2013 Summer Camp at Bert Adams Scout Reservation

Good Morning Troop 435!

Our Summer Camp experience for 2013 has been decided by the Scouts and confirmed by the Council.

We will going to Bert Adams in Covington, GA, the week of June 2 – 8, 2013.

Here is some preliminary information about the camp.    

Camp cost is $270/scout (with very few additional activity fees dependent on the scouts’ choice of programs).  We have sent in our deposit for 30 scouts and 4 adult leaders.

Highlights at Bert Adams:

·     Air Conditioned Dining Hall

·     Olympic-size Swimming Pool

·     Comfortable Accommodations

·     Aquatics Program – 7 Merit Badges Available

·     Handicrafts – 9 Merit Badges Available

·     Life Skills – 11 Merit Badges Available

·     Cultural Studies – 4 Merit Badges Available

·     Science & Technology – 5 Merit Badges Available

·     Horseback Riding

·     Rock Wall Climbing

·     Archery

Anyone interested in doing their own research on the camp may go to the following link.

http://www.atlantabsa.org/camp-properties/bert-adams-scout-reservation/6435

Please thank Erica D., our Scout Camp leader and organizer, for getting the input from the Scouts and making this happen.  If you have questions about the program, please ask Erica.  Others may have the same questions.  We will send out answers to your questions and more detailed information as we receive it. 

2013 Expedition - Details, Meeting and Commitments

It's time to make a decision!  We need commitments, deposits, and attendees’ information by December 31.

ITINERARY

The itinerary for the 2013 Summer Expedition to Washington/Gettysburg and surrounding points of interest has been established (subject to tweaking based on agreed upon trip costs, weather conditions, and schedule changes that we do not control (i.e. meetings with Congressmen)).  The trip is scheduled for July 13 through July 21, 2013 and goes as follows:

July 13	Drive to Wopocomo Campground in Romney, WVa. Set up camp.
July 14	Take a canoe trip "through the trough". We will drive upstream and canoe back to camp. Canoes, lifejackets, and paddles will be provided.
July 15	Drive to Gettysburg NMP. Tour the park and visitor center.
July 16	Break camp. Tour Antietam NMP and Ft. McHenry NP. Set up camp.
July 17	Tour Washington, DC.
July 18	Drive to Manassas NMP. Tour park and hike trail. Visit Mt Vernon.
July 19	Tour Washington, DC.
July 20	Break camp. Tour Monticello and Appomattox. Set up camp.
July 21	Break camp and return home.

COMMITMENTS

We are attempting to schedule visits with our Congressmen and a tour of the White House for our days in Washington.  In order to do so, we need to provide the name, address, and social security number of everyone planning to go so we can be vetted and approved by the Secret Service in January to get on the calendar for these events.

We apologize for the last minute notice, but because this timing is critical to these highlighted opportunities, we need to receive your information and therefore your commitments now.  Anyone who later decides to go may not be able to participate in this part of the program.

If you and/or your scout are interested in attending our trip to the Washington/Gettysburg area, please respond to this e-mail or give me written notice at any meeting in December. 

DEPOSIT

We will be collecting a $50 non-refundable deposit to cover a few pre-trip expenses and secure your reservation.  The $50 will be credited toward your trip costs.

ADULT DRIVERS

If you are an adult going and will consider driving, I also need the total number of seats available in your vehicle.   We need this information ASAP to work out the travel logistics.  Volunteering to drive does not mean you will be a driver, but allows us to assess our needs and our options.  We understand that the vehicle situation can and will change prior to the trip, but this allows us to make an early assessment of resources available.

TRIP COST

Estimated costs for the trip will include:

Event/Expense	Cost
tickets for Mt. Vernon	$13
tickets for Monticello	$24
canoeing (per canoe)	$55
camping fees	$25
gas	$100
food (scouts base allowance only)	$180
Total Estimated Base Cost	$397

Starting the week before departure we will be collecting the $180 in food money for the scouts so we can ensure they will have a minimum of $20 per day for eating expenses that cannot be lost or spent on other things by the scout. Adults and siblings will manage their own food costs.

The cost of gas is estimated. We have no way of knowing how much gas will cost next July or exactly how far each car will drive.  We will pro-rate the gas money to the drivers as evenly as possible.

