Troop 111 has planned three ski trips this winter that are described below to help Scouts and parents decide which are appropriate for each boy. Please note that accommodation space limitations on the overnight ski trips mean that all Scouts cannot attend all trips. However, ski trips are also very expensive (see cost estimates below), so we assume that Scouts would not be likely to attend every trip. We hope all interested Scouts will be able to participate in the trip(s) that best suit(s) their interests. For the two overnight trips, signups are first-come, first-served until the sign-up deadline for the first choice trip; additional trips will be on a space-available basis. Please note that permission slips and ski commitment forms must be completed for all ski trips. In addition to the ski trips, one additional winter cabin camping trip has been planned (see #4 below). This trip will not include skiing.

1.      Beginner Ski Trip, December 29^th, 1999. Beginner and low intermediate day trip to Whitetail Ski Resort, near Mercersburg, PA. Estimated cost: $75/per person. Some experienced senior Scouts should attend to assist Dr. Bob in instructing novice skiers. Snowboarding for beginners will also be offered. Experienced skiers (other than the senior Scouts assisting in teaching) should select other trips. This trip is ideal for boys who have never been skiing and want to learn enough to participate in one or more of the other planned trips. It is also appropriate for Scouts with limited/moderate experience who could benefit from additional ski instruction before going on a longer trip. We do need at least 15 people to qualify for the much lower group rates; otherwise, trip cost could rise by $10 or so. Sign-up deadline: December 13^th.

2.      Canaan Valley Ski Trip, January 14-17, 2000. This three-night trip to Canaan Valley includes two full days of skiing (and possibly one night) and is open to the entire Troop and all levels of skiing ability. Estimated cost: $175-200/per person (see permission slip for charges dependent on rental needs) plus some cash for lunches. Participation is limited to 30 Scouts and adults due to accommodations available to the troop. In addition, troop tradition usually brings some families/siblings/alumni on this trip, some of whom may choose/need to stay in other lodging. If you need information on local lodging available, please call the Ann/Ted or the Kim/Jim. The Troop will ski at two major ski resorts: Timberline on Saturday and Canaan Valley on Sunday. Skiing, snowboarding, and tubing will be available. Sign-up deadline: January 3^th, 2000.

3.      Kooser State Park/Seven Springs Trip, February 18-21, 2000. This three-night trip to Seven Springs is open to the entire Troop and all levels of skiing ability. Seven Springs is the largest resort the troop will visit this year, and it offers the most variety of ski slope difficulty. Estimated cost: $175-200/per person (see permission slip for charges dependent on rental needs) paid to the troop plus some cash for lunches. Participation is limited to 30 Scouts and adults due to cabin accommodation arrangements at Kooser State Park, Pennsylvania. Signups are on a first-come, first-served basis. Skiing, snowboarding, and tubing will all be available. Sign-up deadline: January 31^st, 2000.

4.      Camp Tuckahoe Winter Cabin Camping Trip, January 28-30, 2000. This two-night trip will be open to 15-20 Scouts/adults who would like to participate in winter games, sports and skills activities. Snow tubing may be included, but skiing/snowboarding are not planned for this trip. Sign-up deadline: January 17^th, 2000.

If your Scout has family/sport/school conflicts such that only one particular trip will fit into his schedule, please note this on the top half of the permission slip. Please be sure to turn all slips in by the deadlines above.

Will there be snow? As is always the case with planned ski trips, but perhaps even more so due to the unseasonably warm weather so far this year, we may have to cancel or alter some trips. However, in order to plan adequately for the troop, we must operate on the assumption that these trips will take place until very near the trip date. If you want to go skiing, please fill out all forms necessary (permission slip and ski commitment/registration form) and submit them by the deadlines above. In case of a cancellation, efforts will be made to provide a substitute event in most cases, but Scouts will of course have the opportunity to back out of the trip at that point if the substitute plan does not interest them.