News from Troop 407

Whooping Cough case reported at summer camp

The Michigan Department of Community Health has notified Camp Rotary that a Scout (they did not say who, or which troop) was diagnosed with Pertussis, or Whooping Cough, after he left camp on July 3rd. The MDCH is attempting to contact all scouts and parents who were in camp that week. Please read the important information that the MDCH has asked Camp Rotary to distribute. If you have any questions, contact Cristi Carlton, MPH, Vaccine-Preventable Disease Epidemiologist at the MDCH by calling (517) 335-9104.

MIS

Our next MIS Work Weekend is August 13-15, 2010. Those who have signed up already should be able to pick up credentials after August 1st. If you have not signed up, and did not work the June 11-13 weekend, please ask Mrs. Roney if there is room for more workers. Contact her at mary dot roney at tir dot com.

Here is Mrs. Roney's letter about this year's MIS.

This year the races start one hour earlier than in the past. Friday's 200-mile race starts at 5:15 pm, and barring delays it should wrap up around 7:00 pm; Saturday's 200-mile race is at 2 pm, which means it should be done by 4 pm; and Sunday's Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400-mile race starts at 1 pm and should be over by 5 pm, probably earlier if there are no delays.

If you're not familiar with MIS and our part in the event: We provide cleanup services for six sections of the grandstands (sections 8 through 18). We clean the rows, separate trash from recyclables, and recover returnable beverage containers, which we return for the deposit. Friday and Saturday evening, we start after the race has finished, and following our cleanup duty we take the returnables into Brooklyn where we return them at the supermarket. There is a tram that runs between the worker camp and the grandstands; plan on about a half hour for travel time. On Sunday we usually head over about an hour before the end of the race so we can get into position to start the cleanup, and we load the returnables onto the trailer. On Sunday we take them back to Novi, where on Monday evening everyone is asked to gather at the Civic Center at 7PM to pick up some cans and bottles to return.

Here are some useful links:

Area Map

Campsite map (we camp in section 8, sites B & C 27 & 28)
Inbound traffic map effective 6 AM on Sunday
Outbound traffic map which goes into effect with 50 laps remaining in Sunday's race. It is important to note that no inbound traffic is allowed after 50 laps remaining so if you are driving out on Sunday, be sure to allow plenty of time to arrive before the traffic pattern changes.

The recommended route from Novi is to take M-14 west to I-94, then to M-52 (Chelsea exit). Take M-52 south to US-12 (Michigan Ave.), then 11 miles to MIS, which is at the intersection of US-12 and M-50. We enter through entrance 8 and proceed to the worker camp parking area. (Follow us on Twitter for last-minute updates.)

Here is the permission form which must be completed and given to the driver if someone else transports your child to or from MIS.

Youth Protection Training Now Mandatory

The National BSA office has announced that effective June 1, 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 Mrs. Mazer or Mr. Mancini with any questions.

Visiting the National Jamboree

If you are planning to visit the 2010 National Scout Jamboree in Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia, this summer, Scouting Magazine has posted an article for visitors which lists times and days that visitors may come, how to get there, what there will be to do, and other information.

Updated Green Book Available

The Troop 407 Green Book, our troop manual, has been revised and is available for download on the downloads page. Changes include adding the Board of Review Night policy that was enacted last year, and a clarification on the shoes to be worn with the Field Uniform, as well as several responsibility changes in the position descriptions and a few editorial changes.

Historical Merit Badge Program Details Released

BSA has issued information on implementing the historical merit badge program, which makes four retired merit badges available to be earned by Scouts during 2010. The merit badges - Signaling, Tracking, Carpentry and Pathfinding - must be completed within the calendar year 2010. The BSA website has requirements, scanned copies of the original merit badge pamphlets, and other resources.

Great Lakes Council Centennial Rendez-Vous

Our September 2010 campout will be attending the GLC Centennial Rendez-Vous, a gathering of 5,000 scouts from southeastern Michigan with tons of fun activities for all who attend. This event is September 24-26 at Willow Metropark near Belleville.

In order to meet the early deadlines, we will be accepting registrations this spring. The cost is $40 per scout or adult attending, with a discount for 3 or more attending from a family. Watch for registration forms and information soon.

Tracking Cards Available for Centennial Award

BSA has produced pocket cards so Scouts and Scouters can track progress toward the Centennial Year of Celebration award. Tracking cards can be downloaded from the BSA Forms section of the Downloads page.

Troop Meetings

Meetings are held from 7:00 to 8:30 PM on Tuesdays. The schedule and locations will be posted once the 2010-11 calendar is finalized.

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.