Present: Terry & Judi Nichols, Ed Blondin, Sandy Schwartz, Andy Shadrick, Al Fredrickson, MaryAnn Bushaw, Phil Reece, Eric Schmidt, Dan Murphy, Cheryl McDowall, Bill LeFevre, Bob Fuller, Jon Paul,  Marion Elvin, Peggy Schuchard, John Vermie, Craig Louthain

Jon Decorie: Steve Fedor called from Washington D.C., where Jon had been hit by a car while on a school field trip.  He suffered a serious head injury.  The family hopes to bring him back to Rockford next weekend if medically possible.  Please keep the family and Jon in your prayers.

Suggestion: It was recommended that the committee chair follow the old items in the minutes when conducting the meeting.  Phil said “OK”.

Website:  www.bsatroop181.com      John is developing this site for the troop.  Nice Work, John!

Treasurer’s Report: Please see attached.  Submitted and reviewed by Jon Paul.

Lockwood Park: The troop needs to replace the top of the burned picnic table.

Swimming requirement: There is a swimming requirement for 2^nd and 1^st class.

Popcorn sales:  3/30: sale begins     4/23: orders due     5/18: delivery     5/28: money due

Bike Hike: Susie would like to organize this in April.

Philmont:

• Amtrak might not be available in the future. Its Government funding may end.
• $172 payment is due in October.

Tents:

§         The troop has 12 newer Scout tents (1 is missing), and 6 older Scout tents.

§         The troop has 4 newer adult tents and some older adult tents.

§         Marion will update and check the inventory with the Quartermaster.  Tents are needed for Galena at the end of April.  Maybe we can buy tents from Troop 740, which is dissolving.

§         MaryAnn will check into extra tents at a garage warehouse of council accumulated equipment.

§         Backpacking tent purchases are still over a month away.

Galena:  Ed’s pack will find a camping spot for our troop.  The troop might consider restricting campout attendance on both the Galena campout and the camporee, since they are only a week apart.

Show & Do: March 23^rd at 8:30 am in Pecatonica – will meet at Fire Station at 7:45am to car pool there.

May Camp-out: Marion checked-out a couple of locations and shared details.  Lakota campgrounds near Woodstock seems to be the best location and is 15 miles from Union, IL.  It is a Boy Scout camp.  Marion will make a reservation.  Fees need to be paid the week prior to the campout.  Marion will help the boys start the RR merit badge prior to the trip, and those boys will be allowed to attend the activity in Union.

Annual Tour Permit: New names have been added already.  It is ready to be turned-in.  Peggy has it.

CPR:  Bill got information about a CPR class in Cherry Valley: $15 per person, and each will receive the same First Aid card as earned in Belvidere.  This instructor has 2-4 dummies to work on.  Bill will schedule a date and get back to the troop.  Sign up the first 10 people.  Eric can set it up with Belvidere for about a month after the first class.

Summer Camp:

§         Camp is $174.  Boys need to pay a deposit of $25 by March 26^th (non-refundable).  The balance will need to be on June 4^th.  Sandy has already handed out sheets to the scouts regarding camp costs.

§         Jon presented some figures to consider when deciding how much the troop will pay and how much each Scout/adult will pay.  (See attached)    Motion: The troop will pay full payment for all registered adults to both camps.  Motion passed.  Motion: The boys need to make a $25 down payment on camp (to either Tomahawk or Isle Royale), and the troop will pay the rest, up to $149, based on points.  Motion passed.

§         New scouts can earn money through the popcorn sales.

§         The adults signed up to go to summer camp are as follows:  Terry Nichols, Craig Louthain, Ed Blondin, Phil Reece (1 or 2 nights), Steve Fedor, Bob Fuller, Peggy Schuchard, Brian Kemker, MaryAnn Bushaw, and Susie Shadrick.

Rotary Campout:  The troop will leave at 6:30 pm this Friday.  34 people (27 scouts & 7 adults) are going this weekend.  17 Scouts will be going to Geology Merit Badge (9am – 1pm), leaving by 8:15 am.  Arrangements for adult coverage and transportation were made.  Some people will have to camp in tents, as the cabin cannot hold more than 15-25 people.

Troop Elections: Arrangements for a troop JLT is only being held in the Fall.  Terry will meet with new leaders about a month after the election to help orient them.

First Aid Follow-up: MaryAnn will announce arrangements at the next troop meeting.  

Manuals:  Many scouts are not using them, but a couple of them said they like them.  John will make up new books for the new patrol.

Question & Answer session is scheduled for new parents to be held during the next Scout meeting.

Training:  MaryAnn is still going to Wood Badge, and other adults are invited to go.  Fundamentals is being offered, starting April 24^th. It is a prerequisite to Wood Badge.