Camp-out Issues

T399 Parents:
A recurring issue needs addressing: Drivers for our camp-outs. First of all, I love ya! Second of all, let's plan a better method of communication.

Parent Drivers
Please let us know if you can drive and how many seat-belts you have. Do not assume because you told me, that we have you down.
Please make sure the ramrod knows your driving availability. If you tell me, "I can drive if you need me", then that is not recorded and I will not remember (after all I am 59 years old).

For example:
if you can drive and stay (DS)
if you can only drive there (DT)
if you can only drive back (DB)
can't drive, but can stay (S)

I know this may seem simple, but the flow of information has not been pristine. I learn of available parents, and unavailable parents at the last minute, and quite frankly too late in the process. We end up scrambling to make sure all Scouts are transported safely.

Which brings me to the second point of parents who pick up Scouts and they do not "check them out" or more clearly "tell someone in charge". The obvious safety of us knowing if a Scout has left the camp-out is imperative. We take head-counts on a regular basis and when Scouts appear to be missing, we research (by asking other Scouts) where they might be, etc. Please let us know when you have picked up your Scout or any Scout. You will save us time and worry. This also is useful information when we are trying to locate a "seat belt" for each Scout for the return trip.

We are typically very flexible about Scouts deciding at the last minute to join us on a camp-out. We want all our Scouts to come to all our camp-outs and we want to make it as easy as possible. However, when a Scout has not signed up and shows up at the camp-out, we obviously have not made arrangements for his ride home. It is important that the Scout parent communicate to us when a latecomer and a no-signer-upper has decided to join us. And let me reiterate, we want all our Scouts to come to as many events as possible, we are just asking for clearer communication.

Don B. Mauro
dmauro21@gmail.com
512/657-0195

"It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by helping them to install values in young people and, in other ways, to prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential.

The values we strive to install are based on those found in the Scout Oath and Law."

T399 Patrol Leader meeting, Tues., 9-29 @ 7 pm

Reminder: Patrol Leader meeting @ TUMC, Tuesday, 9-29 @ 7 pm.
> Patrol leaders and Assistant Patrol leaders please plan to attend and
> bring your feedback, ideas and suggestions regarding last weekend's
> camp-out and future camp-outs and events We appreciate your
> leadership in T399!

Don B. Mauro
dmauro21@gmail.com
512/657-0195

"It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by helping them to install values in young people and, in other ways, to prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential.

The values we strive to install are based on those found in the Scout Oath and Law."

T-399 CAMP OUT LOCATION CHANGE THIS WEEKEND

PLEASE NOTE the location of the camp out this weekend has change. The camp out will be at Blanco State Park. Attached is an information sheet giving you all the details of the camp out. Please contact me with any questions, and remember if you want to fish bring your fishing poles and if want to swim bring your bathing suit. The camp out information is under the announcvement tab at www.399.org.

Don B. Mauro
dmauro21@gmail.com
512/657-0195

"It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by helping them to install values in young people and, in other ways, to prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential.

The values we strive to install are based on those found in the Scout Oath and Law."

T-399 Parent Meeting, Tuesday, September 23, 2008 @ 7:00 pm TUMC

Troop 399 second parent meeting of the year is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, September 23, 2008 @ 7:00 pm TUMC.

Topics of discussion will be:

1. This weekend's campout
2. Review of year in camping
3. Finalize summer reservation list
4. Leadership Training
5. Parent Volunteers
6. Popcorn Sales

A number of important decisions will be made at this meeting concerning your Scout's program. Please attend if at all possible.

Don B. Mauro
dmauro21@gmail.com
512/657-0195

"It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by helping them to install values in young people and, in other ways, to prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential.

The values we strive to install are based on those found in the Scout Oath and Law."

T399 Court of Honor : Sun., Sept. 14, @ 6:30 pm TUMC

Troop 399 's first Court of Honor of the new school year is being held on Sunday, September 14th, 2008 at 6:30. The Court of Honor will be at Tarrytown United Methodist Church in the main room of the Fellowship Hall. Please plan to attend to show your support of your Scout's efforts over the past four months. Class A uniform required for Scouts. Please remember to have your Scout wear his 21 nights neckerchief as well.

A Reminder: Our regular Scout meeting is scheduled for this Tuesday, September 9th, @ 7:00 pm in the Scout Room at TUMC. Scouts, please wear your Class B uniforms.

