Boy Scout Troop 648 Scottsdale, Arizona

Effective immediately, all merit badge counselors must have completed the new Youth Protection Training that was placed online on Feb 1, 2018 to be considered registered.   This policy is for all merit badge counselors, no exceptions.

Later this week, Scoutbook will automatically not list any merit badge counselor who has not completed YPT on or after 2/1/18

When the merit badge counselor list is replaced on our council website, all counselors who have not completed the new training will be removed from the list.

If a counselor takes the training after the list is uploaded, they will be returned to the list on the next upload to the council website (which normally occurs monthly.)

Scoutbook will reflect that they have taken the training the next day or two and return them to the list there.

How to check your Youth Protection training date and expiration

1. Log in to My.Scouting.org.
2. Click “Menu” at the top left.
3. Click “My Dashboard.”
4. Make sure you’re under “My Training” and “YPT.”
5. Note the date next to “Youth Protection Training Certification.” You’ll see the date you completed the course right there. Below that, you’ll find the date your certification expires — two years after completion.
6. If your completion date is on or after 02/01/18, you have taken the updated training.
7. Next make sure you’re my.Scouting account is linked to your Merit Badge Counselor postion:
8. Click on the three line menu in the upper left and select “My Profile” and make sure under Active Positions, it lists merit badge counselor.  If it does not, send an email to: gccadvancement1@gmail.com
9. Congrats! Thanks for your efforts to help keep Scouts safe.

This is a friendly reminder about the PLC meeting tomorrow at 6PM at CCC. If you led a campout last month, if you are leading one this month, if you are leading one next month, or if you are in a Senior Leadership position ( SPL, ASPL (Meetings), ASPL   (Outings), Troop Guides, Patrol Leder (or your Patrol’s representative if the PL can’t attend, or Scribe) then you are expected to be at the meeting. Also invited are any other nosey individuals who like to partake in a fun lively discussion of your Troop’s upcoming events. Thank you. See you tomorrow

Mark Blair

Scoutmaster

Greetings!

This is a reminder that Mr. Butler is having an ‘invitation only’ camping gear sale for all members of Troop 648 this weekend, Saturday, Sept 29, 2018 from 8am-1pm, while things last!

This will include years of camping, backpacking, camp cooking and a few other things that might be considered Scout like.  For example: Tents, sleeping bags, Coleman stoves, high BTU cookstove, external frame backpacks (3 of them), hiking sticks, cast iron skillets, Dutch ovens, backpacking stoves, propane Fat Fryer, propane crock pot, small propane grill, port-a-potties and more. Possibly some SCUBA gear.

Open to Troop 648 Scout Families at bargain prices.

LOCATION:

4556 E Paso Trail

Phoenix, AZ 85050

This is a quick reminder that this is the last weekend to renew your YPT on-line.  As of this Monday (10/1), if you haven’t completed it, you will be dropped as a Merit Badge Counselor in the system and have to re-apply.  Thank you to everyone who has already completed this.  Please let us know if you have any questions.

Mark Blair

Troop 648 Scoutmaster

hornetdermdoc@gmail.com

This weekend Troop 648 had fourteen members take our half dozen troop canoes for a voyage extravaganza along the Verde River.  Camping only 2 miles and launching only 9 miles from our backpacking trip last month, the two events had only the beautiful twinkling lights of Jerome off in the distance and an extreme amount of fun in common.  Oh yeah, I guess we did also see another tarantula!  On Saturday morning, Troop 648 arose early and cooked breakfast in the wild.  Overhearing a scout say, ‘Well we could toss it in the woods’, the curious Assistant Scoutmaster went over to further understand the issue.  Discovering scrambled eggs stuck to the bottom of their pan, he quickly staved off disaster by describing them as the scout delicacy ‘crunchy eggs’, leading to all the scouts wanting to try them.  This also led to further ‘crunchy’ themes the remainder of the trip (e.g. Doritos in hot dogs, and Graham crackers in oatmeal).   A bit later, upon arriving at the launch site, it was recommended by the rangers that we not send novice canoers through the class 2 rapids downstream as we had planned.  Rather than go to West Clear Creek as an alternate launch site many miles away, our intrepid T648 boatsmen negotiated something no one else does from where we were – paddle upstream, and then return down on the other side of a long narrow river island.  A beautiful morning of paddling through lush foliage, portaging through narrows, and bombing through ‘class 2 ripples’ coming back downstream ensued.  Only one cap-size and one broken paddle occurred, and a rip-roaring success was declared by all.  The remainder of the outing included an afternoon of splashing in the river, watching the space station brightly glide overhead in the night sky, completing a high desert night hike, encountering a heron, an owl and a gila monster, all while deepening friendships, building new skills, and ‘getting things signed off!’

Next month? Camporee at Geronimo!

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.

Aidan Brown’s Eagle Project:

Thank you everyone for all your help on my Eagle Project! It was a great turnout and everyone worked really hard. I was really proud of our troop. It meant a lot to me having you all there supporting me during my project. Our beneficiary was really happy with how it all turned out.

Here are some before and after pictures of how we helped Club SAR!

Thanks again to everyone!

Aidan Brown

Attention Troop 648 Fundraising enthusiasts!!!!  We will have an offsite gathering next Tuesday (9/18) at California Pizza Kitchen (CPK).  The event will take place at the usual Troop Meeting time (7PM) at the CPK on Scottsdale Rd, just South of Shea (10100 N Scottsdale Rd.).  Class A uniform is encouraged.  The Troop will receive 20% off anyone’s bill who was referred to the restaurant by the Troop.  The more friends and family (and even strangers) you invite the more money the Troop will receive.  The Flyer is below.  I will be passing these out at the meeting tonight.  I recommend sending a picture or scan of the flyer to all your contacts so they can come and enjoy some great food, and in return have a donation from CPK from their bill given to the Troop.  The people don’t have to dine-in.  Any take-out order is also eligible.  Also, as you can see by the flyer, this is good for the whole day -  11 AM – 10 PM.  My staff is already planning on ordering lunch for everyone in the office from the restaurant.  Even though the Month’s meeting theme is fishing, you will not be required to order seafood :).  We may try to get a head count for the Scouts and families available to come at 7 PM, but everyone is encouraged to come any time they want during the day (or multiple times) if the meeting time doesn’t work for them.  Just make sure you or anyone you invite has one of the flyers (there are 2 flyers on each page).   Please contact me with any questions.

CPK Fundraiser Flyer

Mr Blair

Troop 648 Scoutmaster

Attention Troop 648.  Tomorrow we will be re-starting our Monthly Troop Activity Meeting.  This is a chance for us to build on the organization and planning we’ve developed over the past PLC committee meeting as well as any upcoming major events for the Troop.  In the past we have asked ASM’s, Adult Leaders, anyone responsible for past months events for debriefing, anyone responsible for upcoming events (the next month or two), and as always any interested parents to join us.  This will take place the second Tuesday of each month at 6 PM in the Troop Meeting room (where the Scouts hold there weekly meetings).  If you have any questions whether or not you should attend……then you should attend :).  Thanks in advance.  See you tomorrow.

Mark Blair

Troop 648 Scoutmaster

Event: Aidan Brown’s Eagle Project!!! 

Where: Club SAR, 8055 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 312-2669 which is located South of Camelback Road and East of Hayden Road.  Club SAR is behind the baseball fields.

When: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2018 7:30-12:30pm — COMING UP VERY SOON!!

Project Description:

Who:

For the benefit of the citizens of the City of Scottsdale who use

Club SAR Fitness Center (https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/sports/club-sar-fitness-center)

A city-operated fitness facility that is available at a discounted rate as a service to the community.

What: They need help with a landscape project at their entryway for safety and to make things look better. The area is primarily granite with a few plants and a bicycle rack. The biggest part of the job is setting pavers in an area surrounding a bicycle rack and fixing/painting the rack. A small amount of drip lines may need to be replaced or moved and some small plants/landscaping also may be added.

What to bring:  PLEASE bring work gloves and a small and large shovel, broom, wheel barrow, any tools you can bring will be appreciated.

*******DONUTS AND DRINKS will be offered to the helpers that attend!!******

If you haven’t already, please RSVP for this event through Scoutbook

Thank you for your help with my Eagle Project!

Sincerely,

Aidan Brown