News from Troop 407

February Campout

The February campout will be at Camp Agawam's Birch Grove Lodge the weekend of February 10-12. The Scouts will be holding their annual winter "Beach Party". Download the information and permission form and turn in with $30 payment by the February 7 troop meeting.

Troop Meetings

Troop meetings are every Tuesday evening from 7:00 - 8:30 pm at the Novi Meadows 5th Grade cafeteria. There are a couple exceptions; check the troop calendar for details.

Welding merit badge details announced

The requirements for the new Welding merit badge have been announced. The merit badge goes "live" in a few weeks. Counselors are needed who have expertise in the art of welding.

Refund policy approved

The troop committee has formalized the policy on refunds that has been informally applied for the last few years. This is so everyone will know the guidelines and what to expect in case of a last-minute change in plans.

Winter Court of Honor and Dinner

Update: The winner of the free one-year Scout membership was the Thompson family, and Mike Thompson has generously asked us to donate the $75 to Friends of Scouting. Thank you!

We are grateful to the families who chose to join us to honor our Scouts and volunteers and enjoy a fine dinner, and are disappointed that all our families could not have attended to pay tribute to the accomplishments of our boys.

The Troop 407 Winter Court of Honor will be on Sunday, January 29 at 4:00 PM at Meadowbrook Congregational Church, 21355 Meadowbrook Road in Novi (not our usual location at Holy Family).

The event includes dinner, fellowship, and an afternoon of recognition for both our Scouts and adults.

All troop families are invited to attend, as are Webelos scouts and their families.

A drawing will be held for a free one-year Scout membership in the troop, so please be sure to attend.

RSVP requested; please contact Mrs. Winship - see your e-mail or use our contact form.

Troop committee meeting scheduling

The troop committee has changed its meeting schedule to the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM (during the troop meeting), in the Novi Meadows 5th Grade media center (library). Meetings will be held on February 7, March 13, April 3, May 1, and June 5. Troop committee members are asked to attend, and all troop parents are welcome. A meeting notice and agenda are e-mailed to all troop parents prior to the meeting.

Youth Protection Training Now Mandatory

Effective June 1, 2010, Youth Protection Training is now required of all registered leaders, and is a requirement before an adult can submit an application to be a volunteer BSA leader. You can read more about this change, and what is specifically involved, at the BSA website.

Registered leaders who have not taken Youth Protection Training within the last two years must do so immediately.

Troop 407 already requires all our adult leaders, and anyone having contact with youth, to complete Youth Protection Training. However, a new leader must now submit a proof of completion of YPT with his or her adult application, or the application will not be accepted by Council.

Youth Protection training is taken online. Use the link to the right.

See Mr. Mancini with any questions.

Troop Meetings

Meetings are held from 7:00 to 8:30 PM on Tuesdays when school is in session. All meetings are held in the Novi Meadows 5th Grade cafeteria except for four dates during the year; see the troop calendar for details.

Troop meetings are cancelled when the Novi Schools are closed for the day, or if evening activities are cancelled. Usually this will be announced on the Novi Community Schools website, and on school-closing alerting sites such as the Freep.com First School Closings site. Watch the website and your e-mail for an announcement, or follow us on Twitter.