We are excited for our upcoming camp out the weekend of April1-3 with
hopefully some beautiful Spring weather! We will camp at Beaver Dam State
Park <www.dnr.illinois.gov/Parks/Pages/BeaverDam.aspx>, about a 45
minute drive, at the Beavers Den site.

On Saturday April 2, 9am to noon, Scouts may participate in the High Ropes
Adventure <www.lakewilliamson.org/eagle-crest/high-ropes/> located
15-20 minutes from the State Park. This is an event that our Troop has
participated in for several years and has found rewarding; however, taking
part in High Ropes is optional. High Ropes requires a signed waiver that
can be found here
<www.christianretreatsnetwork.org/resources/?f=037b0b70-51d7-4851-9407-6065ca09be27>,
on
the above website, or attached below. We will need a minimum of 15
participants at High Ropes with a cap of 20 so please submit your
permission form early. We also need at least four registered adults to
provide supervision and transportation.

Those not camping may meet the Troop at the High Ropes location
<goo.gl/maps/XovnoC76MGEzu1yW6> at 8:45am, found at the Lake
Williamson Christain Retreat at the large white barn.

Please see the attached permission form, due by March 28 but always
accepted sooner, for further details (especially what *not *to wear) and to
indicate camping, High Ropes, or both. Cost is $20 per camper, $30 per
person for High Ropes, or $50 for both.

If any questions, please email or text diane.gill67@gmail.com 618 616
6774

Troop-216-Beaver-Dam-High-Ropes-3.2022.docx
Waiver-High-Ropes-3.2022.pdf

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Troop 216 <troop216.bsa@gmail.com>
> Date: February 21, 2022 at 9:30:36 AM CST
> To: undisclosed-recipients:;
> Subject: Life to Eagle Talk, 6 PM Feb. 28
>
> 
> I’d like to take some time to meet with Scouts and parents about the Eagle Rank process. Unlike other ranks, there is a rigorous process for approval of the Eagle project, and applying for the rank advancement. This meeting is intended to give an overview and advice on how to prepare.
>
> The District provided an overview earlier this year and this is an opportunity for me to relay that information and our troop experiences with the process to you.
>
> Anyone may attend, AND the Scouts and parents of Scouts who have achieved the Star Rank are highly encouraged to attend.
>
> We will start at 6 PM and conclude before the regular meeting starts at 7 PM.
>
> If you are unable to attend, I plan to have the materials posted on the troop website.
>
> Mr. Mason
>
> —
>
> Additional information available on our webpage: www.troop216bsa.com – check the site often for Troop news, resources, calendar updates, etc.
>
> Please note that this email account is not monitored 24/7. If you have a question for a specific adult leader, please contact them privately.
> Troop Committee Chair – Mike O’Koniewski okie135@yahoo.com
> Scoutmaster – Mark Mason matlsguy00@gmail.com
> Advancements – Barb Kane barbek618@yahoo.com
> New Member Coordinator – Tara Kuhne teeku2002@yahoo.com

Hi! ZBASE is offering a fireside chat to answer questions about their camp
and activities. If your Scout is deciding whether to go on this summer’s
high adventure trek, this might be interesting. No need to register, just
jump on the Zoom.

Topic: ZBASE Fireside Chat

Time: Feb 16, 2022 06:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

us02web.zoom.us/j/87098678180?pwd=WUN4aE9nU1A3NnZ5MkQrZzJpb0VtZz09

Martina

Calling all cavers! Troop 216 will be returning to Marengo Cave in Indiana
on March 5th for an overnight stay in the cave. Our Night-in-Cave package
includes a pizza supper, breakfast, and most importantly, natural cave
exploration and guided tours with exciting activities.

The permission and waiver forms may be turned in at any Monday meeting
in February; however, please note there is no meeting on Presidents Day Feb
21. Please message Mrs. Gill up until 5pm Friday Feb 25th to indicate you
will attend IF you have not already submitted the forms at a prior meeting.

We encourage Scouts and parents to sign up early for this memorable
experience as we need a *minimum* of 12 participants and multiple
drivers, PLUS it is an impressive and unique adventure you don’t want to
miss. The drive is just over 3 1/2 hours and they are one hour ahead of
our central time.

For more information, see the Marengo Cave website here
<www.marengocave.com/>
A signed waiver is required for anyone entering the cave waiver here
<www.marengocave.com/assets/cave_exploring.pdf>

Please read the waiver (also attached below) and permission form for the
list of important things to know, wear and bring. It is a comfortable 52
degrees year-round underground but we will get very wet and muddy. A clean
dry change of clothes and shoes is necessary. Please bring either a sack
lunch or lunch money for our meal stop before getting to the cave.

If any questions or concerns or to sign up (no later than Feb 25), please
contact Diane Gill 618 616 6774 diane.gill67@gmail.com

Troop-216-Marengo-Cave-3.2022.docx
Marengo-Cave-waiver-2022.pdf

Hi, everyone. Summer will be here before we know it — or at least we hope
so!

We have two summer camping experiences for Troop 216 Scouts:

1. S bar F Famous Eagle Summer Camp (ages 11+) — June 12-18
2. ZBASE High Adventure Base (ages 14+) — June 25-July 2

The attached PDF has information about activities, costs, payment
schedules, and lots of links to additional information. Check it out!

