Boy Scout Troop 648 Scottsdale, Arizona

Hello Troop 648 Adults,

Chaparral Christian Church is starting a new program on February 7th at 7pm. This is timed to allow for troop adults to attend while their Scout is having a great time in our regular Tuesday troop meeting. Specifically:

Coming in February . . . Believe. This new one-hour gathering on Tuesday evenings was designed with Scout parents in mind! Stay on campus during the Troop Meeting, grab some coffee from Andie’s and come join us in the North Room – the front corner room of the Worship Center near the main parking lot. You’ll enjoy our presentation on the basics of what Christians believe in a casual, fun atmosphere – invite your friends too! Registration is FREE, just follow this link:

http://chaparral.org/ministries/creed

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Thanks,

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

Apologies for the late notice on the upcoming ski trip. It is shaping up to be another fantastic 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 4:00pm with the expectation of leaving at 4:30pm sharp. If this will be an issue for you, please let me know. We are trying to leave a bit earlier as we have a longer drive this year.
• We are heading back to Sunrise in the Pinetop/Greer area this year. They have an excellent base of snow and the conditions are great. All lifts and runs are currently open. Can you say 92″ base?!
• We have secured the cabin we rented in 2015. If you/your Scout went, you will remember the game room with air hockey, foosball and a ping pong table!
• We are working on a group discount for ski lift tickets. I’ll keep you posted.

WHAT I NEED FROM YOU:

• I need to know if your Scout is going or not.
• 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.
• NEW THIS YEAR: We have made arrangements with Ski Pro for equipment rentals as Alpine Board Sports is out of business. 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.
  • Ski rental is $18 plus tax, snowboards are a few dollars more.
  • 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. Sunrise does NOT rent helmets. 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.
  • If you are renting, please secure your rentals by the end of day, this Saturday, Feb 4th. They are running low on rentals.
  • If you rent, please be sure to tell Ski Pro you are with BSA Troop 648. They will aggregate all our rentals under one account. Then please tell me what you have rented so we know what to pick up.
  • I am looking for a volunteer to pick up all the equipment by 2pm on Friday and to drop off all the equipment on Sunday afternoon by 3pm. Please let me know if you can. For the rest of you…no extra work as we will take care of the pick up and drop off for you!
• I need to know as soon as you can if your Scout and/or you are planning to attend. If we are going to take advantage of the lift ticket discount, we need a headcount asap.
• Also, please let me know if you are willing to drive and if you or your Scout have any dietary restrictions.

OTHER INFO

• Your Scout should plan on bringing money or pack a dinner for Friday night. We will stop off in Payson for food 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 12 years running!  Thanks Mr. P!
• Total fees for the trip are still to be determined, but are estimated to be:
  • Dinner Friday night = $8-$10 (at your discretion)
  • Lift ticket – $56 (may be less if we can secure a discount, adults are more, 12 and under are less)
  • OPTIONAL: Lesson (includes a lift ticket) approx. $79 – $94 depending on half/full day
  • Rentals $20 (for skis, snowboards are a bit more)
  • Sat+Sunday meals = $20-$40
  • Cabin = $30-$40, 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
• 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

Hello Troop 648

We had a fantastic trip to Flagstaff recently to play in the snow! Most of us had to dust off our winter weather gear as we enjoyed lots of snowfall and temperatures below 30˚.

We headed out Friday afternoon in front of a snow storm that blanketed the area throughout the evening and early the next morning. After feasting on breakfast burritos, the Scouts headed to the hills to create snow forts/snow caves. We then ventured over to a new snow play area just a stone’s throw away and had an awesome lunch from a local food truck. We had reservations for the afternoon tubing where we all enjoyed careening down the hill — mostly in control!

A great pizza dinner Saturday night, and a Sunday morning exit to beat the next snow storm, rounded out another successful T648 outing!

All-in-all, a fun journey to a beautiful part of this amazing state we call home. I want to personally thank the adults — Donna Ramsey, Jacob Benyi and Lisa Hoberg — who gave their time to drive and help throughout the trip. We can NOT have great weekend’s like this without the help and support of the adult leaders in the troop. Thank you brave snow warriors!

See you at California Pizza Kitchen on Tuesday, January 31st!

Scoutmaster T648

>>>PHOTOS<<<

You didn’t believe me?

Snow Builders

A new kind of spelunking?

Cheeseburgers in Paradise…

Sir, another hot chocolate please!

Tubing!

Ready for action!

Cold temps, but warm smiles all around

Ft. Tuthill with our Yurt lurking in the trees

YOYO – You Only Yurt Once! Well, maybe… but I’m pretty sure the Scouts would be up for it again. Especially if you can get the hot stove cranking!

