Troop 281 Campfire by the Numbers:  9 Scouts,  5 campfire stories, 3 skits, 3 scoutmasters, 2 run ons , 1 joke, 1 song and one fantastic job during the Troop 281 Campfire!    Congratulations to all the Scouts who participated, and completed another requirement towards their Communications merit badge.

11/24/20 at 7:00pm is the Troop 281 Patrol Leader Council.  Let’s get together and plan a great December.

Reminder: Troop 281 is having a court of honor on December 8, 2020.  If you need a board of review prior to the court of honor, contact the Troop 281 advancement chair to schedule your board of review.  Boards of Review need to be completed at least one week before the court of honor (12/1/2020).  If you do not remember the contact information for our Troop advancement chair, ask Scoutmaster Block at the next meeting.  Don't wait until the last minute!

Do you have Merit Badges that Need to Be Completed?  If you have a merit badge that needs to be completed, get with your merit badges counselor and try to get it done before 12/1/2020, then mail a copy to the Troop Advancement Chair.  

A Special Thank You to Troop 281:  Dear Troop 281, on behalf of the Veterans of Oakmont of Carmichael, "Thank You" for remembering all of those who served willingly and honorably for our country and were glad to do so.  The Veterans tell me that it was so many years ago but still seems like yesterday. The Veterans have the opportunity to meet together monthly to talk about their stories and share the bond that no one else can imagine.  Again, Thank You for honoring all of our beloved Veterans at Oakmont of Carmichael.  They were deeply touched and appreciative of your thoughtfulness.  Keep up the great work in the Scouting Program and have fun creating memories and bonds with your troop and troop leaders.

Yours in Scouting,
Scoutmaster Block

Starting October 1st Troop 281 will no longer accept cash payments. 

 Zelle, personal checks, cashier’s checks or money orders will be accepted for all Troop events and renewal of annual dues.

The Zelle address is treasurer@troop281.net  

The troop also has a  PayPal account that is connected to the troop website. You may use PayPal for camping events costing less than $50.00. (PayPal’s fees really add up)

We request that payments for events be made when the reservation is made. This helps with accounting and keeping our costs accurate and appropriate.

Why are we doing this?  It is considered a good business practice to have two people sign off when collecting cash.  It has been challenging for Troop 281 to have two adult volunteers at the same location and same time signing off on the collection of cash.  Using Zelle, personal checks, cashier’s checks or money orders will greatly simplify the process.

Questions?  If you have any questions, please contact the Troop 281 treasurer at fiveinseoul@yahoo.com

The Merit Badge Counselor is a key player in the Boy Scout advancement program. Whatever your area of expertise or interest—whether it is a special craft or hobby (basketry, leatherwork, coin collecting), a profession (veterinary medicine, aviation, engineering), or perhaps a life skill (cooking, personal management, communications)—as a Merit Badge Counselor, you can play a vital role in stirring a young man's curiosity about that particular topic. By serving as a Merit Badge Counselor, you offer your time, knowledge, and other resources so that Scouts can explore a topic of interest.

Parents - Want to have more fun and memorable experiences with your Scout?  Joint the Troop 281 Scoutmaster Corps.  What are you signing up for?  You’ll make great friends, both in the troop, and with others outside of the troop.  You can learn advanced skills in areas of your choosing.  You can participate in Troop meetings by helping the scouts deliver their program.  You get to teach and sign-off scouts on requirements.  You don’t have to do everything, just the activities that you want to participate in.  It’s fun and it’s easy. 

Here is what you need to do:  Tell Scoutmaster Block you are interested.  Take Youth Protection Training (which you have probably already done).  Sign-up for and take the Assistant Scoutmaster Training online.  Then sign up for Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS).  IOLS is currently planned for October 9 and October 10 in Rancho Cordova.  IOLS is an overnight class where you learn and practice outdoor camping skills the Scouting way, so you can teach Scouts to be safe and have fun in the outdoors.  Learn more about these classes by going to the following website: http://www.gec-bsa.org/document/gec-training-classes/157728

• A Scout officially earns his rank when he successfully completes his Board of Review (“BOR”).
• BOR’s are arranged by the Advancement Chair, typically the night of the 1^st monthly Troop meeting
• Scouts, PLEASE request your BOR 5 days or more before it's scheduled!
• Troop BOR’s are comprised of 3-6 Troop Committee members. Members of the Scout’s family, the SM and ASM’s may not serve on a Scout’s BOR.

“Scout” is the only rank for which there is NO Board of Review. Eagle palms also do not require a BOR.

When being organized just doesn’t come naturally…