Boy Scout Troop 648 Scottsdale, Arizona

Hello Troop 648

If you are attending the base camp and canoeing outing this weekend to the Dead Horse State Park and Verde River area, please be sure to read (especially Scouts) the info below. If you are attending and have not signed up yet, please let me know as soon as possible and be sure to also sign up on Scoutbook.

• Forecasted temps on Saturday will be 91ËšF for a high and 65ËšF for the low. Nice weather, but still hot.
• Bring a lot of drinking water
• Bring a lot of drinking water
• Bring a lot of drinking water
• Don’t forget sunscreen/sun protection including a wide brim hat
• If your Scout doesn’t know a ‘thwart’ from a ‘gunnel’ please have him read and study this
• If  your Scout doesn’t know how to ‘portage’ please have him watch this short video
• If your Scout doesn’t know the basic canoe strokes and how to propel, turn, stop, etc, have him watch this video
• Have your Scout bring a daypack as they will need one on the float. There will be some portaging (carrying the canoe from navigable water to navigable water). If they are carrying a canoe on their shoulders and have 27 other miscellaneous things with them and no daypack, it will be challenging :o).
• Expect 3-4 hours floating/portaging, so manage necessary water. If it were me, I’d bring about 2-4 liters per hour.
• If you are anywhere near the water (on shore, on the water, in the canoe, etc.), you MUST be wearing a PFD. No exceptions.
• Buddy system at all times on and near the water. No exceptions.
• Remind your Scout that they will need to bring water with them on Saturday for the river float and best to carry some snacks
• Be sure to have your Scout bring shoes that can get wet. They should not canoe shoeless due to the portaging.
• If your Scout was assigned to purchase the food for their patrol, please let me know as soon as you can
• Cost to be finalized, but plan for around $25 for gas (we have two trailers instead of one) and about $15-$20 for patrol food
• Scouts attending (let me know if your Scout on this list is NOT attending): Brotherton, Carson C, Carson D, Hart, Komar, Proctor, Starr
• Adults attending: Cole, Gay, Komar, Weinhold

Should be a great time! Contact me with any questions.

Mr. McFetters - Assistant Scoutmaster

Picture taken and colorized from early Verde River voyage sometime in the 1850s…Commercial fishing has since rendered the river mostly for pleasure floats now.

Hello Troop 648

My apologies for being late on this post, but wanted to share some pictures from Drew Achor’s recent Eagle Scout project. Drew asked that we pass along a hearty ‘THANKS!’ to all who participated and made it a great success. The contact at the beneficiary, Phoenix Children’s Project, was ‘over the moon!’

And under the subject of ‘Troop 648 Scouts in the News,’ please click on this link to see how Drew is ‘Making a Difference’ in his community. Congrats on some well deserved recognition Drew!

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

Please join our hosts, the Conrad Family, this Sunday June 3rd as we celebrate Troop 648’s 59th Eagle Scout, Ryan Conrad! Some details:

• Time: 1:00pm
• Where: North Mountain Park Visitor Center
• Address: 12950 North 7th Street (south of Thunderbird Road)

All Scouts and Scouters should be dressed in their Class A uniform. This will be a fantastic ceremony and celebration, so if you are in town and available, please plan to attend. You can RSVP Ryan’s mom, Elizabeth at [email protected] or let me know if you have any questions.

Congratulations Ryan and see you on Sunday!

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

A reminder for those participating in the flag placement ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery, Saturday, May 26th. We will try to meet near the plaque wall honoring the five branches of the military at about 6:45am.  Flags and announcements start at 7:00am and we should be done around 8:00am. The Cemetery is located at 23029 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024. Please wear your Class A uniform. Scouts can earn service hours by attending and all Scouts, family, friends, etc. are welcome.

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

Some final notes regarding our Pancake Breakfast annual fundraiser:

• If you have time and are willing to help tonight, please come to the church any time from 5pm on. We will be setting up the room with decorations, putting out silent auction items, and a variety of other tasks. Remember, your Scout will earn money ($!) by helping tonight (and tomorrow). Many hands make light work.
• If you are working tomorrow, we start at 6:00am. Scouts and adults are welcome!
• Please wear your Class B uniform (red T648 t-shirt, Scout pants/shorts, socks, Scout attitude :o)) tomorrow only.
• Team Bacon – David likely has or will be making arrangements to get the bacon to you. Please bring your cooked bacon to the church tomorrow morning between 6-6:30am.
• We have another awesome silent auction planned. However, if we have low attendance, then prices won’t be maximized. You can help by making sure your guests join us tomorrow!
• Silent auction and raffle will end at 10am. Winners do not need to be present. If a winner is present, we will exchange winning bid $s with the item so they can go home with their purchase. Raffle winners can take home their basket after 10am as well.
• Remind your Scout to sign in and out so we can accurately keep track of their hours worked.

A huge THANKS to all who have helped get us to this point and in particular to Jody A and Clara K for their work on the auction and baskets, Rick P for his help with sales and other financial tasks, David for his work with all the breakfast duties, Kevin K for his unending support and marketing efforts and John and Lisa A for coordinating and donating the awesome signage!

See you soon!

Scoutmaster T648

          

Hello Troop 648

A few last minute comments about Family Campout starting tonight:

• Lots of activities to do including hiking, mountain biking (must have a helmet), advancement (bring your Scout Handbook), and Geocaching!
• When you arrive and if the ranger is at the entrance, tell them you are camping at the Youth camp with Troop 648
• Looks like we will see a low of 49ËšF tonight and 53ËšF tomorrow night. Highs expected to be in the low 80s
• If you will be there for Saturday night dinner, remember to bring an entree and a side dish to share during our Potluck dinner
• Click here for a map of the park. The ‘Youth Group Area’ is in the upper right hand corner.
• If you have any questions, please email me ([email protected]) or give me a call (602) 793-1058

See you tonight!

Scoutmaster T648

From 2014…

Hello Troop 648

A message from Jody Achor regarding the Pancake Breakfast:

I hope that the past few weeks have found you busy with collecting items to auction at our Annual Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction. The countdown is on and we are only 18 days away!

I will be at tonight’s meeting to collect any items you may have ready to go. Please keep in mind if you have a basket of items that you plan to have at the auction — you will need to itemize the items with a value list and to have the basket covered (with clear cellophane) and presentable.

I am available to answer any questions you may have!

Kindest regards,

Jody Achor
310-710-8020
[email protected]

PS – don’t forget those patrol baskets items either!!

Hello Troop 648

Tonight’s meeting (Tues, April 10) will be a Merit Badge and Rank advancement focused meeting. Please be sure to have your Scout bring their Scout Handbook if they are working on a rank.

See you tonight!

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

Dean Butler, Assistant Scoutmaster, is looking for three older Scouts to help him move gravel this coming Sunday, April 8th. You will start at 9 am and be finished no later than 12:00pm (could be sooner). Lunch will follow and be provided. Dean is paying $30 per Scout.

If you are interested, please call Dean at (480) 276-1715.

Thanks,

Scoutmaster T648

(Mountain of gravel is shown for dramatic and illustrative purposes only. Dean promises it’s not this much)

Hello Troop 648

A quick note to let you know we still have some tickets left for this Saturday’s (April 7th) NHL hockey game between the Coyotes and Anaheim Ducks. The tickets are located in a luxury suite (!) giving us space to move around and visit with each other, while watching the hockey game in total comfort!

We have expanded this to include another parent, a sibling or even a friend. Please contact me as soon as you can ([email protected], 602-793-1058) if you are interested.

Thanks again to Dr. Blair for his generous donation!

Go Yotes!

Scoutmaster T648