^{TROOP 96}
Co-sponsored by Vietnam Veterans of America Big Bend Chapter 96
and American Legion Sauls-Bridges Post 13

241 Lake Ella Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32303-5572

20-22 March PAUL BUNYAN CAMPOREE The Suwannee River Area Council is sponsoring a camporee on the camporee field at Wallwood Scout Reservation on Lake Talquin south of Quincy, FL. Please note that this event starts FRIDAY afternoon with registration opening at 4:00 p.m. and that there is a $10.00 registration fee. Scouts planning to attend need to pay this fee to the troop by 18 March. Details on this event were received from the council way too late for normal troop communication and planning procedures. The t-shirt purchase deadline was 6 March and bonus camporee points were given for preregistration by 1 March or 6 March depending on which of two documents in the registration package you believe, but the camporee notice containing these details wasn't even mailed till 20 February. There is also supposed to be a $15.00 late penalty, but no mention was made as to the date after which this applies. The $10.00 registration fee includes the camporee patch. Food money of $9.00 needs to be paid to the patrol grubmaster, also on 18 March. Gas money of (probably) $2.00 is to be paid on 20 March. Meet at the Hootch at 3:30 p.m. and depart Hootch for camporee by 4:30 p.m.

23 March FAST START TRAINING for parents (FREE) 7:00 p.m. at the Council office, 2729 West Pensacola Street (past White Drive & before TCC, on the left heading west). I really do hope that some of our troop's parents will take this very basic adult scout leadership course. It is an "eye opener"! Preregistration is not required, but if you can... call the council office at 576-4146 and let them know you're coming.

1 April TROOP COURT OF HONOR will be held at the Hootch at a special time, 7:30 p.m. Scouts need to arrive by 7:00, but parents who don't want to be terrorized by the preparation fenzy should depart and come back at 7:30 p.m. ALL PARENTS are invited and, errr... EXPECTED TO ATTEND! This is your scout's opportunity to gain recognition for his advancement and awards in scouting.

8 April ORDER OF THE ARROW ELECTIONS for scouts who meet the requirements (especially camping).

11-12 (?) April we hope to RENDEZVOUS with the Jefferson Rifles in a living history event focusing on the 1840 (Second Seminole War) era of Florida history. Again, details are lacking, but they will be passed on as soon as they are received.

23-25 April PANHANDLE CAMPING TRIP We plan to camp overnight in one of several State Parks to the west of Tallahassee. The exact camp will be selected at a later date.

28 Jun - 4 Jul SUMMER CAMP will be at Spanish Trails Scout Reservation near DeFuniak Springs. A $100.00 camp fee must be paid to the troop by 15 April for early reservation. After 15 April, $130.00.

SCOUTMASTER'S  MINUTE I hope that parents realize that scout junior leaders are responsible for planning and conducting meetings and outings. Planning is what the PLC does at their monthly meeting. They can plan and do what they want, within reason. For instance, our "traditional" troop meeting schedule is: 6:50 early arrival/outdoor games - 7:10 start of meeting - 8:35 dismissal - after 8:35 one patrol clean up. This month the PLC voted to dismiss at 8:25 and whole troop clean up till 8:35. This wasn't any adult's idea and no adult agreed with it, but it's the PLC's decision and barring any overriding concern such as safety, it's what the troop is going to do. Think about this and see if it changes your concept of how scouting works. More on this later.

Richard White
Scoutmaster