Good evening 635ers and welcome to the newest edition of the troop's Weekly Updates. The things upon which you shall be updated are:

(1) This Weeks Meeting
(2) Annual Planning Meeting
(3) The Camporee
(4) Bike Exchange
(5) Thanks to Mr. Spaeth
(6) Congratulations
(7) A Very Happy Story
(8) A Very Sad Story

************************
This Weeks Meeting
************************
Some of you may know that September 17th is Constitution Day. This is the day on which the Constitutional Convention signed the newly proposed Constitution, thereby sending it to the states for ratification (more information here: http://usgovinfo.about.com/blconstday.htm.) Mindful of that, we are going to have a Constitution Meeting this Wednesday. For all non-Psychotic Monkeys, it will involve splitting up into patrols and working together to answer different rounds of questions (10 questions per round, 5 rounds) with fabulous prizes for the patrol who gets the most information right. The Psychotic Monkeys will be working on their citizenship-based requirements for 2nd and 1st Class.

Immediately before this the patrol leaders will be collecting paperwork from boys who have not yet turned it in. Please remember we need all boys to return the following:
-- 2007 Registration (including $20 registration fee)
-- Signed permission/non-permission to post photographs
-- Household Information Worksheet

In addition, we're collecting permission slips for the Camporee, one of which I have attached to this email.

*****************************
Annual Planning Meeting
*****************************
The PLC's annual planning meeting is at my house this Saturday from 3:30 - 6:30/7:00. If there's enough interest y'all will be welcome to stay to watch the Fighting Irish in action against Michigan State starting at 8:00. Please let me know if you're interested in staying for the game ahead of time so I can plan accordingly.

*****************
The Camporee
*****************
The Fall Camporee is the weekend of October 6-8 at the Ethan Allen Homestead. Our troop is sponsoring the tomahawk throwing event. In order to attend this event, we need some help:
(1) We need at least two adults who are willing to stay over Friday and Saturday nights.
(2) We need at least one adult to help supervise tomahawk throwing.
(3) We need at least two boys to run tomahawk throwing.
(4) We need one parent who can pull the gear trailer to the camporee.
(5) We need one parent who can pull the gear trailer home from the camporee.
(6) We need one parent who can carry 12 10-foot spars for the tomahawk tripods to the camporee.
(7) We need one parent who can carry 12 10-foot spars for the tomahawk tripods from the camporee.

Because of the amount of planning we have to do to pull this off, we need to have parents/scouts who can help out in those 7 ways to sign up by Wednesday the 27th at the meeting.

******************
Bike Exchange
******************
Assistant Scoutmaster Bob Thompson has forwarded me information about a used bike collection. I have attached an informational sheet to this email to tell you more about it. Check it out if you have old or unwanted bikes you'd like to be rid of.

*************************
Thanks to Mr. Spaeth
*************************
In advance of the Groton campout, Mr. Spaeth took a day off work to do a lot of work getting the gear trailer in order, picking up needed supplies, buying new preparation tables and doing a ton of work for the troop that has fallen into his lap as the adult Quartermaster. Since everybody benefits from a well-provisioned, well-maintained, ship-shape trailer, please thank Mr. Spaeth for his hard work the next time you run into him.

******************
Congratulations
******************
Congratulations to Mark Irwin for wrapping up his requirements for Star at the last meeting. During his Scoutmaster Conference Mark basically said he's going to have all of his requirements for Life finished before the court of honor in a month (with the exception of his time/service requirement, of course.) We shall see...

Additionally, Mark Furland, Sam Blakely and Josh "Franky" Sharp helped their team to a 3rd place finish in a cross country tournament last week. Fine work, lads.

***********************
A Very Happy Story
***********************
Thank you all for taking some time last week to send happy musical thoughts the way of Mrs. Fleury. While speaking to her the next morning I learned that she does, indeed, enjoy a few select U2 ballads. I'm sure it's all of the positive energy you sent her way that helped open her eyes.

*********************
A Very Sad Story
*********************
The Fighting Irish v. Michigan. I can't bear to say any more...

That's it, everyone. Have a good one and see you Wednesday.

Your Scoutmaster,

Sonnick