First, if you have not paid at least $200 to reserve a spot for your son at Summer Camp, please get that to me as soon as possible. (mail check made out to Troop 79 to 1510 Berry Road, Bham, 35226.) Total cost will be $305, with the remainder will be due 2 weeks before we go, but feel free to pay that to the Troop as soon as you would like. I’ve got an extensive chart tracking attendance and such for each Scout and am keeping up with payments there as well. Remember, camp is July 7-13 at Camp Woodruff in the north Georgia mountains. Looks like an amazing place and I think we’ll all be really impressed.

     Second, each Scout will need a full medical form completed and signed by a Dr. for Summer Camp. We need a medical form on each Scout for regular activities, but week-long stays require a Dr. signature. So, please go ahead and make plans to get this done with the attached form. Yes, those that did it last year will need to update this annually, and the form was actually updated from last year anyway.

     Third, I have all the Scouts registered for a number of Merit Badges and special activities. Most Scouts were able to choose Merit Badges based on their interests and I’ve added new Scouts where I think they will fit best. We are also scheduled for an afternoon session on the climbing and repelling tower. If you’re scout is scared of heights, we will probably leave him registered as there is a new bouldering wall and/or you would be surprised at some that try it when everyone else is doing it. If you have concerns, let me know. Also as a part of our fee, we get to go white-water rafting on the Nantahala River. This is not too extreme a river and all aged scouts are eligible. Most Scouts are also registered for some type of a Swimming or boating merit badge and we’ll have a pre-camp swim-test sometime before camp. If your son is not at least a beginning swimmer, please let me know so we can prepare.

     There will be additional information, but these are the pressing things I needed to make you aware of. We will probably need some help with transportation getting over and back from camp but we’ll discuss that as we get closer to it.