Climbing Instructor Course

Troop 399 needs a volunteer to attend the Climbing Instuctor Course on October 10 - 12 and October 24 - 26. Without a trained/certified climber to supervise our Scouts, Troop 399 will not be allowed to use the Lost Pines Climbing Tower. Please consider this opportunity. The Climbing Instructor Course discription is located in the documents section of the Troop 399 website. Contact me should you have any questions.

Don B. Mauro
dmauro21@gmail.com
512/657-0195

Summer Activities

T399 Parents:
Yes, believe it or not we are already working on Summer 2009. And we need your feedback. Scouts gave feedback at a recent Scout planning meeting and the Scouts suggested seeking different Scout summer camps for different opportunities. They also gave great feedback about their experience at El Rancho Cima 2008.

Thanks to Mike Coffin, we have reservations for Buffalo Trails Scout Ranch for July 12 -18, 2009. The BTSR website is http://www.buffalotrailbsa.org/camping/btsr_summer.html. Please visit to learn more about your Scouts opportunities and merit badge choices at this camp. Buffalo Trails is a wonderful camp, yet it is further away than our camps in recent years. We have already secured enough volunteer parents to make this camp happen, so at this time we are seeking a head-count of possible Scouts. Please let us know if this week looks appealing for your Scout for summer 2009. Check your calendars --- check out the website and let us know. Ben and Tanner are both excited about attending this camp!

The open question is: Does T399 want to secure a more local option, i.e. going to El Rancho Cima, Lost Pines or another summer camp in June? In order to make this Summer Camp week happen, the Troop needs a volunteer parent to step-up and Ram Rod. Please let us know your Scout's interest and if you can Ram Rod the week. If there is interest, and we can confirm a Parent RamRod, then we will secure reservations for this Summer Camp week. This survey is time-sensitive as Camps are snapped up quickly at this time of year.

For T399's High Adventure trip, Ram Rod Cindy Wiewel has reserved our Sea Base 2009 dates:
1. July 28 - August 3 (Tues - Mon) for 3 Crews (4 youth and 2 adults for each crew)
This trip requires a deposit of $100 per person to be received by Sea Base by November 3rd.2. July 24 - July 30 (Fri - Thurs) for 1 Crew (4 youth and 2 adults)
This trip requires a deposit of $100 per person to be received by Sea Base by October 1st.For Sea Base 2009: Scouts must be 14 years by Sept 1, 2009. A special physical form is required by all.Cost for Sea Base is $670 - this does NOT include airfare or ground transportation. Please visit the Sea Base website at http://www.bsaseabase.org/adventure/outisle.html to learn more about this camp.

Northern Tier High Adventure: T399 is still looking for an adult to step-up and commit to being the Ram Rod for the Northern Tier High Adventure trip. We have not securedreservations at this time. Please contact me if either your Scout is interested in this great adventure and/or if you are interested in Ram Rod-ding the NTHA trip.

Armadillo District Fall Training Days

The Armadillo District is holding its annual Fall Training Day on September 27, 2008 at Highland Park Baptist Church on Balcones Drive.

"Walk in a NEW Leader - Leave a TRAINED Leader" For all the parent volunteers who were not able to attend the Spring Training Day last April this is an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about Scouting and to better equipe you to assist the Troop in your new roal, and to help your Scout achieve his personal goals.

Please sign-up as soon as possible, and if anyone has any questions please give me a call.

T399 Calling Volunteers

T399 Parents,

Have you reviewed the volunteer form yet? I have attached an updated
volunteer form (this form is also on our website). For a successful
Scouting experience, we need more parents volunteering. As Scouts achieve
as Eagles or otherwise, we need replacement parent participation and talent.
If none of our volunteer jobs looks appealing, please let us know your talents; we would like to utilize all of our Scout parents' talents to
further advance and enhance our program.

Please review and complete the volunteer form and either bring it to the meeting on Tuesday or email your interest in a volunteer position to Leslie Benitez, John Yatsu, Mark Marshall or me. Should you have questions concerning any position please give me a call.

Also we have a Scout meeting tomorrow night, Tuesday, September 2, 2008 starting at 7:00 pm. Please remember Class B uniform is required for the meeting. If your Scout is planning a Scoutmaster Conference or a Board of Review then Class A is required.

T399 Stats:
196 parents are registered in our database
101 Scouts are registered in our database
11 parents have volunteered and have filled 33 positions
39 different parents have visited our new website

Show your Scout that you are interested in our program by volunteering,

Don B. Mauro
dmauro21@gmail.com
512/657-0195

"It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by helping them to install values in young people and, in other ways, to prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential.

The values we strive to install are based on those found in the Scout Oath and Law."