►March Campout.  The March campout is at Jackson-Washington State Forest.  The theme is orienteering.  Hone your compass and maps skills now while the honing is good.  The winning patrol gets a special treat prepared by Mr. Otte and Mr. Rocap.  Trust me, you'll want to smoke the orienteering event.  We need shadow Dads for each patrol on this one.  No helping, but lots of monitoring.  If you can volunteer for this important task please let Tom Beckerich know.  No special skills are required other than patience and a willingness to follow these scouts over hill and dale (mostly hill) as they snake their way through the forests of southern Indiana.
►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 Ski Trip.  Jim Kacius pulled off an unbelievable weekend...and nobody died.  Many, many thanks to Jim for his efforts and to all those adults who helped along the way.  Once again this year we were joined by Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger for the weekend.  At 73 he's still out-skiing a lot of us younger pups and he says a mean Mass too.  What a treat to have the Padre with us. 
►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.