Christmas Package Delivery is Saturday

We will be meeting at 9 a.m. on Saturday in the Fellowship Hall at Brookstown United Methodist Church for our Christmas package delivery project. We will delivering packages to Foster Families for the Forsyth County Dept. of Social Services.

We still need Scouts to participate in the project! Please check your calendar and see if you can't spare a little while on Saturday morning to help someone else have a better Christmas.

Scouts who signed up at Tuesday's meeting include:

Scouts - Avery C., Ian B., Devlin B., Chris W., Alexander Z., Lyle G. and Josh J.

Adult Drivers - Jay Harmel, Tony Colburn, Mac McCormick, Stan Gordon, Matt Zimmermann, Mike Warner, Tim Lasley, Greg Argabright, David Jacobius, Jim Pierson, Steve Tucker and Michael Hough.

Christmas Family - There are still several items that we need to secure for the family our Troop adopted this Christmas.

Please contact Stan Gordon and make your selection from this list sent in last week's e-mail. These gifts need to be delivered to the Department of Social Services on Wednesday, so please make sure you bring your wrapped gift to Tuesday's meeting.

A copy of this family's wish list is posted on the front page of our Troop website if you need to refresh your memory.

Troop Christmas Party and Gift Exchange - Our Troop Christmas party and gift exchange is Tuesday night in the fellowship hall at Brookstown Methodist Church. This will be our last meeting for the year and it's also the night when your popcorn awards are distributed.

If you would like to participate in the Scout gift exchange you must bring a Scouting or camping related gift. Please try not to spend more than $10 on your gift! Only Scouts who bring a gift will be participating in the gift exchange.

Don't forget to bring your favorite holiday snacks and drinks. Please bring enough for your family and to share.

Christmas Package Delivery - We will be meeting at the Scout Hut at 9 a.m. on Saturday for Christmas package delivery project. This will be the second year our Troop has delivered Christmas packages to Foster Families for the Dept. of Social Services. This is a Scouting family project, so be sure to bring along your family and friends to help out.

We will need Scouts and drivers for this project and will have a sign-up sheet at Tuesday's Christmas party.

Plan to meet at the Scout Hut at 9 .m. on Saturday for this project.

Military Care Package - As a Troop, we are planning to send a care package to Troop 919 Eagle Scout Brent Patterson, who is serving in Iraq.

Please bring your items for the care package to the Troop Christmas Party and we will send it to Brent during the Christmas holidays.

If you need ideas for the care package, please refer to the attachment that was included in the Troop e-mail a couple weeks ago.

Eagle Scout Court of Honor - Jim L. has planned his Eagle Scout Court of Honor for 4 p.m. Sunday at the Vienna Fire Dept. Refer to the invitation sent to the Troop e-mail a couple weeks ago for more info or ask Jim at Tuesday's Troop meeting.

The ceremony will followed by a Chicken Stew for those that can join the Lasley's at their home. Give Jim a call to RSVP for the chicken stew.

Austin Conrad Update - Austin Conrad is out of the hospital and is at home mending from the burns he suffered in his accident. Give Austin a call sometime to check on him.

Intro to Cold Weather Camping - Thanks to Mike Warner, Jay Harmel, Michael Hough and Mac McCormick for their adult leadership on this weekend's cold weather camping trip.

Patrol Leader's Conference - Our next Troop PLC is on Thursday, December 18 at 6 p.m. at the Scout Hut.

Troop Committee Meeting - The Troop Committee meeting will follow the PLC at 7 p.m. at the Scout Hut.

Winterplace Ski Trip - The Winterplace Ski Trip is the weekend of February 8. We will have the sign-up sheet and more info on the trip at the Troop Christmas party. This trip is also open to family members and the Scouts and their families usually get a nice discount on this weekend.

Christmas Holiday - Tuesday's meeting will be our final meeting of 2008. Enjoy your holidays! Our Tuesday Troop meetings resume on January 6.

Snow Camping Trip Sign-Up - The sign up for our January Snow Camping trip will be at the meeting on Janury 6.

