Straight Talk with Rubber Ducky
News & Information for Scouts and Families of Troop 345 Eagan, MN
Online at www.troop345.org February, 2003
Calendar of Events
Troop Meetings begin at 7 pm
February
17 Trapp Farm Tubing
24 Northview Elementary
March
3 Camp Sacajawea
4 PLC – 7:00 pm – location to be announced
10 Valley Middle School Swim 6:30-8:30
11 Parents Meeting – 7:00 pm
at Camp Sacajawea
17 Northview Elementary
24 Northview Elementary
31 Northview Elementary
April
7 Northview Elementary
8 PLC – 6:00 pm at Bridgepoint Church
8 Parents Meeting – 7:00 pm
at Bridgepoint Church
14 NO MEETING
21 Northview Elementary
28 TBA
Upcoming Events
Mar 28-30 Camping at Spring
Lake Park
Apr 25-27 Camping Phillippo
May 9-11 Camping Afton State
Park
Jun 2 Summer Camp Swim Test
Jun 6-8 Ripley Rendezvous
Jun 20-22 Philmont ONLY Shake
Down Camping William O’Brien
Jun 25-29 – Flambeau River
July 19 -26 Summer Camp
Aug 4 -17 Philmont
Service Patrols
2/24 Dragon
3/3 Fire
3/10 Ram
3/17 Rubber Ducky
3/24 Wolf
3/31 Scorpion
4/7 Cobra
Tomahawk Summer Camp Date Correction
The dates for summer camp listed in previous Duckies were incorrect.
THE NEW DATES ARE: JULY 19- 26
A deposit of $25.00 is due to Mrs. Orlando by March 24. Total cost will be about $175.00.
Welcome New Scouts and Parents
We are pleased to welcome many new boys to Troop 345. Everyone is looking forward to getting to know you and to having you participate in our very active Troop. Let any adult leader or other scout know if you have any questions or need some help.
PARENTS: Please join us at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 11 at Camp Sacajawea for a new Parent Orientation Meeting. There will be special presentations on Troop Operations and Activities and a chance to meet the adult leaders and other new parents. The camp is located at McAndrews & Pilot Knob Rd in Apple Valley – enter off McAndrews.
Parents are always welcome and encouraged to participate in all Troop activities including meetings and campouts.
March Camping Information
Dates: March 28 – 30, 2003 at Spring Lake Park
Meet at Northview Elementary at 6:00 pm.
There will be cabin and tent camping available. Patrols will plan, shop for and cook Saturday breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday breakfast. Eat Friday dinner before you come. Scouts will be dropped off at their homes Sunday morning between 10:30 and noon. See the attached sheet for information on equipment needs and being prepared.
Ripley Rendezvous
June 6-8, 2003 Camp Ripley
Cost: $15.00 due in full by March 24 (includes meals)
Join us for a fun weekend of activities with Scouts from all over Minnesota. There will be merit badge stations, re-enactment groups, military vehicles, fireworks and more. There are limited, special high adventure opportunities for Scouts 14+ (rifle ranges, archery & wilderness course) and Scouts 16+ (ranger series and wilderness course). To sign-up give Mrs. Orlando your non-refundable $15 fee. Let Mrs. O know if you want to participate in the high adventure sessions. This event does not accept add-on registrations.
March 10 Swimming:
The March 10th Troop Meeting will be held at the Valley Middle School Pool in Apple Valley. (south of Cty Rd. 42 on Gardenview Ave.) from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Cost is $1.50 per swimmer. Family members and Cub Scouts from Pack 445 are welcome.
Mrs. Orlando will also be conducting swim checks for rank advancement and swimming merit badge. Be sure to read the requirements so you come prepared with the appropriate gear needed to take the test.
E-mailing the Ducky
If you would like to receive your copy of the Ducky via email, please send your email address to:
michael.bates@attbi.com
If you have multiple email addresses (home, work, Mom, Dad, Scout, etc.), feel free to include as many addresses as you’d like. The Ducky will come to you as an attached Word document.
TRAINING INFORMATION
Adults: Adult Basic Leader Training, Intro to Outdoor Leader Skills Training and Fast Start Training sessions are being offered throughout February, March and April. See Mike Bates for details.
Scouts: SilverPath Finder Junior Leader Training is being offered twice this summer: June 22-28 and July 13-19. The cost is $195.00. See Mr. D for details and scholarship opportunities.
Flambeau River Canoe Trip
Dates: June 25-29, 2003
Cost: $100 per person.
This trip is open to all Scouts and Adults. A few spots are still available. All participants must pass the Boy Scout swimmer test. See Mr. Simpson with questions. To sign-up, give Mrs. Orlando a $25.00 payment.
Philmont 2003 Information
Checks are due to Mrs. O as follows:
2/24 $125.00 5/19 $100.00
3/24 $100.00 6/23 $100.00
4/28 $100.00
Shakedown Dates: 4/25-27 at Phillippo 5/9-11 at Afton State Park 6/20-22 at William O’Brien State Park
Spring Popcorn Sales to Fund Summer Activities
March 22 – April 20, 2003
Scouts will have the opportunity to sell BSA popcorn products this spring to help fund summer activities. The Scout will receive full-credit for all sales into his Troop camping fund to help pay for summer camp, Philmont and the Flambeau River Trip. Here’s how popcorn sales can help:
Sell $2,575 of popcorn and earn the $900 Philmont Fee
Sell $500 of popcorn and earn the $175 Summer Camp Fee
Sell $285.00 of popcorn and earn the $100 Flambeau River Fee
See Mr. Kulseth by March 10 to sign-up to participate!
Shooting Sports Council-Wide Fund Raiser
The Indianhead Council Shooting Sports committee is working with the NRA to obtain a matching grant to purchase new Anschütz Target Rifles for Phillippo Scout Reservation. Troop 345 will match up to $300 in donations made by our scouts, parents and adults toward this council-wide fund raiser. Shooting sports have always been a popular activity within Troop 345. These new high-quality target rifles will be a dramatic improvement to the rifle shooting program. To make a contribution, simply give your check to Mrs. Orlando.
FYI: the website is working again @ www.troop345.org