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January 2017

www.troop969.com

Vol. 40 No. 5

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TROOP 969 INTRODUCTION TO LEADERSHIP SKILLS CAMPOUT at CAMP SHAW January 20, 21, & 22 WHERE:

Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See, Manteno, IL

DEPART:

Meet at the Kolping Center at 5pm

RETURN:

Sunday Noon

WHAT TO BRING:

Standard Equipment List See attached list This is cabin camping.

COST:

$30.00 per person (scout bucks can be used)

One of the most important and basic skills to be learned in scouting is leadership. How can you lead if you do not know how? Please join Troop 969 in this endeavor to show you the tools you need to lead! It is imperative that all scouts old and new attend this campout. All scouts will go through the new BSA Introduction to Leadership Skills. Saturday evening will feature the ending of JLT with the movie “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World”. This film should inspire our youngest Leaders and young scouts, since many of the midshipmen portrayed are only 12 or 13 years old and already in real life leadership positions. We will also work on advancement requirements, cooking and have some fun too! PERMISSION SLIPS AND MONEY ARE DUE AT THE JANUARY 16TH TROOP MEETING.

Happy New Year 2017!

SCOUTMASTER’S FORUM Happy New Year 2017! I hope that everyone had a great holiday. We will now embark on a fresh beginning to new adventures, experiences, and skills. With the start of the New Year, what comes to mind is reflection of the past few months. It brings a smile and happiness to me in remembering the work and fun times that we have shared. Seeing the growth of all of our scouts has brought me great pride. Let us all continue to help guide each other as we move along the Scouting trail. Our Monday meetings will be on the 9th, 16th, and 30th. I hope to see all your smiling faces. Mr. Mick

TROOP CHRISTMAS PARTY Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate the Christmas Scout Party. As with all holidays, it was great to spend time with the Scouting Family of Troop 969. It is always a great thrill to see former Scouts coming home and spending some quality time with us.

TROOP CHRISTMAS SERVICE PROJECT Thank you to all Scouts, leaders and parents that came to Union Ridge Cemetery on Saturday December 17th to help in the laying of wreaths honoring our fallen heroes.

TROOP 969 AGAIN DELIVERS CHRISTMAS CHEER! Our Scouts answered the call of delivering good cheer. On Christmas Day, Scouts, Leaders, and Family members shared their holiday with the patients and residents of the Alden Northmoor Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility. The Scouts delivered care packages to the residents and nursing staff. The troop mascots also came with Christmas cheer and guided our sleigh as we made our way through the center. A “Very Special Thank You” goes to all those that participated and to Santa Claus.

JOKEMASTER’S FORUM Why did the elf put his bed in the fireplace? Because he wanted to sleep like a log.

ScoutBuck Update Up-to-date ScoutBuck balances are now available through the link below: www.troop969.com/scoutbucks.pdf . Scout bucks earned from the candy sale are now included! If you have any questions about your scout buck balance, send a note to [email protected]. If you have anything you would like to contribute to the February issue of the Troop 969 Gazette, please th submit by January 27 to [email protected]

PINEWOOD DERBY TUNE-UP CLINIC and DERBY The Troop could use some help with the Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby Tune-Up Clinic. It is being held on January 7th, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in the large cafeteria. Please bring a pair of safety glasses if you have them. We will be helping the Cub Scouts at this annual event. Also, I could use a couple of impartial judges for the Derby, which is being held on Sunday, January 15th, at 1pm in the auditorium. Come relive the past. Please see Scott Hizel if you wish to participate in either event. Both of these events could be labeled as Brownie Points! AND WHAT GOES UP, MUST COME DOWN On Monday, January 16th, we will meet for our regular meeting and take the Parish Crib down at 7:30PM. Please dress appropriately. PANCAKE BREAKFAST INFO On January 26th, the troop will hold their second adult planning meeting for this year’s breakfast. The meeting will be held in the school cafeteria off the gym parking lot at 7 PM. All leaders and parents are asked to participate. PANCAKE BREAKFAST TICKETS The Boy Scouts will be receiving their 2017 Pancake Breakfast tickets at the January 9th meeting. Scout Buck$ will be issued to all Scouts that sell over their 25 ticket minimum. Scout Buck$ can be used towards the 2017 Owasippe Summer Camp, High Adventure trips, monthly camping trips, or for items from the Scout Shop. KLONDIKE DERBY The Klondike Derby is a Boy Scout event that is just as big as the Pinewood Derby is to Cub Scouts. This event is comparable to the Iditarod race in Alaska. The boys are the mushers and will pull our sled to different stations where they will perform tasks like build a fire, saw and chop wood, Ice rescue and more… The District Klondike Derby will be held on Saturday, January 28th, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. till 3:PM. The Klondike Derby will be held at Camp Reinberg in Palatine, Illinois. All scouts should participate in this event. Young scouts need to use their scouting skills and learn new ones. Older scouts need to come to teach and lead the younger scouts. Adult help is needed. Anyone interested should contact Mr. Mick by January 16th. Over the next few weeks we will practice First Aid, knots, lashings, and other Klondike related skills. Transportation and lunch will be provided. The troop will be covering the cost of this event. BLUE AND GOLD Pack 3969’s Blue and Gold dinner will be on Sunday, February 12th at 1pm in the auditorium. All Scouts are invited to attend this event in welcoming the new Boy Scouts into the Troop. Please notify Mr. Mick if you will be attending.

