►January Campout.  The January Campout promises to be an interesting and educational weekend.  The Troop will be spending the weekend at Camp Atterbury near Columbus, IN.  The scouts will participate in a guided tour of the base and visit the simulation room.  The simulation room is like a giant video game in which the scouts will be introduced to the various weapons used by our current military and have a chance to "fire" simulated versions.  There are over 6500 troops at Atterbury currently, training for deployment to various combat theaters across the globe.  This is a chance for our scouts to get an up close look at one of the largest operating, training bases in the country while it is in full swing.  Charlie Hiltunen and Dave Leonard have worked hard to provide our scouts with a unique opportunity to get a first hand look at the operation of our military and experience some of the things facing our men and women in service.  As usual with the military, there is a lot of paperwork to complete so please be sure to attend the next several meetings in advance of the campout to be sure you get signed up.  We may be sleeping outside so "be prepared".  If the weather turns bad (remember last year) we have heated sleeping facilities available.  This is a great opportunity for our scouts, but please let Dick Rocap know if you have any problems or concerns about your son's attendance.
►Troop Leadership Development Dates.  The dates for Troop Leadership Development (TLD) training have been set.  The event will occur at Larryland on July 9,10 and 11.  If you have a scout that is a second year or more and at least Star Rank he may be invited to TLD.  Invitations will be issued in early May.  If a scout wants to hold a leadership position in the Troop or as an adjunct to the troop (e.g. Den Chief) attendance at TLD is required.  Please plan you summer accordingly.
►February Dinner.   Dennis Dann has been hard at work planning for our Annual Troop Committee Dinner at Highland Country Club on February 3.  An email was sent to "Family and Friends" list on the email server.  If you didn't receive the email, let Dick know and he'll provide details.
►February Ski Trip.  Jim Kacius is diligently working on the final preparations for the Ski Trip on February 11-15.  WE LEAVE ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11.  There will be a MANDATORY (and I do mean mandatory, no exceptions, no excuses, not evern if you've been 20 times) meeting on February 8 at 7:00 PM in the Gym.  At least one parent of each scout must attend if the scout is going alone.  Everyone scheduled to go on the trip is required to attend the meeting. 
►60 Year Celebration.   Please note the new addition to the website in the upper right corner of the home page.  We are getting ready to celebrate our 60th continuous year as a chartered scout troop in the Crossroads Council.  Be sure to sign up for emails about the celebration.
►Board of Review.  There are new BOR dates posted on the calendar for the balance of this semester.  Check out the next date and get ready.  Keep in mind that a scoutmaster conference during which the scouts will be reviewed for proficiency in the requirements of the rank they seek and those they have achieved will be conducted prior to the Board of Review proceeding.  The conferences will begin promptly at 1900 hours followed by the BOR.  Please be prepared.  Scouts must sign up for all BOR dates as they are by appointment only.
►Rank Advancement. All Scouts and Parents should read the requirements for rank advancement in the "For Candidates" section in the left column of this page. Eagle candidates must read the Eagle Application.  New materials on Den Chief requirements are posted in the Advancement section of the website.
►Dues and Hike Fee Changes.  New policies and amounts for Scout and Adult dues and hike fees are posted in the "General Information" section of the website.  Please review them carefully.

This upcoming scout year is going to be another fun and exciting year as we continue the 60 year tradition of Troop 174.