Author Archive

Coyote’s Hockey Game Opportunity!

Hello Troop 648

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend! Seems as though summer is right around the corner…

Big announcement: Dr. Blair has generously offered free tickets to the Arizona Coyotes vs. Anaheim Ducks NHL hockey game this Saturday, April 7th! There are 18 tickets available (and possibly a few more). This is a great opportunity for a troop activity and the chance to see awesome hockey, in a cool environment, with friends and for free!

Tickets will be available to the first 18 that respond and for each scout, one parent/guardian can attend as well. Please contact me with your request ([email protected], (602) 793-1058). There are also some parking passes available. The tickets are on the Suite level which provides you the opportunity to hang out, talk with other Scouts and watch the game in the luxury of an open area suite… and it’s Fan Appreciation Night! Patrol Leaders, this would be a fun outing together as a Patrol.

Thanks again to the Blair family!

See you tomorrow night,

Scoutmaster T648

P.S. As a reminder, tomorrow night’s meeting (April, 3) is offsite at Western Window Systems – 2200 E. Riverview Dr, Phoenix AZ 85034 from 6:30pm to 8pm. We will NOT have a PLC meeting this week.

***March 20 Meeting Update***

Hello Troop 648

I hope the ‘madness’ has not taken over your weekend!

A quick update for our upcoming Tuesday weekly troop meeting. We will be meeting at our normal spot, Chaparral Christian Church and not at the offsite location as originally planned.

This will be an ‘advancement’ meeting, so please be sure to bring your Scout book and any merit badge materials you are working on.

Also, Philmont Crew: we will be meeting at CCC at 6pm.

See you on Tuesday!

Scoutmaster T648

***Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser Update***

Dear Troop 648 Parents,

Our annual T648 Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction is scheduled for Saturday, April 28 at Chaparral Christian Church. As in past years, there will be a Patrol Basket raffle. Since April is a busier month for some, we would like to start collecting basket items now.

We need your help to make the basket raffle a big success! Each patrol has a basket theme. We are asking every scout family to donate an item according to their son’s patrol basket theme. We suggest the value be $15+, but please give whatever you feel most comfortable donating. No donation is too big or too small. If you prefer, you can opt to procure a donated item or gift card from a business to add to the patrol basket on behalf of your family.

Items should be new. Suggested items to donate are listed below, but any theme-appropriate item will be appreciated. The more exciting the basket, the more money it will generate from raffle ticket sales. Please note: Every Scout who donates an item or gift card to a raffle basket will receive a portion of the raffle proceeds. Earnings will be deposited into their troop account. 

Please send in donations to a weekly troop meeting.

Pirates Patrol:  Basket Theme- Movie Night!

  • Zach Ramsey (scout in charge of basket, Donna Ramsey – parent liaison)
  • Drew Achor
  • Aidan Brown
  • Ryan Conrad
  • Cameron Copley
  • Zane Gay
  • Michael McFetters
  • David Yu

Ideas: Harkins, AMC, iPic, Netfilx, etc. Gift Cards, theatre size candy, Popcorn, bowls,

Serpents Patrol:  Basket Theme – For the Camper

  • Ryan Bollimpolli (Scout in charge of basket, Lita Bollimpolli-parent liaison)
  • Ian Achor
  • Stephan Beegle
  • Ryan Egan
  • Will Saba
  • Will Starr
  • Chaz Carson

Ideas: REI Gift card, high quality flash lights or head lamp, backpacking food, s’more fixins, playing cards, etc

Raptors Patrol:  Basket Theme – Spa Night

  • Liam Brotherton (Scout in charge of basket, Allison Wesley – parent liaison)
  • Eric Achor
  • Zach Egan
  • Samson Gay
  • Quentin Komar
  • Aiden Tumminello
  • Ethan Penrose

Ideas: Gift cards to salons or spa’s, popular beauty products, spa wraps, candles

Royals Patrol:  Basket Theme – Family Night Out

  • Jacob Hoberg (Scout in charge of basket, Lisa Hoberg – parent liaison)
  • Arjun Blair
  • Michael DeBarros
  • Isaac Engelhardt
  • Sean Hart

Ideas: Restaurant gift cards, dessert gift cards (Coldstone, Baskin Robbins), activity gift cards (Top Golf, pottery painting),etc.

Thank you in advance for your support and generosity! Please contact the scout or parent liaison in charge if you have any questions.

Click here for Donor Form Donor Form

Click here for the Donation Request Letter

Sincerely,

Jody Achor

2018 Winter Olympics – T648 Version

Hello Troop 648

We are back from the north after a fun-filled ski weekend! 19 Scouts and Scouters set out Friday night, managed through a long travel delay, and eventually pulled into our weekend accommodations for a two-night stay in snowy Flagstaff.

