18 November 2018

18 November 2018

Troop Meeting Monday, 11/19 6:30-8:00
This will be the first of three meetings focusing on Merit Badges: Law, Plumbing, and Scouting Heritage. Most scouts selected their Merit Badge of focus last week. 

Board Game Camp - Kiwanis Scout Camp
Dec 14-16 is quickly approaching!!!
Sign-up here. We'll be staying in two bunkhouses: Otter and Wolverine. Be thinking of the games you'll bring and what you'd like to eat! Typically, menus have relied on easy meals so the focus can be on board games. We'll be leaving electronic games in MPLS for the weekend and spend time with some long and short form games. Its a great time for D&D, Risk, Catan, Monopoly, Exploding Kittens, even simple games like 21, and who can drink their hot cocoa slower. We've even had game boards merged and new rules created. Perhaps somebody should bring a game design merit badge pamphlet with them!
Remember to pack slippers - those concrete floors get cold!

Snow Base - Tomahawk Scout Reservation
Jan 11-13
Sign-Up here for Snow Base 
Check their website http://camp.northernstarbsa.org/snow-base

Enjoy an outfitted weekend of winter fun with our trained Snow Base Staff in January. Staying warm is easy when they provide cold weather training, winter clothing, camping equipment, excellent meals, and outdoor activities. The tiered programs and commitment to innovation ensure fun for all experience levels a new challenge each winter.

Snow Base will provide the equipment (sleds, sleeping bags, cooking, etc...), most of all the cold weather clothing (bring your own long non-cotton underwear and jacket) making the packing list quite small. Snow Base also provides all meals - they're tasty! 

Wreaths
Thanks to all the scouts that showed up and helped out. A special thanks to Jeanette and Cory for their dedication to making our wreath sale smooth - as their sons are both in 11th grade, we need to get some new volunteers to train in with them for future years, they've got it down to a science if this is something that interests you, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're aware some items are missing, we're tracking them down. If you have confusion please contact Jeanette. 

Merit Badge Week - North Star Scouting Museum

The Last Super Merit Badge Week of the year will be held between Wednesday, December 26, and Saturday, December 29.

Register your Scout now for the most desired workshops! PLEASE NOTE:  There are two sections of Communication offered during this week. Each is an independent workshop, and it is not required to take both of them.

Citizenship in the Nation - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/citizenship-in-the-nation-merit-badge-workshp-tickets-52612615750

Communication 1 - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/communication-merit-badge-workshop-1-tickets-52613607717

Family Life - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/family-life-merit-badge-workshop-tickets-52614991857

Scouting Heritage - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scouting-heritage-merit-badge-workshop-tickets-52615564570

Citizenship in the Community - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/citizenship-in-the-community-merit-badge-workshop-tickets-52713162488

Personal Management - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/personal-management-merit-badge-workshop-tickets-52728347908

Communication 2 - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/communication-merit-badge-workshop-2-tickets-52614486345

Citizenship in the World - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/citizenship-in-the-world-merit-badge-workshop-tickets-52713553658

Upcoming Schedule
Nov 19 - Troop Meeting
Nov 26 - Troop Meeting
Dec 3 - Troop Meeting
Dec 10 - Last day to register for Board Game Camp / Menu Planning

Dec 17 - Court of Honor

(No Troop Meetings Dec 24 or 31)
 Longer List of Troop Activites

Scoutmaster's Minute

Thanksgiving is this Thursday. Its a time for family, food, reflection, gratitude and sharing our "plenty." As Scouts, we have a unique lens to focus our experiences.

Try to tease out all the "plenties” that fill our lives: plenty of loving friends and family members. Plenty of interesting books and movies. Plenty of homework to do, Plenty of goals to achieve, merit badges to earn, ranks to advance through. Life offers so many types of richness—may we notice and celebrate each one.

It's important to remember not everyone has the opportunity to sit down at a Thanksgiving table that’s full of food and family. take some time to share, and provide some service. Whether by volunteering your time, inviting a friend or neighbor to join your family’s celebration or something more for those who need support, you can be sure that you’ll appreciate your “plenty” all the more when you share it with others. Remember our Scout Slogan: Do a Good Turn Daily.