Christmas Family - Our Troop adopted a family this Christmas and we have received a listing of some of the items this family would like to receive. The family consists of two adults and three children (ages 5, 17 and 18)

Intro to Cold Weather Camping - We will be meeting at the Scout Hut at 9 a.m. on Saturday to load our gear for this weekend's camping trip.

Remember to refer to your Scout book and the programs from our Scout meetings as you pack your gear for this weekend. This is a car camping trip, so if you want to pack a few extra layers, we should have the room in the trailer.

Here is the final list of attendees:

Scouts: Chris W., Ian B., Raymond F., Devlin B., Ben G., Lyle G., Daniel P., Brady A., James E., Logan E., Evan B.
Adults: Mike Warner. Steve Tucker, Michael Hough, Mac McCormick, Stan Gordon and Jay Harmel

Please remember, if you have to cancel out of this trip at the last minute, you are still responsible for your portion of the food for this trip!

Christmas Family - A separate e-mail was sent out today with information on the family our Troop is adopting for Christmas. Please have your wrapped gifts for this family to Tuesday's Troop Christmas party.

Please coordinate with Stan Gordon on your purchases for this family to ensure we multiple people are not buying the same gift.

Christmas Package Delivery - Our Troop will once again be delivering Christmas packages to Foster Families for the Dept. of Social Services.

We will need Scouts and drivers for this project and will have a sign-up sheet at Tuesday's Christmas party.

Plan to meet at the Scout Hut at 9 .m. on Saturday, December 20 to participate in this project.

Intro to Cold Weather Camping - The following Scouts are signed up for this weekend's Intro to Cold Weather Camping trip to Stone Mountain. If you think you might want to go on the snow camping trip in January, you must attend this "intro" trip. 

Sign-up for this trip is light and hopefully some additional Scouts will choose to attend. You can still sign-up for this trip at Tuesday night's Troop meeting.

Scouts: Chris W., Ian B., Raymond F., Devlin B., Ben G., Avery C., Lyle G., Evan L.
Adults: Mike Warner, Steve Tucker, Michael Hough, Mac McCormick, Stan Gordon

Menu planning for the trip is Tuesday and if you are going on the trip, you must attend and particiapte in Tuesday night's menu planning session.

WeBeLoS Visitors - We will have a group of WeBeLoS visitors at our Troop meeting on Tuesday. If you see an unfamiliar face, be sure to say Hi!

Eagle Scout Court of Honor - Jim L. has planned his Eagle Scout Court of Honor for 4 p.m. Sunday, December 21 at the Vienna Fire Dept. Refer to the invitation sent to the Troop e-mail last week for more info or ask Jim at Tuesday's Troop meeting.

Austin C. had planned his Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Sunday, Dec. 14, but it is going to be postponed to a later date. Austin was injured while doing some work at his grandfather's place last week and we wish Austin a speedy recovery. If you have a moment, give him a call or send him a note to let him know we are thinking about him.

Troop Christmas Party and Gift Exchange - Our Troop Christmas party and gift exchange is planned for Tuesday night, December 16 in the fellowship hall at Brookstown Methodist Church. This will be our last meeting for the year and it's also the night when our popcorn awards are distributed.

If you would like to participate in the Scout gift exchange you must bring a Scouting or camping related gift. Please try not to spend more than $10 on your gift! Only Scouts who bring a gift will be participating in the gift exchange.

Scouts and families are reminded to bring some drinks and holiday snacks for the fellowship time of the evening.

Military Care Package - As a troop, we are planning to send a care package to Troop 919 Eagle Scout Brent Patterson, who is serving in Iraq.

However, Brent has returned back to the "states" for a short leave, so the timing of our package is changing a little.

Please bring your items for the care package to the Troop Christmas Party and we will send it to Brent during the Christmas holidays.

If you need ideas for the care package, please refer to the attachment that was included with last week's e-mail.

Patrol Leader's Conference - Our next Troop PLC is on Thursday, December 18 at 6 p.m. at the Scout Hut.