CAMPING GEAR

Only a minimum of camping equipment will be needed. Were only going to be sleeping at camp.

We plan on using the church van and pulling the troop trailer.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

This will be a Boy Scout sanctioned trip, with all of the Boy Scout trip requirements and Boy Scout policies being met.  We invite you to attend a question and answer meeting to coincide with the Troop Meeting this Monday, and we plan to hold another group meeting sometime in January with all participants to go over all the above items. We will collect the $50 deposit at or before the January meeting.

Of course we welcome your questions and comments in response to this e-mail as well.

Troop 435 dues, calendar, etc.

Troop Dues—We must have your commitment to remain on the 2013 troop roster by November 26.  Dues are being collected—$75 per scout and $25 per registered adult.  Several scouts have money in escrow from Camp Cards that can be applied toward this expense.  Our 2013 roster will be printed on November 27 to meet the recharter deadline of December 1. 

• November 19 - Game night
• Game night for scouts.  Meet in the scout room.  Bring $2.00 for pizza and a game to share.   Scouts that want to play Munchkin Quest need to arrive at 6:30.
• Adult Meeting:  While the scouts are having game night, the adults will meet next door and review the troop calendar and budget for 2013.  All parents are encouraged to attend so that we can get your input and assure that we are offering a quality program that you support.
• November 23—ECUMC Men's Club Christmas tree delivery.  Meet at church from 10 am to 12 noon to help unload trees.  See email from Lee Berman for details and additional opportunities to help.
  
• November 24—day hike.  Saturday morning at 10 am we will meet at Gold Branch for a 5 mile hike. All scouts are encouraged to attend.  For some this will count towards rank advancement, i.e. 2nd class. 
• November 26—  This is the last meeting before the Court of Honor.  If you're close to earning the next rank or a merit badge, this is your last meeting to get signed off and be recognized at the next Court of Honor.  Also, we will have Pack 565 Webelos visiting (to be confirmed)
  
• December 3—Court of Honor at the Fellowship Hall.  Please sign up to bring one of your favorite dessert/appetizer and/or for a volunteer opportunity at the following link:  http://troop435.pleasebringit.com/public/0DHYIxyIfLA
• December 8—Escalade Lock-in.  We need a deposit of $15 from a minimum of 20 participants to reserve. Details to follow in a separate email.
• December 10 - Pack 83 webelos visit (to be confirmed)

Patrol menu contribution and late cancellations for outings.  One week before an outing, menus and head count are established and for a scout to purchase food.  If a scout cancels within this last week, please pay your portion of the food costs to the scout planning the menu for your patrol.  Guests / webelos should be included in the headcount,  the Troop will cover the costs of the guests / webelos.

Yours in Scouting,

Todd P.

Troop 435: This weekend's backpacking TRIP.

This weekend, 10/27-28, the Troop will be hiking from Hogpen Gap to Unicoi (14 miles) plus we will do a couple side hikes for a total of 16 miles.

BE PREPARED for Cold nights.  Bring layers of non-cotton clothing and a hat to keep warm.

Be at Church at 730 AM Saturday (10/27)

Please bring:

• Completed Permission Release Form
• Food for the trail: (Lunch and Dinner on Sat., Breakfast and lots of snacks on Sat. Plus Trail mix,
• Money  ($6-9) for an early dinner (fast-food) on Sunday.
• NO TENNIS SHOES OR COTTON STUFF

YIS,

Ish

Troop 435 Schedule and Announcements

To all scout and parents,

Below are upcoming dates. These are also posted at http://www.troop435.org/calendar.

• 10/27-28  16 mile backpacking on the AT from Hogpen Gap to Unicoi
• 10/29       Pack 815 visit to troop meeting
• 11/9-11    Camping at McIntosh Reserve w/ Pack 815 and Pack 565
• 11/19       Troop meeting Game Night (bring $2 for pizza and your favorite game)
• 12/3         Court of Honor
• 12/8         CPR Saturday at the Scout Center,
• 12/8-9      Lock-in at Escalade Indoor climbing gym, 6pm to 9am

• Membership and Dues

Thanks to our troop's efforts to keep expenses low and the financial assistance we have received from the East Cobb United Methodist Church Men's Club, we are able to keep our 2013 dues at $75 per scout and $25 per registered adult.

