Webelos Jam-o-ree

Webelos Jamboree is September 12-14th. Troop 4 is signed up to run an Obstacle Course.

Arrive at ETC at 4:30 pm on Friday, September 12th. We will leave at 5 pm sharp. We'll return to ETC on Sunday, September 14th. Bring a bag lunch for Friday's dinner.

Cost: $15

We need to have everyone signed up at the September 9th troop meeting.

Webelos Ambassadors

We need some volunteers to talk with the Webelos at Bethesda, Summit View, and other schools to tell them about the Troop and invite them to Troop Meetings and Troop/Webelos events.

Troop Elections

We will be voting on new Troop Leadership at the September 23rd meeting. If your interested in a position, please get us your name and the position by September 19th so we can get your name on the ballots.

SJN Brunch - Service Opportunity

September 28, 2008

There is another service opportunity at St. John Neumann helping with a Sunday Brunch. We'd be working from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm -- serving and cleaning up. Scouts would earn service hours.

Court of Honor

We're looking at having a Court of Honor on September 28, 2008 at St. John Neumann's. The Court of Honor would start after they finished working the Sunday Brunch.

The Scouts will be planning the Court of Honor as part of the requirements for the Communications Merit Badge.

Fundraising

The Wreath sale started September 1. The Popcorn sale starts October 3. Forms are due back to the troop on October 21. Scouts will earn a 40% commission on their sales. The troop takes NO MONEY from their wreath or popcorn sales -- it all goes into their scout accounts.

A reminder: Summer Camp in 2009 will cost about $500 (including travel expenses).

Goals: We've set some goals this year to help you earn a good portion of their summer camp fees. Scouts that reach their goals will get a prize! :) The goals are: $300 in wreath sales and $200 in popcorn sales. $500 in sales @ 40% commission would put $200 in your scout account. If you want to earn enough to cover summer camp you need to sell $1250 of product.

Summer Camp

Because of the amount of planning that needs to be done, we're starting to promote summer camp now.

Camp Fees

Whether you're going to Long Lake or the Black Hills, the Camp Fees will be the same. (There will be Transportation Fees if you're going to the Black Hills and are detailed below.)

The deadlines for Camp Fees are as follows:

Snow Bird Discount -- $220 Camp Fee -- Due by February 10, 2009
Early Bird Discount -- $240 Camp Fee -- Due by May 12, 2009
Regular Price -- $250 -- Due by June 16, 2009
At the Door -- $280

Webelos Crossing Over -- $220 -- Due by June 16, 2009

Adults -- $100 -- Due by June 16, 2009

Second Week at Camp -- $185 -- Due by June 16, 2009

Black Hills

We will be going to the Medicine Mountain Scout Ranch in South Dakota. ALL scouts -- even newly crossed over -- can go. Any and all parents who are interested are welcome and will be given a significant discount on the trip. The total cost is $550 for the scouts (this includes the Camp Fees of $250 and Transportation Fees of $300).

Transportation Fees are estimated at $300. If there is a significant change, we may ask for additional money after Summer Camp.

By October 1, 2008 -- We need to know (by name) the scouts and parents interested in going. This is for planning purposes.

When you Sign Up for the Black Hills, a $100 non-refundable deposit will be due. The balance of the Transportation Fees will be due along with the Camp Fees as detailed above.

Rarin' To Go Discount -- $255 Transportation Fee -- Deposit due by November 1, 2008
Get Up 'n Go Discount -- $270 Transportation Fee -- Deposit due by December 1, 2008
Wagon's Movin' Discount -- $285 Transportation Fee -- Deposit due by January 1, 2009
Regular Price -- $300 -- Due by June 16, 2009
At the Door -- $350

Here's the calendar for the trip:
Thursday, July 2 -- Pack the trailer, including the majority of the personal gear
Friday, July 3 -- Leave ETC early (around 8 am). Sleep at the western edge of Minnesota
Saturday, July 4 -- Travel day. Stay overnight in the Badlands.
Sunday, July 5 -- Enter Medicine Mountain camp
Saturday, July 11 -- Leave Medicine Mountain camp
Sunday, July 12 -- Travel day
Monday, July 13 -- Return to ETC in the late evening

Camp Long Lake

Not sure you want to go as far as the Black Hills? Have a Webelos crossing over and it's their first time at summer camp and they don't want to go that far? As an alternative to going to the Black Hills or if you want to go to a second week of camp, we have signed up to be at Camp Long Lake the week of July 26 through August 1.

