Troop 398 News - July 25

Troop Meeting Reminder
Remember that our troop meeting on Mon., July 27th will be held at SportsCom Indoor Pool 7:00 – 8:30 PM.  Swim Tests, and swimming requirements can be passed off, or just enjoy the water! Remember to bring $2.00 for admission or $3.00 for adults. Scoutmaster will be available for conferences.

Order of the Arrow News
The Fall Ordeal is August 14th - 16th. If you didn't go through Spring Ordeal; you should go to this.

Reminder to all OA members: if you haven't paid your dues you are NOT a member anymore until you pay the dues.

Questions contact Matthew Wells.

Troop Recharter Time
We need to get accounts with a negative balance paid up and rechartered by the end of August. Mrs. Hamrick will be available at troop meetings starting on August 3rd through August 24th. Please make sure to check in with her no later than the 24th. Please make sure you update any information (address, email, phone no., etc.) that has changed. She will set up a table for recharter and scouts can check in with Mr. Holtman if they want to charge to their account (just like last year.)  Annual registration, dues and insurance are still $50.00 plus an additional $12.00 if you want to receive Boys' Life magazine.  Mrs. Hamrick plans to have a report of adult training that will be entered into the system. If adults would like to update your training information, bring her copies of your training cards.

Also, she plans to have a report of the Merit Badge counselors that are "actively registered" with the council.  Many of our counselors have been dropped from the list over the last couple of years.  We need to get everyone current who is serving as a merit badge counselor.

BSA Swim Test
Mr. Doliana has offered to give another test on August 6 at Sportscom at 7:00 PM for those who have not taken the test and want to float the Hiwassee in August. Reply to this email if you need to take the test.

Only registered troop members are required by BSA to pass the swim test to participate in whitewater boating.  Family members who are not registered with the troop are not required to take the swim test because they are not covered by BSA insurance and do not use BSA equipment.

August Camp Out
August 14 – 16 Hiwassee River. Reply to this email if you plan to attend or sign up at the troop meeting as soon as possible. For details, see the July 20 newsletter

Philmont Contingent
I need to make a correction to a couple of dates from the last newsletter - We will start home on July 16th, overnight at Tinker and arrive in Murfreesboro in the afternoon on July 17th.  The current trip roster is shown below – if you have not signed up, I encourage you to do so, we will normally have several who have to drop out over the course of the year and we will draw from the standby list.  I have had several requests from outside the troop, but I want to make sure all eligible troop members have had a chance to sign up first. We currently have one open slot for a scout aged 14 to 20 years. First one to get to Mr. Holtman with $100 gets it!

Notes: Check in at Philmont Base Camp on July 5, 2010: Depart Base Camp July 17, 2010.

All members must be current with trip payments to maintain their position on the roster.
   Payments: March 1, 2009 (Philmont $100), September 14, 2009 (Philmont $285),
    February 15, 2010 (Philmont $285), June 28, 2010 (Troop 398 travel expenses est. $250-$350).

KEY DATES
July 31-Aug 2             BSA Youth Whitewater Paddling Clinic
Aug 7-9                      OA Conclave
Aug 14-16                  Troop Whitewater Weekend at the Hiwassee River
Aug 14-16                  OA Fall Ordeal at Camp Boxwell
Aug 24                        Troop Court of Honor (Tentative)
Aug 28-30                  Adult Wood Badge Session # 1
Aug 30                        Eagle Court of Honor for Matt Jones 2:30 PM, Third Baptist Church
Sept 7                         Labor Day – No Troop Meeting
Sept 11-13                 Adult Rappelling Certification
Sept 14                       Troop elections SPL and PL's
Sept 18-20                 OA Fall Fellowship
Sept 25-27                 Troop Camp Out
Sept 25-27                 Adult Wood Badge Session # 2
Oct 17-18                   Bell Buckle Craft Fair Fund Raiser
Oct 23-25                   District Camporee – Smyrna Air Base