Many families have the tradition of going around the Thanksgiving table and sharing the things each person is grateful for. Maybe this year, you can ask your guests to share a thought about something they’re grateful to have “plenty” of. Some might be funny, but some might express true gratitude. 

Gratitude is sometimes understood as “recognizing the good.” Gratitude is available to us every day, and it's important to take time for discovering it.  Finding and expressing gratitude is something for us all to “practice”. Make a point to find gratitude daily. At first, it might be forced or contrived, but practice makes permanent. Remember your pledge to live by the Scout Oath and may you bring happiness to others.  

11 November 2018

11 November 2018

Troop Meeting Monday, 11/12 6:30-8:00
Please bring back your tents!!! Please make sure they're dry...
Tomorrow night will be a bit of a gear night. The PLC has decided on a need to make sure our tents are squared away. Getting ready for the last campout we found a lot of tents missing, parts missing, etc. 

PLC has planned that Troop Meetings Nov 19, Nov 26, Dec 3 will focus on scouts working on a merit badge for a portion of the meeting. You may have work to do outside of meeting time to complete the merit badge you select. The three Merit Badges being offered will be Plumbing, American Heritage, and Law. Sign-ups will be at Monday's meeting. 

Pancake Breakfast Recap
Thanks to all who came out to help with and/or invited people to the Pancake breakfast this morning. We made about $500. We served about 100 people. Several Armed Services veterans that came through the line, it was nice to offer them a free meal; most made a donation anyway. Thanks to all the scouts and adults that made the event a success. 

Wreath pick-up is Next Saturday
8am-10am Northrup Elementary School 
4315 S 31st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406

All scouts who ordered wreaths MUST show up. If you cannot attend, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to pre-arrange for someone to pick up your wreaths. We will not hold any wreaths if you don't show up. The troop will sort and organize all wreaths the first 60-90 minutes. No one will leave until all wreaths are sorted. 

Please Fill out this form Everett sent today regarding your plans: https://goo.gl/jEBLy5

Board Game Camp is quickly approaching!!!
Dec 14-16
Sign-up here. We'll be at Kiwanis Scout Camp, staying in two bunkhouses: Otter and Wolverine. Be thinking of the games you'll bring and what you'd like to eat! Typically, menus have relied on easy meals so the focus can be on board games. We'll be leaving electronic games in MPLS for the weekend and spend time with some long and short form games. Its a great time for D&D, Risk, Catan, Monopoly, Exploding Kittens, even simple games like 21, and who can drink their hot cocoa slower. We've even had game boards merged and new rules created. Perhaps somebody should bring a game design merit badge pamphlet with them!

Upcoming Schedule
Nov 12: Troop Meeting
Nov 17: Wreath Pick-Up 8am-10am Northrup School
Nov 19 - Troop Meeting
Nov 26 - Troop Meeting
Dec 3 - Troop Meeting
Dec 10 - Last day to register for Board Game Camp / Menu Planning
 Longer List of Troop Activites

Scoutmaster's Minute
This idea comes from a speech I heard tonight from KSTP sports reporter, Joe Schmit. 
He was talking about the "silent impact" we make on our others. As Scouts, we abide by a code, to which we've pledged our honor: the Scout Oath, and the Scout Law. If you look around, you'll notice, Scouts often lead by example, even when they're not in uniform. Sometimes they lead from the front, sometimes they lead from behind. We try our best to do what's right, when its right, even if nobody's looking because we're not acting out of a need for recognition.
Joe said, "We make our biggest impressions when we're not trying to be impressive." And I thought "I've seen scouts do that 1000 times." Regardless, remember you always leave an impression, and because you abide by the Scout Oath and the Scout Law, its probably an impressive one, even if you're not trying.  

4 November 2018

4 November 2018

PLC Meeting Monday, 11/5 6:30-8pm (No Troop Meeting)
With our New PLC, we'll finish meeting plans through Dec. and work on planning board game Camp.
Our Pancake breakfast is coming up next Sunday. 
Sign up for a Pancake Breakfast shift. 