Hello Troop 648

REMINDER: Please see the message from Michael McFetters below:

A BIG bonus is CPK is generously donating 20% from sales to our troop. Please bring in a copy of the this flyer CPK Jan 2017 Fundraiser_SmPlateBounceback_Nodelivery Boy Scout Troop ver 3 or tell your server you’re there to support Boy Scouts. The event is all-day (11am-10pm) so stop by any time. Dine in and mingle with friends or take your food to go.

Also, every person who attends the event between 5:00pm and 8:30pm will receive a FREE RAFFLE ticket for a chance to win an awesome prize! Prizes include: A $50 CPK Gift Card, Harkins Movie Theatre Tickets & Popcorn Voucher, $25 La Grande Orange Gift Card, The Secret Life of Pets DVD, Shopkins Toys and more. Winning tickets will be drawn at 8:30pm. Winner need not be present to win. 

 

Hope to see you on Tuesday. Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Michael McFetters
T648- Star Scout

Greetings!

This is a reminder that I need to collect Philmont deposits at the Troop meeting tomorrow, 1/24/17. For any interested in attending Philmont in 2018, I need a $200 deposit check made out to Troop 648. (Youth and adults pay the same.)

I will be at the end of the Troop meeting tomorrow, or you can give your check to Mr. McFetters and I will get it from him.

Thanks!

Jacob R Benyi

Hi Troop 648

Save the date for T648 Social & Fundraising Event at California Pizza Kitchen, 10100 N. Scottsdale Road. This will be in place of our regular Tuesday meeting. Stop by any time between 11:00am and 10:00pm.

Please spread the word. Invite your friends, neighbors and family! Plan to join us for delicious food, great fun and help raise some funds for T648.

Click here to view the event flyer and coupon for more information –  CPK Jan 2017 Fundraiser_SmPlateBounceback_Nodelivery Boy Scout Troop ver 3

Thanks,

Michael McFetters

Hello Troop 648

Our annual ‘Family Campout’ is coming up this weekend! We will be traveling to the wintery conditions of Ft. Tuthill, just south of Flagstaff, AZ. The forecast calls for snow which should make the trip all that more special!

We have plenty of tent campsites and a ‘Yurt’ – a canvas sided, wood floor tent that also features bunk beds and a wood-fired stove. The Yurt is reserved for any mom/woman attending the outing this weekend. We have the Yurt and tent sites for Friday and Saturday nights.

Given that it will be a bit on the chilly side, we will not have our pot luck dinner Saturday night, but will instead visit a local restaurant. Also, please be sure to pack for the cold. This is the one outing where travel and equipment will be your personal responsibility. I will be taking up a 2-top burner, a stove, a few pots and pans and cooking utensils if you want to use them for either Sat/Sun breakfast or Sat lunch.

We need to finalize the attendees, so please email (dmcfetters@gmail.com) or call (602) 793-1058 me as soon as possible. I need the exact attendee list by Wednesday, 10:00am.

There will be lots to do if you plan on going. Zip Lines, Tree Top Adventure Course, tubing/sledding (depending on snow), skiing (if you want to go to Snowbowl) and other (maybe a ‘pelt-the-Scoutmaster-with-snowballs’ game…). Don’t miss out on this great winter adventure!

See you tomorrow night!

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

A quick reminder that Ryan Conrad’s first Eagle Project fundraiser, benefiting Chaparral Christian Church, is tomorrow January 14th from 7:00am – 1:00pm. His used book sale (and much more including DVD, CDs, VHS, Vintage Movie Magazines) will be held at 5206 E. Juniper Avenue, Scottsdale. If you have any questions, please call (888) 302-2878 or (602) 622-2081. The location is east of 52nd street and Juniper (3 streets south of Bell) – just follow the signs!

Ryan has collected thousands of books and other media items, so come on out and shop or HELP! If your Scout has some time, Ryan could use some help managing the sale.

Thanks and see you soon!

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

Please remember to bring those unwanted books, videos, DVDs, video games and CDs to the troop meeting tonight as donations to Ryan Conrad’s Eagle Project Fundraiser. Ryan will be selling these items this Saturday, January 14th as a fundraiser for his Eagle Scout project benefitting Chaparral Christian Church.

Thanks and see you tonight at 6:00pm if you are going to the 2018 Philmont High Adventure information meeting.

Scoutmaster T648

Greetings!

This is a reminder that we will have a Philmont Information Meeting this Tuesday, January 10, at 6pm at CCC. Troop 648 was fortunate to be selected for a Philmont crew in the summer of 2018. We will begin signups this month, so anyone interested should attend this meeting to learn more about Philmont, the pinnacle of any Scouting experience.

We will have limited spaces in our crew, so I will give you the information needed to make a decision about signing up for this outstanding life experience. Participants must be First Class and 14 years old by June 1, 2018 but not over 20 years old to attend as a youth.

Tooth of Time, viewed from Rocky Mountain Scoutcamp @ Philmont, NM

Thanks!

Mr. Benyi