Greetings to All.

1) Staff Food and PLC Orders Due Tomorrow; Clay Henderson email Address Change!

Yet another reminder, for those who have not yet taken care of it. Your Troop's Staff Food Orders and Friday PLC Attendance Number is due to Clay Henderson by noon tomorrow (Monday). For those who are ordering Staff Food, remember to use the Staff Food Form you were provided - this is important so that we have the accurate number for each meal. The numbers vary dramatically through the weekend, so it's important that everyone get it right or as close to right as they can.

For your PLC Attendance Number, remember to include both your Patrol Leaders, plus their Assistants if they're attending, plus any Staff members you have attending, plus any adults that you have attending. Again, your numbers will be used to order adequate snacks and drinks, and we want to be close to right on as possible.

I just today received an email from Clay Henderson indicating he has a new email address: wc_henderson-at-hotmail.com. Please use this new email address, but also cc his old email address just to be safe: wc.henderson-at-verizon.net

2) I-395 South Closure On Projectoree Weekend!

During the site visit today, there were two message signs on the side of I-395 South indicating that there will be a closure of I-395 South this weekend, from 8pm Saturday to 10am Sunday, 4/30 and 5/1. It's my understanding that this closure was supposed to happen yesterday and today, for swinging large bridge beams into place, but the rainy weather and strong winds forced a postponement.

HOV lanes (open to all on the weekend) will be open heading south, but you can expect heavy traffic on them even early Sunday. As far as I can tell, going around the Beltway to 95 South will NOT be impacted. Regardless, it will be important that everyone intending to come down Sunday morning (to pick up your Scouts) needs to expect a significant delay, and should plan of leaving at least 30 minutes earlier than they had originally planned.

Here is a news story on the closure from TV Channel 7 - this story is for this past weekend (i.e., yesterday and today), but it's basically accurate for this coming weekend also.

Mixing Bowl Closure

We're lucky this wasn't for Saturday morning!!!

3) Site Visit

Four of us visited Camp Wilson today. Several pieces of good news: First, there was no-one camping there this past weekend (the Troop that had the camp reserved cancelled out due to the weather - no further comment necessary!) Second, the Park Authorities has improved several of the campsites - cleared and levelled some large areas that were previously overgrown. And there are additional parking slots off the main road and some of the side roads. So we will be able to spread out a little bit more. Third, yet more pine trees have come down since last year, and so that risk is growing ever smaller as the years go by; there's probably less than 50 pines left in the Projectoree areas (this is good news).

All in all the site looks good.

We discussed this year's service projects with Jim Short, the Park Manager. There is (once again) a very large pile of (surprise!) pine logs that needs splitting. This year it's all fairly fresh stuff, not rotted like some past years. Another priority is clearing small brush from around the old mess hall. There are other, more minor projects that also need doing, such as reposting several posts around the main field.

Anyway, please ask your Service Patrol Scouts and Adults to bring work gloves and ear protection (head-phones - the log splitter is very loud). PLEASE PUT YOUR NAME AND TROOP NUMBER ON ALL YOUR STUFF!

The park says they will provide loping shears for the pruning, but if you have one, please consider bring it (based on past experience, yours will certainly be sharper than the Park's gear!) Again, name and Troop Number, and (words to the wise) a long piece of surveyor tape tied into it somewhere.

4) Campsites

If you have a "traditional" site that you have used for years, and want to use it again this year, please so indicate by email to Bruce Morgan, this year's Site Coordinator; he is at: bmorgan-at-thomasadvisors.com Keep in mind, we have to accommodate 13 Units of varying size, so you may not get your wish - and if your Troop size is quite a bit different than last year, don't expect the same site. But we'll do the best as we can.

5) Still Needed

Skit or Song Titles are still needed from Troops 128, 149, 167, 648, and 1916. Please send them to me by Wednesday night, with a cc to Dave Navarre at: dnavarre2-at-comcast.net

Tour Permits (I am not on top of this as well as I will be later this week) - My current records indicate I still need Tour Permits from Troops 151, 638, 648, and 1130. Some folks also gave me applications at Mtg. #2, not approved forms. Remember, I HAVE to have these in order for us to be covered under the BSA insurance policies, no questions asked. If you're not on the above list, and haven't given me a Tour Permit, don't think you're off the hook! Don't leave me hanging!

6) For What It's Worth

No, not the Buffalo Springfield song. The long range weather forecast for this weekend is mostly cloudy/some sun on Friday and Saturday, cloudy on Sunday with a chance of rain later in the day, highs all three days in the mid to upper 60's, and lows in the 40's. If accurate, I'll take it over less desirable versions. Regardless, the overall trend appears to be rather cool weather, and so this should be discussed with your Scouts at your meetings this week. "Be Prepared".

7) Red Notebooks

It is worthwhile pointing out that the Projectoree Binders have to be the most exhaustively complete Camporee Guide in the history of Scouting. There is a huge amount of info in there. I hope that you have "spread the wealth" among your attending ASM's, Patrol Leaders, and Staff. No-one should be in an information vacuum this weekend. Please read the provided materials!

There will be one more Newsletter sometime later this week.

Less than one week to go!

YiS - Dr. Bob (drbob-at-troop111.org), SM-111

Home.
25 April 2005