We have our first winter camp of the year Dec. 2-4 at McHose Park in Boone.  We're planning on working on some of the Geo-caching merit badge requirements on this camp out. In addition to the tent camping option, we have a cabin available for use by the Scouts and adults want a more comfortable camping option.  

For those who want to camp in tents next weekend, you will need to have a sleeping bag capable of cold weather camping.  This means that you will need to have a bag rated at 20 degrees or colder along with a ground pad capable of insulating you from the cold ground temperatures. For those who choose to sleep in the cabin, a cot is a good option for this camp out.  The cabin has a concrete floor, so a cot would help make make it a much more comfortable night's sleep.

As is usually the case on our local camp outs, we will plan to meet at Cornerstone at 5:30 on Friday evening with the intention to leave by 5:45.  We will return to the parking lot at East Elementary around 10:00 on Sunday morning.  The boys will call on Sunday morning to give a better idea of our return time, so please make sure they know what phone number to call.

The Scouts of Troop 188 will be doing a wreath fund raiser over the next couple of weeks.  We realize that this fund raiser closely follows the popcorn sale, but given the nature of this fund raiser there really isn't another time to conduct it.  Please don't feel like there should be any unnecessarily pressure to participate in this fund raiser. We believe that this sale fills a gap that is neglected in the community.  The product is of exceptional quality and is produced here in Iowa, so it should last throughout the holiday season.

Order forms and a product catalog were passed out at the last Troop meeting, but additional form and catalog requests (or any questions regarding the sale) can be sent to Kim Geren.  An instruction sheet, a poster, and a sales sheet are below for you to download. As always, thank you all for your support of Scouting and the members of Troop 188.

Sales started November 7th and will end on November 23rd. All sales must be turned in on November 23rd.

This is a unique opportunity for scouts to complete 1 or 2 merit badges in some pretty unique areas like engineering, nuclear science, robotics, journalism, or graphic arts...just to name a few.  There are also Eagle required merit badges such as First Aid, Citizenship in the World, and Communications. Details on our trip to the Merit Badge University in Ames are included below. Everyone should be getting more details in an email from the organizers sometime this week.

1.  Departure and Return Time – I know it is early, but we need to depart from the church at 6:45 AM. Due to the large size of our group, the organizers would like to have us arrive by 7:15 AM.  We should get back to the church around 4:45 PM, and we will have scouts give their parents a call when we leave Ames. Registration is at Howe Hall – directions below:

2. What Scouts Should Bring:
Scout Backpack
Weather appropriate clothing - we will be traveling between buildings for some merit badges
Merit Badge Blue Card – will be handed out at the church Saturday morning
Merit Badge worksheet – Print out from the following site: http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Merit_Badge_Worksheets
Permission Slip below:

We will be hosting Webelos Scouts from different packs this Friday from 6:30-10 PM. Please plan to arrive between 6-6:15 to set up. Everyone will need to wear your "Class A" uniform while the Webelos are visiting, but you can take them off after the Webelos leave.

Please bring $5 to cover the cost of pizza and snacks.

Many Scouts bring their game systems and a TV to the lock-in.  It's always a good idea to bringing small extension and power strip.  The games can be rated "T" and below, but no rated "M" games will be allowed.  If you bring a computer that is fine but there will be no internet access. You can also have your cellphone or ipod with you.

Movies, board games, and guitars are also common items to bring to the lock-in.  All games and electronics remain put away until our Webelos guests leave us at 10:00 PM. If you choose to sleep at some point during the lock-in please bring a sleeping bag and pillow.  There is a quiet room separate from the games area for the Scouts to sleep in. You can bring some of your own snacks and drinks, but remember, we are guests at this church, and you are all responsible for cleaning up before we leave on Saturday morning at 7 AM.

Any parents that would like to experience a lock-in are welcome to attend. We will cover other rules at the church on Friday.

If anyone has any questions please feel free to let me know.