from individuals. If you were one of those individuals who made a pledge or if you wish to contribute, please see Mr. Wiser.

APRIL CAMP OUT
We will camp out April 11- 13 at Camp Stahlman and participate in Beaver Day.  Several Cub Scouts will be joining our troop at the District Cross Over which will be held Sat night at 7:00 PM.  The Order of the Arrow Tap Out will be held immediately after the Cross Over. If we have a good turn out, we will have our annual patrol cook off for supper on Saturday.  If not, we will have the cook off during the May camp out. Mr Wiser and Mr. Perkins will come up with the rules for the cook off. A sign up sheet will be posted at the troop meeting.  If you plan to go on the camp out, but cannot attend the troop meeting, please reply to this email by Tuesday so we can finalize our food order. Cross Over Cubs have a choice of camping with their old pack or with our troop.  If possible, plan to spend Saturday  afternoon  with the troop so that you can participate in new scout  training.

SUMMER CAMP
We turned in 31 early bird registrations for summer camp last week. 
Be sure to update your scout's Class I  Medical  History  form. Take this with you and a blank Class II form if you plan to get a camp physical from your regular doctor.  Dr Galloway will be available to do camp physicals on April 21 and April 28. You must bring your signed Medical History Form  with you that night.

Mr. Doliana will administer the BSA Swim Test again on the following Thursdays at 7:00 PM at SportsCom: May 1, May 22 and May 29.  If you have not done any swimming since last year, we reccommend you practice a couple of times before the test - especially your floating.

SPEND THE NIGHT IN JAIL
Here's a chance to do something different and earn service hours in the process. This event will take place from 5:00 PM Friday April 18 to 9:00 AM Saturday.  We had 21 scouts sign up last Monday  night. We still need at least one additional adult to sign up. Reply to this email or sign up at the troop meeting.

Here is the info sent out by the district:
Ever wondered what it would be like to spend the night in jail? Well, now's your chance, and you can leave the next morning   The Rutherford County Correctional Work center is calling on Boy Scouts of the Trail of Tears District to help work center personnel prepare its new facility for occupation by inmates. During your stay you will begiven a nice bunk on which to sleep,and you will be provided supper and breakfast. You will be routed around the building for your daily activities just like you were an inmate. This will help staff be prepared for the real inmates.  In addition to moving about the facility, Scouts may be asked to perform functions like using the sinks and flushing commodes. If there are plumbing or other problems, we want to discover this prior to occupation by inmates. This document and the parental consent page, as well as pictures and a map of the facility is available at www.rutherfordcounty.org/jailedscouts.

What to bring
The Parent Consent Form should be given to your scout leader prior to entering the facility. This will be confirmed prior to you being "booked" in. (Copies of this will be at the troop meeting).  Please wear classB uniforms throughout the event.  Bring a small overnight bag with bare essentials (toothbrush, washrag, etc.). You will need a sleeping bag.  Mattresses will be provided so you will not necessarily need a sleeping pad.

Likely FAQ's
  - Will Scouts have any contact with or be anywhere near real  inmates?
    Absolutely NOT.  This is a brand new building so Inmates have never been in this facility and will not be there during the event. They are currently housed in the old workhouse on the other side of this property.
  - Is there any cost?
 No cost. Supper and breakfast are provided.
  - How will we be treated?
 Scouts are providing a valuable service to the community and will be treated with utmost respect. Scouts are to act like Scouts at this event

LASER TAG
We have a reservation for laser tag for Friday, April 25 at Laser Quest in Nashville. We will leave the Eagles Nest about 10 PM on Friday evening and return by 7:30AM on Saturday. We will play back to back games from midnight until 6:00 AM. We will order in pizza when we get there. Cost (assuming 30 or more participants) for laser games and pizza will be approximately $35. There will be a sign up sheet at the troop meeting.

MAY CAMP OUT
The May camp out will be May 2 -4 at Camp Beany Elam. We plan to do rappelling on Saturday as well as work on fishing Merit Badge and land navigation requirements. Each patrol will have its own campsite and will do it's own cooking. Adults, please email me if your rappelling certification is still current.

CUMBERLAND MERIT BADGE UNIVERSITY
Cumberland MBU was cancelled March 8th due to weather - it has been rescheduled for May 10th.

ADULT WHITE WATER TRAINING
Mr. Warren  will consolidate a troop list of those who want to take the Adult White Water training on May 16 -18 and May 30 - June 1. He will send in one troop check for all the fees. Currently Pam Hamrick, David Spivey, and Jake Gieske have signed up. Email Mr Warren if you are interested.

FLAG PLACEMENT
Flag placement is scheduled for Saturday, May 24th at the Stones River National Battlefield. Put it on your calendar, more details to follow.