PATROLS Before elections last week, the scouts shuffled up the patrols. I think this is how they were settled. Of course, some adjuments will likely be made. We are going to push for patrol flags and patrol patches by December. PATROL LISTS


Fall Camp 
It was fun and pretty laid back overall, there was weather, we met the Pack 1 for their evening campfire, and we were able to do the high COPE course at Stearns! Thanks to everybody for helping to make transportation work. Thanks to Conan Collopy from Crew 3309. Pictures coming soon.

Lost & Found
We have a few stray items from camp that need claimed. They'll be at the next troop meeting. Also, we have one scout looking for a pair of Merrill brand boots. If you ended up with those please let me know. 

TENTS
If you have a troop tent, please dry it and return it ASAP. We need to go through the tents for some repairs. 

GEAR
As the holidays approach, if you participate in gift-giving, never overlook the joy of an upgraded sleeping bag, backpack, a tent, or other camping items your scout might enjoy. 
In the coming weeks, I'll send out a list of some little and bigger things I recommend for gear. If you have any questions, I'm happy to try and help. 

Handbooks
Be sure to be writing your campouts and your service hours in the back of your handbooks. Also, always bring your handbook to meetings and campouts...we're often working on advancement items. 

Upcoming Schedule
Nov 11: Pancake Breakfast at MUMC 7:00-12:00 - SIGN UP HERE
Nov 12: Troop Meeting
Nov 17: Wreath Pick-Up 8am-10am Northrup School
 Longer List of Troop Activites

28 October 2018

28 October 2018

Troop Meeting Monday, 10/29 6:30-8pm
We'll be assessing some gear (tents & patrol boxes), making menus for camp, figuring out what the patrols will be, etc.  Also, we'll be having elections for the PORs of our next Quarter.  If you're unfamiliar with the PoRs, check here. 

Halloween Party Recap
Thanks for everybody's effort to make the Halloween Party concessions a success! It takes teamwork to make the dream work and it seems to have happened once again. For any adults that were helping, if you'd like to help improve the system for next year, please write down any realizations, opinions, observations or suggestions, it’ll help us improve for the future. Simply send me, or Committee Chair Peter Edstrom, an email and the ideas will get to the committee for the Knowledge Base on our Troop 1 website.  

Fall Camp 
Tomorrow is the last day to Register for Fall Camp which is this coming weekend. 
This will be a low-key camp. We'll be camping OUTSIDE near Deckenback Lodge. We'll enjoy leading some program with the Pack 1 Cub Scouts and helping the Arrow of Lights build a campfire. We'll hopefully be doing some pioneering as well. 
Pack 1 is staying at their usual Heritage and Gagner Lodges. The Troop is by Deckenback.
If you have siblings in Pack 1, you can ride up and back with your family, but please plan to stay with the Troop both nights. Also, I will need to know your travel plans by tomorrow so I can make certain we have adequate seatbelts and room to get everybody and our gear to camp. 

Here is a Map of Stearns so you can see the proximity of Pack and Troop camps. There will be a separate email later this week with details specifically for camp.
Scouts currently registered:

• Nick Moore
• Soren Lewandowski
• Ellis Newberg
• Theo Holdsworth
• Liam McDonald
• Alex Barber
• Will Newell
• Lucien Randolph-Tarrant
• Aidan Guiney
• Oliver Needleman
• Everett Needleman

Service Hours

Many scouts have been helping with various Eagle Projects and other things. Be sure to write your service hours in your scout handbook and get them signed. We are often collecting service hours and there will likely be another hour or two at camp. If you're looking for more, Dan Edmondson our District Executive is looking for scouts to help him sort popcorn on Nov. 14. He can be reached at dedmondson@northernstarbsa.org.

Upcoming Schedule

Oct 29. Troop Meeting (last day to register for Fall Camp)

Nov 2-4: Fall Camp at Stearns

Nov. 5: PLC Meeting - No Regular Troop meeting (New PLC)
Nov 11: Pancake Breakfast at MUMC 7:00-12:00 - SIGN UP HERE
Nov 12: Troop Meeting
Nov 17: Wreath Pick-Up 8am-10am Northrup School
 Longer List of Troop Activites

Scoutmaster Minute
Crickets are interesting creatures. They're only an inch long yet they can be heard throughout the forest by rubbing their wings together. One can tell the temperature by listening to crickets. On warm nights, they chirp faster than on cool nights. If you count the number of chirps in 15 seconds and add 40 to it you'll get the temperature. I like to think about why crickets chirp. It's their way of saying "Here I Am". 

