Boy Scout Troop 1001

Whoa! Is it really only six weeks until summer camp? It's time to sign up, not a moment to lose!

Summer camp is by far the fastest way to work through rank advancement requirements and to earn merit badges. Scouts can easily earn four merit badges during the week. Young scouts can check off requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class as well. Older scouts can work on the harder-to-get merit badges required for Star, Life and Eagle. All that and a boatload of fun, sometimes literally!

Summer Camp 2010 will be June 6-12 at Hale Scout Reservation near Talihina, Oklahoma. The location is cool, comfortable, and mosquito-free. For more information consult the HSR Leaders' Guide; it is written for adult leaders but has lots of information of interest to parents. Transportation will be by motor coach.

The cost for scouts will be $280, with a 50% deposit due by May 3 and the balance due by May 17. The cost includes transportation and meals. Scouts may also incur nominal fees for materials for some merit badges. (Fees can be determined from the HSR Merit Badge Guide.) Scouts will also want a little pocket money for the Trading Post. Financial hardship should never prevent an eager Scout from fully participating in troop activities. Parents with difficult circumstances should see Committee Chairman Doug Miller for alternatives, including fundraising, payment plans, and scholarships.

The bus has only 48 seats, and when they're gone, they're gone! So sign up right away by submitting your deposit of $140 to Treasurer Terry Watts (checks, as always, to "Troop 1001"). You should also submit a signed permission form. Finally, every scout attending summer camp must have a medical examination less than a year old on file. So schedule your physicals right away!

To help the troop get an early estimate of interest, we will be sending a summer camp Evite to your mailbox soon. Please take a moment to follow the link in it and give us your best guess of your plans: yes, no, or maybe.

More information on summer camp, geared especially for parents of first-time summer campers will be presented at a parent information session Monday, April 26 at 7:10 pm in Room 2 at TBC. If you're the parent of a young scout, please plan to attend.

A final preparation meeting for parents of all summer campers will be held Monday, May 24, at 7 pm in the sanctuary at TBC. Topics will include detailed packing instructions, collection of forms, how to maintain contact, transportation schedule, Q&A, and any last-minute instructions. All parents should plan to attend.

Adult Summer Campers Needed!

Many of the old-timers will be unavailable this year and we need some new volunteers to step in to make summer camp possible, especially parents of our first and second year Scouts. We need a minimum of six adults in attendance; preferably eight. Please consider spending a week in the cool Winding Stair Mountains of Southeastern Oklahoma. HSR has great amenities for adults including wi-fi Internet access, an air conditioned dining hall, a computer room, fishing boats for checkout, and an electrical outlet at the campsite. There are training opportunities all week long that will help you become an effective adult leader. Partial week attendance is possible. Cost for adults is $200, including transportation and meals. You'll need a medical examination (in the last 12 months), too. Please see Doug Miller, Tana Van Hamme, or Rick Goad for more information and to sign up.

Number one reason to volunteer for summer camp: it's the only time you'll ever be able to watch your son earn the Snow Sports merit badge in June!

Troop 1001 will be camping at Ken Raney's Ranch, Quail Alley, Near Breckenridge Texas, on the weekend of April 16-18, 2010. This annual event has long been a tradition for the troop and is always one of the best campouts of the year. Mr. Raney is a fantastic host and his ranch, also known as Quail Alley, offers everything necessary for an activity-packed weekend.

Scouts should be at the church parking lot no later than 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening in Class A uniform. We will be returning about 1:00 p.m. Sunday to the hospital parking lot across Campbell Road.

Update April 27, 2010: If you need to finish Weather, Oceanography or Reptiles/Amphibians merit badges please email Mrs. Goad at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 972-235-2390. We can discuss what you need to do to finish up your merit badge. Due to the swim test May 10th we will not meet at TBC.

Mrs. Joelle Goad has offered to help any scout finish Weather, Oceanography, or Reptile/Amphibian merit badge started at summer camp. She will be available Monday April 26 and May 10 from 6-7 PM at TBC.

Formal leadership training for boys starts with Oak Leaf, an overnight activity for Scouts 12 years of age or older and of First Class rank or higher, though Second Class scouts are sometimes accommodated. The May class is offered by the Great Plains District. Your last chance to take Oak Leaf for a while is May 1-2. You need to sign up this week to insure a spot in the class. See the Great Plains web site for details and registration information. Note that parents must register directly on the Great Plains web site. Troop 1001 does not manage registration.

Have you partially completed the Communications, Citizenship in the World, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the Community or the First Aid Merit Badge? Then now is your chance to work through those last few requirements.

Communications Merit Badge: Mrs. Kim Lofley, 214-793-6131 will be available April 5 and 12 at 6:00 PM to help any scout who has started and not completed the MB.

Any of the Citizenship Merit Badges:  Mrs, Tana VanHamme, 469-374-0997, will be available, April 5 and 12 at 6:00 PM to help any scout has started and not completed any of these 3 MB's.

First Aid Merit Badge: Mr. Mike Reisinger, 972-907-8949, will be available, April 5 and 12 at 6:00 PM to help those scouts who have started  and not completed First Aid MB.  Please call or email, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to schedule for a Monday.  He can only handle 3 scouts on a Monday.

Bonus! Camping Merit Badge coming up soon: In addition, Mr. Rogge Heflin, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , will have class April 19 and 26 for any scout wanting to work on Camping MB.

Members of the 2010 Philmont treks participated in a COPE course at Camp Wisdom March 26-28, 2010 where Scoutmaster Payette took a leap of faith from the "Power Pole."

Mr. Reisinger asks that scouts who need to finish the First Aid merit badge make an appointment with him to complete the requirements. Many who took the class in January and February still need to check off first aid kit inspection and demonstrating CPR, among other requirements.

Appointments will be on Monday nights with only a few slots each evening to ensure each candidate gets the attention he deserves. Please email Mr. Reisinger to request a date.

It's the time of the year to start selling tickets for the annual Scout Show. They will be distributed at the March 22 meeting but are available now from Mr. Mike Saverline. If you want to get a head start before other scouts beat you to the sale, contact Mr. Saverline at 972-231-4149.

Remember that proceeds from the sale of tickets go to your personal account with the troop and may be used to pay for summer camp, dues, or even camping equipment.