Our destination Saturday morning for a day of skiing and snowboarding was Snowbowl ski resort. About 9″ of snow fell the day before and sometime after midnight, the storm cleared and we experienced a ‘blue bird’ day! We enjoyed another fantastic hot lunch prepared by Rick Parizek and Ryan Bollimpalli and great camaraderie. We experienced one unfortunate ankle injury, but otherwise had an awesome time.

Terrific job leading the group SPL Drew Achor. Special thanks to our adult volunteers and drivers Scott Starr, Charlie Carson, Bruce Weinhold, Jacob Benyi and Rick Parizek. Thank you also to Jody Achor for letting us borrow your car (yay 4WD!) and to Mr. Parizek for making another incredible grilled lunch. We are always the envy of other skiers as they walk by Mr. P’s amazing spread!

If you have photos from this trip and would like to upload and share to the Troop website, please click here. Thanks!

See you soon,

Scoutmaster T648

****Ski Trip Updates****

Hello Troop 648

Snowbowl has received 15″+ this past week and a chance for a bit more early next week! It’s looking to be another awesome Troop 648 outing!

Important info follows:

I have the following Scouts signed up to attend with rental/lesson next to each name:

  • Drew A – renting
  • Ian A – renting
  • Eric A – renting
  • Zane G – renting
  • Sam G – renting
  • Will Starr – renting
  • Will Saba – renting
  • Chaz C – renting, lesson
  • Ryan B – ?
  • Michael M – renting
  • Cameron C – attending Flagstaff Extreme instead
  • Isaac E – ?
  • Arjun B – renting, lesson

The following adults indicated they are going, if driving and the total number of seat belts, including driver are in parenthesis:

  • Rich S – driving? if so, seat belts? renting?
  • Bruce W – driving (6)
  • Scott S – driving (5) renting?
  • Rick P – Sat lunch?
  • James C – (5), going to Flagstaff Extreme instead of skiing
  • Jacob B – (2)
  • Charlie C – (6), renting?
  • Doug M

I am trying to avoid having someone pull the trailer, so with an extra car or two, we should be able to fit all our gear. If there is a question mark next to your name, please confirm (if Scouts = renting? lesson? if Adults = renting? driving? # of seat belts).

If you or your Scout are NOT on the list above, but are planning to attend, please let me know the applicable info ASAP!

We have a great group, good snow and fantastic food planned.

Thanks and see you soon!

Scoutmaster T648

Upcoming Court of Honor

Hello Troop 648

We have our Spring, 2018 Court of Honor coming up next week, Tuesday February 20th. Thank you if you volunteered to bring an item (food, service ware, drinks, etc) to help celebrate. We appreciate it.

Also, we wanted to share what we have planned in terms of Merit Badges and Rank advancements. Please check over our list below. We will be awarding anything earned since the last Court which was on October 17, 2017. If you have transferred from another troop, we may only be presenting what rank or blue card was turned into us since you joined. We can work with you to present other items if you let us know (assuming they haven’t already been presented at a previous Court). It is possible that your Scout advanced through more than one rank. If that is the case, we will be presenting both ranks.

Please notify us of any changes by 5:00pm on Saturday. If we don’t connect by then, not to worry. We can catch what we miss at the next Court (June 12, 2018).

Finally, if your Scout is receiving something, yes it is okay to have other family members (or friends) present!

Unfortunately, business calls and I will be out of town for this Court. I wish that wasn’t the case, but I’ll be there in spirit!

Have a great weekend!

Scoutmaster T648

Ranks:

  • Scout: Will Saba, Isaac Engelhardt, Liam Brotherton, Sam Gay, Stephan Beegle, Will Starr
  • Tenderfoot: Michael DeBarros, Ryan Bollimpalli, Chaz Carson, Will Starr
  • 2nd Class: Arjun Blair, Quentin Komar, Ryan Egan
  • 1st Class: Arjun Blair
  • Star: Eric Achor, Ian Achor
  • Life: Aidan Brown

Merit Badges:

  • Aidan Brown: Family Life, Communications
  • Ryan Bollimpalli: Engineering, Cit in Com, Dog Care, Pets, Cooking, Fish & Wildlife Mgmt, Enviro Science
  • Nick Murphy: Personal Mgmt., Family Life
  • Michael DeBarros: Cit in Com, First Aid
  • Ryan Conrad: Cit in Com
  • Drew Achor: Leatherwork
  • Quentin Komar: Motorboating
  • Sean Hart: Personal Mgmt
  • Arjun Blair: Swimming, Cit in Com
  • Sam Gay: First Aid
  • Stephan Beegle: First Aid
  • Ryan Egan: First Aid
  • Jacob Hoberg: Truck Transport, Cit in World, Music
  • Michael McFetters: Camping
  • Will Starr: Swimming, First Aid, Family Life
  • Chaz Carson: Chess, Swimming

Soaring Eagles!

