This week we will be having our family winter court of honor. Please be there in FULL Class A uniform and Merit Badge sashes by 7:00 sharp.

Troop 642 will be attending Emerald Bay the week of August 5-11, 2012.

As in years past, The Scoutmasters strongly recommend ALL scouts to attend Emerald Bay either by the traditional camp or one of the Rugged programs

The total cost is $600 per scout and $400 per adult leader.

THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO SCOUTS PARTICIPATING IN THE RUGGED PROGRAMS. YOUR PAYMENTS ARE MADE DIRECTLY TO COUNCIL.

Payments are due as follows:

1st deposit: December 30, 2011 = $100.00 per scout and leader
2nd deposit: February 23, 2012 = $300 per scout and leader
Final Payment: June 30, 2012 = $200 per scout

Since this is such a popular and great week, payments are non-refundable. If you need to cancel, you must find a replacement or forfeit deposits made to date.

If you are interested in Rugged S (Open Water Scuba) or Rugged O (Advanced Open Water Scuba) you can start registering on September 10th. I would recommend to sign up ASAP as spots fill VERY QUICKLY! You will need to sign up at www.campemeraldbay.org/earlyregistration. If you have any sign up questions, you should call the Council office at 818-785-8700.

Please talk to Alan if you have any questions.

We have an amazing trip planned for February 3-5. We will be Rock Climbing in Joshua Tree with Uprising Adventures all day Saturday. Scouts will have the opportunity to earn the Rock Climbing Merit Badge if they have not already. There will be approximately four climbers per instructor. Joshua Tree is considered one of the premier rock climbing locations in the entire country so you don't want to miss it.

The cost will be $100 for Scouts wanting to earn the merit badge, $90 for all other climbers and free for adults who are only observing or helping belay. Each climber should be able to do at least three climbs and some rapelling. We have reserved two group sites at the Indian Cove campground. On Saturday night we also have an astronomy club tentatively scheduled to show us the night sky with telescopes. We will leave Friday evening because we need to be ready to climb early on Saturday. We will return Sunday around noon.

Sign up under EVENT REGISTRATION and PAY online before January 4th.

With the growth of the troop the leaders have decided to make a change to they way advancement and merit badges work. We have matched ASM with Patrols who will oversee and guide the scouts advancement process. Each patrol will be assigned a lead to work with them. We are calling this new position ASM PATROL GUIDES. Below is which leaders will be working with which patrols:

• Cyclones - Mark C
• Old Goats - Rodger C
• Barbarians - Alan S
• Flying Tigers - Chris M
• Ravens - Brian C
• Bolts - Mark C

The ASM PATROL GUIDES will now be responsible for signing off handbooks, handing out blue cards (not Mark M anymore) and working with the scouts on their leadership responsibilities.

With this change we believe that we will be able to make the advancement process more individualized for the scouts.

Any questions please contact YOUR ASM Patrol Guide.

We the members of Troop 642 believe in the Scout Oath and Law. We believe that in the 12 points of the Scout Law people can find the basis from which to make ethical choices over their lifetimes. We believe that if everyone lived their lives striving toward these 12 simple principles, our world would be better for it.

What is Clean - A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He chooses the company of those who live by high standards. He helps keep his home and community clean.

What are some other examples of being Clean to the troop, your family, your community, etc?

All scouts and parents should review the Troop's Rank Advancement Policy under RANK ADVANCEMENT under MENU to the left. This will answer many questions regarding topics such as service hours, participation, scoutmaster conferences, board of review, etc. Please BE PREPARED and review.