Troop 4 - Grapevine, Texas

Because Of Our Son
Because of our son, we found a job to do.
We became Scouters, tried and true!
We understand boys better, because of our son.
It happened through Scouting, oh what fun!
Because of our son, it was all worthwhile,
Oh, what a reward, to see a boy's smile!
It's endless, the pleasures gained from Scouting,
Because of our son, we attended each meeting,
And we've gained many friends beyond measure.
Tis indeed blessed to hold, such a wonderful treasure!
Hours that were idle, are now filled to the brim.
Because of our son, we enjoy life with him!
Because of our son, we've a new way of life.
We recommend Scouting for each Husband and Wife!

contributed by Troop 4's Cheryl Anderson (mother of two Eagle Scouts) and reprinted from an Eagle Scout Court of Honor program she attended years ago. The author is unknown.

WEEKEND CAMPOUT -- This weekend's campout will be at Camp Burnett in Southlake. To reach the camp go north on Hwy. 114 to North White Chapel Road, turn right (north), past Walnut Grove Park, to the camp at 3301 N. White Chapel Road. Cost is $13. The troop will leave from CCF at 6 p.m. Friday.

TROOP 4 EAGLE CANDIDATES -- Drew S., Daniel B., and Arden S. are nearing completion of the trail to Eagle with only minor requirements remaining. All have completed their Eagle Scout service projects.

ADVANCEMENTS by Joyce Hegeman -- Drew S. recently completed the requirements for the cooking, backpacking, and hiking merit badges, while Arden S. completed water skiing. The winter Court of Honor will be Feb. 23 in the CCF Fellowship Hall and include a Mexican dinner being coordinated by Asako Fertitta and Mindy Stricklin. Deadline for turning in all advancement and merit badge cards is Feb. 16. Twenty Troop 4 scouts are enrolled in the Lakeview District Merit Badge College that continues Jan. 24th at Cross Timbers Middle School.

SCOUTING FOR FOOD -- Scouting for Food will be Jan. 31st for bag distribution and Feb. 7 for food pickup. The donated food will be donated to Colleyville Christain Fellowship's food pantry for needy families. Scouts already volunteering, according to Acting SM John Flynn, include: Joseph K., Cameron W., Kevin M., Joseph S., Michael L., William B., Eric H., Matt H., Nic S., and adults Rob Blume, John Flynn, Joyce Hegeman, and Terry Stephens.

TROOP ELECTIONS NEXT MONDAY -- Semi-annual troop elections will be next Monday. According to the troop policies and procedure two-thirds of the registered scouts must be present. The following week the annual Order of the Arrow elections will be held. In order to be nominated for the OA, which is scouting's honor camping fraternity, a scout must be first class rank and have 15 nights of camping, including one long term (5 days or more) summer camp.

TROOP 4 WEB PAGE -- Scoutmaster-elect Jeff Carter, father of Jeffrey C., has arranged for Troop 4 to have its own web page, which is already up and running. The web address is http://www.troop4grapevine.com Mr. Carter's e-mail address is jeff.carter@troop4grapevine.com

RELIGIOUS AWARDS -- Spencer C. has completed his Ad Altare Dei Catholic scouting religious award, while Michael L., Matt H., and Joey K. will receive the Pope Pius Award on Sunday, Feb. 15.

PHILMONT UPDATE -- Seven scouts and adults have signed up for the troops Philmont high adventure trek in July. They include Kevin M., Justin B., Rick Bell, Daniel B., Chris B., Daniel Berry, and Michael B. Here are updates on the Philmont trek:
Trek dates: The trek schedule is July 7-19, however, including travel, the dates are July 6-20. we may want to consider leaving on the evening of July 5 to spend the night in Amarillo and then allow us to get into Cimarron on the 6th and increase the time at the base camp altitude.
Cost: $475.00 before transportation and personal expenses. Transportation will be determined later. Payment schedule $212.50 by February 25. Reminder: Funds are not refundable as they are sent to Philmont upon receipt. If you have signed up to go and cannot participate, another person may take your place provided they meet the troop and Philmont requirements for participation. For information contact John Flynn at 817-481-7908 or Ken Schiller at 817-545-7828. In addition, Michael Lacy has been nominated for a "St. George's Trek" at Philmont this summer. It is an honor to receive this nomination as only two scouts per Catholic dioscese are nominated.