Hello Troop 648

I would like to introduce Troop 648’s newest Eagle Scouts – Ryan Conrad (#59) and Nick Murphy (#60)! Ryan and Nick passed their Eagle boards last Thursday, February 8th. It was a great night as families of both Eagles Scouts were in attendance to celebrate.

Please join us in congratulating Ryan and Nick on a job well done!

See you soon!

Scoutmaster T648

 

“Nothing worthwhile was ever accomplished without the will to start, the enthusiasm to continue and, regardless of temporary obstacles, the persistence to complete.” Waite Phillips (donated the land that is known today as Philmont Scout Ranch)

Ski Trip Details!

Hello Troop 648

It is shaping up to be another great trip to the mountains for some fun on the slopes! The following will provide details.

  • We will meet, load up and leave from Chaparral Christian Church, back near the shed. Please plan on arriving at 5:00pm with the expectation of leaving at 5:30pm sharp. If this will be a challenge for you, please let me know.
  • We are heading back to Snowbowl in the Flagstaff area this year. They have the better snow and conditions. Currently, 100% of the lifts are operating and 26 trails are open.
  • We have secured a cabin for our accommodations. I mean, like a really nice cabin!

WHAT I NEED FROM YOU:

  • I need to know if your Scout is going.
  • I need to know if your Scout is skiing or snowboarding.
  • I need to know if  your Scout is renting equipment or not (see below for more info).
  • I need to know if your Scout needs a lesson (full day or half day). If this is your Scout’s first time skiing/snowboarding, it’s required. If they have been a few times, they may consider a lesson in the morning as a refresher.
  • I need to know same info for any adult going. Yes, adults are welcome!!!
  • We have again made arrangements with Ski Pro for equipment rentals. If you are renting:
    • You must go to Ski Pro to get fitted – their address is 2110 E. Camelback Road – just west of 24th street on the north side of Camelback. This location only.
    • Rental will be discounted by 20%, so be sure to pay when you are fitted.
    • While they do rent clothes, they DO NOT RENT HELMETS. Helmets are required per BSA policy. Your Scout will NOT BE ABLE TO SKI/SNOWBOARD if they don’t have a helmet.  When we assemble in the parking lot, we will do a helmet count. If you have an extra helmet and are willing to lend it to a fellow Scout, please let me know. If you don’t have one, try a friend, find something online, use a bike helmet or wrap your head in bubble wrap (kidding).
    • If you are renting, please secure your rentals by the end of day, Saturday, Feb 17th. You can go anytime and I suggest you go sooner rather than later to make sure you can get the equipment you want.
    • If you rent, please be sure to tell Ski Pro you are with BSA Troop 648. Justin is the rental leader and will know about our group. They will aggregate all our rentals under one account. Then please tell me what you have rented and your contract # so we know what to pick up.
    • Andy Gay has graciously offered to pick up all the equipment on Friday, Feb 23rd and will also drop off all the equipment on Sunday, Feb 25th in the afternoon by 4pm.  For the rest of you…no extra work as we will take care of the pick up and drop off for you!
    • We rent in PHX because it saves us A LOT of time and headaches, so thanks for helping.
  • Also, please let me know if you are willing to drive (including how many seat belts you have) and if you or your Scout have any dietary restrictions. Remember, adults are welcome! Even encouraged to join us! Cabin, hot showers, a bed!

OTHER INFO

  • Your Scout should plan on bringing money or pack a dinner for Friday night. We will stop off at the Anthem food court for dinner on the way up.
  • We will eat all meals as a troop. Therefore, Sat breakfast, lunch and dinner and Sunday breakfast will be provided. Total cost will depend on total number of attendees. We will also have gas fees.
  • Mr. Parizek will once again be serving his ‘Best Mountain Lunch’ in the parking lot at noon. Winner of the ‘Best of’ award 13 years running!  Thanks Mr. P! Ryan B will be assisting him. Thanks Ryan!
  • Total fees for the trip are still to be determined, but are estimated to be:
    • Dinner Friday night = $8-$10 (at your discretion)
    • NEW THIS YEAR: If you can, please secure your Scout (your) lift ticket ahead of time. This will save time when we arrive Saturday morning. You can click here to purchase  – $59 for adults. I believe this represents a savings of $20 if you purchase 48 hours or more in advance. If anyone knows of another place to purchase tickets for less, please let me know asap. You can also purchase your lessons on the website in advance as well, so please do so. And if you do, please let me know so we are not double paying. Your Scout can use his Scout funds if you’d like, just let me know.
    • Snowbowl will be celebrating their 80th season during our time there, so we are expecting larger crowds. They should have some fun activities as well.
    • OPTIONAL: Lessons vary, so please call the resort to discuss – (928) 779-1951. Click here for the lessons page on the website.
    • Rentals $20 (for skis, snowboards are a bit more)
    • Sat+Sunday meals = $20-$40
    • Cabin = $30-$50, depending on number of attendees
    • Gas = $8-$10, depending again on number of attendees
    • We will work hard to keep costs as low as we can
  • You can click here for the Snowbowl website and additional information.
  • Everyone will need a sleeping bag and sleeping pad as well as a towel, soap and shampoo. We will have the opportunity to clean up after skiing. Also, don’t forgot your winter gear for the mountain.
  • Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!  Please bring plenty as the weather is looking to be clear and sunny. NO SUNBURNS ALLOWED!

