March 23, 2021

In this week’s newsletter

Meeting this Week

This week we will be continuing our Cycling Merit Badge discussion with Dr. Gilbert, which will include bike maintenance. If you have a bike, please bring it. If you don’t have a bike, please let your Senior Patrol Leader know, as several Scouts have indicated they have an extra that they would be willing to lend.

As always, Scouts will need to wear masks and remain socially distanced.

Advancement Day this Saturday

On March 27, Troop 77 and 177 will be holding an advancement day event. This will take place in the morning and will focus on advancement activities for Scouts working on Scout through First Class rank requirements. Scouts working on Life Rank will also have the opportunity to work on teaching younger Scouts one of these skills using the EDGE method. If you would like to participate as a leader, please let your Patrol Leader or Senior Patrol Leader know. If you would like attend, you can sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f4faba72aa6fd0-advancement2

Annual Planning

On Sunday, the Patrol Leaders Councils from Troops 77 and 177 met to plan campouts for the upcoming year. The meeting was well attended by our youth leaders and the pre-planning that was done was instrumental in setting the calendar for the next year. Many of the activities that the troop expressed an interest have been penciled in for the upcoming year including, rafting, canoeing (possibly on the Serene 18), hiking/backpacking Blood Mountain, caving, Cumberland Island, and COPES. Additionally, the troops agreed on Camp Daniel Boone for summer camp 2022. Look for more information as the calendar is finalized in the upcoming months.

Upcoming Camping Trips

Our April camping trip will be Biking the Silver Comet Trail April 24-25. We will have a couple of meetings devoted to bike safety, maintenance, and riding prior to the trip. The trip sheet and signup form can be found on the Camping and Outings Page.

In May we will be returning to Lake Allatoona Aquatics Base the weekend of May 14-16. We are looking at doing a watersports activity. More information will be available early in April.

Summer Camp

Summer camp registration is already open. More information can be found on our Summer Camp Information page. If you are planning on going please Sign Up as soon possible.

If you have already signed up, please submit your Merit Badge Class Selection Form by March 23 for the best chance of getting in to your first choice classes.

Additional Camping Opportunities

If anyone is interested in camping the night of T77/T177 Advancement Weekend, Ms. Pollack has plans to spend the night primitive camping at Goat Camp (See it on Airbnb or hipcamp) in Jackson, GA (1 hour south on I-75), including a hike at High Falls State Park (15 minutes from campsite).  Scout(s) would need to attend with a parent.  This is not an official T177 event, but can be an opportunity to work on advancement.  If you are interested, contact Loria Pollack directly at loria.pollack@gmail.com or text 404.210.8747

Merit Badge Opportunities

Aviation Merit Badge 
Offered May 8, 2021 by the Atlanta Area Council at the Aviation History & Technology Center in Marietta (9AM-12PM). Autumn P is signed up to attend and sharing this information if other T177 Scout are interested. It will require some “light homework” posted in the Google Classroom prior to the event. 
To Register visit: https://www.atlantabsa.org/meritbadgedays (Aviation under “other merit badge days”)
For more information download the Aviation MB Day Info Sheet.

Northeast Georgia Council Pathfinders
Scoutland is a Northeast Georgia Council Scout Camp on the shores of Lake Lanier. This summer they are offering two weeks of merit badge classes, where you can work on, and in most cases complete, one merit badge per day. There are still a lot of openings for most merit badges. This a great opportunity to work through several merit badges this summer.
More information and registration at: https://www.nega-bsa.org/Pathfinders

Allatoona Aquatics Day
Atlanta Area Council is offering several aquatics merit badges most Saturdays from May through September at Allatoona Aquatics Base.
More information at: https://www.atlantabsa.org/caabmb

As of March 15 the following merit badges still have openings.

  • June 26 Rowing (3), Small Boat Sailing (13)
  • July 24 Canoeing (6) — Note this is the last day of summer camp. You would need to leave early to
  • September 11 Canoeing (7)

Daniel Boone Council Virtual Merit Badge Classes
Every week Daniel Boone Council in North Carolina is offering several virtual Merit Badge classes via Zoom. Most classes are $10 and are two evenings per week, after school hours.
More information and registration at: https://www.danielboonecouncil.org/virtual

Spring Merit Badge Day at Camp Thunder
Flint River council is offering a one-day, in-person Merit Badge day at Camp Thunder (about 90 minutes south of Decatur), April 17, 2021.
Class list and Registration at http://www.flintrivercouncil.org/event/2775630

Zone of Light
Please take a moment to fill out this Merit Badge Interest Form so we can plan a Merit Badge Day with Zone of Light Studios.