Newsletter ST77 DRAFT
Newsletter
Scout Troop 77 at Oak Grove Scouting
12/2/25
6:30 PLC and Committee Meeting
7:30pm Troop Meeting
From the SPL
Hi Troop 77
Hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break with a nice long time away from school! To start off the December month we will have the monthly PLC at 6:30 in scout hall. Along with the PLC we will have a rare occurrence of Mr Cole for high adventure. If interested in that within the next two years please pay close attention so you know what to expect and what is required. Also a reminder court of honor is next week so this is basically the final chance to get anything that you want. And finally if you had any bread brought home remember you can gain 1 hour of service for 2 loaves of PB&J brought back.
YiS
Ryland Hamner
(404)-858-7848
From the Scoutmaster
Greetings Troop 77!
I hope by now you have recovered from the Turkey induced coma, and I truly hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday filled with family and friends and great memories.
There are only 3 meetings left in this calendar year. Your SPL has planned some great fun, especially for the holiday party.
12/2 - High Adventure 2027 and Beyond. Mr. Cole will be talking to all Scouts and parents who want to learn more about Scouting High Adventure. What is High Adventure? How often do we go? How much does it cost? Where do we go? We’ll get in depth about everything about High Adventure. Parents are welcome and encouraged to come.
12/2 is also your last chance to turn in rank advancement and merit badges for inclusion in the Court of Honor next week. Speaking of which, I know that holidays are fraught with busyness, but I hope everyone can make it out on 12/9 to celebrate those Scouts and their achievements since our last Court of Honor.
We are looking for treats for the Court of Honor. If you can bring something homemade (cookies or cupcakes, etc) or store bought if you’re pressed for time, please email the SPL at spl.st77@oakgrovescouting.org and marybeth.r.martin@gmail.com with what you’re bringing.
Special Notes:
- Special Merit Badge classes will be opening soon with the Atlanta Area Council. Be sure to check their Merit Badge page for details.
- Bert Adam’s winter camp registration is still open. Winter camp runs from December 27-31st. Details can be found HERE. This camp offers some difficult to find and unique Merit Badges and many fun activities.
Yours in Scouting,
Mr. Paul Mooring
T77 Scoutmaster
scoutmaster.st77@oakgrovescouting.org
(503) 593-1346
Calendar
Visit the calendar webpage to: view the calendar, review the annual plan, and add the Troop calendar to your personal calendar.
2025-2026 Troop Calendar
Check out the Troop Calendar for the 2025-2026 school year. Click HERE
Calendar-at-a-glance
- 12/2 - PLC Meeting at 6:30 - all senior patrol and patrol leaders are required to attend.
- 12/2 7:30pm Troop Meeting - high adventure
High Adventure Presentation this Week!
Folks, High Adventure is calling — and this time, it’s not leaving a voicemail.
At this week’s meeting, we’ll kick things off with an overview of our High Adventure program, followed by breakout sessions on the 2026 Northern Tier and the 2027 Philmont treks. These breakout sessions are especially important for parents. So I strongly encourage every parent of an eligible Scout to join us for both the main presentation and the breakouts.
2026 NORTHERN TIER
If you’re looking to spend part of Summer 2026 paddling through the pristine Boundary Waters — where the air is clear, the loons keep you humble, and the mosquitoes keep you moving — then Northern Tier is for you!
Scouts must complete 8th grade or above during the 2025–26 school year and be at least 13 OR be 14 by July 1, 2026, regardless of grade completed.
If you already know you’re interested, please contact Mr. Andrew Kraft at akrafty@me.com or (678) 778-5824.
2027 PHILMONT
In July 2027 — from 7/10 to 7/23 — we’re aiming high. Philmont: the peak of Scouting High Adventure. Two weeks of backpacking and backcountry challenges in the mountains of New Mexico. It’s the Everest of Scouting High Adventure.
If you’re an interested youth or adult, please reach out to Mr. Clinton Cole at ctcole0308@gmail.com or (678) 595-3332. He needs to hear from you ASAP — Philmont’s registration window is short, and our initial deposits are due in mid-December THIS YEAR (2025)!
To participate, Scouts must complete 8th grade or above during the 2026–27 school year and be at least 13 OR be 14 by July 10, 2027, regardless of grade completed. Do not let your size, age, physical build, gender, or anything else hold you back from signing up for this adventure of a lifetime. With 18 months of preparation, you will be ready — physically and mentally. We’ve had Scouts as young as 13 years and 10 months complete Philmont successfully.
Renew your Membership!
2026 Membership Renewal
It’s time to renew your Troop 77 Membership!
Click here to complete your 2026 Troop 77 membership form. After you have completed the form, you will receive an invoice from the Troop Treasurer for payment of dues. Payment is due by Nov 30th.
