At this week's troop meeting we will conduct our Winter Court of Honor.  Families and Friends are invited to come help celerate the achievements of our scouts.   We will also have a representative from our district for the annual Friends of Scouting campaign.   If you are able please consider making a donation to the Friends of Scout fund drive to help keep scouting in our area strong.  

Troop 437 will be participating in the West Wind District Klondike Carnival on January 28th. For more information on the event see this page on the district web site.  This is a full day event on January 28th and each patrol will need a good turnout in order to compete.

While we thought there was no cost for this event - it turns out the district has  $10/scout entry fee.  Each scout should bring the $10 on Saturday

All scouts need to bring:

1. 5-6 foot long pole with rope
2. Compass
3. Cup and Spoon
4. A can of soup (No cream based soups)
5. $10 (admission fee) this is very important!!!!!!!!
   

In addition each sled needs some shared equipment.  Scouts will be asked to volunteer or be "volunteered" to one of these things at the court of honor:

1. trash can lid, fire wood, and water
2. a blanket and first aid materials
3. camp stove and duty roster
4. 50-100ft long rope
5. Food for meal
6. Trash bag

We  do need signed permission slips turned in to ensure we know who is planning on attending.  The permission slip is attached.

This week the troop will be electing Senior Patrol Leader and Patrol Leaders for the next year.  We need a 2/3rds quarum in order to hold the vote so all Scouts should plan on attending!

At the December 1st troop meeting information about the elections was presented to the troop - This included information about the positions, requirements, and election proceedures.  The presentation material can be found here.

This week's troop meeting will be the annual year end bonfire down behind the Legion Hall.  In addition to a nice warm and toasty fire the scouts will be providing hot chocolate and smore's.  If you would like to partake in these offerings please bring some sticks for roasting marshmellows and camp mugs for the drinks if you have them.

Registration for the upcoming Math Science and Technology Merit badge Expo is now open.  Space is limited and some badges fill up quickly so register soon.

Registration information can be found here

More information is in the attached pdf file.

The Merit Badge Expo is an opportunity for scouts to earn merit badges that are not redily found at summer camp or in the troop setting.  Over the course of two Saturday's scouts can earn two badges.  The first Saturday March 10th is classroom sessions and the second Saturday March 24th is for field trips giving scouts practical first hand exposure to their merit badge subjects.