Red Lantern - October 2009

announcements

Troop 294 Web site - The web site is a great resource and has the most up to date information available. If you are wondering about - times to meet for an activity, or what to take on a campout, or who is in charge of what - please, please, please start with the troop website. Mark M does an amazing job of keeping it up to date! You can also see the latest pictures of troop activities.

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.

Adult Volunteers Needed to help make this year a success for Troop 294! Volunteers are still needed to organize, supervise, and coordinate the events which make Troop 294 special for your youth. Openings include: Assistant Scout Leaders, Merit Badge Counselors, Campout Chaperones. Many more positions have already been filled at the Adult Planning Meeting held in August. You can find the chart of volunteer opportunities on the Scout Website or call Mike and Ellen (738-9095) to see how you can help.

Heads up for the October campout - Families are welcome to come. Attend for the day or for the entire week end. This is over MEA week end. We will leave on Thursday, October 15 and stay until Sunday, October 18. It's at Afton Alps State Park and we have a group site. We will be tent camping. The cost is $12 per person. There is a parking charge for each car per day - plan to carpool if possible. Sign up and pay by October 12. Adult Chaperones: Mike Aeling, Ellen Aeling, Maggie H and Tina L.

upcoming troop calendar

5-Oct	7:00 - 8:30 pm	Scout Meeting at St. Pascal's MB 1-2
11-Oct	11am - 2pm	Popcorn Sales at Gander Mountain in Woodbury
12-Oct	7:00-8:30 pm	Scout Meeting at St. Pascal's MB 1-3, Leadership Reports due
Oct 15-18	leave at 6 pm	Campout at Afton Alps State Park
19-Oct	7:00-8:30 pm	Scout Meeting at St. Pascal's MB 1-4
24-Oct	As Scheduled	Popcorn Sales at Gander Mountain in Woodbury
24-Oct	8:30-4:45	Fall 2009 University of Scouting
26-Oct	7:00-8:30 pm	Scout Meeting at St. Pascal's MB 1-5
30-Oct	7pm-midnight	Venture Crew Halloween Extravaganza
2-Nov	7:00- 8:00 pm	PATROL ACTIVITY. Committee meeting at the Aelings.
3-Nov		Preliminary Wreath orders due to Mike
5-Nov		Adult Leader Roundtable
9-Nov	7:00-8:30 pm	Scout Meeting at St. Pascal's MB 2-1 begins, Leadership Reports due
Nov 13-15	leave at 6 pm	Campout at Fred C Andersen, Shelter #2
16-Nov	7:00-8:30 pm	Scout Meeting at St. Pascal's MB 2-2
21-Nov		Christmas trees and wreaths delivered
23-Nov	7:00-8:30 pm	Scout Meeting at St. Pascal's MB 2-3
26-Nov		Thanksgiving
27-Nov	TBA	Gander Mountain Gift Wrapping
27-Nov	TBA	Set up Tree Lot
28-Nov	TBA	Gander Mountain Gift Wrapping
30-Nov	7:00-8:30 pm	Scout Meeting at St. Pascal's MB 2-4
3-Dec		Adult Leader Roundtable
Dec 4-6	leave at 6 pm	Campout at Phillippo Scout Reservation - Ramsey Shelter

troop 294 patrol news

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.

leadership

Senior Patrol Leader	Adam S
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader	Charles P
Historian	Ricky L
Scribe	Andrew H
QuarterMaster	Ben L
Patrol leader	Joseph M
Patrol leader	Ryan J
Patrol leader	Tristen L
Bugler	Open Position
OA Representative	Open Position

Da Boss Patrol: Members: Charles P., Peter M., Sal R., Gideon K., Daniel M., Stephen K., Tyler E., John H., Regis H., Darius M., Andy M., and Joseph M. At Tomahawk Scout Camp I was elected. At the camp we decided our patrol name. During our second meeting we started merit badges: Citizenship in the Nation and Emergency Preparedness. Submitted by Joseph M. Patrol

Pet Rocks: We went to a camp out at a Warner Nature Center. It was fun and educational. We went on a bog and saw it move when we jumped. It was a long hike to our campsite. The sleeping was great! We are currently working on our merit badges. I am planning on a patrol activity soon! The Pet Rock Patrol includes: Caleb, Jonas, Galen, Ben, Calvin, Adam, Matt, Eliot. Submitted by Ryan J.

Navy Seals: Our last camp out was a blast, we did a lot of fun stuff. One thing we did was free birds from the nature center. Did you know birds can't fly being held upside down. In the group I was in we rode in a solar powered boat. My patrol group got a little tour and we also searched for lake creatures. A nice thing the parents did was set up our tents, why we were gone. WE also help pull out trees. The most exciting things for me was playing capture the flag, the little magic tournament. The most important thing was that we all had a fun camping trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ASPL: Hello, My name is Charles P and I have just been elected ASPL. The Troop went on many exciting campouts recently including a September campout and an Order of the Arrow Conclave. We have also just begun two new required merit badges: Citizenship in the Nation and Emergency Preparedness. We're looking forward to another great year of scouting.

Campouts

October Campout: October 15-18 at Afton Alps State Park. Adult Chaperones: Mike Aeling, Maggie H and Tina L.

November Campout: November 13-15 at Fred C. Andersen Scout Camp - Shelter 2 - Adult Chaperones: Mike Aeling, Anna B-R and Tina L.

December Campout: December 4-6 at Phillippo Scout Reservation - Ramsey Shelter - ADULT CHAPERONE'S NEEDED! 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.

Activities

Fall Popcorn Fundraiser - The Popcorn Sale is from October 3- November 1. Selling popcorn to your friends, family and neighbors is one way for Scouts to earn camp credit to help pay for summer camp and other activities. This fund-raiser is used solely for youth activities; with each sale, the scout earns about 1/3 (credited to the youth's camping account). Several opportunities to sell popcorn are on the scout calendar and signup sheets will be available at the Troop Meetings. Please look over the dates and sign up. Scouts may also check out popcorn using the "show and deliver option". Tina P is Sale Coordinator this year. Feel free to call her with questions or concerns

Christmas Wreath Sales - Youth can obtain flyers and order forms from Mike Aeling. Sell advance orders of various sized wreaths and garlands. Advance orders are due November 3rd. Wreaths will arrive the weekend of November 21st. Mike Aeling is Coordinator - 651-738-9095. Youth will also have the opportunity to sign up for scheduled sales shirts after St. Pascal Masses.

Gift Wrapping at Gander Mountain - Another great way to earn camp credits is to wrap gifts at Gander Mountain. Troop 294 Scouts and Crew will have the opportunity to sign up for selected shifts to wrap gifts for Gander Mountain customers. Shifts are scheduled from Thanksgiving Day to Christmas Eve. Donations received will be applied to the Scout's camping account (minus supply expenses). An adult must be present at all times to supervise each shift. Anne R is coordinating. Sign up sheets will be available in early November.

Merit Badges

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 1: Citizenship in the Nation, taught by Paula M and Bill D and Emergency Preparedness, taught by Jay S. Each is required for advancement to Eagle Scout.

Merit Badge Sessions for the remainder of 2009-2010 - Merit Badge Sessions have been requested by the youth. Help is still needed for leading these merit badge sessions. The following sessions still need leaders: Camping, Reading, Engineering, Collection, Graphic Arts, Space Exploration, Model design and building, and Metal work. If you are willing/able to help out with any of these please let Mike or Ellen know. Additional Merit Badge Options: 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.

Adult Advisors: The Bu's and Ellen Aeling 651-738-9095

Friday, October 30th - Venturing Halloween Extravaganza at the Rum River. 7 pm - midnight. $13.00 for scouts and adults are free. Meet at the Bu's at 6 pm to carpool out there. Friday, October 30: 6 pm Meet at St. Pascal's parking lot at St. Pascal's parking lot The flyer says it is open to those 14 & older. I can check to make sure if you are 14 & in 8th grade. Ian Bu is in charge of this event. Bring friends - male or female   

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

Northern Star Council News

The Northern Star Council is our charter organization and supports Troop 294 in many ways! The Council runs many metro area events open to Scouts and their families throughout the year. Check out the website at http://www.northerstarbsa.org for more information and upcoming events.