Boy Scout Troop 648 Scottsdale, Arizona

Hello Troop 648

At last night’s PLC, there was an outing date change. Specifically:

• Ski Trip originally planned for February 5-7 and has now been RESCHEDULED for February 19-21. We are still planning to go to Snow Bowl with more details to follow.

Thanks!

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

I can’t believe it’s 2016! I hope everyone enjoyed holiday time with family, friends and wish you a safe, healthy and prosperous 2016. And a year full of many Scouting adventures too…

A reminder that we have our January PLC meeting tomorrow night at 6:00pm. Our theme this month is ‘Environment’ and the following Scouts have volunteered/been assigned to lead a meeting:

• Jan 5th – Ryan (lead)/James (assistant)
• Jan 12th – David (lead)/Zane (assistant)
• Jan 19th – Alex (lead)/Eric (assistant)
• Jan 26th – Kevin (lead)/Aidan (assistant)

If your Scout needs any help or has questions, Jody Achor is the Adult Mentor. Thank you Jody.

Looking forward to another great year of Scouting with Troop 648. We have a full slate of activities and a number of great outings planned including the upcoming ‘Winter’ outing on Jan 22-24.

See you tomorrow night!

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

We have a few adults happy to help with any scout looking to work on rank advancements. We will meet at Chaparral Christian Church in our regular meeting room, Tuesday, December 29th at 6:30pm.

Also, if there is a specific Merit Badge you are working on, please email me (dmcfetters@gmail.com) or call (602) 793-1058 and I will check to see if that MB counselor is available.

This is a great(!) opportunity to work on ranks up to and including First Class, so please join us Tuesday night.

See you there!

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

For those Scouts working on the Auto Maintenance Merit Badge with Mr. Butler and would like to complete it after the first of the year, please email dean@arizonascoutingmuseum.org. Include the Scout’s name and you/your Scout’s email address.

Your Scout should have received an electronic copy of the MB booklet from Mr. Butler. Additional information from Mr. Butler:

• He will arrange for 2-4 meetings. One would be a Saturday morning to meet at an auto repair garage. The remaining will be at 6:00pm before our regularly scheduled Tuesday meetings. Dates and times are TBD.
• Scout should read the MB booklet prior to meeting in January

If you have any questions, please email Mr. Butler.

Thanks,

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

As a reminder, we will not be having our regularly scheduled Tuesday Scout meeting on Dec 22 and Dec 29. We will resume meeting on Jan 5.

However, if you are actively working on the Citizenship in the Community and/or Emergency Preparedness Merit Badges and would like to progress or finish them, Mr. Clapp (Cit in Com) and Mr. Conrad (Emer Prep) have graciously volunteered to be at Chaparral Christian Church in our meeting room next Tuesday, Dec 22 at 6:30pm to help.

To be better prepared and looking at the MB requirements for both, there may be a number of things your Scout can be working on (if they haven’t already) between now and Tuesday. Some highlights (NOT ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE LISTED AND THESE ARE NOT COMPLETE SO LOOK TO THE MERIT BADGE BOOK FOR COMPLETE INFO) include:

Citizenship in the Community – get the workbook here

• Know and be prepared to discuss what citizenship in the community means
• Locate some key government and local services on a map for your community
• Attend some type of city council or other governing body meeting. Normally this needs to be in person, but for a limited time only, Mr. Clapp is allowing Scouts to watch a city council or board meeting online. Go here for video info
• Choose an issue and do a number of things regarding this issue
• Watch a movie that shows how the actions of an individual(s) had a positive effect on the community – list of possible movies are here
• List and know services in your community
• Develop a public presentation about important and unique aspects of your community, present to counselor

Emergency Preparedness – get the workbook here

• Discuss various aspects of emergency preparedness
• Make a chart that demonstrates you understand emergency preparedness
• Teach your family emergency preparedness
• Show how to safely move someone during a variety of emergency situations
• Show ways to attract rescue planes/aircraft
• Understand and discuss how Scouts can help in a variety of emergency situations
• Identify some government and community emergency agencies
• Take part in an emergency drill (covered by those who recently attended the City of Scottsdale CERT drill)
• Prepare a written plan for mobilizing the troop
• Prepare a personal emergency service pack
• Create a home safety checklist or plan of escape

Again, please consult the Merit Badge books for a complete description of the above.

If there is any Scout working on a merit badge not listed above, please let me know. I have a number of other Merit Badge Counselors who have indicated their willingness to be there on the 22^nd to help. However, you/your Scout must email me by Monday noon (or sooner) to let me know so I can make the necessary arrangements with the applicable counselor. If you would like to work on rank advancement and on Tuesday, please let me know.

This is a great opportunity to progress or complete two Eagle Required MBs or others. I highly recommend you take full advantage.

Have a great weekend and hope to see you on Tuesday!

