Hello Again... ... lots to talk about...

1) Projectoree Date Changed! - Signups for all Northern Virginia Regional Parks started at 8am sharp on Friday, January 2^nd. Using autodial, I finally got through at 8:11, and was already too late for our primary date, losing out to a church youth group. After going out to check Bull Run Park, which was still open for April 24^th - 26^th, and discussing things with Neal Wood (SM-647), I confirmed for Camp Wilson, reserving for a week earlier than originally planned. Not an ideal date, since some school's Spring Breaks end that weekend, but nothing else appropriate was available.

Please inform everyone of the new dates. If this change causes undue hardship for any Troop, you may still withdraw from your commitments - no hard feelings. Just please let me know that you're withdrawing, ASAP. We'll pick up the slack on the positions and games elsewhere....

2) Deposit Due February 1^st! - As previously discussed, all attending Troops except Troop 648 must turn in an earnest money deposit of $100 by February 1^st (Troop 648 is still awaiting the word on their application to the West Point Camporee, and have therefore been granted a temporary waiver on the deposit.) Deposits should be made by check, payable to "Troop 111," please email me at Dr. Bob for the mailing address. The deposit is fully credited towards your registration fees at theProjectoree.

I would sincerely appreciate it if (for a radical change) I didn't have to call everyone on this for reminders.

3) On-line at last! - The Troop 111 Webpage is only about one third complete at this time; however, the webmaster has created a subpage for the Projectoree, containing abbreviated versions of the first 3 newsletters (and hopefully this one as well, by the time you receivethis mailing.) As previously discussed, I intend a mass emailing toeveryone associated with the Projectoree, letting them know about the Website, in order to maximize information dissemination while minimizing xeroxing and postal costs. Thus, the only people to get hard copies of this newsletter were those for whom I did not have an email address. Everyone else got the complete newsletter by email. The Troop 111 website address is: www.troop111.org My email address is: drbob@troop111.org.

4) Meeting #1 Summary; Signups Completed! - Amazingly enough, Meeting #1started on time, ended early, and accomplished most of its stated objectives. Attendance, however, was somewhat disappointing, with only six Troops represented. Three of the no-shows subsequently contacted me,however; so the only dropout (so far) is Troop 624 (which, to be frank, is not much of a surprise.) The "so far" caveat is thrown in there pending everyone's consideration of the date change and the arrival of the earnest money deposits. Quick summaries:

Some email addresses received; I could use alot more!

No Senior Scouts signed up for the SteeringCommittee; Clay Henderson (ASM-104) has volunteered to assist me as the other half of the Committee. I'm still looking for a few good Scouts!

No new patch, ribbon or T-Shirt designs were offered; new designs must be mailed to me by February 15^th, oryou're stuck with whatever I candream up, again.

Patrol Awards were kept to 1st versus 5th place,despite the increasein the number of Patrols expected to participate.

Preliminary attendance estimates were given;details will not beprovided at this time (because they were all "guesstimates"), but it does appear we'll have around 24 patrols, confirming the need for 4 setups per event. Adult and Senior Scout Staffing appear thin, but (thus far) adequate. We can't afford too many bailouts by the Senior Scouts, however (a la 1997), or we'll be in trouble again.

Game Selections (and Troop assignments) were completed, as follows: Caber Toss - 104; Egg Toss - 638; Firebuilding - 149; Hot Lava Rescue Relay - 106; Log Raising Relay - 111;Nuclear Reactor - 167; Obstacle Course - 111; Scoutmaster Chariot Race -149; Spider Web Escape - 647; Synchronized Walk - 106; and Walk the Plank - 167.

Detailed game descriptions and scoring protocols will be provided to theTroops running the events; abbreviated versions will be posted on the website by the end of February. All Troops were reminded to check withother Troops to see if they still have event equipment from previous Projectorees to loan.

Staff Positions were also completed, as follows: Catholic Mass - 648; First Aid/Communications/Timekeepers/Lost andFound/Rovers - 638; Flag Ceremonies/Campfire Program Coordinators -111/149; Games Coordinator - 647; Protestant Services - 106; Publicity -149; Registrar/Treasurer - 638/(106); Scoring and Awards Coordinator -647; Site Coordinator - 167; Staff Food Coordinator - 104 .

Again, detailed staff position descriptions will be provided to theassigned Troops and also posted on the website.

5) Next Meeting - Weather permitting, I would like to hold the nextmeeting on Sunday, March 8^th, from 7 - 9pm, at St. Agnes. Anagenda for that meeting will be sent out by February 28^th.

6) Troop Insurance! - Again, you are reminded to get the BSA Insurancepolicy for your units. NOTE THAT THE INSURANCE FORM CAME IN AN APPARENTJUNK MAIL-LOOKING LETTER THIS YEAR, MARKED WITH A RETURN ADDRESS OF AON CONSULTING - NOT ALEXANDER AND ALEXANDER AS IN YEARS PAST!!! It is not at all obvious that this is your insurance form - don't chuck it out!

YiS, Dr. Bob, Scoutmaster, Troop 111

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17 January 1998