Red Lantern - February 2010

A Red Lantern Image

Announcements

Everyone in Troop 294 deserves a big round of applause, and big pat on the back!! - The troop collected enough money for Ama A. and Joseph K. to pay for one airplane ticket. Ama had enough to pay for the second. So though the reason for their trip is very sad they both will be able to return to Togo. You guys are living examples of the scout spirit!!

100th Anniversary of Scouting: There is now a link on our website that will give you information on this celebration.  There are many activities in the coming year that you may be interested in following or participating in.  Thanks to Mark for getting this included on our site.  We will add new information as it is available.

Men's Club Fish Fry Starts February 19 come and have a great meal at a great deal - (Feb 19 thru March 19.) The St. Pascal Men's Club holds their Fish Fry every Friday in Lent. Come, help out and support them. The Men's club would like 4-5 Scouts and family members to come and help out each Friday. The St. Pascal Men's Club provides monetary support (thru wreath sales at their Christmas tree lot and help the troop buy equipment yearly) for our troop's activities. Please support their efforts in this fundraiser coming and by bringing all your family and friends to the dinners.

Friends of Scouting Campaign: Once again all of Troop 294 pitched in and surpassed our goal for "Friends of Scouting" (FOS). We have raised more than $6200. A few people have not contributed and it would be really really cool to get 100% participation. Then we get another patch! "Friends of Scouting" is the annual Boy Scout fundraiser, which directly sustains the year-round activities of the Northern Star Council supporting the volunteer leaders who deliver the scouting program to its youth members. Without FOS we would not be able to have all our great weekend campouts or weeklong summer camp. There is still time to donate. Please contact Ellen Aeling (738-9095) for a pledge card.

Adults need to help with summer Camp. Summer camp is July 3rdt to July 10th, 2006. Believe it or not, we need to start planning for the week already. We need 5 - 10 adults to run summer camp. Adults, If you are planning to be at summer camp for all or part of the week, please email Mike Aeling at maeling@troop294.net with what dates you will be there and if you want to work in a specific area - kitchen, 1st year scouts, merit badges or others.

Strudel Fund Raiser will start in early March. Rita S. is in charge. More information to follow.

Now is the time to ask a friend to join Troop 294 - Recruit a new scout! Do you have a friend you think would have great a great time in Troop 294? Now is the best time to ask your friend to join!!! February is when the troop starts a new group of scouts. New youths must be in 5th grade or above.

Pack 294 Blue and Gold - Is Thursday February 25 at 6 pm. We need a few more scouts to go and help with the cross over from Pack 294 to Troop 294 ceremony. Please Call Tom B if you can come.

Mark your calendar - March 29th at 7:00 pm is a meeting for the parents and adult leaders of Troop 294. Please try to attend.

Anne R. is the editor of the Red Lantern and Mark M. is the webmaster of the Troop web site - If you have information like patrol activities, youth leadership reports, Eagle project fliers, Pack 294 activities - including the troop, Crew 294 activities, troop fundraiser information or other troop related news please give this info to them. The Red Lantern is usually published the second week of the month, although this can vary a bit. Mark's email address is webmaster@troop294.net.

Parents - We have a door bell - The doors to St Pascal's will be locked between 7:30 and 8:00 pm, on Monday nights. We have a wireless door bell that we will put at the outside door near the gym.

E-mail addresses - If you are not receiving email please sent an e-mail to ellen@troop294.net We will get you added to the list.

Upcoming troop calendar

8-Feb 7:00 - 8:30 pm Scout Meeting at St. Pascal's - Session 3-5
Feb 12-14Leave at 6 pmCampout at Fred C. Andersen Scout Camp - Valley View Lodge
15-Feb Patrol Activities - contact your patrol leader for details
19-Feb4:30 - 7:00 pmMen's Club Fish Fry
22-Feb7:00 - 8:30 pmScout Meeting at St. Pascal's - Start new Merit Badges
25-Feb6:00 - 8:30 pmCub Scout Pack 294 Blue and Gold Dinner
26-Feb4:30 - 7:00 pmMen's Club Fish Fry
1-Mar7:00 - 8:30 pm Scout Meeting at St. Pascal's - Session 4-2
4-Mar7:00 - 8:30 pmAdult Leader Roundtable
5-Mar4:30 - 7:00 pmMen's Club Fish Fry
8-Mar7:00 - 8:30 pmScout Meeting at St. Pascal's - Session 4-3 Article due for Red Lantern
12-Mar4:30 - 7:00 pmMen's Club Fish Fry
15-Mar7:00 - 8:30 pmScout Meeting at St. Pascal's - Session 4-4
19-Mar4:30 - 7:00 pmMen's Club Fish Fry
March 19-21 Leave at 7 pm Campout at Phillippo Scout Reservation - Seeonee Shelter
22-Mar7:00 - 8:30 pmScout Meeting at St. Pascal's - Session 4-5
26-Mar4:30 - 7:00 pmMen's Club Fish Fry
29-Mar7:00 - 8:00 pm 7NO SCOUT MEETING-Parent and adult leader Meeting at the Aeling's

