BSA Troop 191

Reminders and updates since the last troop meeting:

1. Thursday March 1^st is the next scheduled weekly troop meeting and we’ll welcome several new scouts to the troop that recently crossed over from Cub Pack 119 in Union Township.
2. We have several event and activity signups that are being handled online through the troop website:
   • The first is regarding the annual fertilizer fundraiser sale, for new parents see the troop website News page for some additional information. The troop sells in the area on weekends in March within our local community and this weekend is the first weekend selling. All shifts are available and adults will be needed. Look for more information from Steve Schwab via email and at the troop meeting. I’ll also get that information posted to the site.
   • Second up is the trip to the Paul Robinson Observatory at Voorhees State Park on Friday March 23^rd. We don’t yet have a confirmed time but it will be in the evening
   • Next is the Whitewater Rafting trip at Jim Thorpe PA on Sunday April 29^th. That date has now been finalized.
   • And finally a reminder on the Middle School Technology Design Challenge (MSTDC) for middle school age scouts interested in technology and the Robotics Merit Badge. The challenge is on April 21^st so watch for information from Mrs. Amy Bernick.
3. Summer Camp is the week of July 15^th this year. Signups are online however for this one you must also print a signup form and submit to Mr. Tufaro at the weekly troop meeting with payment. Costs for summer camp can be paid by scout account and/or check made payable to Troop 191.

The date for the annual Whitewater Rafting Trip has been finalized for April 29^th. Scouts and family members are welcome to attend. The Signup is available online.

The Boy Scouts of Troop 191 in Bethlehem Township are raising money to help pay for camping fees, troop supplies, and youth leadership training.  Troop 191 has been active since 1977 and is sponsored by St. Ann R.C. Church of Hampton, NJ. In that time they have advanced 34 scouts to the rank of Eagle.  The troop meets Thursday evenings from 7:30 – 9:00 PM at the Ethel Hoppock Middle School in Bethlehem Township.  All boys ages 11 to 18 are welcome.

To support the troop through this fundraiser please consider purchasing from scouts when they visit your area during weekends in March or download this flyer to place an order.

Weekends in March is when Troop 191 has its annual fertilizer fundraiser. Each year the troop provides area residents with competitively priced fertilizer products which are sold by the scouts door to door in caravans on Saturdays and Sundays in March. The funds raised are used to help troop expenses but a portion of all proceeds go into the scouts troop account. This account can be used by scouts to offset camping trips, camping supplies and summer camp.

Please take a minute to have your son sign up for as many shifts he is available for; submit a separate signup for each shift. Adults are also encouraged to help out and sign up. We generally need several adults per to help with driving and provide supervision for the boys. All adult time is also counted towards their sons account or as leaders/committee, into their own account.

The troop will host a trip to The Paul H. Robinson Observatory in Voorhees State Park on Friday March 23^rd.

Scouts interested in this event can signup online. Adults will also be needed for this trip.

Mrs. Amy Bernick has offered to work with scouts interested in competing in the Middle School Technology Design Challenge on April 21, 2012. The event will be held at Bridgewater Raritan Middle School.

The main goal is to encourage the students to strategize the best way to creatively solve a problem. In this case, the problem is to score as many points when attempting these challenges. Some parts of these tasks are quite difficult, so compromises may need to happen. Like any challenge, the students should develop a plan (or plans) with timeline or steps. Part of the plan could be to create a team and divide up the work.

Mrs. Bernick is looking for a few more scouts to compete at this event and offers an excellent opportunity for those working on the Robotics Merit Badge or those scouts interested in beginning the Robotics Merit Badge.

See this document for more information about the Challenge.

Scouts that wish to participate can Signup Online. Adults will also be needed for transportation and required two-deep leadership.

Troop 191 Summer Camp 2012 will be held at Ockanickon Scout Reservation between Sunday July 15^th and Saturday July 21^st, 2012. Cost for camp this year is $232.00 per Scout if paid by February 10^th. The cost will rise to $250.00 after this date through April 24^th.

Parents if your son will be attending camp this year please signup online AND print and complete this form and submit to Mr. Smith with payment. The cost of summer camp can be paid by scout account or check made payable to Troop 191.

The troop is planning the annual White Water Rafting trip in Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania on Sunday April 29^th. Cost is expected to be $55.00 per person.

We need to determine the level of interest from the scouts and adults in attending this trip. Those attending should plan to depart from the Bethlehem Township Community Center at 6:00 AM with a return at approximately 5:00 PM.

If you are interested in attending this trip on Sunday April 29^th signup using the online form and check the News area of the website for updated information.

Also note that scouts must be swimmers to attend this event so Swim Tests will be required for any scouts that have not completed a swim test at Summer Camp.