I wish everybody a Safe and Wonderful Thanksgiving this year. As you enjoy this holiday, remember to be thankful to our parents, Teachers, Scoutmasters, and all that volunteer to make our dreams possible!
Calling All Troop 71 Scouts and Adults! Crews interested in a 2022 Philmont Adventure need to enter the Philmont Lottery which will run from October 27 to December 1. There are traditional 12-day backpacking adventures as well as 7-day and 9-day treks available at Philmont Scout Ranch in the Sangre de Cristo mountains of northeastern New Mexico. Only one entry per crew is allowed, and there is no fee for entering the Lottery.
Interest is non-binding. If we cannot put together a roster of at least 12 interested people, then the Troop committee will not submit a lottery request to go to Philmont in the summer of 2022.
Registered Interest on 11/23/2020 is eleven.
We need 12+ to submit an application into the lottery. Last Chance to Take the Survey!
Participants must be registered members of the BSA who will be 14 years of age OR will have completed 8th gradeandbe at least 13 years of age prior to arrival to PSR. Extended BSA Health form will be required for all participants. At least two participants per crew must be Wilderness First Aid trained. The cost per person is estimated to be around $2200: including registration, food, transportation, and patches.
Back by popular demand! Hansa is generously offering their amazing coffee as part of a fundraiser where 50% of each sale goes directly to Scouts.
Baltic Gold -- 1lb. -- $20
Decaf Traum -- 1 lb. -- $20
Troop 71 camping mugs -- $20
To order, click here for our page on the Hansa website. Use the seller notes field to indicate your Scout’s name and any special request--(new this year--Hansa will happily grind your coffee!).
Hansa offers free local (Libertyville) delivery and will ship out of state at an extra charge, or you may pick up in-store; just make the appropriate selections at checkout.
Please reach out to Jessica Brown with any questions (jessica.ak.brown@gmail.com or 847-770-0130), including to coordinate mug delivery.
Effective immediately, K12 customer schools in the US may receive access to Creative Cloud Desktop Apps for teachers and student use at home, at no additional cost, through January 31st, 2021. It is for Windows and MacOS devices only, not Chromebooks so students would have to have another device at home to use with the program. Also good for merit badge books and any other fillable pdf document. A special thank you to Mr. Sweitzer for sharing these details!
The BSA has implemented temporary changes, detailed below, to allow Scouts to complete rank requirements, detailed below, by video conferencing through September 1, 2020. This deadline will be re-evaluated as needed. The goal when using video conferencing must be to preserve the ideals and intent of each requirement as best as possible. Scoutmasters or their designee(s) should remain mindful of the Methods of Scouting, such as the Patrol Method, before implementing the modified requirements listed below. Some advancement activities can be completed by video conferencing but not all. For example, virtual visits to a city council meeting, national historic landmarks, museums, and art galleries may be acceptable, but swimming, rifle shooting, and motorboating merit badges cannot be completed virtually. Even when using video conferencing, all virtual campouts and activities should consist of as many elements found on a normal outdoor campout or activity as possible. The most significant difference is that patrol or troop members are not all in the same location. All existing youth protection policies and digital safety guidelines must be followed.
Tenderfoot rank requirements
1b. – Virtual patrol or troop campouts via video conferencing will be permitted. 2a. – During the same day as your virtual patrol or troop campout, assist in preparing one meal with the help of those with whom you live. Tell your patrol or troop why it was important for each person to share in meal preparation and cleanup. 2b. – During the same day as your virtual campout, demonstrate the appropriate method of safely cleaning items used to prepare, serve and eat a meal. 5a. – Explain the importance of the buddy system as it relates to your personal safety on outings and in your neighborhood. Verbally commit to following the buddy system on your next troop or patrol outing. 7a. – Tell how to display, raise, lower, and fold the U.S. flag.
Second Class rank requirements:
1a & 1c. – Virtual patrol or troop activities via video conferencing will be permitted. 3b. – Using a compass and map together, plan a 5-mile hike approved by your adult leader. 4. – Evidence of wild animals can be demonstrated with information or photos of your local area found online. 5c. – May be completed virtually via video conferencing on dry land. 7c. – Learn about the dangers of using drugs, alcohol and tobacco and other practices that could be harmful to your health. Discuss what you learned with your family and explain the dangers of substance addictions. Report to your Scoutmaster or other adult leader in your troop about which parts of the Scout Oath and Scout Law relate to what you learned. 8a. – May be completed virtually using video conferencing. 8d. – May be completed by comparing costs at three (3) online sites or locations.
First Class rank requirements:
1a – Virtual patrol or troop activities via video conferencing will be permitted. 2e. – On the same day as your virtual campout, serve as the cook. Supervise your assistant(s) in using a stove or building a cooking fire. Prepare the breakfast, lunch, and dinner planned in First Class requirement 2a. Supervise the cleanup. 4a. – By drawing, computer software, or other virtual methods, plan an orienteering course that would cover at least one mile. Explain why measuring the height and/or width of designated items (tree, tower, canyon, ditch, etc.) is helpful. Explain how you would complete your course using a real map and compass. 4b. – Scouts do not need to follow their route. 5a. – Evidence of native plants can be demonstrated with information or photos of your local area found online. 6e. – May be completed on dry land. 9a. – Visit may take place virtually or by phone. 9c. – Outings can include past or future plans. 10. – Invite the potential new member to a virtual meeting or future activity using video conferencing.