Committee Meeting - The Troop Committee meeting will follow the PLC at 7 p.m. at the Scout Hut.

Winterplace Ski Trip - The Winterplace Ski Trip is the weekend of February 8. We will have the sign-up sheet and more info on the trip at the Troop Christmas party. This trip is also open to family members and the Scouts and their families usually get a nice discount on this weekend.

Philmont 2010 - Our Troop will be putting together a Philmont Expedition in 2010. You will be hearing more about this and the possibility of other high adventure activities soon.

Congratulations - Ben B. was awarded his Eagle Scout rank at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Sunday afternoon. Congratulations, Ben!

Mark your calendar - Two other Eagle Scout candidates are planning their Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Please save the following dates:

Dec. 14 - Austin C. at Sonrise United Methodist Church in Lewisville
Dec. 21 - Jim L. at the Vienna Fire Dept.

Congratulations to these Troop 919 Eagle Scouts.

Military Package - This year our Troop will be putting together a Christmas care package to send to Brent Patterson, a Troop 919 Eagle Scout who is currently serving with the US Army in Iraq. We are asking that Scouts bring items to send to Brent to the Dec. 9 Troop meeting as we will be mailing his care package that week. Homemade baked good and cards/letters from home are always a hit with the troops.

Let's work hard to make a nice package (or several packages) for Brent!

Prayer Request - I spoke with Brent Patterson via online chat today and he is asking that we keep him and his fellow soldiers in our prayers. Just prior to our chat session Brent said he had been informed that Al Queda has put a $10,000 bounty on all US Soldiers heads. He is in a patrol base that is near a very dangerous part of Iraq.

Intro to Cold Weather Camping - Sign ups for the Intro to Cold Weather Camping will be held at Tuesday night's Troop meeting.

Our Intro to Cold Weather Camping trip will be on December 13-14 at Stone Mountain State Park.

If you plan to attend January's Snow camping trip and have not been snow camping with the Troop previously, you must attend the Intro to Cold Weather trip to be eligible to attend the snow camping trip in January.

Troop Christmas Party - A reminder that our Troop Christmas party is planned for Tuesday night, December 18 in the fellowship hall at Brookstown Methodist Church.

This will be our last meeting for the year and it's the night when our popcorn awards are distributed.

It's also our Scout gift exchange. If you would like to participate in the Scout gift exchange you must bring a Scouting or camping related gift. Please try not to spend more than $10 on your gift! Only Scouts who bring a gift will be participating in the gift exchange.

Scouts and families are reminded to bring some drinks and holiday snacks for the fellowship time of the evening.

As it is most years, there is at least one middle school with a band concert planned that evening. In the past we have "drug our feet" with the popcorn awards to give these Scouts a little extra time to leave the concert and get to the Troop Christmas party and gift exchange. We will do the same this year and ask you to make your way to party quickly and not hang around after the concert. Of course, your parents will be driving safely to get you there!

Toy Delivery - Our Troop will once again be working with the Forsyth County Department of Social Servies to deliver toys to families this year.

The delivery date is Dec. 20, so please mark your calendar. More about this project at an upcoming Troop meeting.

No Meeting On Tuesday
Enjoy Your Thanksgiving Holiday

Popcorn Money - They money from your popcorn sales is due on Tuesday (11/25). 

We do not have a Troop meeting on Tuesday, but let that stop you. Marshall Foster and Michael Hough will be at the Scout Hut at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to receive your popcorn money

Thanks to all at Troop 919 who sold popcorn this year. You guys did great!

Eagle Court of Honor - Ben B. will be presented with his Eagle Scout rank on Sunday and wants to make sure everyone at Troop 919 knows they are invited to attend.

Ben will formally be presented with Scouting highest rank on Sunday, November 30 in the Fellowship Hall at Parkway Presbyterian Church at 4:00 p.m. Parkway Presbyterian is located on Silas Creek Parkway near Sherwood Forest.

A reception will follow the Court of Honor.

