Troop 398 News - July 17

Troop Planning Meeting Monday Night
We will have a PLC on Monday night. Adult and youth leaders are asked to attend. If you need a Scoutmaster Conference or a Board of Review, come on in and we'll get it done.

Eagle Court of Honor
All members of the Troop 398 family are invited to attend Will Ramsey's Eagle Court of Honor at 2:00 PM Sunday, July 25th in the Worship Center at St. Mark's United Methodist Church.

Tom Falana
I talked to Tom today.  His second chemo treatment resulted in a very low white count. He was admitted to Middle Tennessee Medical Center on Wed. in order to get his blood count back to normal.  He is hoping to be released possibly on Monday. Continue to keep Tom in your thoughts and prayers. 

Montgomery Bell Camp Out
Brett Barrett found us a great place to camp at Montgomery Bell State Park.  We negotiated a tough compass course, got some cooking requirements worked off plus quite a few other ones. Dennis Harding broke in our new cooking pot with a fine batch of white beans. We squeezed in a little fishing and canoeing Sat. afternoon. Mr. Bucket entertained us by remembering ALL the old TV shows. Best of all – no rain!

Philmont
Everyone is off the trail and on their way home with lots of memories and a few bear stories.  Hopefully we'll have a slide show at the August Court of Honor.  Keep honing your outdoor skills – we'll be planning to return to Philmont in 2013!

August Camp Out
The troop white water weekend is August 20-22. Families are welcome to participate on this camp out. All adult and youth members of the troop who have passed the BSA Swim Test are eligible to float the river. (Note: in order for registered scouts and adult leaders to be covered by BSA insurance, they must pass the BSA Swim Test - regardless of the type of water craft they use, to include those rented from Hiwassee Outfitters) The troop will camp in Gee Creek Overflow Campground on the Hiwassee River near Benton, TN. Porta-potties are available in the campground and showers are a short walk away in the main campground. We will cook as a troop so no patrol menus are required.  Cost will vary depending on the type of water craft from $15 to about $30. We have budgeted $17 to cover food and camping fees to which you should add the cost of your water craft.  We will provide breakfast, lunch and supper on Sat. as well as breakfast and lunch on Sunday. (We can adjust the food and camping cost if you let us know ahead of time if you plan to leave early.  Plan to arrive no later than 7:30 AM EST if you plan to float on Saturday.  The float is about 6 river miles and takes 4 to 5 hours to float. We try to get off the river by 4:30 PM EST on both days. Bring sunscreen and water bottle and avoid cotton clothing. Wear lace up shoes (old athletic shoes are good), the rocks are sharp and the current will suck off crocks and flip flops.

We need input from all participants as to which water craft you wish to use. Please make a selection on the sign-up sheet posted on the bulletin board or reply to this email. This will allow us to make reservations with Hiwassee Outfitters and pick up adequate equipment from council.  Generally, those renting from Hiwassee Outfitters choose to float on Saturday only due to the cost of equipment and the fact that younger participants are pretty tired after a day on the river.

First year scouts and non-registered family members will run the river on Saturday in a water craft of their choice obtained from Hiwassee Outfitters. Non-registered family members are not required to take the BSA Swim Test, but parents should use discretion as far as floating the river with younger children. This river does have a swift current and 55 degree water temperatures. I strongly urge that all participants be able to swim well enough to self-rescue if necessary. The following costs from Hiwassee outfitters are for one day rentals only: Sit-on-Top Kayak $ 30.00/person, 1 person Funyak (Inflatable Kayak) $30/person, 2 person Funyak $22.00/person, 4,5, or 6 person rafts are available $17.00/person or $68.00 per raft minimum. PFD's (life jackets), paddle and a shuttle to the put-in are included. More info on watercraft is available at http://www.hiwasseeoutfitters.com

Due to equipment limitations, we have the following guidelines for BSA equipment. Sign up for a canoe for your 2nd and 3rd year on the river. Sign up for a kayak if you have two years Hiwassee experience in a canoe or one year and canoeing merit badge or have attended the kayak phase of the BSA paddling Clinic.  If in doubt, see Mr. Warren.  BSA Canoe $27.00 or $13.50/person if tandem, BSA Kayak $17.00/person (this is the cost for a weekend rental).  PFD's, paddles and helmets for kayakers are included. Canoes and kayaks will float the river on Saturday and Sunday. Only registered scouts and adults can use the BSA equipment due to insurance concerns.