Troop #315

Hello all! This is your Webmaster with the March Newletter! Please check your emails for the newsletter with all links and resources included.

I hope a lot of you were able to attend Jesse's Eagle ceremony, I am very proud of all our scout especially ranking to the highest rank. I see Josh has planned his in April. Daniel, Joseph, Boden are all working on their projects. I believe Zack is starting one himself. He'll need lots of support to get it done by May.

Monsoon Lagoon
The troop has been asking to go to Monsoon Lagoon this year in spite of the price of $45.00 which we do on the Wednesday before summer camp, we are able to reduce that price to 32.00 per scout and use troop fund to offset.
So, June 12 will be our date to go. I'll need a ticket count ASAP to ensure I can get enough but not overbuy while they're somewhat discounted.

March 15-17 Camp
The troop will be camping at Camp Berry that weekend and then off to their Camp Alaska Sat morning. The troop can buddy up but will have to hike ¼ mile to their primitive site and handle a 24 hr camp on their own. . We will leave the scouthouse at 6pm Fri night. During your camp Alaska, Cub Scouts will stop for lunch and check out your campsite. Pack 372

March 17 Blue and Gold
6pm at the NBHS Auditoria. Full Class A. We will be accepting 3-4 scouts into our troop that day.
April 14

Eagle Court of Honor for Josh Fennel, April 14 at 2pm. American Legion

Summer Camp Update
With the large addition to our troop anticipated. We have an opportunity to offer 2 Summer Camps this year. I'ts been 6 years since we did this, but can offer Camp Frontier from June 16 – 22 and Camp Berry from July 14-20. Camp Berry offers a great program for first time campers with its Baden Powell program and shorter travel to and from camp. For older scouts, there are a lot of merit badges to offer however, Scouts can pick either camp or both if you'd like to double up on merit badges this year. Let me know which camp you're interested in.

Scouts BSA Registration & Resources

Cost for camp this is 372.00 for early bird payments. no later than April 22,2024. BSA physical needs done annually and collected by June 1st.
Adult Leaders are 182.00 and require current Youth Protection, Leader registration for our unit and Michigan Registry completed.

New Scout registration

All new scouts who have joined, I'll need BSA apps so please, parents, get those to me . Joey K., Rylex L , Elijah B. Zane W. and John B. If you need a BSA PDF fillable one. Here is the link.

Financial help

I want to ensure all our families that everyone who wants to be a scout can , regardless of cost. If anyone ever needs a little sponsorship for any camps, membership or uniform needs, please check with myself ( Shawn) or Mike , Frank, Larry. We do have friends of the troop willing to supplement our needs. I only put that out there since I too see cost as a hurdle with some so don't be afraid to ask!

Nerd Night Tournament
Billy and the Nerds are hosting a Magic the Gathering tournament for the boys with a prize of cards for the top 2 places. If you wish to participate, or learn how to play, you can talk to Billy at meetings, Camp Alaska, and Nerd Nights!

Quote from Lord Baden Powell

“Teach Scouts not how to get a living, but how to live.” “We must change boys from a 'what can I get' to a 'what can I give' attitude.” “The code of the knight is still the code of the gentleman today.” “The real way to gain happiness is to give it to others.”

Troop 315 Newsletter February 2024

A big worry came this year as I re chartered our troop. We submitted dues for only 11 scouts. You read right , 11 scouts. I hadn't seen that since 2010 and really hit. Wood Districts' 2nd biggest troop lost a good chunk of its members. Til I realized I have a ton of new scouts coming aboard. Eric from Pack 372 mentioned 4 crossovers hoping to join in March. plus. We have new 10 y/o olds just coming in from non-scouting . Joey , Elijah , Zain , Rylex , makes 8 new scouts. We did lose 7 due to aging out and a few random things,

Troops across the US have been losing numbers and Troop 315 had been going against the grain. 19 scouts are a good number and I have 3 more, in addition too, coming up to join as well. Below is the new scout application for my new scouts

Winter Camporee Feb 2-4

I'll be at the scout house at 5pm Friday for loading. We will leave at 6pm to go to Camp Miakonda in Sylvania, OH. Please bring your grocery item for packing... We are cabin camping so bring sleeping bag, pillow, pj's. toiletries, Class A shirt. We should return no later than 9:30am Sunday morning.