Scouts are more than welcome to attend BOTH the Black Hills and the Camp Long Lake summer camps. If you do attend both, the week at Long Lake is only $185!

Coed Camporee

October 10-12, 2008
This year's theme: Pirates Weekend & Competition

This Co-ed Camporee is held with Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troop at Harnischfeger Park in Oconomowoc. There are a ton of activities during the day and a dance that night.

Arrive at ETC at 4:30 pm on October 10. We'll leave ETC at 5 pm. Returning to ETC on October 12 around noon.

Cost: $25

Bring a bag lunch for Friday dinner. Permission slips are due back by September 23rd.

Webelos Day Outing

Mark your calendars... It's time for the Webelos Day Outing.

When: October 29, 2008 - meet at ETC before heading to Lapham Peak at 8:00 am
Where: Lapham Peak

In addition to the other fun activities the scouts will be planning, we will be having a Leave No Trace presentation while at Lapham Peak.

Look for more information and permission slips as we get closer. This year there are a bunch of Webelos II that will be looking at the Troop as an option for when they crossover. Let's make this a fun day for everyone!

Planning

We're rapidly running out of activities for the year! Our planning lock-in will be October 29th after the Webelos Day Outing. Start thinking of ideas for things you'd like to do next year. Drop your ideas into the box at a troop meeting and we'll make sure to include it in the list during the lock-in.

Ideas for activities: Overnight at the museum or zoo. Going on a cave tour. Hiking in Kettle Moraine State Park.

Things to remember: Next year's summer camp will be in South Dakota. Creep-O-Ree is in November, we are planning to go. Other Districts and Councils sponsor camping events -- we can always go to one of those.

Creep-O-Ree

November 7-9, 2008

Creep-O-Ree is fast approaching. This year's theme is a Beach Blast! There will be a cooking contest -- a “clam bake” dessert contest. Start thinking about how to decorate the campsite for the Campsite Decorating Contest. There'll be a Beach Blast Themed Costume Contest. And a Flashlight Scavenger Hunt.

Permission slips will be available at the October Troop Meetings.

Winter Cabin Camp

January 9-11, 2009

We have reserved our cabin at Long Lake for the winter cabin camp. Any scout interested in trying for Polar Bear and camping outside needs to see Mr. Schramke BEFORE that weekend to go over outdoor winter camping requirements and show they know what to do.

Fox River Cub-o-Ree

January 24, 2009

They are looking for volunteers to help run the events at the Cub-o-Ree on January 24, 2009. Think you might be interested in helping? Let Mr. Danner or Liz know.

New Uniforms

Lead the Way in your high-performance gear!

The Scout Uniform is changing. There are new options and new features. New fabrics for pants and shirts. New pockets on the shirts. New belts. New colors -- Boy Scouts now have forest green shoulder-loops and numerals.

The new uniforms will be available for purchase starting August 15th.

Check it out at BSAUNIFORMS.ORG

But what about my old uniform? The current uniform (shirts, pants and red colors) can still be worn. The red shoulder-loops and numbers can only be worn on the OLD STYLE SHIRTS. The pants are still good no matter what.

Note: the Troop will give you your first set of green shoulder-loops and numbers.

2009 Philmont Scout Ranch Expedition

The Council has made reservations for 24 scouts to participate in a Philmont Trek next year. The dates are July 1 to July 15, 2009.

Who can go: scouts who are 14 by January 1, 2009, or have completed the 8th grade and are at least 13 by June 25, 2009.

Cost: $1,220

This is not a Troop activity. If you are interested, you will go with the Council as part of their group. A Philmont trek is physically, mentally and emotionally demanding. Participants will carry a 35-50 pound pack for 10 days at altitudes from 6,500 to 12,500 feet.

That said, the scouts who go always have a blast.

Applications are available. Ask at a troop meeting.

For more information contact the Council Philmont Coordinator: Steve Akins: 262-246-6107 or email.