The Troop Meeting this Monday evening will focus on Summer Camp Preparations.  Much of what we will talk about has been previewed in separate emails.  Scouts that are not attending Summer Camp have the option of attending the next two meetings since much of what will be discussed is about the trip and Camp and other camp preparations.
 
Since the troop will be loading trailers on June 14th, will be at Camp on the 21st, and the 28th will be Parents & Leaders meeting, the next regular troop meeting will be on July 5th.  If you see activities in the Scout Hut while 369B is at camp, 369G and 369 Venture crew will be using it during other times.
Mr. Fowler

Our Winding Stairs campout was a great success.  Everyone had fun and all the Scouts say they want to go back.  We'll plan on next year.

We will plan to have a Parent and Leader Zoom meeting tomorrow evening at 7pm.  That scheduling email will be sent shortly.
Mr. Fowler

Monday evening Troop Meeting, May 10th, 7pm, FCT at 6pm
For our Troop meeting this Monday, we will kick into high gear for our preparations for our Winding Stairs Backpacking Campout.  If you are attending the trip, you should bring your backpacks packed with everything you plan to take on the trip. We will be issuing troop gear such as tents and cooking gear. If you were buying food for your patrol, you should also have that ready for Monday's meeting.

Summer Camp Payment Reminder
    Just a reminder for those going to Summer Camp, payments need to be made for that trip.  We need to have all fees paid by June 1^st.

Summer Camp Medical Forms
     Along with the Summer Camp fees, this is a reminder that we must have all medical forms, (ABC, Colorado addendum, Permission for medication and Sunscreen forms) to us by May 22^nd.  We are required to send copies to the camp by June 1^st.  If your Scout needs a medical exam, please make the appointment as soon as possible so we get the forms.  Forms are available on the Troop website under Files, San Isabel Summer Camp.
 Mr. Fowler

Scout Hut Work Day was a Success!

    Our Scout Hut Work Day was a huge success!  As Scoutmaster, I would like to thank our parents and leaders for participating but for each Scout that participated, I want you guys to know that you are truly fantastic!  We estimate that we split, moved and stacked about 3 cords of wood yesterday, power washed a good bit of the Hut, repaired our driveway drain and filled all the cracks in the garage floor and the back patio AFTER moving everything out of the garage and off the patio.  Ever worked so well as a team and none of it would have been possible without you.  Thanks to all for your excellent work!
 
Winding Stairs Campout Packing List
      If you are going on the Winding Stairs Campout, here is a minimum list of items you need to bring with you, in your pack, to the Troop meeting tomorrow evening.
 
Minimum Items in/on Your Backpack:
Sleeping pad (optional)
Pillow (optional; small backpack size ONLY)
Light sleeping bag or Blanket in a waterproof bag
Personal first aid kit
Two 1-liter water bottles (you will need 2 liters)
One complete change of clothes in a waterproof bag
Closed-toed Water Shoes
Swim Trunks
Small flashlight (with fresh batteries)
Toilet paper (partial roll)
Mess Kit (LIGHT bowl, cup, utensils)
Light (backpacking) towel and/or bandanna (optional)
Carabiners, tie-downs, rope to secure items outside backpack
Personal Items (toothbrush, glasses, sunscreen, etc.)
Rain cover (Lg. garbage bag works great)
    This is a minimum equipment list. You may bring other essential items but be aware of the amount of weight you would be carrying.  What you carry in, you must carry out.
   We will be doing a gear check tomorrow evening so come prepared.
Mr. Fowler

Meeting to Prepare for Backpacking:
     After a most excellent Kayaking/Canoeing campout this last weekend, we will begin preparing for our Winding Stairs campout in 3 weeks.  We will have a regular Troop meeting on Monday evening, April 26^th to fit packs and begin instruction on backpacking techniques.  Mr. Long has laid out a course of teaching for the next 3 Troop meetings that will help every Scout prepare for this adventure in the Arkansas mountains.
 
Patrol Cooking Gear Clean-up:
     Patrol Leaders and the two patrol members that volunteered to clean their Patrol cooking gear from the Beavers Bend campout, will meet at 6pm Monday, in the Scout Hut kitchen.  We really need to wrap up with getting our Patrol gear cleaned up tomorrow evening.
 
Scout Hut Work Day + Physicals, Saturday, May 1st
     This coming Saturday, we will need all Scouts to participate in our Scout Hut Work Day.  We have several projects to do:  Split and stack our wood from the recent tree cutting, fill concrete cracks in the garage floor, install new garage lighting, continue to organize our equipment, refit our patrol supply boxes and the list goes on.  While we won’t get it all done, hopefully with great Scout help, we can get a lot of it completed.  Showtime will be 0830 in work clothing; uniforms are not necessary.  Pizza for lunch.
 
Summer Camp Physicals, Saturday, May 1^st
     Dr. Bentley has offered to complete Summer Camp physicals this Saturday during the Work Day.  If you are going to camp in Colorado with us, this is the day to get your physical completed.  Starting at 0900, Dr. Bentley can complete 6 exams each hour.  We will have a schedule sign-up for Saturday at the Monday Troop meeting.
 
Troop Leaders Zoom Meeting, Thursday, 7pm
      Since we are having a regular Troop meeting this Monday, we will need to have a Troop Leaders Zoom meeting Thursday evening at 7pm.  We need to talk about Summer Camp, the Winding Stairs campout, Troop equipment needs and our upcoming Winding Stairs campout. 
This is an important meeting for Parents, please make time to attend this meeting.
Mr. Fowler

BECAUSE OF EXPECTED ROUGH WEATHER IN SE OKLAHOMA, WE ARE POSTPONING OUR DEPARTURE FOR BEAVERS BEND TO EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.  WEATHER REPORTS OUT OF BEAVERS BEND INDICATE THUNDERSTORMS AND POSSIBLE TORNADOS.  NOT FUN TRYING TO SET UP CAMP IN A DRIVING THUNDERSTORM!
 
SATURDAY MORNING SHOWTIME WILL BE 5:30AM WITH A DEPARTURE OF 6AM.  Please be prompt as we will be on a tighter timeline and need to leave at 6.
Please eat before, bring your breakfast or bring a little money.  We will make one short stop enroute.
BRING CANOEING CLOTHES IN A TRAVEL BAG AS WE WILL LIKELY GO DIRECTLY TO CANOEING. 
The remainder of the trip should go as scheduled.
MR. FOWLER