Scouts are also required to have an active account with Scouting America. Notification for that renewal will come directly to your registered email from Scouting America. To check your account, click here.
Adult volunteers do not need to renew directly with Troop 77 but a renewal with Scouting America must be completed before attending any campouts.
Questions? Email membership.st77@oakgrovescouting.org
Scout Spotlight: Karson Parker!
Troop 77 Diamond patrol member Karson Parker served as color guard for his school’s Veterans Day program this week. Karson’s Great Aunt Michelle Revels proudly wrote:
“Just wanted to share a picture from Karson's school assembly today honoring veterans. He is always talking about being a scout at school. Yesterday [they] asked him and a fellow scout to serve as the color guard for today's assembly. He tried not to show it, but he was tickled pink!🥰”
Well done, Karson! Troop 77 salutes your service! 🇺🇸
Campouts
January Campout
January 16-19: Skiing at Winterplace, WV! Scouts will ski and optionally snow tube at Winterplace ski resort in WV and sleep in heated bunkhouses at Summit Bechtel Scout Reservation. Registration is open!
February Campout
February 7-8: Advancement Weekend at OGUMC. Scouts will attend merit badge courses on Saturday, camp at the church Saturday night and attend Scout Sunday services on Sunday. Registration and details coming soon!
Smoked Meat Sticks Fundraiser
Who doesn't love a range of delicious snack sticks? Especially with flavors like: 'Sweet BBQ', 'Old #9', 'Bold Teriyaki', 'Hot Cajun Style', 'Sweet Maple Bacon'...who can resist?
Whether it's on trail, in a school lunch, driving across the state, or just needing a little protein pick-me-up. Please consider encouraging your friends and neighbors to buy some smoked meat sticks via our fundraiser with Country Meats.
Online purchases via the link below can ship directly to the purchaser or a gift recipient address. Please share the link externally far & wide and maybe even mention these make great stocking stuffers. Online sales will yield 30% to a scout’s escrow (when the scout's name is noted on the order form in the "Please enter the individual's name in this group that you would like to support" section). Here is the link to share:
https://www.countrymeats.com/fundraiser/scouting-america-troop-77
There is also the option to pre-purchase larger quantities and sell the sticks directly yourself. The direct sales option yields 50% to the scout. If interested in this option, please contact Mr. Wade (rhwade@gmail.com )
Railroading Merit Badge
Mr. Wade is going to offer the Railroading Merit Badge: (https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/railroading/
First meeting date is TBD
If you are interested in earning this one, please email Mr. Wade (rhwade@gmail.com )
Advancement
Rank Updates
Congratulations to the following Scouts that earned rank recently:
Cadhan Cole - Eagle Rank on Nov. 9
Owen Wainford - Tenderfoot on Nov. 18
Leo Trappe - Second Class on Nov. 11
Penson Sherrill - Second Class on Nov. 4
Wesley Cowden - Eagle Rank on Oct. 12
Molly Gilmore - Eagle Rank on Oct. 12
Alex Pan - Tenderfoot Rank on Oct. 28
Olin Gilmer - Scout Rank on Oct. 21
Gabriel Haun - Second Class Rank on Oct. 7
Board of Review (BoR)
Scouts - Please review the following prior to signing up for a Board of Review:
- All requirements for your rank are signed off in your Scout Handbook.
- All requirements for your rank are marked complete in Scoutbook by an ASM.
- You have completed your Scoutmaster Conference for your rank prior to the date of your BoR request (both may not take place on the same date).
When you are ready, please sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D44AEAD29A7FF2-troop
More
Merit Badge Summit is a quality Merit Badge program that helps Scouts learn about different fields of knowledge. Follow this link to find out more information: https://www.atlantabsa.org/MeritBadgeSummit
See important changes recently made to the way Scoutmaster Conferences are handled. You can find the updated information on our SMC page here.
Questions? Please stop by the Advancement table at any meeting or email the Advancement Coordinators at advancement.st77@oakgrovescouting.org.
Financial Management Support Links
Escrow Accounts
- Escrow account balance report (please note "as-of" date as these balances change often)
- Request Invoice Payment using Scout Escrow Balance
Expense Reimbursement Requests
- Grubmaster/Cobbler reimbursement requests
- Transportation/Trailer reimbursement requests
- Other General Expense Reimbursement requests
Other Announcements
- See all of the community service opportunities available now.
- See the latest version of the Annual Planning Calendar to find out what’s planned for Tuesday meetings and camping trips, as well as district and council offerings
- Check dates on your scouts' health forms (and yours if you go on camping trips) and renew them in a timely manner.
- Join our Remind group
- Scoutbook
- Other