Boy Scout Troop 81, Circle Ten Council, Richardson Texas, Home Page

To check on revised time of return: (Call the troop voicemail at 972-238-8722 ext 81)

Troop 81 will be having our annual family camp at Bonham State Park. This camp is a highlight of the year as family members join the Scouts to observe the skills they have learned and attend our second Court of Honor of the year. I especially encourage you to be there for your son if he is receiving any advancement at the Court of Honor. Brothers, sisters, grandparents and friends are all welcome to join this family campout.

The camp begins with lunch on Saturday, February 10th and finishes before lunch on Sunday. No troop activities are planned before Saturday lunch. The state park offers comfortable indoor, heated, dormitory-style cabins and a large, warm meeting/dining hall.

The fee includes meals (lunch, dinner, breakfast, and Saturday night cracker-barrel), entrance fees to the park and the cabin lodging.

Reservations will be accepted based on full payment received for the campout. Please fill out the form below and turn it in to John Benavides or Jeanie Lawson with your payment for the camp.

Note in the past we have had to reserve the cabins on Friday night as well. The prices for cabins have more than doubled at all state parks since last year and we can now decline the Friday night stay. So in order to maintain a reasonable price for this trip we will not be hosting early arrivers on Friday night. Those wishing to arrive early will need to make their own arrangements.

2. Do NOT pay entrance fees when you arrive. We will pay these as a group to receive a discount based on our group state pass.

3. Transportation to the park is by family group. There is no caravan. If you need to arrange transportation, please contact another family who is going, since Troop 81 will not be responsible for transporting scouts. If your scout is traveling with another family, make sure that he is carrying a medical release to allow treatment if he is injured while traveling. Copies can be obtained from John Benavides.

4. Lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast Sunday morning are provided and will be prepared for you. Volunteers to help in the kitchen are always welcome.

5. Even though we are staying in cabins, it can get cold in February, so bring warm clothes and a sleeping bag or warm blanket. We have a large indoor facility for dining and other activities in case of rain, but do bring rain gear and comfortable shoes that can get muddy, just in case.

6. Dress for Scouts will be class A and class B. Don’t forget scarves for dress Class A for the Court of Honor. Dress for the families is always casual, including the Court of Honor.

7. You may want to bring a lawn chair for the outdoor activities in the afternoon and campfire in the evening.

8. Enclosed is a map to Bonham State Park and a map of the park. Other information is available on the park’s Web site at

We are looking forward to a fun weekend. Please call me at 972-235-2751 or email me at john_benavides@yahoo.com if you have any questions. See you there!

Special Instructions; Troop will provide all meals except for Saturday supper. Each scout and adult should prepare a foil pack dinner, at home in advance (see attached instructions).

Each patrol is to have a cooler with ice to hold the foil packs. Patrols should also bring their own drinks.

Turn left on FM 2970 and go approximately 2.2 miles to the Clements Scout Ranch entrance. (11217 FM 2970, Athens, TX 75751)

Secondary: Mr. Christenson’s cell phone: 214-587-5868 Other T81 adult cell phone numbers (TBD)

To check on revised return time, call the troop voice mail: 972-238-8722, ext 81

*Even though this is a “do-nothing camp-out there will be many opportunities available:

I, the undersigned, acknowledge that, during the event (“Troop 81 Sponsored Event”) in which I voluntarily wish to participate; there is a degree of inherent risk and personal responsibility for safety. The Property Owner(s) “Gale Marvin and Joyce Marvin” are allowing Boy Scout Troop 81 (“Troop 81”) access to their property (617 acres near Purmela, Texas -“Premises”) for recreational use only on April 27, 28 & 29, 2007.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION: I realize there are both natural and man-made risks and hazards associated with being on the Premises. I agree to release and hold the Property Owners harmless from any liability for personal injuries or property damage sustained while on the Premises.

Cumulative of the foregoing, I agree to indemnify and hold Property Owners harmless from any and all actions or causes of action, claims, demands, liabilities, losses, damages, injuries, costs or expenses of whatever kind or nature, including cost of litigation, attorneys' fees and reasonable expenses in connection therewith, for injury to me and/or for damage to or loss of the my property while on the Premises. The release and indemnification provisions of this paragraph are binding upon you, your heirs, successors and assigns and the estate.

