Title: TROOP 243
Author: Jerry Zimmerer
Last saved by: Frank Hulsman
Company: Zimmerer & Associates, PSC

y	TROOP 243	February 1st, 2008
Boy Scouts of America
Chartered by St. Barnabas Catholic Church
3044 Hikes Lane           Louisville, Ky  40220

Dear Parents and Friends of Troop 243, 

Troop Outings & Activities – The month of February is a very active one for Troop 243.  In the month of February we will begin to study First Aid and make a trip to Galen College of Nursing in March.  Troop 243 will host the District Recognition dinner at St. Barnabas on Feb 2^nd.  Scouting Sunday, a celebration of the 98^th anniversary of Scouting, is Sunday February 3^rd.  February 10^th, the troop will go to Paoli Peaks for Skiing and Boarding.  Feb 15^th we leave for Otter Creek and the annual Winter Freeze.  Our quarterly Court of Honor is Wed. February 20^th.  Merit Badge University is February 23^rd.  The patrol Leader Council meeting will be held on Sunday February 24^th and the ASM and Committee meetings will be held on Monday February 18^th.  Last but not least, the troop's only fundraiser of the year, the flower sale kicks into full gear.

Troop and Patrol Meetings on Wednesdays - All are welcome.  Only scouts are expected.
February 6, 7:00 PM – Troop Meeting – First Aid Week 1
February 13, 7:00 PM – Patrol Meetings – Gallagher Hall is not available
February 20, 7:00 PM – Troop Meeting – Court of Honor
February 27, 7:00 PM – Troop Meeting – First Aid Week 2

Meeting Planning – In February we will begin our First Aid theme and in March we begin to study leadership.  Anyone willing to help plan the meetings, or offer some instruction, please contact Amy Gartner.  She can be reached at 240-6188 or magartner@bellsouth.net. 

Winter Freeze – February is the month of the annual winter freeze “camp out”.  I have camp out in quotes because we rent the very warm cabins that are available at Camp Tecumseh at Otter Creek.  This year, rather than swimming, the troop will take advantage of other facilities that are available at Otter Creek.  Each year some of our alumni Eagle scouts come with the troop to cook, build fires and generally show the other scouts how to have a good time and help keep them on the Eagle trail.  Let there be no doubt that they can cook.  This year our new Venture Crew, composed of Troop 243’s active Eagle Scouts, will also be assisting in the cooking process.

Flower Sale – Troop 243’s sole fundraiser is now under way as the Flower sale begins.  Once again Jerry Zimmerer has been kind enough to lead the effort.  Our kickoff meeting was shorter but very effective.  The competition for a few prizes at the end will hopefully drive sale submissions early and often.  Turn in dates are indicated on the two-month calendar you have received with this newsletter.  We need adults every turn in night to support the tabulation of the results and help organize the submissions.  Please help if you can by talking to Jerry and signing up.  If you have any questions please feel free to ask Jerry.

Merit Badge University – Saturday February 23 is the day of the annual Merit Badge University.  This is a great opportunity to earn merit badges thanks to men and women who have volunteered their time to share their knowledge of specific merit badges.  By the time you read this we will hopefully be registered.  The merit badge University folks are in need of volunteers the day of Merit Badge University.  They need people to serve lunch, transport scouts to off site locations and other things.  All adults who help will be fed lunch for free.  Please contact Jerry Zimmerer if you can help.

First Aid Activities –In February we begin troop meeting programs that will focus on first aid.  The focus of the meetings will not be exclusively on earning the merit badge but some activities will count toward work on that particular Eagle required badge. We will make a trip to Galen College of Nursing on March 5 and we are planning a simulated “Disaster Night” on March 19.  Various emergency situations will be enacted and our patrols tested on their ability to respond effectively.  However, we will need help to make that happen.  If you have any medical or first aid training, please let Amy know.

Merit Badge Counselors – Jerry Zimmerer recruiting merit badge counselors so if he approaches you and you have knowledge to share with our boys, please volunteer your time.  Locations and times of the classes are at the merit badge counselor’s discretion.

Fire Safety Merit Badge – Sally Lynch is going to be our Fire Safety merit badge councilor.  Her classes will be held in the early afternoons of February 24^th and March 2^nd with one more backup day on March 9^th.  Space is limited and may already be full so contact her as soon as you can.

Paoli Peaks – The troop is putting together a skiing trip to Paoli Peaks on February Sunday February 10^th.  We need adult volunteers to accompany the boys on the trip and we expect to ride the bus.  Adults and scouts please contact Justin Marquess @ 491-0926 if you can go.

Prayer Request - Please pray for Laura Kenney, sister of scout Andrew.  Laura has some very serious medical conditions.  We know that our intercessions, on her behalf, will help.

Yours in Scouting,
 Bruce Bohn
Troop Secretary

The mission of Boy Scout Troop 243 is to prepare young men to make ethical choices based on the values in the Scout Oath and Law and to develop skilled leaders who encourage others to do the same.

Visit our website at http:// www.iglou.com/troop243/index.html