Troop 592 Newsletter
February 2000
Written by Tucker
Camp Wilkerson Campout
The recent camput at Camp Wilkerson was excellent.  There was a great food competition with cooking requirements (a change from the customary food contest) and some good capture-the-flag games, including a theme game.  Scouts should always follow cooking requirements, though, not just for competitions.  There was also a fun fire building activity.  It was very cold, but there wasn't too much rain or snow.  Scout turnout was fairly low, though, and more participation is needed.
Additionally, from now on at campouts, sticks and pine cones must stay on the ground to avoid fights/injuries.
 
Troop Meetings
There will be no troop meeting on February 28; instead, the troop will be going swimming at the Southwest Community Center (by Gabriel Park), from 7:30-8:30.  At the following meeting (March 6), new scouts will be coming from various packs, and will be organized into patrols.  The rest of the troop will also work on patrol organization.  There will also be a game, and we will plan for the next campout (March 11-12, at the beach).  The exact site hasn't been divided, but we will probably work there on the oceanography merit badge and have a sandcastle building contest.  There will be many crossover ceremonies at this time of year, and groups to do these will be decided later.  There will be a PLC on March 13.  There will be no meeting the following week because of Spring Break.  After the break, there will be five straight troop meetings, where younger scouts can do advancement while older scouts can do other work.  The following weekend will be Camporee, followed by a PLC.  There will be more specific information on these later meetings in upcoming newsletters.
 
Polaris
Polaris is a junior leadership training camp for younger scouts (1st class and age fourteen or younger).  Full week sessions will start July 4.  Talk to Mr. Tyler for more information.
Scoutrageous
Scoutrageous, the huge Camporee-like event at McIver State Park, is taking place September 8-10.  Planners are expecting 20,000 scouts/leaders to participate in the event.
High Adventure
There will be a High Adventure meeting an hour before the next actual troop meeting (March 6) in the downstairs classroom of the church.  To be eligible for participation on High Adventure trips, Scouts must be at least age fourteen and first class or age thirteen and first class with Scoutmaster approval.
 
Snow Caving Campout
There will be a snow caving campout on February 26-27 on Mt. Hood.  Scouts will snowshoe to the site.  To participate, you must be at least fourteen years old and first class, and have attended both meetings of winter survival training.  See Rob for more information.
 
Philmont Scout Ranch
Mr. Page is organizing a backpacking expedition to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico, for the summer of 2002.  He is on the Philmont mailing list and will receive information in September 2000 for registration in October 2000.  To participate, a scout must be at least 14 years of age by January 1, 2002, or have completed the 8th grade at the time of participation.  The crew size is a minimum of seven and a maximum of twelve, including adult leaders.  Contact Mr. Page via his phone number or e-mail address if you are interested.