Annual Planning Meeting - Goals/Activities

We had our annual Patrol Leader Council planning meeting today, and several good and notable things came of it, that all young men and parents should take note of:

1. Campouts - We made a goal to go camping every month, unless there is some other activity that would take precedence and require us to meet for a good part of the weekend. We plan on camping the third weekend of every month. We specifically planned to have 2 backpacking campouts (real camping) and 2 - 10 mile hike campouts (to help pass of requirements for those who would like the hiking MB).

2. Patrol Leader Council (PLC) - This is a monthly meeting for the leadership of the troop (SPL, ASPL, PL, APL, Scribe). This will be held every third Sunday at Brother Paulson's house at 9:00 am.

3. Free work time Scout/DTG - To also be held every third Sunday at Brother Paulson's house immediately following PLC at 9:30am. We will make sure to have Donuts or Pancakes or something. This will be an optional meeting where the YM can come together and work on lighter scout requirements individually or together, such as requirements that require writing or reading, and also to work on DTG. When I was a young man our scout meetings were from 7-9pm weekly. Currently, our meetings are held from about 7:15 - 8:15 (we start at 7:00 in opening exercises, which is not scout related). So, the YM in our troop get to work on scouts half the time that I did, which I see as a big disadvantage to them progressing towards Eagle, but there is also wisdom in this meeting time. Therefore, every third Sunday, the young men are welcome to come to Brother Paulson's house to work on requirements. There will be no formal plans. The only plans will be for the YM to bring stuff they want to work on, and to work on it and get it done. I, of course will, offer suggestions to them prior to coming. Any questions? Please let me know.

4. Scout Camp - We decided to go to Peaceful Valley again, but to Camp Deitler the week of June 22 - 27. The main difference between Deitler and Dobbins (the camp we attended last year) is that we will prepare our own food that will be provided. Getting time off work for me will be a little easier than it was last year; however, I still may not be able to attend the whole week. Therefore, if any fathers know that they can spare a day or two to go to scout camp, please let me know ASAP.

5. Service Projects - Our goal is to have a boy planned service project every quarter.

6. Fundraising - We will need to hold a fundraiser to help pay for scout camp. We brainstormed a few ideas. Does anyone out there have any other spectacular fundraising ideas? Please, please, please, let us know.

Upcoming events

Jan 15 - Patrol meeting/Campout plannig

Jan 22 - Patrol meeting/Camout planning

Jan 23/24 - Campout - more details forthcoming

Jan 29 - Cooking MB

Feb 5 - Combined Activity

Feb 12 - Cooking MB/Campout planning

Feb 15 - Patrol Leader Council (9:00am) and DTG/light scout work at Brother Paulson's house (9:30 - 10:30 am)

Feb 19 - Cooking MB/Campout planning

Feb 20/21 - Campout - more details forth coming

Feb 26 - Cooking/Disability Awareness MB

Mar 5 - Combined Activity

Mar 12 - Disability Awareness/Campout Planning

Mar 15 - Patrol Leader Council (9:00am) and DTG/light scout work at Brother Paulson's house (9:30 - 10:30 am)

Mar 19 - Disability Awareness/Campout Planning

Mar 20/21 - Campout - more details forthcoming

DUTY TO GOD

Did anybody use this as a help for completing Duty to God when I posted it in the past? If so, please post a comment here or send me an email to let me know. If it is helpful, I will be glad to resume and continue my efforts in posting a requirement each week. If it is not helpful, then I will discontinue. Thanks!

SCOUT SKI DAYS!!!

SAT DEC 20 - 6:00 am at Picadilly building; returning around 6:00 pm.

- Cost = $25 per lift ticket (please have money to Brother Paulson no later than SUN DEC 14). This cost is a GREAT deal considering lift ticket window prices will top $80 per day during the season.

- Please let Bro. Paulson know ASAP if you will be attending.

UPCOMING EVENTS

There have been a few changes to our upcoming activities. They are now as follows:

Thurs Dec 4 - Combined Activity - Christmas Party

Thurs Dec 11 - Basketball Practice

Tues Dec 16 - Combined Activity - Temple Baptisms

Sat Dec 20 - Scout Ski days

Thurs Dec 25 - Christmas - no activity

Thurs Jan 1 - New Years Day - no activity

Sat Jan 3, 10, 17, 31 - Basketball - Dorado Building

Thurs Jan 8 - Combined Activity (Possible basketball practice prior to mutual; Estimated time - 6:15 - this will be decided by the YM after our first basketball game. Possible other practices may occur on other Thursday evenings prior to mutual, if the YM decide they would like to have them.)

Thurs Jan 15 - Cooking Merit Badge - Opening exercises with 11 year old scouts

Thurs Jan 22 - Cooking Merit badge/plan possible campout

Fri/Sat Jan 23/24 - Klondike (the decision has not been made to attend, but it is being held this weekend)

Thurs Jan 29 - Cooking Merit badge, if needed, if not, Disability Awareness merit badge

Thurs Feb 5 - Combined Activity

Thurs Feb 12 - Disability Awareness MB - Opening exercises with 11 year old scouts

Thurs Feb 19 - Disability Awareness MB

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thur Nov 13 - Personal Fitness or Jacob Service Project

Sat. Nov 15 - Merit badge college and maybe Jacob Service Project

Thurs Nov 20 - Personal Fitness or Jacob Service Project

Thurs Nov 27 - Thanksgiving - no scouts

Thurs Dec 4 - Cooking Merit Badge

Thurs Dec 11 - Cooking Merit Badge

Tues Dec 16 - Combined Activity - Temple Baptisms

Sat Dec 20 - Scout Ski days

Thurs Dec 25 - Christmas - no activity

Thurs Jan 1 - New Years Day - no activity

Sat Jan 3, 10, 17, 31 - Basketball - Dorado Building

Thurs Jan 8 - Combined Activity

Thurs Jan 15 - Cooking Merit Badge (if needed), or start Disability Awareness merit badge

Thurs Jan 22 - Disability Awareness Merit badge/plan possible campout

Fri/Sat Jan 23/24 - Klondike (the decision has not been made to attend, but it is being held this weekend)

Thurs Jan 29 - Disability Awareness merit badge

Personal Fitness

We have worked on the Personal Fitness merit badge the last few weeks. Each boy has been assigned to outline a comprehensive 12 week fitness program and carry it out for 12 weeks, so that they improve on the personal fitness requirements in the merit badge, which are: mile run, push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and stretching. We did these tests a couple weeks ago, and each boy knows their starting points  (I also have them recorded). If they carry out the program they should be able to improve vastly. To receive the merit badge, the scout must improve in each area. I will follow up with the young men, but most likely parents will also need to make sure the YM are following through with the program they have prepared.

Also, for the Duty to God award, it asks that the young men outline a fitness program for a year. I recommend that they do this and pass off this requirement. I suggested that they make their three month program, and then just make a continuation of it for a year.

There are also a few requirements that each YM needs to do on his own, such as describing what the doctor asked them at a physical. Each young man should have a packet that describes the requirements, please help your son fulfill the requirements that they need to do on their own.