This page is dedicated to answering some of those questions that come up with the "New Guys" and their Parents. 

UPCOMING EVENTS - and what I really need to know about them- as a First Year Scout.

BASIC Q&A STUFF:
The jump from Cubs to Scouts is a big one. Not only for the Scout but for the Parents as well. Camping as a Scout will be a big difference for you and your Scout, but we feel it will be a rewarding one - if it is done right. 

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU - NOW:
Right now what we need from all new Scouts is to make sure that your BSA application is filled out properly and turned back into us. We will have applications at the meetings if you have not received one. We also need Medical forms filled out and signed. We need to have both of these items before your Scout can camp. See Mr. Manthey in regards to immediate needs in regards to the forms. BSA National has changed the Med Forms you may be used to and we are attempting to convert everyone to these new forms by the end of the year. Minimal form is Part A/C on the new form. This applies to parents that wish to camp as well.
We would also like to have your email address so that we can get you on all our mailers. You can send your address to Mr. Manthey at the address listed on the first page. Please do this as soon as you can.

Your New Scout will be assigned to one of any open spots in our 5 existing Patrols. He will be given the option to choose (if he has a friend in a Patrol) if that Patrol has an open spot. We have 5 Patrols that consist of 8 Scouts in each. There is a Senior Patrol which consists of the Troop Guides and Jr. Leaders in the Troop and they act as mentors for all the Patrols. We work towards a Boy Led Troop and these are the Scouts that take that responsibility. Your New Scout will be able to work with the boys in his Patrol to better learns the ropes and to advance.

Camping - Fees and Sign ups:
Each month the Troop offers an activity. Generally these are campouts, but there are a few exceptions. With any of these activities we require you (Scouts and adults) to sign up. These activities will be announced, posted on the Web Page and drilled into heads. There will be sign up sheets at the meetings prior to the event and you can also contact Mr. Manthey by email to register at any time prior to the deadline. There will be DEADLINES posted for each event and those deadlines will be adhered to. We have no other choice. So.....keep your eyes open and get yourself signed up. With any activity there will be a fee. These fees can be paid at any meeting to the Treasurer or his designee. Checks should be made out to Troop 169. These fees can also be subtracted from your Scouts Scout Buck Account. On each camp the Scouts are responsible for creating menus, finalizing menus and shopping lists and procuring their own food. These menus will be approved prior to the camp by the Patrol Advisor. Based on the sign up sheets, a check will be issued to each Patrol Grubmaster (the guy who shops) at the Deadline meeting. We try our best to keep parents from "fronting" money. If this does happen however, reimbursement checks will be cut as soon after the receipts are turned into the Treasurer. You can count on at least $15.00 each camp just for food. If the camp costs are more than free – there MAY be an additional charge.

Example: April Camp - Tuscazoar
Food - $15.00
Extra Event (canoeing) - $10.00
Total per Scout - $25.00
Get my drift?

So...what do we need to know?
Watch the Page, check the table and listen to the announcements for upcoming activities - and get signed up!
Scouting Is Outings. There will be Annual Troop Calendars passed out at the Parents Meeting as well.

Gear:
We have had a number of questions in regards to "What does my Scout need?" So here are a few suggestions (Christmas and Birthday ....) for you. 

Sleeping Bags:
Nothing will spoil a camp out like cold. We would suggest that your first investment be a good sleeping bag. Face it - we are in NE Ohio and the weather stinks! A good Zero to Minus 25 bag is a great step. Keep your eyes on Dicks / Gander Mt. and of course APPALACHIAN OUTFITTERS. Any of these places will have some good bags and Scout Discounts. Mention you are a Scout and most offer up to 10% off - it helps. A good sleeping bag will make the camp. We will and do camp in some extreme weather and have been known to go well below zero on a few. Think good warm bag. As your Scout progresses he will no doubt move up to the "right bag for the right camp" mode but this is down the line, many of us have 3-4 bags. Not yet. Think warm. Have him give the Scooby Doo bag to his little sister.

Layered Clothing:
Your Scout will receive tips during the meetings on how to prepare for each event but think layers. Vapor / Wicking- Under Armor, silk, capilene - NO COTTON! Insulating - Fleece, wool or other natural fibers. NO COTTON! Outer Protective - Good Rain Gear, Gore Tex or Frogg Toggs, coats.

Boots:
Like backpacks, comfort and fit are the key point here. You can pick up a variety of boots most anywhere but keep in mind their main use. Most of our activities will be weekend camps with an occasional backpack trip. Look at a good waterproof boot, something you can hose off when they get trashed with mud and what-not. When we winter camp a good pair of rubber, warm boots are essential - I recommend Sorel - but look around. We will talk more on specialty boots when we get closer to a backpack trip. Don't forget GOOD socks - NO COTTON!

Back Packs:
Your Scout will eventually need something more than a school daypack to get him around. Fit is the essential element here and a trip to Appalachian Outfitters is probably best. They will custom fit your Scout to a pack that is right for him. Packs are not a one size fits all item. For now - whatever he can carry comfortably is OK, but a good backpack will be something that he will use on all camps and activities. Find one that will accommodate the weekend camp as well as the backpack trip. We have a few test packs that you are more than welcome to try but you may want to see Mr. Leffler for help here. Comfort and fit are everything. Garbage bags aren't good packs.

How do we get there?
For all of our activities we rely on volunteers to drive. 
If we camp at Manatoc or Butler you are responsible for your Scouts transport to and from. Any other camp we will ask for volunteers to drive. We will hit up the parents that are camping first and if that doesn't accommodate all attending we will put the word out. At this point in time "volunteer" is the key word and drivers have not been reimbursed for gas. With the price of gas continuing to climb that may change. But for now, drivers have just taken one for the team. With trips like the USS Little Rock in NY, we will add travel costs into the total price of the trip to help out our drivers.

Where do we meet, when do we leave, and when do we come home? 
With the exceptions of those Manatoc and Butler camps, we will meet Friday nights around 6:00 PM at the church equipment house in the parking lot. The church equipment house is that little white house right next door to the main entrance of First Christian on Darrow Rd. 
We meet as a Troop here, assign vehicles and leave in a caravan to our destination. If the trailer needs loading we will do that as well. Drivers will meet and discuss the route of choice making sure we all know where we are going.
When we return on Sundays, the church lot is generally full from the services. On Sundays we return to the parking lot just east of the church on Williamson Rd. We will announce our return arrival time prior to leaving on Friday and we ask that you are there at that time. We also ask that you remain a little flexible at this time due to the fact that we may return a little earlier or perhaps a little later depending on traffic conditions. We have been pretty good in this regard but there always is that chance. We all have cell phones and will call while in route to advise of any change so make sure your Scout knows a number you can be reached at. As a rule most of the Leaders are just as anxious to get home as anybody so please try to be there at the designated time. We have to stay until everyone is accounted for. As mentioned earlier, when we camp at Manatoc or Butler you will be given times to show up and times to pick up. Camps this close to home have always just been easier to provide transport to and from on our own. 

 

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Mr. Manthey will take reservations for Camps and activities by email as well as sign up sheet at the meetings.