TROOP 494
COMMITTEE MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015
1. Welcome - Roger Scherping
No changes noted to minutes. He also
noted that Troop 494 had a great showing at the District Recognition dinner,
more than any other troop in the District, and he presented those not able to
attend their certificates and stars.
2. Pat Mahoney gave a presentation
on Working with Scouts with Neuro-Biological Diagnoses, including tips for how
to guide them with structured coaching and following through with expectations. Pat volunteered to be the “go-to” guy as
needed and will come up with a questionnaire for parents to write down information
on their boys and tips used at home.
3. Scoutmaster Report - Jeff
Abel
Jeff reported that the Wilderness Survival Campout will be moved to October 3.
At Tomahawk Pack 437 will not be able to come to the family dinner on
Wednesday. Jeff encouraged them to come
at a different time. They just have to
let us know ahead of time.
Our Cub Scout Open House will be August 18 to promote the troop and get ready for
the crossover in the fall.
Jeff has been soliciting feedback on why recent participation at campouts and
other events has been low. Various
reasons were given, including: time
restrictions, not interested, wrong perception of campout, too similar to the
past, etc. Discussed ideas to encourage
more Scout participation, but basically they came down to communicating the
event better. Ideas included: a handout at the troop meeting, more explanation/
description of the campout (instead of jut announcing
the event, since now many of our Scouts are younger and may not understand what
the campout is like), having more visuals or pictures from that campout in the
past, discussions with parents at a Court of Honor, increasing the
participation of the older Scouts, etc.
Discussed older vs. younger Scout perspectives and will try to give the
older Scouts more opportunities to be leaders.
It was a very good discussion.
4. Camping Committee - MarySue
Abel
High Adventure: BWCAW is set for 2015.
For 2016 alternate activities suggested: kayaking, house boating, white
water rafting, and South Dakota/Black Hills.
With our large number of younger Scouts, it was suggested that a less
strenuous high adventure may be appropriate.
MarySue will investigate the Black Hills.
Upcoming campouts:
Devils Track Gorge (3-day) Campout June 19 – John Mercier is planning it.
Water Sports Aug. 21 – Cannon River possible, but still needs more planning.
Tomahawk 2015 – Pam will start getting the merit badge offerings ready for June
meetings. Parents Meeting is June
2. Swim test is June 30 at 7pm Maplewood
Community Center; Mark or Jeff will get the swim form. The bear talk will be July 7. Clint will handle the medical forms. Pam will handle the MB cards and online
reservations. The Family Dinner will be Wednesday night. Jeff is also working on scheduling a Northern
Tier overnight. We will need sign-up
sheets with shirt sizes. T- shirts: boys need to pick Tomahawk colors. Sheila will
coordinate T-shirts for Tomahawk. Also
need to order equipment.
There will be a Northern Tier parents’ meeting after the next troop meeting.
- Quartermaster Report - Sam Hunter
Oven mitts bought and are in place. Mantels
will need to be replaced.
5. Advancement Committee
Road to First Class update - Marc Johannsen – Shooting to have the second year boys
to First Class at the end of Tomahawk.
Advancement status: 7 Scout, 13 Tenderfoot, 2 2nd Class, 9 1st Class,
8 Star, 10, Life, 3 Eagle. Looking ahead,
there could be 9 Eagle Scouts in 2015, which would beat 2003’s 8 Eagles!
The next Court of Honor is June 23.
The troop is going to be starting a Merit Badge schedule for 2015-2016. Dan
Feidt will lead this effort.
6. Report from PLC – Justin:
The PLC planned what activities they will be doing during the June troop
meetings, including a backpacking demo, leave no trace demonstration, and skit
preparation. He also presented the list of High Adventure ideas: Kayak in Apostle
Islands, house boating, and white water rafting. Jeff also asked Justin what he thought would
help increase Scout campout preparation.
He recommended advertising more and giving candy for signing up for
campouts. Roger finished by reminding
him to have the Scouts clean up in the church after meetings, especially in the
AB room and nursery room.
7. Fundraising Committee
Molly Barth reported that the flower delivery process was very smoothly.
Manitou 15k update: So far 32 people are signed up. Card tables are needed.
Composting fundraiser: We will sign up
in July for a date in October. Roger and
Scott will coordinate.
8. Community Service
Committee
Pack 437 did not know about Scouting for Food.
Even though there were fewer Scouts they collected over 750 pounds, but
this was about half of a typical year.
St. Stephen’s lilac trimming is June 16.
Relay for Life is July 31, but we have not heard from them yet to assist with
the flag ceremony.
9. Treasurer's
Report - Ken Rowe – nothing new.
10. Other – No update with the
website. The summer picnic is Aug. 11th.
11. Old Business
Adult recruitment update: We now need to find someone else to take over as
Camping Coordinator. Current openings
include: Camping Chair, Flowers Team, Tomahawk help, Fundraising Chair, and Advancement
Chair.
12. New Business – No new
business