The Anthill Times - December 1996

Valley Forge National Park Hike Planned

Families are invited to join this year's Historic Tour of Old Valley Forge in Montgomery County. This one day trip includes historic trails, George Washington Commemoratives, views of reconstructed Revolutionary War huts and monuments. to this critical point in our nation's early history.

Scouts completing the hike will have an opportunity to purchase the Valley Forge trail Medal. They will be given questions to answer on the hike in order to earn the medal. After this hike, our campers won't be so quick to complain about the camping conditions they feel they have to endure!


Pancake Breakfast

This Saturday 12/7
8:00 - 11:30
Sell Those Tickets!

'97 High Adventure News Flash

This summer's High Adventure fpr scpits ages fourteen and older, will be to Virginia, approximately 40 miles south of Roanoke. Tentative dates are July 22- August 5. The week-long trip includes mountain biking, white-water rafting, canoeing, and mountain climbing (and no doubt, moonlught card playing).

There are only 16 slots available at this point for scouts. Therefore, reservations will be taken on a first come, first serve basis. The trip is expected to cost approximately $225. Reservations and a deposit are required by January 6, 1997. FPlease see the enclosed letter and flyer from Assistant Scoutmaster Todd for additional information.


Holiday Community Service Project

The Troop 5 annual holiday community service project will once again focus on providing goodies and daily necessities to a needy family. This year's anonymous family has been recommended by a school nurse from one of the local public elementary school. Some of us may find it shocking that there are needy families right here ion Council Rock! There are.

As in the past, each patrol will decide what items they are responsible for providing. Items may include presents, food, household items. Watch for news from your patrol leader. In addition, each patrol will be asked to donate a particular type of food (beverage, vegetable, desert) for the holiday meal that we will be assembling for the family.

The final December meeting - on the 16th - will be a wrapping party for the service project. Wrapping paper will be provided by the troop. Thank you for sharing the spirit of the season.


Flaming Sombrero Expected at Pancake Breakfast

This Saturday, Troop 5 is hoping for a very profitable Pancake Breakfast fund raiser. The money raised direclty benefits our scouts. For example, this is the primary way the troop is able to purchase new equipment.

Each scouting family is responsible for selling ten $4 tickets. Whether you sell the tickets or not, you are expected to turn in $40.

One tip for scouts who encounter resistance at the door when selling, is to remind the folks that even if they were to not attend, their contribution toward the ticket price is tax deductible. This tip is courtesy of both the Marketing Department and our Tax Department.

The Promotions Department promises a return appearance of Troop 5's own "Flaming Sombrero", probably on coffee duty. He better not be late with the coffee again.


Drivers' Insurance Infor Needed

The Ambassador of Transportation, Steve, has proclaimed Decmber to be "Get your insurance information to me now if you intend to drive for any scouting events" month. The completed forms are required by council. See Steve for details.


Venture Vermont Trip

An elite group of Venture Crew scouts will be lucky enough to travel to Bromley, Vermont at the end of January. There, they will join thousands of other scouts enjoing the thrills of pure Vermont skiing.

One definite highlight is that they get to miss a day of school on Friday in order to drive the six hours north to New England.

The trip cost will be approximately $75, which includes sleeping accomdations in the gym, lift ticket for two days, a breakfast and a dinner. Out of pocket expenses will include two lunches, one on the way up, and the other on the way back.


Equipment Procurement

The troop is happy to report that we are now the proud new owners of a "slightly used" trailer that will be used to trasnport our cnaoes. The previous owner (someone's Uncle Samuel?) was transferred to Patuxent River, Maryland! Brian is now working with the PENNDOT to get a license plate for the trailer.


January Ski Trip and The Annual Guess How Many Times Chad Will Fall Contest

Excitement is mounting. Troop 5 scouts will be skiing, sliding, slipping, sledding, snow tubing, and falling in the pocono Mountains soon. Big Boulder and Jack Frost will again be the site for the very popular scout weekend ski trip scheduled for January 17-19. Prices are as follows:
Scout Combo (lesson, lift, rental)$55
Scout Lift Only$35
Adult Combo(lesson, lift, rental)$40
Adult Lift Only$28
Adult Not Skiing*-0-
* Even though Chad is tehnically "An adult not skiing" in the fullest sense, he does still have to pay for his rentals and lift ticket!

Please fill out the enclosed flyer and return it to Brian by December 16.


Leaves Gobbled Up During Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanks to all the scouts, cub scouts and parents who helped with Troop 5's annual. leag raking service project for the church.

This is Troop 5's way of thanking the church for providing us with a meeting place and allowing us to store our equipment and trailer at the church.

Unfortunately, this edition of the Ant Hill Times went to press before the actual event, so we do not have a list of names of those in attendance.


Coming Attractions

The Playwicki District Klondike Derby is scheduled for Saturday, February 1. We will be putting in one or more sleds for this annual event. As usualy, Troop 5 will be organizing and running the district derby. See your patrol leader for more details.

Rock Climbing will start again in the Spring. Currently, some of the ropes and harnesses need to be upgraded maintained. Interested scouts should see Chad to let him know that you wish to participate.


Last modified: