From Dr. Phillips:
Troop 96 Scouts,
Please learn and practice tying the following knots for Camporee 2010:
Try the following websites to learn more about knot tying:
BSA has introduced a new Medical Form, the Annual Health and Medical Record, that must now be completed annually beginning this year. Under this new requirement, everyone must now have a physical each year. The Form is valid for 12 months following the date of the physical exam.
In the past, the Class2 medical form (tan color) was required for scouts, and was good for 3 years. The Class 3 form was required for adults (over 40) and for all high adventure trips. This new form replaces both of those.
Parts A, B and C of this form are specifically required for everyone attending Summer Camp, and for everyone going on a high-adventure trip. (This form does not substitute for the special Philmont form, but should be filled out at the same time if possible.)
IMPORTANT: This form can be filled in and saved electronically, using the free Adobe Reader. Please take advantage of this option, it will make it easier for us.
At some future date we will arrange for some of our T-96 physicians to help with the completion of these forms. Of course, anyone planning to see their own physician is welcome to do so.
HOWEVER, in either case, it is important that the forms be filled out as much as possible prior to seeing the doctor. The forms call for detailed information on medications and immunizations, which may take a little time to research. Please be prepared.
Roger
From: Roger Etherington
Sent: Mon, February 1, 2010 5:09:56 PM
Subject: Vulcan District Advance-O-Rama April 10, 2010
The Vulcan District will be hosting its Advance-O-Rama on April 10, 2010 at Canterbury UMC in Mountain Brook . The format is similar to the Shelby District Merit Badge Day that several of you attended in January. One significant difference is that some courses will be offered off-site.
The Merit badge offerings are listed in the .pdf file linked above.
Please let me know ASAP if you are interested in signing up. There are still openings for some of the hard-to get merit badges (ie. Cinematography), but you need to sign up now, or it will be full.
Note that several of the Historical Merit Badges will be offered here.
Scouts should NOT sign up for the following Merit badge: Camping
Roger
From: Keith Sides
Sent: Mon, February 1, 2010 4:26:38 PM
Subject: Troop 96 – D-Day Museum Trip in April
Troop 96…..
Our trip to New Orleans to the D-Day Museum is now planned for the third
week of April, the 16th, 17th, and 18th. Based on our experience of
several years ago, this will be a great trip! You will come away with a
new or renewed sense of gratitude for the sacrifice our fathers,
grandfathers and maybe great-grandfathers made for our freedom.
We will plan to leave sometime mid afternoon on Friday and drive to a
hotel in Slidell, LA, about 40 minutes this side of New Orleans.
Saturday will be the D-Day Museum in the morning; the New Orleans
Aquarium, or perhaps one other option, in the afternoon; and a group
dinner at a local restaurant near the Aquarium that evening.
After dinner, we will return to our hotel in Slidell and leave for
home Sunday morning following our usual worship service time. I
would expect to return to Birmingham late afternoon, early evening.
Cost of the trip is not yet fixed as it depends to some degree on the
number of Scouts and adults going. Last time we went it seems we were in
the $75-$100 per person range, which is a good starting point to consider.
Out of pocket costs not covered will be dinner Friday night, lunch on
Saturday, and lunch on Sunday, as well as souvenir money.
AT THIS POINT, all I need to get in the next week is an idea of how many
people want to go and can go that weekend, subject to a final refinement of
the costs. You may email me and I will have a sign up sheet at Scouts
tomorrow night. As soon as costs are nailed down, I will collect a deposit
which will reserve your spot on the trip.
We’ll take the van but we will also need a few dads to drive. Thanks.
Keith Sides
From: Roger Etherington
Sent: Mon, February 1, 2010 1:43:56 PM
Subject: Scout Sunday – February 7
To Troop 96:
As many churches and Scouting Units do every February, we will be celebrating Scout Sunday on Sunday February 7, 2010 at our Charter Organization, the Episcopal Church of the Ascension. This recognition will be held as part of the regular Family Service which begins at 10:00 AM. (This service normally lasts about 1 hour.)
This year is even more special because the 100th anniversary of the BSA is February 8, 2010.
We’d like to invite the entire Troop 96 Family to participate in this event. All Scouts and Leaders who are able to come should wear their Class A Uniforms, with sashes. We will have a presentation of the Charter during the service. We also plan to have a group photograph following the service.
By attending this event we can demonstrate our appreciation to the church for their support of Troop 96.
For those who may not be able to attend, it is appropriate to wear your scout uniform to your own church on this Sunday, or when they celebrate Scout Sunday.
Please contact me with any questions.
Thanks,
Roger Etherington
From: Loring Jones
Sent: Fri, January 29, 2010 9:16:56 AM
Subject: Congratulations!
All: Congratulations! to T96 and a couple of our fine ASMs.
Last night, at the Vulcan District Banquet, T96 received 3 awards: 100% Boy’s Life, 20 Nights Camping and the Centennial Quality Unit Award. Also, our fine ASMs Jimmy Long and Allen Powell were awarded their Scout Leader’s Award and knot, signifying their completion of a lot of BSA training and their continuing commitment to Scouts and our Troop.
We can all be proud of our group and individual efforts in attaining these awards and honors.
L III/The Scoutmaster Dude
Subject: Rank Requirement Changes for 2010
To Troop 96 Active Scouts and Scouters:
As you may know, BSA has issued a new Boy Scout handbook, 12th Edition. Requirements for all ranks were REVISED effective January 1, 2010.
The policy covering this change reads (in part): “If a Scout has started work toward a rank before that date using requirements that were current before January 1, 2010, he may complete that rank only using the old requirements. Any Progress toward a rank that is begun after January 1, 2010, must use the new requirements as they are presented in the Boy Scout Handbook.” I interpret this to mean that once he earns an advancement after 1/1/2010 (using the old requirements), he must then use the new requirements for the next rank.
I am attaching a Rank Advancement summary that shows the changes to the requirements; some ranks are affected more than others. Some of the requirement numbers have changed – which presents a challenge in recordkeeping. Some of the changes significantly affect the Board of Review.
These changes do NOT require a Scout to purchase a new book (although it might be helpful). Copies of the new requirements are available on-line www.bsahandbook.com.
Additionally, We can produce some checklists for the boys to put in their books to track their progress under the new requirements. The Troop will have a couple of the new books on hand for reference for BoRs.
Roger
