We’ll be meeting at the church between 3:00 and 3:30 tomorrow with the hopes of getting on the road as close to 3:30 as possible to avoid Friday night traffic.

Although Saturday is the warmer of the two days, cold weather is moving in over . . . → Read More: Ski Trip Reminders]]> A couple of quick reminders for tomorrow’s ski trip …

We’ll be meeting at the church between 3:00 and 3:30 tomorrow with the hopes of getting on the road as close to 3:30 as possible to avoid Friday night traffic.

Although Saturday is the warmer of the two days, cold weather is moving in over the weekend.  Please make sure you have warm clothing for the slopes + extra gloves, hat, etc.

We will have access to the sports club on Saturday night for swimming, hot tub & sauna.  Please remember to pack a swimsuit (and it wouldn’t hurt to have a small bag to bring your gear to the sports club).

One thing that I forgot to mention is that helmets are required for all skiers and riders.  If you don’t have a helmet, you can rent them at the mountain.

If you are planning on taking the Snow Sports merit badge, please review the requirements and download the worksheet from MeritBadge.org.

See you on the slopes!

Payment and permission slips are due Wednesday 2/8.

Troop 591 is sponsoring CPR training and certification to be held at St. Marks this coming Wednesday at 6:30.

CPR training is required for adult leaders on trips, but understanding how to help someone in an emergency is a great life skill (even if you don’t come on . . . → Read More: CPR Training]]> A note to our Scout parents …

Troop 591 is sponsoring CPR training and certification to be held at St. Marks this coming Wednesday at 6:30.

CPR training is required for adult leaders on trips, but understanding how to help someone in an emergency is a great life skill (even if you don’t come on Scout trips).

The cost for the training is $30/person (which is a great deal!!) payable in cash or check at the time of the training.

If you are interested in attending this CPR course, please contact me or Nicole Charlton (ncharlton75@msn.com) to reserve your spot.

Mr. Valante, Mr. Leonard and I had a chance to go tour the Klondike site in Billerica on Saturday. It looks like a fun course and we have high expectations for this year’s event.

In addition to the Patrol sleds, the adults will be running one of the stations at this year’s . . . → Read More: Klondike Countdown]]> Scouts & Parents,

Mr. Valante, Mr. Leonard and I had a chance to go tour the Klondike site in Billerica on Saturday. It looks like a fun course and we have high expectations for this year’s event.

In addition to the Patrol sleds, the adults will be running one of the stations at this year’s event.  If you are a parent interested in helping us man the station, Mr. Valante will host an informational session for the adults at 6:30 (just before the meeting) on Wednesday.

Scouts are reminded that we will be completing the Patrol kits this Wednesday.  This includes split firewood and tinder as required in the equipment list.  (Fires must be started with only wood and matches!) Patrol leaders should make sure that they have a duffel ready to hold patrol gear.  All Patrol gear must be organized and prepared by the end of the meeting on Wednesday.  Patrol gear and the sleds will be stored in the shed and picked up on Friday night for transport to the Klondike site.

Please read the equipment list posted last week.  In addition to those things specifically required, don’t forget to pack stoves, fuel and cooking equipment for lunch.

Parking will be limited at the Derby, so we’ll plan to meet at 7:00 am Saturday morning at St. Mark’s and consolidate cars for the ride to Billerica.

Permission slip and trip details are posted in the Outings section (login required).  A reminder that all Scouts attending the Klondike must have a signed permission slip and the $20 event fee at Wednesday’s meeting.

The 2012 Klondike Derby Carnival is nearly upon us!  After completing a successful trial run of this year’s sleds last week, we’re beginning the final preparations for the Derby Carnival itself.  Click on the banner above to go to the Council’s web page with more details on this event!

Patrols need to prepare the . . . → Read More: Klondike Derby!]]>

The 2012 Klondike Derby Carnival is nearly upon us!  After completing a successful trial run of this year’s sleds last week, we’re beginning the final preparations for the Derby Carnival itself.  Click on the banner above to go to the Council’s web page with more details on this event!

Patrols need to prepare the following sled kits over the next week and have them ready for inspection at the Jan 25th meeting:

• Galvanized trash can lid for fire building
• Firewood
• Matches
• Water Jug + Personal water bottles (2 quarts of water for each Scout plus enough extra to put out a small fire)
• (4) 5′ long poles
• Rope for lashing & knots
• Blanket (think stretcher carry .. wool blankets work best!)
• First Aid Kit
• Compasses
• Cup & spoon for each Scout
• Trash bag
• HOT trail lunch + stove & cooking supplies
• Can of soup (no cream of anything) for the Hobo Soup
• 20 Index Cards labeled with Patrol Name, Troop Number and Town

All Patrol Gear (with the exception of the poles) should fit into a medium sized duffel bag to make it easier to carry on the sled.

