It is that time of the year where we need to order new T-shirts as many of us need the CREW 2085 t-shirts and sweatshirts.  This is an optional item.  You can wear these on campouts etc when Class A’s the green shirts are not needed.

We must order at least 12 shirts to be able to place the order. Price includes specified garment with a 3-color left chest and 3-color full back

6.1oz Royal Blue short sleeve t's are $18.45 each; add $1.50 for 2XL's and 3XL's

6.1oz Royal Long Sleeve t's are $21.70 each; add $2.00 for 2XL's and $3.00 for 3XL's

9.3oz Royal Crew sweatshirts are $25.90 each; add $3.00 for 2XL's and $5.00 for 3XL's

9.3oz Royal Hoodies are $34.45 each; add $3.50 for 2XL's and $5.00 for 3XL's

Add Tax on every order.   To figure the tax on your order take the total order X .07525.

We hope to get these ordered by the Jan 19 meeting so those wanting hoodies and t-shirts can get them by our February meeting.

We are working on our Spring/Summer calendar and trying to get dates set….here is the tentative schedule for spring 2010.

Jan 16-17- VOA Event – We need to decide if we are skiing or tubing.  We will then head to Camp Naish for the VOA lock in.  (Cost $80.00 for skiing and lock in VOA event, tubing is $26.00 & 10.00 Helmet)  Please note you will need to wear a helmet for both events!   If we can get 15 or more to go then we can get the group rate at $20.00 per person for 2 hours or $35.00 per person for 4 hours)

Jan 31- Scout Sunday- 10:00-12:00- We will attend church with First Baptist Church to celebrate Scout Sunday and our partnership with this great group of people who allow us to use their building, their van and bus without them as our chartering organization we could not provide such a great Venturing Program to our youth.  This is our opportunity to show our support and thanks to First Baptist Church!

February- Curling Event--- We are trying to set up a curling event—the possible dates at this time are Jan 30 or 31.  We are trying to set up a Feb date but have not had this confirmed as of this printing.

February 20- AREA 5 Venturing Conference- This event is being put on by the Area 5 President our very own Courtney Weerts.  This is an opportunity for those who are interested in serving at the VOA (council) level to learn how to make our VOA stronger.  If you are not but would like some service hours you can also work the event to help Courtney.

March 6- Fundraiser at Regional Pinewood Derby. We will be there from 9-2 selling refreshments to earn money for youth accounts.

March 13-???We are hoping to schedule pistol shooting or bowling.  We will keep you updated.

March 27- 28- COPE Training for anyone who wants to become a COPE trainer.  This will cover the COPE and Climbing elective for Outdoor Bronze and Ranger.   Must be 16 years of age to participate (or close to )

April 10- District Service Project—At this time what we know is we will be doing a creek clean up.

April 17- Horseback riding- Junction City…more details to come.

June- Canoe trip- June 12 or 19^th

June 28-July 1- VOA Venturing Camp

July ???-Caving

Keep an eye on this website and we will update you as soon as we get the information!

Due to Mr. Weerts expert driving and new CDL made it out of Kansas City in the church bus despite the crazy winter weather on Dec 27 to make the Trek to Kia Kima Scout reservation in Hardy Arkansas for an experience of a lifetime!   Eric, Christine, Kevin, Brenna, Matt, Armon, Sarah, Courtney and Lexi learned the ways of the Mountain Man on Mesa Mountain!

Some highlights of the three day winter camp were:

• Tomahawk throwing—Christine was able to get at least three tomahawks to stick!!  Regardless it was a fun activity.
• Forging- Each of us got to try our hand at blacksmithing by making our own metal striker…it was cool to see the metal get hot enough to change its form.
• Knife making- we each got to make our own knife using antlers from a small deer.
• Cooking- We made all our own meals from scratch on the open fire in Dutch ovens.  Lexi and Mrs. Weerts made killer cornbread.  (The boys from the South said it was better than their mama’s!) Sarah came up with a new way to make pancakes (they were awesome).    Mr. Weerts made sure we had a steady supply of coals…no charcoal allowed here!
• We cut and split firewood!
• We went to the Black powder range ….Most of us hit the target and Mrs.  Weerts got a bull’s eye!!!  (Which was pretty amazing as she normally cannot hit the target!)
• We learned it is always better to take your own mess kit!!
• It was in the 20’s at night!! Mr. and Mrs. Weerts camped in a tent while the rest stayed in the cabin with a small pot belly stove to keep them warm.  Most of the time was spent outdoors as the cabin was not really any warmer.

And best of all we made new friends in Hardy Arkansas!! There is some talk about going back!

Dear Parents of Venturers in CREW 2085:

First of all I would like to thank all of you for all the help you have given Josh and I this last year.  As our number grow we continue to need additional support with driving and additional adults at campouts.  And in every situation we always had several  parents offer to help!!! We both truly have enjoyed working with your youth!  We have seen much growth in many of them and they are such a fun bunch to hang out with!!!

On Tuesday  November 10, 2009 we will be having a Committee meeting and we ask parents attend.  The committee is designed to support the Advisor and Associate Advisor and help as needed.  The committee meets quarterly and each member must be registered as a committee member with the scout office and must take online scout training.   It is that time of the year when we have to start our re-registering and we would like to invite all parents to register and to have a voice on the committee for CREW 2085.

Mary Beth DeCock is the Chair and will be running the meeting.  You will also meet Paula Champion our COR (Chartering Organization Rep) who oversees the Crew and makes sure we are following our charter agreement.

We have several topics to discuss at this meeting:

• Upcoming Friends of Scouting

• Troop Court of Honor

• Scout Sunday –Jan/Feb not sure of date yet—Need parents and youth in attendance

• Plaque for Silver Awards- David Weerts- give update

• Fundraising- We need to have someone to help coordinate fund raising events

• CDL License –we need several adults to get a CDL if we are going to use the larger church van—just recently we had the smaller van reserved—but now the church is using it….if we had drivers with CDL’s we could use the other van and would not encounter this issue

• Parent Skills Inventory- what skills you  posses that you could teach to the Crew

These are just a few of the topics that will be discussed.  If you have a topic you would like to bring up just let Mary Beth know.   I look forward to seeing you all at this meeting on November 10^th meeting!

If you ever have any questions please let Josh or I know!

This will be a unique campout…we will be doing a service project either at Tuttle or KSU along with having a guest speaker to talk about conservation, recycling etc.  We will also be visiting our Venturers  who attend KSU who will give us  a quick tour around campus (of Courtney’s room!!!) and have a trip to CALL HALL For the best Ice Cream in the world!

WE are still working on the cost….  But it looks like the State park will give us a huge discount for being Scouts and depending if we do the service project for the park it maybe l be no cost.  We are anticipating the cost being around $22.00 and bring money for the ice cream visit and any souvenirs you want to get at KSU!