*Please make a note of the payment due dates.* There is a $50 discount for
a Scout if they do both Summer Camp and ZBASE.

Email me at parzivalxf@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

Martina Bishopp
Cahokia Mounds District – Camping Committee
Unit Outdoors / Activities Chair, Troop 216, First Christian Church,
Edwardsville

Troop-216_Summer-Camping-2022.pdf

Hi, Troop 216. On Saturday, February 12 we will be visiting Hidden Valley,
MO, to participate in the Polar Plunge snow tubing. The Troop will also
have an opportunity to camp in Adirondack cabins at the Beaumont Scout
Reservation from Friday evening the 11th to Sunday morning the 13th.

*TUBING*: Please go online individually to the Polar Plunge Tubing
<www.hiddenvalleyski.com/explore-the-resort/activities-and-events/polar-plunge-tubing-park.aspx>
page *ASAP* to book tickets for *Saturday, February 12* at the *11:30 am
start time*. You need to book individually rather than through the troop
because there is a waiver to complete. Tickets are $29 each for a 2 hour
session. *Don’t wait to book — tickets sell out fast.*

*CAMPING*: Turn in the attached permission slip with payment on Monday,
February 7th by 7:00 pm at the Scout meeting.

Martina Bishopp
Cahokia Mounds District – Camping Committee
Unit Outdoors / Activities Chair, Troop 216, First Christian Church,
Edwardsville

Troop-216-Beaumont-02.2022.docx

We will not have a Troop meeting this coming Monday the 17th due to the
long weekend and school being out.

Have an enjoyable and safe weekend… and see you again on Monday the 24th.

Troop 216 family,

Hope the holidays have been treating you well. As we prepare for the 2022
Scouting year, I’d like to remind everyone of some events that are fast
approaching.

First, we WILL be having a troop meeting this coming monday, 3 January at
the usual time of 700pm. This is out of the normal trend where we
don’t have meetings on days with no school. However, there is important
planning that needs to be done for upcoming activities.

Second, this is a friendly reminder that the Klondike Derby is the weekend
of 8-9 Jan. Monday’s meeting will be used for meal prep and last minute
repairs to the sleds as well as other planning details for the Derby.
Permission slips are due that night.

Future February event is a sledding event at Hidden Valley on the tube
slides. Stand by for more information on dates and times.

University of Scouting / Merit Badge opportunities will be held virtually
on 26-27 January and in-person at the SIUE campus on 29 January. Classes
are filling up fast, so sign up today.

Our Secretary, Neil Jollenbeck will be emailing the minutes from December’s
meeting soon.

Finally, we will be holding an Eagle Court of Honor to acknowledge the
accomplishments of our three most recent Eagles,Ian Khune, Mason Kane, and
Garret Valley. This event will take place on Monday, 10 January in lieu of
our regular meeting. Lookfor invitations and more details to follow.

Enjoy what’s left of the Holiday break. Happy New Year to ALL!

YIS,

Mike OKoniewski
Troop Committee Chairman

Hello Troop 216 families! Our next campout will be the Klondike Derby at
Camp Warren Levis the weekend of January 7-9, 2022. Please find the
permission form attached.

*IMPORTANT*: The signed permission form should be turned in with $28 per
camper before 7:30 pm on *Monday December 13*. With the holidays we may not
have a chance to meet as a Troop prior to the Klondike Derby, so we need to
get permissions in advance of the winter break.

Thanks,
Martina Bishopp
Cahokia Mounds District – Camping Committee
Unit Outdoors / Activities Chair, Troop 216, First Christian Church,
Edwardsville

Troop-216-Klondike-01.2022.docx

Hello everyone from Neil Joellenbeck,

Sorry for the late email reminder. Tonight (Monday, December 6, 2021) is
the deadline.

We are currently working on the Troop 8216 Charter Renewal for 2022. In the
email below, I have listed the prices for the yearly renewal for scouts and
for adults as well as other pertinent information. There is a lot of
information to cover to make the recharter happen successfully.

*Scout Information:*
The dues for each scout to renew for BSA is $72.00
The dues for the Troop annually is $40.00
The cost for the Scout Life magazine (optional) is $12.00

These fees can be paid via check made payable to Troop 216, via
paypal(troop216@), or paid out of the Scout account. Please let myself or
Mr. Valley know how you would like to cover the cost.

We also have financial assistance for Scouts if dues are an issue. We do
not want any scout not to be able to participate due to a financial reason.

*Adult Information*:
The dues for adults are $45.00. This is for adults wishing to continue to
be adult leaders and provide assistance to the troop. These fees can be
paid in the same manner.
If you are a merit badge counselor only, there are no dues required.

All adults will need to make sure their Youth Protection Training (YPT) is
up to date.

We will need to know if you wish to be in your current position with the
troop (committee member, assistant scout master, unit scouter reserve,
merit badge counselor only, etc).

If you are registered with another pack/troop and they are collecting your
dues, please let me know the pack/troop number so that I make that
adjustment.

*The hard deadline for payment of dues, YPT, and troop position is
12/06/21. *

Please let me know if you have any questions. If I am not available, Neil
Joellenbeck (618) 410-2993 will be able to assist.

Thank you,

Tara Kuhne
618-334-8352

nrj