16 ct kool aid packs (LEVI V.)
6 8ct hamburger buns(RHYS)
2 lbs roast beef(DONOVAN)
2 lbs turkey(DANIEL)
2 lbs ham(DANIEL)
24 ct sliced American cheese(CAMDEN)
1 head lettuce(JESSE V.)
3 tomatoes(DYLAN)
1 onion(DOMINIC)
1 mustard(DOMINIC)
1 squeeze mayo(DOMINIC)
2 packs sandwich cookies(JOEY)
5 8ct Aldi brand grands biscuits baked and bagged(BOES)
2 dz eggs(CAMDEN)
1 bag family shredded mozzarella cheese(DYLAN)
1 bag family fiesta blend cheese(JOEY)
1 gal Sausage gravy. Gordan's has it
4 bags assorted chips(DYLAN)
3 gal choco milk(RHYS)
3 lbs. burger cooked and bagged(RYLEX)
3 large jars spaghetti sauce(JOHN)
6 bags little Debbie doughnuts (NOAH V.)

Pinewood Derby Feb 4

Cub scouts are having their pinewood derby that Sunday and require the help to 4 - 6 scouts in Class A. Show up around 12:45pm at Powell gym. Eric will assign your detail.

Scout Sunday Feb 11

St James United Merhodist Church in North Baltimore has invited us to their worship service in celebration of Scout Sunday .. What is Scout Sunday?

The Boy Scouts of America designates the Sunday that falls before February 8 (Scouting Anniversary Day) as Scout Sunday, which is the primary date to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting.

Full Class A and 11:00am is their worship time. We will still have a meeting that evening at 6:00pm

Jesse Vanlerberg Eagle Court

February 18 at 3:00pm ..American Legion. Jesse will celebrate is rank of Eagle. All are welcome. Full Class A. Always a privilege to honor a scout at these ceremonies. Scout and parents. Being it's Jesse. There will be a part in the ceremony for special guest and Thanks you's. Feel free to add a short story about Jesse you may have. We will allow you time to come to the podium for this.

Summer Camp upcoming details

Summer Camp 2024. Hard to believe that plans are beginning for camp. Lots of ..to do's stuff. The Pioneer Scout Reservation Leaders Guide is attached and your welcome to take a look. We are week 1.. June 16-24th this year and staying at CODY campsite.

Scouts BSA Summer Camp Leader's/Parent's Guide | Camp Frontier | Pioneer...
camp frontier, Pioneer Scout Reservation
Cost for camp this is 372.00 for early bird payments. no later than April 22,2024. BSA physical needs done annually and collected by June 1st.

Adult Leaders are 182.00 and require current Youth Protection, Leader registration for our unit and Michigan Registry completed. below is the link for that

All participants also need a annual BSA health form
(Check the newsletter email for links to all forms mentioned in this post)

Troop 315 Newsletter January 2024

It's a brand new year and quite a few changes in troop logistics

New Charter - Rotary ,no longer has ownership of Troop 315 and has now been taken over by the American Legion. Mike Julien will now be our Charter Rep, and Dennis Miller will take the role of Committee Chair

Troop gift - A former alumni and leader of our troop who has passed, has graciously given us to allow scouting to be offered to anyone who wants regardless of finances.

Their gift will also allow improvements to our scout house as well as camp assistance as needed.

