Boy Scout Troop 648 Scottsdale, Arizona

Hello Troop 648

I wanted to provide a quick recap on a few recent outings. We have been a very busy troop with a lot of fun activities. Specifically:

Philmont Training Hike #1: 

Our first training hike for the 2018 Philmont crew was January 13th. Mr. Benyi led a crew of 5 scouts (Zane G, Aidan B, Zach R, Eric A and Michael M) and four other adults (Andy G, Joe B, Jody A and myself) on a 9.5 mile hike in the McDowell Mountains. We had a great time and looking forward to the next training hike!

Mormon Lake Campout, January 19-21, 2018

From Mr. Copley, one of the adult leaders on our most recent outing:

     

Hello Troop 648 – A few items related to meeting planning…

– This week’s meeting (1/23) has been designated for rank advancement. Please come prepared to complete some requirements.

– We are still looking for someone to finish out our Winter Camping theme for the 1/30 meeting. Please contact David Yu or Mrs. Hoberg if you would like to lead that meeting (even if you have a topic/activity idea unrelated to winter camping).

– The meeting theme for February is Leadership and for March is Boating/Canoeing. We will be brainstorming some ideas for specific topics/activites at the meeting this week, so please give it some thought. Mrs. Hoberg has a lead for a presenter in February, so if you would like to use it as an opportunity to plan your first meeting, please contact her.

– Reminder – Each scout should be planning at least two meetings a year. Please click here to use the Sign-up Genius previously sent out to review available meeting dates and themes. If you have a great meeting idea that does not fit one of the upcoming “themes” please let David Yu or Mrs. Hoberg know.

Hello Troop 648

I hope you are enjoying a little bit of winter this weekend! Nice to get any rain.

A reminder that Reese Galvin’s Eagle Court of Honor is coming up. Here are the specifics:

• Sunday, January 28, 2018
• 2:00pm – 4:30pm
• Chaparral Christian Church
• 6451 E. Shea Blvd, Scottsdale

There will be a reception immediately following the ceremony. We are excited and proud of Reese for earning the Boy Scout’s highest rank, Eagle Scout! Please join host and Reese’s mom, Keirsty Galvin as we celebrate his tremendous accomplishment.

We hope to see you there!

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

Our Feed My Starving Children event (in conjunction with Pack 647) is coming up next Saturday, January 27th. If you are attending the event (and hopefully everyone is!), there is a mandatory sign-up/register link you can get to by clicking here. Please note, the link will take you to the correct event – “Cub Scout Pack 647.” Please sign-up as soon as you can so FMSC can get a proper head count.

Hello Troop 648

Some final comments regarding this weekend’s outing.

• We are looking for at least one more adult that is willing to drive and attend the outing this weekend. Due to the outstanding response/sign-ups, we are short on seat belts. In exchange, you will be showered with gifts and a parade (or at least a huge thank you!).
• If your Scout wants to do the Flagstaff Extreme course, you should call (888-259-0125) asap for a reservation. Please sign-up for the 11am time slot. Last I heard, they were running out of space.
• If you have already signed up your Scout for Flag X, please email me and include your time slot. If you haven’t signed up, but will be, email me as well.
• If your Scout wants to cross country ski and there is enough snow, please make sure he has $s to cover the cost. I believe it’s around $20 for the ski rental.
• As usual, the group will stop at the Shops at Anthem food court for dinner on Friday night. Your Scout will need $ to pay for his dinner.
• If your Scout is working on any rank requirements, including any cooking related, please have them tell the adults going so they are aware and can sign off on the requirement(s). Make sure your Scout brings his Scout book!
• A final reminder regarding required gear. With low temps forecasted to be in the teens, it will be chilly, but your Scout will be fine if he is prepared. Specifically:
  • Sleeping bag has a Comfort rating about 15-20ËšF. If you have more than one sleeping bag, I suggest they bring it as a backup. And make sure he remembers his sleeping pad/ground insulation!
  • Winter boots, a couple pairs of warm socks, long underwear, thermals, ski or rain pants, sweater, winter jacket, winter hat, gloves and whatever else you want your Scout to have to stay warm and few extras in case something gets wet.
  • Water!!! Very important to stay hydrated in the higher elevation.
• If you have an older Scout going, please remind them to make sure they are looking out for the younger Scouts. We have quite a few going that will be experiencing a trip like this for the first time.
• We will be taking the trailer so this is the one outing that it’s a great idea to overpack. We have plenty of space, so no need to send just the bare minimum.
• We will meet at the church, in the back/south parking lot near the shed at 5pm. There are a couple families I spoke with regarding commitments that will make them a little later, so no worries we won’t leave without your Scout. We should be back early afternoon on Sunday. Scouts will call home when they are close.

