Dear Scouts, and Parents,

We would like for parents, when picking up the scouts from a troop meeting, to come inside the main room and listen to the announcements that are made pertaining to merit badges, rank advancement, upcoming camping trips, and other important information. Thank you for your cooperation.

TROOP WEBSITE: http://troop147.net

CONGRATULATIONS: The following scouts had a rank advancement.

Dan Hogan, Tenderfoot

Tom Sibert, Tenderfoot

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The family who needed a replacement cookie dough, please call Cindy Chapman 215 354-0413. It's here and you can pick it up at your convenience. Thank you. Cindy Chapman.

CAMPING TRIP SIGN UP: Sorry our movie cabin camping trip on Friday 1/15/10 through Sunday 1/17/10 has been sold-out.

CHURCHVILLE NATURE CENTER DAY: This is for new scouts: On January 24, 2010 is Churchville day for the new Scouts. All are expected to attend. This is a once a year event where you will learn some outdoor skills (map and compass, identifying trees and plants, measuring distance and height, cooking over an outdoor stove and lighting a fire. Start looking for dry kindling and twigs for the big day and keep them dry. We may have snow again and you won't be able to find anything covered in snow. A sign up sheet will be available on 1/12/10 at the troop meeting.

WASHINGTON CROSSING HIKE FOR WEBELOS: On Saturday January 30, 2010 is our annual Washington Crossing Hike for the Webelos who will be crossing over in April. Come one and all to meet and greet, and show them a great time. Parents are welcome and encouraged to come as well. Let's keep the enthusiasm up with a large attendance. We've had over 50 hikers in the last two years.

SAVE THE DATE: On Tuesday February 23, 2010, we are celebrating the 100^th year of scouting with our annual Court of Honor dinner! More details coming soon!

SUMMER CAMP PHYSICALS: Summer camp physicals are only good for one year. The form can be found on our website. Please have those forms completed and return to Mr. Gianni. If you have any questions please contact Mr. Gianni at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SIGN -UP SUMMER CAMP 2010: Curtis Read Scout Reservation, Brant Lake, NY from July 4 to July 10, 2010. The approximate cost is $400 includes all basic camp fees, round trip bus fare and troop tee shirt. Ockanickon Scout Reservation, Pipersville, PA from July 25 to July 31, 2010. The approximate cost is $365 includes all basic camp fees. All scouts registered in the troop are eligible to attend either or both camps. Camp reservations will be accepted starting Tuesday November 10, 2009, a $50 non-refundable deposit is required for each trip. Please make your check payable to “Troop 147”. Sign up with Mrs. Cohen. If you have any questions, please email Larry Regosch at eaglesam568@aol.

DUES: Each scout must pay $30 for dues for 2009/2010 year. You can pay by check made out to “Troop 147” or the scout can pay $1 weekly.

VENTURING CREW: There will be a venturing crew 147 Philmont Trek of one crew (12 people) from July 30 to August 12, 2011. All interested scouts and adults will need to give Pam Cohen a $100 deposit by the last meeting in January (1/26/10). As interest may be intense, who gets a spot on the crew will be decided by age, rank, scout spirit, and previous philmont experience. Any deposit given for those who don't get a spot on the crew is fully refundable. Any questions, contact Dr. Dash at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Projected cost for the 2011 philmont trek is $1,600.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MERIT BADGE: All scouts who are currently taking the Environmental Science badge need to complete all requirements and send to Chris Dunphy by 1/15/10. After that date you will have to wait until the badge is offered again.

CITZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY MERIT BADGE: This is an Eagle Required merit badge, open to scouts First Class and above. Sign ups started last night and will continue at the next couple of troop meetings. Please see Mrs. Newman to sign up. Dates have not been finalized yet, but please sign up so we have an idea of how many scouts would like to take this badge.

SEWING SERVICE FOR TROOP 147 BADGES: Troop 147 has found a year round fundraiser, sewing badges on sashes and uniforms. Our seamstress is Christine Doyle, who has very graciously offered to provide this service for the troop. It is a minimal charge competitive with your local tailor. The money collected for the service will be given to our Troop. Forms can be obtained from the Troop 147 website at Troop 147 Website Documents.

UNIFORM DONATION/SWAP: Troop 147 has a uniform bin. If you have any uniforms that your scout has outgrown please drop-off in our bin. Like wise, if your scout is in need of a uniform, please checkout our bin.

DRIVER'S PLEDGE: This form is on the website, under documents on the left hand side menu. Any parent transporting scouts needs to sign this pledge. The troop needs to have these on file for our Quality Award.

PARENT ATTENDANCE ON CAMPING TRIPS: Effective January 16, 2009, Troop 147 will require that EVERY adult who goes on a camping trip must complete two BSA online training courses. This means that if you are not an Assistant Scoutmaster or a registered committee member, you must complete the training courses prior to attending any camping trips. These courses are designed to help adults deliver quality Scouting Experiences to the youth.

**Please Note**: We have added a new course, “THIS IS SCOUTING”. This is Scouting is an introductory session that hightlights the values, aims, history, funding, and methods of scouting. It addresses how these aims and methods are reached in an age appropriate style. We feel it is important that every adult who goes on a camping trip understands the fundamentals of scouting. The three required courses are “This is Scouting”, "Youth Protection Training" and "Boy Scout Leader Fast Start". Each course should take approximately 20-25 minutes to complete.

To complete the online training, visit the BSA Online Learning Center at http://www.olc.scouting.org/ click on "Youth Protection Training". You will be re-directed to the E-Learning Portal. Click "connect".

Follow the instructions to register and create a new account. You DO NOT need a BSA Member ID# to register. In the drop down menu for Council Number, please select "Bucks County Council – Doylestown, PA – 777". Once registered, choose "E-Learning" to display the training courses. Under the "General" tab, click "Take Course" next to "Youth Protection Training". Take the training and print your completion certificate when you are done. (You might have to exit the training and go back to the list of courses and refresh the screen before you can print your certificate. "View Certificate" should appear next to "Youth Protection Training"). The Fast Start training course is listed under the "Boy Scout" tab. Take the training and print you completion certificate when you are done.

Please give your certificates to John Gianni, Outdoor Program Chair. He will make sure that every adult who signs up for a camping trip is properly trained.

We encourage all parents to take the online training, whether you go on camping trips or not. You will find that the training will give you a better understanding of Boy Scouting and our Scouts will benefit from having trained parents.

If you have any questions or need help completing the online training, please contact Bill Smith, Training Coordinator, at 215 968-3463 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .