The Monthly Campfire

The Monthly Newsletter of BSA Troop 17, Denville, NJ

September 2011

Welcome back to what promises to be an exciting scout year.

Some trips are already planned, others will be planned during the October 31st Patrol Leader Council. Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders should plan on coming to the meeting on Oct 31st. Please bring calendars for the next year, paper, pen and most importantly ideas of where you'd like to camp and what you'd like to do this year.

The first meeting for all scouts is Sept 7th. All scouts should attend to form patrols and receive positions of responsibility.

Our first trip this year is tentatively set for Sept ??. Payment and permission slip is due by Sept. 15th.

The BSA Annual Health and Medical Form needs to be updated every year. If your scout went to summer camp, the troop has a current copy. If your scout did not attend summer camp, please provide the health form early in the scout year. The information on this form is important for troop leadership in case an emergency arises during a scout trips. The easiest way to handle updates to this form is to take it with you to your son’s annual physical and have the doctor complete it there. This way every year you have an updated form, and if you’re lucky can avoid the doctor’s office charge for having them complete the form.

 

WeB Updates for the Month

Please note that the following items were updated:

 

Activities for the Current Month

DATE

ACTIVITY

TIME

8/31

Patrol Leader Council and Planning Meeting

7:30-9PM

9/6

Roundtable

7:30 PM

9/7

Troop Meeting

7:30-9PM

9/14

Troop Meeting

Last day for Scoutmaster's conference for advancement at Oct Parent's night

7:30-9PM

9/21

Troop Meeting

7:30-9PM

9/27

Committee Meeting

7:30 PM

9/28

Parent’s night

7:30-9PM

 

Money Due This Month

Amount

Trip

Date Due

$45.00

Dues

9/21

$TBD

SEPT Trip

9/14

 

FORMS Due This Month

FORM

Date Due

Annual Registration/Permission Form

9/21

BSA Annual Health and Medical Form

9/21

 

 

Money Due in Future Months

 

AMOUNT

TRIP

DATE DUE

$100

Summer Camp

Jan

$100

Summer Camp

Feb

balance

Summer Camp

Mar

 

 

Camping Trip Notes

  • Permission slips and payment must be handed in at least 2 weeks prior to a trip. Permission forms are available on the troop web site.
  • Each Scout is responsible for arranging transportation to and from camping trips, They may carpool with other patrol members, other friends in the troop or any leaders who are going. Transportation should be arranged prior to the morning of the trip.
  • Please note - If for any reason, your scout cannot attend the camping trip for the full length of the trip, you must advise the Scoutmaster. Prior to trip departure, the Scoutmaster must approve any early departures from the trips. Participation in camping trips is essential for the success of the trip, as well as the scouting experience. All gear described in the email for the trip must be with the scout. Check with your scout or with the patrol leaders for the proper gear needed for the trips if for any reason you are uncertain of what is required.

 

ADVANCEMENT/Parent's night

This year, due to the increased number of new scouts, there will be a deadline for advancement prior to each Parent's night. Scouts must have their Scoutmaster's conference 2 weeks prior to the Parent's Night. This allows board of review members time to fit in the reviews before the Parent's Night.

Uniforms

All scouts are expected in full uniform at meetings. Information on uniforms and insignia is in the Scout handbook. If the scout does not have scout pants, please wear khakis. If there are hardships, please speak to the Scoutmaster in obtaining the uniform. Uniforms are sold at BSA service centers (Florham Park) or Ramsey Outdoor.

 

Committee Meetings

All parents are invited to attend and participate in our committee meetings. Committee meetings are the 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:30 at Denville Community Church.

 

Other Information and Camping Notice

  • There are no meetings when Valleyview school is closed.
  • All troop meetings start at 7:30PM and end at 9PM. We ask that all Scouts be picked up at 9:00PM.
  • Cell Phones and Electronic Equipment are prohibited at all camping trips.
  • All scouts who sign up for a trip are responsible for payment at least 2 weeks prior to the trip, unless earlier payment date has been established. If payments and permission forms are not received by these dates, the scout will not be allowed on the trip.  This is because the troop must pay fees in advance on the behalf of the scout.