Troop 4 - Grapevine, Texas

COURT OF HONOR -- More than 200 merit badges and 35 rank advancements awarded at the August 14 Court of Honor are listed elsewhere in the newsletter. Please see ASM John Flynn for any additions or corrections. Thanks go to Cathy Urenda and Helen Kilianski for planning the food for the Court of Honor. Also honored at the COH were recently retired advancement chair person Joyce Hegeman; Popcorn Kernel Nancy Logue; Scouting for Food chairperson Jo Ann Hart; Treasurer Donna Stephens; and Outgoing Senior Patrol Leader Ken C..

FALL CANOE RACE -- Those registered for the Longhorn Council's Fall Canoe Race Sept. 10 include Scouts: Michael B., Jared C., Jeff C., Nick C., Kyle C., Carlton J., Parker K., Abishek K., Robert L., Kevin M. Ryan M. Adults: Jeff Carter, Juan Corona, and Eileen Knight.

NEW SPL -- Jeffrey C. was elected Troop 4's senior patrol leader at the August 14 Court of Honor. Appointed positions included: Assistant Senior Patrol Leader : Ken C., Nathan S., and Joseph S.; Quartermaster: Ryan M., Scribe: Richard S.; Librarian : Jason H.; Troop Historian: Abi K.; Troop Guide : Jon S.; Chaplain Aide: Eric H.; Junior Assistant Scoutmaster: Kevin M. Patrol Leaders elected included: Titans--Caleb B.; Dragons-- Joseph K.; Green Moose: Joseph S.; Flaming Arrows--Kevin M.; and Cobras--Cody M.. The Falcon Patrol has not yet elected a patrol leader.

TROOP JUNIOR LEADER TRAINING -- Junior Leader Training for newsly elected and appointed troop officers will be Sept. 16-18 at Hills and Hollows. Other scouts not holding a leadership position may attend the Troop 4 JLT if they are first class rank. Longhorn Council Twin Arrows JLT will be Dec. 26-31 at Camp Tahuaya near Belton.

YOUTH PROTECTION by Phil Hand Lakeview District Training chairman --There has been some confusion regarding on-line Youth Protection Training (YPT) and the ability to take it without a BSA membership number to enter into the registration screen. And since it is here to stay, I though I would clarify the process and procedures to obtain your YPT card after taking the training. The best option is to have your BSA registration number available and use it when taking the training. Do note that for those of you who are registered in multiple units (or registered on the unit and District level) that you will need to use the number off of your Primary registration card (the place where you pay to be registered - typically your Pack or Troop). If you follow this process, upon the completion of the course on-line, you will receive a YPT card via e-mail upon completion of the course. If you are a registered leader, completed the course and test successfully, and did not get a confirmation e-mail and YPT card: please e-mail Patricia at pphillips@longhorn.org. Include your name and registration number and the date on which you took the test. Make sure that your name which you input on the YPT online form matches the full name you are registered with in BSA. If you could not complete the online YPT process because you did not have your BSA member ID number: please e-mail Patricia at pphillips@longhorn.org.If you are a registered leader, she can help you find your member ID number. Then return to the YPT program, go through it quickly to the end and retake the test and input your number.

If your computer locked up while taking the course or the test; the connection was interrupted; the power died, etc ... Make sure you have your member number and try again. A few leaders have had their computer lock up repeatedly and then experienced success by trying the YPT program another computer. i you are NOT a registered leader, the best way to complete the training is via in-person courses that are being offered at the new Council offices on a monthly basis. Note that after November 1, all in-person trainings of YPT will be offered only at the Council. This is particularly important for non-registered adults who will be attending summer camp with their Pack or Troop. The dates for the 2005-06 courses are as follows: 2005 - 9/7, 10/5, 11/2, 12/7 2006 - 1/4, 2/1, 3/1, 4/5, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/24, 5/31, 6/7. The start time for each session is at 7pm. And as stated above, they will all be held at the new Council offices (850 West Cannon, Hurst, TX 76054). For additional information, the Council YPT Chairman is Joe Robertson. He can be reached at 817/282-6272 or at joedr@charter.net.Hopefully this clarifies the process for YPT training. Should you have questions, please feel free to contact me. Philip Hand, Lakeview Training Chair, 817-329-7664.

POPCORN KERNELS -- Sheryl Gillaspie and Marianne Lippert have been named Troop 4's Popcorn Kernels for the upcoming popcorn fund drive. The troop Committee has approved a requirements that scouts not selling at least $150 in popcorn must pay $75 to the troop. The popcorn project is the troop's major fund raising project of the year.

NEW COUNCIL PHONE NUMBER -- 817-231-8500. The Longhorn Council office is now located on Cannon Street, just off of Precinct Line Road and Hwy 26.