Red Lantern - April 2010

announcements

NEW - Add to your calendar - Youth planning 2010-2011 meeting and Adult leader and parenting are going to be in June this year - This year we are going to hold the planning meeting in early summer to try to give everyone a little more time to organize things.   The youth planning meeting is Monday, June 7 at 7 pm at the Aeling's house.  All youth leadership and any other interested scouts please attend. At this meeting we will pick the Merit badges, activities, pick new camping sites, and talk about high adventures. After the youth pick what they want to do - we will have a meeting for all the adult leadership and all interested scout parents and volunteers The Adult leaders and all parents will meet on Monday June 21 at 6 pm to recruit volunteers, split up jobs and get going on 2010 - 2011 scout year.  We will have dinner then a meeting.

Swim test for Tomahawk Summer Camp is May 17th - We will have our swim test for Tomahawk summer camp at Harding High School from 7 until we done. Scouts and adults that are going to Tomahawk are highly encourages to please come and take the swimming test for Tomahawk. Doing the swim test before we go to Tomahawk really simplifies camp set up on Saturday July 3rd. There will be no scout meeting at St Pascal's.

Parents needed to go to STARCAMP May 21-23 - The May campout is the celebration of scouting 100 anniversary and we have a large group of Scouts going on this huge event. We need 2-3 more parent to come along to be drivers and chaperones. This event won't happen for another 100 years so sign up. Talk to Mike Aeling if you can help out.

Scouts - Silent Auction with Scout Bucks is May 24th - Scouts get together all those scout bucks you have been collecting all year. Scouts you cannot bid unless you have your scout buck with you on May 24th. Parents we have a pretty good selection of prizes but if you have some item that you can donate for the silent auction that would be fantastic. We try to get item that have to do with the outdoors or camping or fishing. Tina L. is running the silent auction she may be asking for adults to help her on the 24th.

Scouts - Finish up all those last detail in your merit badges and advancements before the Spring Court of Honor May 24, 6 - 8 pm. Work hard to get your leadership and badge requirements completed to have your Board of Review for Rank Advancement. Contact the leader of your Merit Badge Session if you need advice or help in meeting your requirements.

Spring Court of Honor May 24th - Mark your calendars now for Troop 294's Annual Spring Court of Honor and Potluck Dinner. Scouts and their Families gather together to celebrate individual scout rank advancements and achievements and recognize all who have helped make this a successful scout year. There is always plenty of good food! More information to come soon.

Adults needed to help with summer Camp. Summer camp is July 3rdt to July 10th, 2010. We need 5 - 10 adults to run summer camp. Ama has volunteered to run the kitchen and feed 40 some people for 7 days but she needs a couple of adults to help in the kitchen and we would really like to have an adult take the responsibility for clean up after meals. 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.

Electronics on Campouts - At the last parents meeting, we discussed electronic devices on campout and decided that they should be prohibited.  This is a reminder that parents will need to make sure scouts do not bring video games, I Pod's, cell phones, etc.  Let's try and get all the scouts to interact with each other and enjoy the outdoors instead of playing video games or texting their friends. Please encourage the kids to bring their favorite board games and cards to play in the cabin.  We will have a football, frisbees, etc. for use outdoors.

 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.

upcoming troop calendar

19-Apr	7:00-8:30 pm	Scout Meeting at St. Pascal's - Session 5-2
26-Apr	7:00-8:30 pm	Scout Meeting at St. Pascal's - Session 5-3
3-May	7:00 -8:30 pm	Scout Meeting at St. Pascal's - Session 5-4
6-May	7:00-8:30 pm	Great Rivers District Roundtable - outdoor cook-off
10-May	7:00-8:30 pm	Scout Meeting at St. Pascal's - Session 5-5
17-May	7:00 PM	Swim test at Harding High School (no meeting at St Pascal's)
May 21-23	meet at 6 pm	May campout - STARCAMP Celebrate 100 years of scouting
24-May	6:00-8:30 pm	Court of Honor - pot luck dinner and award ceremony
7-Jun	7:00-8:30 pm	2010-2011 Youth Planning meeting - At the Aeling's
June 14 - 19		Troop294 Black Hills high Adventure trip
21-Jun	6:00-8:30 pm	2010-2011 Adult Planning meetings/with dinner at the Aeling's
July 3-10	meet 9 am	Summer Camp at Tomahawk Scout Reservation
July 16- Aug 1		Philmont High Adventure Backpacking trip

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
Patrol leader	Jonathon K
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

reports

Ian Bu.'s Webelos II Den has crossed over into Boy Scouts, so he is no longer their Den Chief.  Ian served with this Den all through their Cub Scouting career (1st-5th grade).  Many thanks to Ikki for your years of continuous service to these boys.