We will be collected dues at the Monday meetings—and would like to complete this process over the next 3 weeks so that we can be ready to recharter on December 1.

Several scouts have money in escrow from Camp Cards, and this would be an excellent time to use this credit and reduce your payment.  If you would like to confirm the amount, please contact Fran B.

• Training

Registered adults must have Youth Protection Training that expires after February 1, 2013.  Please go to www.scouting.org and complete this course and print out the certificate at the end for our records.  Adults with expired YPT will not be registered.  Another requirement to our Journey to Excellence Award is for registered adults to complete Troop Committee Challenge.  Please take the additional 15 minutes to complete this course and help us meet this goal.  There are several other online courses available for Boy Scout volunteers.  We are always looking for adults with current Weather Hazard Training, Climb on Safely, Safety Afloat, and Safe Swim.  Please let us know if you are trained in CPR.  We strive to provide a high quality Boy Scouting program, and trained volunteers are essential to meeting this goal.

CPR Saturday is on December 8th at the Scout Center on Circle 75 Parkway.  All are welcome to attend, especially the scouts, because it's us older leaders who will need them when it counts ;-)

Great Day of Service Recap - 10/13/2012

When we arrived to get our work assignment, the weather was perfect, and we were pleased to find that the Church had multitudes of volunteers show up. So many volunteers in fact, that they suggested we might find it more satisfying to stay at the church and work on the trail to the nature sanctuary off in the woods. It wasn't what we planned, but we were there to get things done, so without hesitation we accepted the challenge and the boys took to the trail like they had a plan. With very little direction the boys assessed the situation, grabbed tools, and went right to work. It didn't take long for the project to start shaping up. We cleared a path, trimmed trees, lined the path with downed limbs, and created stairs where there was once only on a steep embankment. We had very few casualties, but the yellow jackets were definitely not happy for the intrusion. After about 4 hours and two scouts suffering bee stings we put the finishing touches on a great project.

When we were done, several church members came out to inspect the work and they were very happy with the results. A couple of the church members were involved with the original construction of the sanctuary and paths several years ago, and they were thrilled to see their project revitalized.

We were glad to do it for them!

I would like to thank and recognize the following scouts for their participation:

Nasir B.
Jay B.
Ben F.
Alex G.
Jaeger H.
Soorian P.
Alex P.
Brien P.
Jacob S.

Also I would like to thank and recognize the following adult leaders for their guidance, patience, tools and participation:

Keith B.
Ken G.
Todd P.

I wish I would have stopped to take more pictures, but we were just so focused on the task that capturing the moment never occurred to us. Instead I give you this picture looking down the completed project.

Happy Trails!

Lee

Great Day of Service Recap - 10/13/2012

When we arrived to get our work assignment, the weather was perfect, and we were pleased to find that the Church had multitudes of volunteers show up.  So many volunteers in fact, that they suggested we might find it more satisfying to  stay at the church and work on the trail to the nature sanctuary off in the woods.  It wasn't what we planned, but we were there to get things done, so without hesitation we accepted the challenge and the boys took to the trail like they had a plan.  With very little direction the boys assessed the situation, grabbed tools, and went right to work.  It didn’t take long for the project to start shaping up.   We cleared a path, trimmed trees, lined the path with downed limbs, and created stairs where there was once only on a steep embankment.  We had very few casualties, but the yellow jackets were definitely not happy for the intrusion.  After about 4 hours and two scouts suffering bee stings we put the finishing touches on a great project.

When we were done, several church members came out to inspect the work and they were very happy with the results.  A couple of the church members were involved with the original construction of the sanctuary and paths several years ago, and they were thrilled to see their project revitalized. 

We were glad to do it for them!

I would like to thank and recognize the following scouts for their participation:

Nasir B.

Jay B.

Ben F.

Alex G.

Jaeger H.

Soorian P.

Alex P.

Brien P.

Jacob S.

Also I would like to thank and recognize the following adult leaders for their guidance, patience, tools and participation:

Keith B.

Ken G.

Todd P.

I wish I would have stopped to take more pictures, but we were just so focused on the task that capturing the moment never occurred to us.  Instead I give you this picture looking down the completed project.

Happy Trails!

Lee

Troop 435 camping at McIntosh reserve

Following are details for the upcoming camping trip with Troop 435 this weekend, 11/9-11.