This is great trip, don’t miss out!

Thanks,

Scoutmaster T648

***Breaking News – Pancake Breakfast Update***

 

Dear Troop 648 Scout Families:

It’s that time of year!! While it is only early February, April 28th will be here before you know it!! For those of you new to the troop this means our Annual Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction. Troop 648’s largest fundraiser of the year.  The Scouts really need your help and support to make this a success.

Date & Time: Saturday, April 28th @ 7:00 am – 10:30 am

Location: Scottsdale Chaparral Christian Church, 6451 E. Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, AZ

We all know that “many hands make for light work!”

Patrol Baskets

We will have a parent and a patrol member in charge of working with patrols  on their Patrol Baskets.  A separate email will be sent out outlining what is needed to make the patrol baskets a success.

  • Pirates Patrol:  Zack Ramsey (Donna Ramsey)
  • Patrol TBD:  Jacob Hoberg (Lisa Hoberg)
  • Serpents Patrol: Ryan Bollimpalli (Lita Bollimpalli)
  • Raptors Patrol: Liam Brotherton (Allison Wesley)

Silent Auction Items

I am the parent in charge of the Silent Auction and this is my second year. Clara Komar has graciously stepped forward to help organize the Silent Auction with us.

Scouts are encouraged to solicit or donate items to be included in the Silent Auction.  In years past, scouts have been very successful in soliciting donations (gift certificates, goods and services) from local area restaurants, shops and service providers.  Last year we even had artwork donated for the auction. The ideas are endless….tickets to sporting events, hotel stays, concerts, music lessons.

To help, we have made two documents available for your use. The first is this – a Donation Request Letter  I would suggest having your son practice his “spiel” prior to entering a business.  Use this letter as a guide to solicit donations.  The second document is a Donor Form that you give to the business once they agree to make a donation.  This letter (which is on T648 letterhead and includes CCC’s 501 (c) (3) number) is usually a key factor and often essential when trying to procure donations.  Make several copies of these to hand out.  Last but not least, be sure your scout wears his clean Class A uniform when he plans to solicit donations.

Please be aware that we are not able to accept alcoholic beverage items or tobacco products as auctions items.  It is against BSA policy. 

Auction items will be displayed for silent bidding during the event.  Scouts will receive a percentage of the purchase price for each item they secure or donate.  Funds raised will go directly to their individual scout accounts. Their scout account funds can be used to pay for scout related items such as summer camp, new uniform items they grow out of, camping equipment, etc.

As you receive your donated items, please bring them to the upcoming scout meetings.  We will gather the items in preparation for the auction by creating bid sheets and display them nicely.

THE HARD DEADLINE FOR COLLECTING AUCTION ITEMS WILL BE TUESDAY, April, 24th.  No items will be accepted after to allow time to prepare the display.

Pancake Breakfast Wish List Items

If you wish to make a donation to the pancake breakfast, the troop would appreciate gift cards to Wal-Mart, Target and Costco.  This will allow the committee to purchase items like plasticware, paper plates, napkins, food, etc.

Our imminent need will be the commitment from Adults to help set up on the evening prior to the breakfast (Friday, April 27th) and the morning of Saturday, April 28th. Please ink this into your schedule and look for more emails to come outlining what we may need.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Jody Achor

[email protected]

310-710-8020

 

Thank you Troop 648!

Hello Troop 648

A thank you to all those Scouts, Scouters, family and friends that helped this past Sunday, February 4th for Scout Sunday. The group, along with members of Pack 647, greeted Chaparral Christian Church parishioners, opened doors, handed out programs and manned the mini Boy Scout Museum display. We had a great response from the church and guests.

A special thanks to Jacob Hoberg for organizing, getting people to sign-up in the weeks leading up to the event and for leading the group on Sunday. Also, thanks to Lisa Hoberg for her help organizing and to Dean Butler for setting up and working the museum. It was a lot of fun and thanks to all!

Scoutmaster T648