Screaming Eagles Jan. News

We have a big year in front of us with lots of exciting thing to do with our boys and a lot of growth potential. Last year the boys earned a lot a merit badges and most of the boys saw at least one major rank advancement. We had good help as leaders on many of our camps but a few trips still found the Scoutmaster without adult company. Hopefully that wont be the case this year. We had a singularly successful super-activity where we combined the best of traditional "scout camp merit badge mill" with the memory and spirit building affects that a real adventure can bring. Our merit badge councilors all held the boys to the high standards called out by the requirements and the boys had a great time.

This year will bring back by popular demand many of the activities we did last year with some changes in venue. Water activities will predominate the summer with a fantastic sailing trip capping off the season as a follow up to last years canoeing trip. The Boys will all need to upgrade in their swimming skills, have their canoeing merit badge and this year their Small Boat Sailing Merit badge to participate in the San Juan Aquatic Adventure. Obviously, those who participated last year have a leg up. For example: If you got pioneering last year you've already passed off the splices and knots required for sailing. Those newcomers to boating will want to make sure they avail themselves of each opportunity we offer to get their requirements fulfilled. Last year this scoutmaster just about knocked himself out dead trying to accommodate so many " Id really like to go but..." situations. This year you might have to make some tough decisions regarding conflicts. A long range schedule has been produced which tried to skirt every known activity that was brought up to my attention.. A final rev C schedule will be published around the first of February which is the soonest that the canoes can be reserved. PLEASE - parents make every effort to identify conflicts in schedule now before February. After that, schedule changes will be very difficult.

Starting this year, we will follow a 50% rule. As a youth leader, to count time toward fulfilling leadership requirements he will have to attend at least 50% of weekly meeting and at least 50% of the campouts. As all of our campouts involve preparation and skill building which takes place at our weekly meetings, the boys will need to attend at least 50% of their weekly meeting to be eligible for the monthly campouts. Lastly, each boy will need at least 50% attendance of monthly campouts to be eligible for the summer super adventure. The troop scribe will maintain an attendance record.

In the First Presidency letter, 20 June 1975 the Prophet details the Lords direction regarding Scouting. A synopsis is found in the handbook "Scouting - relationships between..." For those who treat Scouting as another activity in competition with the latest seasonal sport, a few brief excerpts from the First Presidency are worth reviewing:

"...a prophet has chosen to adopt Scouting"

"...used by the Church to help prepare every 11 year old boy for the priesthood."

"...used to help ...boys magnify their callings in the priesthood"

"...Scouting effectively hold young men close to their families and the Church."

"...it is an extension of the deacons/teachers/priests quorum..."

I have made comments that are direct and to the point that the adversary need only get us so busy in other glamorous and even worthwhile activities that we don't have time to be where the Lord wants us to be. A number of our boys routinely lament, "they'd like to go but..." This is not a popular message, but its the drum the Lord has called me to beat. The YMYW organization had its roots in what the early saints called the "Retrenchment Society" It was an appropriate name then and its prudent advice now.

Tough decisions regarding conflicting activities often have to be made - sometimes we simply can't do it all and do it all well. I hope you and your youth can put the Lords program for our young people above the demands from competing drum beats of our community. This - the Lords program - is one thing we should do and do well.

APE CAVES

Shifting from the pulpit to the practical, our next campout is the APE caves trip. We will leave the Chapel at 6:30 pm Jan 19th. The boys need to eat dinner before they arrive. They need Saturdays breakfast - we have stoves. Lunch will be on the trail. Saturdays dinner will be on the road. We will stop at a fast food place on the way home but several health conscious Scouts plan on brown bagging it. If it's fast-food each youth needs a few bucks. We will drop the boys off at each home.

The boys need to plan for cold camping in terms of beefing up their bags. We've showed them how to do this. Several troop sleeping bags and troop tents and helmets are available for loan.

Down bags require that you bring your own sheet. I recommend it to be sewn into a tube.

A $5 fully and immediately refundable deposit is required for each item.

Special Gear

1 3 forms of light including matches & candle

2 1 quart of water

3 garbage bag

4 helmet

6 sturdy boots

7 high energy food

8 personal 1st aid kit

9 AP paper

10 compass

11 butt pad

12 gloves

May you and yours Soar with the Eagles

Scoutmaster Steve

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PERMISSION SLIP

I hereby grant permission for my son . to

participate in the Para-Sailing Trip 3/15/96 - 3/16/96. If cannot be immediately reached in the event of injury requiring my sons medical attention Steve Marquis or Craig Boyd can act in my behaft regarding appropriate medical treatment.

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