If you have Troop equipment (patrol boxes, dutch ovens, other cooking items, etc) that you took home after last week's Troop meeting or after the last campout to clean please remember to bring it back, cleaned, to this week's Troop meeting.  We need all the equipment to start reorganizing the patrol boxes for the next Trip.

We have been offered a great opportunity to visit a local Groton company named Hollingsworth & Vose who will be hosting the Pulp and Paper merit badge on March 18th.

This is a great opportunity to complete a merit badge in one evening and experience some of the inner working of a local high-tech company. Additional details from Mr. Witsch below.  

I would like to introduce to you the ability to earn the Pulp and Paper Merit Badge.  This is a STEM merit badge!  The Pulp and Paper merit badge is an option for the Harris Bronze Supernova, and Edison Silver Supernova STEM Nova Awards

I work for a company called Hollingsworth & Vose in West Groton MA.  You may not know us, but you likely use one of our products either in your house, your car, you batteries, your cell phone and many other places.  We make advanced materials in the form of paper products.  I’m glad to let you know that our company supports this effort and will allow us to use our labs for you to learn about paper making and to let you create your own paper.

The sessions will be held from 6 pm to 9 pm on March 18^th and March 26^th – you need only attend one!

What’s Needed:

1. Proper Dress - no loose clothing, long pants, socks, shoes with solid coverings (no mesh) – hiking boots in general are ideal
2. Attention to H&V Safety rules – separate Email, safety glasses will be provided.
3. PP MB worksheet - place to write notes – see attached
4. Pen or pencil - to write notes with

What to expect:

- with proper note taking, and explanations to your counselor, the ability to earn the merit badge!

What we will cover:  (see attached MB requirements)

1. Presentation on paper making and the history thereof
2. A movie on actual paper making showing the equipment and processes.
3. An opportunity to learn about safety for what we will be doing
4. And lastly, An opportunity to make your own paper!  You get to keep as a souvenir.

 Besides the paper souvenir, what to expect:  The information covered and the activities we will engage in will allow provide all the scouts the potential to earn the merit badge after successfully demonstrating your knowledge.  You will need a blue card!

 This is a no cost to you opportunity to learn and possibly think about a career.

ATTENTION ADULTS:  Within the sign up, are also spots for Adults to sign up, to help with 2-deep coverage and additional supervision (we will be in a working lab).  You must be willing and able to work with a scale, a kitchen blender, and be able to follow instructions given by our experts.

Space is limited and we have been given the opportunity to sign up before it is openned up to other Troops thanks to Mr. Witsch who is coordinating this event.

Please sign up now using the button below.  Sign up will close the Sunday.  If transportation is needed please let Mr. Witsch or Mr. McKeen know and we will try to coordinate.

The place we were going to go for cross country skiing is closed down for the winter. This means we will be doing Plan B. We meet at the Depot Rd parking lot of East Boston Camps (Stony Brook Conservation Land) at 7pm and plan a loop that will return us to the parking lot by 8:30. The low for Thursday is looking to be 40 degrees. Remember to wear warm enough clothes. Also, wear boots with tread as we might be walking over snowy and icy bits. 

Troop 437 uses the remind.com system to help deliver timely announceents and reminders to Troop members.  This is the same system in use by the Westford school system.  With this system you can sign up to receive announcements via a smartphone app or text messages.  The intent is to suplement the current e-mail announcements that are currently sent.  

Three ways to sign-up:

• By text message: Send "@t437" to 81010
• On the web: Go to http://rmd.at/t437
• Install and run the Remind app from your phone's app store

The February Troop trip will be a ski/boarding trip to Mt Sunapee in New Hampshire.  This is a great opportunity for both new skiers and for experiences skiers!  Mt Sunapee has trails to satisfy all levels of ability.  In addition Sunapee is also offering discounts on equipment rentals and lessons if you are interested.  All the details are in the attached permisison slip.

Signups are due Janaury 31st.