Newsletter: July 20, 2020 |
Good News! We can begin to resume some of our normal Troop activities with important conditions.
We are strictly following the directives of the Chicago Department of Health and the Pathway to Adventure Council of the BSA. This means social distancing, face coverings, hand sanitizing, and meeting outdoors. Scouts, Leaders, and parents who are not compliant will not be allowed to participate in activities and will be asked to leave the area.
Prayer During the Pandemic
When This is Over
When this is over,
may we never again take for granted
a handshake with a stranger
conversations with neighbors
a crowded theater
Friday night out
the taste of Communion
a routine checkup
the school rush each morning
coffee with a friend
the stadium roaring
each deep breath
a boring Tuesday
life itself.
When this ends,
may we find that we have become
more like the people we wanted to be,
we were called to be,
we hoped to be.
And may we stay that way – better for each other because of the worst.
- Laura Kelly Fanucci
https://laurakellyfanucci.com/
- Upcoming Activities
- Monday, July 20 – Troop Meeting at Bunker Hill
- Saturday, July 25 – Forest Preserve Litter Pick-Up Service Project
- Friday-Saturday – July 31-August 1 – 24-Hour Backpacker
- Troop Meeting – Monday, July 20 – 7:00 – 8:00 PM – Bunker Hill Forest Preserve
This will be our first Troop meeting since March! We will talk about upcoming activities, work on Totin’ Chip (knife, ax and saw) and play some games. Don’t forget your face covering! Parents of Scouts are welcome to stay for the meeting.
Enter Bunker Hill at the Harts Road entrance and look for the Troop in the first picnic grove to the right. We are looking forward to seeing everyone!
- Forest Preserve Litter Pick-Up - Conservation Service Project – Saturday, July 25 – 9:00 AM - Noon
Join the Troop for a litter pick-up in the Linne Woods Forest Preserve on Dempster Street in Morton Grove. The service hours will count toward the service hours rank requirement. Participants should bring at least 2 liters of water and personal snacks, wear long pants, and bring insect repellent and sun protection. The project will comply with the need to maintain social distance and wear face coverings.
- 24-Hour Backpacker – July 31-August 1 – Camp Reinberg - Deer Grove Forest Preserve
The 24-Hour Backpacker is scheduled for Friday, July 31st. The idea behind the Backpacker is to give the Scouts a taste of full-on backpacking. On Friday night we hike about 5 or 6 miles to camp, cook a trail dinner, sleep out overnight, eat a quick breakfast in the morning and then hike back. It is a quick and fun way to get a night out on the trail.
Troop 965 has rented all of the tent sites at Camp Reinberg so that we can provide adequate spacing between tents.
We will meet at Deer Grove Forest Preserve at 6:00 PM on Friday. Deer Grove is located on the west side of Quentin Road north of Dundee Road near Palatine, Illinois. Participants will carry their personal gear in a backpack. Personal tents can be dropped off at the meeting location and will not need to be carried on the trail. The crew will then hike 5 miles on the Deer Grove trails to Camp Reinberg where we will set up camp for the night. Dinner will be a delicious, dehydrated backpackers’ meal! One food packet for each hiker to ensure food safety!
On Saturday morning, we will have breakfast and then break camp, hike 3 more miles on Deer Grove Trails and be ready for pick up at Deer Grove Forest Preserve by 10:00 AM.
The Troop will follow CDC, City of Chicago, Cook County Forest Preserves and Pathway to Adventure Council guidelines. Each Scout will sleep in their own tent. Immediate families (brothers or parent(s) and Scout) can share a tent. Tents will be spaced a minimum of six feet apart. Everyone will bring and wear their own facemask and have hand sanitizer.
Personal Gear List:
- Backpack
- Sleeping Bag
- Sleeping Pad
- Mess kit (Plate, fork, and spoon)
- Water bottle
- Clothes to sleep in
- Rain jacket
- Jacket/sweatshirt
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Change of clothes
- Personal hand sanitizer
This is intended to be an introduction to backpacking, so if you don’t have all of the equipment – don’t worry! Contact Mr. Pelrine for assistance; some equipment may be available to borrow.
The cost of the outing is $10.00 for each participant. Make checks payable to Troop 965.
A permission slip can be found in the Resource Center. It must be returned with payment to Mr. Pelrine by Saturday, July 25 to confirm attendance. We need to make sure we have enough food, tents, and campsites at Camp Reinberg. Let us know if you need to use a Troop tent.
- Youth Protection Reminder – Scouts need to remember that your emails to leaders must be copied to a parent or another leader or both. It is very important to remember this for everyone’s protection. Please do not text leaders and leaders will not be texting you.
See you at the Troop meeting at Bunker Hill!
Mr. Pelrine
Scoutmaster, Troop 965