Troop 398 News - Feb 14

TROOP MEETING ON PRESIDENTS' DAY
Yes, we are having troop meeting this Monday.  We have several things to do to get ready for the camp out this weekend.

TROOP COMMITTEE MEETING
There will be a committee meeting during the troop meeting this Monday night.

SAMUEL "OTTER" PHILLIPS
We need  to keep Samuel in our thoughts and prayers as he continues to have tests to determine the nature of a lymph gland infection.  Thankfully cancer was ruled out this week. Let's all pray for a favorable diagnosis and a speedy recovery for Otter.

SCOUT SUNDAY
We had a really good turn out for Scout Sunday. Eighteen Scouts and nine adults attended. Jared Dix gave a good talk about scouting and Mr. Dix put together a slide show to go along with it. We received many compliments from the church members.

FEBRUARY CAMP OUT
The camp out is this coming weekend, February 20 – 22. We will be camping in campground C - probably sites # 174 – 177 at Falls Creek Falls State Park. We will be day hiking to check out several waterfalls. Cooking will be by patrols. Patrol menus should be designed to maximize TF, Second Class and First Class cooking requirements. Patrols will plan their menus at Monday's meeting and draw tents and chuck boxes. Troop gear will be loaded in the trailer. We will meet at 5:00 PM on Friday at the Eagle's Nest and plan to leave at 5:30 PM. We will return to the Eagle's Nest by 1:00 PM on Sunday. Bring comfortable hiking shoes, and a canteen. A small pack is handy to carry snacks and a jacket.  Be sure to sign up on the trip roster posted on the bulletin board or send me an email.

MERIT BADGE UNIVERSITIES
MTSU MBU will be held on Sat., Feb 28th. If you signed up and now you can't go, talk to Mr. Horne as soon as possible.

CUMBERLAND MBU will be held on Sat., March 14. See Mr. Horne as soon as possible to sign up.

MARCH CAMP OUT
March 20 - 22 camp out at Shiloh National Battle Field.

APRIL CAMP OUT
April 18 – 19 backpacking to Virgin Falls.

MAY CAMP OUT
May 1 – 3 fishing and canoeing camp out on the Caney Fork River.

SUMMER CAMP
We will depart for Summer Camp on June 7, 2009 and return on June 12. The cost this year will be $165 if you register by April 1. The fee is $185 after that. There have been a number of new changes this year – so even if you've been to camp before, be sure to attend our Summer Camp Kick Off meeting on Monday, March 2.  Anyone wanting to apply for financial help for camp should see me as soon as possible. Get with Mr. Ervin as soon as you know what merit badges you want to take.

TRAIL OF TEARS DISTRICT AWARD BANQUET
March 13 is the Trail of Tears District Adult Awards Banquet.  It will be held at St. Mark's again this year.  Once again Gary Wiser is heading up a cooking crew from Troop 398 to prepare the steak supper. All registered adults and their spouses are invited to attend.  A registration form can be downloaded from www.totscouting.org.  The cost is $17.00 per person (Gary will make sure you get more than your money's worth!) Send the registration form and your payment in to the Council Office per the directions on the form. I'll have some extra copies at the troop meeting.

Troop 398 News - Feb 5

SUPER BOWL BBQ
Thanks  to the efforts of most of the troop members, this was our most successful fund raiser to date.  We had plenty of help for all phases and 45 of our 65 scouts sold tickets.  Our total receipts were $8216.00.  We paid invoices totaling  $4700.56.  Our net profit was $3515.44.

SCOUT SUNDAY
I would like to invite everyone in our troop family to attend one of the services at St. Mark's United Methodist Church this Sunday, February 8th. The members of St. Mark's have been very supportive of all of our fund raisers and this is one way we say "thank you".  We will participate in each service by serving as ushers and collecting the offering. Jared Dix will speak during a "scouting minute" at each service and there will be a slide presentation from our activities. Plan to arrive by 8:15 AM for the 8:30 - 9:30 service or 10:45 AM for the 11:00 AM - noon service. You are welcome to stay for both services - Mr. Wiser usually comes up with some refreshments for us after the first service. This should allow you time to attend your own church service also.  Please wear your Class A uniform. Meet at the entrance to the worship center. You will receive service hour credit for attending.

FEBRUARY CAMP OUT
Camp out will be Feb. 21 - 22 at Falls Creek Falls State Park.  We'll do day hiking to see several of the falls, patrol cooking emphasizing Second and First Class cooking requirements and just plain fun. Sign up at the troop meeting.

CUMBERLAND MERIT BADGE UNIVERSITY
We will attend Cumberland MBU on Sat., March 14.  If you are interested, see Mr. Horne on Monday or contact him by email.