Winter Sports Safety Pronouncement

While it is the end of August and school is just beginning, we would like to advise you of a change to the Winter Sports Safety section of the Guide to Safe Scouting,

In the past, Section 3 stated that “Suitable clothing for the activity and environment should be worn at all times, and equipment should include gloves and helmets when appropriate.”

However, as of this year the following change has been made to the Guide to Safe Scouting.

“Appropriate personal protective equipment is required for all activities. This includes the recommended use of helmets for all participants engaged in winter sports such as sledding and other sliding devices. The use of helmets is required for the following activities: downhill skiing, snowboarding, and operation of snowmobiles (full-face helmets).”

 

JLT This Saturday 9am - 2pm

The Junior Leader Training will be held this Saturday, August 29th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at Mr. Abell’s home at 11668 S. Cormorant Circle, Parker, CO 80134. (Set-up will begin at 8:30 am.)

All new Troop Leaders (Patrol Leaders, Asst Patrol Leaders, Historian, Librarian, Quartermaster’s Aide, Chaplain’s Aide, Scribe, SPL, ASPL’s, etc.) are strongly encouraged to attend this event.  We will be teaching  leadership skills and going over Mr. Abell’s leadership expectations for the coming term, as well as position-specific leadership.  The boys will cook lunch on a patrol stove for all in attendance, and clean up. 

All ASM’s, Mrs. Denton, Mr. Ahrens, and any interested parents are encouraged to attend and help support this leadership team in this training.  Please email or call Mr. Abell if you are planning to attend no later than this Thursday, so we can pick up sufficient food and supplies for the training.

Popcorn Time!

First we have Show ‘N Sell time slots to fill.  If you would like to work any of the following times, please contact Mr or Mrs Farrar.

• Sunday Aug 30 - 1-3pm and 3-5pm at the Stroh Ranch King Soopers
• Sunday Aug 30 - 4-7pm at the Lincoln King Soopers
• Saturday Sept 5 - 4-7pm at the Lincoln King Soopers
• Sunday Sept 6  -  4-7pm at the Lincoln King Soopers
• Saturday Sept 12 - 4-7pm at the Lincoln King Soopers
• Sunday Sept 13 - 3-5pm at the Stroh Ranch King Soopers

 Important Dates for Scouts to know:

•             October 13 - ALL orders are due to Mr or Mrs Farrar
•             November 7 - Popcorn delivery (times to be announced later)
•             November 24 - Money is due NO later than this date

 Important Information for Scouts to know:

1. The popcorn products do not have any peanuts (they do use other types of nuts in some products)
2. They now have two levels of Military popcorn ($25 or $40).  Trail’s End will gather the orders for the popcorn and send a variety to our troops around the world!!
3. If you like to pop your own kernels instead of getting microwave popcorn, you may order a $10 tin of popcorn. It is not listed on the sales form, but you may make a note on your order form and we will get that ordered.
4. If you loved that bow and mallow shooter, you have two ways of earning it!  First, be the troop’s top seller and it is yours!  Second, when you fill two sheets with sales, you have earned one from Denver Area Council!
5. Now for the best part of this year’s popcorn sales, each scout will earn 20% of their popcorn sales for their Scout Account!  You can use the money in this account to purchase scouting equipment, pay for campouts or even a high adventure trip. 

Remember each scout is expected to participate in every fundraiser for the troop.  So, get out there and sell that popcorn!!

Well Done at Parker Family Fair

Well done, to all the Scouts and Adults who participated in the Survivorman at the Parker Family Fair.  I think we made a strong showing, particularly with our new Banner from Brian Hardy and family.

While its not clear that we “taught” very many people, in our nice shady area its clear that we gave off a “Living History” kind of image that can only be good for Scouting and the Troop.

And, the boys who came were able to get credit for either Emergency Preparedness or Community Service hours… and eat free hotdogs.

If you participated and didn’t check in with Mrs. Denton in the morning, be sure to send her an email with your start and stop times.

September Camp Out

In September, we have decided to take advantage of what we hope to be a beautiful month with a Backpacking Trek in the James Peak Wilderness. The September Camp Out sign-ups are now posted and may be accessed by clicking here.

Three Troop 16 Eagles!!!

August 6th, 2009 was a great night for the Troop as three outstanding young men completed the final step in their Eagle Scout Journey. 

Steve Denton, Clark F. and Tyler Thomas all passed their Eagle Boards of Review. 

To sit on their boards, we brought back a number of old timers from Troop 16, a T16 Eagle who just turned 21 a couple of days ago, and the Mayor and Town Attorney - all were mighty impressed with the quality of these Scouts and their projects. 

Steve’s project involved building an outdoor classroom for his former elementary school.  Clark’s put bleachers at the Double-Angel Foundation ball fields.  And, Tyler’s collected thousands of children’s books and gave them to kids at an under-resourced elementary school in a different district.  There can be no doubt, they have made an impact!

What a proud evening for all.  Seems like just yesterday they were the little guys in the troop, and look at them now!

Arapahoe Merit Badge College

Arapahoe District is offering a Merit Badge College on 9/12/09 in Highlands Ranch.  Please click on this link for more information and to register:  http://www.arapahoedistrict.org/registration/calendardetail.asp?orgkey=1772&ActivityKey=467677 .  Registration opened on 7/15/09, so register right away before the classes fill up.   Other upcoming colleges are:  Centennial District on 10/10/09 and Valley District on 11/14/09.  Registration is not open yet; check back on this link for the October college:  http://www.centennialdistrict.com/openrosters/view_homepage.asp?orgkey=1773 .

Call or email Mrs. Denton for more information or for suggestions one which are good badges to take at these college; 303/840-7201 or dentonpl@aol.com

Water low, but runnable so far

For this weekend’s campout we’re keeping an eye on the Arkansas River levels.  Earlier this year the river was often running at frightening levels.  That is no longer the case.  The minimum runnable level in CFS (cubic feet per second) is about 600 cfs. 

Right now the river is at about 650-670 cfs.  Its been at this level now for a couple of weeks.  It isn’t likely to go up, but we have no forecast of river levels for this weekend.  So it could go down.  If so, we’ll have to deal with the rafting company for a refund.

The good news, however, is that the river won’t likely be as challenging as it would have been just a month ago.  That will make some happy, and others not.

Track it yourself at http://www.eddyflower.com/CountryDetail.aspx?StateId=1  - select Browns Canyon as a good guide.

Elections

Troop,

We will be having elections on August 18th for Senior Patrol Leader and Patrol Leader.

To be considered for a position, each Scout must send Mr. Coleman an e-mail at prescottcoleman@live.com.  In addition to the elected SPL and PL positions, we will need a Scribe, Historian, Chaplain’s Aide, Veteran Gear Coordinator, Quartermaster, Librarian, and a Troop Guide.  You can find Position Descriptions on the website.

We will also need Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders.  Den Chiefs and Instructors are special positions for which there is an interview process. Please send me a note if you want to be considered.

Mr. Coleman

FIRST AID TRAINING

Basic First Aid & CPR

In order to fulfill BSA guidelines, we MUST have CPR/First Aid certified adults on every campout. If you are already certified, please make a copy of your card and give it to our training coordinator, Mrs. Farrar, at a troop meeting or email it to her at farrarfamily4@comcast.net. If you are not certified, please consider taking one of the following classes. Our troop will pay 1/2 of the cost of this class for adults (not scouts); just turn in your receipt to the treasurer.

The South Metro Fire Protection District offers 2 classes here in Parker for $60. The 1st class is done entirely in the classroom at the headquarters building, 10235 Parkglenn Way. This is the class I would suggest if you have never been certified before or if you are taking the class with your son (12 or older suggested). The other option is best for those of you who have been certified in the past. You do the coursework online and then do the 3 hour CPR portion in the classroom.

The link to sign up and pay for either of these classes is:

 http://foundation.parkerfire.org/index.cfm?secid=Classes&sectid=53&gid=2&cgnam=CPR/First%20Aid

Please consider taking one of these classes as soon as possible. This is one training every adult and scout should have!

Wilderness First Aid

Scouters and Senior Scouts,

On September 19th and 20th we have arranged to have the Wilderness First Aid course taught specially for troop leaders and senior scouts. This is a serious 16 hour training that teaches what to do in emergency situations when professional first responders aren’t available. As a High Adventure Troop, I strongly urge each of our leaders to put this training on their calendars. We should have several adults and older Scouts trained.

The cost is cheap at only $75 per person. Though not every adult has to have it, having some leaders trained is required for Philmont in 2010. Our troop will pay 1/2 of the cost of this class for adults (not scouts); just turn in your receipt to the treasurer. Go to this website if you want to sign-up: http://amedteam.fredf.org/firstaid7?new .

Contact Mrs. Denton denton@aol.com or Mrs. Farrar farrarfamily4@comcast.net if you have questions.