District Webelos Cross Over
The District Cross Over will be held on Friday, March 5th from 6:30 – 8:30 PM at McKnight/SportsCom Park – Pavilion 1. Troop 398 will welcome at least six new scouts. Anyone who wishes to attend is welcome – I would appreciate having 2 – 3 scouts – the SPL and Troop Guide would be great and/or a couple of adult leaders there to help me welcome the new scouts.
District Awards Banquet (Adults)
This adult event is being held at Blackman UMC on March 6th. Plan to arrive about 6:30 PM – supper will be served at 7:00 PM. While it's probably too late for supper reservations, adult leaders are invited to come for fellowship and the program.
Summer Camp Kick Off
Our troop meeting on Monday, March 8th will be dedicated to bringing everyone up to speed on Summer Camp. There have been a number of changes for this year, so you need to attend even if you've been to camp in the past. We will attend summer camp from June 13 to 18. The cost will be $175 if you register by April 1st - $195 if you register later. We have a new health form – everyone is required to get a medical check annually now. Philmont physical forms will be accepted at summer camp. They have new programs and new merit badge offerings. If you are a Webelos and are crossing over to our troop this spring, I encourage you to attend summer camp. Even if you are not sure about your plans, please plan to attend this meeting
Laser Tag
We had to reschedule Laser Tag to March 26th because we didn't have enough signed up after Tenn Tech MBU was rescheduled. A new sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board. Currently we have 15 scouts and 3 adults signed up – remember, we must have a minimum of 30 people by March 16th in order to go. Cost for aas many games you can play between 12 midnight and 6 AM plus pizza is $35. Please sign up as soon as possible and include any guests you want to bring. Pick up a permission form from me for any non-troop guests.
101St Eagle Scout
Devin Bargatze successfully completed his Eagle Board of Review last Wednesday night to become Troop 398's 101st Eagle Scout since 1966. Congratulations, Devin!!
Land Navigation
ASM Jay Gieske & Ed Honey are planning to meet with any scouts needing to complete the land navigation requirements for First or Second Class on Sat. morning Mar 6th, time: TBAN Contact Mr. Gieske if you are interested at jgieske@mac.com
Truck Transportation MB
ASM Tom Schnell has gotten approval for a tour of the Yellow Freight terminal for March 7. All is GO!! Trucks move most of things we buy – this is a chance to see how it all gets where it should go on time! The plan is to to meet at the Eagle's Nest at 1:30 PM to get there about 3:00 PM. Everyone should be home for supper. The drive takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour from the church. Every one is invited to attend whether you are working on the Merit Badge or not. A sign-up sheet is posted – we will need some volunteers to drive. Please sign up or email me by March 2nd so we can make sure we have enough vehicles.
Silver Beaver Award
Asst SM Gore Evin will receive the Silver Beaver Award in recognition of his 16 years of unit, district and council level service to scouting at 1:30 PM, April 25th during the Silver Beaver/Eagle Scout Reception at Opryland Hotel. The Silver Beaver is the highest adult recognition given by the Middle Tennessee Council to only a handful of volunteers each year. Gore earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1969 in Lynchburg, Tennessee. Gore joined Troop 398 on May 26, 1998 with his son Brian. Brian earned his Eagle on Dec. 22, 2003. We are very fortunate that Gore has continued on as a troop leader. Gore's other scouting awards include the Scouter Training Award 2003, the Long Rifle Award 2002, the Lutheran Church Servant of Youth Award 2004, the Fifty Miler Canoeing 2002, 2005 and 2009 as an Adult Leader/Advisor on three treks to Northern Tier High Adventure bases. He earned the Fifty Miler Hiking 2001, 2004 and 2007 as an Adult Leader/Advisor on three separate treks to Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico. In 2000 and 2003, he served as an Adult Leader/Advisor on two High Adventure sailing treks at Key West, Florida. He has participated in more troop camp outs than I can count. He is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. Thank you, Gore for all you do and congratulations!
Wilderness First Aid Class (Philmont Adults)
We will have a Wilderness First Aid Class for adults attending Philmont on Apr 10 – 11 at St Marks UMC. We need to train at least 6 adults. Troop 416 adults will also be taking this training. The cost will be approximately $25/person and will be paid by the troop. I plan to take the training - email me if you can attend this training.
First Aid training is important for the safety of the crew while participating in Philmont's backcountry High Adventure Base. For several years crews were encouraged to obtain a higher level of training than the American Red Cross Standard First Aid or equivalent. The recommended course was the 16-hour American Red Cross Wilderness First Aid Basic.
Beginning with the 2008 hiking season the requirement for participation is that each crew must have someone certified in a 16 hour wilderness first aid course from a nationally-recognized provider. As stated in the "Council and Unit Planning Guide" the 2008 First Aid and CPR Certification Requirement reads as follows:
"Philmont requires that a least one person, preferably two, (either an advisor or a youth participant) in each crew be currently certified in American Red Cross Wilderness First Aid or the equivalent* and CPR from the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross or the equivalent. The American Red Cross Wilderness First Aid is a sixteen-hour course designed to help in situations when help is not readily available. Several hours may be required for Philmont staff to reach a remote backcountry location after a message is delivered to the nearest staffed camp. First aid and CPR training will result in proper and prompt attention being given to injuries and/or illnesses. You must present current certification cards upon check in to verify this requirement."
Order of the Arrow University (OA Members)
Are you serious about being a member of the Order of the Arrow? Then Order of the Arrow University (OAU) is what you need to expand your knowledge as a member of our great Lodge. OAU, our Lodge's annual training event, will be held the weekend of March 12th - 15th at the Smyrna National Guard Base located at 618 Fitzhugh Blvd, Smyrna, TN 37167 (Tennessee Army National Guard). The cost will be $24.00 before February 26th and $29.00 after that date.
Sign up for your classes at OAU by filling out this form.
http://www.wa-hiasa.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_rsform&formId=8&Itemid=99999
Hurry before it fill up. There are a limited number of slots left.
You will still need to register for the event by filling out and
sending in the Lodge event registration form.
http://www.wa-hi-nasa.org/joomla/forms/doc_download/50-2010-general-event-registration-form
Why should you come to OAU? Not only will members earn their degree in ORDER OF THE ARROW, you will have the opportunity to attend classes on Lodge Leadership, Chapter Management, Ceremonies/AIE, and advising excellence. Attendees will learn from an experienced staff, including former chapter, lodge, and section officers and advisers as well as well previous NOAC staff. If you have questions about the OA, then OAU has answers.
With any OA event, Arrowmen work hard but play even harder. At OAU, attendees can participate in a shooting contest on the state of the art laser rifle range! Saturday night will be crazy. As for accommodations, Arrowmen will be staying in the dorms and eating in the campus dining hall. Sunday morning, Arrowmen will attend graduation, and be presented with degrees.
If this sound like fun and you want to truly appreciate the OA, then OAU is a must. Still can't decide if you're coming? Maybe this will help: parties, fun, and, yes, great training. Sign up for AUTODAY!!!
March Camp Out
Our March camp out is scheduled for March 12 – 14. We will return to Savage Gulf, but we will be backpacking at the other end of the park. The current plan is to camp Friday night at the Savage Ranger Station campsite. On Sat. Philmont participants hike portions of the Northern Rim and Plateau trails to Savage Falls Campsite. Younger scouts will enter at Savage Ranger Station and hike approximately 2.5 miles to Savage Falls Campsite. We'll hike out together on Sunday. Savage Falls should be awesome with all the rain & snow we've had! Remember, we have troop backpacks to loan out – first come! A sign up sheet is posted.
KEY DATES
Feb 27 MTSU Merit Badge University
Mar 5 District Webelos Cross Over
Mar 6 District Adult Awards Banquet – All adult leaders are invited!
Mar 7 Transportation MB Field Trip
Mar 8 Summer Camp Kick off – all the info you need for Summer Camp
Mar 12-14 Troop Camp Out – Savage Falls at Savage Gulf
Mar 15 Troop SPL and PL & Order of the Arrow elections
Mar 20 Eagle Court of Honor – Neal McClatchy 2 PM – Belaire Baptist Church
Mar 22 Troop Planning Meeting (Leaders only):
PLC & Troop Committee meeting
Mar 22-26 Spring Break
Mar 26 Laser Quest
Mar 29 Troop Court of Honor
Apr 4 Easter Sunday
Apr 10 – 11 Wilderness First Aid Class (Philmont Adults)
Apr 16-18 Troop Camp Out – Backpacking – Walls of Jericho
Apr 25 Eagle Scout Reception Class of 2009 Eagles 1:30 – 3:30 PM, Opryland Hotel
Apr 30 – May 2 Troop Camp Out – Canoeing at Grimes Canoe Base Buffalo River
May 14 Greenway Clean Up Day
May 15 Mother's Day
May 21-23 Adult White Water School, Session 1, Camp Boxwell
May 29 Flag Placement at Stones River Nat'l Batttlefield
June 4-6 Adult White Water School, Session 2, Hiwassee River
June 13-18 Summer Camp, Camp Stahlman, Boxwell Reservation
July 2-17 Philmont High Adventure BackpackingTrek to Philmont
Aug 6-8 Youth White Water Canoe & Kayak School Hiwassee River
Aug 20-22 Troop White Water Camp Out Hiwassee River
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Troop 398 News - Feb 27
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Troop 398 News - Feb 21
Hope everyone has enjoyed a little time off – Mrs. Scoutmaster and I sure put a serious dent in the seafood in Florida last week - load 'em up and cinch 'em down, we're about to get busy again!
Scout Sunday
I want to say a special "Thank You" to the 17 scouts and 9 adults who helped with the services at St Mark's last Sunday. It would be really cool to get most of our 60 scouts there on a Scout Sunday, but we received a lot of compliments, anyway.
Personal Management MB
This message is from Asst. SM Les Grey, 615-429-5216: The next Personal Management meeting will be on Monday, February 22 at 7:30pm. We will use a classroom over in the church building. To enter the class, scouts must have 1) printed a copy of the Personal Management merit badge worksheet available at www.usscout.org/usscouts/mb/mb011.asp, 2) assembled a notebook binder with the worksheet and initial assignments, 3) completed requirements #10 and #1a, and 4) confirmed that each scout will be earning some kind of income over the next 3 months either through a real job, allowance, or other arrangements. If the scout is not able to earn income, then he will have to wait until the next course offering.
There will be no exceptions for these requirements. Scouts should be ready for class and ready to take it seriously. This is an Eagle requirement and one that can be very valuable and interesting if done to the established standards. This is personal management and the scout should be able to manage his time to accomplish these assignments. If the scout has not completed the items above by February 22, he will have to wait until the next course offering.
Philmont Payment Due
We have to send a big check to Philmont this week. Philmont participants should have already made one payment of $100 + a second payment of $285. A third payment of $235 is due Monday, Feb 22nd. Payments we make to Philmont are non-refundable, so please let us know as soon as possible if you are going to have to drop out of the trip so we can find a replacement. If you have not made all the above payments, please get with Mr. Holtman.
If you have not signed up for Philmont, because of our July dates, you may want to consider going with another troop. Troop/Crew 448 has openings for two Scouts. They will depart by van on 9 June and return on 23 June. Estimated cost per Scout/Adult is $795.00-$870.00. Interested parents contact Jim Whitehead for additional information.
MTSU Merit Badge University
MTSU MBU is this Saturday, February 27th. Meet on campus at the James Union Building at the intersection of MTSU Blvd. and Bell St. Be there between 7:45 an 8:00 AM in Class A uniform for registration. Your parents can pick you up at the same place at 4:15 PM. Lunch will be provided.
MBU is designed to assist Scouts in completing requirements for merit badges. The instructors will address as many requirements as possible during the class. In order to facilitate these objectives,
All Scouts must:
Read the entire merit badge book for the assigned class before MBU.
Complete all prerequisites before MBU day. Bring a merit badge book to MBU.
Bring a signed Waiver/Release form signed by one of your parents NO FORM, NO CLASS
Make sure an adult leader has your signed completion sheets from your counselor before you leave.
Truck Transportation MB
ASM Tom Schnell has gotten approval for a tour of the Yellow Freight terminal for March 7. All is GO!! Trucks move most of things we buy – this is a chance to see how it all gets where it should go on time! The plan is to get there about 3:00 PM. Everyone should be home for supper. The drive takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour from the church. Every one is invited to attend whether you are working on the Merit Badge or not. A sign-up sheet will be posted – we will need some volunteers to drive.
