Boy Scout Troop 648 Scottsdale, Arizona

Hello Troop 648

Hope you are enjoying your Super Bowl weekend! The bad news has been the rain. The good news is the rain means SNOW! and Sunrise has seen plenty of it the last few days and just in time for our annual outing!

We will be departing at 5pm this Friday, Feb 6th returning Sunday, Feb 7th around 1-2pm. Please arrive at the church around 4:30-4:45pm so we can get an earlier start up the mountain.

We will be staying in a large cabin in Pinetop Country Club with plenty of space and an awesome game room featuring a regulation sized air hockey, table tennis and foosball!

Here is some important information:

• Please bring a sleeping bag, pad and pillow. There are a number of beds, though not everyone will be able to sleep on one. For those scouts that will be sleeping on a bed, we will use our sleeping bags and not sleeping in the bed so we can avoid the expense of cleaning the sheets.
• Please bring a bath towel for the shower. Same comment, trying to avoid some cleaning fees.
• If you are renting skis or a snowboard, you can save 20% by renting from Alpine Boardsports on Scottsdale road and Thunderbird. Navigate to www.alpineboardsports.com, click on the Rent tab, enter your info and use the following discount code for 20% off – Troop648. You don’t have to go to the shop if you don’t want to. You can take care of everything online. My only caution is make sure you are certain of your boot size.
• If you rent, please send me your rental information (what you rented) and your rental number. We will pick up ALL rentals from Alpine on Friday morning and return ALL rentals Sunday or Monday saving you both trips.
• We will be skiing one day, Saturday.  Saturday’s highlight will be Mr. Parizek’s Burgers and More Parking Lot Extravaganza!  An annual lunch tradition from noon to 1pm on Saturday.
• If your scout is new to skiing or snowboarding, please have them take lessons and let me know. The lessons typically include a ski lift ticket so you won’t have an added expense.
• The Beyer family has been kind enough to volunteer to make Saturday night’s dinner – Beyer’s Famous Arizona Chili!  This chili is the best and sure to fill the stomachs of our hungry crew.
• Remaining meals will include breakfast on both Saturday an Sunday.
• If you or your scout plan on attending, PLEASE email me immediately as we are close on seats and need an exact count asap.
• We will have a more accurate $ later this week as we determine final numbers.  For this trip, scouts will have gas, lodging, food, ski lift ticket, ski rental (if applicable) and Friday night dinner cash. Remember, your scout can also use funds from their scout account. Total trip expenses are historically in the $100-$120 range.
• Dress for 20-40ish during the day, 25-45 at night.  Remember sunscreen!!!! and remind your scout to stay hydrated.
• If you have any questions, please let me know.

Looking forward to seeing on the slopes!

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

Back from our monthly outing, this time to Mormon Lake, about 30 miles from Flagstaff.  Our intention was a fun winter outing combined with some cross country skiing.  Mission accomplished and then some!

10 Scouts and 3 adults braved temps in the low 20s at night, howling coyotes and a car traveling on fumes to notch another successful Troop 648 outing.

We arrived a little later than usual after scouting around the area for a campsite. We ended up about 2 miles north west of Mormon Lake Village and made camp among the pine needles and snow. This impromptu campsite also saved us $8 per scout (see Mr. Murphy this Tuesday for reimbursement).

Saturday we explored the shorelines of Mormon Lake (dry since the 80s, who knew!), played around on the ice, snow ‘boarded’ a snow covered mound, visited the local buffalo population and tried our hand at cross country skiing. All in all, a truly memorable outing. A very special shout out and thanks to our awesome outing organizers, Cullen Traynor and Patrick Murphy.  A job well done gentlemen!

Our next outing finds us traveling to Pinetop for another fun weekend in the snow, this time downhill skiing and snowboarding. More information to follow, but we will venture out Friday, February 6th, returning Sunday, February 8th.

See you on Tuesday!

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

For those of you attending this weekend’s outing, here are a few last minute reminders/info:

• Warm clothes with lots of layering
• Gloves, hats, boots, socks
• Warm sleeping bag(s)
• Sleeping pad
• Completed and signed outing form (you can find on the website)
• You can’t overpack enough warm layers!

If you need any of this gear, please let me know or borrow from a family member, friend or fellow scout.

Also, we will have final amounts at the church, but you will need money for the following:

• Patrol meals – usual price, but will probably be under $15
• Dinner tonight – up to you, but we will be stopping at the Anthem food court
• Gas and campsite rental – probably will be around $18 as we have to spend some $ on the campsite
• Cross country ski rental if you are planning to ski – $8 for Scouts, $10 for adults

Tonight’s low is expected to be 23, tomorrow is expected to be sunny, with a high of 47 and tomorrow night’s low should be 27.  0% chance of precipitation.  We have a great group of 9 scouts and 3 adults attending and it should be a awesome outing!

