May 3 PLC + Planning

On May 3th, Troop 505 will meet at 7pm at the American Legion in Chapel Hill, NC. Tonight we will plan for upcoming camp outs, Court of Honor, and summer camp.

The Patrol Leaders’ Council, PLC, will meet at 6:30pm. The PLC is always scheduled the first Troop Meeting of every month. If you currently hold a leadership role that requires participation in the Troop PLC, your attendance is expected. These positions include: Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders (if your Patrol Leader is unable to attend), Scribe.

“The patrol system is not one method in which Scouting for boys can be carried on. It is the only method.”

—Lord Baden-Powell, Scouting’s founder

The Patrol Leaders’ Council

A Troop should always be led by its elected boy leaders. With the guidance of the Scoutmaster and his assistants, the boy leaders plan the program, conduct troop meetings, and provide leadership among their peers. The Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC), not the adult leaders, is responsible for planning and conducting the Troop’s meetings and activities.

The members of the Troop elect one of their own to serve as the Senior Patrol Leader. To give more Scouts the opportunity to lead, once a year, the current Troop 505 Assistant Senior Patrol Leader moves into the Senior Patrol Leader position and the Troop elects a new Assistant Senior Patrol Leader.

Your Role in the Patrol Leaders’ Council

The Patrol Leaders’ Council is made up of the Senior Patrol Leader, who presides over the meetings; the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and all Patrol Leaders, with the support of the Troop Scribe and the Troop Guides. As a Patrol Leader, you serve as the voice of your Patrol. During PLC Patrol Leaders should present the ideas and concerns of your patrol and in turn share the decisions of the Patrol Leaders’ Council with your Patrol.

Patrol Leaders’ Council Meetings

The Troop’s meeting programs and activities are selected and planned at the annual program planning conference. The troop’s yearly plan is then submitted to the Troop Committee for approval. The Troop Committee either approves the plan or makes alternative suggestions for the Patrol Leaders’ Council to consider. At its monthly meetings, the PLC fine-tunes the plans for the upcoming month by organizing and assigning responsibilities for the weekly Troop meeting program and planning the details of any upcoming Troop activities. The Troop Committee should always interact with the PLC through the Scoutmaster.

Patrol Leaders’ Council Position Descriptions

Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) – top junior leader in the troop. He is elected by the entire troop and leads the Patrol Leaders’ Council and, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, appoints other junior leaders and assigns specific responsibilities as needed.

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) – fills in for Senior Patrol Leader in his absence. There may be more than one ASLP. They are responsible for training and giving direction to the Scribe, Quartermaster, Troop Historian, Librarian, Webmaster and Instructors.

Patrol Leader (PL) – gives leadership to members of his Patrol and represents them on the PLC.

Assistant Patrol Leader (APL) – is fully informed about all aspects concerning his Patrol and fills in for the Patrol Leader in his absence.

Troop Scribe (TS) – attends the meeting to support the PLC as the Troop Secretary.

Troop Guide (TG) – attends the meeting to support the PLC as an advisor and guide to the Patrol(s) and Patrol Leader(s).

Junior Assistant Scoutmaster (JASM) – an Eagle Scout, 16 years or older, attends the meeting to support the PLC, who supervises and supports other boy leaders as assigned by the Scoutmaster.

Troop 505 Summer Camp 2016 Tall Tales Reunion Aug 31st

Our next Troop meeting will be August 31st from 7-8pm at the American Legion Post 6 in Chapel Hill. During this meeting we will be sharing our memories of this past summers camping experiences at Sea Base and Camp Daniel Boone. Please bring your best pictures and tall tales. The night is sure to be filled with some great memories.

Troop 505 Camp Daniel Boone Summer Camp Planning Meeting Jul 13

Our next Troop Meeting is scheduled for July 13th from 7-8:30pm at the American Legion Post 6 in Chapel Hill. During this meeting we will continue planning for our upcoming Camp Daniel Boone Summer Camp. Please bring all supplies you require for Summer Camp to this Troop meeting. Our Troop trailer will be at the meeting and we will start packing the trailer for our trip next Sunday.

Troop 505 has confirmed Camp Daniel Boone as the destination for our 2016 Boy Scout Summer Camp. We will be in the Chippewa campsite from July 24th untill July 30th. Anyone planing to attend Summer Camp must attend this meeting.

