GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

	Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources outdoors program:   Outdoor activity program just for kids kicks off at special event at Alum Creek State Park on Saturday, May 10th.  The Ohio Department of Natural Resource's new "Explore the Outdoors" statewide campaign challenges Ohio kids -- especially those in grades K-5 -- to turn off their televisions, computers and PlayStations this summer and rediscover the fun and excitement of outdoor recreation.  Additional information can be found HERE.
	Eagle Project Ceremony:   D.Robinson is holding an Eagle Scout project ceremony in Rotary Park in Beavercreek on Wednesday May 14th from 5:00-5:15PM.   I would like to get at least a dozen scouts, dressed in uniform with neckerchief and looking nice for pictures, I would also like to have a three-man color guard and anyone interested in that needs to express interest. The goal of this ceremony is to boost scouting and show the community that yes, we do good things. I would especially thick the guys who worked on it with me to attend, but this ceremony is not requiring anyone to come, but if you have half an hour after school next Monday and you want to support your troop, drop me a line and be ready to look good for the camera next week.
	Summer Camp Merit badge registration ongoing:   The online registration for Merit Badges opens this Wednesday April 9th.  I will be entering on that morning all of the information given to me so far.  Typically, classes are not hard to come by with the exception of water activities like Rowing, Canoeing, Small Boat sailing, Motor boating, Water Sports, and Boardsailing/Kayaking.  I am attaching the merit badge flyer in both PDF and WORD format.   If you son wants one of the activities above, the earlier he gets his requests into me the better shot he has.   For new scouts, it is recommended you take the appropriate Eagle Quest classes for the ranks you have not yet achieved during either the morning or afternoon session.  There is no limit on the number of Eagle required badge classes that you may take.  Also note that some classes only meet twice a week.  You can also not take back-to-back 90 minute classes.  Please email me your requests to jturnbull@woh.rr.com, or you can call me at 475-5506, or give them to Ross Durbin at the scout meetings.  I will be sparse at the Tuesday meetings until June due to track season.    The final payment of $205 for youth and $75 for adults is due by April 29th.
	Summer Camp swim tests:   May 12th and June 9th at the Beavercreek YMCA. Cost is $2 per scout regardless of whether the just come to test or stay to play.  Open swim is from 7-9pm, but I will do the test at 8:30pm.  If they come early to swim, the life guard may give them a swim test before allowing them in the deep end ... this doesn't count though unless they want to do the full test with the lifeguard and have him/her tell me they completed it.
	Meteor Shower Campout:   Ceasar Creek.  August 9th.  7 - 11 PM at the main beach • Bring your lawn chair and blanket and watch shooting stars brighten our summer skies • Enjoy games and crafts until dark, then stargaze • Some telescopes provided • Free camping on the north grass lawn •  For information call 513-897-2437
	Aley Church help needed:   A member of Aley has asked if we could provide some assistance with building a wheelchair ramp at their home. The ramp is already designed and all that is needed is manpower. Construction will begin as soon as weather permits. Anyone interested should contact Jim Engel at 256-0450 or jengel1047@aol.com for more information. This can be counted as service hours.
	Astronomy Day at Boonshoft Musem:  Saturday May 10, 2008, Noon-4:00PM.  For those scouts who want to work on Astronomy Merit Badge, this might be a good event to go to to complete some of the requirements on their own.  A fun event for cub scouts to go to - they'll have the entire museum to run around doing things too.   http://www.boonshoftmuseum.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=50
	Mammal Study Class:   See more information HERE.
	Summer Job opportunities with Greene County Parks:   See attached flyer.
	Philmont 2009:  An activity page has been created for this activity.  Initial planning information can be found there.
	Northern Tier on the books:  We are going to Northern Tier this summer (2008).  Northern Tier is the BSA high adventure canoe base headquartered in Ely, Mn with bases there and in Canada at Atikokan and Bissett. Trips can be from 6 to 10 days with the first and last days/nights of each trip being spent at base camp. It will take 2 to 4 days on either end of the trip to travel to/from the base camp to Beavercreek depending upon which base we choose. The cost will range from around $600 to $1000 per participant, again depending upon which base we choose and the length of the trip. Some other factors affecting when we might go are: Black Flies are around in great numbers in June. They don't bite but annoy. Summer Camp is 20 to 26 July 2008. School schedules including band and sports. We need to decide if and when we are going and make reservations, probably before the start of 2008. Sign-up sheets for show-of -interest are up in the scout house. This trip is open to both scouts and venturers along with a limited number of adults. Multiple trips at different times during the summer are possible. Sign up soon if you are interested. Contact Ray Blowers if you are interested.
	Need service hours or Eagle Project?   Pastor Jim Klausing has several project for scouts to work on!  426-3988

Note: Troop 71 follows the School Schedule on Hazardous Weather
If the school is closed during the day, or evening activities are canceled due to weather, so is our meeting.

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