Troop 216 Family,

Here is the latest and greatest given the recent announcement of the
closing of Illinois schools thru 30 March. Troop leadership has
coordinated with our Charter rep, Mike Veith, to still have our weekly
meeting on Monday, 16 March at 700pm. All those scouts who choose to
attend will have the opportunity to earn the public health merit badge. My
wife, Karen O’Koniewski, who has a masters degree in public health, has
volunteered to teach the scouts. This is a good time to take real world
events and give the scouts a good perspective on what is actually happening
around the globe. This is also a great time to emphasize how important it
is to remain calm, make good decisions, and be there to help our community;
all strong aspects of the scouting program.

While Karen is teaching the public health merit badge, the adults will
huddle up and come up with a plan for the rest of the month. Some things
to consider for the next few weeks:
**Can we conduct a scout master conference via apple FaceTime or Skype?
**Can we conduct a board of review vie the same platforms? Or can 3 adults
and the scout requesting advancement meet at a public place such as Dairy
Queen to conduct the Board of Review??
** In order to update Scoutbook for rank advancement, can a scout take a
picture of his handbook sign off page, send it to the scoutmaster or ASM
and receive credit for the rank in question.
** Can patrols coordinate via email the meal plans for the upcoming campout
on 27-29 MAR??

I believe the answer to all the above questions is yes, it’s time to take
advantage of modern day communication capabilities and apply it to the
current global crisis. This would be a great lesson to teach the scouts.
However, I’m open to discussion about the above mentioned at the meeting
Monday night.

GSLAC and BSA National have left it to the discretion of individual units
to hold regular meetings during the crisis. We will have an update from
First Christian Church representatives on the availability of our meeting
space past Monday March 16th.

The scout meeting on Monday is not mandatory, and NO attendance will be
taken. If parents feel they don’t want their scouts to participate, we as
a troop totally understand. Just trying to provide a scout program during
the current situation.

In summary, We will meet on Monday 16 March at 700pm, First Christian
Church. Public Health merit badge will be taught. Scoutmaster conferences
and Boards of Review will be available for those scouts who need one.

Please call, email, or text me if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks for your patience and understanding during these challenging times.
We have a great team of leaders at Troop 216 who are thinking outside the
box to not let our scout program suffer during the current crisis.

Yours in Scouting,

Mike O’Koniewski
Troop Committee Chairman
618-791-3956
okie135@yahoo.com

———- Forwarded message ———
From: Troop 216 <troop216.bsa@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Mar 3, 2020 at 7:45 PM
Subject: Germantown Fort Camp Out March 27 — Permission due March 23
To:

Hi, Troop 216 parents and Scouts.

Please see the attached permission slip for details about the March camp
out at the Germantown Fort on March 27-29. Permission forms and payment may
be turned in until Monday March 23, preferably no later than 7:30pm so that
Scouts can use meeting time to plan the meals and activities.

Go here
<www.visitclintoncounty.com/blog/2015/10/civil-war-fort-reconstructed-in-clinton-county-il>
for more information about Bob Eversgerd’s Civil War Fort, or google
“Germantown Fort.”

Troop-216-Germantown-Fort-3.2020.pdf

———- Forwarded message ———
From: Troop 216 <troop216.bsa@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Mar 4, 2020 at 8:02 PM
Subject: Camp Cards Fundraiser
To:

Troop 216 is participating in the Greater St. Louis Area Council’s Camp
Card fundraising program. Scouts are encouraged to sell $5 discount cards
that are good for area businesses in the Metro East area. There are 5 one
time only snap off cards for ACE Hardware, Schnucks, Great Clips, Dick’s
Sporting Goods, and Dave & Busters. There are also multi-use discounts at
places like Papa John’s, Denny’s, Rally’s, Family Video, etc. Basically if
the buyer uses the card once, they have covered the cost of the card.

*For every $5 card the Scout sells, the Scout will receive $2.50 in their
Scout account *that can be used for camp fees or camp gear purchase.
Encourage your scout to contact Asst. Scoutmaster Brian Heil of Troop 216
at any upcoming scout meeting to receive as many cards as the Scout thinks
they can sell. Additional benefits:

– Each Scout that sells at least 10 cards will receive a patch
– The first 1000 Scouts in the District that sell 20 cards will receive
2 tickets to the Cards/Dodgers ball game on April 7, 2020.

*DEADLINE FOR SALES*
The selling window runs until March 31st. At the meeting on March 30th,
turn in all unsold cards and money for all sold cards. *All unsold cards
must be returned to the District or Troop 216 will be billed for those
cards. *Make checks payable to Troop 216.

Troop 216 has secured the week of July 12th – 18th to attend summer camp at *S
bar F Scout Ranch* <stlbsa.org/s-bar-f-scout-ranch/>, *Camp Famous
Eagle*. Please completely review the Leaders Manual
<stlbsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/S-bar-F-Complete-UoS-edited.pdf>
for full details. (Note: This is the 2019 manual, but 2020 should be
available soon.)

*Early bird registration fee* – $300/scout (if paid in full by April 8,
2020)

*Regular registration fee* – $320/scout

(Adult fees will be divided among attendees; the troop receives 1-3 100%
adult discounts for certain numbers of scouts registered.)

*Additional costs:* Meals to and from camp, possible merit badge fees and
Trading Post spending money.

*Camperships* (financial assistance) are available from S bar F (May 1,
2020 application deadline – see page 18 in the Leaders Manual), the Council
and from Troop 216. Please contact Steve Kupsky, Diane Gill or Martina
Bishopp, before you register, to discuss further.

*PAYMENT AND MERIT BADGE SELECTION*

This year, parents can register their scouts online. The Parent Portal
<scoutingevent.com/?OrgKey=BSA312&reservationFromEmail=true&parentPortal>
allows you to enter the scout’s information (such as name, address, dietary
requirements, etc.), pay the registration fee, and select merit
badges. The 2020
Merit Badge Catalog
<stlbsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/S-F-Merit-Badge-Catalog-.pdf>
lists the available badges, times and descriptions.

*Please contact Martina Bishopp at an upcoming Troop meeting or email her
at **parzivalxf@yahoo.com* <parzivalxf@yahoo.com>* for an individual User
ID and Password to log into the Parent Portal. Each scout or parent will
have their own unique ID.*

– When you go to register in the Parent Portal, first add the scout’s
information in the “Update Information” area, next go to “Pay Now” and
complete your payment, then you can go back into “Update Information” to
select merit badges.
– Merit badges can be registered after payment of 50% of the summer camp
fee. But don’t forget to pay the remainder before April 8 to get the early
bird discount!
– *Once entered, merit badge selections will be reviewed by a Troop
Leader with notification made if any changes are recommended.*
– *Note*: Online payment is available as a debit from your bank account
or by credit card. If you need to pay another way or use a scout account,
please contact Ms. Bishopp. Once your payment is processed, you will be
able to go in and select merit badges online.
– *Summer camp refunds are given only under extenuating circumstances
including severe medical emergency. A refund request must be submitted for
consideration to camping@stlbsa.org <camping@stlbsa.org> by 8/30. The
refund amount is 75% after 6/1.*

*MEDICAL FORMS* (see attached form) are *due by **June 29* to Mrs. Gill or
Ms. Bishopp for participating SCOUTS & ADULTS! Part C requires your
physician to complete it, so be sure to schedule an appointment for the
pre-participation physical.

A permission slip will be made available in June for completion and
submission prior to departure.

BSA-Heath-Forms-ABC-2020.pdf

Permission forms
<troop216.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Troop-216-Beaumont-Cabin-2.2020.docx>
are due by the end of tonight’s meeting for the cabin campout this weekend.

Hello Troop 216 families,

We have reserved the Mallinckrodt cabin at Beaumont Scout Reservation for
the weekend of Feb 14. Sign-up will be capped at the cabin’s capacity of
20 campers so don’t delay in getting payment and the signed permission form
turned in. The cabin has bunks, fireplace, wood stove, refrigerator, cook
stove, and dry sink. Water and latrines are outdoors. As always, we need
sufficient adult presence for our camp outs to take place so your support
is appreciated.

Map and permission form attached.

Beaumont-cabin-map-Mallinckrodt.pdf
Troop-216-Beaumont-Cabin-2.2020.docx

Troop 1072 is hosting a merit badge day on Saturday, February 29th at St.
Mary’s Church. There are morning, afternoon and full-day sessions available
— including 8 Eagle required badges.

For more information and to register, go to
www.troop1072.org/2020-mb-day/

Martina Bishopp

Troop 216,

Just a reminder that will be meeting at the Coolbaugh property, 5447 North
State Route 159, Edwardsville, IL, tomorrow 26 January to finish securing
the shelves to the trailer walls as well as sorting gear into what will be
stored in the trailer, what will be stored at the church, and what we
intend to donate, sell, or both. This should only take a couple of hours.
Thank you in advance for your help with this.

Mike OKoniewski

— Troop 216,

Due to the extreme cold weather today, the trailer build and gear sort has
been cancelled. It has been rescheduled for Sunday, 26 January at 100pm.
Please spread the word and look for a reminder email later in the week.

Thanks,

Mike O’Koniewski

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 – Gary Gill gillorang@gmail.com
Advancements – Shane Smith ShanedSmith@outlook.com
Parent Coordinator – Tara Kuhne teeku2002@yahoo.com