Happy Thanksgiving Scouts and Scouters!

This Thanksgiving marks 388 years since 50 Pilgrims and 90 Wampanoag Indians celebrated their bountiful harvest of 1621 with a three-day feast and fellowship in which they gave thanks to God for their many blessings.

While this was the start of our modern-day tradition, it wasn’t until 1933 that president Franklin D. Roosevelt began celebrating thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November, prompting Congress to later proclaim this to be the official Thanksgiving holiday we celebrate today.

I would like to wish each of you a wonderful week of good food and great times shared with your family and friends while we give thanks for all of our many blessings.

Backpacking Campout

Our backpacking campout at camp Meisenbach was a lot of fun.

Over 30 Scouts and a dozen Scouters made base camp at Ram’s Bluff Friday night. There was a light drizzle but the Scouts had all their tents set up, a great cracker barrel, and were in for the night before the rain picked up.

Saturday morning the Scouts set out around the Governor’s Trail with the Trail-to-First-Class Scouts leading the way using a compass and topo map. Nearly five miles later they arrived at Kodiak camp where they built some very impressive shelters, cooked on backpacking stoves, and learned about water purification from Ben J. The Saturday Campfire was one of the most spontaneous, hilarious campfires I have seen in a long time.

Sunday morning the Scouts had an inspiring Sunday Service in the wilderness led by Mr. Roy C. and his Chaplain Aid, Will S, before a short hike back to base camp.

Congratulations to Ray P. and the Merv Patrol for being awarded Honor Patrol for their shelter, cooking, and patrol spirit.

Thank you to all the Scouters who helped make this campout a success!

Richardson Christmas Parade – December 5

Saturday, December 5th Troop 1001 will participate in the Richardson Christmas Parade. Watch your newsletter and this site for details.

Six Flags Service day – December 12

December 12th, will be our day of service and fun at Six Flags. We will start the day with a service project at Cottonwood Park. After a quick lunch we will head out to Six Flags for a day of fun. We will have a special group rate of $16.50 pp if we sign up this week. If your Patrol Leader hasn’t contacted you yet make sure to contact Mr. Goad ASAP and RSVP. Family is welcome to attend but parents must accompany non-scout children.

Court of Honor – December 15

Our Winter Court of honor will be held at the Trinity Bible Church on Tuesday, December 15th. There will be dinner, slide show, skits, and awards honoring the “Boys of 1001”. Watch this site and look for an e-vite with details.

Next Meeting – November 30 – Schedule your Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review NOW!

Our next meeting is Monday, November 30th. Make sure to bring your handbook so you can have requirements signed off. The Scouts plan to work on Trail-to-first-Class requirements, including personal fitness – Part II.

The Scoutmaster will be on-site at 6 pm for Scoutmaster Conferences. Don’t forget to schedule your Board of Review ASAP with the Committee Chairman. While Mr. Miller will always try to accommodate each Scout, it takes planning to make sure there are enough committee members available to sit on each BOR. All Scoutmaster Conferences and BORs MUST be complete by December 7th to receive your advancement at the December Court of honor.

Yours in Scouting,
Scoutmaster Payette