BSA Troop 398

Merit Badges

Mr. Dix wanted to let anyone working with him on a merit badge know that he plans to be at next Monday’s meeting. If anyone needs to schedule a time apart from a meeting, especially while school is out, contact him and he will set up a time to work with you.

Scouts working on Physical Fitness MB with Mr. Siler and Mr. Lanier, wear Class B and wear running shoes at next Monday’s meeting.

Eagle Projects
Karl Klaus needs plenty of help this Saturday as he plans to finish up his project (Building frog ponds). Meet in front of Mitchell Neilson Primary School (Jones Blvd across from the water tower) at 9:00 AM Saturday. Bring work gloves and shovel.

Adult Support of Whitewater School
Dennis Harden needs to get a count of the number of Troop 398m adults who are going to support the WW School on the Hiwassee on July 30 – 31 so he can plan for food. Please contact me if you are planning to go – Dennis is out of town till next week.

Eagle Court of Honor
Josh Perkins will receive his Eagle Award at a special Court of Honor at 2:00 PM on August 6th at Bellaire Baptist Church. Everyone is invited.

Troop Court of Honor
The next Troop Court of Honor will be Aug 22nd. The last Board of Review will be held on August 15th .

August Camp Out
The troop white water weekend is August 12 - 14. 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 $20 to about $50. We have budgeted $ 20 to cover food (Sat. breakfast, lunch and supper: Sun. breakfast, and lunch) 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. 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. Should you choose to float on Sunday, you will make your own arrangements with the outfitter. 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 $24.00/person, 4,5, or 6 person rafts are available $18.31/person or $73.20 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 We will pay Hiwassee Outfitters by troop check on Saturday to avoid paying sales tax.


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 2 day weekend rental – you will pay this regardless if only choose to paddle one day). PFD’s, and paddles are included, in addition, helmets are provided for kayakers. Troop kayaks are provided on a first come basis. 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.

2011 Dates
July 17-23 National Youth Leadership Training
July 17-23 Order of the Arrow Summit Corps, Virginia (OA members only)
Info: email Summit-corps@wa-hi-nasi.org
July 29-31 Youth White Water Canoe/Kayak School – Hiwassee River
Aug 1-6 Order of the Arrow Indian Summer (OA members only)
Aug 4 District Roundtable for adult leaders and Order of the Arrow Chapter Meeting for
Members - 7:00 PM North Blvd. Church of Christ
Aug 6 Eagle Court of Honor – Josh Perkins – 2:00 PM at Bellaire Baptist Church
Aug 12-14 Troop White Water Camp Out Hiwassee River
Aug 12-14 Order of the Arrow Fall Ordeal (OA members & newly elected candidates only)
Aug 22 Troop Court of Honor
Aug 26-28 Adult Woodbadge Training Session #1 (B. Barrett & D. Harden)
Aug 31 Troop 398 Re-charter date
Sep 1 District Roundtable for adult leaders and Order of the Arrow Chapter Meeting for
Members - 7:00 PM North Blvd. Church of Christ
Sep 5 No Troop Meeting – Labor Day
Sep 9-11 Troop Campout – Hiking at Shiloh Battlefield
Sep 16-18 Order of the Arrow Fall Fellowship (OA members only)
Sept 17 (Tentative) Troop 398 reunion & cookout
Sep 17 Webelos Discovery Day
Sept 19 Second payment due for Ely
Sep 23-25 Adult Woodbadge Training Session #2
Oct 6 District Roundtable for adult leaders and Order of the Arrow Chapter Meeting for
Members - 7:00 PM North Blvd. Church of Christ
Oct 7-9 District Fall Camporee at Latimer Reservation
Oct 8 Boy Scout Leader Specific Training (Adult) at the camporee
Oct 15-16 Bell Buckle Craft Fair – Troop Fund Raiser
Oct 21-23 Adult Rappelling Training
Nov 3 District Roundtable for adult leaders and Order of the Arrow Chapter Meeting for
Members - 7:00 PM North Blvd. Church of Christ
Nov 24 Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec 1 District Roundtable for adult leaders and Order of the Arrow Chapter Meeting for
Members - 7:00 PM North Blvd. Church of Christ
Dec 3 ??? Cut- Off for Reservations for 2013 Philmont Treks
Dec 3 Order of the Arrow Winter Banquet (OA members only)
Dec 27-31 Winter Camp at Boxwell Reservation – Adults & Scouts, see the
Scoutmaster if interested