Our troop committee will have all the details

Our troop turns 92 years old next month

Youth Protection updates included notifications from national 3 months prior so everyone has ample notification to retake

Membership dues $80.00 youth / $60.00 leader / $25.00 Merit Badge counselor

Eagle Court of Honor

Jesse Vanlerberg will have his Eagle Court of Honor on Sunday, February 18, 2024.. Full details to follow.

Eagle projects to begin

Joe R. , Boden L , Daniel H.

Feb 2-5 Winter Camporee

Our troop will go to camp Miakonda for our annual Klondike camp. Cabin has been secured and we will work on a menu in the upcoming meeting . A grocery list will come our right after. Cost $10.00.

Meetings

January meetings will consist of Camp Alaska prep and hopefully a snowy 24 hr weekend to practice our knowledge. The Camp Alaska date is floating this year since we're looking for snow.

Scout Jokes

My car horn wasn’t working, so I took it to a scout.
The scout fixed it and said, “Beep repaired!” 😀

Q: Why is it so easy for a scout to get married?
A: Because they know fifty ways to tie the knot.

December Newsletter

I had the pleasure of meeting Gary Heinze last month when he reached out to Dennis Miller in regard to our Troop. Gary's father was involved with the troop as a leader over 50 years ago when his son was a scout. Based on our meeting. James had a very strong bond with our troop and wanted to help us continue to have a strong scouting experience for years to come. James has passed on and below is his obituary.

James F Heinze Obituary

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of James F Heinze of North Baltimore, Ohio, who passed away on November 20, 2023, at the age of 83, leaving to mourn family and friends. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family.

He was predeceased by : his parents, Charles Heinze and Helen Heinze (Youngs); and his brothers, Gerald (Jerry) and Timothy. He is survived by : his wife Sharon (Johann); his children, Gary Heinze (Carrie) of Delaware, Mike Heinze (Dianne) of Canton and DeAnn Stewart (John) of North Baltimore; his brother Terry Heinze (Angie) of Bowling Green, Ohio; his grandchildren, Jonathan, Elizabeth (Aric Blythe), Emily (Justin Music), Josh (Kyra), Zach (Lauren Stewart), Ryan, Lillian and Isaac; and his great grandchildren, Colton, Adalynn, Maylee and Emerson.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 30th 2023 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Smith-Crates Funeral Home (515 N Main St, North Baltimore, OH 45872). A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, December 1st 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Holy Family Church (115 E Cherry St, North Baltimore, OH 45872).

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Boy Scout Troop 315 at the funeral home, funeral or mailed to Troop 315 in care of Gary Heinze, 4814 Olentangy River Road, Delaware, Ohio 43015.

Re Charter

All scouts, our membership dues are due by December 31, 2023, for $80.00 per scout. If not sure if you have enough in your scout accounts for this. inquire with me. I'll be reaching out as I start our recharter process.

Also, starting in January 2024, The American Legion will be our new charter organization with Mike Julien as our Charter Rep and Dennis Miller moving to Committee Chairperson.

Meat Sticks

Final turn in date for meat sticks is December 10. We will fill all orders and place one more with supplier. anything left will be sold either at the theater or by scouts in the community .

Christmas Party

We will have our party on December 17.. This will be a potluck style party where each scout brings a hot or cold dish. . On December 10 we will draw names for a gift exchange. Keep ti around $10.00.

December 30 Video game night

We have arranged to go to GET AIR in Toledo on Saturday, We will leave at 3pm. You can bring your jump socks from other trampoline parks to save cost. We will discuss supper plans at the meeting on December 3rd.

When we return. Scouts will have there video game lock in at the scout house until Sunday morning. Billy and Joe will be there all night . I will not

No meetings on December 24 or 31st

Troop 315 Newsletter for November

Pictures are from the camporee held at North Baltimore Park on October 14. Some Cub pack 372 scouts included.

Scoutmasters Minute

Now that we have all the business of October out of the way, I'll be working on scout accounts totaling up everything we did to earn money. Recharter is fast approaching and there is a lot of dialogue at Erie Shores council level in regard to membership fees going up. They're stance is the hard fact of " cost of doing business", after bankruptcy and new insurance costs to the organization.