Troop 294 Patrol News

Leadership
Senior Patrol Leader Charles P
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Darius M
QuarterMaster Matt S
Historian Anthony M
Scribe Eliot W
Patrol leader Joseph K
Patrol leader Spud B
Patrol leader Ben P
Patrol leader Andrew H
Bugler Open Position
OA Representative Open Position

Den Chiefs: Ian Bu.: Pack 217 Webelos II Den Chief Caleb Bu.: Pack 217 Wolf Den Chief Jonas Bu.: Pack 217 Tiger Den Chief

ASPL - Hi! I'm Daurius M. and I was recently elected to be the new ASPL for troop 294! in the latest leadership elections we had. The results are: Joseph k., Andrew h. and Andrew b. as patrol leaders, Charles p. is now SPL, and Eliot was elected scribe. Other positions where also filled. The most recent campout was at Phillippo. We had tons of fun tubing and starting snowball fights! sincerely, Daurius m.!

Leroy Jenkins Patrol - Patrol Leader: Joseph K. - We the boy scouts of troop 294 made new patrols. We went to PHILIPO camp and played snow ball fights all day long. There was lots of snow at PHILIPO and there were fun activities. In the day a few scouts took CPR class for their lost at earlier camps and about 6 scouts learned how to do their jobs as patrol leaders and other jobs. At night 2 scouts and MRS Aeling went tubing, and five scouts played laser tag, the other scouts stayed in the warmth of the cabin.

DX Army Patrol: The DX Army is a new patrol.  We have already run a troop activity at the last campout.  We played laser tad during the January Campout.  It it did not work out as well as I thought it should but we had fun.  Our February campout at Fred C. will be this week.  For our patrol activity in two weeks, we will have a hockey party and for people who do not play hockey, we will be having a Wii bowling tournament. Andrew H., patrol leader

Black Dragons Patrol: Patrol Leader: Spud B. - no report received

The Papayas Patrol: Patrol Leader: Ben P. - no report received

Attention Parents: Responsibility for Advancement: Leadership positions are required for advancement. Your sons have signed a contract addressing what each youth needs to do to get credit for their leadership position. Discuss these commitments with them

Campouts

February Campout: February 12 - 14 at Fred C. Andersen Scout Camp - Valley View Lodge - ADULT CHAPERONE'S NEEDED!

March Campout: March 19-21 at Phillippo Scout Reservation - Seeonee Shelter - ADULT CHAPERONE'S NEEDED!

May campout is STARCAMP May 21- 23 - Mark you calendars - see attached flier

Weather and Packing for Camping: Weather can change quickly at this time of the year..be prepared for inclement/cold weather. Layers underneath water repellant outer clothes are a must! Hats and gloves/mittens and boots for changeable conditions are also necessary. Scouts and parents please stop and think before you head out on a camping trip - DO I HAVE WHAT I NEED TO HAVE A GREAT Warm WEEKEND??? On the January campout, everyone was out of door on Saturday for more that 6 hours hiking and exploring in a foot or more of snow.

Merit Badges and Religious Award

Merit Badges: Check the Scout Handbook for MB requirements for advancement to Eagle Scout or check the troop website for more information on specific merit badges and requirements.

Merit Badge Session #3: Started January 11, 2010 The Merit Badges being offered are: Personal Management - taught by Sharon M. Space exploration - taught by Tom B. Skating - taught by Paula M.

Merit Badge Session #4: Starts February 22 The Merit Badges being offered are: Citizenship in the World - taught by Anna B.-R. Communications - taught by Maggie H.

UPCOMING SCOUTMASTER BUCKY EVENT DATES. Scout Master Bucky sets up opportunities to pursue Merit badges. Dates for future merit badges are Saturday March 6, 2010, Saturday and/or Sunday April 17-8, 2010, Saturday May 1, 2010 and Saturday May 8, 2010 go to scoutmasterbucky.com. (or from our Home Page).

Scouts pursuing Merit Badges outside of Troop 294 should talk to Mike or Ellen first to confirm need and approval.

Additional Merit Badge Options: Did you know Vertical Endeavors teaches Climbing merit badge? Youth have the opportunity to pursue other merit badges through the Northern Star Council and the Northstar Museum of Scouting. Check out these websites through links from the Troop 294 website. Scouts pursuing Merit Badges outside of Troop 294 should talk to Mike or Ellen first to confirm need and approval.

Venture Crew News

Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women, 14 (and have completed 8th grade) through 20 years old.

REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULE: Questions - call or email Amy Bu. Meetings are held on the following Tuesdays at the Mounds Park UMC from 6:30 - 8:00 pm Regular meetings: Tuesdays from 6:30 - 8 pm at Mounds Park UMC (Earl & Euclid) Bring a friend!

February 9
February 23
March 9
March 23

Friday, February 26: Progressive Dinner starting at 6:30 pm. We will eat our way from house to house as we have games & fun!

Friday, March 26: Movie Night/ Dinner & Possible lock-in overnight

Troop 294 Website

Check it out! Mark M. does a wonderful job of keeping the website updated daily so everyone can keep current on all Troop 294 activities. The yearly calendar, the latest issue of the Red Lantern, pictures, and lots of information and links can be found. You can email your pictures, ideas, Eagle Scout projects, etc to: webmaster@troop294.net.