Scoutmaster T648

Ben Conrad’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor will be Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 4:00pm. The event will be held at Scottsdale Worship Center at 6508 E. Cactus Road.

Reception and dinner will follow the ceremony.

Invitations will be sent out, but please RSVP by emailing Mike Conrad at mickjeco@gmail.com if you know you will be there and let Mr. Conrad know how many guests will be with you.

Way to go Ben!

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

As a reminder, the Blessed Sacrament Rummage Sale and T648 Clothing Drive is tomorrow. Listed below are the Scouts that have confirmed their attendance. If you can help, but did not sign-up, just show up any time! Remember not only are we helping the church, but you will receive service hour credit.

Also, the Troop 648 Clothing Drive ends tomorrow so make that last push for clothes from your family, friends, neighbors etc.!  You can drop the clothes off any time Saturday, January 17th between 4:00pm and 6:00pm at Blessed Sacrament.

See you at the Rummage Sale!

Scoutmaster T648

Rummage Sale Shifts
6:30am – 8:30am – Nic S, Alex Demski, Kevin

8:30am – 10:30am – Nic S., Mr. Benyi, Mr. Conrad

10:30am – 12:30pm – Nic S., Cameron, Ryan

12:30pm – 2:30pm – Nic S., Zach R (maybe), Zane (maybe), Brian

***Save the Date***

Eagle Court of Honor for Ben Conrad to be held at Scottsdale Worship Center, January 31st at 1:00pm.  Invitations to come.

An Eagle Court of Honor is a very special event giving the troop, family and friends an opportunity to celebrate a Scout’s incredible achievement. Please be sure to attend!

Scoutmaster T648

Hello Troop 648

During our recent chuckbox refurbishment, we cleared out old gear that had become unusable. We have a few needs and are hoping most of the gear can be donated. So, here’s an early spring cleaning opportunity to clear out some of your kitchen cupboards! We are looking for new or gently used items. Our cookware is nonstick, so please no metal cooking utensils.  Thank you!

Gear List

• Cooking knives
• Knife sharpener
• Spatulas (non metal)
• Cooking pans including skillets and pots (nonstick)
• Aluminum foil
• COATED steel wool
• Non metal tipped tongs
• Hand sanitizer
• Lighters
• Plastic eating utensils
• Paper towels
• Salt Pepper
• Non reusable cups
• Reusable cups
• Dish soap
• Paper plates

Thank you!

Scoutmaster T648

Good morning,

A quick reminder to all scouts (2nd class and above) who are planning to attend the Personal Management merit badge class to have printed the worksheet and to arrive tomorrow night at 6PM at Blessed Sacrament for the initial session. It will also be helpful if you have obtained a merit badge booklet, and reviewed content and requirements for this 13 week (or more) long Eagle required merit badge. Once you have attained this merit badge, you will have enhanced your skills in many of the financial and time management capabilities required for success in today’s world.

See you there!

Mr. Cole

Troop 648 Scouts & Families,

Just a reminder there is just over a week left to gather clothing and textile items for the clothing drive (see below for a partial list). Please remind your friends and family. Posting on social media is a great way to increase participation.

This is a fundraiser to earn money for Scout accounts and the Scout that brings in the most will receive a $50 gift card from REI or the Scout Shop for an added bonus. Encourage everyone you know to clean out their closets and release those items they no longer use. Items can be in any condition. Wearable items will go to clothe those in need in Guatemala and any items not in good wearable condition will be recycled for other uses. Nothing goes to waste and it keeps textiles out of our landfills!

Thanks to Kelli Demski for organizing this great fundraiser!

Scoutmaster T648

Good evening,

One of the longer merit badges to achieve, but also one of the more useful in managing one’s financial worth in life, is the Personal Management Merit Badge. It is Eagle required, and takes a minimum of 3+ months to complete. Mr. Cole will be teaching this merit badge beginning 1/13 at 6PM. We will start with a kickoff session before the troop meeting, and will commence with independent study through a number of longer running activities such as a 13 week budget and the planning and shopping for a major family purchase. Due to the mature content and significant amount of work required to complete this badge, it is recommended that a scout be complete with second class before taking this course. Mr. Cole will begin collecting sign-ups at the troop meeting tomorrow night in preparation for next week’s class. Anyone interested should also look up and print the following PDF, which will serve as the worksheet for our sessions.

https://meritbadge.org/wiki/images/f/fa/Personal_Management.pdf

Although the worksheet will serve as our guide, the scout should also obtain a copy of the merit badge booklet from the troop library or the scout shop, as perusing the book will result in significantly better understanding of the many activities which must be completed during this class. I look forward to working with each of you who are ready, willing, and able to fine tune your own personal financial acumen.

See you at the troop meeting!

Mr. Cole