We are meeting 7 pm at ECUMC.  We plan on leaving for camp at 7:30 pm.  We plan an being back by noon Sunday.

• Where:  McIntosh Reserve in Carroll County, Here are directions to McIntosh Reserve
• Permission slip:  Attached is Troop 435 permission slip. 
• Cost:  $15 for Fuel and camp fees plus food (see patrol Grubmaster for food)
• What to bring:  Besides a good attitude,
  
• The weather forecast shows this weekend to be sunny with lows in the 40s and highs around 70F.  
• We will setting up an orienteering course for teams on Saturday.   Bring a compass.

YiS

Todd P.

canoe

Float plan - Troop 435
Saturday 10/6/2012

Lawhorn Scouting Base
Flint River Adventure Area :
1166 Dripping Rock Road
Molena, GA 30258

Depending on Flint River depth, will put in 3 miles up-river and canoe down or put in at base and canoe down-river 5-6 miles.

Will begin in the 10-11:00 am range and stop to eat lunch on the river.
Return time will depend on course - 2 - 3 hours on 3 mile trip, 4-6 hours on longer trip.
One adult will remain in camp and will know which trip is being taken.

Canoes, life jackets, and paddles provided.
Transportation from end with canoes provided.

Short orientation before trip on canoe basics.

More skilled canoers and swimmers will be paired with less skilled.
Life jackets will be worn at all times while in canoes.
No boots or heavy clothing should be worn in canoes.
Closed toe shoes (water or light sneakers) shall be worn in canoes.
Each participant must have proper amount of water for trip.

Recommend hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray.

October camping trip

Troop 435,

We are camping the weekend of Oct 5-7 at Camp Thunder - a BSA campground in the Flint River District south of Atlanta.  The camping will be bunk style in platform structures.  No tents or pads needed, just sleeping bags.  We will have a canoe trip on Saturday on the Flint River and will have lunch during the trip. 

Cost of this trip will be $50 each for camping, gas, and canoe cost.  Meals will be patrol style and will be additional based on cost.

This trip will need to be pre-paid and you can start sending money Monday, 9/24 with all monies due by Monday, 10/1.  Due to the fact that we have to provide the camp a hard headcount by the 2nd, we will not be able to add campers after Monday, 10/1 and will not be able to include any scouts who have not paid by the 1st.

We do need some adults to go who will be able to canoe as well.  The cost for adults will be the same as for the scouts.  We also have plenty of room for adults who do not want to canoe, the cost will be $25 less for adults going camping but not canoeing.

Please be prepared to verify attendance no later than 10/1 with full payment if you and/or your son plan on attending this trip.

This should be an excellent and fun trip as they requested platform camping and canoeing this year.

Thanks for all you do

YiS

Tim L.

Popcorn Time

 

Hello all,

 

It’s Popcorn time………..

 

You will receive your popcorn packets this evening and you may begin selling immediately. Popcorn orders can be turned in anytime before Oct. 15^th but no later. If you sell over $600.00, you are eligible to enter an iPad 2 drawing……so sell sell sell. Drawings will happen on Sept. 24, Oct. 1, Oct 8, and Oct. 15. There are some great incentives depending on the goal in which you plan to achieve. Please don’t forget to let me know if you sell over $250.00, which gift card you desire – Wal-Mart or Amazon.

 

 

Please consider selling popcorn to your family, friends, and neighbors. This program helps you personally by putting money into your escrow account for yearly dues or trips. 

 

This year there are some new products along with the most popular from years past.

New products:

            Double Caramel Crunch with a hint of cheese                  $30.00

            Premium Chocolate Lover’s                                           $75.00

            Chocolate Lover’s                                                         $55.00

           

 

Products with improved flavor:

            Caramel Corn with Almonds & Pecans (more nuts)          $20.00             

            Kettle Corn popcorn                                                      $22.00

            Unbelievable Butter                                                       $20.00                         

            Butter Light                                                                   $20.00

 

Still have:

            Sweet and Savory                                                         $40.00

            Cheese Lover’s (Sour Cream &Cheese corn New flavor)      $30.00

            White Chocolatey Pretzels                                             $25.00

            Chocolately Triple Delight                                              $20.00

            Butter Toffee Caramel                                                    $20.00

            Cheddar Cheese                                                            $15.00 

            Caramel Corn                                                                $10.00

