February Campout

Our February campout takes place the weekend of February 20 — 22. We'll be traveling to Camp Oyo near Portsmouth, Ohio where we will sleep in one of the frontier-style log cabins (anyone who wishes can campout in a tent). We'll be planning a number of advancement activities that are hard to get except on a campout, such as Orienteering, a five-mile hike, cooking, etc., as well as some just-plain-fun stuff. A permission slip is enclosed.

Spaghetti Dinner

Yes, it's that time of the year again! In fact, due to the Easter schedule, the Spaghetti dinner will be earlier than usual, on March 27. This is a great opportunity for the boys to build up their personal accounts. A few things to keep in mind are:

• A volunteer form is enclosed. We ask each family to return a completed form as soon as you can.
• As in the past, we will ask each family to provide two dessert items - more details to follow from Kim Wissemeier and Paula Matthews.
• Participation the day of the dinner is mandatory -- we need everybody to make it a successful event.

Scout Sunday

Scout Sunday is February 1 this year, at the Noon Mass. All Scouts should plan to attend. Please arrive by 11:45 in the back of church so we can get organized.

Ad Altare Dei Religious Award

A Scout is reverent. An important aspect of the Scouting program is religious growth. This is recognized through the Ad Altare Dei award. This is a long-term project that we try to offer every other year, and we encourage all Scouts to earn this badge. Mr. and Mrs. Ruhe and Mr. and Mrs. Kathman have volunteered to offer this program. Interested Scouts should let us know no later than February 17 because there is a long lead time for ordering the books and other materials.

Merit Badge Challenge

Remember, the Merit Badge Challenge begins on Saturday, February 14, with additional sessions on February 28 and March 13. Plan to meet at 7:15AM on February 14. All participating Scouts must prepare and bring with them three merit badge "blue cards" signed by Mr. Rottmueller along with three self-addressed, stamped envelopes. You should also be working on the advance requirements for each badge chosen.

A Request . . .

When we return from campouts on Sunday mornings, there is often mass confusion as we unload our gear, stow the trailers, etc. We ask that before leaving with you Scout, you make sure he tells one of the adult leaders he is leaving so we don't have to worry about whether all Scouts get home safely. Thanks!

High Adventure

A separate information sheet for all Boundary Waters participants this year is enclosed separately.

Camp Friedlander

We haven't yet received 2004 camp information from Camp Friedlander, but we do know for sure that our week at summer camp is July 11 — 17. Last year, the "early bird" cost was $170 ($190 for late registrants) and a $50 deposit was due by March 1 to secure the early bird price. So, for those interested in Camp Friedlander this year, who want to get the $20 discount, please send in a $50 deposit by the February 28 Committee Meeting.