All:


Some of you on the Troop Committee email list received this email yesterday afternoon, but
upon reflection I decided to send this notice out to the entire troop so that everyone has
the opportunity to check out our summer camp choices and plan for next summer.  We need
volunteers to attend summer camp next summer and the troop needs a commitment from parents
to ensure that summer camp happens.


As some of you may know, we are in the process of planning next year's schedule which
includes summer camp for 2006.  At the Troop Committee meeting two weeks ago, the Committee
agreed on a list of five summer camp choices that could be presented to the Patrol Leader
Council for their input.


Last Friday, the Patrol Leader Council agreed upon the following camp rotation:


Camp Sid Richardson, Jacksboro, TX (nr. Fort Worth)--Summer 2006
Camp Cris Dobbins, Elbert, CO --Summer 2007


After much examination of all of the camp choices, the PLC narrowed the choices down to
Dobbins and Richardson with Richardson in first place.  The reasons given for Richardson
were as follows:


1.  For the boys who attended Dobbins two years in a row, Richardson would provide a
different experience.
2. The amazing amount of water sports and aquatics merit badges available including:
 a Water Fun Dock, Small Boat Sailing, Advanced Sailing, and Windsurfing BSA.  For those
with extra cash and age 13 and up a special Wakeboarding/Waterskiing program is available.
The camp has a lake with 19 miles of shoreline!
3. In addition, there is a comprehensive First Year Program, the usual complement of
standard merit badges and a new Sporting Clays range.
4. The dining hall is air conditioned.


I spoke to the Longhorn Council today and they confirmed that they have plenty of space
for the week we want--June 18-24.  They also confirmed that there is no limit as to the
number of boys we can enroll in a single merit badge.


In addition, I asked about the weather during the week of June 18-24. That week the
temperatures run into the mid-90s and there is very little humidity. The Council reassured
me it would be not be anywhere near as bad as Jambo.  So, it sounds as if we can work with
the weather situation although there are no guarantees.


The website for Camp Sid Richardson is: http://www.longhorncouncil.org/camp/sid_richardson/index.htm



Before the troop sends in the deposit for that week, we do need adult commitment to attend
camp and drive that distance.  Since Jacksboro is, according to Mapquest, 10 hours and 13
minutes from Los Alamos, we would need to stop overnight en route.  We need 6-7 adults to
commit to attend that week and drive boys to camp.  I will be happy to be the first to
commit to attend camp that week.


I'm attaching a spreadsheet of the approximate cost to send 35 Scouts to summer camp at
Sid Richardson.  While we did factor in meals, we did not include the cost of an overnight.
I plan to look for a church or a KOA cabin, so we do not have to bring tents and cooking
gear.  Any thoughts on this part of the trip would be welcome.


Please email me with your input and your commitment to attend Sid Richardson.  We will have
a great time.


Thanks,
Margo