MARCH 2005 NEWSLETTER

THE PAST: February saw the completion of our year long TOMAHAWK PROJECT. Although the final outcome was not as we desired what a learning experience it has been for everyone involved. The troop was very fortunate to receive 5 new webelos into our family along with two older scouts who transferred into the troop. We held our bi–annual elections and the Order of the Arrow held membership elections. We started two new merit badge classes personal fitness and personal management both Eagle Scout required badges, and the final requirement for Criminology merit badge was a trip to the Fort Bend County Jail. We recognized Scout Sunday at Notre Dame Catholic Church on the 20^th at the 9am mass and the troop re-chartered with the Sam Houston Council. The only real down news was our campout to Camp Green Dickson was washed out with the rain.

THE PRESENT: We start the month on a good note with our spring court of honor. The 5^th is the Tatanka District Merit Badge Fair, this year there are several Eagle required merit badges offered including Family Life and Citizenship in the Nation and Community. The weekend of the 12^th, 13th and 14^th we are going camping at Nails Creek State Park on Lake Somerville. March 20^th is Palm Sunday and Troop 1113 is responsible for serving donuts coffee and juice between masses at Notre Dame, this is a opportunity to earn service hours towards your next rank. The month concludes with Easter Sunday a very holy time for many religions, remember a scout is reverent.

THE FUTURE: April is busy with the District Camporee at Bear Creek Park on the 1^st, 2nd and 3^rd. The competitions are expected to be tough for campsite and cooking awards start planning early. On Saturday the 23^rd Sam Houston Council puts on the Scout Fair at Reliant Park.

SCOUTMASTER MINUTE: February is the Anniversary of Scouting in America. It is the month Troop 1113 re-charters with the council and renews our membership with the BSA. This year it cost $960.60 to renew 28 scouts and 32 adult leaders. Troop1113 asks the adults to pay their fees before we re-charter. The Scouts we ask to keep their dues current, $55.00 per year payable in any increment easy for the scout. The Troop pays for you in advance believing in you as a person of responsibility to pay the troop back with your dues. So What Happens If You Do Not Pay Your Dues? Well my friends several things happen. One, the troop loses money, your fellow scouts who did pay their dues lose money, but the biggest loser is You. You have broken your Scout oath by not doing your duty to yourself, additionally your word is no longer worthy of trust, your have been disloyal to your fellow scouts and your patrol and your troop, you have not been thrifty and lastly you have been disobedient to the troop leaders who instructed you to clear up your debt in dues. There is an old saying ‘you get what you pay for.’ This is so very true especially if you are paying for scouting.

Doug Bohn SM Troop1113