This is our extended range trip for the spring. Wright Patterson, just northeast of Dayton Ohio, is the largest base of the United States Air Force. The drive will be approximately five hours, which requires us to depart earlier than other campouts. We will be camping in an organizational campground on base. The Base Commander has indicated that we will be on-site with at least four other scout troops. Campground amenities are minimal (porta-johns and a water spigot). While staying at Wright Patterson, we will tour the National Museum of the United States Air Force. This museum, features more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles many of which are rare and one-of-a-kind. Time allowing we may also visit the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park. This attraction is centered on the site where the Wright Brothers perfected their airplane design. Both museums have a gift shop and scouts will want to bring some spending money for souvenirs and snacks on the drive to and from Ohio. Adults are encouraged to attend this trip, a decent number of drivers will also help to keep everyone comfortable on the long ride. Scouts and adults must sign up no later than May1. The base requires a complete roster AT LEAST 14 DAYS prior to our arrival. Base security also requires adults to submit their state issued drivers license numbers with the roster. These can be provided to Bill Eva at a Wednesday meeting or via email at billfeva@yahoo.com. To cover the individual base access fee and help defray the price of gas for drivers the cost is $30 ea. for both scouts and adults. Please contact Bill Eva if you have any questions at 517-515-0716.

WrightPatterson_2013-Permission-Slip

Come join us at Sleepy Hollow State Park for some camping and fun!  We will be camping at the organizational/group site in the State Park.  This campout will have a big emphasis on advancement.  I would like to get all of our older scouts 1st Class by our end of the year Court of Honor. We will aslo be working on Tenderfoot and 2nd Class skills with the new guys.  It may be a little cold for swimming in Lake Ovid, but we should be able to do a little fishing from the shorline for bass and bluegill. Please contact Paul Kennedy if you have any questions at 517-331-0646.

Link to Permission slip

 

Joe Lopez, Troop 77 dad and merit badge counselor, will be working with interested boys on Swimming and Lifesaving merit badges on the following dates at the Southside YMCA: Sat May 4, Sun May 5, Sat May 11 and Sun May 12 from 3-5 pm.  Contact Joe at joe.jdjhospitality@comcast.net or 517-669-1879 for more information.

As some of you know the Essex, England contingency has invited our troop to visit England summer 2014 (last week July/first week August ish). We would do a one week stay in their homes/touring London sites including a cool amusement park and a one week camping trip on Brown Sea Island which is where Baden Powell started Boy Scouts. Both the Bath Troop and the North Carolina troop will be included in the trip as the idea originated at MIC where the 4 troops camped successfully together.

England has indicated the host week and camping week expenses will run $300. With flight tickets we are estimating $2,200 for the trip. Passport and passport photo fees would be in addition to this amount. We do need to keep in mind that this will be a minimal adult trip as we can’t ask the England troop to put up as many adults as boys.

Adult assistance is needed to organize fundraisers for the boys to participate in. Please remind your son scouts are thrifty and help him to find ways to earn money towards the trip.

Shortly we will need to get a list of advance commitments so we know how many boys are planning to go.

Don't forget to log in to TroopMaster Web to view your scout's advancement, activities, training, and more! Web Site Link: http://www.troopmasterweb.com/troop77dewitt. Please contact Rick Tanke, rtankster@gmail.com, if you have questions or if you missed the Fall Court of Honor when log in information was distributed.

If the outing or activity that you are looking for is not listed here be sure to check the calendar page on the website. If you click on the event date/title on the calendar it should take you to any information that has been sent out on that particular event. Also, remember that Summer Camp and Michigan International Camporee have their own page on the website!!

Link to Scrip Order Form
Troop 77 Scrip
Troop 77 will be selling "Scrip" each month. "Scrip" is a program in which we as parents and families of the scouts can order gift certificates and gift cards to our favorite restaraunts and stores and the profit from this program can be split between the troop and the scout's individual account.
Each company that participates in the Scrip program offers a rebate back to the scout troop varying amonts from 2% to 25% of the gift card value. Orders can be placed during any of the scout meetings by filling out and turning in an order form along with a check. Scrip gift cards will be delivered and available for pick-up at the 1st scout meeting of each month.
There is a huge list of companies that participate in this program and gift cards can be purchased for your normal expenses such as Department Stores, Gas Stations, Dining, Theaters, Home Improvement stores, and Sporting Goods stores.

An order form will be placed on the website. A complete list of all participating retailers can be found at the website www.glscrip.com.

Scrip can be used for your normal monthly purchases, will cost you no more, and can earn a profit for the Troop and for your own scout's account. Please take advantage of these great fundraiser to help support your own scout and troop activities.

PROCEDURE FOR ORDERING SCRIP Gift Cards:
Fill out SCRIP order form (Found Under Forms)
Turn in Form along with check payable to: BSA Troop 77 at Troop Meeting to Scribe or Mr. Hill
Pick Up Gift Cards from Scribe or Mr. Hill 1st Monthly Meeting