April 10, 2023 Newsletter

Hi everyone,

- Next Meeting – Monday, April 10 – 7:00pm – 9:00 pm – Ahearn Center (Gym)
We will be working on wrapping up preparations for the April 17 Court of Honor.

Class A uniforms for everyone – please!

- Easter Vigil Fire – Saturday, April 8 – 7:00 PM
Fr. John has asked the Troop to prepare the fire for the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. We will meet at 7:00 pm in front of the church to set up the fire. The Vigil begins at 7:30. After everyone goes into the church to begin the Mass, there will be a quick clean-up.

Class A uniforms and school pants – please!

- Scouting for Food – Saturdays, April 15 and 22 – 9:00-10:00 AM
The annual Boy Scout Food Drive starts on April 15 when we will be placing door tags around the neighborhood to alert people that we will be collecting food on the morning of Saturday, April 22. The time commitment is minimal and only involves about an hour each Saturday. Last year Pack 3965 and Troop 965 collected more than a half-ton of food. We’ll have more details at the Troop meeting on April 10.

- Upcoming Events – Mark Your Calendar!

April 17 - Spring Court of Honor and Parent Meeting – 7:30 pm – School Hall
Please plan to join us for the April 17 Troop Meeting. This will be our Spring Court of Honor and Parent Meeting. You will hear about your son’s recent accomplishments in Scouting, and we will have information about all the upcoming spring and summer activities.

April 28-30 - Backpacking Weekend – Ice Age Trail, Wisconsin
We will be backpacking on the Ice Age Trail for a total of 11 miles over two days and sleeping in trail shelters at night. More information to come but mark your calendar for a great weekend that will test your outdoor skills.

Saturday, May 13 - Coast Guard Station Visit – Michigan City, Indiana
Troop alum and Eagle Scout Tony Hanusiak is hosting us for a visit to the Coast Guard facility that serves southern Lake Michigan. It promises to be a great outing.

May 19-21 - May Camping Weekend at Warren Dunes
Our May weekend is at Warren Dunes in Michigan. This is one of our favorite weekends – with Saturday spent exploring the dunes. The dunes along Lake Michigan are beautiful and provide amazing views of the entire Dunes area.

June 19-23 - Mammoth Cave National Park – We are taking deposits.
Troop 965 is going to Mammoth Cave National Park this summer. The trip will be a five-day outing that includes tent camping in the national park, guided tours of Mammoth Cave, hiking in the backcountry of the national park, and canoeing on the Green River. 

Mammoth Cave National Park has rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, earning it the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve.

All members of the Troop are eligible for this trip if they have passed the BSA Swim Test. Scouts will have the opportunity to be tested on swimming well before the trip, so they have time to improve their swimming skills, if necessary.

We will be camping in a youth group campground within the national park.

The trip is set for June 19-23, 2023, and the cost is $400 per person. 

Scouts, parents, and leaders who are interested in the trip should talk to Mr. Gulliford or Mr. Pelrine about their eligibility and any other details regarding the trip. Sign-ups are underway. A deposit of $200 will hold your space on the trip.

Leaders of the trip are trained in Wilderness First Aid, Hazardous Weather Training, and CPR/AED.

- Backpacks Available to Borrow
A St. Juliana parishioner has donated a backpack to the Troop. If one of you needs a backpack, please let me know. Also, the Ramirez family has given the Troop a backpack that we can lend out to Scouts for camping and hiking trips.

See you at the Easter Vigil!

Mr. Pelrine
Scoutmaster, Troop 965