For Summer camp, we are excited to be returning to the Griswold Scout Reservation's Hidden Valley.  The dates for this year's camp are July 27 (Sun.) - Aug 2 (Sat.)

Summer Camp sign-up and initial deposits of $50 will be due March 3.

The balance is due May 1. The projected cost per scout, for those who fulfilled tree lot duties, is $100.  The Troop Committee will finalize the total cost by their April meeting.

All deposits are non-refundable except in cases of family emergency or illness.

If you and your scout are still unsure whether or not he will be attending summer camp with the troop, you may register later, if space is available, for a late registration fee of $20 before May 1, $40 after May 1.

As always, hardship situations can be presented to troop leadership (either Jim Gillogly, Scoutmaster; Tara O'Regan, Troop Treasurer or Pam Vickers, Troop Committee Chair) and will be evaluated confidentially on a case by case basis.  

Adults planning on attending should also fill out the form  (below) and submit the $50 deposit.  If you want to split the week (attend only a part of it), please make a note on the form of which days you are planning on attending and we will try to match you up with your 'other half' for the week.  

Please send any questions to Mr. Gillogly and/or Mrs. Vickers, and we will answer them as quickly as we can. 

Thank you everyone for attending last night's pre-summer camp meeting.  We know it was a lot of information, and we thank you for your patience.

We look forward to seeing all our happy campers at Hidden Valley Scout Camp between 11:30an-12:15pm (no later, please). We are excited about the program, and are sure all of our Scouts will have fun, get some great advancements, make some friends and have some great stories to tell when they get back.

You can get all the information presented at the pre-camp meeting under the "upcoming events" tab in the Summer Camp menu item.

See you Sunday!

At 7pm this Monday, July 22, we will be having a meeting at the church for all scouts who will be going to camp this summer and their parents.  We will be going over getting to and from camp, what will happen there, what to pack and other logistical information.  If you and/or your scout are unable to attend, please let Mr. Gillogly and Mrs. Vickers  know as soon as possible. 

Class B T-shirts will also be available for sale, sizes are based on availability and cost is $7 (sizes up to XL) and $9 (size XXL).  

Also, if you have any Troop fear hanging around your house, tonight would be a good time to return it.

It's hard to believe.  The National Jamboree starts in one day.  The Fourth of July is way behind us.  Your SPL and Scoutmaster are headed to Hidden Valley for the pre-camp meeting on Monday.  The mandatory summer camp meeting is here next Monday, and rumors are that a huge truck carrying Chessters is heading North.   That could only mean one thing.  SUMMER CAMP is around the corner!!!

 It is time to start mentally and physically getting yourself ready for  summer camp.  Here are a few tips to help you get ready and enjoy the week in the "Land made for Scouting":

• Start thinking of all the fun we will have.
• Familiarize yourself with the summer camp info on our Troop website.  Basic info is here. (or http://www.troop17bsa.org  – then look under the  “upcoming events” menu item).
• Review yourmerit badge selections and prerequisites on the troop website.
• Get your merit badge pamphlets and  WORK THOSE PREREQUISITES (it makes the badges go much easier)
• Get your gear together (check the packing lists), and pack them according to this blog post
• Get your daypack ready - it'll be with you most almost the entire time
• Start moving your diet toward drinking lots of water instead of energy drinks or soda.
• Walk to as many places as you can, so your legs get used to being up and around all the time
•  If you have new shoes/ boots, start wearing them around the house to break them in (blisters are NOT your friend)
• Get yourself ready for the temperature by getting outside of the air conditioning.  It's amazing how you adjust.
• Start thinking of a couple of skits, songs, stunts or stories for the many campfires we'll have.
• Get with your patrol mates, and talk about having some patrol adventures - like scaling Mt. Shannon, fishing, etc.

 Do a little bit each day.  Be Prepared... By biting off a little everyday, you'll be ready for a super-fantastic summer camp!

There will be a mandatory summer camp meeting for all Scouts and parents attending camp on Monday, July 22 at 7pm.  Please meet in the vestry of the church.

This meeting will detail the merit badge selections, troop/patrol activities, the schedule and packing lists.  All required documentation will be verified, as well.

If your Scout (or you) take medication, you must be sure to have a completed a medication administration form.  Epi pens and inhalers require completion of an additional form.  All forms may be found on the Troop's Summer Camp page, under "upcoming events". (see "Medication" section). 

