Scout medical forms are good for only 1 year from the time they were last completed.  Since most forms were done last year they need to be completed again for summer camp this year!  Parts A and B of the Medical Form can be completed by Scouts and their parents.  Part C is also needed if going to MaKaJaWan or Philmont and must be completed by a health professional.  Your son cannot attend Camp Makajawan or Philmont with a school physical form, it must be on the Boy Scouts of America form.  It must also be within 12 months from the last day of camp.  The deadline for these forms to be turned in is June 1^st.   We will also need a copy of your insurance card (front and back) in case of emergencies while on campouts.  Parents, if you plan on going to any of the camps with the scouts you need to complete parts A and B for yourself.  If you are going to a camp for more than 72 consecutive hours, either MaKaJaWan or Philmont, you will also need to get Boy Scout Form Part C completed by a health professional to check into camp.  There will be NO exceptions! Links to the forms are at the end of this message.

Time again to recognize Scout advancements and achievements since January, praise the many adult volunteers, and congratulate Troop 71's newest Eagles!   Join us Sunday, June 10 from 2 - 6pm at the Old School Forest Preserve Shelter A.  RSVP to John Broughton at jbgodeacs@yahoo.com by no later than June 1 with number of family members (including Scouts) attending.  The troop will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, all the fixins, and drinks.  Families with last names starting with A - M should bring a dessert; last names N - Z should bring a side dish, salad, or fruit to share.  Let me know of any special menu requests.

Troop 71 is planning on having our Troop meetings in June dedicated to information about summer camp at Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation.  During the Troop meeting on June 4 there will be a breakout session for parents.  We will talk about camp and answer any questions about what to bring, how to bring it, and what happens at camp.  The Troop meeting on June 11 will be dedicated to showing the Scouts what to bring, how to pack and what will happen at summer camp.  The first time things may seem intimidating, but it all will work out and everyone will have a great time  and alot of fun!  Don't forget to get the physical done and the Medical Form completed by June 1 - see the announcement below!!

As Troop 71 starts to focus on going to summer camp at Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation at the end of June and the beginning of July, more and more details will be placed on the Web site.  We will make an announcement on the front page.  All the information will be kept on the "Summer Camp" tab.  Please check here often for new things.  Information sheets were just added including "Tips for a Successful Summer Camp", "What To Bring To Camp", the 2012 Trailblazer schedule, and the 2012 West Camp Merit Badge schedule.  More to come!

As a reminder to scouts who have been working on their first aid merit badge, I will be available before most of the upcoming troop meetings for assessment.  We need to schedule that independently and this can be done by emailing me directly: drecker@tgrd.com.  As a reminder, there is not much time to get this done time for the next Court of Honor.  Check the list below:

For the artists in the Troop, Art merit badge class will start at 7pm Monday, May 14th before the Troop meeting.  If you are interested, please read the attached announcement.  It sounds like fun!