Troop 73:
Believe it or not, we are not that far from starting Scouts again for the year.
The first Troop Meeting will be Monday, September 10, 7:30 – 9:00 in the Holy Trinity Cafeteria. Since this is the first meeting, we Assistant Scoutmasters, Instructors and Senior Scouts will NOT be available for signoffs. The following meetings, we will have availability for sign-offs starting at 7pm. Also, you can schedule directly with a leader to work on rank outside of Troop Meetings.
Mrs. Palia will be presenting on Popcorn, which allows the Scout to earn money for his own scout account to use towards trips, dues, uniforms and equipment.
Shortly, our new website will be up. Thank you, Mr. Fannick! All forms can be found on the website, and the Troop Calendar dates are there as well (Thank you, Mr. Fiorentino!)
Our first trip of the year is canoeing in the Erie Canal September 28 – 30. Please email Mr. Keating if you are interested dkeato@aol.com . Trip signup forms will be available at the first Troop meeting, and the Trip Form will be on the website shortly. The trip costs $60 and scouts must have passed the swim test to attend.
Additional Fall Trips:
- The Catholic Scouting Retreat October 19 – 21
- Fall Backpacking Trip November 3 -4
- Day Hike December 8
Deadline for Dues is October 1st. Current Dues breakdown for 2018 – 2019:
- New Scout (not previously registered or has been inactive from Scouting for year): $120 each
- Returning Scout: $100 each
- Returning Scout Sibling: $90 each
- Adult/Scouter: $65 each
Each Scout must read and sign a Spirit Contract, and each adult is asked to sign the Parent’s Code of Conduct. Please bring these with your dues, and turn them in when you turn in your dues.
Please pay by check or they can be paid by Scout Account. Juan Suris has all the current Scout Account balances. Cash will NOT be accepted. Please bring dues for your son(s) to the next scout meeting and see Mr. Tim Coleman & Mr. Chris Estevez at the Sign Up Table.
The current Troop Handbook is on the website for review.
All Scouts working on Scout rank and Star rank are required to have current Cyber Chips for their appropriate grade level. Troop 73 will hold its fall Cyber Chip classes on September 17, September 24, and October 1 at 7:00 pm, prior to the Troop meeting. Parents are encouraged to stay for the classes as Cyber Chip requires family as well as Troop participation. Each Scout must attend all three sessions to complete the Cyber Chip. If you will be participating, please email Christine O’Brien at tpachristine@gmail.com by September 13. Please include your name and grade in school. Remember to copy a parent on the email!
There will be interest sheets for Catholic Religious Awards on the Sign-Up Table. Please add your name if you are interested. The classes will start in October and will start at 6:30 on Monday Nights. Schedule to follow.
Most of the Scout Ranks require service hours. Our first scheduled opportunity as a Troop will be Scouting for Food in November. Bags need to be distributed to houses on November 3rd, and food will be collected on November 10. It is a great way to serve the community and earn service.
If you earn service hours at church, school or other volunteer opportunity, you need to turn your hours in to Mrs. O’Brien. She has forms to fill out, and the forms can be found on the website. We won’t know about your hours unless you fill out the form and turn it in to Mrs. O’Brien as soon as possible.
All Eagle Scout candidates who have worked on their projects over the summer should submit the service hours completed by Troop Scouts and adults by September 4. Please send completed forms to Mrs. O’Brien. Keep in mind that Scouts working on your projects may need those service hours to complete rank advancement requirements. Your prompt attention is appreciated.
When you require a Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review, please see Mr. Lang at any Troop Meeting, or email Mr. Lang at soutmaster@troop73nj.org. Please remember that the weeks leading up to a Court of Honor are very busy, so do not wait until the last minute.
We have a Facebook page where trip photos and stories are posted. You need to request to join the Group.
Nominations are now open for the 2018 Scout Scholar Athlete Award. Any Scout interested in the award can find information and nomination requirements. The deadline for nominations is October 12, 2018.
Please email me if you have any questions or need anything at scoutmaster@troop73nj.org. I will help you the best I can, or I can direct you to the person that can best help you.
Yours in Scouting,
Mr. Lang, Scoutmaster