Hello everyone and Happy Father’s Day to all the dads. For those new to the troop and for general knowledge, the summer camp merit badges will be put in to scoutbook after the camp staff complete marking off requirements and we are able to download the completed requirements reports. This usually is done a week or two after the last week of camp is done. I spoke to several of the area directors yesterday who informed me that many MBs that were originally set to be completed at camp were not completed due to us losing Sunday because of the bad storm. I will send out some guidance on completing those later. Thanks for allowing us to guide and mentor your boys Benjamin Stepp Scoutmaster.

Hello everyone, I hope this email finds you well and safe after the storms today. Unfortunately the storms did some real damage to camp. We had trees all over camp down blocking roads and trails, as well as at least two cabins have had trees fall on them. Also at least one of the power lines was snapped. Teams will be working diligently today and tomorrow to get camp back in order. This damage is postponing check-in to Monday morning. Our time to meet is 7:45am in the parking lot. Thank you for your understanding and patience with this. Benjamin Stepp Scoutmaster

Hey folks, We have been asked to check in at 3:00pm, so like all things it’s a change. We will meet at 2:45pm in the parking lot to load the trailer with the scouts personal gear. All scouts have to be present before we can check in. Still if your scout has not had a swim check wear swim trunks and a class b. Thanks Benjamin Stepp Scoutmaster

Hello Everyone, For camp this summer, Mr. Nathan Crouch 601-934-5628, and Mr Rob Devries 407-473-7672, will be the points of contact for the troop. They will be there everyday and or night along with a smattering of other leaders throughout the week. We are meeting at the camp at 12:45 pm on Sunday, scouts who have not taken their swim test already need to be in class b and swim trunks with their towel close at hand. Pick up is Saturday morning. There is no longer a parents day so you do not need to worry about that. The OA callout campfire is friday night, everyone is invited. Scouts who were up for OA election should be there to find out if they made OA or not. Those scouts are Connor Copelin, Stacker Richardson, Michael Chaney, Fin Cole, and Tucker Milner. Scouts will be staying in the troop tents. Scouts in the Polaris program will have an overnighter with the other polaris scouts.
Each scout needs their Scout Handbook and a notebook. There are no Crocs or Keens allowed outside of the campsite, crocs are only allowed for shower shoes and while at the waterfront swim area. There is a trading post which sells all the boys favorite sodas and candy along with shirts and other trinkets, 25 – 50 $ is a safe amount to send for the week.
The suggested packing list is: Personal Equipment o Uniform o Annual Health and Medical Record (turned into the Unit Leader before arrival, photocopies accepted) o T-shirts o Shorts and/or pants 34 o Swimwear (trunks for boys and men and one-piece swimsuits for girls and ladies) o Underwear o Socks o Hat o Jacket o Rain gear o Extra shoes o Watch o Washcloth and towel o Toiletry items (soaps, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.) – The items should be kept in a small case or shower bucket. o Shower shoes o Plastic bags/Walmart sacks to keep clothes dry while showering o Flashlight and extra batteries o Fan (cabins have electricity) o Sleeping bag and/or sheets and blankets o Pillow o Camp pad and/or inflatable mattress o Footlocker/suitcase o Spending money and wallet o Sunglasses o Camera o Insect repellent o Sunscreen o Notebook o Pencil or pen o Rank book o Water bottle – This must be kept with you at all times. Do not come to Summer Camp without a water bottle. o Daypack
See yall Sunday Benjamin Stepp Scoutmaster

Hey folks, We are missing a few tents and some of the tent parts. If your scout still has a tent from a campout or any parts to a tent we need it ASAP as we are cleaning and re waterproofing them. Please have your Scout or Scouts check for any parts, bags or if they have their tent still and let me know. We will make arrangements to get them to me for the through cleaning. Thanks.
Benjamin Stepp Scoutmaster

Hello everyone, I hope this finds you well. This email is for all who have a scout at the rank of 1st class or higher. The Natchez Trace Council is putting on a NYLT Course in August over the weekends of 15-17 and 22-24. This course is designed to enhance the leadership capabilities of the boys beyond that of what ILST teaches. The course also looks good on college resumes and Job applications. The course is 200$, open to scouts who are 1st class and the age of 13 by Aug 15. This is a very good course. I am including the link for you to sign your scout up. www.natcheztracecouncil.org/content/126214/2025-NYLT—NYLT
Benjamin Stepp Scoutmaster

Hello Everyone, We have our Court of Honor, Monday May 26th, yes Memorial Day. The Ceremony will be at 5:30 PM, and Scouts will need to be there at 5PM. Full Class A uniform with their Merit Badge Sash if they have it is the uniform of the day. This consists of Green pants or shorts, Tan Shirt, Belt, Neckerchief and Sash. We will have a reception immediately following the ceremony. We wanted to get yall home earlier in the night so you still have time to do something with your families is why we chose to start early.
Thank you Benjamin Stepp Scoutmaster

Ladies and gentlemen, Tomorrow we will have our last regular meeting before the court of honor. Tomorrow we will hold troop elections. Scouts who are first class and above are required to run for a leadership position. Those scouts need to be in full class A minus their sash. All scouts second class and below can be in class b. Tomorrow is also the last day to turn in any unfinished MB work so they can be recognized at the court of honor. If you have not sent in your MB class list for summer camp we are running out of time to get those in, so please turn those in ASAP. Last thing. Camp cards are due next week. Please sell what you have and turn in the cash. Thanks Benjamin Stepp Scoutmaster

Hello all We will be meeting Monday. We have Order of the Arrow elections. All scouts who 1) have obtained 1st class over the past year 2) or who are over 1st class and not in the OA need to be in class A uniform. Scouts must have 15 nights camping in the last two years and achieved 1st class to be voted in. Scouts must be in attendance of the vote or have to wait until next year. If you have any questions about OA and what it is our district OA chapter chief will be on hand to answer those questions for you and your scout. See you Monday Benjamin Stepp Scoutmaster.

Hello all, May 19 is the deadline to turn in merit badge requirements for recognition at the Court of Honor on May 26th. These are the requirements from merit badges that Scouts have already started. Check your scoutbook account to see what you are lacking on those MBs. If you have any questions give me or one of the leaders a call or email. Thanks Benjamin Stepp Scoutmaster