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. (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 2009!

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.

Survivorman at Parker Family Fair 2009

This year for the Parker Family Fair, Troop 16 will be making a big showing and will be teaching Survivorman Challenge techniques to kids and families.

By participating, Scouts can work on advancement in one of two ways:

1. Service Hours will be granted for this event.
2. This event counts toward Requirement #7 from Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge.

The Parker Family Fair is held along Mainstreet, between the LDS Church and the City Building. The theme is Emergency Preparedness, so we thought we’d contribute by demonstrating emergency preparedness in a backcountry situation.

If we have enough adults and Scouts participate, we’ll be doing the following stations – taught straight from our Survivorman Challenge prep materials:

• Cooking and Fire Safety
• Signaling
• 10 Essentials (with handouts)
• Lashing and shelters
• Water Treatment
• The Pyschology of Survival

Please make time to be at this important event. It runs from 10am to 3pm on Saturday August 22nd. Contact Mr. Coleman, if you want to help run a section of the exhibition.

MAP OF LOCATION

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 D., Clark F. and Tyler T. 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.  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 for the October college.

Call or email Mrs. Denton for more information or for suggestions one which are good badges to take at these college.

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.

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.  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