11-24-16 Troop Tribune

No Meeting This Week
There will not be a troop meeting this week due to the holiday. Happy Thanksgiving to all of our scouts and their families.

New Website
We are pleased to announce that we have launched a NEW WEBSITE. It is updated with current content and a mobile-friendly design. While the website address has not changed, you will need to re-register in order to access the site. We apologize for the inconvenience, but know you will be delighted with the new site www.mason750.org.  We do encourage both Scouts and parents to register to access to the new site!

The REGISTER button is found on the top navigation bar at the very end.  Please note that this is different from the LOGIN feature on the right side of the site. You only need to register once and then you can login in the future to find secure content just for our troop.

To register, you will need to create a username – please keep it scout appropriate. You will also need to create a password of 6 or more characters. Please check the help text if you have any issues. Once you are approved, you may begin using the site.  www.mason750.org

A special thanks to Jason Clabbers, Dennis Sweeney, Daniel Futrell, and all the ASM’s and committee members who helped design and build the new website.

Updating the Tribune Email List
Starting in January 2017, we’ll be working to clean up our email subscriber list for the Troop Tribune. If you are interested in receiving the Tribune email weekly, you must either create a user account on the new website and opt-in to the Tribune or reply to this email and include your name and your email address to stay on the Tribune subscription list.

Big Al’s Start, Stop, Continue Survey
If you attended Big Al’s Turkey Campout last weekend, please follow the link below to fill out the SSC. An SSC, if you are unfamiliar with it, is a start, stop, and continue where you reflect on the campout and write things that you want to start, stop, and continue doing on the campouts. This will help the troop find what we need to do to improve. The link is below.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWrTi41wptiCnLrNnZ6TcLtt1fTtcbrPZNWPmutpjbNJw1gQ/viewform

Next Outing
Our next troop event will be the annual troop lock-in at Scallywag Tag on December 11th from midnight to 7am. There is no cost for this event, and you can sign-up at the troop meetings. Email Mr. McNeill if you have any questions. blairmcneill65@gmail.com

Upcoming Eagle Court of Honor
Alex Neuzil and Derek Carskadden will have their Eagle Scout Court of Honor on December 17th, 2016 at 3pm. More information will be sent out in the next few weeks.

Need Scoutmaster Position-Specific Training?
Scoutmaster Position-Specific Training is required for all Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters. To be considered trained, participants must attend both sessions. Course is limited to 20 participants. Training nights are December 1 and December 8. The registration deadline for this, through the council website, is next Monday. http://www.danbeard.org/Event.aspx?id=4529

Merit Badge Challenge 2017 Registration is Open
Registration opened on November 14th. This is a great, inexpensive way to earn merit badges outside of summer camp. Scouts can attend any of the dates below, however we try to have troop 750 attend the Sycamore session if possible so adult leaders can be there to provide coaching and answer questions. All registrations must be completed on-line with a valid credit card.

Merit Badge Prerequisites, Fees, and Age/Maturity Requirements can be found on the Dan Beard Council website. Please note that pre-work for some merit badges will need to start months in advance….so don’t wait.

Anyone who is a rank of Scout, Tenderfoot, or Second Class is only permitted to take one Eagle-Required merit badge. Scouts who are First Class and above are entitled to take up to two Eagle-Required merit badges.

Registration Link (note you must register on your own, there is no troop registration): http://www.danbeard.org/MBC

Contact John Long @ 314 323 6749 OR email to long.jf321@yahoo.com. Register under Troop 750, Hopewell District.

2017 MBC Dates and Locations
Sycamore Site: January 28, February 4, February 18. Snow Date: March 18
Located in Montgomery, OH at Sycamore High School

Merit Badge Counselor (MBC)
Are you interested in getting involved to help our Scouts? Would you like to become a Merit Badge Counselor? Check on this link to take a look at the MB’s available, http://boyslife.org/merit-badges/ , and get in touch with Jen Ponstingle (jponstingle@gmail.com) to register! We really like to have all of the Eagle required MB’s covered by an adult in the Troop and are currently in need of MBC’s for Sustainability and Environmental Science – if you have interest in this area, please let us know.

Eagle Projects
Please watch for Eagle projects scheduled on the troop calendar! There are several upcoming projects over the next few months. With all of the commitments our Scouts and Scouters have from winter sports and other commitments, if you have a few hours you can contribute in support of our Life Scouts, all time is appreciated!!!

Advancements and Eagle Projects

Scouts needing a Board of Review should contact our Advancement Chair, Mrs. Enouen at denouen@zoomtown.com. Scouts needing Eagle Scout Project Approval should contact Mrs. Peischl at gpeischl@cinci.rr.com. Before scheduling your Board of Review, please request your TroopMaster records so that we can confirm all rank advancement requirements have been met.