TROOP 243
December 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 – December starts up with the beginning of a series of troop meetings related to public service.  We leave on the 12th for our December Camp out then end the month on or about December 17th with the Troop’s Christmas party at Lyndon Lanes for bowling.  There are no troop meetings on December 24th and 31st.

Troop and Patrol Meetings on Wednesdays - All are welcome.  Scouts in Class A uniforms are expected.
December 3rd, 7:00 PM – Patrol Meeting 
December 10th, 7:00 PM – Troop Meeting -- Public Service
December 17th, 7:00 PM – Christmas Party @ Lyndon Lanes Date Tentative

Boy Scout 100th Anniversary Jamboree 2010 –The total cost of the 100th anniversary BSA Jamboree will be $1750.00, which includes transportation and all food.  The scout can save $150.00 by paying a $100 deposit to the scout center by December 31st, 2008.  Participating scouts must be 12 years of age and a first class scout by July 1st, 2010. We expect that soon after the 1st of the year, reservations will fill up and boys will have to be on a waiting list.  This will be the high adventure for Troop 243 in 2010 and we encourage scouts who are interested to get their reservations in. 

Flower Sale 2009 – Our thanks to Jerry Zimmerer who will chair the flower sale again this year.  His first committee meeting will be January14, 2009 with the official kickoff following on January 28th.  This year, in addition to the American Heritage Girls, we will also have a Girl Scout troop associated with one of our former Assistant Scout Masters participating.  Northern Tier in 2009 and 2010’s 100th anniversary National Jamboree are some high ticket activities so hopefully we can have a couple of banner years.  

Christmas Party – Troop 243 will have this year’s Christmas party at Lyndon Lanes.  We plan to have the party on December 17th but if league play interferes we will change nights.  Either way, it replaces the troop meeting that would normally take place on December 17th.  

Merit Badge Counselors – Jerry Zimmerer is 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.

Troop Leadership meetings – There will be no PLC, ASM or Committee Meeting in December.

December’s Campout – We will be going to Clifty Falls State Park near Madison, IN.  The park has hiking trails, a cave-like tunnel, and a panoramic view of the Ohio River.  It should be fun (and probably warmer than our last campout)!

Kroger Gift Cards – We encourage all parents, members, relatives and friends to use Troop 243’s Kroger gift cards.  Whenever you see Frank Hulsman at any function it is likely that he has a few Kroger gift cards with him.  Please stop Frank at any time and ask him for one of these cards and he will give you one on the spot.  Tom Kennedy also has a couple in his briefcase.   The revenue from this gift card and the Thornton’s gift card is the source of funding for the troop’s bus, which continues to be free to the scouts.

Scouting for Food – Our community continues to show that even in hard times we can still support those who are less fortunate.  Scouting for food had one of the most successful years in the council’s history.  Troop 243 and Pack 756 collected over 1800 pieces.  Well done, scouts!

Miscellaneous News – The troop’s committee authorized a maximum of $75.00 for the troop’s dues the first half of the year but they expect dues to remain at $70.00.  

Yours in Scouting,
 
Bruce Bohn
Troop Secretary