 

Have fun selling and sell lots,

           

Kimberly B.

popcorn@troop435.org

Upcoming Merit Badge University - KSU

This annual event is registering now.  If your scout would like to sign up for this event it can be done online at www.meritbadge.info or scouts can sign up at tonight's meeting.  The website shows seats available for particular merit badges at this time.  The cost is $13 - payment can be made on the event website,  or if you can pay Troop 435 and a troop adult will register your scout. This is a great opportunity for earning a merit badge in 1/2 a day taught by counselors with great experience in the particular badge subject. 

Event Details

Event Type	Merit Badge
Title	9th Annual Merit Badge University at Kennesaw State University
Location	1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw, GA 30144  Show Map
Start Date	Start Time	Stop Date	Stop Time
10/20/2012	7:00 AM	10/20/2012	12:30 PM
Open for Registration		Last day to Register
8/15/2012		9/15/2012
Sessions (# badges a single scout can attend)		Fees (cost to attend event)	For (Who is invited)
1		$13.00	any scout who wants to attend
Council	District	Type	Unit
Atlanta Area	Foothills	Troop	1776

Troop 435 whitewater rafting photos

We had a great time! As I think the photos below will show. I heard
of a couple of people falling in involumntarily and a couple close
calls into the 56 degree water, brrrrr. Of course there a couple
scouts who voluntarily decided to take a swim and more than once!

Todd
http://www.troop435.org

Gettysburg Trip Announcement

Good Evening Troop 435!

I am pleased to announce that the preliminary trip plans for next summer’s expedition have been drawn up and are ready for your consideration and feedback.

Please review the attached trip details.  If you are interested in knowing more or interested in going and want to be part of the group that sets the itinerary, please let Mr. Deakins know right away.  We will be having a meeting, or series of meetings to discuss the options before us and firm up the itinerary.

 If any of our adults has influence with a senator or congressman and can help us get on their calendar for a visit and/or a Capital or White House tour on one of the proposed dates, we would appreciate any assistance that can be offered.  It is not too early to get a date booked.

If you are interested in sending or joining your son on this trip, please contact Mr. Deakins at leaders@troop435.org.

Troop 435 Court of Honor August 13th

All scouts and family members are invited to attend the Court of Honor on Monday, August 13th at 7:30pm.  We will recognize all scouts that have received merit badges and/or rank advancements since our last Court of Honor. More details will follow at a later date.

We will be having ice cream sundaes for refreshments afterward.  Please consider signing up for a topping and/or for a volunteer opportunity at the following link:

http://troop435.pleasebringit.com/public/G$hYC4Dln30

Thank you!

Maria

Troop 435 white water rafting trip on Aug. 11th

Troop 435 White water rafting trip on Aug. 11th

Our reservation is for check in at 10:30 am for rafting down the Nantahala with Nantahala Outdoor Center.  It is about a 2 hour trip, 8 miles.

Directions from United Methodist. Travel time is about 2.5 hours, ~137 miles, approximately 12 miles west of Bryson City

We will be gathering at the church, East Cobb UMC, at 7:00 am and have to leave by 7:15 am sharp.

A waiver must be signed for each person on a raft.  Attached is the NOC waiver or you can follow this link - 
http://www.noc.com/images/stories/pdf/NOC_Rafting_Waiver_04_14_11.pdf

Cost is $65 per person (scouts, adults, etc.). This includes guided rafts, lunch and gas.  I need this by Monday, August 6th, to secure your reservation on the raft.

Wear rafting:

• Swim Trunks/Swimsuit
• Water Shoes or Old Sneakers (sandals must have heel strap, no flip flops)
• T-shirt and Shorts
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses with a Strap

Bring:

• Change of clothes and shoes
• Towel
• snacks and drink before the trip (lunch will be afterwards)
• day pack to put the above in

Estimated return time is 5:30 pm (depending on how long we take for lunch).  This is includes 60 minutes for changing clothes and stop for lunch.  Time on water is 2 hours, total NOC trip time is 3 hours.

