The Buffalo Chip
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Below is the most recent Buffalo Chip:
Boy Scout Troop 131, Alexandria, Va. Feb. 23, 2007 Vols 1&2/08
RE-REGISTRATION
Troop 131 is re-registering all Scouts and Scouters for the year and you don’t want to miss out! To make it easy, we sent an e-mail to all members of the Troop. All you had to do was write your check and mail it back with the form letter.
The cost is $55 for Scouts with Boy’s Life, and $43 for them without Boy’s Life. Adults are $11. Make checks out to BSA Troop 131, please. Bring it to the Monday meeting and give it to Jana. If you are not renewing, please call to let her know.
Either way, we need your registration ASAP. The Council has changed our registration date and we have less time this year to get everyone signed up.
SUMMER CAMP
Troop 131 will go to Treasure Island's Summer Camp from June 22 to June 28. This camp is recognized as being one of the best camps in the nation. Besides that, it is terrific fun! Summer Camp is really one of the best times of a Scout’s life; you don’t want to miss it. This year, it costs $225. You can pay weekly installments of $25 (if you start now) till April 7. Or with a monthly check of $75, or simply pay $225 any time between now and March 25!
Make checks to Boy Scout Troop 131 and give them to Summer Camp Coordinator Ben J. He is also looking for adults to come along. If you or your scout are interested in going, please view this document, http://www.unamilodge.org for camp programs and policies.
SCOUTMASTER’S MINUTE
We will hold another Open House this Monday for Webelos aspiring to be Boy Scouts. Our Troop has worked hard to create a solid program for our visitors. You should come and see (and drop off your registration check).
The Scouts of Troop 131 have really taken off. They reviewed and selected all the camps for this year; chose the skills they needed and wanted to learn and set up ways to carry that out. They are more interested, more active, and are becoming more skilled in leading the program. The results are increased attendance, a boost in morale and a lot of attention from other Scouting groups. Congratulations to all!
These past several weeks we have worked on winter camping skills, and Life Scout Tom L. did a fine job teaching us how to do it. We proved how good it was in our trip to Shenandoah Forest. Deep in the winter mountains, we were just fine! And even had fun!
Our Big Mac campout was super, as usual. There is something about that camp that always makes you feel great. We had outdoor nature adventures, played games in the cabin and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Special mention and thanks go to SPL Chris T., Life Scouts Charlie R. and Patrick W. and ASPL R. Also to ASMs.
Scouts going to Philmont will have their first training hike March 8. We’ll check that everyone has the right equipment and can carry it. For this hike, bring EVERYTHING you will have on the hike except for tents.
It’s Catoctin Mountain in March
We will try our winter camp skills again in our campout on Catoctin Mountain March 15-16. (Check it out at http://www.nps.gov/cato/ ) We’ll have Adirondack shelters to sleep in and do a nature hike, and may have enough snow to build igloos and quinzes.
PATROL BRIEFS
SENIOR PATROL LEADER ~ Big Mac was a lot of fun. We had prepared all of January to have games and events, especially for the Webelos that were joining us. Everyone had a good time. We have had one winter camp already and will go to Catoctin Mountain soon. This Monday is our Open House – everybody bring your stuff for the presentations. Remember to sign up for Summer Camp and to re-register. Chris T.
MOOSE PATROL ~ Our camp at Big Mac went well and we seemed to have made a good impression on the Webelos. We are eager to go on the Philmont Adventure this summer, and expect to have the largest turn out from among the older Scouts. Charlie Reynolds spoke to us on how to dress for cold weather camping. We are also looking forward to our Spring trips. Tom Ly.
BLACK DRAGON PATROL ~ We worked on stuff for the Webelos at Big Mac – doing a survival game and how to make a human ladder. This month, we prepared for the Open House for Webelos on Monday. Jake and I went on the Shenandoah Forest campout. It snowed a bit, but there was no snow on the ground. We pitched our new Timberline tents and they worked well. It was really windy when we were hiking. For dinner, we cooked on the small gas stove and used one pot. Mr. Rogers brought some camping soap and we used it and some water we had brought along with some river water to wash dishes. Thomas L.
EAGLE NEWS
Patrick W.’s Eagle Project has been underway for several weeks now. He is honorably “retiring” United States flags that are past their usage by burning them in a respectful manner. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, based at the Alexandria National Cemetery, gives guidance and super-vision for this task.
Patrick has disposed of a few hundred flags, but more remain. He is asking for more Troops and other volunteers to assist. If you want to help or know of someone who might, contact Patrick.
Charlie R.’s Eagle project has been approved, and Charlie will be setting up his project times soon.
COMMITTEE NOTES
Leave No Trace Theme of Camporee
Totally “green” camping is the concept today in Boy Scouting, and our District will teach us all that it means at the Spring Camporee. Held April 18-20 at Mason Neck Regional Park, the Camporee will present skills competitions and activities targeting environmentally safe procedures.
New Drivers List Ready
The list of drivers for March through May is attached. Please review it and mark your calendars so you can reserve the days you are scheduled to drive. You will want to print it out and keep it handy to refer to.
