Present: N. Hopkins, F. Mitchell, M. Payne, R. Rogers, J. Ringbloom, R. Salij, G. Olszewski, R. Olszewski, P. Rohm, B. Robertson, G. Potamianos, D. Gmitro, S. Jones, C. Anderson, and D. Cox.

1. Minutes from Nov. were not sent out – a copy passed around.

2. Ski Trip – B. Robertson in charge of trip. Deposit will hold YMCA Camp Matawa cabin, which accommodates up to 29 people. Ski at Sunburst near Milwaukee, go to camp Saturday PM, breakfast served to us. More winter activities Sunday at Sunburst or YMCA camp. Weekend of Feb. 26 (certificate of insurance expires 2/28/11!) Leaving Saturday AM, 2 hour drive, coming back Sunday. We need numbers to get group rates for equipment rental and lift tickets. After trip, B. Robertson will do training to be troop’s merit badge counselor for Snow Sports. He is also signed up as an Assistant Scoutmaster now.

3. Eagle Committee – G. Potamianos reported on our very active group of Eagle Candidates. Cody V. will have a project this month at Ronald McDonald House. Ben C. and Nick R. will be the only ones left from that group. The Potamianos family went to the Eagle Recognition Dinner, which was a nice event. We need to plan a Court of Honor, since we now have 4 new Eagle Scouts who have not had theirs yet.

4. Treasurer’s Report – F. Mitchell says it has been a busy month. We might decide on alternate uses for popcorn money, such as purchasing equipment. D. Gmitro asked about a credit card for troop, doesn’t sound like it would work for us, but F. Mitchell will ask the bank. Account balance is now around $3,800.

5. Scoutmaster’s Report – R. Rogers reported on Waterfall Glen. A similar outing could be done right in Riverside for those who did not make it to the Waterfall Glen outing. Scouts need Orienteering for rank advancement. M. Payne said the Starved Rock camping trip went well. For Holiday Stroll next year, maybe just do cider or s’mores. We made a little money and showed our presence in the community.

6. Venture Crew – P. Rohm reported that there will be a Crew camping trip this coming weekend in Kankakee, at C. Gustafson’s farm. Conflicts with Cody V.’s Eagle Project, but December always a challenge. Some new Crew members coming. Peter F. coming back this summer, and some new parents might take over leadership.

7. Advancement – no report

8. Popcorn – no report

9. High Adventure – Philmont 2011 – J. Ringbloom reported that we were selected for Philmont for this summer. We could send either one or two crews of 7 to 12 members each. Philmont will ”fill” your crew with other people, if you have space, so it makes more sense to send full crews. Our slot is Thursday, July 14 to Wednesday, July 26. If a scouter is over 18 but under 21, he can be an adult leader OR a youth. Scouts must be at least 14, OR 13 by 7/14/11 and also have graduated from 8th grade. $750 fee per person, lots of advance preparation and training required. Several merit badges required too. Adults need a letter from a doctor saying it is OK for them to go. A crew cannot have more than half its members adults. We can’t do both kayaking and Philmont in the same summer. M. Payne thinks we should cancel plans to go kayaking, since we have the spot at Philmont and someone willing to organize it. We may not be so lucky in 2012. Down payment required by Jan. 1. We need to do a presentation about Philmont, so scouts and their parents can decide. N. Hopkins will try to get the social hall for Dec. 16, when we do not have a troop meeting planned.

10. Outdoor Activities – Luge outing will be Jan. 8 and 9. We have 25 spots, which can cover 5 leaders and 20 scouts. Leave early Saturday morning, losing an hour because of time zone , luge at 3:30 to 6 PM, then dinner and swimming at hotel. Each room will have 4 boys, no leaders in rooms with boys. Hotel serves breakfast, then come home by 1 PM Sunday. Scouts will need a signed waiver and money for lunch. Eagle Cave trip the following weekend will leave Fri 5-6 PM, be back on Sunday by 1 PM. Limit of 16 scouts and 4 adults.

11. Service Projects – D. Gmitro is arranging the troop meeting on January 13 to be for preparing food to be served at the Night Ministry. Meeting should be in the Social Hall, because of the kitchen. Someone else can use gym.

12. Pancake Breakfast – M. Payne thinks we should raise ticket price to $5.00 in advance, $6.00 at the door. Each scout will sell 15 tickets, and higher price will help our treasury. R. Rogers volunteered to take care of placemat ad sales.

13. Boards of Review – Get scouts to sign up, once a month. Try to get back to a schedule.

14. Website – We need to figure out how to get info to the scouts. Parents don’t always tell scouts what is going on.

15. Meeting adjourned. Next meeting January 11.