AND coming this summer…. OWASIPPE SUMMER CAMP Don‘t forget to pencil in on your calendars our Troop’s annual visit to Owasippe Scout Reservation from Saturday, July 1st through Saturday, July 8th. Don’t forget scout buck$ can be used, so sell those pancake breakfast tickets to earn scout buck$!

It’s not too late to register for the 2017 Jamboree, Scouting’s once in a lifetime event! Please contact Pathway to Adventure Council for further info. PHILMONT 2018 Troop 969 has received a slot to attend Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. The dates are June 21st through July 5th 2018. Scouts must be 14 years old or have graduated 8th grade and be 13 years old by 2018. This is a tough 12 day trek through the mountains of New Mexico with a backpack and all of your gear. It is imperative that scouts be physically able to participate. More information will be forth coming. Most of the boys know about this trip. The cost is tentatively set for $1500 with a deposit of $100 to reserve your spot due by 1/16/17. A payment schedule will be distributed sometime in March. Trek On!

St. Tarcissus Parish Crib Set-Up Back on Saturday, December 10th, Troop 969 assembled St. Tar’s Parish Nativity Scene. Troop 969 has been assembling this scene for over 30 years.

It was built as an Eagle Service Project by Liam Goetz back in 1984. The crib was rebuilt in 2004 as Phil Hizel’s Eagle Service Project.

Mother Nature completed the set-up the next morning with a fresh coating of snow!

CAMPOUT..............January 20, 21, & 22, 2017 WHAT.................Troop Campout (Cabin/Indoor) WHERE................Camp Shaw (Manteno, IL) (approx 60 miles) DEPART............... 20-Jan-2017 Kolping Center 5 PM RETURN............... 22-Jan-2017 Approx Noon (Depending on Weather) COST.................$30.00 (Includes food, transportation and lodging) LEADERSHIP TRAINING ** Scout Bucks CAN be used!! ** -------------------------------------------------------------------------WHAT TO BRING..... Class "A" Shirt to be worn to and from the campout __ Sleeping Bag__, Sleeping Pad__, Troop T-Shirt__, Duffel Bag or Pack__, 3 - 5 pr.socks__, 3 to 4 pr pants __ 4 pr. underwear__, 4 Shirts (short sleeve)__,2 or 3 shirts (Long Sleeve)__, 1 pr. shoes or boots__, 1 or 2 pr. gyms__, 1 Jacket (Heavy)__, Sweater or Sweatshirt with hood__, Flashlight with extra batteries__, Washcloth-Towel-Soap__, Comb__, Mess Kit (Knife-Fork-Spoon, Plate, Cup-the troop will not be providing Any eating utensils) __, Medicine__, Scout Handbook__, Compass __ Plastic Bag for Dirty or wet clothes __, Toothbrush/Toothpaste __ Spending Money __ OPTIONAL...... Camera__, Snacks__, Canteen or water bottle __ --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The permission slip/activity consent form can be found on the troop’s website (www.troop969.com) under the Information button.

The permission slip/activity consent form must be turned in with your money no later than the beginning of the January 16th scout meeting. If it is not received by this date, you will not be allowed to attend the campout.