Hi again, long time no see.   I do believe I am getting caught up so hopefully things will start getting back to normal :-)
A couple quick reminders....
***Tonight, 2/28 at 7:00 is the Troop Committee Meeting.  If anyone would like to help out the troop "behind the scenes" please consider joining us.  We have plenty of room for fresh faces and fresh ideas!
**This Saturday 3/4 is the Pack 1 Blue and Gold dinner and crossover ceremony.  It starts at 2:00 at the Milton Community Center.  We will be welcoming new Scouts into our Troop family.
**Sunday 3/5 is the Troop Court of Honor and Recharter Celebration.  Set up will be at 6:30 with the Court of Honor beginning at 7pm.  Even if you are not getting any merit badges or earning a new rank we should all come celebrate those Scouts who are, plus there will be cake to celebrate our 104th recharter anniversary!
**Monday 3/6 will be the first Troop meeting with our new cross overs, it's a big day for them!  Monday is also the last day for summer camp deposits.  If you plan to attend summer camp this year please be sure you bring your $100 deposit to lock you into the lower camp fee of $420.

With summer camp coming up I will be going through medical forms in the next days and weeks.  Many need to be updated.  There is a link to the BSA Annual Medical Form on the website under "Links".  Remember that if a scout goes to summer camp forms A, B and C are required.  Forms A, B and C are also required for any adult who will be in camp for 72 hours or more.  Forms A and B are required for any troop activities including overnight camping and lock ins.  A Dr's signature is required on form C and on Form B if medication is needed.  Form D is also required for trips to any of the high adventure bases. (Summit Bechtel Reserve, Florida Sea Base, Northern Tier or Philmont Scout Reservation) I will be emailing everyone with the status of their Scout's medical form within the next couple of weeks.

I am also updating troop records in our new system so I will be asking you to fill out a contact information form.  Email addresses, cell phone and work numbers change and we often forget to update them with everyone who needs them.  Please take a moment to fill out the form and even email it to me so I can be sure to have correct contact information should we need it. 

I am working on some additions to the website that should be ready to upload soon.  I am working on a page about uniforms and the troop uniform policy with information about our little known about "uniform closet, information about youth leadership positions, adult volunteer positions and a list of responsibilities for each along with a troop organization chart.  I will also be working on an advancement section with sections on the rank requirements, how merit badges work and how Boy Scout advancement differs from Cub Scout advancement.  We will add a Life to Eagle section once council gets the new process sorted out.  Big happenings, so stay tuned.

Wow, I can't believe February is almost over!  I know that March can still be rough but spring will be here before we know it.

Just a few reminders:
Tomorrow, 2/28 7:00pm Troop Committee Meeting
Sunday, 3/5   Court of Honor    6:30 set up, 7:00 Court of Honor to begin
                      This is our annual recharter Court of Honor.  We will be celebrating 104 years of being continuously chartered with the BSUMC with                           a cake after the Court of Honor.  Please try to join us to celebrate this occasion and the achievements of your fellow scouts.
Monday 3/6    PLC    6:30
                       Troop Meeting 7:00    SUMMER CAMP DEPOSITS ARE DUE  $100
Sunday 3/12  Daylight Savings Time begins      spring ahead an hour!
NEW ADDITION...... Saturday, May 13    2:00  Stephen L. Eagle Court of Honor.  Set up will begin at 1:00

We have a new Scout.  When you see Louis T. be sure to give him a warm Troop 1 welcome!
***********
At tonight's troop meeting we will hold elections for the Order of the Arrow.  The Order of the Arrow (OA) is considered the National Honor Society of Scouting.  According to the OA national website, the purpose of the OA is to

• Recognize those who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and through that recognition cause others to conduct themselves in a way that warrants similar recognition.
• Promote camping, responsible outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship as essential components of every Scout’s experience, in the unit, year-round, and in summer camp.
• Develop leaders with the willingness, character, spirit and ability to advance the activities of their units, our Brotherhood, Scouting, and ultimately our nation.
• Crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.

A Scout is eligible to become a member of the OA if
1.  He is a registered member of the BSA
2.  While registered, in the 2 years prior to the election, he has camped for a total of at least 15 nights with a troop, including 1, but no more than 1, long term (5 consecutive nights) trip.
3.  He has achieved the rank of First Class, and must be elected by the youth members of the troop.

If elected, the candidate will be called out by the lodge at the spring camporee and will then have to attend a weekend "Ordeal" that stresses service and reflection.  More information about Ordeal weekends will be available to candidates who have been voted into the OA.  The Ordeal must be completed within 1 year of a candidate's election into the OA and only needs to be completed one time.

We have 3 Scouts who are eligible for the OA this year are, Andy H., Billy B., and Greg W.  Careful consideration should be used when voting in OA members.  It is not a question of popularity, but whether the eligible scouts best represent the Scout oath and law in their daily lives.  We will have members from Kittan Lodge (our local OA lodge) with us tonight to run the elections with our Troop's OA representative, Andrew R.  If you have any questions you can speak with the lodge representatives. Andrew, Mr Roby or any of the other OA members in our troop.  You can recognize them by their white sash with the red arrow.

See you tonight!

Well, you know how your routine changes and something doesn't get done as usual, then something comes up and something still doesn't get done and then you don't feel well and something goes even longer without getting done?  That is how I am feeling, but I am determined to get caught up.

I think I can skip the list of upcoming events today since emails are going out Sundays that I assume everyone is getting.  Everyone IS getting them, right?  I know some people are because I have gotten good feedback.  If you have no clue what I am talking about please let me know.

Big shout outs to Stephen L. who's paperwork is back from National.  Next time you see him congratulate him on being Troop 1's latest Eagle Scout.  We will share information about his Eagle Court of Honor as soon as we can.

 We have had 3 scouts advance in rank since the last time I wrote, Congratulations to Justin M., Billy B., and Kentaro T.

Tomorrow Feb. 8 is the 106th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.  We have all heard the story about American publisher William Boyce being lost in the fog in London in 1909 and getting help from a scout who refused a tip by saying that he was doing his daily good turn.  That incident so impressed and prompted William Boyce to incorporate Boy Scouts of America when he returned to the states.  The current mission statement of the BSA is "to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law."

This Sunday, Feb. 12 is Scout Sunday at the United Methodist Church which has been our chartering organization since 1913.  This year we will be continuing the tradition of having Scouts conduct the church service.  The church service begins at 10:00am and scouts should meet at 9:30 in the parlor to help set up.  Scouts should wear uniforms and be on their best behavior.

I think that is all for today.  Have a great week everyone!