Dear Scouts, and Parents,

TROOP WEBSITE: http://troop147.net

CONGRATULATIONS: Congratulations to the following scouts on their rank advancement:

Eddie Chiang Star

Nick Trivelis Life

EXCLUSIVE 100th ANNIVERSARY MERIT BADGES:

In keeping with BSA’s 100th Anniversary theme, “Celebrating the Adventure, Continuing the Journey,” four retired badges will be brought back for the anniversary. These can ONLY be earned from January 1, 2010 – December 31, 2010. They will go back into retirement at that point. The specially-issued badges will be bordered in gold thread. . They’re meant to tie the past and the future together. It’s a very exciting possibility to earn these badge IN the centennial year. They won’t be available again. The gold thread will designate them as 100th anniversary badges (and, yes, they count for your advancement). The four badges are Carpentry, Pathfinding, Signaling and Tracking. Currently, we have one badge planned and hope to offer more, if not all four.

Mr. Regosch and Mrs. Newman are offering Pathfinding on Saturday, April 24, 2010. The class will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. ALL SCOUTS (even our new Webelos II that will be newly crossed over) are encouraged to sign up. Sign ups will start next week. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity!

For more information about the four badges and their requirements, please visit http://kitsapscouts.com/merit-badges/exclusive-100th-anniversary-merit-badges/

CHURCHVILLE NATURE CENTER DAY: This is for new scouts: On January 24, 2010 is Churchville day for the new Scouts. It will start at 8:30 a.m. And go until 12:30 p.m. 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. This is a once a year event, new scouts and leadership will be able to sign up on 1/19/10 at the troop meeting.

ORDER OF THE ARROW: All OA members should wear their sashes to the January 26^th meeting. We will be holding elections for the OA.

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.

RANK ADVANCEMENT CUT-OFF: Scouts, if you would like to advance your rank and be recognized at the February Court of Honor, you need to complete all rank requirements by FEBRUARY 9^th, in order to have a Board of Review prior to the COH. If you are not sure what requirements you have remaining for your next rank, please email Mr. Newman at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

EARN SERVICE HOURS: Service hours for scouts needing them for rank advancement are available as follows:

Hillcrest PTO Family Fitness Night on Friday January 22, 2010 from 6:30 to 9:30. Scouts would pass out water and snacks or assist with activity. Contact Kim Hogan at 215 497-5090 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Pack 147 cub scout Pinewood derby Saturday February 6, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The pack could use some help from scouts willing to man the refreshment tables, help with weigh-in table and general setup (setup from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.). Please contact Barry Bailey, if you would like to sign up to help out at this service project.

Fun Fair at Hillcrest Elementary Saturday March 13, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. To 3:00 p.m.. Assist running games. You do not have to stay the entire event. Contact Kim Hogan at 215 497-5090 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Pack 147 cub scout Blue and Gold Banquet, March 7, 2010 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. The pack could use help from scouts (2 scouts to take pictures and 2 scouts to help hand out awards). Please contact Barry Bailey, if you would like to sign up to help out at this service project.

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.

2011 VENTURING CREW: There are still some spots open. 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 this Tuesday January 26, 2010. 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.

FAMILY LIFE MERIT BADGE: This is an Eagle required badge, open to first class scouts and above. The first meeting will be on Thursday, January 21 from 7:30 pm- 8:30 pm at the church. The other classes will be on February 4, March 11, April 8, and May 13. If you have signed up for this badge please come to the meeting with requirement #3 - "list of chores" for approval. Contact Barry Bailey ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or Marc Carr ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) with questions. You can download the requirements and a worksheet from http://usscouts.org/usscouts/meritbadges.asp and click on Family Life Merit Badge #129.

COMMUNICATIONS MERIT BADGE: This is an Eagle required badge. This badge is open to Star and Life scouts only. This class is limited to 12 scouts and preference will be given to Life scouts. The classes will be held at the church (pending approval) tentatively on March 15, April 12, April 26, and May 10 from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. You must be able to attend all four classes to earn 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 .