JSP!!

Better posting it late than never. This is a draft of our JSP. The full color final version will be ready for our meeting on Sunday. I think this will be a great patch.

Now about the patrol patches. I think that in keeping with the theme of Valley of Fire, the patrol patches should be red (like the rock) with a petroglyph of the patrol name. By doing that, we can open our choice of patrol name to more than just features of the Valley of Fire. It will merit some discussion on Sunday. We'll need to have all our patches ready for turn in to the Jamboree council by December.

See you all on Sunday.

Captain Jack

Warm Springs Campout

That was a good campout. We now have names for our four patrols. We have the Beehive Z's, Firebirds, Seven Sisters, and Elephant Rockmen. Start thinking about what you want the patrol patches to look like. We'll need to have those ready for the next parent/troop meeting on November 22. I will post pictures of the potential JSP designs by the end of next week. Don't forget to let your parents know that we need to keep making payments to your Jamboree accounts. Any amount is good, whether it's $50, $100, $200 or more. The council is already making purchases and spending money on our behalf, so we need to make sure they have the money to continue to do so.

See you all next month,

Captain Jack

Jamboree Campout

Jamboree Scouts,

I am looking forward to our overnight campout in two weeks at Warm Springs. This post is to serve as a reminder and to let you know what to prepare for on the campout. It is important that as a member of the Jamboree troop that you attend this and future campouts. At the Jamboree we will be living and working together as a fully functioning troop, and that can only happen if we start working together ahead of time.

At our last meeting we elected the troop leadership and divided into patrols. This was a first pass at creating the patrols and I already know of some changes that may need to be made. On Friday evening, as each of you arrive, I will be finalizing the patrols. This is necessary as you will be camping by patrol, and working by patrol on Saturday. If you know of changes you need, to be with a family member or good friend, then you need to let me know at that time. We will be meeting in the parking lot starting at 5:00pm on Friday, Oct 23. I am hoping that by 6:00 the patrols will be finalized and we will have camp set up.

For this camp, you will need to bring your own dinner. Foil dinners are fine, we will make sure you can cook them, but personally, sandwiches work great too (no cooking required). You will need a tent, sleeping bag, ground cloth, all the things to camp outdoors for one night. If you want to sleep under the stars, be my guest. Plan for it to be a bit chilly at night and in the morning, so bring a jacket. The troop leadership will be cooking and serving breakfast for the troop. That would be the SPL, ASPL, QM, and Scribe. We will be performing a service project to remove gravel from a creek, so you will need to have clothes that you can get wet. We should have time for swimming so a swimsuit and towel are appropriate. I am also planning a sporting activity, so also bring gym shoes. Finally, as with any scouting activity, please remember to bring your field (Class A) uniform. You will need to be in one first thing Saturday morning for a flag ceremony, then you may change into the other activity clothes.

Finally, in the last blog post I put the details about our Jamboree Shoulder Patch (JSP). We need to design one and turn it in to the council for approval. If you have ideas about a design, draw it up and bring it to the campout. We will need to decide on a design at that time. I will have a professional artist create a final draft of the design that we choose, so don’t worry if your artistic skills are as bad as mine. Details on how to design it are on the blog, or I can send them to anyone if they wish, just ask.

We’ll see everyone in two weeks.
Captain Jack

Design Our JSP!!!

Each of the five troops in our council will be designing their own Jamboree Shoulder Patch (JSP). There will also be a center pentagon shape patch designed so that the five council JSPs will fit around it in a flower shape. This will create a six patch set that will make these JSPs popular trading items at the Jamboree.

For those who would like to design a potential JSP for our troop, you are encouraged to do so and present it to the troop at our overnighter in October. The JSP chosen by the troop will then be presented to the Jamboree Committee for approval. Each JSP must follow certain guidelines, and for the Troop 947 JSP, the following should be adhered to in designing the JSP.

The design must include the name of the council, Las Vegas Area Council. The design must contain the BSA universal emblem or a fleur-de-lis. It should show that it is a Jamboree patch by included words such as 2010 National Jamboree or 2010 National Scout Jamboree. The 2010 National Jamboree logo can not be used. We must have written permission to use any third party marks or phrases. The size of the patch is the standard 5”x2” CSP as seen in the picture.

The theme for our troop is the Valley of Fire and the theme should be used in the design along with the Gila monster which is our troop critter. Optional are the numbers 947 or Troop 947.

When designing the patch, think to yourself, “Is this a patch that I would want to trade for at the Jamboree?” Use colors to embolden the design and make it stand out. The better it is, the more scouts will want to trade with you to get it. Use your imagination. Should the Gila monster just lay there like a boring lizard, or is it working on his tan, or eating, or running, or playing football, or carving petroglyphs like the ancient Anasazi Indians. Is the Valley of Fire a collection of red rocks or is it truly on fire. What color should the border be? What font, size and color should the words be?

The more designs we come up with, the better the chance that we’ll find one that we can truly be proud to wear on our uniform. So don’t be afraid to bring more than one design if you like.