I have read, understand and agree to the above and so evidenced by my signature below.*

As parent or guardian, I give my permission for my child to participate in the activities listed above that may be included in this Troop 81 Sponsored Event unless I note otherwise on this form.

*If this form is not completed and signed by the participant or their legal guardian, the participant will not be permitted access to the Property Owners premises.

Troop 81 - Fishing Campout Information Sheet

November 16 – 18, 2007

If you want to fish and do not have any gear, please let your patrol leader know in advance.

Secondary Activities: Hiking, climbing, Trail to First Class skills (younger scouts)

Winter Camp 2007

What: 4 days of fun scouting activities and camping.

Where: Camp Cherokee in Athens, Texas

When: Leave Thursday, Dec 27^th at 8:00 a.m. from RBF

Return Monday, Dec 31 at 1:00 p.m. noon at RBF

Cost: $110.00 per person –includes basic camp fees and all food.

Additional fees required for optional scout programs such as C.O.P.E. Course, certain merit badges, etc. Also need some extra money for the trading post.

Signup: Merit Badge Signup Sheet and $35 non-refundable deposit due December 3rd. The remaining $75 is due by Dec. 10^th. Anyone signing up after Dec. 10^th will require an additional $10 late fee

Schedule: Merit badges in morning; games/events/free time in afternoon.

Other:

§ Good opportunity to complete outstanding merit badges

§ Good opportunity to get requirements signed off

§ T81 will be doing TFC activities and teaching some MB’s in camp.

§ T81 cold weather camping class will be held at RBF on Dec 10. We will go over how to deal with cold weather and recommendations on what gear to bring –there will be some handouts.

Visit the following website for complete information:

Feel free to contact Mr. Marvin if you have any questions.

Home: 972-238-7325

Work: 972-718-3907

Email: gale.marvin@verizon.com

BSA Troop 81

Campout Information Sheet

Primary Activity: Winter Camp 2007

Name of Camp: Camp Cherokee

City/State: Athens, Texas

Departure Date: Thursday, December 27, 2007

Gathering Time: 8:00 A.M.

Departure Time: 8:30 A.M.

Departure Location: Richland Bible Fellowship Church

Return Date: Monday, December 31, 2007

Return Time: 1:00 P.M.

Return Location: Richland Bible Fellowship Church

Emergency Phones: Primary: Mr. Marvin’s cell number: 214-683-3931

Secondary: Mr. Benevides:

Other T81 adult cell phone numbers (TBD)

Camp Phone: 903-675-3781 (Camp Cherokee Office)

To check on revised return time, call the troop voice mail: 972-238-8722, ext 81

Winter Camp Information

This campout is similar to Summer Camp in that several troops from around Texas participate and approximately 500 boys are at the camp. Winter camp staff teaches some merit badges and there will be a few merit badges taught by Troop 81 adults. A list of available merit badge classes is provided as a separate attachment. This is also a good opportunity for boys participating in TFC activities, rank advancements and selected other merit badges to get signoffs on various outdoor requirements. The camp also has several outdoor themes such as the Indian village and Mountain Man areas that demonstrate many early camping and outdoor skills such as leatherwork and blacksmithing. A supervised climbing tower and rifle/shotgun range are located on the camp and horseback riding is also available. Cold weather conditions are usually present during some or all of the winter camp duration and a short meeting to review cold weather camping information is planned for December 10. Troop 81 adults and scouts will prepare all food in a family style manner with the cooking done at the campsite -- a duty roster will be used to ensure that everyone receives an ‘equal educational opportunity’ for cooking and cleaning. Also, visit miki.org for additional winter camp Information.

Additional info:

Additional adult training will be available during the camp. A schedule will be provided later.
The Leatherworking merit badge will be offered in camp by T81.
T81 TFC activities will be accomplished on an individual need basis (BRING YOUR BOOK).
T81 will set up a large Army tent to provide protection during the week

2007 Winter Camp Schedule for Troop 81

Sat, Dec 29 and Sun, Dec 30 – Same as Fri, Dec 28 except that Sunday afternoon and night we will begin to break camp

Boy Scout Troop 81

Richardson, Texas

Troop 81 - Fishing Campout Information Sheet

November 16 – 18, 2007

Grubmasters and Quartermasters

2007 Winter Camp Schedule for Troop 81