The 2016 Camp Daniel Boone Merit Badge Program includes: Indian Lore, Leatherwork, Geology, Nature, Reptile and Amphibian Study, Fish and Wildlife Management, Forestry, Space Exploration and Orienteering (just to name a few). While in camp, our Scouts will select up to six (6) Merit Badge sessions per week.

To find out more information visit: http://www.campdanielboone.org

Troop 505 Florida Keys Sea Base 2016 High Adventure Summer Camp Planning Meeting Jan 20

Our next Troop meeting will be this Wednesday, January 20th, 7-8:30pm. We will will be finalizing all trip plans for our Troop 505 Sea Base 2016 High Adventure Summer Camp Expedition in Marathon Key, Florida, currently scheduled for July 2nd to the 8th.

Any person(s) planning on attending the Florida Keys Sea Base High Adventure Summer Camp are required to attend this Troop Meeting.

Troop 505 Patrol Leaders Council Aug 5

Troop 505 will have it’s regularly scheduled Patrol Leader’s Council on August 5th from 6:30-7pm. The PLC is always scheduled the first Troop Meeting of every month. If you currently hold a leadership role that requires participation in the Troop PLC, you attendance is expected. These positions include: Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders (if your Patrol Leader is unable to attend), Scribe, all Troop Guides and all Junior Assistant Scoutmasters.

In an effort to better organize our Uniformed Adult Leadership, a meeting of Assistant Scoutmaster’s is requested on August 5th from 6:30-7pm during the regularly scheduled PLC. If you are currently a registered Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 505 or if you desire volunteering in this role, your attendance is requested.

“The patrol system is not one method in which Scouting for boys can be carried on. It is the only method.”

—Lord Baden-Powell, Scouting’s founder

The Patrol Leaders’ Council

A Troop should always be led by its elected boy leaders. With the guidance of the Scoutmaster and his assistants, the boy leaders plan the program, conduct troop meetings, and provide leadership among their peers. The Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC), not the adult leaders, is responsible for planning and conducting the Troop’s meetings and activities.

The members of the Troop elect one of their own to serve as the Senior Patrol Leader. To give more Scouts the opportunity to lead, once a year, the current Troop 505 Assistant Senior Patrol Leader moves into the Senior Patrol Leader position and the Troop elects a new Assistant Senior Patrol Leader.

Your Role in the Patrol Leaders’ Council

The Patrol Leaders’ Council is made up of the Senior Patrol Leader, who presides over the meetings; the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and all Patrol Leaders, with the support of the Troop Scribe and the Troop Guides. As a Patrol Leader, you serve as the voice of your Patrol. During PLC Patrol Leaders should present the ideas and concerns of your patrol and in turn share the decisions of the Patrol Leaders’ Council with your Patrol.

Patrol Leaders’ Council Meetings

The Troop’s meeting programs and activities are selected and planned at the annual program planning conference. The troop’s yearly plan is then submitted to the Troop Committee for approval. The Troop Committee either approves the plan or makes alternative suggestions for the Patrol Leaders’ Council to consider. At its monthly meetings, the PLC fine-tunes the plans for the upcoming month by organizing and assigning responsibilities for the weekly Troop meeting program and planning the details of any upcoming Troop activities. The Troop Committee should always interact with the PLC through the Scoutmaster.

Patrol Leaders’ Council Position Descriptions

Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) – top junior leader in the troop. He is elected by the entire troop and leads the Patrol Leaders’ Council and, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, appoints other junior leaders and assigns specific responsibilities as needed.

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) – fills in for Senior Patrol Leader in his absence. There may be more than one ASLP. They are responsible for training and giving direction to the Scribe, Quartermaster, Troop Historian, Librarian, Webmaster and Instructors.

Patrol Leader (PL) – gives leadership to members of his Patrol and represents them on the PLC.

Assistant Patrol Leader (APL) – is fully informed about all aspects concerning his Patrol and fills in for the Patrol Leader in his absence.

Troop Scribe (TS) – attends the meeting to support the PLC as the Troop Secretary.

Troop Guide (TG) – attends the meeting to support the PLC as an advisor and guide to the Patrol(s) and Patrol Leader(s).