Good Luck

Captain Jack

Frequently Asked Questions

At our September 13 parents meeting there were a number of questions asked. So we decided to put as many together as we could into a sort of FAQ. Since I was with the boys at the time, I’m not sure how the questions were answered, but I will do my best to answer them anyway. Perhaps I will miss a point that was made and perhaps I will add a point that was missed. If anyone has other questions, please don’t hesitate to send one of the leadership an email and we can answer the question, as well as add it to the FAQ. Here is the current list of questions, and the link to the FAQ document that I will update periodically is in the links section at the bottom of the blog page. We want everyone to be well informed and comfortable with the preparations that are taking place.
Jack

FAQ's
1) What is the itinerary?
The specific itinerary for the Jamboree trip is still to be finalized, and we will be sure to send that out as soon as it is finalized. At this time the general itinerary is to leave Las Vegas on a red-eye flight the evening of July 18. Philadelphia would be the first stop, and we would probably spend two days there. A coach will take us to Washington D.C. next. That will probably be for three days. On Saturday, July 24 we will go to a theme park called King’s Dominion. Sunday will be spent in Coloniel Williamsburg, Virginia. We will then take the coach to Fort A.P. Hill for the actual Jamboree. That will last from July 26-August 3. On August 4 we will return to Las Vegas.

2) What happens to fundraising money?
All fundraising money is turned into the scout office along with a list of scouts who earned it and how much is to go to each scout. The money is put into each scout’s account, and counts toward the final total owed. Fundraising money can not be refunded only reallocated to other scouts. If the amount you pay for a scout and the amount fundraised is more than the final total, then a refund of the amount you overpaid will be made by the scout office.

3) Can we as a parent come with, before or after?
There is nothing to stop a parent from making their own arrangements to visit Philadelphia, Washington D.C., or the other places we will be visiting. Generally, we can not make special arrangements for boys to be with or travel with parents, as all of our arrangements are made on a group basis. It can be a great distraction for the scout(s) to have family members trying to spend time with them, and pulling them away from the troop. It can also make it more difficult for us as leaders to keep track of the scouts. As far as the actual Jamboree, visitors are allowed, but can not stay overnight on site. In order to visit you would need to go through the National Office in order to get a visitor’s pass. Remember it is being held on a US Army base, and entry will be restricted. Sometimes special arrangements can be made for before or after the Jamboree trip, but they would have to be handled on a case by case basis and it would be best to keep these to a bare minimum.

4) What is our theme?
The theme for the five contingent troops from our council will be “Outside Las Vegas.” The goal is to highlight the great places outside of the main city. Our troop has chosen the Valley of Fire as our part of “Outside Las Vegas.”

5) What is the mascot?
The troop mascot is the gila monster, and we would love to hear ideas for using this mascot with the troop.

6) What do the kids bring? Do they stay in tents at the Jamboree?
We will provide a packing list for the scouts when we get closer to the Jamboree trip. Much of the bigger items (tents, cots, cooking gear) are included in the Jamboree fee and will be taken care of. They will not need to be packed by the boys. The boys will stay in a hotel during the touring portion of the trip and in tents at the Jamboree site. The boys will definitely need to bring a sleeping bag or blanket, their uniforms, a light jacket, personal hygiene items, any extra spending money, and a desire to have a great time.

7) What are they supposed to wear? Do they wear their scout uniform for everything?
There will be many occasions when the boys will be required to wear their field (Class A) uniforms, but they will not have to wear them at all times. A field uniform consists of the tan uniform shirt (old or new styles are acceptable), scout pants or shorts, and scout socks which are required if wearing shorts. Most of the time the boys will wear an activity (Class B) uniform. An activity uniform consists of a scout themed t-shirt or polo along with the scout pants or shorts. At least one shirt will be provided for each Scout as part of the Jamboree fee. Other than for some small exceptions, non-scouting clothing should not be worn. The Council Jamboree Committee is working to put together a special order for uniforms at a discount specifically for the Jamboree participants. This will most likely take place near the beginning of 2010, and we will pass that information to all parents when it has been set up.

Speedway Fundraiser

Below is the event I am trying to get into for our Troop. Save this date and more info to follow.

Las Vegas 350 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series - The 2009 Las Vegas 350 NASCAR Camping World Truck Race will be held Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009. Join us for an exciting Saturday as the top racers from across the country compete at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

MANY FUNDRAISING IDEAS!

Council PopCorn Sale in the fall Council Candy Sale in the spring Car Washes Garage Sales Mowing Lawns Collecting Cans Odd jobs for friends and family Babysitting Gas valve Shut Off Tools Bedding plants (in the spring) Make & Sell Cookbooks Recycle X-mas Trees Working Races (Portland Marathon, Bridge Pedal etc.) Power wash Driveways Send out sponsor letters During the Holiday: Ask relative for money instead of gift at holidays Gift Wrap Babysit (In a big group so parents can go X-mas shopping)

Rent-A-Scout for chores Personal Shopper Yard Debris Removal Metal Recycling Game-a-thons Walk-a-thons Tree Removal Woodcut Referring/Umpiring Sporting Events Bake Sale Spaghetti Feed Crab Feed Restaurant Night (retain % of proceeds) Sell: Wreaths Sell: Poinsettias X-mas Tree Krispy Kreme’s See’s Candy (Easter time) First Aid Kits

RSVP for August 15 fundraiser

Our next fundraiser will be between Logandale and Overton on August 15 from 6 am till 12 noon. You will need to RSVP so that I will know who will attend. Thanks.

