Boy Scout Troop 370

Parents/Adults Attending:  Dan Koster, Pat Jerich, Heidi Northrup, Phil Jenkins, Jefferson Spilman, Greg Becker, Dean Malotky, Lori Helmer, John Northrup, Don Richard, Donna Griswold, Larry Gallucci, Aaron Nicklay, John Phillipi, Diana Benjamin, Steve Benjamin, Matt Maruska, Sara Coon, Jeff Weaver, Lauren Weaver, Andrew Reitz, Mike Zastera, Mike Link, Mark Hamilton, Erik Hamilton, Tom Harris, Amy O’Malley-Straight, Radhir Reddy, Brian Nash, Dan Wallace, Alex Farr, Nic Adams, Kathy Farr, Monica Turbeville, Jerome Biedny, Nick Hermes, Caroline Hermes, Jim Vlasic, Dave Olson, Jeninne McGee, Tom Ryan, Joleen Zastera, Brenda Jerich

Summer Camp – Nathan Berglund.  Nathan is the camp director this year.  Nathan said the theme for this year is “Put the Fun Back in Dysfunctional”.  Be at Pax at 8am and please be prompt.  There will be a stop at the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge for a tour.  According to Don Richard anyone who already has the “Fish & Wildlife” Badge doesn’t need to go.  But Don said he doesn’t know of anyone who does have it, so they all need to go.  When you arrive at Voyager Bay camp you will be expected to help unload personal gear and tents.  After unloading the trailers, scouts will be given time to set up their tents and organize their gear.  Next on the schedule is orientation which is especially helpful for 1^st years.  Next is bathing, dinner, then campfire and lastly bed.  The merit badge schedule with four class periods begins on Sunday.  The activity schedule is finally done it will be posted on the website tonight.  At camp there will be 20 extra scout alumni helping out.  Give them respect!  Wear your Class A uniform on the trip up to camp.

Summer Camp - Aaron Nicklay.  Camp will be pretty much be the same as it has been for the last 18 years, although there are a few new things.  Paul Skoog asked about merit badge books.  Aaron said the rest of the merit badge books would be handed out at tonight’s meeting.  Many of the books are old.

Check-in & Departure - Please be at Pax Christi by 8am or sooner so we can make it up to the Sherburne Wildlife Refuge.  Mrs. Chris Cutler will be managing the check-in table Saturday morning when you arrive at Pax.  Please check-in and hand any forms or medicine to Mrs. Cutler.  It would help if some people arrive prior to 8am so we can avoid a rush.  We plan to depart at 8:45am sharp.  We have enough drivers up and back.  If you’re a driver and your schedule changes so that you can’t drive, please contact John Phillipi, Aaron Nicklay or Monica ASAP.

Medications – All meds whether over the counter or prescribed need to be given to Chris Cutler upon check-in at Pax Saturday morning.  Please send enough meds for one week along with instructions so we know when and how much to give.  Leave the medicine in its original container and put it in a zip lock baggie along with the instructions.  You don’t need to send over the counter medicine unless there‘s a specific brand you prefer to use.  There are lots of over the counter medicines at camp.  Please do not have your scout change or try new medicine while at camp.  Also do not let your child have a break from his medicine while at camp.  If your scout is sick 24 hours prior to leaving for camp, please keep him home and let us know.  We will arrange for a ride to camp later in the week.

Forms & Physicals – We’re waiting on medical & registration forms from one scout.  There are a few adults who haven’t sent in their medical forms.  Please get these in ASAP.  If the forms aren’t ready until you leave for camp, bring them with you to camp and give them to Matt who is our medical officer.

Traveling to Camp – Don Richard will be with the scouts at the Sherburne Wildlife Refuge.  There will be a 45-60 minute tour.  There’s a planned stop for lunch at the McDonald’s in Garrison.  Each scout should have some money to buy lunch for the trip up and back.  Remind your son to save money for lunch for the return trip home.  Scouts, you will have your uniforms on, please be respectful to other people around you.  Maybe even hold a door open for someone else.

Packing – You will find a packing list if you go to the Troop 370 website.  Click on Files, then Voyager Bay, then Camp Packet Hot and open the document.  The information for packing is on page 5.

