Newsletter ST77 DRAFT
Newsletter
Scout Troop 77 at Oak Grove Scouting
8/19/25
7:30pm Weekly Scout Meeting
Congratulations to Our Newest Eagle Scouts!
Congratulations to the following Scouts for having earned the Eagle rank!
Charlie Brewer - August 10
Alex Lin - August 10
Peter Soulimiotis - August 10
Michael Bryant - July 8
Ryan Shimabukuro - July 8
From the SPL
Hey Scouts!
For those scouts camping this weekend, thanks for a great campout! We all had lots of fun on the rapids. If you were a quartermaster for your patrol, make sure to clean the patrol box and return it to the troop within the next two weeks. This week will be the yearly drug and alcohol awareness meeting, so make sure to be quiet and respectful to the people presenting.
Yours in Scouting,
Jackson
404-550-7659
From the Scoutmaster
Hello Troop 77!
The first campout of the new Scouting year is in the books and from everything I heard it was a great time. Sadly I was unable to make this trip but am looking forward to our next trip, Survivalist at Alatoona Lake. Registration is open so be sure to check out our camping page!
At the end of last week’s meeting, I had the pleasure and privilege to help honor our newest Eagle Scouts with the presenting of the Eagle pocket knife. This tradition of Troop 77 presents our Eagles with an engraved pocket knife and a reaffirming of their oath to walk the path of the Eagle in their life’s journey. A big thanks to Mr. Henderson for making this happen both as MC of the event and also in his role as Life to Eagle Coordinator, along with Mr. Bryant (who’s son, Michael, just earned Eagle Rank) Both of these gentlemen are working very hard to help our numerous Life Scouts achieve their goals and navigate their way to Eagle Rank. Thank you both for all you do!
This weeks’ meeting is focused on annual Drug and Alcohol awareness. This is a requirement for all Scouts working on their Second Class rank, and it’s a great conversation for our younger Scouts. For our discussion, retired Dekalb Police Officer Mark Bollinger will be on hand. Officer Mark is a veteran officer, a compelling speaker and great with Q&A. He’s honest and direct but understands how to talk to a youth audience. We know this is a difficult topic, but as a father and youth leader, I don’t think we can talk about this enough in today’s age.
Reminders:
- Special Merit Badge classes will be opening soon with the Atlanta Area Council. Be sure to check their Merit Badge page for details.
- For those new Scouts just joining us, but did not have the opportunity to attend summer camp, you should consider taking the upcoming Scout Skills Weekend. This condensed weekend helps new Scouts accomplish much of their first four Ranks. Details can be found HERE.
- SPL Election! It’s only3 weeks away and it’s time for our older Scouts to consider running for SPL and putting your awesome leadership skills to work for the troop.
- NYLT - There are two upcoming NYLT courses in November and December. If you’ve taking ILST you should definitely consider taking this Scout training.
For your calendar! Our first Court of Honor will be on August 26th, in place of our regular weekly meeting at 7:30pm
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
- 8/19 7:30pm Weekly Troop Meeting
- 8/26 7:30pm Court of Honor
Physical Fitness Badge Opportunity - 8/19
There was a lot of interest from scouts that missed the memo about Troop 77 offering a physical fitness badge this fall. I’d be happy to have another *starter* class this coming Tuesday, Aug 19th at 6pm for anyone else that wants to *start* the physical fitness badge.
The following dates will be for ALL scouts working on their Physical Fitness badge this fall:
Class 2: Tuesday, Sept 2nd
Class 3: Tuesday, Sept 30th
Class 4: Tuesday, October 21st
Class 5: Tuesday, November 11th
Scouts must attend all the check-ins to complete the badge requirements. Arrive by 6pm wearing appropriate workout clothes with a full water bottle. A scout is physically strong!
Questions? Contact: Mary Beth Martin at 678-596-7313
Court of Honor Treats Needed for 8/26
We are looking for some willing parents/grandparents that will volunteer to make a few batches of cookies/treats for the Court of Honor on August 26th. Please email Marybeth.r.martin@gmail.com if you want to help bake or buy a few. As you know, the scouts love a sweet celebration & many hands make light work.
Campouts
September Campout
September 6-7: Survivalist Camping at Allatoona - register HERE - Registration closes August 27th
Merit Badge Minute
Atlanta Area Council
AAC is holding its next Range Day at Burt Adams on September 13. While not a merit badge class, Scouts can get "target sign offs on request." For more information click here: https://www.scoutingatl.org/rangedays
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The AAC is offering Personal Management merit badge classes over the weekend of September 12. Registration opened on July 14th. https://www.scoutingatl.org/meritbadgedays
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Registration for Woodruff's Conservation Weekend is now open. Held on the weekend of November 14th, Scouts will have the opportunity to work on multiple merit badges, including Environmental Science and Sustainability. Cost for the weekend is $95 per Scout and $60 per adult. Find out more here: https://www.campwoodruff.org/conservation
Northeast Georgia Council
The NGC will host its annual Aquatics Adventure Weekend on August 29th. Scouts have the chance to earn Swimming or Lifesaving merit badges (among others), while adults can get certified in Paddle Craft Safety or Swim and Water Rescue. The cost is $65 per Scout and $40 per adult. https://www.nega-bsa.org/AAW
Chattahoochee Nature Center
Chattahoochee Nature Center has updated its offerings for the summer. CNC will host Environmental Science (this is a tough badge to get through our Troop!) on August 23. Each class costs $45. Sign up here:
https://www.chattnaturecenter.org/education/scouts/scouts-bsa/
Advancement
Upcoming Court of Honor - August 26
Please mark your calendars for our next Court of Honor on the evening of Tuesday, August 26. All Scouts should plan to attend and families are invited to join as well!
Rank Updates
Congratulations to the following Scouts that earned rank recently:
Charlie Brewer - Eagle Rank on August 10
Alex Lin - Eagle Rank on August 10
Peter Soulimiotis - Eagle Rank on August 10
Brandon Tucker - First Class Rank on Aug 5
Michael Bryant - Eagle Rank on July 8
Ryan Shimabukuro -Eagle Rank on July 8
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
- Service Opportunity this weekend. It would be a great patrol activity! The Feed My Starving Children Mobilepack at OGUMC still needs a lot of volunteers for the 8-10am shift on Saturday. This is Scoutmaster approved, but parents are responsible for the supervision of their Scouts. Make plans and sign up below.
https://oakgroveumc.shelbynextchms.com/external/form/6f8c9068-a31c-47af-a8b6-4038bc96ec7d
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 Mr. Henry 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 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