Boy Scout Troop 648 Scottsdale, Arizona

Wet… that’s it… nothing else.

Okay, maybe we can do a little better than that. Our troop headed up to the White Mountains on Friday night and we had our meal in Payson. Once we got up to the house in Show Low, we had a bit of a wait as the deadbolt lock wasn’t opening for us. After some time, an alternative ingress was found and all got prepared for skiing the next day.

On Saturday morning, we had a quick breakfast of pastries and caravaned up the mountain. On the drive up, as we got near 9,000 feet, we all got excited to see the snow start to fall. Once we got to the resort, we found out a couple of things:

1. The falling snow was very wet.
2. We were there during the THROWDOWN @ SUNRISE PARK RESORT. What this meant was that DJs would be playing loud music at the bottom of the hill ALL DAY! (our scouts may have enjoyed this more than this reporter).

Regardless of these things, the scouts and adult leaders got their passes and made for the runs. The good news is that after a bit of a rise in elevation on the lifts, the wet snow changed (the music also got a bit more bearable but I digress). The bad news is that it was a bit more like small hail/graupel. A bit of wind and the graupel would sting your face as you’d be going up the hill on the lift. Those that didn’t have masks found that their gloves would provide some level of protection from the abuse.

For lunch, Mr. Parizek did his usual wonder work on the grill with burgers and brats. He even finally had a reason to use the instant canopy as it had now changed to rain down in the parking lot. Many a skier was relieved to see the parking lot food and accommodations.

Some of our troop felt they’d had enough skiing for the day and some felt they weren’t wet enough and went back out for a few runs after lunch. The beatings by the hard snow and the wind had our troop leave a little earlier than when the resort closed for the day.

We retreated back to the house in Show Low wet and tired. Quick showers and a change of clothes were a welcome relief for all. For dinner, Mr. Parizek had a few of the scouts help with making chili, cornbread, salad and pudding. There were some games of hide and seek and cards afterwards.

Sunday, we awoke to snow and not that wet stuff that we had on the slopes. This was the dry snow that dreams are made of! Our scouts had trouble getting ready for our trip back down to the valley as they wanted to have a snowball fight.

I’m sure that many of our scouts would have loved to have spent at least another hour playing in the snow but it was time for us to head back to the warmth of Phoenix. The weather led to a very foggy decent down the rim but all returned to Phoenix relatively intact.

Another fun snow outing albeit a very wet one!

Hi Scouts,

We’re looking forward to a great outing at Dead Horse Ranch this weekend. We will meet at the church at 5 p.m. this Friday and plan to leave by 6 p.m. If everyone is on time, we can leave earlier. We should be back by 12 p.m. on Sunday.

See you Friday,
Stephan

Greetings!

This is a friendly reminder that we will be holding our March Parent/Committee Meeting tomorrow, Tuesday 3/3 at 7pm in the Conference Room at the front of the CCC campus. This meeting will take place at the same time as the regular Troop meeting.

Agenda items for this meeting will include the upcoming Pancake Breakfast, along with a discussion about Summer Camp.

All parents, guardians, and leaders are welcome to attend.

Thanks,

Jacob R Benyi – T648 Committee Chair

Troop 648,

I received several questions about the recent headlines that the BSA is filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection. There is a great letter I would like to share with you from the Grand Canyon Council CEO, Andy Price.

Today, the national organization of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to achieve two key objectives: equitably compensate victims who were harmed during their time in Scouting and continue to carry out Scouting’s mission for years to come.

 I want to highlight important points that are most relevant to Grand Canyon Council:

• Grand Canyon Council has not filed for bankruptcy. Our Council is legally separate, distinct and financially independent from the national organization.

• Scouting programs will continue. This means that unit meetings and activities, district and council events, other Scouting adventures and countless service projects will take place as usual. In short, we expect no changes to the local Scouting experience in the state of Arizona.

• Scouting is safer now than ever before. Over many years, we’ve developed some of the strongest expert-informed youth protection policies found in any youth-serving organization. I can also assure you that our volunteers and employees take youth protection extremely seriously and do their part to help keep kids safe.

• Restricted donations – past, present or future – can only be used for their designated purpose. In addition, Friends of Scouting (FOS) and other annual donations made to our Council will continue to fund necessary day-to-day expenses that are critical to local Scouting programs.

While we do not anticipate the national organization’s bankruptcy filing will have any direct impact on the local Scouting experience or your involvement with our Council, I understand you may still have questions about these issues and things you will see in the news. To that end, the national organization has established a dedicated restructuring website, www.BSArestructuring.org. 

This site includes a helpful Resources page, where you will find a short video explaining what Chapter 11 means for Scouting, as well as a FAQ. The site’s Milestones page will be your best source for the latest updates throughout this process. 

If you have any questions about local Scouting, you can always feel free to reach out directly to me or your usual contact within our Council. 

Through your engagement and dedication to Scouting, Grand Canyon Council will continue to bring adventures, values and lifelong benefits to youth and our communities for generations to come. Thank you for your trust and support as we continue this important mission.

The bottom line is that the day to day operations of our Troop and the Leadership’s dedication to fun, growth and safety of our Troop is as strong as before. There will be no change to how we currently do business as a Troop. Please let me or Jacob Benyi know if you have any further questions about this.