SNO CONE FUNDRAISER

The sno cone fundraiser was successful. It was at a Walmart in Henderson. A whopping total of $950 in sales! We will have to do this again! Great job goes to Landon, Porter, Todd, Eric, Corey, Devin, Logan, MacKae, Austin and Kaden! Also special thanks for the adults, Kevin, Tom and Adrian.

ALAMO FUNDRAISER POSTPONED

I talked with the rancher from Alamo and said that need to check in about four weeks to see if there are new growth of the tree that needs to be eliminated. I will keep you informed.

The August 15 fundraiser is still available. Please RSVP so that I have a head count of who will attend. Thanks.

TWO MORE FUNDRAISERS AUG 7 AND AUG 15

TWO MORE FUNDRAISERS!
#1. August 7 and 8: Meet on a ranch near Alamo to pull an invasive Russian Olive trees around a meadow area. Leave this date open. Need chainsaws and axes. More details forthcoming. Let me know if you and your parent are available and if you have a chainsaw.
#2. August 15: Meet 6 AM till 10 AM on a vacant lot in Moapa Valley to clear a vacant lot that has been a dumping ground for people too lazy to use a trash can. Just need gloves, water, sunscreen and light snack. The address and details are forthcoming. Let me know if you are available so I can keep track for record keeping purposes.

BBQ FUNDRAISER FOR MOAPA SCOUTS

TROOP 947 SCOUTS: This is mainly for the scouts who live in Moapa Valley and will be happy to do one in Virgin Valley and Las Vegas at a future date. We are planning to do a BBQ. We will provide the tickets at the parent meeting on September 13. More details are forthcoming. Scoutmaster Hal Mortensen

OVERNIGHTER/CAMPING

TROOP 947 SCOUTS: We are planning an overnighter camp October 9th. We are tenatively planning to camp at Warm Springs, near Moapa, NV. More details are forthcoming! Scoutmaster Hal Mortensen

PARENT NIGHT

For all scouts and parents of Troop 947:
Please put September 13th at 7 pm for parent meeting in Moapa, Nevada. I will send another anouncement prior to this date. It will be informative and keep everyone updated with the happenings of Troop 947. Scoutmaster Hal Mortensen

SNO CONE FUNDRAISER

Hello Troop 947
We will be selling sno cones this Saturday and Sunday, August 1 and 2 at a Henderson Walmart. We will need 4 on staff and will do 4 hour shifts starting at 8 am. We will have 8 am till noon, noon till 4 pm and 4 pm till 8 pm shifts. We will need at least one driver/adult for each shift. Please email me your first and second preference and I will do my best to schedule you. We will do this sno cone fundraiser again.
Don't forget to sell the garbage canisters. For example, if a scout gets 50 garbage canisters, he can earn around $750. The sky is the limit! Be sure to keep track of addresses and the day for trash pick up. Also we will also supplement any staff who helps clean the canisters. Scoutmaster Hal Mortensen

Canister Fundraiser

Hello Troop 947: Check your email, you will find attached the canister fundraiser flier. Please make as many copies you need of the flier and go to your neighbors. Give them the flier with your name and phone number on it as their reciept. You need to write on the flier the amount and how they paid like cash or check. You will need to make a notebook so that you can put their name, address, how much they paid, date they paid and the day their trash gets picked up. Be sure you have an envelope to gather the money but don't keep alot of money in it to so you don't get robbed.

Keep strict attention to details because if you miss one detail like wrong address then the customer will have a cow.

Let them know we will have it done within 4 weeks.

If you live in a gated community or if you go into one, be sure that you have permission to solicit in that neighborhood. If a neighbor has a dumpter, let them know it will be $40.00. Contact me if you have any questions and keep me posted how many canisters we will clean and what neighborhood.

Good luck! Hal Mortensen

From Elise McAllister (Partners In Conservation):

HI Hal,
Please tell everyone that they did SUCH a good job and I look forward to working with you-all on many other projects! Here are a few pictures; I shrank the pixel size so they would email easier, but if you want the bigger size of pictures, please let me know, thanks and I would love to check out your blog if it is available to non-groupies, Elise

Fee Payment Schedule

This is a reminder to all participants and parents to make sure you are caught up in your payments for the Jamboree. Through July 2009, your total payments and fundraising money should equal $1,800. It is important that we stay current as the council continues to make payments for the Jamboree on our behalf. These funds are our responsibility, and we don't want the council fronting the money for us, as this would take away from other, more current uses for those funds. Besides, once you're caught up, then the payments are just $200 a month, minus whatever fundraising money is earned. That's less than my current car payment!

WELCOME

Welcome to the blogsite for Jamboree Troop 947 from the Las Vegas Area Council. Our hope is to use this blog to post scheduled events, answer questions and generally provide information to boys and parents of our Jamboree troop, as well as those who may be considering signing up to attend the 2010 National Jamboree.