Junior Assistant Scoutmaster (JASM) – an Eagle Scout, 16 years or older, attends the meeting to support the PLC, who supervises and supports other boy leaders as assigned by the Scoutmaster.

Troop 505 Summer Campout Camp Powhatan 6/14/15-6/20/15

On the summer campout of 2015, the trip was awesome!!! If you were on NRA or New River Adventure, you did pistol shooing, whitewater canoeing, whitewater rafting, COPE course, ATVing, etc. The base camp people got to do up to 6 merit badges. I did orienteering, canoeing, cooking, game design, first aid,    e. prep, and rock climbing. They also had a trading post with knives axed, sleeping axes, tents, etc. That was pretty nice to be able to but stuff. Two people I know of bought hammocks and Three of four bought knives.Some stuff was an amazing deal, but some was horribly overpriced.All in all, it was an extremely fun trip and I would gladly do it again after (yawn) a nap. I think I’ll go to sleep now.

Troop 505 Swimming Merit Badge (1 of 2) Workshop Jun 3

During our next Troop Meeting on June 3rd from 5:30-7:30pm at the Chapel Hill Community Center on 120 South Estes Drive (located across from the main Post Office). We will start working on our requirements for the BSA Swimming Merit Badge in two (2) parts in preparation for Boy Scout Summer Camp. Please try your best to attend if you are interested in completing this Merit Badge or if you plan to attend Summer Camp 2015. Bring your swimsuit, a towel and a change of clothes – Class B. And please remember to purchase your Swimming Merit Badge Series Pamphlet the next time you are at the Scout Store.

Trail to Eagle Scouts will continue work on Lifesaving Merit Badge under the instruction of Trevor Vook.

During this Troop meeting we plan to complete:

1. Discuss the prevention and treatment for health concerns that could occur while swimming, including hypothermia, dehydration, sunburn, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, muscle cramps, hyperventilation, spinal injury, stings and bites, and cuts and scrapes.

2. Do the following: a. Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person. Explain how to recognize such conditions. b. Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.

3. Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete Second Class rank requirements 7a-7c and First Class rank requirements 9a-9c.

Second Class rank requirements: (7a) Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim. (7b) Demonstrate your ability to jump feetfirst into water over your head in depth, level off and swim 25 feet on the surface, stop, turn sharply, resume swimming, then return to your starting place. (7c) Demonstrate water rescue methods by reaching with your arm or leg, reaching with a suitable object, and by throwing lines and objects. Explain why swimming rescues should not be attempted when a reaching or throwing rescue is possible, and explain why and how a rescue swimmer should avoid contact with the victim.

First Class rank requirements: (9a) Tell what precautions should be taken for a safe trip afloat. (9b) Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test. Jump feetfirst into water over your head in depth, swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be swum continuously and include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating. (9c) With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as tender and as rescuer. (The practice victim should be approximately 30 feet from shore in deep water).

4. Demonstrate survival skills by jumping feetfirst into deep water wearing clothes (shoes, socks, swim trunks, long pants, belt, and long-sleeved shirt). Remove shoes and socks, inflate the shirt, and show that you can float using the shirt for support. Remove and inflate the pants for support. Swim 50 feet using the inflated pants for support, then show how to reinflate the pants while still afloat.

5. Swim continuously for 150 yards using the following strokes in good form and in a strong manner: front crawl or trudgen for 25 yards, back crawl for 25 yards, sidestroke for 25 yards, breaststroke for 25 yards, and elementary backstroke for 50 yards.

Troop 505 Annual BSA Health Forms Due Jun 10

It’s that time of year. All health forms must be resigned by your family doctor and resubmitted to the Troop. These forms must be updated in the next 2 weeks if you are attending summer camp. You cannot attend summer camp without these forms renewed. If you are attending the high adventure camp this summer or plan on doing any high adventure activity with the Troop this year you must have your doctor fill out and sign parts A, B and C.

The BSA health forms can be found at this link:

Click to access 680-001_ABC.pdf

Troop 505 Camp Powhatan Summer Camp 2015 Expedition Planning Meeting May 27

Our next Troop Meeting is scheduled for May 27th from 7-8:30pm at the American Legion Post 6 in Chapel Hill. During this meeting we will continue planning for our upcoming Camp Powhatan Summer Camp. Please bring all supplies you require for Summer Camp to this Troop meeting. Our Troop trailer will be at the meeting and we will start packing the trailer for our trip.

