news

Cub Carnival this weekend

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:25:00 +0100

Our Troop will be working Cub Carnival again this year. For those who have not gone with us before. Our duties will be mainly in the Dining Hall and helping Cubs get to and from their campsites.

This helps the Scouts get in some service hours and the Cubs get to interact with the Scouts

Scouts should bring a change of clothes and remember it could get chilly.
A sleeping bag. If you have a summer weight sleeping bag then pack an extra blanket just in case.
air mattress if you have one
camp chair.
toiletries

and a tent. If you have a tent then bring it....we wil have the Troop tents available but it might be necessary to double up depending on the number of Scouts. Or this could be a good week end to try out a tarp shelter.

Blue jeans will be fine but please remember you're Scout uniform shirt. Bandanas will not be needed this week end.

Also the Scouts will take a 5 mile hike Saturday afternoon. This is a requirement for Second Class and the weather should be just cool enough for a walk about. Besides good tennis or hiking shoes, Scouts should also bring a small back pack with a change of socks, a first aid kit with foot powder or a small bottle of Gold Bond, snacks and several water bottles. Scouts may also want to bring binoculars, a bird, wildlife or tree guide. notebook and pen. camera. ( remember the photo rules)

David Locke will be in charge of the Troop this week end however me, Chris and Neil(?) will be around with our youngest sons at the Cub events.

We will need to be at the Scout Hut by 7am Saturday morning and we may also need help getting the Scouts to and from Camp.
We should be leaving Camp Tukabatchee in the AM on Sunday.

thanks
Jimmy

Patrol Flags and Geocaching

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:10:37 +0100

Among the many things the Troop has done this month. The Scouts designed new Patrol Flags.

Tenderfoot Devin Gray free handed both designs onto the blank canvas flag. Not only his Patrol's but but for the other Patrol as well.

Pictures can seen on the Pictures Page
http://www.troop57.yolasite.com/pictures.php

All the Scouts had a hand in the painting and embellishing and did a very good job.

Special thanks to Mrs. Giles who donated time and materials and allowed the whole Troop into her house ( brave soul she is) to finish the painting.

Monday night was our First Troop meeting on the new night and time. We traveled to Higgins Ferry Park and planted a registered geocache. Exactly where is still a mystery so you'll have to find it yourself.

Cache is registered with www.geocaching.com under the name of Buoy Boys.
Thanks to David Locke and Mrs. Giles for setting this up.

Merit Bage University

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:38:29 +0100

Don't forget the merit badge program on Saturday (those of you who are signed up). I may have 2 spaces available for a Geology class due to Austin and Timothy moving, so if you are interested, please let me know.

We need to leave by 7:15 and will return no later than 4:00. I will transport down but will need someone to pick up the boys so I can attend Sam's football game. Please let me know if you can come to Montgomery by 2:00 or so and be there when they leave class.

Let me know if you have questions.

New meeting Time established

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:57:58 +0100

As mentioned our Troop meetings have changed. We will not be meeting this Tuesday. We will be meeting next Monday the 12th.

The meeting time has changed as well. Meetings will start at 6:30 pm and end at 8pm-ish. Please help spread the news and inform any Scout you see

I hope every one enjoyed the Holiday even with the much needed rain. I'm looking forward to seeing the completed Patrol Flags.
Special thanks to Devin who I understand drew both designs out on the flag. Special thanks to Mrs. Giles for allowing the Scouts to invade her home once again to finish these up.

.Scouts should be in Uniform and be prepared for a uniform inspection at that time.

If you did not attend Summer Camp. Please bring the attached health form with you. this needs to be done yearly and a Scout cannot attend any Out door activities until the Troop has a current one on file.

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/ahmr.aspx

Other items on the agenda will be to start the Cooking Merit Badge.

"The Cooking merit badge introduces principles of cooking that can be used both at home or in the outdoors. Scouts who earn this badge will learn about food safety, nutritional guidelines, meal planning, and methods of food preparation, and will review the variety of culinary (or cooking) careers available. "

Work sheet and requirements can be found here. We will not be able to cover all the requirements at the meetings. A large part of this will have to be accomplished at home by the Scout with a parents help. http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Cooking

Scouts needing help with Rank Requirements need to speak up before the meeting starts, likewise any Scout interested in a Board of Review.

Scouts should always bring supplies for taking notes and their Scout books.

If you did not attend Summer Camp. Please bring the attached health form with you. This needs to be done yearly and a Scout cannot attend any Out door activities until the Troop has a current one on file.