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

From Mr. Parizek:

Orientation and Introduction

To The

Cooking Merit Badge

An Eagle Required MB

Who is eligible?                  All Scouts who have earned the rank of First Class or higher

When:                                    9:30 am to 12:00 pm on Saturday, December 19, 2015

Where:                                   Mr. Parizek’s House 3103 East Claire Drive Phoenix

What will be covered:

1. Requirements and expectations
2. Procedures and forms
3. Kitchen safety
4. Using cooking utensils, knives, and pots and pans
5. Using stoves and heat sources
6. Cooking techniques

Pre-requirements:

1. Let Mr. Parizek know that you will be attending.
2. Obtain a blue card.
3. Obtain a Merit Badge Booklet 2014 or later printing.

To join the class or if you have any questions about the class, contact Mr. Parizek via text to 602-549-2996 or email to armar@cox.net

Directions to Mr. Parizek’s Home – From the North: Take SR 51 south to Greenway Parkway and exit westbound on Greenway Parkway to 32^nd Street (the first light). Turn left (southbound) on to 32nd Street and proceed south to the Acoma (second traffic signal).

From the South: Take SR 51 north to Thunderbird Road and exit westbound on Thunderbird Road to 32^nd Street (the first light). Turn right (northbound) on to 32^nd Street and proceed north to Acoma (first traffic signal).

From 32^nd Street & Acoma: Turn (west bound) on to Acoma. Acoma will curve around a hill. Take the first left off of Acoma. Claire Drive is a cul-de-sac that goes up the hill. There is no street sign on Claire Drive and the first mail box that you’ll see will say 3101 East Acoma. You’re in the right place; it is the mail box that is in the wrong place. Come to the top of the cul-de-sac. My driveway is the one between the two small fences that goes to the top of the hill. Come on up there is plenty of room to park and to turn around.

Thanks!

Greetings!

Emerald Bay is only about 6 months away; I am trying to get a headcount of who is planning to attend or not. We also have a deposit due this month; if you would like to utilize your scout account, please let me know. Here is a flyer with more information about summer camp:

Summer Camp should be an outstanding, unique experience this year and I hope everyone will consider attending.

Thanks!

Mr. Benyi

Hello Troop 648

We will be helping our Charter Organization, Chaparral Christian Church this weekend – Friday through Sunday – with one of their signature events of the year, Follow the Star. Shifts are each day and run from 6:00pm – 7:30pm and 7:00pm to 8:30pm. We are light attendance wise on Friday and Saturday’s second shift and both shifts on Sunday. Click here to sign up!

Also, if you have signed up for a first shift and are willing to stay for the second shift, please either sign up via the link above or give me a call (602) 793-1058 or send me an email dmcfetters@gmail.com.

Let’s show CCC how great Troop 648 is and help them out during this fantastic event. All Scouts, Scouters, family and friends can help. Also, be sure to sign up for the Follow the Star event. It only takes about 25 minutes, is free for all and a perfect start to the holiday season. Click here to reserve your tickets.

Thanks and see you tomorrow night!

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

We now have 2016 calendars for sale!  Scouts are encouraged to sell these calendars for $10 with $4 going to their scout account. The BSA T648 Calendar is filled with beautiful photos from outings, Philmont and an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony. The calendars make a great Christmas present or stocking stuffer for friends and family. Please notify Kelli Demski at kdinaz@msn.com or 602-999-0138 to place your order or have your Scout pick some up at next week’s Scout meeting. Kelli can have them for you next Tuesday or delivered earlier if needed.

We also have Sport or Outdoor First Aid Kits for $12.00 each and a few large kits for $25.00, also great Christmas gifts. Scouts will make $s on sales of the first aid kits as well. Please let Kelli know what you need.

Finally, a big thank you to Kelli for putting together these great fundraisers!

See you soon.

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

If you haven’t been up to Sedona in a while (like me), I recommend you plan a trip soon. If you have been recently, then I’m guessing you are working on your plans to visit again soon (like me)!

Seven adventurous Scouts and Scouters participated in a backpacking trip through Loy Canyon in northwest Sedona. Our trip took us into the canyon, up the canyon walls and to our final destination on top of the rim and the tall pines. At a little over 5 miles in (10+ total) and nearly 2,000 feet of elevation change, it was a magnificent journey and one we won’t soon forget. I’m already planning to use my extra ‘Scoutmaster vote’ for next PLC Retreat and a return visit here!

The weather was perfect and everyone was more than capable of tackling the challenging trek. Thanks go to Alex D. for organizing and pushing the PLC to add a ‘Sedona backpacking’ trip to the calendar, to Bruce W. for providing adult support and to all the other attendees. A special shout out to Cameron C. for his humor and smile and Eric A. (first time camping with T648 and his first backpacking trip!) for his overall enthusiasm and positive attitude.

See you soon!

Scoutmaster T648