Thank you to all of the scouts, leaders, and parents that helped before, during, and after winter camp this past weekend. The journey there and back were challenging to say the least, but our troop showed some true resilience and even were commended by the camp staff for their volunteer service mopping the dining room on Sunday night.

For those attending this weekend’s ski trip, reminder that unless you have already communicated other arrangements to me, we are departing Sunday at 1pm from the church. (If you would like to join in, we still have room, but please let me know as soon as possible so I can send you the full details on how to book your lift tickets.) You need to bring clothing sufficient to keep you warm and cover all body surfaces; it is forecasted to be sub-freezing for both night tubing and morning skiing, so frostbite is a very real concern. You also need to bring money for lunch and both dinners. Bedding and breakfast will be provided by the hotel.
https://advancements.scouting.org/calendar/event/5540521

Our big Scout Sunday potluck brunch and court of honor are coming up on February 4th. Look for more details and signup sheet coming soon.
https://advancements.scouting.org/calendar/event/5540540

This is the time of year when we invite current 5th graders to visit our troop and consider joining. If you know of any 5th grader that might be interested, please put them in touch with me for more information and to schedule a visit. Current Cub Scouting experience is not required.

Scott Guirlinger
Scoutmaster

Happy New Year!

Invoices for 2024 dues have been sent through Square to any scouts who did not sell at least $750 in popcorn. Please check your email for this invoice if you have not already done so.

Winter Blast is this weekend! We have 12 scouts and 4 adults attending. If you have not turned in your health forms yet, we need those ASAP.

• We need to depart from the church as close to 5pm on Friday as possible. It is a 4-hour drive to Camp Durant. We plan to stop at the I-95 welcome center around 6:30pm. Please pack a bag dinner with you to eat there.
• We plan to depart from the camp no later than 9am on Monday and so should arrive back at the church no later than 1pm. We plan to stop at a rest area for a brief morning break but do not plan to stop for lunch. If you think you will need snacks, please pack them or plan to use the vending machines.
• The trading post at Camp Durant will be open this weekend. Please bring money to spend if you would like to purchase
• Full guide for the weekend with schedule, menu, and other information is here: https://ocscouts.org/wp-content/uploads/WB-Leaders-Guide-January-2024-11-16-23.pdf
• Scouts will be sleeping in troop tents. We will get these from the shed at the church before departing. Adults need to bring their own tent.
• Check the weather forecast. Last I looked there was a chance of rain, wind, and freezing temperatures. In addition to Aiden’s training tonight, this scout article is a helpful guide on what to pack: https://scoutlife.org/outdoors/outdoorarticles/6981/checklist-for-a-basic-cold-weather-outing/
• Class A uniforms while departing, in transit, and while arriving (in both directions). Class B uniforms otherwise this weekend (including flag ceremonies).
• Please bring your scout handbooks. If I can get an internet connection, I plan to try to get the online Scoutbook updated to match what is in the paper records. We can then do any scoutmaster conferences that are needed ahead of next Tuesday’s committee meeting (and potential boards of review).

For those attending our ski/snowboard trip January 21-22, I emailed out all of the details on Sunday for how to book your tickets. We can still add people if needed; please let me know if you or someone you know wants to join in. Adults staying overnight must have current Youth Protection Training certificate. I will send out more details on transportation and food by next week.

If you need Second Class requirement 7c (drugs, alcohol, and tobacco training), the city police are hosting a youth academy tomorrow, 5-6pm at Calvert Square, 975 Bagnall Rd that will meet this requirement.

Thank you everyone for being flexible with our quick change today from in-person to virtual meeting. Stay safe in this storm!

Scott Guirlinger
Scoutmaster

With high winds and heavy rain in the forecast for tonight, we have decided to move our troop meeting to a virtual setting. Please join us at 6:30pm using the Google Meet link that was emailed out. It is particularly important for those attending Winter Blast to attend tonight to ensure you have all of the information and preparation that you need.

Contact us if you have any questions or run into any technical difficulties. Thank you all for your patience, flexibility, and understanding.

Scott Guirlinger

To our 8 scouts that each sold more than $750 in popcorn… thank you and congratulations on covering your dues for 2024! Invoices for 2024 dues will be sent to all other scout families in the coming days. Please help our troop be thrifty and pay these invoices as quickly as possible once you receive them.

We still have a few outstanding winter camp invoices and missing BSA health forms (parts A and B, plus copy of health insurance card). Please submit those as soon as possible. Also, now is a good time to double check your camping gear and ensure you are ready for cold weather. Contact me with any questions.

I will be calling Massanutten ski resort tomorrow morning to book our group rate for skiing/snowboarding. Then I will send an email to all attendees with detailed instructions on how to book your discounted lift tickets and snow tubing tickets directly through their site. Kristina Malleck is working on booking our lodging. If you plan to come and have not confirmed your attendance with us, it’s not too late but please let us know now so that we can ensure we have proper sleeping arrangements for everyone.