Laser Tag
We have rescheduled Laser Tag to March 26th. A new sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board. We must have a minimum of 30 people in order to go. Please sign up as soon as possible. We will need to make a go/no go decision on March 15th in order to get our $450 deposit back in the event that we must cancel.
March Camp Out
Our March camp out is scheduled for March 12 – 14. We will return to Savage Gulf, but we will be backpacking at the other end of the park. Philmont participants will enter at Collins Gulf and hike the Collins Gulf and South Rim trails to Savage Falls Campsite. Younger scouts will enter at Savage Ranger Station and hike approximately 2.5 miles to Savage Falls Campsite. We'll hike out together on Sunday. Savage Falls should be awesome with all the rain & snow we've had! Remember, we have troop backpacks to loan out – first come!
April Camp Out
Our April camp out is scheduled for April 16 – 18. We will be backpacking to Walls of Jericho on the AL-TN line.
KEY DATES
Feb 27 MTSU Merit Badge University
Mar 5 District Webelos Cross Over
Mar 6 District Adult Awards Banquet – All adult leaders are invited!
Mar 7 Transportation MB Field Trip
Mar 8 Summer Camp Kick off – all the info you need for Summer Camp
Mar 12-14 Troop Camp Out – Savage Falls at Savage Gulf
Mar 15 Troop SPL and PL & Order of the Arrow elections
Mar 20 Eagle Court of Honor – Neal McClatchy 2 PM – Belaire Baptist Church
Mar 22 Troop Planning Meeting (Leaders only)
Mar 22-26 Spring Break
Mar 26 Laser Quest
Mar 29 Troop Court of Honor
Apr 4 Easter Sunday
Apr 16-18 Troop Camp Out – Backpacking – Walls of Jericho
Apr 25 Eagle Scout Reception Class of 2009 Eagles 1:30 – 3:30 PM, Opryland Hotel
Apr 30 – May 2 Troop Camp Out – Canoeing at Grimes Canoe Base Buffalo River
May 14 Greenway Clean Up Day
May 15 Mother's Day
May 21-23 Adult White Water School, Session 1, Camp Boxwell
May 29 Flag Placement at Stones River Nat'l Batttlefield
June 4-6 Adult White Water School, Session 2, Hiwassee River
June 13-18 Summer Camp, Camp Stahlman, Boxwell Reservation
July 2-17 Philmont High Adventure BackpackingTrek to Philmont
Aug 6-8 Youth White Water Canoe & Kayak School Hiwassee River
Aug 20-22 Troop White Water Camp Out Hiwassee River
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Troop 398 News - Feb 10
Tennessee Tech Merit Badge University
Scouts who have registered for Tenn Tech MBU need to meet at the McDonald's (Next to Taco Bell) at 1706 Memorial Boulevard (at the intersection of Memorial Boulevard with Northfield Boulevard) between 6:00 and 6:30 AM on January 30, 2010. We will be taking a van from St. Mark's. We will depart at 6:30 AM sharp. We will return at approximately 5:30 PM. to the Eagle's Nest.
Be sure to be in Class A Uniform!
If your plans have changed, contact Mr. Horne Dorsey.Horne@state.tn.us or (615) 898-1203
Scout Sunday
Scout Sunday is Feb. 14th at St. Mark's. Yes, this is Mother's Day and hopefully you have something special planned for your mom. Traditionally, Troop 398 participates in both services at St. Mark's. Most members of our troop attend other churches, but I think it's important for as many of us as possible to attend one of the services to show our appreciation for the support St. Mark's gives our troop throughout the year. We had a huge amount of support from St. Mark's for our Fund Raiser last weekend.The early service begins at 8:30 AM and the late service begins at 11:00 AM. So far, very few scouts have told me that they plan to attend! Everyone seems to be hoping that "Someone Else" will be there. It appears that "Some Else" will be out of town. Please plan to attend at least one service at St. Mark's – you can still make it to your own church. Class A uniform – look sharp! This will count as service hours for advancement. Please reply to this email if you plan to attend.
