June 2015 – Troop 157 Newsletter

Meeting attendees: Bryan Bradley, Duane VanderWerff, Cara Brandenberg, Karin Werner, Tracy Porter

Dates to remember:

June 23rd / CPR certification at GLC @ 5:00pm
June 27th / Ada Hayden Fun Day from 2:00-5:00pm
June 28th / Summer Camp Swim Test at Ames Municipal Pool from 1-2:30pm
June 28th / Troop meeting at GLC @ 4:30pm
July 5-11th / Summer Camp
July 25th / Gilbert Days – Troop 157 Dunk Tank

CPR Certification – Reminder that CPR and AED certification is scheduled for June 23rd from 5:00-7:30pm at GLC. We will have 2 instructors present as nearly 20 scouts and adults responded they will be attending. Cost is being covered by the troop for up to 20 scouts and adults. Light snacks will be provided.

Ada Hayden Fun Day –The annual Ada Hayden fun day will be on Saturday, June 27th from 2-5. Scouts will be able to kayak, bring fishing poles, maybe even have a water fight??

Summer Camp Swim Test – An opportunity to complete the swimming test prior to camp will be on June 28th from 1-2:30 at Ames Municipal Pool. Scouts may also complete the test when they are at summer camp, if needed.

Summer Camp Preparation – Summer camp prep will be the focus of the troop meeting on June 28th. Please remember all payments are due to Julie Pike by June 28th! Tracy sent an email to each of you with the fee amount and scout account information. The troop will select the theme, and there will be information presented on what to pack, what to expect etc. Please refer to the attachment for more information, or check out the entire packet at this link:

Adults are welcome to visit and/or stay at summer camp. Please contact Tracy if you plan to spend a night or two or visit during the day. We will finalize the adult list at the June 28th meeting.

PLC Update – The PLC will not meet on July 2nd. They will hold their meeting sometime at summer camp.

Arrow Tour – Mid-Iowa Council is excited to announce that we will be celebrating the Order of the Arrow’s centennial by hosting an ArrowTour visit! ArrowTour is an interactive event for everybody - Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, Explorers, Varsity Scouts, volunteers, Scouting alumni, and the general public - who wants to learn more about the Order of the Arrow in a fun, hands-on environment. ArrowTour will travel throughout the country during the summer of 2015 and will make a stop at the Fred Maytag II Scout Center (6123 Scout Trail Des Moines, IA) on Saturday, July 18, 2015!

The purpose of the tour is to commemorate the Order of the Arrow’s 100th anniversary. During the event, participants will have the opportunity to learn about the Order of the Arrow, its story, and its future. Some of the program highlights include interactive exhibits, activities such as silk-screening, branding, and challenge games. There will also be activities geared to Cub Scouts like BB Gun Shooting, Archery, Fishing, and Carnival Games, as well as other activities for both youth and adults. Participants will have a chance to meet some of the Order’s national leaders, and alumni can learn about the Scouting Alumni Association and local alumni efforts to support Scouting in our area.

For more information about ArrowTour, and exciting opportunities to volunteer for service at the event, please visit:

Eagle Project Work Day for Leif Gonzales-Kramer – Scouts and adults interested in assisting Leif with his project at Whiterock Conservancy near Coon Rapids, will be camping there the evening of July 31st and assisting with the project on August 1. After the project is completed, there should be time to explore the mountain bike trails on the conservancy. The group will return Saturday evening.

Gilbert Days – Gilbert Days will be celebrated on July 25th. Troop 157 will be manning a dunk tank from 10-4 with proceeds most likely going toward our Christmas Family Fund. If you have ideas for people you would like to see in the Dunk Tank, please let us know!

Philmont 2016 – We have 5-6 scouts interested in Philmont in 2016. Kent and Carl Nicholson will share their Philmont experience with the troop on June 28th during the meeting. If you are interested in attending, but are concerned with cost, we can assist in directing you to council scholarships.