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May 2008
It is the Monday following our annual Scout dance. I was too tired to write this on Sunday!!! What a great time everyone had. The early indications are that the dance was a financial success as well. This was the last time that Melissa P. and Connie A. chaired this great event. On behalf of all of the parents, scouts and leaders I want to thank both of you (and of course your husbands) for the many hours you put in the preparation for this great event. About two thirds of all the prizes that we offered were solicited by Melissa and Connie – that doesn’t count rounding up the prizes donated by the troop families. All the time labeling the prizes and organizing all the other aspects of the dance are often gone unheralded but are critical to the troop’s future. You made that possible. We just cannot thank you enough for a job well done over the past three years.
Well the troop is about the boys and all the adventure and fun they pack into their time spent Scouting. We completed our first outdoor campout of the year at the annual “On To Eagle” Campout. Troops from all over the council take part in displaying Scouting to Webelos who are in the process of crossing over to Boy Scouts. Please read about the trip in our Scribe’s Journal by Jake R.
I am sure all of you know about the great summer we have lined up. First our Muskego Park Campout in June. This takes place June 18, 19, and 20. It is in the middle of the week which helps us avoid the crowded weekend conditions. Once again, this is the camp out to complete your swim test for Camp Tesomas. That saves us a lot of time on arrival day at camp. Also, it is one of the most important campouts for completing requirements for Tender Foot, Second Class and First Class that have to take place on a camp out. Our new scouts can just about complete their Tender Foot Rank by attending this camp out and that really helps them at Tesomas as well as jump starting their Scout advancement.
July brings us the highlight of a troop’s entire year – Summer Camp, often referred to as long term camp. Many of you have heard me sing the praises of Camp Tesomas over the years and even though this will be my twelfth year attending camp there, it has lost none of its allure for me. Preparations have been underway for several weeks now so that we can register the boys for their merit badge and advancement work on line prior to going to camp. This will again be another big time saver and allow the boys enough prep time to get any pre-requisites completed. Like everything in life, Camp is as good as you make it. Commit yourselves fully to the Tesomas Experience and you will have the time of your life. Parents, please help us with all the paperwork, health forms etc. that we need completed. If you have any questions about camp please contact me or stop down on a meeting night and one of the leaders will be glad to help you with any questions.
What makes 2008 something really – really special for troop 592? I am sure you all know the answer. Twenty boys and leaders will be taking the pilgrimage to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. I use this rather dramatic language to illustrate how special Philmont is to Scouting and anyone who gets the opportunity to experience it. It is no doubt that the people at Tesomas have modeled the Tesomas Experience after the Philmont Experience. But nothing can match the challenge and the adventure that awaits these twenty pilgrims at Philmont. It is truly Scouting’s Paradise. I just spoke to Bob A. dad at our dance and he was telling me about his trip to Philmont with Bob when he was a Scout. You would have thought it was last week. The memories were so fresh in his mind even though that trip took place many years ago. Your feet will hurt and your back will be killing you. Your legs will scream at times from the exertion but those things will only be part of your memories through the years. Philmont is as close as a Boy Scout can get to being a young Indiana Jones.
When we return, we will have a few weeks off but our Patrol Leader Council has already begun work on plans for the upcoming Scout year. Where will our adventures be next? Wherever our imaginations and our determination will take us.
I’ll See You on the Trail,
Mr. G.
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