Red Lantern - December 2007

A Red Lantern Image

announcements

2008 Registration: Registration fees will be collected December 10th at the scout meeting.  Fees this year are $20 per scout.  Scouts that request Boys Life Magazine will receive it at no additional cost.  This magazine has articles about scouting that apply to all age groups and has been shown to help keep boys interested in scouting.  Please remember to bring your $20 registration fee this day.

Troop 294 Annual Christmas Party:  Monday, December 17 is the date for the Troop Christmas Party.  Steven P is coordinating.  Please let Steve  know if you can help with this event.

Troop 294 Winter Court of Honor Monday, January 7 at 7 p.m. at St. Pascal's.  Mark your calendar now and invite your families for this quarterly recognition ceremony.  Merit Badges and Rank Advancement will be awarded. So to the scouts hoping to advance - now is the time to finish those requirements and schedule a board of review!   Refreshments will be served. 

Friends of Scouting Campaign Kick-Off " Friends of Scouting" (FOS) is the annual Boy Scout fundraiser, which directly sustains the year-round activities of the Northern Star Council which supports 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.  

The annual "Friends of Scouting" presentation will be made at the Winter Court of Honor.  Let's try for 100% participation!    

Upcoming troop calendar

Dec 2 9:00 - 12 Noon Christmas Wreath Sales at St. Pascal's after Masses, sign-up
Dec 3 7 - 8:30 pm Scout Meeting at St. Pascal's: MB 2-4
Dec 7-9 meet at 6 pm Campout at Fred C. Anderson, Shelter #3
Dec 9 9:00 - 12 Noon Christmas Wreath Sales at St. Pascal's after Masses, sign-up
Dec 10 7:00 - 8:30 pm Scout Meeting at St. Pascal's: MB 2-5, 2008 Registration Fee Due
    Articles for Red Lantern Due
Dec 11 7:00 - 8:30 Venture Crew Meeting, Toys for Tots collection at the Mall
Dec 13 7 - 9 pm Adult Leader and OA Roundtable
Dec 17 tba Scout Troop 294 Christmas Party
Dec 22 7 pm Christmas Party for the Venture Crew
Jan 4-6 meet at 6 pm Campout, Phillippo Scout Reservation, Snelling Shelter
Jan 7 7:00 - 8:30 pm Winter Court of Honor
Jan 8 7:30 - 8:30 pm Venture Crew Meeting
Jan 10 7 - 9 pm Adult Leader and OA Roundtable
Jan 14 7 - 8:30 pm Scout Meeting at St. Pascal's: MB 3 Begins, Leadership Elections,
    Sea Base Payment # 4 due
Jan 19 tba Cub Scout Pack 294 Pinewood Derby
Jan 20 4 - 7 pm Troop 294 New Leadership Training
Jan 21 7 - 8:30 pm Scout Meeting: MB 3-2, meeting at the Aeling's
Jan 26 tba St. Paul Winter Carnival Encampment
Jan 28 7 - 8:30 pm Scout Meeting at St. Pascal's: MB 3-3

leadership

Senior Patrol Leader Ian Ba
Asst Senior Patrol Leader Spencer P
Historian Joseph M
Scribe Sal R
Quartermaster Noah R
Patrol Leader Charles P
Patrol Leader Danny M
Patrol Leader Ed S
Patrol Leader Ignatius B
OA Representative Tyler E

reports

Jacksons: No report received.  Members: Ian Ba, Ian Bu, Peter M, Joseph M, Nick P, Sal R, Ian D, John H, Andrew H and Zach S.  - Charles P, Patrol Leader.

Tator Tot Patrol:  I hosted a knot board meeting for my patrol.  At the troop meeting we made catapults and launched Styrofoam balls at each other.   Members: Caleb Bu, Ryan J, Andy M, Calvin R, Adam S, and Austin W - Ignatius B, Patrol Leader.

Red Balloon Patrol:  Last Monday the Red Balloon Patrol had their 2nd patrol activity.  We went to Spencer's house to watch a movie and have pizza and pop. Spencer, Andrew S. Andrew H. Tyler, Jimmy, Eddie, Gideon and I watched Transformers in his basement.   Members: Spencer P, Andrew S, Noah M-R, Stephen K , Matt P, Gideon K, Jimmy S, Eddie S and Tyler E. -  Danny M, Patrol Leader.

ASPL Report:  No report received. - Spencer P -ASPL

order of the arrow

OA Leader Report:  No report received.  Tyler E, OA Representative.

The Order of the Arrow is Scouting's National Honor Society, Its purpose is to: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.

camping

December Campout - Dec. 7-9 at Fred C. Anderson, Shelter # 3.   Bring winter clothing/gear!

January Campout - Jan 4 - 6 at Phillippo Scout Reservation, Snelling Shelter.  Bring winter clothing/gear!

Weather and Packing for Camping:  Remember to pack appropriately.  Winter weather can be changeable and the right clothing is necessary for you to feel good and be able to stay outdoors..the whole point!  Be prepared for cold weather.  Sub zero weather requires layered shirts/bottoms, long underwear and especially outer layers which are water repellant.  A dry change of clothes, hats and gloves/mittens, an extra pair of shoes and boots for wet/snowy weather all are necessary.  Bring extra SOCKS, lots of them!

activities

St. Pascal Men's Club Tree Lot:  Thank you to all scouts and family members who helped with the tree unloading and set-up.  The tree lot is now up and running..if you need a tree for your home, stop and shop!  Help support the Men's Club efforts.  The St. Pascal's Men's Club sponsors Troop 294!

Christmas Wreath Sales are continuing.  Pick up a couple of wreaths from Mike and go out and sell door to door.  The weekends of Dec. 2 and 9 scouts can volunteer to sell wreaths after the Sunday masses at St. Pascal's.  See the sign up sheet at the Scout Meeting.  Please bring in your money from sales wreath money as it comes in.  Please have all your money in by Dec 17th.  Questions call Mike (651) 738-9095. 

Gift wrapping at Gander Mtn.:  Gift wrapping at Gander Mountain for Christmas shoppers has already begun.  There may still be some shifts open.  Youth may sign up if an adult has volunteered to supervise that shift.  See the sign up sheet at the scout meeting.   Anne R is organizing the schedule. 

merit badges

Merit Badge Sessions:    Merit Badge Session 2 is underway. Ellen A is teaching Personal Management and Dave Ba is teaching Emergency Preparedness. 

The Winter Court of Honor is scheduled for January 7 - so time is short.but you can do it! Finish the badges you have been procrastinating over!  Keep in mind how busy the holidays get and finish up those requirements now.  Plan ahead to schedule your reviews in time to receive your awards at this next Court of Honor.   Merit Badges are a fun way for youth to learn and grow confident in many areas.  Merit Badges are required for advancement and specific badges are required for advancement to Eagle.  Check the Scout Handbook for MB requirements for Eagle Scout or go to www.meritbadge.com for more info on specific merit badges. 

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.

Venture Crew Meeting:  Tuesday, December 4, 7 pm:  Shopping Trip for Toys for Tots at Maplewood Mall.  Meet at the Cinnabon stand in the food court when we will head over to the toy store to buy gifts.  I will have $75 that we can spend.  If you can bring a cash donation to add to this, it would be appreciated - or bring a toy to donate.  After shopping, we will have a bit in the food court and then drop off the toys and head for home.  We should be done by 8:30 pm.

Venture Crew Christmas Party:  Saturday, Dec. 22 at 7 pm at John H's house.

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