Questions? Let me know – (602) 793-1058, dmcfetters@gmail.com

Should be an awesome weekend of Scouting!

Scoutmaster T648

Here’s hoping for some cross country skiing!!

Hello Troop 648

We have a very exciting outing planned this weekend to Mormon Lake (Flagstaff area). The following are some last minute details/requests:

• Aidan Brown has done a great job organizing, so thanks Aidan!
• We currently have the following adults attending:
  • Dave Brown, James Copley, Charlie Carson
• If you are planning to attend and aren’t on this list, please let me know as soon as you can.
• Additionally, we really need to have a few more adults attend and have current needs:
  • IMMEDIATE NEED: we need an adult to pull the trailer. Any volunteer?
  • IMMEDIATE NEED: Adults, you will need to coordinate your meals, so for those going, please take some time to figure out who will be doing what.
  • IMMEDIATE NEED: currently we stand at 15 total, which means we will need 15 seat belts. If all three adults are able to drive and can fit at least 4 scouts, we would have the right number. Dave, James, Charlie, can you confirm if you can drive and your total # of seat belts?
• Scouts attending:
  • Aidan B, Cameron C, Ryan B, Michael D, Will S, Stephan B, Chaz C, Zach R, Ian A, Eric A, Drew A (maybe), Jacob H
• The boys will work on their menus tonight
• A quick review of the forecast shows that there is a potential for snow (yay!) on Saturday. Also, the high on Sat will be 32ËšF and the low Sat night is expected to be 13ËšF. It’s going to be cold, but manageable. We just need to make sure the boys have plenty of layers, and a jacket, winter boots, gloves, hats, appropriate sleeping bags, etc. Parents, it is crucial that you do not let your Scout out the door on Friday without appropriate cold weather gear. If you have any questions, please let me know.
• Parents, please also remember to print and complete the Outing Permission form – click here
• Aidan has locked down the location and reserved spots for us to camp. This will be very helpful as we have an area all set aside for us.
• I believe there are a couple scouts that are looking to go to Flagstaff Extreme, so attending adults, that will have to be coordinated.

Probably a few other things I’m missing or to be worked out. Biggest concern is # of adults/drivers and the trailer. Please let me know if you are planning to attend and if we have anyone willing to pull the trailer puller.

See you soon,

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648 – Please use the link below to sign up to plan and lead meetings for the upcoming year. Each scout should lead at least two meetings a year. If you have not led a meeting in the last six months, please make an extra effort to do so soon. If you have any questions, please contact David Yu or Mrs. Hoberg.

Click here to sign-up!

Hello Troop 648

The notMYkid organization will be sending a youth presenter to lead an important discussion about substance abuse prevention with our Scouts during tonight’s meeting.  From their web site, “youth presenters are prepared to share their story as it relates to a particular challenge, the consequences they faced, and how they found help in overcoming it.”

This is a fantastic opportunity and I highly encourage all Scouts to attend. As a bonus for those needing it – this discussion will fulfill Second Class requirement, 7c.

Special thanks to Dr. Komar and Quentin Komar for working to make this happen, and to David Yu and Mrs. Hoberg for their coordination. Also, thanks to the amazing corporate partners like Frys, Wells Fargo, Discount Tire, Fox Restaurants, P.F. Changs, Rural Metro, AZ Diamondbacks Foundation and many more who support notMYkid and for the grant of $400 to fund the evening!

See you soon,

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

The Troop’s 58th Eagle Scout is Cameron Copley! Please join me in saying congratulations to Cameron on a job well done! The troop is very proud of you!

Cameron passed his Eagle board last night and was joined by family.

“Leaders are like eagles. They don’t flock, you find them one at a time.’ Anonymous

Way to go Cameron!

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

Follow the Star was an amazing and meaningful community event! A big thank you to everyone who volunteered to help Chaparral Christian Church this past weekend. CCC and T648 really appreciates your involvement and service to our community.

And special thanks to Cameron Copley who stepped up and assisted with the event all three nights! He did a great job of taking charge and helping lead the team. This was clearly a big help to CCC and a great example of our T648 SPL who continues to go above and beyond.

Thank you Cameron and thank you all Scouts, Scouters and family members!

See you soon,

Scoutmaster T648