Good Morning
We have completed another extremely momentous week in the census department within T648.  Early in the day Thursday, our newest scout was added to the troop (this one a future Girl Scout), as Mrs. Runberg gave birth to a healthy baby of the female persuasion! Congratulations! All accounts are that even the Admiral survived the overwhelming experience, and will now begin negotiating the heretofore uncharted waters of being outnumbered by the fairer sex in his household. Later that same day, our lair of Eagles grew to 41 as young Mr. Williams passed his District Board of Review, and received confirmation of his advancement to the highest rank in Boy Scouts. As you recall, Mr. Williams orchestrated an effort on a fall weekend to turn a weed and mold-infested townhome into a move-in ready castle for a young family hoping to get back on their feet with a job and a place to live through Save the Family Foundation.  Congratulations to Mr. Williams, and our best wishes to the growing Runberg family! No matter what we do as a troop this week, it will come in second to this boatload of wonderful news!
But, we do have a multitude of things to accomplish and will soldier on in good scout fashion. Tuesday night is a very important night for a number of reasons. We have a ‘Can you Cook?’ session planned, so please come on schedule and remember to bring the food preparations to which you have been assigned by your patrol leader. We also have a number of Webelos from Pack 426 who will be visiting our troop as part of their Arrow of Light requirements, and to better get to know us as a possible troop home. Be sure to plan to incorporate them into your meal and competition planning, and give them a T648 welcome. This coming weekend will also be a busy one. The elder young Mr. Jeorling has planned a shake-down of all patrol equipment and a general shed cleaning exercise for Saturday morning at 8AM. All patrol leaders, assistant patrol leaders are required, and as many members of each patrol as can attend. The quicker we get to it, the quicker we can get done – and then head over to the west side of town, and the Scout-O-Rama combined with the Sportsman’s Expo at University of Phoenix Stadium. The PLC has decided not to staff a booth this year, but there will be a wealth of amazing events and activities – including our own Mr. Butler and the Arizona Scouting Museum.  Back at the church, we will also be looking for two older scouts to work the Knights of Columbus Social dinner Saturday night.
Many of you have begun working on your Citizenship in the Community merit badge – that will continue this week on Tuesday night with young Mr. Butler. Mrs. Traynor has also sent out a final request for Newsletter articles, due by end of day today. Looking ahead, we have a backpack to Towel Creek the first weekend in March, and a celebration and Court of Honor for young Mr. McFetters’ Eagle on March 9th at 2PM.  We have also begun planning for our biggest fundraiser of the year – our pancake breakfast on the 27th of April. Please put that on your calendar for 6AM-11AM (doors open from 7-10) at the Scottsdale Worship Center at 65th Street and Cactus. You will have three ways to earn money – selling tickets, providing quality silent auction items, and working the event itself.
And it is never too early to look ahead to summer camp – a mere 5 months away! For those of you planning to attend our Rocky Mountain adventure, we should each have $150 per scout in for deposit money. Stay tuned for an upcoming information night early in March with Mr. Benyi on merit badges and other details.
As we transition into Arrow of Light season, and with Scout Sunday not far behind us, now is also an excellent time for recruitment. Evaluate your friends at school or in your neighborhood – would any of them enjoy the outdoors as much as you? Enjoy cooking, or working with younger boys, or developing leadership skills? Think about bringing a friend to scouts – they’ll have a great evening hanging out with you, and who knows? You may be responsible for inviting the future 55th Eagle to come out of T648!
See you Tuesday night! Bring your allotted food!
Mr. Cole