April 9th Bottle Drive

195 Ridgewood Bottle Drive

April 9th at Minchau School Parking Lot

Starts at 9:30 am...goes all day...

It's the last major fundraiser of the year and everyone's participation is expected. This is a full uniform event. It's also a rain or shine event, so everyone must be prepared for cold, windy and even rainy or snowy weather.

Lunch will be served. Parents are asked to bring their vehicle registration, valid driver's license, and insurance and be prepared to drive youth to and around their assigned routes. Parents should also think about protecting the inside of their vehicles with tarps, as bottles and cans are STICKY!

Winter Camp February 18-20, 2011!

The Cubs have graciously invited us to join them at Camp Maskepetoon on February 18th to the 20th for winter camp!

Weather and snow permitting, our goal on Saturday will be to build a quinzee large enough for several Scouts and one leader (guess who?) to sleep in on Saturday night.

We will also try to cook at least two of our meals outside as we continue to hone our campfire cooking skills.

Cost has yet to be finalized, but will likely be between $25.00 to $30.00 per youth.
Registration deadline is January 31st. Scouts will learn more about the weekend on January 20th.

Brrrrr!
Scouter Katie

CHOCOLATE FUNDRAISER FEBRUARY 5th AND 6th!

Our next mandatory fundraising event are the chocolate sales to be held February 5th and 6th at the Walmart in Sherwood Park.

This is a full uniform event for the Scouts.

Sign up sheets will be available soon.

What a relief...just in time for Valentine's!

SCOUTS ON WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 2nd AT MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT CO-OP!

It's a full uniform event and parents need to arrange to bring their Scouts to MEC by 7:00 pm. Either Scouter Audrey or I will be near the front with the sign in sheet. Parents are encouraged to stay as there is lots to see and learn at MEC. They know a lot about camping and outdoor activities, and about making those experiences as fun and safe as possible. Plus there's a sale on, which is very unusual for MEC...and it's just for us!

See you there.

From Scouter Katie

MASONIC CYPHER

(a.k.a. the pigpen cypher)

Here's the key to the Masonic cypher that we've learned. Just in case you needed a reminder!

MAD TRAPPER'S CAMPOREE

February 4-6, 2011

"The Frozen Wild West"

This is the 34th annual Mad Trapper's Camporee. This year's activities revolve around the theme "The Frozen Wild West". Saturday's activities are all outdoors until the evening formal campfire. After Sunday's Scout's own (which will be led by our troop) the whole camp gets together to participate in a wide game planned and delivered by the Venturers doing service at the camp. The event culminates with fantastic snowshoe trophies for the best patrol cometitors in each event. This is a challenge camp, an important opportunity for our scouts.

Scouter Katie will attend the next planning meeting for Mad Trapper's Camp on November 17th. The camp is very popular and fills up quickly. As such, the registration deadline for scouts wishing to attend is Monday, November 15th. Scouter Katie must pay the registration fees ($45.00 per participant) on November 17th. We hope to be able to offset that cost with money from the casino funds. We are not asking for payment on the 15th, just the names of scouts who will be attending.

Please email Scouter Katie by November 15th to confirm your scout's attendance.

Sincerely,

Katie McDonough

Troop Scouter

Lake Miquelon Hike, Investiture and Feast

October 16th, 2010

195 Ridgewood Scouts and 88th Polaris Scouts

This Saturday Scouts from the 195th Ridgewood and 88th Polaris troops, along with family and friends will come together for a brisk hike, hot cooked-by-scouts campfire food and a special lake-side investiture for our new scouts and leaders.

Fee: $15.00 per participant

Start time: 10:00 am at Minchau parking lot. Parents are responsible for bringing their scouts to the event, or arranging transportation for them. This is a full uniform event; scouts not in uniform will not be permitted to participate in the investiture ceremony. Family and friends are warmly invited to participate in the hike, camp out and investiture. This is an entirely outdoor event, so participants must be prepared for cold, rainy weather. Scouts need to dress in layers, so that they can adjust to changing temperatures.

Scouts must bring the following:

• a good lunch to bring on the hike; if you'd like some hot soup, bring a packet and we'll boil water during our lunch break (so don't forget your mug)
• warm layered clothing (hat or tuque, gloves, sweatshirt and/or vest, windbreaker or warm jacket, long underwear)
• rain gear
• mess kit including mug
• sunscreen
• knife (for scouts with their knife permit)
• flint (for scouts with their fire permit)
• plastic grocery bag
• hiking boots (running shoes will be acceptable, but hiking boots are better)
• warm socks
• knapsack to carry their gear
• two full bottles of water
• paper and pencil
• any personal items (no electronics) that you feel you may need

For scouts and/or friends and family who can't join us for the hike, they are welcome to come for the campfire and investiture. This address: http://www.albertaparks.ca/pubsandmedia/maps/MiquelonCampgroundTrailMap.pdf will take you to a map of the park. When you drive past the Permit Booth continue on just past the Park Centre and turn left into the Day Use parking lot. Park in the further parking lot. Walk toward the beach. If you arrive after 3:00 pm you will see our flags flying and will find at least one of our leaders waiting to welcome you.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Yours in Scouting,

Scouter Katie

Troop Scouter