All Scouts will need a signed permission slip and the event fee with them at next week’s meeting.  The cost for this event is $20/Scout ($10 event fee, $5 for food and $5 for sled materials).  I’ll post the form and more event details later.

The DotCom Patrol is meeting at 11:30 on Saturday at the Leonard’s house at 149 Dunstable Road.

The Ice Dragon Patrol is meeting at 12:00 at the Charlton’s house at 108 North Main St. (across from St. Catherine’s church)

Mr. Valante and I . . . → Read More: Klondike Sled Build]]> A reminder that patrols are starting on their Klondike sleds this weekend.

The DotCom Patrol is meeting at 11:30 on Saturday at the Leonard’s house at 149 Dunstable Road.

The Ice Dragon Patrol is meeting at 12:00 at the Charlton’s house at 108 North Main St. (across from St. Catherine’s church)

Mr. Valante and I will be purchasing materials in the morning and dropping them off for the patrols.

Please contact your Patrol Leader with any questions.

First, I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday so far!

While there’s not much in the way of snow around the area, the ski areas have been making snow – and Wachusett is open for skiing and riding this week.

Wednesday, December 28 is our just-for-fun ski trip to Mount Wachusett . . . → Read More: Wachusett Family Fun Ski Day]]> Scouts & Parents,

First, I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday so far!

While there’s not much in the way of snow around the area, the ski areas have been making snow – and Wachusett is open for skiing and riding this week.

Wednesday, December 28 is our just-for-fun ski trip to Mount Wachusett in Princeton MA.  Scouts and parents, siblings and friends are welcome to join us for a day on the slopes.

We will meet between 8:00 and 8:30 am at the mountain on Wednesday morning.  When you arrive, please drop your gear and meet the us inside the main lodge by the lockers next to the coffee shop.  Do not purchase your lift ticket.  Adult lift tickets are $50, but if we have at least 15 people we can get a discount of $10/person – so $40/skier or rider.

If you don’t think you’ll make it by 8:30, send me an email and let me know how many tickets you need and I’ll pre-purchase the tickets for you.

Because this is not an “official” Scout trip, the Troop will not be offering transportation to the ski area.  Feel free, however, to arrange a ride share with your friends if you need a ride.

We’ll be there from 8:00 until 3:00, so bring a lunch (or lunch money) and plan on a great day on the slopes!

The Scouts have voted and we’ll be seeing “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” this Wednesday night!

The movie will start at 7:15 at the Showcase Cinemas in Lowell.  We will meet at the theater – not at St. Mark’s.  Scouts should plan on arriving at the theater no later than 6:45 . . . → Read More: Movie Night Details]]> Scouts & Parents,

The Scouts have voted and we’ll be seeing “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” this Wednesday night!

The movie will start at 7:15 at the Showcase Cinemas in Lowell.  We will meet at the theater – not at St. Mark’s.  Scouts should plan on arriving at the theater no later than 6:45 so we can purchase tickets, grab some popcorn and get our seats in the theater.

Tickets are $10.00/person.  Scouts should have their ticket fee and money for popcorn or drinks.  I will collect the ticket money when you arrive at the theater and purchase the tickets.  Although this event is primarily for the Scouts, parents and siblings are welcome to join us as well.

Parents will need to arrange drop off and pick up at the theater.  I will try and have an adult waiting near the door so parents can drop off and pick up by the main doors.  Please do not drop your son unless there is an adult waiting to meet him.  The movie is 2 hours, so parents should arrive to pick up their son no later than 9:15.

If you’ve got any questions, please send me an email or give me a call.

Looking forward to a fun night before the holidays!

As you know, we’ll be doing something just-for-fun for our last meeting before the holidays and heading to the movies!

After discussing with leadership, we have the choice of the following movies (click through to watch trailers at Movies.com!):

We need to decide on . . . → Read More: Movie Night – Vote for your Favorite!]]> Scouts,

As you know, we’ll be doing something just-for-fun for our last meeting before the holidays and heading to the movies!

After discussing with leadership, we have the choice of the following movies (click through to watch trailers at Movies.com!):

• Hugo
• Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows
• The Adventures of Tintin

We need to decide on which one we see .. and that choice is up to you!

Vote for your favorites at tonight’s meeting.  We’ll need to make sure we have a 1st and 2nd choice – just in case.

Once the votes are tallied, I’ll send out further details on times and theater for next week.