Like crickets, each one of us has ways of saying "Here I Am". Some say it through sports, some in music, some in reading, some in art. One way we all say "Here I Am" is through Scouting. When you wear your uniform you are showing everyone what you stand for, that you have ideals you try to live by as defined by the Scout Law, and importantly, that you know it's important to be the best person you can. I think one of the best ways to say "Here I Am" is by working hard, being kind, and being cheerful. 


Next time you hear a cricket, try to remember he is saying "Here I Am" and think how you are saying "Here I Am" in your life.

21 October 2018

21 October 2018

Troop Meeting Monday, 10/22 6:30-8:00

Wreath and Popcorn Money is Due. Please have your money counted, and separated. 
Wreath questions: Jeanette Wiedemeier Bower (wiedemeierj@yahoo.com) and Cory Branden (cory.branden@gmail.com)
Popcorn questions: Melissa Barber (mbarberbsa@gmail.com)

Also, if you have a TENT from the Camporee, please bring it back.

Halloween Party Friday 5:30-8:30
Oct 26: Concessions for Pack 1 Halloween Party at MUMC - (5:30-8:30)
We will be selling concessions for the Pack 1 MUMC Halloween Party.
Scouts should wear their uniform. 2 Shifts Sign up Here 5:30-7:30 & 6:30-8:30
I have to work and am unable to attend. I hope that we can get a couple of adults to take the lead on this, that would be wonderful.

SERVICE HOURS

Eagle Project Saturday 9/13 9am-12pm
Phase II of Zach Jones' Eagle Project is on Saturday morning from 9-12 at Ft. Snelling State Park. Wear Class B and bring some work gloves.
For more info reach out to Zach @ pineapple.zach@gmail.com

Upcoming Schedule
Oct 26: Concessions for Pack 1 Halloween Party at MUMC - (5:30-8:30) 2 Shifts Sign up Here
Oct 27: Zach Jones Eagle Project Pt. 2 at Ft. Snelling SP 9-12
Oct 29. Troop Meeting (last day to register for fall camp)
Nov 2-4: Fall Camp at Stearns - REGISTER HERE by Oct 29.

 LONGER LIST of TROOP 1 EVENTS

Scoutmaster Minute

Broken crayons can still color. You can remain a perfect crayon by staying in the box or get out there and color the world. In life, as you know, we get knocked down, we fall, we get hurt. More importantly, it's not about avoiding risks, but going out there and then getting back up when we fall.

14 October 2018

14 October 2018
PLC Meeting Monday, 10/15 6:30-8:00, No Troop Meeting
Patrol Leaders, Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leaders Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders and Quartermasters only. 

Camporee Review.  We had a great Camporee and represented very well. It was fun to wake up to snow Sunday morning and it was great to look at the stars during clear skies on Friday. Saturday morning, Scouts participated in frisbee golf and geocaching activities led by Carver County Parks. In the afternoon we heard some lectures from the MN astrological society as well as participated in many scout field games.   Here are some pictures.

If your scout isn't in many that means they were having so much fun I couldn't catch up with them. Tuesdae may have, and will hopefully add her pictures when she has a chance to cull through them and has a chance for uploading. 

Tents. If you took home a tent, please return it dry and rolled at the next Troop meeting. If it is missing something, please make a note. 
Wreath and popcorn money is due at the next Troop meeting, Oct 22. Hopefully, over the upcoming long weekend, you'll be able to sell and sell and sell. 

Fall Camp at Stearns, Nov. 2-4
Register Here: https://goo.gl/forms/w1c5ClrF4WpTJhQi2

This will be a low-key camp. We'll be camping OUTSIDE near Deckenback Lodge. We'll enjoy some leading program with the Pack 1 Cub Scouts and helping the Arrow of Lights build a campfire. We'll hopefully be doing some pioneering as well. 

Pack 1 is staying at their usual Heritage and Gagner Lodges. 
If you have siblings in Pack 1, you can ride up and back with your family, but please plan to stay with the Troop both nights. 
REGISTRATION DUE: Monday, Oct 29, No exceptions. 

