Matthews Troop 46 Update - Camping / Recharter and Annual Dues

Greetings Troop 46 Scouts, Parents and Leaders,
April Trip 4/4-6: This trip signup is little out of our normal rotation due to Easter and Spring Break. But, it will be a great opportunity for base camping and a day hike to visit some scenic waterfalls. The signup is a little light, so please take a moment and consider clicking the link below and come join us as we head to Dupont National Forest. Signup link

Recharter and Annual Dues: You should have received an invoice from the troop for your annual dues. Please pay that. However, if you continue to get notices from Scouting America - noreply@scouting.org, please ignore those. We chose as a unit to recharter together as a group each year in March. Our annual recharter paperwork was submitted to the council about two weeks ago. When it comes to registration and dues, it is ok to ignore notices from Scouting America and direct any questions to our troop leadership. Thank you for being a part of Matthews Troop 46.

In Scouting,
Brad McLelland
Committee Chair
[url]www.matthewstroop46.org[/url]
704-488-4701

Troop 46 - Welcome to Troop 46

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to Troop 46! We are happy that your scout and you have joined us.
As I was writing the April Signup email, I used the term "Basecamping", and I wanted to provide a little context around that.

Our monthly trips are generally one of two types: basecamping or backpacking. PRO TIP: It's pretty typical that we arrive at our campsites on Friday night after dark, so a decent headlamp is a critical piece of gear.

Basecamping:
Scout's personal gear should all fit in their backpack
A basecamping trip will include items like our Patrol Boxes (cooking/cleaning gear), large camp stove, dining flies, etc.
A basecamping trip provides opportunities for scouts to get creative with their menus.
Each patrol will make a menu plan on the meeting night prior to the campout weekend and a "grubmaster" will be chosen. To be clear, that means that a scout's parents will be chosen as the grubmaster.
We encourage you to take your scout with you on that shopping trip and introduce them to things like unit pricing at the grocery store and help introduce them to that.
Keep your receipts - you'll get reimbursed when the expense is submitted. It's super easy and we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. We don't generally assign really new scouts to grubmaster role right away. 
We currently use a $10.00/scout budget for food (that may increase due to grocery costs), but no worries if you're over budget (within reason), we'll cover it.
For a basecamping trip, the patrol's food will be stored in a cooler and a bin for non-perishable foods.

Backpacking:
Scouts will carry their personal gear as well as food, cook kit and half the tent in their backpacks.
Backpacking meals (Mountain House, PEAK, etc.) are generally packed.
Scouts will be eased into backpacking adventures as they take some practice. They would typically involve a pretty short hike because it's a really good time to make adjustments to their backpacks.
We take breaks when anyone needs a break. A shorter hike means that there is no time pressure and if we need to break 20 times, we'll do it.
Many trips will be comprised of a split "trek": A more challenging one for older, more experienced scouts, and a less strenuous one for younger scouts so they can learn the skills and work their way to the more challenging treks.

Some useful links:
https://matthewstroop46.org/documents/Cold_Weather_Camping_Packing_List.pdf
https://matthewstroop46.org/documents/Warm_Weather_Camping_Packing_List.pdf
https://matthewstroop46.org/documents/Troop_46_Handbook.pdf

OK, whew! I know that's a lot, but if you have any questions at all, please let me know.
Please tell me if you received this email (sent from Scoutbook), I'd appreciate that.

Yours in Scouting,

Bruce Hethcote
Scoutmaster | 704-877-9109 | bhethote@hotmail.com

Troop 46 - April 2025 Camping

Greetings Troop 46 Scouts, Parents and Leaders,

This trip signup is coming out with a little bit of a short notice, and I apologize for that, but Easter and Spring Break crowded that schedule a bit, and I apologize for that.

That being said, I am happy to announce our April trip to the DuPont National Forest. We'll day-hiking in the DuPont Forest on Saturday, April 5 to check out some awesome waterfalls, a covered bridge and spectacular views.
This will be a base-camping experience, so Patrol Boxes will be coming, and we'll be looking forward to some creative menus!

Signup link: https://forms.gle/dNZR2FwYVTk9YFTv6
Map Link: https://www.bing.com/maps?q=dupont+national+forest+nc&FORM=HDRSC6&cp=35.197028%7E-82.594314&lvl=16.0

Yours in Scouting,

Bruce Hethcote
Scoutmaster
704-877-9109 | bhethcote@hotmail.com

Matthews Troop 46 - Trip Reminder

Reminder for those going camping this weekend. We will meet at the church at 6pm. If you are new to the process, here are some points of information.

- Scouts should wear their class A uniform (Tan shirt) with a Troop T shirt underneath. We always travel in Class A. We go down to the troop T Shirt while at camp and then return in our class A tan shirt
- Scouts should have already eaten dinner. We discourage food and drinks in the cars during travel time.
- There is a packing list for Warm and Cold weather camping on our website https://matthewstroop46.o...g_List.pdf
- We will load the trailer and head out.
- Each patrol has a designated Grubmaster that should bring the food for their weekend. Patrol food works best if contained in a single box and cooler. The troop has coolers if needed.
- If a new scout doesn't not have a ground pad or backpack, we can loan one. I send out a gear purchase recommendation each winter in November. If you would like to see last year's list, I can provide it.
- We return on Sunday about 12:30pm. Once we unload and store gear, the scouts will be released to go home.
We are pleased to have some new scouts and families on this trip. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out and thank you for being a part of Matthews Troop 46.