Personal Management MB
This message is from Asst. SM Les Grey, 615-429-5216: The next Personal Management meeting will be on Monday, February 15 at 7:30pm. We will use a classroom over in the church building. To enter the class, scouts must have 1) printed a copy of the Personal Management merit badge worksheet available at www.usscout.org/usscouts/mb/mb011.asp, 2) assembled a notebook binder with the worksheet and initial assignments, 3) completed requirements #10 and #1a, and 4) confirmed that each scout will be earning some kind of income over the next 3 months either through a real job, allowance, or other arrangements. If the scout is not able to earn income, then he will have to wait until the next course offering.
There will be no exceptions for these requirements. Scouts should be ready for class and ready to take it seriously. This is an Eagle requirement and one that can be very valuable and interesting if done to the established standards. This is personal management and the scout should be able to manage his time to accomplish these assignments. If the scout has not completed the items above by February 15, he will have to wait until the next course offering.
Troop Meeting Feb 15
There will be no regular troop meeting on Monday, Feb. 15 due to the holiday.
Super Bowl Fund Raiser
We've still got some collections coming in, but it looks like we cleared about $3,000. From all the feedback I've gotten so far, everyone was really happy with their BBQ. Good job, everyone. We sold out of everything but pork - we have some pork pound packages in the freezer at the Nest that we'll discount to $5/ pound if you didn't order enough. We also have a few whole butts we'll sell for $35. Otherwise, we'll be eating BBQ at the next campout!
Eagle's Nest Clean-up
Dennis Harden is looking for some adult and scout volunteers to clean up in and around the Eagle's Nest on Sat., Feb 20th. This will count as service hours.
District Cross Over
The District Cross Over will be held on Friday, March 5th from 6:30 – 8:30 PM at McKnight/SportsCom Park – Pavilion 1. Troop 398 will welcome five new scouts from Pack 440 at Campus School: Connor Ervin (Jerrod & Tracy), Zachary Peay (Joey & Charlotte), Madden Pack (Tracy & Courtney), Ryan O'Boyle (Rob & Ann), and Eric Smith (Rob & Tamara).
Laser Tag
We had to reschedule Laser Tag to March 26th because we didn't have enough signed up after Tenn Tech MBU was rescheduled to this Sat. A new sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board. We must have a minimum of 30 people in order to go. Please sign up as soon as possible.
March Camp Out
Our March camp out is scheduled for March 12 – 14. We will return to Savage Gulf, but we will be camping at the other end of the park. Philmont participants will enter at Collins Gulf and Hike the Collins Gulf and South Rim trails to Savage Falls Campsite. Younger scouts will enter at Savage Ranger Station and hike approximately 2.5 miles to Savage Falls Campsite. We'll hike out together on Sunday. Savage Falls should be awesome with all the rain we've had!
KEY DATES
Feb 13 Tennessee Tech Merit Badge University
Feb 14 Scout Sunday at St. Mark's
Feb 15 No Troop Meeting (Presidents' Day)
Feb 20 Clean-up day at the Eagle's Nest
Feb 27 MTSU Merit Badge University
Mar 5 District Webelos Cross Over
Mar 6 District Adult Awards Banquet – All adult leaders are invited!
Mar 7 Transportation MB Field Trip
Mar 12-14 Troop Camp Out – Savage Falls at Savage Gulf
Mar 15 Troop SPL and PL & Order of the Arrow elections
Mar 22 Troop Planning Meeting (Leaders only): PLC meeting
Mar 22-26 Spring Break
Mar 26 Laser Quest
Mar 29 Troop Court of Honor
Apr 16-18 Troop Camp Out – Backpacking – Walls of Jericho
Apr 25 Eagle Scout Reception Class of 2009 Eagles 1:30 – 3:30 PM, Opryland Hotel
Apr 30 – May 2 Camp Out – Canoeing at Grimes Canoe Base Buffalo River
May 21-23 Adult White Water School, Session 1, Camp Boxwell
May 29 Flag Placement at Stones River Nat'l Batttlefield
June 4-6 Adult White Water School, Session 2, Hiwassee River
June 13-18 Summer Camp, Camp Stahlman, Boxwell Reservation
July 2-17 Philmont High Adventure BackpackingTrek to Philmont
Aug 6-8 Youth White Water Canoe & Kayak School Hiwassee River
Aug 20-22 Troop White Water Camp Out Hiwassee River