September Gazette

Hey, check out our new and updated Troop Website at www.troop874.net It's spectacular! Mrs. Lark did it. She's our Webmaster. A good website is critical to our Troop's communications, internally and externally. We will use this as a tool for recruiting, too! Mary, Thank you!!!!

AdvanceCamp was yesterday (Sat) and a great success. 23 Scouts and 7 adults from Troop 874 braved 103° heat to earn merit badges and get rank advancement. From what I could see, everyone had fun, too. I'd have to guess there were 500-600 Scouts there--not sure. But it was BIG!

Last week 3 new young men joined our Troop: Matt G. (Jordan's 16-year old Brother), Easton S. (Owen's 11-year old Brother), and Nick M. (7th Grader who just moved to town).

Please join me in welcoming them to our Troop.

This week's Troop Meeting (Sept 29th) is going to be devoted to Leadership Training for all Scouts currently holding offices of responsibility within our Troop.  Other Scouts may attend if they'd like, but this meeting will not be "business as usual." This is our semi-annual JLT training and planning meeting.

Patrol Leaders from Dec '08 - May '09 (Andrew M., Jesse N., Mason L., Mario D., David C., & Sam G.), if you have any Patrol Leader's Handbooks, please return them to me.

I understand that Scouts Jordan G. and Andrew M. are going to Wolfeboro next weekend to do their Ordeals for Order of the Arrow. We all wish them good luck! All OA Members are, of course, invited for the weekend. For more details see Michael F. (OA Rep) or me. It should be a nice weekend at Wolfeboro.

Current Troop Theme: Fitness

Merit Badges:

Merit Badges currently underway: Cycling (Mr. Tom, Counselor) & Sports
(Mr. Bleile, Counselor)

Merit Badges coming up: Personal Fitness (Mrs. Kordelos, Counselor), Swimming (Mr. Chamberlain, Counselor), Rock Climbing, and, maybe Skating. And maybe Pets.

Please see our current and updated activities calendar below:

September

Troop Committee Meeting: Mon, Sept 28th, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Carters' Home

Troop Junior Leadership Training - No regular Troop Meeting: Tues, Sept 29th, Pine Valley School, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Class A's, October

Service Project #1 - Camp Angels for the Susan Komen Walk for Breast Cancer in San Francisco
What: Set up tents and generally help out with camp set-up, hot pink tents!When: Friday, Oct 2nd, 2:00 - 7:30 PM
Where: Chrissy Field, San Francisco Marina
Troop 874 Coordinator: Damian Muzzio, dmuzzio@cisco.com

Project #2 - Mass Care & Shelter Drill - Cities of Danville and San Ramon Emergency Preparedness Organizations
What: Role playing as displaced evacuee! (see attached flyer)
When: Friday, Oct 2nd, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM,
Where: Windemere Ranch Middle School, 11611 East Branch Parkway, San Ramon
Troop 874 Coordinator: Kim Carter, kimandmichael@comcast.net

Quartermaster’s Work Day at Minibarn: TBD by Troop Quartermasters, Domenic B. & Trent S.

Order of the Arrow Weekend and Ordeal at Wolfeboro: Fri-Sun, Oct 2nd - 4th.For more details see Michael F. (OA Rep) or me.

Troop Meeting: Tues, Oct 6th, Pine Valley School, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Class A’s

Venture Crew Team Meeting: Thurs, Oct 8th, 7:30 - 8:30 PM, Bottini Home

Rocket Jamboree: Sat, Oct 10th, Camp Parks, Mrs. Martinez, Coordinator, dymartinez@comcast.net

Troop Meeting: Tues, Oct 13th, Pine Valley School, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Class A’s

Day Hike – Webelos Recruiting Hike: Sat, Oct 17th, Sunol Wilderness, led by Mr. Tom, stevettom@yahoo.com

Troop Meeting: Tues, Oct 20th, Pine Valley School, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Class A’s

Venture Crew Team Meeting: Thurs, Oct 22nd, 7:30 - 8:30 PM, Bottini Home

Annual Beach Campout at Manresa State Beach: Sat & Sun, Oct 24th & 25th

Troop Meeting: Tues, Oct 27th, Pine Valley School, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Class A’s

November

Troop Meeting – Troop Elections: Tues, Nov 3rd, Pine Valley School, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Class A’s

Venture Crew Team Meeting: Thurs, Nov 5th, 7:30 - 8:30 PM, Bottini Home

Troop Meeting: Tues, Nov 10th, Pine Valley School, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Class A’s

Court of Honor: Tues, Nov 17th: San Ramon Library, 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Venture Crew Team Meeting: Thurs, Nov. 19th, 7:30 - 8:30 PM, Bottini Home

No Troop Meeting: Tues, Nov 24th

December

Troop Meeting: Tues, Dec 1st, Pine Valley School, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Class A’s

Venture Crew Team Meeting: Thurs, Dec 3rd, 7:30 - 8:30 PM, Bottini Home

Annual Yosemite Campout: Sat & Sun, Dec 5th & 6th

Troop Meeting: Tues, Dec 8th, Pine Valley School, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Class A’s

Troop Meeting - Annual Holiday Party: Tues, Dec 15th, Pine Valley School, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Class A’s

Crew Team Meeting: Thurs, Dec 17th, 7:30 - 8:30 PM, Bottini Home

No Troop Meeting: Dec 22nd

No Troop Meeting: Dec 29th

There's a whole lot of Scouting going on!

Yours in Scouting,

-Dennis Bleile-

Scoutmaster, Troop 874
(925) 216-1086 (cell phone)
800 Winterside Circle
San Ramon, CA 94583