Live the Scout Law. There are daily ways you can do that. Put it into practice.

Excellent presentation and interest in Philmont 2021. Challenge yourself. “If you can do this, you can do anything”, spoken by Will Duggan while at Philmont.  …and have a life lasting experience …and fun.

Reminder, our Patrol Leader Council meeting is this Monday (1/20/20) at 6pm, Monument Hall. All positions need to report in prior to the meeting if you will not be in person. Others are welcome and this is where we plan for the next month.

Another reminder, the February Court of Honor will be right after February vacation, so keep working on rank advancements & earning merit badges.

Congratulations to Tommy Stone who passed his Board of Review and earned Tenderfoot.

I’m going to start a little section of the blog here called Advancement Corner; as a reminder of how we get scouting done in our Troop.
 
Advancement Corner – Topic- Merit Badges (MB)
There are many merit badges, Reading, Art, Traffic Safety, and others. If you have an interest, there possibly is a merit badge for your desires. Check it out on the merit list.   

If you want to earn a merit badge, please ask for a blue card first from Mr. Spraque. You will then need to approach Mr. Cancio on getting a councilor. The scouts call the 'merit badge folks' merit badge councilors, because they council – not teach.  The councilors guide and enable you to learn and earn the merit badge. You are an active participant not a student. Keep that in mind. This is not like school.

Of course, there are merit badge universities posted in past announcements and often we will host a session for the troop. We make those opportunities available via the “announcements” and encourage scouts to attend if possible.

Some advice I will pass down for Scout rank, Tenderfoot and Second Class Scouts. Stay focused on rank advancements first and you do not need to focus on merit badges. Getting to First Class should be your goal. All the skills you earn up to and including 1st Class makes you a good, independent scout who has the scout skills to handle most events and trips we take, including high adventures. These skills include navigation, camping, first aid, cooking, planning, knots, and working as a patrol.  As a First Class Scout, you are very capable. Beyond First Class, the merit badges will matter for advancement. Stay Focused.
 
Next week's topic – rank advancement sign off!