Dear Scout and Family,

You and your family are cordially invited to attend (rain or shine) this year's Family Campout, at Ft. Parker State Park in Mexia, TX. The park is approximately 90 miles southeast of Richardson.

Please take few moments to help us plan and prepare for this event.

Historically, the majority of family camp participants arrive on Saturday. So we have scheduled the campout to begin at 1:00 pm on Saturday. The morning would to arrive at their convenience, or take advantage of the recreational facilities including a lake for fishing, ample walking and hiking grounds or a visit to historic Ft. Parker. Please bring a sack lunch for Saturday.

The park has housing (heated barracks style to be separated by males/temales) and dining facilities for approximately 100 people. The Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast meals will be provided for you. You will need to bring bedding (sleeping bags or sheet, blankets, pillows).

The scouts will be demonstrating their scout skills while competing in a competition that is designed help them prepare for the upcoming North Trails District Camporee. In addition the Troop 81 Court of Honor will be held Saturday evening.

IMPORTANT: Please complete the following information, return it with your son, along with the appropriate payment, to the January 12, 1998 Troop meeting or mail it so that I receive no later than January 15, 1998. It is important that we have the information by that date. Call me if your son will not be at the meeting and you cannot mail it to me. Circle the appropriate answer.

Because of budget limitations we need to have a minimum attendance for the campout to be held. A final decision on whether to have the campout will be rnade on January 16^th. (We have never had to cancel the campout in the past.) If the campout is cancelled, all funds collected will be returned. Also, after January 16^th, we cannot refund your payment if your cancellation puts us below the minimum attendance requirement. On the other hand, we only have sleeping capacity for 100 people. In the event that too rnany people sign up, we will accept reservations on a first in, first served basis.

January 20, 1998

Dear Family Campout Participant,
 

Welcome! We are delighted that you have decided to join us for the annual Troop 81 Family Campout. The camp begins after lunch on January 24, and finishes before lunch on Sunday. Enclosed are an agenda for the weekend and a map to Fort Parker State Park.

Just a few housekeeping items to make you aware of:

1. Transportation to the park is by family group and there is no caravan. If you need to arrange transportation, please contact another family who is going, since Troop 81 will not be responsible for transporting scouts. If your scout is traveling with another family, make sure that he is carrying a medical release to allow treatment if he is injured.

2. Please bring your own lunch for Saturday or stop and have lunch before you get to camp. The first meal served at camp will be dinner.

3. Dinner on Saturday night and Breakfast Sunday morning are provided and will be prepared for you.

4. Even though we are staying in cabins, it can get cold in January, so bring warm bedding and clothes. We have a large indoor facility for dining and other activities in case of rain, but do bring rain gear and shoes that can get muddy.

5. Dress for scouts will be class A, class B and class C. Don't forget scarves. Dress for the families is always casual including the court of honor.

We are looking forward to a fun weekend. Please call me at 972-414-8999 if you have any questions. See you there!

Craig Cox
Troop Committee Chairman

Note: The facilities of Fort Parker State Park available for families to use from Friday after 2pm, for no extra cost. You will be responsible for any meals, but the extra night together can be a very enjoyable time. The cabins will be set up for you to use.