The Bugler

Richardson, Texas

Troop 81

September 1997

Court of Honor Monday Night

Scoutmaster's Corner

The 1st campout of the year was quite a learning experience. The boy's experiences ranged anywhere from learning how to water ski or Tubing for the first time, dealing with the ever changing Texas Weather to the 1st year scouts learning how to pitch a tent (in the dark) and cooking over an open fire. Despite all these opportunities, the Scouts found a new and improved meaning for "Be prepared". Being prepared for a good dose of exposure to Texas Fire Ants was something the boys hadn't anticipated. Through it all, the boys seemed to handle the ants' adversarial attitude fairly well despite being on the receiving end of several infamous bites, finding several in the tents and of course, in the food.

As we start getting geared up for camping in the fall and winter months, the boys need to be prepared for different situations, especially the weather. They need to be sure and double check their equipment, make sure that they plan nutritious meals and pack clothing that will keep them warm and dry while we are camping. Remember, Mother Nature is with us everyday of the year, but in the winter she can be unforgiving for Scouts who are not prepared.

Pat Kelly
Scoutmaster

Fall Court begins at 7:00 in RBFC

This year's Fall Court of Honor will be held on Monday September 29 beginning at 7:00pm in the New Church building at Richland Bible Fellowship Church. Dress for the Scouts is Class A Uniforms including Neckerchiefs.

The Court of Honor is to recognize the boys in Troop 81 who have completed their Scoutmaster Conferences and the Board of Review and are ready for rank Advancement. Merit badges which were earned over the summer are also awarded.

The whole family is encouraged to attend this special evening. Moms will be asked to come forward to receive their pins as a result of the encouragement they give their scouts to achieve the next level in Scouting.

The list of assignments for the Scouts can be found elswhere in the Bugler.

Popcorn Sales Heating UP

After much discussion the Patrol Leaders decided to go ahead with the Popcorn Sales as a fund raising Event for Troop 81. The difference being that this will be a fund raiser on the individual scout level. Each scout in Troop 81 is to decide their level of participation . All monies earned will go to the individual Scouts balance.

The Kickoff date for Popcorn Sales is October 8. During the month of October Sales are to be made. The Popcorn will be available for pickup on November 15th and the money must be collected and turned in on Monday December 6th.

We were told that Mrs. Thompson would head this up, but check with the troop on this one.

September Campout

On Friday night around 6:45 we left to go to Shepard Air Force Base. After driving in the car for close to two and a half hours we got to the Air Force Base. We set up camp and ended up going to bed about 11:00 pm.

The next morning we got up and cooked breakfast. After breakfast, we had tent inspection and went down to the water front for our swim tests. The swim test was a lot harder than the summer camp's swim test. By 10:45 we were out on the lake water skiing. As soon as we got back we cooked breakfast and went on the camping merit badge hike. We walked a mile and a half there, and a mile and a halfback, only taking four pit stops. By the time we got back, it was about dinner time. After dinner we had a huge campfire. During the campfire we had a lot of very good skits and songs. After that we headed back to camp for lights out.

Sunday morning we got up and had breakfast. The only differences between Saturday and Sunday were that Sunday we got up earlier and it was a lot colder. After breakfast we dressed up and went down to the flagpole. There, we gave out awards and discussed campout procedure. By 10:45 we were packed and on our way back to Richardson.

After the campout, we passed by Mr. Kelly's car pulled off to the side of the road, so we stopped to see what the problem was just like everybody else. Our driver went up to see what the problem was and since we couldn't help, we left. We were heading down the road and we were going pretty fast. We were turning and our boat pulled us off the road into tall and sharp brush.

We all got out of the car and examined the car for any damages and we found that on the drivers side of the car two tires were flat. We only had one spare and couldn't unhook the boat or put a new tire on. After about a 15 minutes we had realized we had turned the wrong way because no scouts were coming by.

About 15 minutes after that, two men came by and offered to help us. They helped us unhook the boat from the car and put one spare tire on. The other one was just deflated so the men took our tire and went to go fill it up in the nearest town. We waited about another half hour until the men came back. They helped us put the tire on and then they attached our car to a huge chain and pulled it out of the brush. Then, they helped us pull the boat out and attach it to the car. We ended up getting home around three o'clock that day.

Daniel Parker

Patrol Leaders Council Meeting
September 22, l997

Fundraising -The PLC discussed selling popcorn and/or pies. 23 were interested in selling popcorn so Mr. Kelly will attend the informational meeting on the district popcorn sales. The PLC was very enthusiastic about selling pies. Scouts would take order by calling people on the phone. Mr. Kizzia could fill the order one week later. The scouts would then deliver the pies. Mr. Kizzia will bring samples of the pies to the October 12th meeting. The troop will vote at that time.

Scout Show - The PLC voted to not participate in the Scout Show this year. But Scouts who want to sell tickets will still be able to do so.

Court of Honor - Patrols with set-up, opening and flag ceremony need to be there at 6:30.

October Campout - will be the rock climbing campout at Mineral Wells on Oct. 17th, 18th, and 19th. If you are not rock climbing the cost will be $17. If you are rock climbing the cost will be $31.50. The merit badges that will be offered at this campout are wilderness survival, camping, and fishing.

Phone Tree - Mr. Kelly pointed out that some calls are being made late or not being made at all. These calls should be done early and in the following format: Brent calls Patrol leaders, Patrol leaders call scouts, Patrol leaders report to troop guides, and troop guides report to Brent.

November Campout - The Nov. campout will be low ropes course in the morning and high ropes course in the afternoon. The cost will be approximately $35. We are looking into the possibility of having a sponsor. Mr. Haydel is going to Denton to see the site. Orienteering will be offered for the first year scouts. It will be at summers Summit.

February Campout - Location is undecided. Some suggested locations were Fort Richardson, Fort Sam, USS Lexington, Fort Parker. The campout will be Feb. 20-22.

September Campout - We had trouble staying on schedule. Mr. Kelly proposed a new way of assigning scouts to cars. ASPL or troop guides will check the scouts in as soon as they arrive. The scouts would then be able to pick the car that they want to ride in immediately. That way it would be decided on a first come first served basis. On Sunday morning there should be no fires for food, because we are trying to leave quickly. John Zugelder will get everyone a schedule for the next campout. Be sure to follow it. Each patrol should have a skit and song prepared by the time the MC comes around to record them. Usually this will be 7:15.

Note to second-year scouts - The troop is looking for a second year scout who needs a leadership position to be travel librarian. You must be a first class scout. You should talk to Brent if you are interested.

Nathan Smith

Troop T-Shirts & Hats

Last year members of Troop 81, designed a Troop 81 Shirt. They are printed on both sides and are in Full Color. The purpose of the Troop shirts is to offer the boys a way to look sharp when they are not wearing their Class A Uniforms. The cost of these shirts is $7.50 and Mr. Carter is the Contact to see. The official Troop Hat is also available to those scouts who don't have one, or to those with hats who have seen better days. The cost of the Hat is $6.25. Both will be available for Sale at the Court of Honor.

PARENTS NEEDED

Involved Parents are what make for a successful Troop. Over the years, Troop 81 has been blessed with parents that have made a great difference.

We have several Patrol positions and troop positions open with time commitments ranging from weekly to just once during the year. Moms & Dads are both needed

We need you. Please Contact:

Craig Cox
Troop Committee Chairman
Phone 972-414-8999