Ben also wanted to remind everyone that the dress for the occasion is Class A Scout uniform.

Christmas Trees - The Christmas Trees have arrived in Winston-Salem and will go on sale at the Scout Office (on Silas Creek Parkway) on Friday. The lot will also be open all day Saturday (9-9) and Sunday afternoon. You should purchase your tree on Friday for the best selection!

Thanks to all who helped set-up the lot as well as harverst trees on Saturday.

These trees are Canaan Fir (maybe they are named for the place where our Troop goes snow camping) and are priced at $25, $30 and $35. There are even some small trees (think tabletop) that will go for an extra special deal.

The sale is being operated by the Order of the Arrow and they can use some help working at the lot. You do not have to be a member of the OA to help! Proceeds from the Christmas Tree sale are going to help fund the construction of a very much needed maintenance facility at Camp Raven Knob.

Kevin A., from our Troop, is the Chapter Chief for Elauwit Chapter and is coordinating the Winston-Salem lot for Wahissa Lodge #118. The chapter really needs your help, so please volunteer to help. To volunteer for a specific time slot, give Kevin a call, send him an e-mail or write on his Facebook wall.

Troop Christmas Party - Our Troop Christmas party is planned for Tuesday night, December 18 in the fellowship hall at Brookstown Methodist Church.

This will be our last meeting for the year and it's the night when our popcorn awards are distributed.

It's also our Scout gift exchange. If you would like to participate in the Scout gift exchange you must bring a Scouting or camping related gift. Please try not to spend more than $10 on your gift! Only Scouts who bring a gift will be participating in the gift exchange.

Scouts and families are reminded to bring some drinks and holiday snacks for the fellowship time of the evening.

As it is most years, there is at least one middle school with a band concert planned that evening. In the past we have "drug our feet" with the popcorn awards to give these Scouts a little extra time to leave the concert and get to the Troop Christmas party and figt exchange. We will do the same this year and ask you to make your way to party quickly and not hang around after the concert. Of course, your parents will be driving safely to get you there!

2009 Troop Plan - The PLC met last week and decided on what trips Troop 919 would like to take in 2009. Here is a list of next year's trips:

January - Snow Camping
Febraury - Scouting for Food, Scout Sunday(s) and Winterplace SKi Trip
March - Wilderness Survival
April - Bike Trip
May - COPE Course at Raven Knob
June - Scout Fun Day (maybe at Raven Point on High Rock Lake)
July - Summer Camp at Camp Raven Knob
August - Whitewater rafting
September - Trail Conversation and Orienteering at Hanging Rock State Park
October - District Camporee
November - Rappelling
December - Introduction to Cold Weather Camping

A backpacking trip is still under consideration by the PLC and may replace one of the trips listed above.

The Troop 919 2009 Planning Calendar is posted on the Troop WebSite.

Court of Honor - Troop 919 will hold its November Court of Honor on Tuesday (11/18) at 7:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Brookstown United Methodist Church.

Remember to invite your family to this meeting to share in the accomplishments of our Troop 919 Scouts.

Scouts are also reminded to bring snacks and drinks for the fellowship time following the Court of Honor.

Popcorn Money - All popcorn money is due next week, November 25.

Our popcorn kernel and chairman, Marshall Foster, will meet Scouts at the Scout Hut next week at 7:30 p.m. to receive your money.

Patrol Food - A friendly reminder that if you are a last minute (meaning after the Tuesday night menu planning meeting) cancellation for a Troop camping trip that you are still responsible for your portion of the patrol food cost for the event.

It's appreciated when you let your Scoutmaster know that you will not be attending and it remains your responsibility to contact the Scout who is buying the food to determine if food has already been purchased for you. More on this subject later.

Shotgun Shooting Camping Trip - Thanks to all Scouts and leaders who braved the cold and wind of the weekend to enjoy an afternoon of shotgun shooting at Camp Raven Knob's wobble trap.

A special thanks to Bill Brewer, Mike Warner, Michael Hough, Bill Swart, Richard DeHeck, Jay Harmel, and Jay Wilhelmi for their adult leadership on the trip.