Here’s another link that may also explain it well for those that want more info: https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2020/02/18/the-boy-scouts-of-america-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy-heres-what-that-means-for-you/

Mr Blair

Scoutmaster Troop 648

hornetdermdoc@gmail.com

Thank you again to all the adults and Leaders who rallied last night in order to complete 4 Boards of Review. The Scouts are certainly lucky to have such a dedicated team of Leaders and Mentors. Just a quick reminder that the COH will be next week in the Chapel. Please sign up on Scoutbook and under comments please list a small snack or drink that you will be able to bring. See everyone next week.

Mr Blair

Dear Troop 648 Scout Families:

It’s that time of year!  While it is only February, April 25^th will be here before you know it!  For those of you new to the troop, this means our Annual Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction – Troop 648’s largest fundraiser of the year.  The Scouts really need your help and support to make this a success.  

Date:                 Saturday, April 25, 2020

Time:              7:00 am – 10:30 am

Location:      Chaparral Christian Church

                             6451 E. Shea Boulevard

                             Scottsdale, AZ

We all know that “many hands make for light work!” 

Patrol Baskets: 

Jody Achor is the parent in charge of working with patrols on their Patrol Baskets.  An email will be sent outlining what is needed to make the patrol baskets a success.  Patrol Baskets are a huge success so let’s keep the tradition of excellence going! Please refer to her email if you have any questions. 

Silent Auction Items:

We have a team of parents working together to prepare the Silent Auction.  Barbara Starr is the main contact leading up to the Auction as she has much experience in this arena. Barbara can be reached via email at barbarastarr@aol.com if you have any questions.

Scouts are encouraged to solicit or donate items to be included in the Silent Auction.  In years past Scouts have been very successful in soliciting donations (gift certificates, goods and services) from local area restaurants, shops and service providers.  Last year we even had artwork donated to auction. The ideas are endless….tickets to sporting events, hotel stays, concerts, music lessons. 

Please find two attachments to this email. The first is the donation request letter.  I would suggest having your son practice his “spiel” prior to entering a business.  Use this letter as a guide to solicit donations.  The second attachment is a donor tax deduction form that you give to the business once they agree to make a donation.  This letter (which is on T648 letterhead and includes the 501(c)3 number) is usually a key factor and often essential when trying to procure donations.  Make several copies of these to hand out.  Last but not least, be sure your Scout wears his clean class A uniform when he plans to solicit donations.

Please be aware that we are not able to accept alcoholic beverage items or tobacco products as auctions items.  It is against BSA policy. 

Auction items will be displayed for silent bidding during the event.  Scouts will receive a percentage of the purchase price for each item they secure or donate.  Funds raised will go directly to their individual Scout accounts. Their Scout account funds can be used to pay for Scout related items such as summer camp, new uniform items they grow out of, camping equipment, etc. 

***New this year – Marketing Display.  In keeping with the spirit of “many hands make for light work,” we are requesting support from all families who secure auction items for help in creating the display.  Each auction item has an 8 x 10 marketing display that fits in a frame and a bid sheet on the table.  We are asking you to create the 8 x 10 marketing display to garner attention and make bidders excited enough to bid on your item.  This display can include photos, menus if for a restaurant, logos, ticket details, be on color paper or anything you come up with to make an eye-catching marketing display.  It should be on an 8 x 10 paper that can be inserted into the display frame.  You do not have to make bid sheets and these will be printed for you.

As you received your donated items please bring them to the upcoming Scout meetings.  We will gather the items in preparation for the auction by creating bid sheets in advance.    

THE HARD DEADLINE FOR COLLECTING AUCTION ITEMS & MARKETING DISPLAYS WILL BE TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020.  

Pancake Breakfast Wish List Items:

If you wish to make a donation to the pancake breakfast the troop would appreciate gift cards to Wal-Mart, Target and Costco.  This will allow the committee to purchase items like plastic ware, paper plates, napkins, etc.  

Our imminent need will be commitments to help set up on the evening prior to the breakfast (Friday, April 24th in the evening) and the morning of Saturday, April 25th. Please ink this into your schedule and look for more emails to come outlining what we may need.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Jody Achor

310-710-8020

rspmdja@aol.com

Court of Honor is just 2 weeks away. I was completed 3 Scoutmaster Conferences and have 1 more this weekend. We will potential need 12-14 adults at the next Troop meeting (2/18/20) for the 3-4 Boards of Review that will need to take place prior to the COH. All available Adults are asked to be at the next meeting so we have enough people around for the Scouts’ Rank Advancement Boards. Thank you in advance. See you all next week.

Scoutmaster Troop 648

A quick reminder that I have 2 Scouts signed up for the Swim/Aquatics rank advancement session at my home this weekend – 2/15/20. The time has been pushed to 1:00PM. I need a final yes by Friday. I would also like a couple of senior Scouts and a couple of adults to help supervise. Please respond to me directly at hornetdermdoc@gmail.com

Mr Blair

Troop 648,

Thanks to Isaac and Mr Carson, we will be having an Orienteering course this Saturday – 2/8/2020 at 10:00. It should last 2-3 hours. The group will gather near the usual meeting room area. Please let Mr Carson know if you plan to be there, so that he can start on time once everyone gets there. His e-mail is: charlie@crsn.net

This Saturday, from 10 AM to 12 AM, we will have an opportunity to go over First Class Rank Requirement 4a, which is stated below:

“Using a map and compass, complete an orienteering course that covers at least one mile and requires measuring the height and/or width of designated items (tree, tower, canyon, ditch, etc.).”

This is open to all scouts that want to get this done as a group. You can also request to do this on your own at a later time. The course takes at least an hour to complete. We’ll meet near where we hold our meetings at 10:00 AM. Please read the navigation portion of your Boy Scout Handbook if you haven’t already.

Bring your compass and a pencil.