Scouts and Scouters,
Make to sure to Be Prepared for these upcoming events…
Scouts and Scouters,
The first batch of Air Zoo photos was provided by Mr. Anderson. We now have another group of photos this time from Mr. Rhodes. Thanks to both for sharing the excitement.
When you select the link to “Troop Photos on Mr Sikora’s photo site” you will encounter two folders of the same date, 2011-12-03. Check out both for complete details.
Mr. Sikora
Scouts and Scouters,
The coming year looks to be one that is action packed for Troop 533. Besides the High Adventure trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness the troop committee has chosen one of the three scout camp locations offered up by the scout leadership team. The scouts really did their homework in their selection process. Based upon weighing many criteria the location of summer camp is Camp Drake.
To find out more about this camp just point your browser to:
http://www.campdrake.com/
Summer Camp is July 8 through July 14.
Happy New Year
Mr. Sikora
Scouts and Scouters,
Mr. Anderson has provided a couple of photos of the recent weekend campout to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. You can check them out on the troop photo site. Anyone else have some shots to share? If so, then just send them to me via e-mail and I’ll put them on the site for all to enjoy.
Mr Sikora
Scouts and Scouters,
Congratulations to all the scouts for the impressive amount of recognition awards handed out at the recent Court of Honor. Participation patches, merit badges and a bunch of rank advancements. Way to go!
The celebration concluded with a excellent pot luck dinner. Thanks to all for bringing a item to share. Also, new COH photos have been posted to the web. Check out your son getting his awards.
We also had a introductory presentation on the 2013 National Jamboree. This is a good time to think about signing up for this event. The word event doesn’t really capture the scope. For example our outstanding spring or fall camporees has attendance in the 200-300 scout and scouter range. This Jamboree is more like 40,000 and will be held in the new high adventure base in West Virginia. If it has to do with with scouting, it will be at this Jamboree. The Jamboree is so special it is held only once every 4 years. Contact the scout office for details and available spots.
Remember the next scout leadership and troop committee meetings are being held on Monday December 19.
The next troop meeting will be on January 4, 2012, Elliott School.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Mr Sikora
Scouts and Scouters,
Mr Rhodes has provided a bunch of photos he took at these campouts. You can access them from the troop website. Look for the Scout Links and click on Troop photos on Mr Sikora’s photo site.
Thanks Mr Rhodes.
Scouts and Scouters,
Not really sure which patrol you belong. Then check out the newly updated patrol listing. The right hand column of the troop web page has each patrol listed. Pick one to drill down to the membership listing.
Mr. Sikora
All Troop Registerd adults:
Please be advised it will be necessary for you to take the online Youth Protection Training, as administered on the Calumet web site, before registering with the troop in the coming year.
It will not be possible for the troop to provide “courtesy” registration as we have in the past, without training.
http://www.calcouncil.org/YPT.html
Thank you,
Dale A. Zuck
Mr. Goodwin has kindly provide a long list of Troop 533 Eagle Scouts. If you know of anyone that is missing or the date is wrong then please let us know. You can find the list in the directory at the right.
Mr. Sikora
The troop has been using a PC based program to track the rank progress and advancement needs of your sons. This significant data collection effort has been on the shoulders of Mr Goodwin for many years and more recently jointly with Mr Boyd. The software program, TroopMaster, is the tool that the troop has been using. It is rich in features and easy to manipulate. We now have a way to make all of this information available to you, TroopMaster Web.
When you look at the troop website you will find on the right hand column the area with the heading “Scout Links”. The last item is your direct link to the TroopMaster Website. The first thing you will need to do is setup your access. I’ve placed a copy of Mr. Goodwin’s setup directions on the troop website. See the page listed under “DIRECTORY”, “TroopMaster web setup for Troop 533 Parents”. Click on these and follow the directions.
Why is this effort important?
1 – It is difficult to keep track of all the details for all the scouts who come in and out of the troop. These records help the adult scouters help you sons progress in rank.
2 – We tell the scouts to guard your scout handbook and merit badge blue cards as they are the official verification of all his efforts. You loose them and the effort is also lost. If you have have all of your progress recorded in TroopMaster then you have another method of proving completion of requirements.
3 – The database also has spots to enter your emergency contact information. It is information like this that helps the adult scouters keep the youth protected.
I encourage all parents to take the time to fill in the information blanks and get comfortable with the features of TroopMaster. You will then be able to see how your son is doing and maybe give him that last little nudge to complete the requirements of a rank or merit badge.
Mr. Sikora
