Troop 4 - Grapevine, Texas

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES CHANGE -- The Troop 4 committee at its January meeting has approved the following change to the troop's policy and procedures document. "For the ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle, the Scout must obtain a current Individual History Report and Board of Review Report (both from Troopmaster) from the Advancement Chairman prior to having their Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review." This paper printout policy is very similar to what is required when an Eagle Scout candidate applies to the Longhorn Council to have his application approved prior to requesting an Eagle Scout Board of Review. Because of the short notice, the requirement will not take effect until February 1. John Flynn is the current advancement chairman, however Jim Lippert will soon be taking over the position.

MERIT BADGE COLLEGE -- This Saturday, January 21st, is the final Saturday for the Lakeview District Merit Badge College. Scouts who attended the first Saturday on January 7, need to return to Colleyville Middle School to complete their Merit Badge classes.

KEVIN PATRICK RECEIVES NOMINATION -- Troop 4 Eagle Scout Kevin Patrick has been notified he has received a Congressional Nomination to the U. S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs CO and the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point NY. He must still be accepted by one or both of the military service academies to secure admission in the fall, but just securing a nomination is a major achievement. Both academies will examine and review his academic and Boy Scout achievements. Graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy means a commission as an 2nd lieutenant in the Air Force, while the Merchant Marine Academy offers a commission as a Naval Reserve ensign and a Third Mate's license for U.S. flagged commercial seagoing vessels. After graduation, he will be required to serve five years in the military. This is indeed an honor for Kevin and Troop 4.

AD ALTARE DEI -- , Troop 4 Scouts Ryan M., Kyle C. and Richard S. earned their Ad Altare Dei awards by passing their boards of review last Sunday. Kevin M. and Michael C. earned their awards last year and sat in on Boards of Review for other scouts. Kevin and Michael are nearing completion of the Pope Pius XII award as well.

ADVANCEMENTS -- A complete list of rank advancements and merit badges will be listed in the February newsletter following the February 6th Court of Honor and Senior Patrol Leader election. Monday January 30th is the last date for a Board of Review to be held and awarded at the Feb. 6th Court of Honor.

EAGLE UPDATE -- Troop 4 Eagle Scout candidates Bobby U. and Nic S. have completed their required Eagle Scout leadership service projects and are busily preparing their Life to Eagle workbooks. They are expected to have their Eagle Board of Review in February.

OA ELECTIONS -- Troop 4 will hold its elections to the Order of the Arrow on January 30. To be eligible for election into Scouting's honor camping organizations, a scout must hold at least first class rank, two years membership in the troop, and completed 15 nights of camping, including one summer camp.

SUMMER CAMP 2006 -- Troop 4 will be going to summer camp in 2006 at Camp Hale, east of McAlester, Oklahoma at Talihina, OK, near the Ouachita Mountains. Camp will begin May 29, 2006. Payments are due in mid-March.

PHILMONT 2006 -- Any scout wanting to go on the 2006 Troop 4 Philmont Trek must notify ASM John Flynn by the end of this week. The Longhorn Council has awarded Troop 4 a 2006 Philmont trek as part of the Longhorn Council Philmont contingent. Troop 4 was among only two troops from the Lakeview District who received council treks, the other troop was Troop 7. Scouts who meet eligibility requirements have received previous notification. These requirements are: Age 14 by January 1, 2006; or Age 13 and completion of the 8th grade before the trek date. There is more than just meeting the age requirements. The commitment to become a crew member will require all participants to successfully complete Philmont shakedown events including a 4 day backpacking trip this fall and possibly again in the spring. The purpose of these events is to introduce the skills and knowledge needed for the Philmont trek, physical conditioning and most importantly building a crew mentality. Troop 4's crew size is 12.The maximum number of adults is 4 and in all cases the number of youth participating must be greater than the number of adults. In addition to the crew conditioning events, all participants must pass a Philmont physical. The Philmont fee is $520.00 per person. This does not include other costs such as transportation and travel meal costs. The trek dates are Monday July 17, 2006 (starts with lunch at Philmont) and ends with breakfast on Saturday July 29, 2006. In planning for the trek you should add an additional day for travel before and after the trek. That is we would leave CCF on Sunday, July 16 and plan to return on Sunday July 30. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact John Flynn at 817-481-7908 or johnlflynn@yahoo.com .

LEXINGTON TRIP -- A total of 14 scouts have registered for the U.S. Lexington trip Feb. 14-16 in Corpus Christi. Additional adult leaders are needed. For additional information contact Assistant Committee Chairperson Greg C. at (817) 354-6339 or Gregory.C.@aa.com .

DISTRICT CAMPOREE -- The Lakeview District Camporee will be March 31-April 2 at SR2. March 2nd is the deadline for signing up for the district camporee. Troop 4 will be conducting the "knot relay" competition.

SCOUTING FOR FOOD -- Scouting for Food bags will be distributed Feb. 4 and picked up Feb. 11.

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 as soon as possible to Advancement Chairperson John Flynn in person, johnlflynn@yahoo.com or phone (817) 481-7908. It is the scout's responsibility to make sure Mr. Flynn is aware of their rank advancement.

RADIO MERIT BADGE -- The Radio Merit Badge will again be offered at Ham Com 2006 June 9-10, 2006 at the Plano Center in Plano (note this is a location change from the Arlington Convention Center). For information go to http://www.hamcom.org/ and click on youth programs.