Red Lantern - November 2008

A Red Lantern Image

announcements

Troop 294 Website - Mark M, Webmaster. Troop 294's website is now ranked #1 by the following search engines: Google, Yahoo and MSN. Key in "Troop 294" and note that we are at the top! Thank you Mark for doing such a great job with our Troop's website increasing our "visibility."

St. Pascal Men's Club Christmas Tree Lot Help Needed: Help out our sponsoring organization with preparation for their annual tree sale fundraiser. ..Tree Unloading is Saturday November 22 at 9 a.m. It's important to have some stronger-armed Scouts and Adults for this task. The Lot Set-up is Friday November 28 12 Noon to 3 pm. Adults and Scouts are needed to help set up the displays.

Wrapping at Gander Mountain - Many Opportunities to earn camp credit - Help needed - see activities section

Christmas Tree Wreath Delivery: Wreaths will arrive the weekend of Nov. 22. Call ahead to Mike or Ellen at 738-9095 to arrange pickup of your orders.

Troop 294 Holiday Christmas Party: Monday, December 15 from 6 - 8:30 at the Woodbury. Food and swimming - more detail to come.

Sign up for Isle Royale backpacking now - first payment due January 5 at the court of honor - see attached flier, or
Click here: BackPacking Isle Royle

Winter Court of Honor - Monday, January 5, 2009 at St. Pascal's - Invite your family to this quarterly recognition ceremony. Merit Badges and Rank Advancement will be awarded. Scouts - now is the time to finish those requirements and schedule a board of review! Refreshments will be served.

Campouts..Adults are Needed! For all our upcoming campouts, several adults are needed to chaperone the youth at each campout.... If we do not have enough adults, the campout will be cancelled. The winter campouts are Jan 16-18, Feb. 13-15, and Mar. 13-15. Please call Mike or Ellen at 738-9095 to volunteer. Remember - Cozy Cabins are used for these campouts! This is a great chance to get outdoors and enjoy Minnesota.

Scout Bucks Attendance Incentive - Scouts - arrive on-time, in uniform, shirt tucked in! Receive Scout Bucks to use at the Spring Court of Honor "Auction." An Adult Volunteer is needed to coordinate the silent auction at the Court of Honor.please see Mike or Ellen.

upcoming troop calendar

Nov. 229:00 AMUnload Christmas Trees, St. Pascal's
Nov. 24 7 - 8:30 pmScout Meeting at St. Pascal's: MB 2-4
Nov. 28 12 noon - 3:00 pmSt. Pascal's Men's Club Tree Lot Set-up,
28-Nov7 am - 12 pmGander Mtn. Gift Wrapping begins: (please sign up- see Activities)
30-Novafter massesWreath Sales at St. Pascal's (sign-up at meetings)
Dec. 14:00 pm - 6:30 pmPulp and Paper Field Trip.See Merit Badge Section for details
Dec. 17 - 8:30 pmScout Meeting at St. Pascal's, MB 2-5
Dec. 7after massesWreath Sales at St. Pascal's (sign-up at meetings)
Dec. 87 - 8:30 pmScout Meeting, MB Sessions 1 & 2 Completion, Red Lantern Articles due
Dec. 117 - 8:00 pmAdult Leader and OA Roundtable
Dec. 126:30 to 10 ishVenture Crew meeting & Christmas party - Depot Ice Skating
Dec. 156 - 8:30Troop 294 Christmas Party - Woodbury YMCA - food and swimming
Dec. 22 No Meeting..Merry Christmas!
Dec. 29 No Meeting...Happy New Year!
Jan. 57:00 PMTroop 294 Winter Court of Honor - bring the whole family! , First payment for Isle Royale backpacking trip
Jan. 87 - 8:00 pmAdult Leader and OA Roundtable
10-Jannoon to 6 pm Venture crew at MOA
Jan. 127 - 8:30 pmScout Meeting at St. Pascal's, MB 3-1, Leadership Elections
Jan. 147 - 8:00 pmVenture Crew Meeting at Ellen's
Jan. 16-18meet at 6 pmCampout, Phillippo Scout Reservation, Kipling Shelter
Jan. 184 - 7 pmLeadership Training..mandatory for leadership elected Jan. 12
Jan. 197 - 8:00 pmScout Meeting at the Aeling's, MB 3-2
Jan. 267-8:30 pmScout Meeting at St. Pascal's, MB 3-3