Swim Qualifications and The Beach Area – Each scout will be given a swim qualification test.  The results determine what area of the beach your son may use, for example the swim area, the raft or boats.  This holds true for adults as well if they plan on using more than just the bathing area of the beach.  The Swim Qual. includes swimming 75 yards which is four laps, the length of the dock and treading water for one minute.  Adults, if you miss the swim qual. the first part of the week, talk to Matt to get one scheduled.

Camp Sites – The patrol tent sites are set up based upon age.  The older scout sites are further away from the adults.  Scouts need to keep their camp sites clean and organized throughout the week.  There will be tent and site checks.

Duty Rosters – Daily duties are assigned by Patrol.  The Duty Schedule will be posted on the board at camp.  Duties include wheel barrow trash, wood collection, dig holes, help with campfire, wash dishes, clean latrines, etc.  Adults supervise each of these activities.  John Phillipi will be helping with water heating using the water firing system.  We no longer allow scouts to do this.  Also, scouts do not help with grilling.  We need adults to volunteer to help with grilling.

Kitchen Duty – The kitchen duty is a huge undertaking.  We prepare and serve food to roughly 90 people at each meal, not to mention clean up afterwards.  We need lots of adults to help, especially during lunch when Margie’s in town shopping for food for the next 24 hours. 

Food Allergies – You can alert us to food allergies by writing it down on the registration form and you can talk to Margie Sullivan or Joleen Zastera.  There is always PB&J sandwiches available if there’s food your scout doesn’t like.  You won’t go hungry, there’s always other food to eat if you can’t eat or don’t like a particular food.  Please let Joleen or Margie know a head of time if possible.

Water & Food – Scouts will be expected to carry their water bottle with them everywhere at camp.  They will be encouraged to drink often.  Water flavored with a little bit of kool-aid is served to the boys throughout the week.  Scouts complain about the weak tasting kool-aid.  The kool-aid is used to mask the taste of the well water.  Most scouts do not like the well water taste.  It’s important that they stay hydrated!  The water at camp is tested every year and it’s good.  Scouts are not allowed to bring food to camp unless they surrender it to Margie and Joleen upon arrival at camp.  Their food will be kept in the kitchen where they may come and eat it.  No food or drinks are allowed in tents.  This includes gum and mints.  If it’s edible and it smells, it will attract the furry creatures that live at camp.  We want to avoid animal visits to the tents day and night.

Security at Camp – After Saturday, YOU MUST CHECK IN AND OUT with Nate.  There’s a radio in the kitchen, use it to call for Nate.  For security reasons we need to know whose COMING AND GOING to/from camp.  Also when an emergency arises we do head counts so we need to know who’s on the property.  Nathan has the following list of people who will be arriving late or leaving early; Tom Ryan, Steve Shot, Jefferson Spilman, David Straight and Julie Maher.  If you or your scout is planning on arriving late or leaving early please let Nathan know as soon as possible.

Merit Badges - Jay Biedny indicated that we have enough merit badge counselors.  This situation typically changes so we may ask adults to step in last minute to help teach a merit badge.  Scouts need to read their merit badge books before they go to camp so that they’re prepared.  First years need two merit badge books, First Aid and Swimming.  Each book explains step by step the “how & why” of the requirements for each merit badge.  What the scout needs to know is in the book.  Kids will be asked to leave the merit badge class and go read their book if they haven’t already done so.  Scouts need to bring their scout handbook in a plastic bag along with their merit badge books, a pen and a notepad.  If you have equipment for certain merit badges such as climbing, bring that along also.

Blue Cards – A blue card is handed out for each merit badge (MB) that a scout works on.  It’s a two part form which needs to be filled out and then signed by Don Richard.  Don also needs to sign the scout’s record.  The scouts name and the instructors name needs to be on the blue card.  If MB counselors have questions about how to fill out a blue card please contact Caroline Hermes and she’ll get you the information.  Instructors and/or adults may never work alone with a scout.  The BSA’s requirement is “always two deep leadership”.  Caroline has MB counselor forms if anyone is interested.  There needs to be three copies of the Blue Card.  Caroline keeps one, the MB counselor keeps one and one is kept at home by the scout (in plastic sleeves in a 3 ring binder).  Mike Kistner has comprehensive info. on how to teach a MB.  Caroline will post this to the Troop 370 website.

Breaking Camp – On Friday afternoon we begin breaking down camp.  Adults must help clean up the camp.  Even if you’re planning on leaving early, there are things you can do to help.  We need to be ready to leave camp by 10am on Saturday morning.  Twenty people will be staying behind for a couple of hours to finish cleaning up.  The lead people for the next group arrive on Saturday afternoon so we need to be cleared out by then.

