Here is information only for Second Class scouts working on requirements for First Class:

First Class Requirement #5- Visit and discuss with a selected individual dedicated to public service (i.e., elected official, judge, civil servant, etc) your constitutional rights and obligations as a U.S. citizen. You may do this either by yourself or with a buddy.
Reminder that you must get pre-approval from a uniformed leader before you contact the individual.

First Class Requirement #11- Check out this video to learn how to avoid cyber bullies as a Boy Scout. "Describe the three things you should avoid doing related to use of the Internet. Describe a cyberbully and how you should respond to one."
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-avoid-cyber-bullies-as-a-...

Once completed, ask Ben (SPL) via e-mail at SPL@troop642.com for the test at an upcoming meeting.

WHERE THE SCOUT LAW CAME FROM????

The Scout Law of the BSA is as old as Scouting itself. It is based on the set of nine laws appearing in Baden-Powell's 1908 book Scouting for Boys that spoke most clearly to Scouts in Great Britain.

Baden-Powell's Original Scout Laws

1. A Scout's honour is to be trusted.
2. A Scout is loyal.
3. A Scout's duty is to be useful and to help others.
4. A Scout is a friend to all, and a brother to every other scout, no matter to what social class the other belongs.
5. A Scout is courteous.
6. A Scout is a friend to animals.
7. A Scout obeys orders.
8. A Scout smiles and whistles.
9. A Scout is thrifty.

Two years later, the Boy Scouts of America published the twelve points of its own Scout Law. Simpler and easier to remember than the Scout Law for British youth, it has given American Boy Scouts guidelines for life that have remained unchanged throughout an entire century.

The vision of the BSA's Scout Law influenced Baden-Powell, too. In 1911 he added a tenth law to the list for British Scouts: "A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed."

For the Boy Scouts of America, the twelve points of the Scout Law have stood the test of time exactly as they were written. They will continue to be a guiding light for generations of Scouts to come.

We are expecting all the scouts to be attending Camporee this year. Camporee will be Friday-Sunday April 16-18 at Veteran's Park.

We would like each family to get this event down in their calendars ASAP.

If you already have a conflict, and your scout will not be able to attend Camporee this year, please e-mail me by this Sunday evening, January 17th as we are currently in the process of forming Camporee patrols.

If you do not e-mail me by this Sunday, we expect your scout to attend Camporee.

Thank you for paying attention to this matter.

Your SPL,
Ben
bgonefishin6@aol.com

Happy new year Troop 642 from the troop treasurer! A few important pieces of financial info for you:

1. Deposits for summer camp at Emerald Bay (July 25-31, 2010) are due by January 20, 2009. Total cost is $554 per scout and $374 per adult. The deposit is $100 PER ATTENDEE and MUST be paid via the troop web site by January 20, 2009-THIS DEPOSIT IS NON-REFUNDABLE UNLESS YOU FIND A REPLACEMENT ATTENDEE. The balance of $454 per scout and $274 per adult will be due in 2 payments: $200 per attendee by March 1, 2010 and $254 per scout and $74 per adult by June 30, 2010. This year you will not get an initial invoice from the troop-once you make your $100 deposit via the web site, I will then invoice you when the remaining payments are due as a reminder.

2. Troop dues for January 2010-December 2010 are $250. You will be receiving an email invoice shortly. Payment MUST be paid via the troop web site by January 31, 2010. Please note that we moved the annual dues from October to January and are now including "routine" monthly campouts/activities in the dues (but still paying for food costs separately to accommodate meal selections, and this allows the patrols to do their own shopping-a great skill for them to learn as I got to observe first-hand this week). "Special" or "high cost" activities MAY carry an additional charge to be determined by the scoutmasters and troop committee, but we expect most typical activities will be included in the annual dues. Dues also go to cover BSA chartering, insurance, Boy's Life magazine and troop equipment and supplies.

3. Shortly we will be sending out info on ordering replacement Class B shirts/hats/sweatshirts and neckerchiefs. Its amazing how quickly the boys grow and how much wear these take! Orders will need to be placed and paid for on the troop web site. We expect that a hat/sweatshirt/two t-shirts should be approximately $35.

4. The troop will be conducting at least 2 fund raising campaigns per year. This past fall we sold candy bars with a net profit of $900 to-date (we have $300 worth of candy bars left to sell at 100% profit). This type of activity helps keep dues low, funds capital purchases, supports programs and our philanthropy objectives. Please be sure to support our fund raising activities this year.

5. If anyone has any special requests/needs related to payment of fees PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL ME DIRECTLY. Be assured your request will be handled discreetly and confidentially. Our intent is to ensure all our existing scouts can participate in all programs and we will do what we can to assist anyone with special issues.

YIS
Michael Alper
Troop 642 Treasurer

We just received an updated list of the Merit Badge Counselors for 2009. See under MERIT BADGES on menu.

For the 4th Year in a row, Troop 642 was named BEST TROOP at the Las Colinas District Camporee.

Here are the results for the 2009 Camporee-

Troop 642 had a standout performance at Camporee this year. Our scouts, and this includes all age groups and ranks, did an exceptional job of working together, using their scouting skills and displaying scout spirit.

2009 Las Colinas District Camporee Results

Best Troop- 4th consecutive year
Best Curlews Patrol
Best Wolves Patrol
Best Bulls Patrol
Best Campsite
Best Spirit- 2 patrols 1st place; 1 patrol 3rd place

Perfect Uniform- ALL 6 patrols

In Addition to the Best overall Camporee awards, Troop 642 also won 29 ribbons and 5 Honorable Mentions-

1st place in 9 events
2nd place in 8 events
3rd place in 11 events
2nd place Patrol flag theme and design