January: Our first campout of the year at Brazos Bend was a great workout despite the all night rain on Friday night through Saturday morning! Plenty of biking along with the gators and deer which were in abundance. And yes, finally great campfires and stories. The pancake fund-raiser helped those who participated. All who participated in the district first aid meet had an excellent time. Our first payment was sent to Camp Rand for summer camp.

University of Scouting is February 5^th. The 6^th is Scout Sunday. Our campout for February 11^th – 13^th is Galveston SP. We will be working on collections merit badge, have a kite-flying contest and maybe get a little fishing in. Troop Elections are scheduled to be held the 15^th. Order of the Arrow elections will be held the 22^nd. The district merit badge fair is to be held on the 26^th. Many great merit badges will be offered. Our semi-annual Court of Honor will be the 29^th, along with Friends of Scouting. It is an excellent time to honor all out scouts for their achievements, and to show your support.

The Order of the Arrow Spring Fellowship is March 17^th – 19^th. The pancake fund-raiser along with Donut Sunday is the 19^th. District Spring Camporee is set for the 24^th – 27^th. The Enchanted Rock campout is just around the corner (April 7^th – 9^th). Schlitterbahn is also on the horizon (May 26 –28). Summer camp anyone? Keep making those payments! Remember, numbers are limited.

Scouts, if you're like most boys, you don't think of your parents very often. Oh, they're around all the time, of course, and sometimes they make you do things you don't want to do.

But how often do you think of what your parents want from you? Probably not very often. Maybe you give them gifts at Christmas and on their birthdays. But most of us don't go out of our way to help our parents as much as we might.

I have a suggestion. Do you know what is the best gift you can give them? I'll tell you.

Parents want most of all, and have a right to expect that you will do your best to make them proud of you. I don't mean by becoming rich or famous, or even by getting all A's in school - although I hope you do your best at your studies.

The best gift you can give them is to become the best man you can be. There is no better way to do that than by living up to the Scout Oath and Law. That is a gift you can give them right now and all the time, and it is a gift they will cherish above all others.