ASPL: In March, we went to the Phillippo Scout Reservation.  This month we are going to Fred C A..  Some of the merit badges that are going on in our troop are Plumbing and Aviation.  Recently, we visited the Boy Scout Museum in North St Paul.  It was very educational.  Signing off Daurius M.

Leroy Jenkins Patrol: In the last month the boy scouts of troop 294 got new scouts. The patrol leader of the LeRoy Jenkins Patrol had his patrol activity at the Maplewood Community Center. New merit badges are being worked on. Scouts taking the citizenship merit badge took a field trip to a local market in Minneapolis named the Global Market. First class scouts that took that took the first aid merit badge enjoyed teaching the newcomers of what they learned.

DX Army Patrol: No report received

Black Dragons Patrol: This month our patrol did the communications and citizenship in the world merit badges. We had fun. The next merit badges are Graphic Arts, Aviation, and Plumbing. Our next campout is at Fred C. A.. Submitted by Spud. Plumbing. Our next campout is at Fred C. A..

The Papayas Patrol: At the March camp-out, we had a lot of fun stick fighting, playing football and Capture the Flag. We also had very good food which my older brother, Charles, cooked. Many scouts in our patrol are also excited about the April camp-out. Submitted by Ben P.

Atomic Bombs: This is Jonathan K. signing on.  The camp out was AWESOME!!  We played Capture the Flag.  That was fun.  And we got to hike around.  Luke, Charles, Jonah, Taylor, Johnny and I went from our Patrol.  The museum was a blast from the past!  My favorite thing that I learned is that Minnesota collected the most tin during WWII.  Peace - this is Jonathan signing off.

A warm welcome to all the new Scouts that crossed over on February 25th. . Jonah R., Taylor M., Fernando K., Luke M., John K., Charles H., Jonathan K. and Austin F.. Welcome to the Troop!

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

T-2 High Adventure Program at Tomahawk Scout Reservation has been expanded again to accompany those Scouts looking f or High Adventure. A new pilot program called "Advanced Skills Expedition" has been added. This focuses on climbing, sailing, and kayaking. You must be 14 years of age or older and interested in learning advanced skills. Please check out the other two T-2 high adventure options: In Camp Experience and Out of Camp Experience. Contact Mark at mmccabe@nsbsa.org with any questions about this program!

May campout is STARCAMP May 21- 23 - We have a big group going and we may need a couple more adults to drive. Fliers on our web site.

Troop294 Black Hills high Adventure trip - flier and more information go to troop web site the contact person is Paula M

Summer Camp at Tomahawk Scout Reservation, Rice Lake, Wisconsin. July 3-10. This campout is the most awesome campout of the year - don't miss it. For another successful camp many Adult Volunteers are needed as cooks, guides, merit badge record keepers and drivers to/from camp.

Electronics on Campouts - At the last parents meeting, we discussed electronic devices on campout and decided that they should be prohibited.  This is a reminder that parents will need to make sure scouts do not bring video games, I POD's, cell phones, etc.  Let's try and get all the scouts to interact with each other and enjoy the outdoors instead of playing video games or texting their friends. Please encourage the kids to bring board games and cards to play in the cabin.  We will have a football, frisbees, etc. for use outdoors.

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 #5: Started April 12th and end May 10th The Merit Badges being offered are: Aviation, plumbing and graphic arts

Scouts Finish up all those last detail in your merit badges and advancements before the Spring Court of Honor May 24, 6 - 8 pm. Finish up your leadership and badge requirements and set up a Board of Review for Rank Advancement. Contact the leader of your Merit Badge Session if you need help in meeting your requirements

Historic Merit badges opportunities:  Carpentry, Pathfinder, Signaller, and Tracking.  For more information, contact Michelle Pitheon (651 254 9176; mpitheon@northernstarbsa.org) The fliers for the merit badges will be on the troop web site 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.

MEETING SCHEDULE: Questions - call or email Amy Bu Meetings are held on the following days at the Mounds Park UMC (Earl & Euclid) at from 7:00 pm Friday, May 7th and Friday, June 4th This month's activity - STARCAMP May 21 - May 22 Bring a friend!

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.