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/ahmr.aspx

August Leaders Meeting

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:21:54 +0100

Troop 57 conducted a leader's meeting at the home of Neal Vinson on 8/16/2011 at 6:30 p.m. In attendance were: Jimmy Jackson (Scoutmaster), David Locke, Neal Vinson, Greg Gay. The purpose of the meeting, was to discuss and plan the upcoming year.

We scheduled the monthly events as followed:

August =
September 24th = Canoe Trip to Weogulfa, we will try to rent canoes from the council (Jimmy will be inquiring on rentals)
October 8th-9th = Cub Carnival at Camp Tuckabatchee
November 5th-6th = Cheaha State Park, overnight camp and hike.
December = Clanton Christmas Parade (date to be determined)
January 21st = Work day at Troop 57 Scout Hut
February 18th = Oak Mountain State Park, day hike.
March 17th-18th = Sipsey, overnight camp and hike.
April = Camporee (date to be determined)
May = Shilo Campus Trail (Orienteering Merit Badge)
June = Summer Camp, (Camp Tuck)
July =
August =

We will be selling Ribs & Butts for the Alabama/Auburn game. (We will compare prices of Ribs To Go, Peach Park, or purchasing and cooking the meat ourselves). Proceeds to finance the purchase of a Troop equipment trailer.

We will start searching for a enclosed trailer (6'x10'), to transport gear and equipment.

The adult leaders of Troop 57, reorganized the patrols and assigned new leaders.

GATOR PATROL: EAGLE PATROL:

Hunter Gay (Patrol Leader) Aiden Jackson (Patrol Leader)

Riley Locke (Asst. Patrol Leader) Jadon Downs (Asst. Patrol Leader)

Payton Parrish (Chaplin) Clay Vinson (Chaplin)

Drake Jones Eiland Cleckler

Austin Ligthsey Tim Ligthsey

Carter Giles Tanner Jones

Devin Gray Nate Adams

Dakota Nivens Jacob Smith

Greg Gay (Adult Leader) Neal Vinson (Adult Leader)

SENIOR PATROL LEADER = JACOB SMITH

TROOP SCRIBE/HISTORIAN = CARTER GILES

David Locke volunteered to conduct the Troop meetings.
Jacob will start and end each meeting.
We will be changing our meeting days to the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. We will contact the Pack to cooridnate this change.
The next Troop meeting will be Tuesday, August 22, 2011.
We will also move our meetings to the big room (with fireplace). We plan to make this room the Toop room. Included with the move,we will be moving the equipment locker to the larger storage room connected to the Troop room.

Greg will purchase the Gator Patrol patches before 8/22/2011.

We are looking forward to a great year. If there are additions or deletions to be made, please respond.

Thanks to the Vinson family, for hosting this meeting.

Thanks,

Greg

Troop meeting and other reminders

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 03:40:00 +0100

hello all

Troop meeting next Tuesday at 7pm

Pictures from Camporee have been posted on the Facebook page as well as the Website if any body else has some picture they would like posted send them to me and I'll put them up.
All the Troop tents have been dried, packed and inventoried.

and I found the Troop flag :)

Now for several reminders:
Please remember to finish your Scholarship Merit badge worksheets.

http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Scholarship

Chris has arranged for the Troop to use the Greystone YMCA pool. So the Scouts can use the facility for the BSA swimming tests, including what is required for 2nd class rank. They have agreed to let us come in on March 19 at 3:00 (Saturday) and use at least 1 lane of their pool for what we need to do. They are open until 6:00, so we should have plenty of time to accomplish what needs to be done.

We need to leave Clanton by 2:00 (meet at Hut). We can decide on who is driving once we know who all will be attending, but I’m quite sure we will need several cars. All boys need to wear normal clothes and change into their swimsuits when we arrive. Once complete, we can change back into normal clothes and stop somewhere for dinner on the way home. We would plan to be back at the hut no later than 8:00. Remember to bring a towel.

Also concerning summer Camp

It is not too late to register…

1. Attendance: The following scouts are signed up to attend Summer Camp during the week of June 12 through 18:

Jacob Smith, Devin Gray, Hunter Gay, Jadon Downs, Timothy Lightsey, Austin Lightsey, Eiland Cleckler, Carter Giles, Aidan Jackson, Payton Parrish, Riley Locke and Clay Vinson.

Leadership will be as follows: Jimmy Jackson (full week), Chris Smith (partial week), David Locke (partial week), Greg Gay (partial week).

