Troop 4 - Grapevine, Texas

TROOP 4 POPCORN SALES -- Troop 4's popcorn "kernels" Nancy Logue and Joyce Hegeman report that the troop sold a total of $3,850 in popcorn during the "show and sell" portion of the Longhorn Council fund raising project. The troop netted approximately $1,330 through the efforts of 23 scouts who have participated so far. Jacob B. was the top seller during show and sell with $671, while Jason H. was second with $311. Last day to sell popcorn during the "take orders" portion is October 25, with Nov. 5 as the deadline for order turn-in. The popcorn will be delivered Nov. 19-20. Mrs. Logue noted, each scout is responsible for a minimum of $150 in popcorn sales and so far 13 of the 23 scouts participating have met that requirement. If you don't want to participate in either event, then a check can be issued for $75 payable to the Troop. If you have any issues or concerns, please contact Mrs. Logue at (817) 637-7584 or jlogue@comcast.net . or Mrs. Hegeman at jeh61@earthlink.net or (817) 281-5149. Last year the troop sold $4,954 during the "take orders" portion of the popcorn sale.

SUMMER CAMP DEPOSIT DEADLINE LOOMING -- This Monday, October 18 is the deadline for registering and making a $50 deposit for Camp Alexander in Colorado. While the troop has a reservation to return to Camp Alexander Colorado June 26-July 2, 2005 for summer camp, other camping options being explored include National BSA Sea Base in the Florida Keys and an in-council camp. Projected costs are estimated at $475 for Camp Alexander and $1,000 including transportation for the Florida Sea Base high adventure camp. Exact costs will be determined later. If interested in the Florida sea base high adventure camp contact Troop 4 Equipment Coordinator Dan Berry at (817) 251-0963.

SCORE-O THIS WEEKEND -- Fifteen Troop 4 Scouts and adults leaders, along with two visitors will participate in this weekend's "Score-O" orienteering campout at SR2 near Bridgeport. The troop will meet at 6 p.m. Friday at CCF. It is important that parents not just drop their sons off Friday night and immediately leave as the troop's scoutmaster corps has several issues to discuss with parents before the contingent departs.

EAGLE UPDATE -- Eagle Scout Drew Sc. held his Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Monday, Oct. 11. Life Scout Joe K. has delayed until the weekend of Nov. 6 his service project proposal of designing and building podiums for the Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School faculty. Life Scout Drew St. conducted his Eagle service project on Sept. 18 at Faith Christian School. He only lacks his final project write write up describing the digging and construction of a fish pond and environmental area at Faith Christian School. Life Scout Kevin M. is awaiting final approval of his proposed Eagle service project by the Lakeview District Project Presort Committee. The project, assembling comfort kits for returning military personnel at the D/FW Airport USO Facility, is also awaiting a work day.

TROOP 4 BOR's -- Troop 4 boards of review are held the first and third Monday meetings. Scouts are required to fill out a BOR request form available from the troop scribe. Also all scouts are requested to bring their scout handbooks to each meeting so rank advancement requirements can be checked off. Scouts should report merit badge completions and rank advancements to Advancement Chairperson Joyce Hegeman in person, e-mail-- jeh61@earthlink.net -- or by phone to (817) 281-5149. Deadline is the Monday BEFORE the Court of Honor.

PADDLE THE BRAZOS CANOE RACE -- Fourteen scouts and seven adults attended last month's "Paddle the Brazos" canoe race at Worth Ranch in Palo Pinto County. Scouts included: Jacob B., Jeff C., Ken C., Christopher H., Micah I., Abi K., Joseph L., Robert L., Kevin M., Ryan M., T.J. N., Morgan S., Joseph S., and Cameron T. Adults included: Johnny Barker, Ken Schiller, Alok Kulshreshtha, Jeff Carter, Robert Hurtado, Jim Lippert, and Terry Nichols. Kevin M. and Ken C. won 2nd place in the 150+ pound class for the 6 mile race.

TWIN ARROWS -- The 16 adults who attended the Troop 4 parents committee meeting Oct. 12, have approved the troop paying the $50 registration fee each for up to three scouts to attend and complete the Twin Arrows leadership course Dec. 27-30. Requirements for attending are a scout must be at least 12 by July 1, 2004 and hold first class by December 1. There is a limit of 60 scouts council-wide for the course.

ADVANCEMENTS & MERIT BADGES by Advancement Chairperson Joyce Hegeman -- Cameron T. and Jason H., tenderfoot; Ryan M., second class; Bobby U., star; Micah I., scout; Joe K., personal; fitness MB; Ben S., environmental science,; Jason H., radio; Justin B., radio and dog care; Ryan M., swimming; Kevin M., communications.

TROOP FUND REIMBURSEMENTS -- All receipts for expenditures of troop funds such as new equipment or patrol food expenses should go directly to troop treasurer Linda Mitchell.

RECHARTERING -- Troop 4 scouts will receive a letter next month concerning the annual rechartering procedure for each troop in the Longhorn Council. The letter will contain information concerning troop and Longhorn council dues and other information.

DATES TO REMEMBER:
November 11 -- Longhorn Council Highland Games at Camp Tahuaya
November 13 -- University of Scouting for adult leaders at TCC NE campus.
December 26-30 --Longhorn Council winter camp, cost $155, see council web page.
December 27030 --Twin Arrows scout youth leadership course
Jan 8 & 22, 2005 -- Lakeview District Merit Badge College
June 26-July 2, 2005 -- Summer Camp at Camp Alexander CO