Scouts and parents interested in learning about possible high adventure outings this summer are invited to a meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Westminster Room (downstairs) at RPC. We have two opportunities: a week-long scuba outing in Florida for scouts and leaders/adults. All participants must be scuba-certified before the outing. The second possibility is a backpacking trip in the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan. Both outings are for older scouts (at a minimum have graduated from 8th grade this spring). If you are not able to attend the meeting, but want more information, please contact Jim Ringbloom at jrringbloom@sbcglobal.net

Parents: Announcements at Troop meetings will be made at the END of the meeting, not at the beginning. You are free to drop off your scout, but if you want to hear the announcements, please come up to the gym at the end of the meeting.

Our scouts will have the opportunity to work on several merit badges (all Eagle-required) at our Troop meetings in February and March.

Scouts will attend one of these three merit badge sessions: First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Family Life. All scouts taking one of these merit badge classes will need to read the appropriate merit badge book. We have many in the Troop Library (see our Librarian, Jack Lu.). Scouts can also borrow a book from another scout who has completed the merit badge, or purchase a book at the Scout Store in LaGrange.

Scouts currently in sixth grade, as well as scouts who have not yet earned the First Aid Merit Badge, will be working with Dr. Stephanie on First Aid, as well as completing 2nd Class and 1st Class requirements relating to first aid.

Scouts who have already completed First Aid, and are 1st Class and above, will have the opportunity to work on Citizenship in the Community with Mrs. Lulich.

Scouts who have already earned both the First Aid AND Citizenship in the Community merit badges will be working with Mr. Andersen on Family Life. Generally, Family Life is recommended for 8th graders or older.

If you have any question about which class is appropriate for your situation, please discuss it with Mr. Hartwig.

For Citizenship and Family Life, there will be work requirements beyond the time spent at the meetings. (For Family Life, help from the “family” is needed as well). Specifically, for Citizenship in the Community:

Prior to 2/7:
Review Requirement 7:
a. Choose a charitable organization outside of Scouting that interests you and brings people in your community together to work for the good of your community.
b. Using a variety of resources (including newspapers, fliers and other literature, the Internet, volunteers, and employees of the organization), find out more about this organization.
c. With your counselor’s and your parent’s approval, contact the organization and find out what young people can do to help. While working on this merit badge, volunteer at least eight hours of your time for the organization. After your volunteer experience is over, discuss what you have learned with your counselor.

On 2/7:
We will discuss and complete Requirements 1 and 2.
We will discuss Requirement 3. You will pick a meeting to attend.
We will discuss Requirement 7. You are to choose your charitable organization and begin your service hours.
You will begin working on Requirement 8 to be completed at home.

On 2/14:
Please bring completed Requirements 4 and 5 (done at home).
We will complete Requirement 6.
We will discuss Requirement 3, if completed.

Requirements to be done outside of the meetings:
Requirement 3, attending a meeting
Requirement 4, 5 to be done at home
Requirement 8 to be completed at home
Service hours (Requirement 7)