Leader fee is $100 per person for the entire week or $50 per person for a half-week. Any leader staying over 24 hours will be required to register and pay for half or full week. ALL leaders in attendance must be in good standing with BSA (youth protection, weather, etc.).

2. Payment: The full $210 per person is due to the council on April 14. I got your deposit last night and will be sending those in to hold our spots. The balance will be payable as soon as you can prior to April 14 so I can send the money on time. After April 14, fee goes to $225 per person.

Refunds: The only balance that is nonrefundable is $30. Otherwise depending on cancellation time prior to camp, a charge will apply. See the brochure for details.

3. T-shirts: The $10 for t-shirts will be due with the camp balance on April 14. If you want a t-shirt, send me your size requirement and I will put you on the list.

4. Merit Badges: I will have merit badge assignments before April 14. Once the assignments are made, individual class fees will be calculated and added to your total balance due. This amount is due on April 14 along with everything else.

You are required to buy the merit badge book to use at camp. You are also required to print the worksheets and bring with you to camp. If there is homework required prior to camp, you will be notified of such and expected to have it completed by camp.

5. Guests at camp: All guests must sign in with the camp office prior to coming on the premises. No camper can leave prior to the departure date unless scheduled with the Scoutmaster and camp office.

6. Family Day: Friday is family day, including lunch if desired. If lunch is included, it must be scheduled with the camp office by Wednesday. Family competition begins at 2:30 and will conclude with a 6:15 flag ceremony and 8:00 campfire.

7. Uniforms: Uniform shirts are required for evening meals and chapel services only. Full uniform is not required (to my knowledge) at any event for the week. There are “theme” days planned, see the brochure for each days’ theme.

8. Medical Forms: Parts A, B, and C of the BSA medical form are required before attendance. This includes the doctor signoff, so please plan accordingly between now and June to be sure it is complete. Your scout will NOT be admitted onto the camp without having a complete form filed with the Scoutmaster.

Any other questions, please feel free to email me or Chris and we'll respond accordingly. as Chris said "I don’t have all of the answers, but I know where to go and get them…"

and lastly this picture sent to me by Ms. Leah by way of Mr. Locke's wife

<a href="http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t108/fat-dragon/Scouts/troopspiritsm.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t108/fat-dragon/Scouts/th_troopspiritsm.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" ></a>

see you Tuesday.

Jimmy

Camporee packing and Menu for the weekend

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 01:24:17 +0100

What you need for the Camporee
you wont need a hatchet for this weekend, knives are ok but remember to pack you're Totin Chip

There will be an Interfaith Worship service Sunday morning.

Remember the Ten Essentials listed in you're Scout Handbook
water bottle ( print you're name on it)
notebook and pen
personal first aid kit.
Scout Handbook
GPS (if you have one) these will be needed for the Geocache Courses
Flashlight
cameras are ok (just remember the rules and if you dont know them ask me they're simple)
spare batteries for all electronics and flash light
small back pack for the above items.

you're tent if you have one. we should have enough tents for every one although we might have to double up.
Sleeping bag and a spare blanket for if it gets cold
sleeping mat or air mattress
Towel ( you may wont to dry off)
shower kit w/ toothpaste and brush. the trial section at the grocery or pharmacy is easiest. simply pack you're kit in a ziplock with you're name on it.
wet wipes will do to freshen up.

Spare clothes.
remember to pack for Saturday and Sunday morning.
pajamas or shorts to sleep in
extra pants or shorts
extra t shirts. uniforms may not be required all day
underwear at least 2 pr
socks minimum of 2 pr
comfy shoes for camp wear
light jacket and/or rain coat as the weather dictates
you're own plate or bowl, personal cooking kits or stoves wont be needed this camp out
camp chair or stool

crocs are okay in camp area but tennis or hiking shoes would be better for the days activities

balls, books or board games for free time

no ipods or video games. cell phones are for emergency use only

The menu for the weekend is as follows

Koolaid, water and fresh fruit will be available for each meal

Friday night :
Chicken and rice
fruit cocktail
mixed salad
cookie

Saturday :
breakfast:
bag omelet or breakfast tortilla
OJ or milk

lunch:
ham or turkey sandwich peanut butter will also be available
chips
cookie

dinner :
shepherds pie
salad
peach dump cake

Sunday
breakfast only
pancakes and sausage links
OJ or milk

Scouts should bring their own snacks for Saturday or any other drinks they may want for meals.

the latest email

Sun, 13 Feb 2011 16:23:19 +0100

hello all

This Tuesday @ 7pm Ryan will be coming by with a summer camp promo and to discuss OA (Order of the Arrow ) elections. If anybody is interested in either one this would be a good time to asks questions. This probably wont last the full hour

Our next Troop meeting will be held on Tuesday the 22nd. We'll be discussing the Camporee. The new patrols will try to decide on names and officers.

