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

September 1997 Newsletter

15 September LEADER BASIC TRAINING: Parents can help the troop in many ways at various times and do not necessarily need Boy Scout training to do so. But it is important that there be a sufficiently large core group of trained volunteers in the troop to perform many important tasks. Troop 96's trained core group is very small... and there is only one opportunity each year to expand it. That's right! Boy Scout Leader Training is available only once a year and that once is right around the corner. If any parents of Scouts (dads or moms) can, you are encouraged to attend leader training. Call the Scoutmaster for more information.

17 September COURT OF HONOR: All parents are invited to attend the Troop 96 COURT OF HONOR at the Hootch at 7:00 p.m. on September 17th. This is our formal recognition of advancement in Scouting. Please plan to attend. Light refreshments will be served. The Troop Committee ("board of directors") has a divided opinion as to whether parents want to be presented with small versions of their scouts' awards at these ceremonies. Please let the Scoutmaster and other adult leaders of the troop know your opinion on this subject.

26-28 September ST. GEORGE ISLAND CAMPOREE: The Suwannee River Area Council is sponsoring a Camporee at the State Park on St. George Island and Troop 96 plans to participate. The emphases of the Camporee will be camping techniques and water-related activities. Scouts should be prepared for clouds of mosquitoes! Stand by for more details in the very near future.

4 October TROOP SHOOT AT TALLAHASSEE RIFLE & PISTOL CLUB: This is an opportunity for Scouts to learn safe shooting in a highly-organized setting. Please note that parents must sign two separate permission forms for their sons to participate in this event. One form is for Troop 96. A completely different form is required by the Gun Club.

31 October-2 November CAMP AT EGLIN AFB: The Thunderbirds perform at Eglin Air Force Base. We plan to camp and watch them. Eglin is near Ft. Walton Beach, Florida... about 150 miles west of Tallahassee.

11 November VETERANS DAY PARADE: Troop 96 is to assemble at the Civic Center parking lot at 0930 hrs (9:30 a.m. for any civilians out there). The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. and concludes just south of the Capitol. The troop may also participate in the "massing of the colors" at the rear of the Old Capitol at noon (if invited).

15-16 November ANDERSONVILLE HISTORICAL HIKE AND CAMPING TRIP: The Andersonville Prison Civil War Cemetery, Andersonville National Cemetery, and National Prisoner of War Museum will be thoroughly explored as part of a recognized Scout Historical Hike. The Scouts will complete a lengthy questionnaire in order to earn a special patch for the hike. The hike will end across the highway from the cemetery and we will camp overnight there. We do not have the reservations for this one yet, but it seems like a sure thing. Andersonville is a few miles north of Americus, Georgia and is about 150 miles north of Tallahassee.

SCOUTMASTER'S MINUTE: If you haven't already noticed, although I gave dates above... exact times were seldom mentioned. These, and maybe even a few changes of dates and places, will be communicated at a later date... sometimes through phone calls from the Troop's junior leaders. I sure hope that everyone is paying attention and that the Scouts communicate details and changes to their parents too! <grin>

Remember the Scout Motto: "BE PREPARED".

Richard White
Scoutmaster

Published 30 August 1997