August 20, 2006

Dear Scouts and Families,

Well as I write this letter the Troop just returned from a week at Camp Baldwin. Twenty-two Scouts went to this summer camp supported by seven adult Scouters. Thanks to all who attended and to all those who helped to support this trip from home. We had a great time. This was my first Boy Scout summer camp as well as my first summer camp as Scoutmaster, it was the best. We had lots of Scouts earning merit badges and a few Scouts earned rank advancement. The Troop welcomed two new Scouts to the unit, hello Nicholas and Mason and it was the last summer camp for one of our Eagle Scouts, as C.J. will be eighteen by next summer. My hope is that all who attended had as good a time as I had. The Troop is off to Camp Baker near Florence next July. Let's go!

Our first regular Scout meeting is Tuesday September 5th at 7:00 p.m. followed by a Court of Honor meeting on the 12th, I hope to see all of you there. The Troop has an action packed fall starting with our first ever Golf Tournament with camping at Meriwether the weekend of September 15th through the 17th. If you have not signed up yet make sure to do so, this event is going to be GREAT.

I was not a Scout as a young man, I sure which I was. I would like to make an appeal to all Scouts to invite a friend between 11 and 17 years of age to join Scouting. Where else can you do so much and be exposed to so many things. Let's take this summer for example: June the Troop camped at the Vermillion Ranch, July a High Adventure trip to the Bahamas, August a week at Camp Baldwin. Troop 542 is full of fun and exciting things to do. You may ask why and the answer is you, yes you lead this Troop. You tell us what you want to do. You tell us where you want to go. You tell us what summer camp to camp at. If you have not been part of these decisions you need to seek a leadership position. Elections are coming up at the end of September.

Well, I just want to welcome you back to another great year of Troop 542 Scouting. I hope to see all of you in September so we can get the ball rolling.

Yours in Scouting!