• 7:15 am  Depart church
• 10:30 am Check at NOC Outdoor Center
• 11:00 am  Start whitewater trip.
• 2:00 pm  Return to NOC, get ready for trip home
• 2:20 pm  Lunch at Ferebee Memorial Picnic Area.  Turkey / Ham / PB&J sandwiches, fruit, chips, lemonade, etc.
• 5:30 pm  Arrive at church.

Todd P.

Rainy squishy update from Camp Skymont!

Hi all!

As I'm sure you all know, the weather turned wet wet wet last night.
But of course, when we had roll call at the flag ceremony this
morning, our troop call was "It's a great day for Scouting!"

(Response was, oddly enough, somewhat lukewarm.)

The weather did hold off long enough for our camp cookout last night -
Wednesday nights are the camp staff's off night, so we were supplied
monster portions of carrots, onions, potatoes, and hamburger patties
for silver turtles. Lots of the boys got some good cooking experience
helping slice the vegetables and clean up the prep area - so don't let
them get out of kitchen duties at home, they know very well how to do
it!

Mr. Deakins also supervised three delicious dutch oven cobblers for
dessert - peach, apple, and cherry. We all stuffed ourselves silly and
went to bed well-fed.

Today is the last day of merit badge classes for the boys. Tonight,
the Hawks have their Polaris campout on a field next to one of the
activity areas - to meet second and first class requirements, they
will present themselves in uniform and pitch and sleep in their own
tents. Tomorrow morning they'll break camp and return to our campsite
in time to join us for breakfast.

Friday is a make-up and finish-up day for merit badge classes - lots
of classes have homework and/or essays as part of the requirements,
and Friday is a good day for wrapping that up (especially if the
weather continues!). The Hawks will go on a five-mile hike between
breakfast and lunch - Skymont sits on the edge of mountain, which has
a very flat top but drops off about 1000 feet in a mile or so, making
for some great overlooks.

The chance of rain drops off somewhat tonight and tomorrow morning, so
think dry thoughts for us!
Cheers,
John

Update from Camp Skymont

Hello from Camp Skymont!

We are a little damp, but are having a great time. Mrs. Bishop and Mr.
Zenoble can be very proud of their Hawks, who are really enjoying
their first year of camp. I've sat in on some of their Polaris
sessions, and they're all involved and interested. They're excited
about the skills they're learning, from swimming rescue to knots to
cooking (they made biscuit gravy yesterday, but couldn't finish their
biscuits). ("Finish Their Biscuits would be a good name for a rock
band.)

The older boys are enjoying all their merit badge classes. Mr. Deakins
helped out in yesterday's Engineering class, talking to them about
what "real" engineers do (which he says can be summed up as
"mechanical engineers build weapons, civil engineers build targets").
The camp is laid out nicely, with our campsite being about as central
as it can be, and short walks to pretty much every activity area
except shooting sports. Even that isn't too bad, and it sure is
flatter than Woodruff!

Believe it or not, we have FLUSH TOILETS in our campsite - sheer
luxury! Scouts and leaders both are quite appreciative, I can tell
you!

Mr. Deakins has been taking pictures. If I can figure out how to get
his camera to talk to this computer, I'll upload some pictures. It's
pretty archaic, though - I think instead of USB it has USWas.

Think dry thoughts for us, and I'll send out another update soon!

Cheers,
John "Commander" Cooper

Meeting with Commissioner Ott and the Cobb County Commissioners

Yesterday evening Commissioner Ott took time from his busy schedule to spend time with and educate about 15 of our young men of Troop 435 (and about a half dozen adult leaders). There was a lot of information and activity for the boys to take in, and they learned a lot about how our county government and local governments in general work. We were all impressed by Mr. Ott's status as an Eagle Scout and by the way the entire commission honors Eagle Scouts. Hopefully one day each of our young men will be honored by the Cobb County Board of Commissioners in the same manner.

Commissioner Ott made introductions to many of the county staff that, as Chairman Lee so rightly stated, "are what make Cobb County the best county in the state!".

We met with Commissioner Ott personally and he answered a barrage of our Scoutss questions personally, arranged to have the troop join in the pledge of allegiance before the commission, and made it possible for a few of our Scouts to address the Commission with their questions.

Then the Scouts got to see the commission at work, voting on important issues that make our county government work for us all.

What a great and memorable day for all of us…even the adults.

Yours in Scouting,

Lee B.
Troop 435 Troop Committee