leadership

Senior Patrol Leader Gideon K
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Sal R
Historian Peter M
Scribe Adam S
QuarterMaster Noah M-R
Patrol leader Jonas Bu
Patrol leader Andy M
Patrol leader Joseph M
Bugler Open
OA Representative Open

reports

ASPL Report. This month we are going on another camp out. In October we went to Fred C. A Scout Reservation. At our Pumpkin Carving contest, Bananaz on a Stick Patrol won with a "Christmas" theme. - Sal R, ASPL.

Candyland Patrol: Ignatius B., Tyler E., Ryan J., Stephen K., Noah M-R., Spencer P., Calvin R., Adam S. In October we went camping to Fred C. A where we played Capture the Flag. We had lots of fun when we climbed, hiked and explored. - Andy M., Patrol Leader.

Poohderz Patrol: The members of my patrol are Charles P., Peter M., Sal R., Gideon K, Galen D. and Daniel M. . New members of our patrol are John H. and Regis H. On October 24-26 we went to Fred C. A Scout Camp. At our meeting on October 27 we carved pumpkins.our theme was Cats. - Joseph M., Patrol Leader.

Bananaz on a Stick Patrol: The people in our patrol are Desmond B., Caleb B., Ian B., Ben L., Darius M., Matthew S., Eliot W. We are going Geocaching after unloading Christmas Trees on Saturday the 22nd of November. Remember to bring $5 for lunch. - Jonas B., Patrol Leader.

order of the arrow

The Order of the Arrow is Scouting's National Honor Society, Its purpose is: To recognize those Scout campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, to develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit, to promote Scout camping, to crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.

The OA position is Open.A great way for a new OA member to learn more about this program and share it with your fellow troop members. For more info please see Mike or Ellen.

camping

Weather and Packing for Camping: Be prepared for inclement/cold weather. Layers underneath water repellant outer clothes.are a must! Hats and gloves/mittens, and boots for changeable conditions all are necessary. You will be spending the major part of the day outside! Stay warm to have fun. Check the Troop website for a recommended campout packing list.

Three Adults are needed to help make each of these Campouts happen! Plan Now!

January Campout: Jan. 16-18, Phillippo Scout Reservation, Rudyard Kipling Shelter.

SNOWBASE: Troop 294 is going to Spearhead Feb 6-8, 2009. To see all the info on Spearhead, Click Here: Snowbase Information

 February Campout: Feb. 13-15, Rum River Scout Camp, Weaver Shelter.

March Campout: Mar. 13-15, Fred C. A Scout Camp, Peterson #1. (Departure time delayed for St. Pascal Men's Club Volunteer support.)

Summer 2009 Trips

High Adventure #1: Isle Royal Backpack Camping, June 16-21 2009 More Info to come! Youth planning to participate must be able to carry a pack with all gear. We will have practice hikes. The cost will be $300. Connie E & Ellen Aeling will lead this trip. See attached flier.

High Adventure #2: Cycling/Camping, June 17 - 21. More Info to come! Your own bike is necessary. Biking approximately 20 miles daily. Paula M, Rita S and Alan H will lead this trip.

Weeklong Summer Camp at Tomahawk Scout Reservation, Rice Lake, Wisconsin. July 4-11. Many Adult Volunteers are needed: cooks, guides, merit badge record keepers and drivers to/from camp.

activities

Fall Popcorn Sale Fundraiser: Thanks to Ricky and Bob M for a great job with the Popcorn Fundraiser. All money is due: If you have any questions about your sales, contact Ricky M. Sale Coordinator.

Christmas Wreath Sales: Wreaths will arrive the weekend of November 22-23. Plan now to pick your orders up. Mike Aeling is coordinator 651-738-9095. Youth also have the opportunity to sign-up for scheduled sale shifts after St. Pascal Masses Dec. 7. Chris R will coordinate the church sales.