SPRING CAMPOREE -- Troop 4 is responsible for the tower climbing project at the Lakeview District Camporee April 16-18. At least four adults will be required to staff the tower with other adults needed in camp to monitor camp operations.

TWIN ARROWS LEADERSHIP TRAINING -- Troop 4 may nominate two scouts for the Twin Arrows Leadership program during spring break either the weekend of March 13-16 or March 19-21. Contact Mr. Flynn for more information and eligibility requirements.

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER --- Feb. 5, April 1, and June 3 Youth Protection Training at Lakeview District Roundtable at Crown of Life Lutheran Church 6605 Pleasant Run Rd.; Jan. 17-19 campout at Camp Burnett in Southlake; Jan. 31st Woodbadge dinner; Jan. 31 and Feb. 7 Scouting for food weekends; Feb. 13-14, 2004 Shooting Weekend; Feb. 23 Court of Honor; Feb. 28 Bowlathon; Feb 23 Court of Honor and Friends of Scouting campaign; Vicksburg National Military Park camping and hike Spring Break 2004; April 16-18, 2004 Lakeview District Camporee; June 8-14 summer camp at Camp Tahuaya near Belton TX.

TROOP MB LIBRARY by Librarian Michael B. -- "Attention Troop 4 scouts and parent, help expand our library! Please consider donating your used merit badge books to the Troop 4 Library. We are in need of expanding our library with new books. Any donations would be greatly appreciated. Please bring in donations to Monday night meetings. Because of your donations our Library will then offer merit badge books for check out. Just in time for the upcoming merit badge collage. Please give books to Michael B., librarian. "Thank you for your help please contact me at the troop meetings if you have any questions or comments."

SCOUT HANDBOOKS -- Each scout should bring their scout handbook to every troop meeting and activity including camp outs so advancement requirements can be signed off as they are earned or show proficiency, not days or weeks later. Requirements are usually signed off by the scoutmaster or an assistant scoutmaster.

PLEASE UPDATE E-MAIL ADDRESSES -- Several Troop 4 families are apparently periodically changing their e-mail addresses as many of those addresses you supplied the editor with are bouncing. If you wish to receive the e-mail version of the Troop 4 newsletter (usually a couple days before the USPS delivers the paper version) please supply the troop with your correct and updated e-mail address. Also e-mails to some families are bouncing because of "over quota" messages.

EAGLE & ADVANCEMENT INFORMATION -- For approvals on Eagle Scout service projects (after the troop committee has approved it) and to schedule your Eagle Scout board of review call or e-mail Bruce Elliott, Lakeview District Advancement Chairman at 817-481-0195 or e-mail (preferred) lakeviewadvancement@hotmail.com
Additional details about Eagle Scout requirements and service projects can be found at: http://www.longhorncouncil.org/advancement/eagle_policy.htm
Troop 4 Life scouts should also download and print the council's Eagle policy and procedures manual (in pdf format) at: http://www.longhorncouncil.org/forms/eagle_projects/eagle_policy_and_procedures.pdf
Longhorn Council information can be found at: http://www.longhorncouncil.org/default.htm

SUMMER CAMP 2004 -- Don't forget to include in your summer 2004 vacation planning the dates for Troop 4's summer camp at CampTahuaya June 6-12. The camp is located off Interstate 35 just south of Belton (see map and camp information sheets)
http://www.troop4grapevine.com/event.info/2004/camp.tahuaya/
http://www.troop4grapevine.com/maps/camp.tahuaya/maps.camp.tahuaya.htm

POPCORN SALES -- by Joyce Hegeman -- Our popcorn sales were $4,954.00 and our share was 1,733.90 - not bad. Eric H. was top seller, followed by Matthew F. Please get your sales money in as soon as possible. Sales awards earned by each scout will be presented at the Feb. 23 Court of Honor.