December 8th, 2010 Troop meeting

Wow, we had 100% boys in uniforms tonight and a couple were wearing scout pants as well. That really helps us play the game the right way. We worked on the Pathfinding merit badge and discussed the various roads around the area, like Mountain Road, Highway 193, 89, Hillfield Road, I-84, South Weber Drive, 475, etc. The boys didn't know these roads had names or they didn't really know where they were. This is good stuff for the boys and they really are learning something.

Just a reminder, I would stronger encourage the boys to get a copy of the Carpentry and Pathfinding merit badge books. I sent this PDF link to everyone this past Sunday. If you want your son to really be prepared to pass this badge off in the next couple weeks, then having this book and having read it, would be an A+ type adventure. We're trying to create an opportunity for the boys to excel in something that is a little foreign to them. Help them along with these two merit badges. This will set a foundation for future achievements in your son's life.

Plan - next week we'll be covering the history of South Weber for Pathfinding, as well as nailing boards together with nails. If your son missed a meeting, then they may have missed something we discussed on these merit badges. He will have to figure it out on his own and using the merit badge books will certainly help. We can only do so much, but when it comes time to 'passing off' the merit badge, the scout will have to do exactly what the requirements say. Rather than pass the boys off on the merit badges as a group, our goal is for the boys to pass the requirements off at the counselors house prior to the end of the year. I would challenge each boy to quickly gain the knowledge and skills and take the initiative to set up that appointment with myself.

Thanks Sister Williams for showing up before our meeting with treats. What a life-saver. It would have been a real disappointment to not have treats for the boys on the night that we had 100% in uniform.

Also, we were missing a number of scouts tonight. Seven scouts was great, but we welcome every young man in the Deacon's quorum to our activity night. They are making great memories and doing it in a positive environment.