Troop 740's Monthly Online Newsletter

	How To Choose a Campsite Tips on balancing comfort, safety, and Leave No Trace principles. Article by Mark Langston, from Backpacker.com
	Deciding where to camp is a bit like buying a house. You need to scope out the neighborhood, check the plumbing, test the foundation. In his 15 years with the National Outdoor Leadership School, Mark Langston has overnighted in dozens of memorable sites in the North Cascades and Olympics. A strong believer in the Leave No Trace ethic, Langston says a great location can balance "comfort, safety, views, and solitude." Here's his advice on finding that sweet spot. Scout it out Start your site search well before dark; you have just 30 minutes of good visibility after sunset. Water access is the "make or break factor," says Langston. Look for hazards like dangling branches, rockfall debris, flash-flood zones, and avalanche runouts. Follow the lines Consult your topo map; open circles indicate flat land, while stacked lines ringing a site can be good windbreaks. "Cold air flows downhill, so higher land will be warmer at night," says Langston. See it coming Anticipate how terrain could intensify weather. Could a long valley become a wind tunnel? Where will the runoff flow in a storm? What will attract lightning? Respect sensitive terrain Choose previously impacted sites, or pitch your tent on a durable surface like a rock slab or forest duff. Use multiple walking paths to access your water source and cathole areas. Use natural advantages Seek shady forests in the summer, maximize southern exposure on cold days, and "choose a dry, sunlit spot with a steady breeze in mosquito country," says Langston _________________________________________________________________________________________
	Redesigned Scout Uniform BSA Unveils the new Centennial Uniform; Less Red, More Green
	The Boy Scouts of America announced their long awaited uniform changes today, and made the new items available for purchase on their retail website, www.scoutstuff.org. The changes reflect an effort by the BSA to make the uniform more field-friendly and wearable during outdoor activity. The shirt has added a pocket under the council patch and unit numerals, and buttons to secure rolled up sleeves. Polyester materials have been replaced by new Supplex Nylon, a "durable, high-performance and indefinitely comfortable mircofiber fabric with superior moisture control that keeps you cooler in warm weather and warmer in cold weather." The shirts are also available in a heaver traditional cotton-polyester blend. Unit numerals and shoulder loops are now olive green, replacing red and white designs, and traditional red and olive socks have been replaced with lighter, smaller synthetically constructed socks, one style designed with Thorlo technology. Pants, belts, hats and various patches have also been changed. Troop 740 will not require scouts to purchase the new uniform, although new purchases should comply with the BSA's uniform policies. All new products for the Centennial Uniform can be viewed here. _________________________________________________________________________________________
	Fall Recruitment Troop 740 to have display booth, open camp at IHM meet the teachers night
	On Wednesday, September 10th, Troop 740 will be on display for the parents and students of IHM as a public relations effort to recruit new members. Inside the gym, the Troop will set up a table to show pictures of events, answer questions about our scouting program and welcome prospective new scouts and their parents. Outside, on the lawn of the school the Troop will display a mock campsite, complete with tents, tarps, stoves and lanterns. This 'open camp' will help the Troop become more visible at the event, while inviting anyone interested to visit a typical campsite and talk to leaders and current scouts about upcoming and past activities, scout meetings and what to expect as a new scout, parent or adult leader. Give-aways, drinks and snacks will be available to the participants, as well as newly made cards directing parents to our Troop website, and inviting them to an upcoming scout meeting. If you are interesting in helping with this effort, please come to the August committee meeting. This event shows the beginning of a consolidated effort within the Troop, Church and School communities to actively recruit new members to Troop 740. The Scoutmaster plans on additional open-camp and open-house style activities throughout the fall.
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	_________________________________________________________________________________________ Bulletin Board: Please forward pictures from 2008 trips and events, including summer camp pictures, to pictures@troop740.org From the Committee: Reminder: Permission Slip and Payment for Camping Trips are due two weeks in advance of event. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Upcoming Events: Check the Schedule on the Home Page for the most recently updated list of events and meetings. No Scout Meeting - Thursday, August 14, 2008 Committee Meeting: Thursday, August 19, 2008 @ 7:30pm BCoPD Hillendale Substation Scout Meeting: Thursday, August 21, 2008 @ 7:30pm Troop Meeting Room/ IHM Scout Meeting: Thursday, August 28, 2008 @ 7:30pm Troop Meeting Room/ IHM Summer Camp Court of Honor: Thursday, September 4, 2008 @ 7:30pm Cartwright Hall / IHM Repairing and Refurbishing our Troop Shed: Saturday, September 6, 2008 @ 9:30am Troop Shed/ Back Lot/ IHM Recruitment Night: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 @ 6:00pm School Gym/ Front Lot/ IHM Committee Meeting: Thursday, September 16, 2008 @ 7:30pm BCoPD Hillendale Substation Scout Meeting: Thursday, September 18, 2008 @ 7:30pm Troop Meeting Room/ IHM Scout Meeting: Thursday, September 25, 2008 @ 7:30pm Troop Meeting Room/ IHM Upcoming Trips: Camping Schedule TBA _________________________________________________________________________________________
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