Upcoming Schedule:
Oct. 18 (MEA Thursday) - Everett Needleman Eagle Project - Outside/Landscaping work. 9:30-3pm | 3231 1st Ave S. 55408 | FORM | ecneedleman@gmail.com
Oct. 22- Troop Meeting: Wreath and Popcorn Sales Due.  Remember to keep your sales money separate! 
Oct 26: Concessions for Pack 1 Halloween Party at MUMC - (5:30-8:30) 2 Shifts Sign up Here
Oct 27: Zach Jones Eagle Project Pt. 2 at Ft. Snelling SP 9-12
Oct 29. Troop Meeting (last day to register for fall camp)
Nov 2-4: Fall Camp at Stearns - REGISTER HERE by Oct 29.
  LONGER LIST of TROOP 1 EVENTS


Wreath Sales mail-order payment link
Payment link for Mail Order Wreaths
https://squareup.com/store/boy-scout-troop-1/item/wreaths-mail-order
If you have anybody that wants to mail order they can pay the troop online, and the seller can then process the mail order. 

Sea Life MN Aquarium at Mall of America


October is Scout Month so admission is just $10+tax per child and $15+tax per adult for scouts and their families (reg. adult $24.49, child $17.49). You have to wear or "show" part of your uniform. 
https://www.visitsealife.com/minnesota/?promocode=scoutmonth18


Merit Badge University
Presented by Alpha Phi Omega – Gamma Psi
Saturday, October 20th, 2018: 8:00am-4:00pm
Registration opens this Thursday, October 4th, 8PM
*This is a popular event and registration is limited to 200 scouts
There are still some spots available.
The registration fee is $25 dollars for the full day or $15 for one badge session. This fee includes lunch, and basic supplies needed to fulfil the requirements of each badge. The fee should be turned in during check-in from 7:30-8:15am. Checks must be made out to “Alpha Phi Omega – Gamma Psi,” to be accepted. Payment can be made at check in on the day of the event. 

Registration can be found by following this link:
https://tinyurl.com/y8v94z6v

Scoutmaster Minute

I hear pretty frequently. "They don't listen to me." 

Getting people to follow you can be pretty hard sometimes. Here's a secret to leadership that is shared in almost every major world religion, and the best CEO's, sports coaches and other leaders know this secret too.

What is it? 

It's servant leadership. If you take care of your people, they will take care of you. If you give them what they need to be their best, they will trust you. When they trust you, they will follow you. This is power with the group, not power over the group.

Before you step in front of your patrol to lead, ask yourself, "Do I serve them? Or do they serve me?"

7 October 2018

7 October 2018

Troop Meeting Monday, 10/8 6:30-8:00, Camporee Planning

Camporee. Look for another email later this week regarding camp details. A good packing list is found in your Scout Handbook. It'll be chilly and maybe a little wet, so pack accordingly. Nobody leaves MUMC without showing: rain gear, sleeping bag, and a water bottle.  Plan to meet at MUMC at 6pm for 6:30 departure - Baylor Regional Park is about an hour drive from MUMC. 

Scouts: 
• Nicholas Brown
• Caeli Casey
• Stuart Champion
• Toby Eichten
• Zachary English
• Theo Holdsworth
• Soren Lewandowski
• Liam McDonald
• Oliver Needleman
• Dylan Spoering

Adults: Corey Needleman, Tuesdae Collopy, Melissa or Mike Brown?

If something is off, please let me know. At this point it doesn't look like we'll need other drivers. 

Eagle Project Saturday 9/13 9am-12pm

If you're not Camping you should be at Zach Jones' Eagle Project one Saturday morning from 9-12 at Ft. Snelling State Park. For more info reach out to Zach @ pineapple.zach@gmail.com

Fall Camp at Stearns Nov 2-4

Register Here: https://goo.gl/forms/w1c5ClrF4WpTJhQi2

This will be a low-key camp. We'll be camping OUTSIDE near Deckenback Lodge. We'll enjoy some leading program with the Pack 1 Cub Scouts and helping the Arrow of Lights build a campfire. We'll hopefully be doing some pioneering as well. 

Pack 1 is staying at Heritage and Gagner Lodges. 

If you have siblings in Pack 1, you can ride up and back with your family, but please plan to stay with the Troop both nights. 

