January Campout -- Klondike Derby

Troop 850 will once again be participating in the Whitewater District Winter Camporee -- the Klondike Derby — which takes place at Camp Cambellgard January 24 — 26. Our older Scouts will be staffing one of the events, and our younger Scouts will participate in the competitions with the other Troops which make up Whitewater District. The cost is $12. Permission slips must be turned in by our January 21 meeting.

Scout Sunday

Scout Sunday is February 2 and all Scouts and leaders are asked to attend the 12:30 Mass that day in uniform. Please plan to arrive about 12:15 in the back of church so we can get organized. That day is also Scout Day at Perfect North Slopes. The Troop is not participating on an organized basis, but interested Scouts and their families are welcome to take advantage of this event on their own.

Indoor Rock-climbing Calendar Change

Our February outing is an indoor rock-climbing/overnight which was originally scheduled for February 22 — 23, but they were booked up that night so we have had to move it to February 15 — 16, a week earlier. This year we will be spending the entire night at Climb Time in Blue Ash and will have the entire facility to ourselves after its regular hours. Climb Time charges $25 per person for this event. For an additional $10, up to ten Scouts can also earn Climbing Merit Badge if they wish. Pizza and snacks will be provided by the Troop!! Permission slips are due no later than our February 11 meeting. ALSO REQUIRED: Climb Time's release form, signed by a parent, also enclosed. We would like to get as many parents as possible to attend this outing since for every climber we need one "belayer."

Michigan Backpacking Trip

As previously announced, we are planning a backpacking trip in northern Michigan June 14 — 22 for interested Scouts and parents. For planning purposes, we need to know by February 4 how many people are planning to participate in this trip, so a $25 deposit is due by that date.

Spaghetti Dinner

Yes, it's that time again for us to begin planning our major fundraiser of the year, our Annual Spaghetti Dinner. This year it's scheduled for Saturday, April 12 in the school cafeteria. We are in need of several committee chairpeople. Please show your commitment to the Troop by volunteering for a chairmanship. Please call Chas and Kathy Hertlein (661.0752) to sign up.

Cost of Events

Everything costs money, of course, but we don't want any Scout to miss out on Troop activities for monetary reasons. We try to find ways for the boys to earn their own funds, and we will always find a way for every interested Scout to go on our monthly campouts. There are also "Camperships" available for Camp Friedlander that allow Scouts to earn their camp fees through community service activities — for more information on this, go to the Camp Friedlander page on www.troop850.org.

Camp Friedlander 2003

We haven't yet received 2003 camp information from Dan Beard Council, but we do know for sure that our week at summer camp will be July 13th to 19th. Last year, the "early bird" cost was $165 per boy ($185 for late registrants) and a $50 deposit was due by March 1 to secure the early bird rate. It will probably be about the same this year, so for those interested in Camp Friedlander this year who want the early bird price, please send in your $50 by the February 25 meeting.

Happy New Year!!