Hello Scouts,

Hope everyone had a good time at the holiday party. I know I ate way too many delicious cookies. Thank you to everyone who brought something to share.

Will move straight to the update:

1) No Meeting December 28 or January 4. Have a great holiday break.

2) February 2 – 4: Klondaree. First campout of 2024. This is a district event similar to the Camporee with patrol competitions. Very fun. 

3) Sunday, February 4: Scout Sunday. Scouts should plan to come to the service at Hope to show our reverence and support for the church.

4) We have space in our Northern Tier crews. This is canoeing in Northern Minnesota for a week departing on either July 10 or 13. Please, talk to Mr. Wilcox if you are interested.

5) Philmont: We have been accepted for a trek starting on July 10, 2025. Right now, we only have one trek scheduled but can add another if there is enough interest. If we want to add another crew, we should happen soon as they are already waitlisting treks. If you are at all interested, please let Mr. Wilcox know ASAP.

Thank you all for a great year. Looking forward to more fun and adventures in 2024.

Mr. Wilcox

Hello Scouts,

Great job everyone showing what you can do in Scout Trivia. It was a really close competition, but the Pyromaniacs and Nighthawks tied. I kept the cards, so maybe we’ll make this a tradition.

Next week: Holiday Party! More details below.

On to the update:

1) December 21 – Troop Holiday Party, Gift Exchange, and Cookie Contest at the regular meeting. Scouts should bring a wrapped gift worth less than $20 to exchange. We will also have a cookie contest so bring your best holiday cookie or treat to share.

2) PLC immediately following the meeting on December 21. If you have a leadership position, please plan to attend. 

3) No meeting – December 28 or January 4.

4) Northern Tier – We have open spaces in our Northern Tier crews for trips starting on July 10 or July 13, 2024. This is a BSA high adventure base in Northern Minnesota where you will canoe through the Boundry Waters. It is a great chance to be in nature, catch a lot of fish, and bond with your fellow scouts. Scouts must be 14 and First Class to attend. Please let me know if you are interested or would like more information.

5) Philmont 2025 registration is now open. Philmont offers backpacking trips through the mountains of northern New Mexico. In my opinion, this is the pinnacle of scouting, and something that every scout should do as part of their journey. I would like to get spaces reserved soon, so please let me know ASAP if you are interested — no commitment required at this point, just determining how many crews we think we’ll have.

Hope to see everyone next week.

Mr. Wilcox

Hello Scouts,

Great work everyone who was at the meeting tonight creating some really great patrol flags, cheers, and mottos. I’m excited to start incorporating them into meetings.

Next week, Scout Jeopardy. Be there ready to show what you know.

On to the update:

1) December 8 – 10 – Ski Weekend at Copper Mountain – There is still space for anyone who wants to join last minute even if you just want to meet them for the day. Please call or text Mr. Jackson to let him know you’re coming if you haven’t already.

2) December 21 – Troop Holiday Party, Gift Exchange, and Cookie Contest at the regular meeting. Scouts should bring a wrapped gift worth less than $20 to exchange. We will also have a cookie contest so bring your best holiday cookie or treat to share.

3) Northern Tier – We have open spaces in our Northern Tier crews for trips starting on July 10 or July 13, 2024. This is a BSA high adventure base in Northern Minnesota where you will canoe through the Boundry Waters. It is a great chance to be in nature, catch a lot of fish, and bond with your fellow scouts. Scouts must be 14 and First Class to attend. Please let me know if you are interested or would like more information.

4) Philmont 2025 registration is now open. Philmont offers backpacking trips through the mountains of northern New Mexico. In my opinion, this is the pinnacle of scouting, and something that every scout should do as part of their journey. I would like to get spaces reserved soon, so please let me know ASAP if you are interested — no commitment required at this point, just determining how many crews we think we’ll have.

Hope to see everyone next week.

Mr. Wilcox

Hello Scouts,

During December, we will have fun patrol activities. Merit badges will resume in January.

December 7 – Patrol bonding and games
December 14 – Scout Jeopardy
December 21 – Holiday Party (more details below)

On to the update:

1) December 8 – 10 – Ski Weekend at Copper Mountain – Through his well-honed negotiating skills, Mr. Jackson got the cost of the condo reduced by $1,000, so the ski weekend is ON. If you plan to attend (even if you haven’t signed up).

2) December 21 – Troop Holiday Party, Gift Exchange, and Cookie Contest at the regular meeting. Scouts should bring a wrapped gift worth less than $20 to exchange. We will also have a cookie contest so bring your best holiday cookie or treat to share.

3) Northern Tier – We have open spaces in our Northern Tier crews for trips starting on July 10 or July 13, 2024. This is a BSA high adventure base in Northern Minnesota where you will canoe through the Boundry Waters. It is a great chance to be in nature, catch a lot of fish, and bond with your fellow scouts. Scouts must be 14 and First Class to attend. Please let me know if you are interested or would like more information.

4) Philmont 2025 registration is now open. Philmont offers backpacking trips through the mountains of northern New Mexico. In my opinion, this is the pinnacle of scouting, and something that every scout should do as part of their journey. I would like to get spaces reserved soon, so please let me know ASAP if you are interested — no commitment required at this point, just determining how many crews we think we’ll have.

Hope to see everyone next week.

Mr. Wilcox

Hello Scouts,

We had some great work on First Aid rank requirements today. Thank you to Andre, Russel, and Jackson for helping to teach these skills. We will be working on rank advancement for the rest of this month, so this is a good chance for scouts who are not yet first class. 

That said, there will be no meeting next week due to Thanksgiving. We will meet again on November 30.

On to the update:

1) November 30 – PLC after the meeting. All scouts with leadership positions should plan to attend.

2) December 8 – 10 – Ski Weekend at Copper Mountain – We will have a ski in / ski out condo where everyone can stay. If you are interested, please sign up ASAP on the Sign-up Genius so we can ensure we have enough scouts to make it happen. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E4AAAAD22AA8-44769369-skiweekend#/

3) December 21 – Troop Holiday Party, Gift Exchange, and Cookie Contest at the regular meeting. Scouts should bring a wrapped gift worth less than $20 to exchange. We will also have a cookie contest so bring your best holiday cookie or treat to share.

4) Northern Tier – We have open spaces in our Northern Tier crews for trips starting on July 10 or July 13, 2024. This is a BSA high adventure base in Northern Minnesota where you will canoe through the Boundry Waters. It is a great chance to be in nature, catch a lot of fish, and bond with your fellow scouts. Scouts must be 14 and First Class to attend. Please let me know if you are interested or would like more information.

5) Philmont 2025 registration is now open. Philmont offers backpacking trips through the mountains of northern New Mexico. In my opinion, this is the pinnacle of scouting, and something that every scout should do as part of their journey. I would like to get spaces reserved soon, so please let me know ASAP if you are interested — no commitment required at this point, just determining how many crews we think we’ll have.

6) Leadership position terms have ended. If you are not an SPL, ASPL, Patrol Leader, or have not talked to Mr. Wilcox about another leadership position, then you do not have a leadership position. Please, talk to Mr. Wilcox if you would like a leadership position.

7) Speaking of which, we need scouts to be Den Chiefs for the Cub Scout dens. This is a good leadership position for scouts who need leadership for rank advancement. The requirement is to attend typically one den meeting and one pack meeting each month. Please, talk to Mr. Wilcox if you are interested.

Have a very happy Thanksgiving everyone. See you in two weeks.

Mr. Wilcox