Tonight's meeting and looking ahead

Hey everyone a couple of announcements:

Don’t forget caroling tonight at 6:30 with hot chocolate and cookies afterwards in the fellowship hall.

Also get this on your calendars:

Red Cross CPR training

Sunday January 11 2009

3-8 pm

Instructor: Dave Sperry

Location: TBA

The books cost $10/participant and after the training, if desired the participant can take a $10 test and if they pass they will be officially Certified. This is open to all boys of Troop 50 and their adult leaders. This is REQUIRED for all boys taking the Wilderness Survival Merit Badge that we started last summer but is encouraged for all our Troop 50 members.

Please let us know within the week if you plan to attend as we need numbers for our Instructor.

Edward Brouwer

Scoutmaster

December meetings

Here are some details for December meetings:

Monday December 1: regular meeting at 645PM

Monday December 8, caroling with Montreat Church 630PM until 8PM with hot chocolate afterward in Gaither Hall.

Don't forget our participation in the Black Mountain Christmas parade on 12/6.

Meeting 11/24

Present:
Joseph M.
Lochlan A.
Caleb G.
Zach S.
Matthew S.
Will P.
Matthew B.
Hunter K.
Kyle P.
Micah S.

Will P. led the troop in an opening flag ceremony. Our flag ceremonies are improving dramatically vs. the beginning of the year.

Jeff Kruse led the troop through a number of objectives toward open merit badges:
Shoulder dislocation (Whitewater 1a). Thank you Mr. Sabo for your help.
Using a signal mirror (Wilderness Survival 7b).
Ground to air signals (Wilderness Survival 7c).
Cleaning and adjusting a bicycle, pre-ride checklist (Cycling #2). Thank you Kyle P. for bringing your bike for our use.

We also reviewed contents of an emergency kit for hikes and got a handout on Morse Code. Remember SOS signal is ...---...

Mr. Angle reminded the Beaver patrol to continue working on their fitness for next week's progress assessment.

Jeff reviewed progress toward merit badges for Micah, Kyle, Matthew, and Caleb and plans to review with other scouts who attended summer camp at next week's meeting. Please bring me any material you have on progress toward merit badges that you have completed outside our classroom or campout activities.

Scouts working on STAR and LIFE rank need to complete 6 hours of service work for each badge in addition to completing their merit badges.

Our next meeting is scheduled for next Monday, 1 December 2008 at 6:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeff Kruse

We need pictures

Please email your pictures! Our site is looking pretty boring!

Calendar Changes: December

Due to some challenges related to the Hawk Patrol, I have decided (in consultation with the assistant Scoutmasters) to postpone our scheduled Court of honor from December to early February. I hope this will not be too great a disappointment for some who are hoping to be awarded their ranks and badges.

So we will have regular meetings in December (no scout master conferences) and we have been invited to the PACK 50 Christmas Party on December 15th in Fellowship Hall. I would also like to suggest that on December 1 we join Montreat Presbyterian Church in their annual Christmas Caroling tradition and have hot chocolate and goodies in the Fellowship Hall afterward.

Please remember that we will march in the Black Mountain town parade on Saturday December 6th at 4 pm (gather at 3 pm).

Edward Brouwer
Scoutmaster

Troop Leadership

Here is a list of current adult leadership for the troop. Click on a name to send an email communication.

Scoutmaster Dennis Gibson

Assistant Scoutmaster Jeff Kruse

Assistant Scoutmaster Jay Guffey

Troop Committee Chair John Gibson

Scoutmaster Invitation

Hey guys I am really delighted that Eli's dad, Mike Barker has signed us up for this blog. It could be a real cool way to keep in touch and share photos and comments about our scouting experience. PLease sign up and be part of the conversation.

Scoutmaster Brouwer

Leadership Meeting October 20 addendum

Purpose of the meeting discussed: This meeting was called to discuss the leadership of the first year scouts. Also discussed were the challenges for the adult leaders and the evolving transition from an adult led troop to a scout led troop. Identified were the challenges with leadership thus far and solutions to make the first year scouts more productive and goal-directed.

First year leadership structure: This established to be Matthew Sabo (Patrol leader) followed by Andrew Moore and Joe Morris. Matthew stated that he wants the co-leaders to have an active role in achieving the goals of the troop and helping the first year's progress. Joe Morris has asked to be changed from scribe to alternate duty. Edward discussed the desire by adult leaders to transition the active leadership, including weekly meetings, to the boys. Ways to facilitate this goal were discussed. Edward Brouwer asked that Matthew Sabo clarify who is the assistant patrol leader and report that to the scoutmaster. It was decided that the first years need assistance with organization of their time and activities. Part of this problem was that the assistant (Mandy?) has not been at the meetings to help. It was decided that the first years and leaders would meet every Monday, regardless of if there is a troop wide meeting to ensure progress and discuss leadership steps. This is likely to include extra meetings for the first years. This approved by those present. Marshall Angle will also assist the boys due to his background.