Tonight was our last troop meeting for this calendar year. We will not meet on December 26th or January 2nd. Our next troop meeting will be Tuesday, January 9th. For those who are going skiing with us and have not been before (or haven’t been in a long time), I might suggest trying some ice skating next week at one of our local rinks. It’s not the same as skiing but there’s enough similarities in muscle movement that it will be worth your while. The local rinks have lots of public sessions between Christmas and New Year’s when their regular ice activities are on holiday.

Thank you all for your participation in our scout troop in 2023. It’s been fun. We’re looking forward even MORE in 2024! Tell all your scouting age friends to come check out what Troop 5 has going on!

Scott Guirlinger

We are a go for 9 AM today at the Ryan Resilience Lab at 4610 Colley Ave, Norfolk. We are hoping to beat the rain but please dress accordingly. If it starts coming down heavy we will take all the Boys to Starving Artist Cafe right down the street at 4408 Colley Ave.

Thank you
Jamie Windemiller

• In lieu of a December campout, the PLC decided to hold a day of service this month. THIS Saturday, December 16th, we will all meet at 10am at the church to conduct a beach cleanup, followed by tent inspection and flag retirement. Scouts were sent home tonight with flags to prepare for the retirement ceremony. Pizza lunch will be provided. We should complete our service around 2pm.
• Gerry’s Eagle Scout project will be held this Sunday 9-12pm at the Resilience Lab at 4610 Colley Ave. Scouts will be building fishing line disposal tubes for the new center. Please come and support him.
• Any physical awards for popcorn sales will be distributed at next Tuesday’s meeting (December 19th). Online awards have already been distributed.
• Winter camp invoices have been sent. We also need your BSA health form parts A and B and copies of your health insurance card if you have not turned them in yet. This is for both scouts AND adults attending winter camp. Note that most forms from summer camp have expired. Contact me with any questions.
• Our ski trip on January 21-22 is coming together. If you want to attend and have not told us already, please let us know as soon as possible. We are hoping to make bookings this week. We are looking for a few more to join us; if anyone has friends or relatives that want to come, please invite them. Massanutten will give us a promo code to use for 20% off the lift tickets so scouts, adults, and guests can book the ski/snowboard portion directly through Massanutten. The cost for lift ticket and equipment rental on Monday should be right around $100 per person (to be paid directly to Massanutten). For those who will be tubing and overnighting on Sunday, we are planning to stay at the Quality Inn in Harrisonburg, just 20 minutes from the resort. The additional cost for tubing and lodging will be about $75 per person (to be invoiced by troop).
• Look for more information on summer camp coming very soon.

All of our upcoming events are posted in the calendar on Scoutbook and on our website at https://www.troop5norfolk.com/calendar. There is an RSVP feature on those events for leaders and scouts and I’m told that scouts can add their parents as well. If you can, give it a try and let me know if it works or not for you. Maybe it’s a feature we can use in the future.

Thank you,
Scott Guirlinger

• Winter camp invoices have been sent. We also need your merit badge request form (attached), hoodie order form (optional, attached), BSA health form parts A and B (attached), and copies of your health insurance card if you have not turned them in yet. Note that most forms from summer camp have expired. Contact me with any questions.
• Our ski trip on January 21-22 is coming together. If you want to attend and have not told us already, please let us know as soon as possible. We are currently finalizing preparations for bookings on activities and lodging.
• In lieu of a December campout, the PLC decided to hold a day of service on the 16th. All scouts are requested to attend. Pizza lunch will be provided. Activity details will be provided at this coming Tuesday’s meeting.
• Aiden’s Eagle Scout project will continue 5-7pm this Sunday at the Day’s house for those able to come and support him.

All of our upcoming events are posted in the calendar on Scoutbook and on our website at https://www.troop5norfolk.com/calendar.

(My plan going forward is to email out these announcements after each Tuesday meeting. I got a little behind in sending this first one.)

Thank you,
Scott Guirlinger

Hoodie Order Form – Fillable.pdf
WB Merit Badge Worksheet – Fillable.pdf
680-001_abc.pdf

PLEASE RSVP BY 11/30 EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT PLANNING TO ATTEND SO WE KNOW WHO HAS OR HAS NOT COMPLETED THE FORM: https://forms.gle/xzMJUnmegnESJzRF6

We need 20 attendees to get the group rate. We could potentially open this up to friends of scouts if we find we need to fill some open slots.

• https://www.massresort.com/
• Monday, January 22nd (Norfolk Public Schools students are off)
• Cost is $100 per person – includes lift ticket and ski/snowboard equipment rental
• Optional $60 for 1.5 hour group ski or snowboard lesson (cost will be less if more than 3 in group)
• Considering overnight on Sunday, January 21st for additional $75 each – includes lodging and 1.5 hour night snow tubing session under the lights
• Meals not included (scouts to bring money)