REGISTRATION DUE: Monday Oct 29, No exceptions. 

Upcoming Schedule:
Oct. 12-14: Fall Camporee. 

Oct 13 - Zach Jones Eagle Project 9-12 (for those of you not at camporee, you should help Zach!!!)

Oct. 15 PLC - No Troop Meeting (go sell wreaths and popcorn instead!)
Oct. 22- Troop Meeting: Wreath and Popcorn Sales Due.
Remember to keep your sales money separate!
Oct 26: Concessions for Pack 1 Halloween Party at MUMC 

Oct 29. Troop Meeting (last day to register for fall camp)

Nov 2-4: Fall Camp at Stearns - REGISTER HERE by Oct 29.
 LONGER LIST of TROOP 1 EVENTS

Wreath Sales mail-order payment link

Payment link for Mail Order Wreaths

https://squareup.com/store/boy-scout-troop-1/item/wreaths-mail-order

If you have anybody that wants to mail order they can pay the troop online, and the seller can then process the mail order. 

"CLASS B" Troop 1 T-Shirt Order

https://goo.gl/forms/HGTa1sRiFtgpNwhw2

$10. 

Maroon/Fabric - White/Ink. Adult Sizes.

Poly; Wicking. Not Shiny Nylon; feels like cotton. Not Cotton. We have cotton Sm & Medium. 

Scouts or Parents. 

Feel free to pay online

https://squareup.com/store/boy-scout-troop-1/

Merit Badge University
Presented by Alpha Phi Omega – Gamma Psi
Saturday, October 20th, 2018: 8:00am-4:00pm
Registration opens this Thursday, October 4th, 8PM
*This is a popular event and registration is limited to 200 scouts

The registration fee is $25 dollars for the full day or $15 for one badge session. This fee includes lunch, and basic supplies needed to fulfill the requirements of each badge. The fee should be turned in during check-in from 7:30-8:15am. Checks must be made out to “Alpha Phi Omega – Gamma Psi,” to be accepted. Payment can be made at check in on the day of the event.

Registration can be found by following this link:
https://tinyurl.com/y8v94z6v

The Alpha Phi Omega chapter at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, would like to invite you to our event, Merit Badge University. Following the success of previous MBUs, our goal remains to provide badges that will help scouts reach their Eagle Status, as well as badges that will be enjoyable to those who have completed their Eagle requirements.

Scouts will be able to earn two (2) badges through the course of this event. The day will be structured with a morning session, followed by lunch, and then an afternoon session. The same merit badge may be offered during both sessions if demand is high. Chemistry is a full-day badge, meaning it takes both sessions to complete.

For a scout to earn their badge, they MUST complete any pre or post requisites found on the sign-up form, and participate in the activities during their merit badge.

They request Scouts bring your blue cards for each badge.

Badges offered this Fall on October 20th:

• Communication*
• Citizenship in the World*
• First Aid*
• Entrepreneurship
• Art
• Architecture
• Public Health
• Environmental Science*
• Personal Management*
• Chemistry

* Eagle Required

Scoutmaster Minute

This one isn't original its a fine Jataka tale: The Greedy Crow

Once upon a time there was a fine pigeon who used to live on a nest close to a kitchen. The cooks of the kitchen used to like her very much and often used to feed her grain. She liked the place and her life was fine.

One day a crow saw the pigeon and saw how it was getting wonderful food from the kitchen. Then one day she made friendship with the pigeon, and under the pretext of friendship, she somehow made the pigeon to share the nest with the crow.

The pigeon then told her that they could spend time together discussing politics, religion etc. but when it came to food both had their own ways. So she suggested the crow to search for her own food.

But the crow was impatient and the very reason she had made friends with the pigeon was for the food. The crow wanted meat and all the pigeon got was grains from the kitchen.

It could not wait any longer and ultimately decided that she visit the kitchen directly for the food.

Thinking so, it stealthily crept down the chimney into the kitchen. She got the smell of a fish being curried on the pan. She got greedy and went ahead and tried to get the fish. But in the process she disturbed a laddle, and created a noise. This alerted the cook who was in the neighboring room and he caught hold of the crow and killed it. 

Its easy to see what happened to the crow. What does Greed do to your intelligence?