Note: Medications will not be collected at this meeting. Please be prepared to present them when you drop your son off at Hidden Valley.  Please note that all medications must be in original containers and marked with "Troop 17" at the top.

Scouts should be prepared to have their Summer Camp selections for Merit Badges and/or special programs (SPOKE, COPE, Valley Voyager, etc) by Monday, May 13. 

Merit Badges that are offered by Hidden Valley Scout Camp  are located on  page 29 of Leader's Guide
MB Prerequisites,  as defined by Hidden Valley (this also give MB guidelines (for ages)

Scouts should select merit badges to fill all three merit badge blocks. Note that some badges take more than one block. Also, the Troop Committee recommends that all Scouts take at least one Eagle-required merit  badge.

Partial Merit Badge Completion: If a Scout has a partial MB, and wishes to complete it Summer Camp, they do not have to reschedule the badge. They should approach Mr. Gillogly or any of the ASMs to let them know. The Troop will then arrange with the Scout to inform the appropriate Camp counselors in the first days of camp.

Prerequisites:  Prerequisites are completed before attending summer camp in order to give your scout the best opportunity to complete their merit badge at camp. Some merit badges have more than others. Please review this now so that you have ample time to prepare for the merit badge class at Hidden Valley.    It is highly recommended that Scouts procure Merit Badge pamphlets (available from scoutstuff.org or the local Scout shop) and read them BEFORE camp!  

First Year Scouts:   You will participate in the First Year Program, and also take Swimming Merit Badge.  Checking the first year box is in the MB selection form is sufficient.  Note: You are a first year Scout ONLY IF you crossed to Boy Scouts over this year.  You do not take the first year program, unless you are a first year Scout (even if it is your first time to camp).

Older (13+) Scouts: Scouts wishing to participate in the Older Scout activities  (i.e., SPOKE, COPE, & Valley Voyager) should refer to the Leader's Guide (pages 47-50)
 
Parents: We ask that you review the Merit Badge selection form(below) with your Scout and sign the selection form. 

The new Annual Health and Medical form is available on the Troop website (see Downloads).

A medical form is valid for 1 year.  For Summer camp, a valid form WITH DOCTOR'S SIGNATURE, is required.   Be prepared,  and get your med forms into Mrs. Christo as soon as possible.

Summer Camp sign-up and initial deposits of $50 will be due March 1.

The balance is due May 1. The projected cost per scout, for those who fulfilled tree lot duties, is $100.  The Troop Committee will finalize the total cost by March 15.

All deposits are non-refundable except in cases of family emergency or illness.

If you and your scout are still unsure whether or not he will be attending summer camp with the troop, you may register later if there is space available, for a late registration fee of $20 before May 1, $40 after May 1. 

As always, hardship situations can be presented to troop leadership (either Peter Ham, Scoutmaster; Jim Gillogly, Assistant Scoutmaster; Tara O'Regan, Troop  Treasurer or Pam Vickers, Troop Committee Chair) and will be evaluated confidentially on a case by case basis.  

Adults planning on attending should also fill out the form  (below) and submit the $50 deposit.  If you want to split the week (attend only a part of it), please make a note on the form of which days you are planning on attending and we will try to match you up with your 'other half' for the week.  

Please send any questions to Mr. Ham, Mr. Gillogly and/or Mrs. Vickers, and we will answer them as quickly as we can.  

The SPL and ASPL travelled up to Hidden Valley this past Monday (7/16), and have arranged a fantastic Summer Camp program for the Troop. There will be plenty of water fun, shooting sports fun, patrol time and even some Challenging Outdoor Personal Experiences!  

Please remember that there is a MANDATORY Pre-Summer Camp Meeting for all scouts and their parents on Monday July 23 at 7:00pm.   Please meet in the church vestry

This  meeting will detail the merit badge selections, troop/patrol activities, the
schedule, arrival/departure procedure and packing lists.  All required documentation will be verified, as well.

If your Scout (or you) take medication (even over-the-counter meds), you must be sure to have a completed a medication administration form.  Epi pens and inhalers require completion of an additional form.  All forms may be found on the Troop's Summer Camp page. (see "Medication" section"). 

Note:  Medications will not be collected at this meeting. Please be prepared to present  them when you drop your son off at Hidden Valley.  Please note that all  medications must be in original containers and marked with "Troop 17" at the  top.