In North Baltimore, we have a really great group of scouts and families as well as awesome leaders making N.B. scouting go against the grain in regard to the trends. The trend is numbers in membership have dropped by over a million youth and adults across the U.S. Sometimes you wonder what Scouting will look like in 10 years with all the challenges and hard topics the organization has had to deal with.

Eire Shores council has informed its leaders of membership dues increasing to $140.00 per scout and $100.00 per leader each year. $80.00 would go to National office and $60.00 would go to an adventure fee in the council.* A presentation to all had shown that our council has been operating in the negative since Covid and felt it necessary to not increase any dues until after the virus and after the bankruptcy, all total each council had to pay a certain amount to that. Eries shores paid 7 million.

*Editor’s note: Erie Shores backpedaled on this and will not be charging the adventure fee. SCOUTING RECHARTER WILL JUST BE $80, please disregard any other mentions of recharter being $140

Second. Troop 315 has been chartered by the Rotary Club for 40 years and as of 2023, has decided to discontinue its group in North Baltimore, we have been picked up by the American Legion in N.B. Way back, The Chamber of Commerce was the original charter when our troop was established in 1932. Our troop is 91 years old

I felt it important to present all the news challenging us to give you an idea of what scouting is being faced with currently. The strength of our local troop, its leadership, parents, and support of school and local government has spoken loudly. We are an important piece of North Baltimore. Numerous Eagles and their project which benefit school, church and community. Membership of 24 youth, committee and leaders all feel we have something special that speaks differently than what the rest of the US has been experiencing.

This has been a bit of a soap box for me, I hope you all understand what this means to our scouts. They are proud of their troop, what the uniform stands for, the advancement of their career all the way to Eagle. We've had 3 young men earn the rank of Eagle this year. Ask them what scouting means to them, my hopes are we can thrive in a time where other troops are closing up due to low membership.

Eagle Scout update

Jessee Vanlerberg has earned the Rank of Eagle on October 26, 2023, at 9:00pm/. Brian, Jen along with leadership from council and our troop sat on Jesse's board of review. Congrats to Jesse for all his hard work and dedication to the troop.

Meat Sticks

We have begun selling meat sticks so please bring all orders to the meetings to be filled. If an item is low or out, I will order more weekly to keep up with demand. We will keep ordering until 2nd week of December.

Q-Zar and Pizza

During the planning from our PLC, scouts voted to go to Q-Zar in Toledo on November 18. Cost is $20.00 per scout which includes Pizza after at Reset. which offers free arcade and a card shop next door. Meet at the scout house at 3pm. We will need a few drivers if parents can assist.

3:00pm meet at scouthouse
3:15pm leave for Toledo
4:pmm to 5:30pm Q-Zar
6:00pm Supper at Reset
7:15pm head home
8:00pm back to scouthouse for pickup

Bowling party

November 26 from 2pm to 4pm. Free bowling parry at Ten Pin Lanes. All scouts invited, Parents feelf ree to stay for the fun.

No meeting on November 19 or 26

Recharter

As mentioned in the beginning. It is that time of year for our troop to recharter, Membership is $140.00, and we can use each scout's account if funds are there. Financial assistance is also available, let me know if needed. All dues need turned in by December 31,2023.

After this year, BSA has decided to make membership due on a scouts joining date starting in 2024. All current scouts will still renew each December but anyone joining through the year will have different dates they renew. Example. A scout joining in May would be required to pay his dues each May thereafter and so on. National says it will keep track of this and email each family on these dates plus offer options for online payments and troop payment as scouts earn money from fundraisers.

No one can pass through life, any more than he can pass through a bit of country, without leaving tracks behind, and those tracks may often be helpful to those coming after him in finding their way.”

— Robert Baden-Powell

Just a few photos from last weekend, wanted to get them uploaded before I forget again.