Troop Meeting agendas: Problems were identified with the lack of clear expectations for the first years and the lack of clear time available on Mondays. Matthew Sabo presented that he had agendas for the meetings, but these could not be accomplished due to other activities with the troop. It was decided that the first years should map out the requirements for Tenderfoot rank and ensure that all steps could be accomplished by December Court of Honor. This will require time needed for whole troop activities on Mondays and other needed time for projects. Matthew was in agreement to review the handbook to ensure all first years had the needed requirements completed and signed off.

Along these lines, Matthew was aware of the redundancy of projects between ranks and that multiple steps can be achieved easily.

Monday Meeting Structure: The anatomy of the Monday meetings was discussed in effort to make these more productive and enjoyable. To achieve the goal above, the meeting activity timeline between 6:30 -8:00 pm was discussed. The adult leaders were tasked with blocking out the time needed for all troop members and to communicate what time the first years would have to achieve their specific requirements. Marshall Angle expressed his strong desire to have the boys complete the opening and closing outdoors by the flagpole and to add songs and the oath/motto to help make the meeting better.

Scout involvement: Edward Brouwer discussed the need for the patrol leader or the delegated scout to contact scouts not at meetings to review missing material and assist with keeping on tract. Discussion about the best way to contact the adult leaders and the other scouts assisted in the leaders knowing who to call. Also, Matthew is to seek out who is interested in being the first year scribe and letting Edward Brouwer know who this is.

Closing: Edward Brouwer emphasized that he has a goal for all boys to be Eagle scouts by the age of 15. He also thanked the parents for support and the boys that wanted to be leaders or have been for their work.

Next Meeting to be determined. Meeting adjourned.

Reminder: trip fee

WE had a super time with 10 boys and 7 adults attending our bike campout. Congratulations to all who participated and for milestones made! If you have not yet paid your $25 fee please doJ See you tonight. We have a guest from the Council Office. Mr Doc Holliday

Leadership Meeting October 20

Attendance: Matt Sabo, Wil Presnell, Marshall Angle, Al Presnell, Edward Brouwer (Andrew Moore was excused for sickness)

We discussed the schedule up until December 8^th when we will have the Court of Honor. December 1 will be Board of Review (this is the same evening when the Montreat Presbyterian Church goes out caroling but we will not join them this year)

Beaver patrol will lead the Flag Ceremony on Oct 27^th, Nov 10 and 24^th. Court of Honor Flag Ceremony will be organized from both Patrols with a few from each. We have no name yet for the 2/3 year Patrol.

WE discussed November 21-23 campout. A; Presnell is working that Saturday, which means he can still organize the events of Emergency Pre but not execute them. Al will call another Troop to be involved with this. The best venue for this is Rockmont and Edward will ask Jon if we can use camp that weekend. We will have time on Sunday to do rifelry if Jeff is up for it and we are able.

WE discussed meal prep for the Bike trip. Matt and Marshall discussed specific plans related to rank requirements that need to get done so all our boys can achieve at least Tenderfoot by December 8^th. Our goal for the Beaver patrol is to have them at First Class by Memorial Day.

October 20

Many of you know that this is a Buncombe County DAY OFF from school. So that means no regular Troop 50 meeting tonight—BUT if you are in leadership…a patrol leader of any sort THEN we have a meeting scheduled tonight at 67:45 to discuss plans for the year….thanks for attending.

October 13

Monday 13th, Boy Scout Meeting Agenda:

-Practicing marching for the flag ceremony

-Opening flag ceremony

-Saying Pledge of Alligiance, Oath and Law

-Beaver patrol planning the meals for the upcoming biking trip

-2nd and 3rd year scouts inspecting the Boy Scout trailer and packing a mess kit for the upcoming biking trip

-Closing flag ceremony

-Everyone dismissed

October 6

Agenda from Monday night Boy Scout meeting:

-Opening flag ceremony

-Mr. Kruse talked about the upcoming biking trip.

-biking trip on Oct. 24-26

-call Mr. Kruse if he needs to add or subtract anyone from his list.

-Everyone going needs to pay $25 at the Boy Scout meeting on

Monday. If anyone needs scholarship money, call Mr. Brouwer.

-On the trip have $10 for anything that might come up.

-Make sure that your bike works well (gears, tires, etc.)

-Packing: camel back or day pack with bandanas, snack (bring your own snacks), first-aid kit (optional), two water bottles and rain proof layer. Bike with helmet (don't forget a helmet. You can't ride without it). Other packing: sleeping bag, ground pad, backpack, poly layer, fleece, 2nd warm layer, wool socks, rainproof jacket, under armor, long sleeved shirt, gloves.

-Bring your tent if you were told to on Monday.

-1st year scouts working on meal plan for biking trip.

-2nd and 3rd year scouts doing push-ups and gathering tents.

-Learned about the meaning of "Yankee Doodle".

-Closing flag ceremony.