Troop 505 has confirmed Camp Powhatan as the destination for our 2015 Boy Scout Summer Camp. We will be in camp from June 14th untill June 20th. Anyone planing to attend Summer Camp must attend this meeting.

The 2015 Camp Powhatan Merit Badge Program includes: Indian Lore, Leatherwork, Geology, Nature, Reptile and Amphibian Study, Fish and Wildlife Management, Forestry, Space Exploration and Orienteering (just to name a few). While in camp, our Scouts will select up to six (6) Merit Badge sessions per week.

To find out more information visit: www.camppow.org

Troop 505 Summer Camp Deposit Due Jan 8

Troop 505 has confirmed Blue Ridge Scout Reservation as the destination for our 2015 Boy Scout Summer Camp. We will be in camp from June 14th until June 20th.

To sign-up for Troop 505 Summer Camp, please RSVP to Scoutmaster West ASAP.

Located in Pulaski County Virginia, the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation encompasses 17,500 acres of rugged beauty high in the Blue Ridge Mountains. For over 50 years, the Reservation has been a leader among Scout Camps, pioneering new and exciting programs, and providing thousands of Scouts and Scouters with a positive camping experience.

A commitment to attend camp and a $100 deposit is due at our first January Troop Meeting.

An additional $100 non-refundable deposit is due by our first March Troop Meeting.

The remaining Scout registration fee (estimated $110-$240 for a total of $310-$440 depending on program selected) is due May 1st.

The Camp Powhatan is the Blue Ridge Scout Reservations Merit Badge Camping Program  ($310) which includes: Indian Lore, Leatherwork, Geology, Nature, Reptile and Amphibian Study, Fish and Wildlife Management, Forestry, Space Exploration and Orienteering (just to name a few). Tucked into the valley formed by the Big Macks Creek, Camp Powhatan is the largest council owned Scout camp in the United States. The big camp atmosphere surrounds you with excitement from morning flags till evening taps. Extensive camping facilities, wireless Internet, and many opportunities for advancement make Powhatan an ideal spot to live the Scout Oath and Law.

Any Troop 505 Scout over 14 years old will be eligible to attend the week long Blue Ridge Scout Reservation High Adventure Program. Scouts may choose between New River Adventure ($310), Voyager Trek ($440) OR Claytor Lake Aquatics Base ($400). Commitment to attend a Blue Ridge Scout Reservation High Adventure Program is due  by the end of January, a minimum 4 Scouts will be required for each High Adventure camp.

We hope all Troop 505 Scouts will be able to attend!

To find out more information visit: CLICK HERE for Blue Ridge Scout Reservation

Option 1 Camp Powhatan (Regular Summer Camp) While in camp, our Scouts will select up to six (6) Merit Badge sessions per week. A first draft of Scout Merit Badge selections will also be due at our first March Troop meeting. Merit badges, live with rest of troop, eat in dining hall – $310 – Troop 505 Scouts attending:

CLICK HERE for a Video of Camp Powhatan

Option 2 New River High Adventure If you are a thrill seeker and looking for a roller coaster week of challenge and fun, look no further than the New River Adventure. There’s so much to do! Whitewater Rafting, ATV’s (4 wheeling/All-Terrain Vehicles) and more! – $310 – max 6 Scouts – Troop 505 Scouts attending:

CLICK HERE for a Video of the New River Adventure

Option 3 Voyager High Adventure Trek Embark on a 5-day, 50-mile-plus canoe trip down the breathtaking New River. We are looking for a few stout mates who are ready to put their sense of adventure and their canoeing and whitewater rafting skills to the test. – $440 – max 6 Scouts – Troop 505 Scouts attending:

CLICK HERE for a Video of the Voyageur Trek

Option 4 Claytor Lake High Adventure Aquatics Base Located on a brand new facility situated on the 4,500-acre highland reservoir of Claytor Lake, this camp caters to older Scouts looking for thrills on the water. This is the first camp to offer the Personal Watercraft Safety as a BSA pilot program. – $400 – max 6 Scouts – Troop 505 Scouts attending:

CLICK HERE for a Video of Claytor Lake Aquatics Base