Troop 398 News - March 27

TROOP MEETING – MARCH 30
If anyone has Shiloh paperwork, please bring it to this meeting.  Mr. Dix will be working with those who went on the Shiloh trip to get it all in order so he can send in your patch or pin order.

If you have borrowed a troop backpack or tent or have any other troop equipment, please bring it in so it can be accounted for. If you plan to go on the Virgin Falls backpacking trip in April, you can check it out again.

Last chance for early registration for Summer Camp; give your $20 to Mr. Holtman. (This will save you $20). $250 is due if you are going on the canoeing trip to Canada this summer.   

I suggest that we designate Monday, April 6th as a planning night.  We will have a PLC with all youth leaders attending. the rest of the youth would have a night off. A troop Committee Meeting could be held if needed. It would also be an opportunity for us adults to spend some time planning for the future. I would like to do this one Monday per month for a few months and see how it works. If there are no problems, please have the  SPL make this announcement.

MARCH CAMP OUT
The cost for food and camping for the Shiloh trip was $13.  Pay Mr. Holtman or let him know to take it out of your scout account.

PASSPORTS FOR CANADA
Youth and adults will need a passport or Pass Card to enter Canada. Mr. Perkins reports that the processing time for passports is five to six weeks.  You need to get your paperwork in as soon as possible. The passport is $40 more than the Pass Card, but there is a rumor that they may do away with the Pass Card at some unknown time. It might be safer to go ahead with a regular passport.  You can go to Walgreens and get passport photo made for $7. Take both copies of the photo along with an original of your birth certificate to the County Clerk's Office.  The passport will cost $85.

NATIONAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING
This year's course will be held on July 12th througth the 18th at Boxwell Reservation. A scout must be 13 years old and a First Class Scout.  If you are not going to Canada, this would be a fun thing to do. The NYLT program is designed to teach a scout everything a polished scout should BE, KNOW and DO in order to have an exciting Scouting Program. Over the course of the week, scouts meet and work in patrols with other scouts from the Middle Tennessee Council.  They will gain experience in goal setting, planning, decision making and a host of other leadership skills.  Upon completion of the course, scouts will be better prepared to assume leadership positions within the troop.  Matt Fowler attended last year and can tell you more about the course.  Interested scouts should see the Scoutmaster for an application.  If you are accepted in the course, the troop will pay any registration fee.

LATIMER OPEN HOUSE
Several adults have asked when our new wilderness reservation will be open.  Scoutmasters and Assistants are invited to an Open House at Latimer Reservation, Saturday, May 2 from Noon until 3:00 PM.  Lunch will be provided.  Some of will be hiking in to Virgin Falls which is about 2 – 3 miles away on Saturday. It would take some uphill bushwacking to make it to Latimer but it is possible! If you want to attend let me know so I can RSVP.

SERVICE PROJECTS
Michael Daniel s doing his Eagle Scout Project this Saturday, March 28 at the Stones River National Battlefield, volunteers will be working on seeding an area with indigenous plant species, clearing the area of invasive plant species, and removing modern fencing. It will start at 8:30 AM on March 28 at the information center across from the cemetery. The only things you need to bring are a pair of leather gloves and yourself.  Lunch will also be provided.  

ORDER OF THE ARROW
The following scouts were elected to be candidates this year: Mike Montalbano, Asher Paxton, Alex Riner, Sidney Roy and Reed Spivey. Don't forget that the OA Tap Out will be at 7:00 PM on April 4 at 7:00 PM at Camp Stahlman. Candidates should plan to attend the Ordeal Weekend May 29 -31 at Camp Stahlman.

APRIL CAMP OUT
We will do a back packing trip to Virgin Falls on April 18 and 19.