Upcoming Events for January and February

Jan 6
Meeting
Jan 13
Meeting
Jan 17-19
Jack Frost/Big Boulder Ski Trip
Jan 20
No Meeting
Jan 24-26
Venture Crew Ski Trip to Vermont
Jan 27
Meeting
Jan 30
Pack 5 Swim Night
Feb 1
Klondike Derby
Feb 3
Meeting
Feb 9
Scout Sunday 9:30 am at Church
Feb 9
Banquet/Eagle Court of Honor

February Awards Banquet

Plans are under way for the Annual Troop 5 Awards Banquet which will be held this year on Sunday, the Ninth of February, at the North & Southampton Reformed Church. Reservations are being taken for this gala affair.

The fun will begin with another "Chinese Auction". Various items such as mag lights, pocket knives, (last year a sleeping bag) and other surprises will be on display. Before the banquet begins and at other convenient times during the evening, tickets will be sold. These tickets may then be placed as "bids" in a jar beside each item. You may purchase as many chances per item as you wish. The more tickets, the more chances you have of winning. A winning ticket will be drawn from each jar at the end of the banquet. Picking a winner from each jar was so much fun last year, the centerpieces ended up being chanced off too!

Ceremonies will begin at 4:00 PM with the awards presentation for the troop. A catered dinner follows and the evening will culminate with the Eagle Court of Honor for Frank. Congratulations, Frank.

Local Merchants Help out in BIG Way

This year's pancake breakfast was a huge success, in part due to the generosity of several area merchants the Troop would like to acknowledge.

The newly remolded Richboro Shop N Bag donated milk, mixes, drinks and coffee. Perkins Pancake House helped out with pancake batter, the WaWa convenience store provided drinks, Sam's Club was as usual very generous with paper products among other items, and both Genuardi's and Magglio's donated other food items.

We remind our scouting families to patronize these local merchants which helped our troop to realize over $1,300 in profit this year.

So how many pancakes were flipped? Over 1700. Just ask Jimmy D., he counted 'em. Muchos gracias is also extended to the many parents and scouts who flipped, dished, scrubbed, bussed, and poured this year. It's always a treat.

'97 High Adventure Sign Ups

Because of a limited number of slots available for this trip scheduled July 26 through August 2, 1997, any interested scout 14 years of age and older is advised to sign up Jan 6 with a $50 deposit. This will be your last chance to use up any flower sale credits you still have remaining.

The adventure to Blue Ridge Scout Reservation in Virginia includes mountain biking, white-water rafting and canoeing, caving, climbing and rappelling. A payment schedule has been worked out. See Todd for details. A mandatory parent's meeting will be held in mid-July to finalize the Adventure details. Todd will be the MC.

Valley Forge Hike Canceled

Usually undeterred by rain, Troop 5 had to cancel the December day hike to the Valley Forge Historical Park.

The hike has not been rescheduled. We'll try again next year.

Coming Attractions (Beach Night at Klinger)

Mark your calendars for Thurs., Jan 30. Pack 5 will once again be hosting its Annual Swim Night at Klinger Jr. High. Families are welcomed. This is a splendid opportunity to see your favorite leader in Club Med attire.

The playwicki District Klondike Derby is scheduled for Saturday, February 1. see your patrol leader for more details.

Sunday February 9 is a chance for you to support Scout Sunday at 9:30 services at the North & Southampton Reformed Church.

New Patrol Forming

As evidence of the popularity of Troop 5 and all the great programs being offered, a new patrol is being formed for January. In order to create more opportunities for leadership and in anticipation of all the new scouts who will be crossing over in two months, a new patrol is being formed comprised of current troop members and the new scouts joining in the Spring. As of yet, a name has not been chosen for the patrol.

Sav-A-Tape Program Profitable

Continue to save and turn in your Redner's Warehouse Markets register tapes. As a non-profit organization, Troop 5 receives a check for 1% of the total amount of the tapes submitted. These tapes can be worth hundreds of dollars for our scouting programs. The Troop has already turned in tapes and received money for our efforts. Keep it up.

Cold Weather Camping Tips

Because temperatures tend to drop during the night hours, special attention to sleeping arrangements while camping during the winter months is critical. Newspaper (not the Anthill Times!) provides good insulation under you. Place your closed cell foam pad or piece of plastic between your sleeping bag and the newspaper.

Breathing into your sleeping bag is a no-no. It creates moisture and moisture is your cold-time enemy. Put fresh, dry clothing on prior to going to bed (a hooded sweat shirt provides better protection than long johns).

If your only clothing is wet, it will provide some warmth and should not be removed if that's all you have. Remember that wool is a better insulator than cotton when it gets wet.

During the daytime, use layers of clothing which can be put on or taken off as needed. Keep your head covered (mother was right!). Your body will burn more calories keeping warm, so eat a little more than usual. Use boots, which should be sprayed with two or three coats of silicon prior to the camping trip. Also remember to wear two pairs of socks, a light dress sock against the foot with a heavier sock on top. Bring spare shoes, sneakers or boots.

And finally, if you feel you just can't get warm, seek advice from an experienced adult.

Which Way is North?

By Asst. Scoutmaster Todd

On Saturday, January 4, nine scouts travelled to French Creek State Park to work on their orienteering skills for the First Class rank.

The scouts were Chris, Danny, Mike, Andrew, Nicholas, Don, and Jeff.

Assisting these scouts were Troop Guide Colin and Senior Patrol Leader Michael. Also attending were Chad, Brian and Todd.

Whatis orienteering? Well it is considered the "thinking sport" It involves using a map and a compass to complete a course through the woods.

The participants are provided with a map that has nine or more control points located throughout the park.

The object is for the "runner" to locate each control point and punch in. The competition part is that the individual that successfully completes the course in the least amount of time places first. It's sort of like a cross country race, except that a little map and compass skill is necessary.

Although this was just a practice course - we were not keeping time - I'm happy to say that all of our scouts completed the course successfully, as well as their First Class requirements.

In the Spring, these scouts will have the opportunity to show off their knowledge at an official orienteering meet held by the Delaware Valley Orienteering Association.

The date for these events will be available in early Spring!