Troop 1113 January Newsletter

The Past:

December was great with winter camp, JLTC and much more. There were 7 scouts that participated in the research study. As for winter camp, Mother Nature threw something a little different at us. We were surrounded with golf ball size hail, high winds (55mph) and of course rain. We even spent a night in the dining hall due to a severe weather warning. But as it ended up, the only thing we got was some rain. Thank you Mother Nature! Those that went had a great time. As of this time I am waiting to here from our JLTC participants. Through the grapevine I was told it was an excellent experience.

The Present:

So we begin a new year. Where did 2002 go? Before I answer that, for those that were unaware Francis Ripper (our charter organization rep and much more) had surgery on January 2nd for colon cancer. Let us all keep him in our hearts and say a very special prayer for him and his family. January is destined to be a great month. We will be camping at Bastrop State Park the 17th thru the 19th. The 19th is donut / pancake Sunday. We do need adult help with these events. So, please step up. Each of you can make a major difference in son’s experience in scouting. Speaking of making a difference, we have the District Dinner on the 24th (at Notre Dame). Please buy your tickets early (from Brenda Bohn) and show your support for our Troop. We will also be participating in the District First Aid Meet on the 25th, which is at Notre Dame this year. And the very special, long time coming event will be held on Tuesday the 28th. This event will be a 4 Eagle Court Of Honor for Brian Dinwiddie, Spencer Meredith, Alan Nguyen and Paul Nester. Please make plans to attend this one!

The Future:

February will bring troop elections, patrol elections and the Troop Court Of Honor. There is also the University of Scouting on the 1st. Our campout will be to Lake Summerville, Birch Creek Unit the 14th thru the 16th. Summer camp sign up begins.

SM Minutes:

Scouts, you're all familiar with a common match, and know that with it you can start a fire - a fire that will keep you warm, cook your food, and add cheer after dark. After using a match to light your fire, you break it to be sure it is out, and discard it.

The Scout Law is somewhat like this match. We use it to light the good things inside us, but unlike the match we threw away, we should keep the Scout Law to use over and over - in our Scout activities, in our daily living at home, in school, in our work and play, and in the future as we grow into manhood. We don't discard the Scout Law after the troop meeting or even in later years when we are no longer Boy Scouts. The things it represents are as true and meaningful to adults as they are to Scouts.

If you follow the Scout Law everyday, the points of the Law will become so much a part of your life that when you grow up and enter the world of adults, you will be able to stand erect and look everyone squarely in the face and say, "I am a man. "

Yours in Scouting

Bobby Metcalf