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Hello Troop 457 and Happy Easter!

Congratulations to our Scouts who competed in the Moraine Trails Council First Aid meet at the beginning of the month. 15 Scouts competed as part of two patrols and we were excited to take home the SECOND PLACE overall trophy! You can check it our in the Troop's trophy case in the basement of ELC.

I also want to thank Jack P. for inspiring our first ever (that I know of) sled packing trip. We may not have had snow, but we learned a lot and had a great time at Camp Merz in New York.

Looking forward to this month, we're just days away from kicking off our annual Hanging Basket fundraiser. Later in the month, we'll welcome SEVEN new Scouts from our Cub Scout Pack as they finish their Arrow of Light and crossover into the Scouts BSA program. We'll also head back out into the wild for our first tent camping event of the year at Camp Mountain Run. Be prepared for a fun weekend of fishing and friendly competition as hold a Troop Fishing Derby.

Just a reminder that you can get the latest Troop news and announcements in your ears or your inbox every week-ish) with our Troop Podcast. Learn more at on the Troop Website.

Yours in Scouting,

Mr. Maloney
Scoutmaster

UPCOMING EVENTS

Here is a quick look at all the Troop events coming up in the next month.

Join us at ELC on Sunday, April 21 to celebrate the accomplishments of the Arrow of Light Scouts from Pack 457 and welcome them as they join our Troop.

The Troop is headed to Camp Mountain Run for a weekend of fishing, tent camping, and more. Be sure to RSVP by APRIL 15

In addition to these upcoming events, Scouts should be prepared for the following activities during our regular Troop Meetings:

Apr 2: General Advancement
Apr 9: Mini Planning Conference
Apr 16: Patrol Leaders Council (PLC)
Apr 16: Patrol & Parents Meetings
Apr 23: Scouting 101
Apr 30: Lashings 101

Merit Badge & Training Oppoturnities

Moraine Trails (MTC), French Creek (FCC), and Laurel Highlands (LHC) Councils often offer Merit Badge classes as well as training courses for Scouts and Adults throughout the year. Below is a listing of avialable courses and a link to register.

SCOUTS

Apr 19 - 2024 Outdoor Training Summit (Wilderness First Aid) [LHC]
Jun 08 - Camp Guyasuta Merit Badge Day's - Swimming [LHC]
Jun 16 - 2024 National Youth Leadership Training - NYLT [LHC]
Jun 29 - Camp Guyasuta Merit Badge Day's - Lifesaving [LHC]
Jul 06 - Camp Guyasuta Merit Badge Day's - Swimming [LHC]
Jul 13 - Camp Guyasuta Merit Badge Day's - Lifesaving [LHC]

ADULTS

Apr 13 - Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS) [LHC]
Apr 19 - 2024 Outdoor Training Summit (IOLS or Wilderness First Aid) [LHC]
Apr 27 - Guyasuta Spring IOLS - 2024 [LHC]
May 03 - Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) [MTC]

REMEMBER:

		You must request a merit badge blue card before pursuing any merit badges.
		These events require Scouts to pre-register.
		This is not an exhaustive list. Consult the MTC, FCC, and LHC Event Calendars for additional information.

SPOTLIGHT

The Importance of RSVPing for Our Events

In the world of Scouting, where adventure, learning, and community service intertwine, the success of each event lies in the meticulous planning and preparation by leaders and volunteers. From outdoor expeditions to community service projects, each event is designed to offer Scouts an enriching experience. However, the foundation of a successful event begins with something seemingly simple yet profoundly important: the RSVP. Why RSVP Matters At the heart of every scouting event, from troop meetings that require specific preparations to large-scale outdoor adventures, lies the challenge of planning. This challenge is magnified when the number of attendees remains unknown. An…