BSA Troop 191

New troop photos have been published:

• Media Gallery -> Appalachian Trail
• Media Gallery -> Canoeing Trips
• Media Gallery -> Eagle Scouts
• Media Gallery -> Flag Ceremony > Valley Crest Farm

New photos from the overnight camping and canoe trip in May 2012 have been published to the Media Gallery -> Canoeing Trips -> 2012 album.

Scouts attending the Overnight Camping and Canoe Trip on the weekend of May 18 must have this Permission Form completed and signed by a parent or guardian.

Additionally the cost for food on this trip is $13.00 and can be paid via scout account or check made payable to Troop 191.

The May 17 troop meeting will be held at the Bethlehem Township Community Center due to a scheduling conflict with a school event.

Also some notes on Summer Camp:

• Please get medical forms turned into us as soon as possible. We need the original and two copies with parts A, B, and C completed. You should also keep a copy for yourself. Medical forms are available from the council website and also here on the troop site.
• Along with the medical form we’ll need copies of both sides of your sons’ insurance card.
• Ockanickon does not provide refunds for scouts that signup and for whatever reason are unable to attend. Instead they provide cancelation insurance at a cost for anyone that wishes to take advantage of this. This is a link to more information.
• Prior summer camp families are already familiar with the Summer Camp Behavior Expectation Contract; new families you’ll be hearing about it soon. Tony Tufaro will once again handle collection of these contracts at the regular troop meetings.

Turning now to the weekend Camping and Canoe trip this weekend, scouts attending that trip should plan to be at tonight’s troop meeting to continue safety and knowledge sharing talks geared towards having a safe and enjoyable trip.

Lastly thanks to all the folks that came out last weekend to help Brandon with his Eagle Project at Heritage Park.

Now that recent crossover scouts have settled into the routine we'll refrain from packing your inbox with messages and only send email for urgent matters.

Parents and Scouts can always check the troop website for news and reminder information such as this.

• Last call for Summer Camp at the current rate. We must submit our roster to OSR before April 24^th so Mr. Smith would like to get this wrapped up. Signups are online and a form may be printed and submitted with payment at the troop meeting.
• Signups for two water activities are available online, these are the whitewater rafting trip on April 29^th (last call also) and the overnight camping and canoe trip on May 18 – 19^th. Signups for both of these events has been light. Right now the canoe trip has only two individuals attending, the scout the volunteered to manage this trip and our Scoutmaster. They are going to be very lonely out there so please check your calendars and availability and consider these events. Both of these events were requested by the scouts during the troop annual planning.
• Scouts that received a troop shirt during the family dinner that did not fit should bring it to the troop meeting. Mr. Loeffler will be collecting these shirts and also the size that you need. The troop will obtain replacements and distribute as soon as possible.
• Reminder for scouts attending the Middle School Technology Design Challenge in Bridgewater this weekend; information and permission form was distributed by Mrs. Bernick via email. The permission form is also available online.

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter and enjoying the holiday break.

Reminder that there is no troop meeting on Thursday April 12 however swim tests are on Wednesday April 11 for any scouts that have not previously taken the BSA swim test either with our troop or at summer camp. Swim tests are required for any water activity and we have two coming up before summer camp this year. These are the White Water Rafting Trip on April 29^th and the Overnight Canoe and Camping Trip on the Delaware River taking place on the weekend of May 18^th. Signups for the Swim Tests and these two water activities are available online.

A sign up for Summer Camp 2012 in July is also available online; this reminder is especially for those recent crossover scouts where signups so far have been light. If your scout is planning to attend camp this year please visit the troop website to signup online as soon as possible.

For those scouts that attended the family dinner in February and received a troop shirt that did not fit we’ll be collecting those shirts and arranging for replacements. Please bring the shirts to the troop meeting on April 19^th where they will be collected and order the correct size that you need. The troop will order any additional necessary shirts and distribute at a future troop meeting. And speaking of shirts for those scouts attending summer camp we’ll again be providing two t-shirts free of charge for camp and parents will have the option of ordering additional shirts if they desire. Ordering information for everyone will be available on the troop website in the near future.

Thanks everyone and enjoy the rest of your holiday break.

Overnight Camping at Valley View in the Delaware Water Gap National Park and Canoeing on the Delaware River on Friday May 18^th and Saturday May 19^th. Scouts interested in attending this trip should Signup online and check the website News Page for updated information.

This trip is available to all scouts however priority will be given to scouts that need to complete prerequisite work for the Camping Merit Badge.

Scouts should plan to meet at the Bethlehem Township Community Center on Friday May 18^th at 5:30 PM and expect to return on Saturday May 19^th between 5:00 and 6:00 PM. Note that weather and/or river conditions may cause this trip to be rescheduled for Saturday May 19^th through Sunday May 20^th. Notice will be provided on the News Page and via email.

Scouts must have completed a swim test and should plan to attend upcoming training trips to prepare for this event. Announcements for this training will be made online and at the weekly troop meeting.