Traveling Home – On the way home we will again be stopping at the McDonald’s in Garrison.  Hopefully the scouts have some money left over to buy their own lunch.

Arrival at Pax – We’ll arrive at church around 2pm on Saturday.  All scouts must stay in the parking lot until all of the gear is divided up and loaded into scout vehicles.  Drew Hermes is responsible for seeing that the gear is divided up.  Once this is done he will dismiss all scouts at the same time.  Scouts must take the gear home and clean it or wash it.  If it’s a tent you must open it up and dry it out.  Return all gear as promptly as possible.

Totem Pole – We’ve been given a totem pole which needs some paint.  Preferably exterior paint.  If you have a little bit of extra paint lying around please send it to camp.  We’re looking for blue, white, yellow, black, brown, tan, gray or green.  Please don’t send large quantities.

A Great Camp Experience – There’s an enormous amount of work that goes into getting ready for Summer Camp.  Most everyone at the meeting tonight has helped in some way.  It’s because of all this help and support that Troop 370 has one of the best camping experiences around.  Thank you everyone!

Issues – By the end of the week, we get hot and tired and can tend to lose focus.  Please help us to make the end of the week at camp as good as the beginning.  We can do this with Team Effort when everyone pitches in and helps out all week long.  Also keep communicating all week long, when issues arise or otherwise.  If you have questions or problems please talk to Nathan Berglund, John Phillipi, Mike Zastera, Aaron Nicklay or Don Richard.

Rules, Schedules & Discipline – We have restrictions, do’s and dont’s to keep everyone safe.  Please help your scout understand the rules by going through them with your scout.  You’ll find the rules on pages 8-11 in the camp packet which you will find under “Files” on the Troop website.  If each scout does this, camp will go well and your son will have a better time at camp.

Gear/Equipment – If you need to borrow any gear please contact your merit badge counselor or Aaron Nicklay.  Scouts working on the camping MB will need to have overnight backpacks.  See Don Richard, Mike Zastera or Aaron Nicklay.  The Philmont scouts will need big heavy duty overnight packs.

Mail/Packages – If you plan to send something to your scout at camp you will need to mail it early so it reaches camp on time.  You could also give it to an adult going to camp for delivery during the week.

Bad Weather - At camp there’s a central main frame, radar and the internet.  These things are monitored closely all the time for weather.  When appropriate there will be a bad weather update on the Troop website.  There is an evacuation plan to town if there’s severe weather.  We’d like to put in a storm shelter but we need monetary donations to get this done.

Miscellaneous – Most every adult carries a radio.  There’s a designated camp channel, please don’t abuse radio use.  Cell phones do not work up at camp, do not send cell phones to camp with scouts.  There are designated “Adult Only” sites like the garage and “No Death” sites like Nate’s tent site where scouts are not allowed.  Parents, please don’t hover around your kids.  Observe from a distance.

Pre-Crew – Any adult who wants to go up early to help out at camp is welcome to join us.  We meet Thursday between 8:30am & 9am at Zastera’s house.  Lunch will be at the Deer Stand on the way up.

Beach Area – We will need lots of adult help at the beach area.  Please volunteer.  There’s training for “Safety Afloat” and “Safety Defense” at the following website:  www.northernstarbsa.org/training.

Staff Meeting – There will be a staff meeting Saturday night at camp.

Buzzer System – Every morning there is a long buzz sound.  The 1st one is at 7am for wake-up, the 2^nd one is 20 minutes later for assembly.

Parent Meeting Minutes

Treasurer’s Report – Joleen Zastera.  Total assets equal $21,656.88.  Scout account total is $3,712.17.  The overall balance is $17,944.71.  A couple of boys have purchased equipment.  Scouts can use the money in their scout accounts to buy gear, boots, packs, etc.

Troop Committee – John Phillipi.  If you’re going to Summer Camp and you haven’t completed “Youth Protection” training, please stay.  The August campout will be at Fort Ridgeley State Park.  There will be golfing at this campout.  John will send out an update to the Philmont participants.  We are still a little more than $200 short for the Friends of Scouting campaign.  We took the money out of our treasury to pay the shortage so we could receive the benefits.  If you haven’t already donated, please do so now.  Our next Parent meeting will be August 10^th and it will also be a Graduation Potluck dinner.