Good evening T648!
As we reorient ourselves after the holidays, the troop’s agenda is filling up. Next weekend is the Rock & Roll Marathon, rapidly becoming one of the largest races in the country. Our troop has traditionally provided support during this race for Team in Training (TnT), a volunteer group with raises money for leukemia and other blood diseases. As announced by Mr. McFetters last Tuesday, we are holding a service project next Sunday morning, January 15th, for this very important cause. In the past we have done such things as make peanut butter sandwiches or cut orange slices for the racers, or provided noise & enthusiasm for the TnT racers along the course. Stay tuned for further details this week from young Mr. McFetters as this volunteer opportunity takes shape.
We also have a Winter Court of Honor occurring on the 24th of this month. For those of you finishing merit badge requirements or scoutmaster conferences / boards of review – please have those completed by the end of the meeting on the 17th. All information on advancement will need to be to the elder Mr. McFetters, our advancement chair, before the 18th. The Winter Court traditionally has been a quick and fun CoH, with hot chocolate & yummy desserts. If any parents or leaders would like to coordinate a number of our members to help with the refreshments for this meeting, it would be terrific!
Many of you are aware that we have transitioned from a 12 month to a 6 month term for our Senior Patrol Leader, to keep it fresh and challenging for them, and to allow more boys to have an opportunity to lead the troop. I would like to thank our outgoing SPL, young Mr. Andrews, and to congratulate our new SPL, the youngest Mr. Martin. Mr. Martin is also the youth in charge for our upcoming Webelos Weekend on the 21st. Please contact him with information on any Webelos you are interested in inviting to the weekend. Mr. Martin has been contacting multiple packs in the area, and we have been receiving RSVPs, but he may have missed your old pack or an acquaintance you would like to share in the fun. The next two meetings will include a focus on the scout skills and skits that the patrols will be performing for this outing, so please plan also to attend both meetings as well as the weekend. It is a great opportunity to show off the best of T648 to the outside world.
On the horizon, please plan on providing support for young Mr. Finnegan’s Eagle project at McDowell Mountain Regional Park on the 28th. And don’t forget we have the ski outing in early February. Pray for snow!  And can you believe it is already time to start planning for summer camp?? Stay tuned later this month for upcoming details on that no-to-be missed mid July experience at Camp Geronimo.
See you at Tuesday’s meeting – bring a couple skit ideas for your patrol meetings (look up ‘boy scouts campfire skits’ online to get started).
Mr. Cole