In Scouting,
Brad McLelland
Committee Chair
www.matthewstroop46.org
704-488-4701

Troop 46 - March 2025 Camping Signup

Greetings Troop 46 Scouts, Parents & Leaders,

Troop 46 is pleased to announce our March 2025 Crossover Camping Trip.

This campout will be the first camping trip that our newly crossed over scouts will attend.
We will be camping at Belk Scout Camp from Friday, March 21, 2025, to Sunday, March 23, 2025.

The primary goals for the trip are:
- Deliver new scout training to our new scouts
- Run through a practice camporee to allow our scouts to evaluate their scout skills.
- Have fun

Please plan on arriving at Matthews Presbyterian Church by 6:00 pm on March 21, 2025.
We will load the trailer and depart for Belk Scout Camp at 6:30 pm.
We will return to Matthews Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at approximately 12:30 pm.
Once the trailer is unloaded and troop gear stowed, scouts will be dismissed.

Trip cost: $15.00 (this is to cover food for the event)
Signup Deadline: March 18, 2025 (that is the meeting prior to the campout)

Signup Link: https://forms.gle/4AkZRaKmz6qQG7aj7

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Yours in Scouting,

Bruce Hethcote
Scoutmaster
704-877-9109
scoutmaster@matthewstroop46.org

Matthews Troop 46 - Update

Please read the important points of interest below.

Uniform Inspection: We have an Eagle Scout Board of Review scheduled for tomorrow night and a week from Tuesday. As a part of that process, we will have some visitors from the scout office. We would like our scouts to dress in full uniform with neckerchief, slide, and green pants please. We will take advantage of this as a chance to conduct uniform inspections. The best scoring patrol may get an award.
Camping Trip: We have a cold weather camp trip this weekend to Congaree National Park. High of 55F and low of 24F. I will put the cold weather packing list link from our website below. At that low temperature, it will be important that scouts camp in sleeping bags rated to 20 degrees or better with an insulated ground pad. It may also be smart to pack a sleeping bag liner or blanket to wrap up inside the bag for additional warmth. A $10 sleeping bag liner can add up to 10F to a bag rating. So, a 20F bag becomes a 10F bag. The troop has some ground pads to loan out. Please let us know Tuesday night if you need one, first come, first serve. I will pack an extra liner, ground pad, winter coat, gloves, and hat just in case someone needs them. But, scouts should "Be Prepared!" for cold weather.
Cold Weather Packing List
Summer Camp 2025: It is time to sign up for summer camp. We would encourage all scouts to attend summer camp this year. The signup link has all of the information you need. Please follow the link.
Summer Camp Signup Link

In scouting,
Brad McLelland
Matthews Troop 46
Cell 704-488-4701

Troop 46 - Summer Camp at Grimes

Dear Parents,

Summer Camp is coming – The Groundhog may have disagreed and it may not seem like it in the frigid winter we are having but warmer temperatures and Summer Camp is around the corner.  

Troop 46 will be going to Camp Grimes for Summer Camp for 2025.  This is our Council's home camp and it is important to support it.  See Link at bottom to sign up.

Dates for Summer Camp this year are June 22nd through June 28th.

Cost of the camp will be $465 per scout, same as last year.  (There are additional fees for the high adventure options like ATV's and for some of the merit badge courses that are material heavy like Pottery, this will be detailed when Grimes releases the Merit Badge Schedule). 

As High Adventure Opportunities and Merit Classes fill up fast at Camp Grimes we are asking for a commitment by February 28^th with an initial deposit of $125.   This will secure your scout's place at  Camp Grimes and allow the troop the opportunity to register him into Merit Badge classes or High Adventure Opportunities of his choosing. 

At the bottom of the email is a list of important dates as well as important terms and conditions.

Again, Summer is coming in not too early to be planning for it, with your help we will work to make this the most exciting year of summer camp ever.

Thank You

Chris Bergen

Summer Camp Coordinator

Troop 46

Link to Sign up for Summer CAMP

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfyGhllMkybZXLWDx7t7m_2S_Ai7ZP-3WzkKe1ZRpO7_fpnKw/viewform?usp=dialog

Important Dates
Date
2/4/2025		Info Packet to Scout and Parents (Email and Handed to Scouts)
3/15/2025		Deadline to Sign Up Camp (Deposit of $125 Due)
3/24/2025		Deadline for Merit Badge Selection
3/31/2025		Interim Payment ($125)
4/30/2025		Interim Payment ($125)
5/31/2025		Final Payment Due ($90) plus any additional fees
6/4/2025		Updated  -  Medical Forms A B and C Due
6/22/2025		Go to Camp Grimes

 

Terms and Conditions for Summer Camp

• You must be within one payment of the schedule of payment
• Cancellation is possible if done by April 30^th, such a cancellation will be eligible for a full refund.
• Cancellation after April 30^th   but before June 15^th  is subject to a $50 non-refundable fee unless the registration can be transferred and payments brought current by a scout on the Troop 46 waiting list.  Refunds to the original holder will be made after Summer Camp has completed 
• If an unavoidable cancellation occurs after June 15^th and the spot can't be filled by the wait list, the scout's money is forfeited.
• $125 claims a spot on the youth trip list