It's January 2022, and it's already time to talk about Summer Camp at Camp Geronimo!

Our Troop's annual trek to Summer Camp is scheduled, and it's time to start signing up.  Here are a few basics:

• Depart:  9:30AM Saturday 6/25, Return 7/2 about 12PM
  
  
• Costs:  $450 for camp fees, food and transportation, $550 for 14+ Spade Ranch Adventure, $200 adults.  Note:  there are no additional fees for any merit badge any more!
  
  
• Payment schedule:  $125 payments due by January 31 2022, $150 by Mar 15, $150 due May 1, with $25 trip fee due at June 25 check-in.  Note that the Troop must put down $125 per Scout and $50 per adult by Jan 31, and it is not refundable!
  
  
• Unit Accounts: and Flag Service:  You can use funds in unit accounts to make payments at any time.  Funds earned for flag service in the 2021-2022 season through the Memorial Day 2022 flag service will be calculated after that event and available to apply as part of the last payment.
  
  
• Camperships:  The Grand Canyon Council offer camperships to help with fees for those in need .  A form can be found at https://forms.office.com/r/jbN8FNZXw2.  They go straight to the Grand Canyon Council and the Council will contact unit leaders to verify information on the application.  The Council will start considering them January 15 thru March 15!  We recommend requests get in early — our experience is that those that need assistance get it , but if you wait they may run out of funds.
  
  
• Other costs:  Bring a sack lunch on Saturday 6/26.  Troop will furnish drinks. Bring camp spending money (~$50) for refreshments and souvenirs.
  
  See the attachment for a list of merit badges.
  

Mr. Wilse is back for the winter and is offering three Citizenship merit badges,  Citizenship in the Community, Nation and World.

He will be at the Church at 6:30 PM Monday the 22nd  Pm for all Scouts who would like to start these 3 Eagle required merit badges. Please download the work book for each merit badge and bring with you.  Mr. Wilse  has taught these merit badges to our troop for many years, don't miss out.

We will be going on a 3 day backpack down Red Creek to the Verde River, we will be hiking about 5 miles and camping 2 nights on the banks of the Verde River in the Mazatzal Wilderness area. We have had luck fishing here in the past and had plenty of gourmet cooked Large mouth bass for dinner on Saturday night. There are nearby Indian ruins to explore and a good place for hiking and working on advancements.

We expect everyone in Scouting to follow the measures listed below, which are based on CDC guidance. Members, staff, and volunteers must also follow all federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. In addition, we have instructed local councils to consult with their local and state health departments, as well as local chartered partners, in order to implement appropriate protocols to help keep members, volunteers, and employees safe.

• Isolate if you are sick, and do not attend any activity/meeting/event if you, anyone you live with, or anyone you have recently been around feels unwell.
• Do not attend any activity/meeting/event if you or anyone you live with has been tested for COVID-19 or another illness and does not have the results back yet.
• If you are not fully vaccinated, wear a face covering or mask that covers your nose and mouth and stay at least 6 feet apart from people you don’t live with.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• As always, please exhibit the Scout Oath and Law as we continue to navigate a safe return to the activities we enjoy.

We have been offering access to our meetings by Zoom for some time, but no one seems to be using this feature.  We plan to discontinue this, unless anyone interested in attending this way tells us otherwise.  Contact Bob Hetrick at rjhetrick@gmail.com if you want us to still offer a Zoom feed and will take advantage of it.

I just had a question from the parent of one of our new Scouts crossing over on patch placement.  Here is an illustration that can help.  Note that the Arrow of Light patch goes centered below the left pocket.  The right pocket is a choice.  Over your time in Scouting -- as soon as at Summer Camp! -- you will get a number of patches that can go there.  When you end up with a lot more patches to show off than you uniform can hold, that's what vests are for.

Campfires can be a big part of any camping trip. In addition to knowing how to put out a fire, considering where our firewood comes from is an essential piece in having a Leave No Trace campfire. If collecting wood from the surrounding ecosystem is allowed, following the 4 D's of wood collection will help us leave minimal impact on the environment.