Gander Mountain (Woodbury Store) Gift Wrapping Fundraiser: The sign-up schedule is now available on the Troop Website. A copy of the sign up sheet is attached to this Red Lantern. An adult must be present to supervise each shift. We are asking that you sign up for no more than 2 slots to start with so that everyone has a chance to participate. Check the dates and times and phone or e-mail Anne R. with your choices. Any gently used, clean boxes you have could be reused by the youth for this effort.

Spring Fundraiser: We have a fundraiser lined up - selling frozen dinner and dessert strudels - but we need an adult or 2 to run and coordinate this as a Spring Fundraiser.

merit badges

Check the Scout Handbook for MB requirements for advancement to Eagle Scout or follow the links on the troop website for more info on specific merit badges and requirements.

The Winter Court of Honor is Monday January 5. Finish up those requirements soon to schedule your board of review in time for Rank Advancement and Merit Badges to be awarded on this night.

Pulp and Paper Merit Badge Field Trip. Those scouts in this Merit Badge will be going on a field trip on Monday December 1 to the Rock-Tenn facility. Meet at St. Pascal's at 4:10 pm and car-pool. The group will return to St. Pascal's in time for the regular meeting. Bring money for supper at McDonald's on the way back to St. Pascal's. For questions call Sharon M. and to RSVP ASAP. We need a count of those attending!

Religious Merit Badges: We have two adult leaders who are willing to help members of Troop 294 work toward earning two of the Scouting Religious Emblems. Mr. Eric Bu will advise Protestant youth interested in completing the God and Life program (this is 9th-12th grade level of the God and Country Program).  If interested contact Mr. Bu. Mr. Charlie A will advise Catholic youth interested in the Ad Altare Dei program. For more information on requirements of either of these programs follow links on the troop website.

Gateway Council Merit Badge Saturday. January 17, 2009 at Guardian Angel Catholic Church. A one day event where many career themed badges and Eagle required badges will be offered including: Nuclear Science, Law, Citizenship in World, Citizenship in the Community, Architecture, Salesmanship, Personal Management, Personal Fitness, Dentistry and American Business. Follow links at the troop website for more info or to register.

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 links through the Troop 294 website. There are still some openings in these fall sessions. Scouts pursuing Merit Badges outside of Troop 294 should talk to Mike or Ellen first to confirm need, get an understanding of a program's requirements and for official 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 eighth grade) through 20 years old. Join us for a good time.

There is no Venture Crew Meeting on December 10th.  

December Crew meeting/Christmas party is Friday, December 12 - We will be going to the Depot Ice Rink .  We will meet at 6:30 pm at Ellen Aeling's house and head over to Minneapolis to the Depot Ice rink.  The cost get in is $8, if you are a registered member of the Crew, the Crew will pay for ½ of this.  The cost to rent skates is $7.  After we skate for a few hours we will head out for dessert - The venture crew will pay for dessert.  Bring a friend. Bring a toy for - Toys for Tots.

January activity Mall of America is Saturday, January 10 from noon to 6 pm. Come join us for a little NASCAR ($10-20), Mini Golf ($10) and eating ($). We will meet at the Aeling's at noon and return at 6 pm. Tyler E is in charge 651 702 6981. Let him know by January 5 if you are coming. We need a second adult to come along

January Meeting:  Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at Ellen's at 7 pm. Planning Meeting and Ice Cream Social.bring ice cream topping of your choice and some ideas for activities!

Gander Mountain Gift Wrapping Fundraising: All Venture Crew members are also invited to participate in this fundraiser. See the Activities section for more details. Check out the link on the Troop website to sign up.  

Adult Advisor: Ellen Aeling, (651) 738-9095.

northernStar council news

The Northern Star Council is our charter organization and supports Troop 294 in many ways! The Council runs metro area events open to Scouts and Families throughout the year. Follow the links on the Troop Website or Clik Here: NorthernStar for more information. To see all the activities you can participate in around our area, click on the left hand link to "Activities."

troop 294 website

The Troop 294 website is updated daily so everyone can keep current on Troop 294 activities. The yearly calendar, the latest Red Lantern, pictures of recent activities, helpful information and links can be found. Don't forget to e-Mail those Troop 294 photographs, flyers and ideas to: webmaster@troop294.net

Troop 294's website is now ranked #1 by the following search engines: Google, Yahoo and MSN. Key in "Troop 294" and note that we are at the top!