Concerning the Camporee. The theme is centered around Geocaching and i have posted several links on the website and will repost them here as well.

It is vitally important if youre son is planning to paricipate that he register at www.geocaching.com this is so they will be able to get the co-ordinates for some of the things that will be cached around the park. registration is free but will require parents permission. this is one of the sites i had listed and is quite informative.

the other site is Thots beginners guide to geocaching @ http://factsfacts.com/geocaching/index.htm

Please remember to bring youre GPS and spare batteries.

Also i would like to ask if any one has a dining canopy the troop could borrow for that week end I would like to have two one for use as a kitchen and the other for dining in the event the weather turns slightly wet.

I would also like to ask for volunteers to help out with the Pine wood Derby on Saturday. Derby will be held at the FUMC gym. I could use Scouts to help set up and clean up as well as help with anything else we can do. Full uniform and best behavior are mandatory. This would be a great event to let the Cubs see who we are and lend a helping hand
Set up starts at 2pm with Sign in staring at 3pm I have no ideal when the event will be over but I will be there as well as Chris Smith as both of our youngest are participants.

Friday night at the Scout Hut is time Trials from 6:30 to 8:30 if anybody wants to come and help out. I'll be there as well.

jimmy

Events of Feb 9th Troop meeting

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:58:43 +0100

Congrats to Hunter and Jaydon for passing their Board of Reviews to Tenderfoot.
Plans are tentatively underway for a Court of Honor at our next meeting to formally recognize those achievements

Thanks to all those that have participated on the Boards as well

The Troop was redivided in to two new Patrols.

Next meeting the Scouts have to decide on whether to keep the names or move to a new one

Drake and Hunter landed in the same Patrol have agreed to keep their Leader positions With Drake as Patrol Leader and Hunter as Assistant Patrol Leader.

The other patrol will elect a Patrol Leader and a new Assistant Patrol Leader. Both Patrols will need a Chaplain and Scribe as well.

Since this years theme at Camporee is on Geocaching I've added some links on the Resources page.

Our next meeting will be held on February 22nd.

thats all for now.

2011 Alabama Boy Scout Day

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 02:23:31 +0100

Anybody interested? This is a Field Trip to the state capitol in Montgomery. We'll get to see the State Senate as well as several Representatives. Yes it does take place on a school day and yes it is excused or was last year.
we might need several more parents to help with transportation and to tag along.

2011 Alabama Boy Scout Day

-Fact Sheet-

What:                         The Alabama Legislature will recognize the Fourth Annual

Scout Day and as we celebrate the 101 Anniversary of Scouting on Thursday, March 3, 2011. Alabama Boy Scouts will open the House session by presenting the colors and then a Proclamation will be read and presented to the Boy Scouts proclaiming “Boy Scout Day”. All Cub and Boy Scouts are encouraged to attend this special “Scout Day” at Alabama’s State Capitol.

All Scouts attending the Fourth Annual Scout Day will receive a special patch. See directions on how to collect your patch**

Who:                          All Alabama Legislators will be invited to attend a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. at the RSA Plaza Terrace to thank them for their support of Scouting across Alabama.    Scouts attend the luncheon by invitation only. Scouts from each council will be selected to attend the luncheon. Contact your local council if you are interested in attending the luncheon.

When:                        Thursday, March 3, 2011. Breakfast (coffee, juice, donuts) for everyone at

the following times:               7:30 a.m . Tukabatchee

                                                                  Black Warrior

                                                                   AL-FL

                                                8:15 a.m.   Mobile

                                                                                             Greater Alabama Council

                                                                                             Chattahoochee

Boy Scouts can visit the Legislators in their offices from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00a.m.

                                    A Boy Scout Troop will present the colors in the House and a proclamation will be given to the Boy Scouts.

                                    All Scouts are encouraged to visit the state capitol and other capitol related buildings during this day.

Where:                      Alabama State Capitol – Legislative Offices, House of Representatives and RSA Plaza Terrace, Montgomery, Alabama.

Need more Information: Contact your local Alabama Council Service Center

** Patches will be available at the breakfast or by contacting your local council

service center. NOTE: You must attend the Scout Day to receive a patch.

Scouting---Values That Last A Lifetime!