Our Troop Will Be Meeting on Tuesday

Troop 919 will hold its regularly Scheduled Troop meeting on Tuesday. Enjoy your school holiday during the day and attend our Troop meeting in the evening!

National Jamboree - Old Hickory Council has learned that it may have the opportunity to take a third Troop from area to the BSA's National Jamboree in 2010.

If think you might be interested in celebrating Scouting in America's 100th anniversary, the registration process begins online. The second step in registrating is having your application signed by your Scoutmaster and then submitting to the local Council office.

Several Troop 919 Scouts and Leaders have already signed up for the 100th anniversary Jamboree. This is the last National Jamboree to be hosted at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia.

Shotgun Camping Trip - We will meet at the Scout Hut at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15 for our Shotgun shooting camping trip at Camp Raven Knob. We will not be stopping or cooking breakfast on Saturday, so please eat breakfast before arriving at the Scout Hut.

The cost of this trip is $10 for a round of 25 shells and clay targets. There may be opportunties for Scouts who are interested to shoot additional rounds (time and daylight permitting), so if you think you may want to shoot additional rounds, don't forget to bring extra money.

The trip will begin with firemarms and range safety instructions by the Camp Raven Knob's NRA certified staff.

The following people are signed up for this trip. Please bring your $10 fee to Tuesday's meeting.

Scouts: Evan L., Ben G., Andrew S., Jeffrey S., Paul L., Lyle G., Noah B., Devlin B., Jonathan W., Austin D., Michael A., Zach H., Jacob C., Avery C. and Alexander Z.

Adults: Bill Brewer, Mike Warner, Michael Hough, Bill Swart, Richard DeHeck, Jay Harmel, Austin Conrad, Stan Gordon and Jay Wilhemi.

We will be returning around Noon on Sunday.

Menu planning for this trip is Tuesday. If you are going on the trip, make a special effort to attend Tuesday's meeting and participate in the menu planning activity.

Court of Honor - We will be holding our November Court of Honor on Tuesday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Brookstown United Methodist Church.

If you need to schedule a Board of Review and Scoutmaster Conference to receive a rank advancement at this Court of Honor, the Troop Committee will make special arrangements to conduct your Board of Review at Tuesday's Troop meeting since there is no regularly scheduled Board of Review before next week's Court of Honor.

Check your Scout book to see if you might be ready to receive your rank advancement at next week's Court of Honor and then get with the Troop Committee on Tuesday for a Board of Review.

And don't forget that each patrol should bring some drinks and snacks for our social time following the Court of Honor.

Be sure to invite your family and friends to Tuesday's Court of Honor to share in your Scouting accomplishments.

Popcorn - Thanks to all who helped pickup and sort the popcorn on Friday and Saturday.

Scouts should promptly deliver their popcorn sales and turn-in your money to Mr. Foster when you have completed your deliveries.

Christmas Trees - The Order of the Arrow will be selling live North Carolina Christmas Trees at the Scout Office on Thanksgiving weekend. If your family normally purchases a live tree for the holidays, please consider supporting Scouting and purchasing a tree from the Scouts this year.

All proceeds from the Christmas Tree sale will be going towards the building of a badly needed maintenance facility at Camp Raven Knob.

These trees are also going to be very competitively priced:

6-7 feet - $25
8-- feet - $30
Above 9 feet - $35

The Christmas Trees will be sold at the Wachovia Scouting Service Center in Silas Creek Parkway during the following times:

Friday, Nov. 28 - 12 Noon till 9 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 29 - 9 a.m. till 9 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 30 - 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

and

Friday, Dec. 5 - 5 p.m. till 9 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6 - 9 a.m. till 9 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 7 - 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Volunteers are also need to work in 2 hour shifts at the tree lot on the sale dates. Please sign-up with Andrew T., our Troop's OA Rep, on Tuesday. The OA also welcomes and appreciates Non-OA members who are willing to help with this fund raising project, including parents and friends.