PLC Notes for December 2009
By Connor N., Troop Scribe

The troop PLC met Monday, December 7th, 2009. The first thing we talked about was Christmas tree sales for this year. It went as usual, with families coming in to get their trees, wreaths and poinsettias all morning long. However, in the PLC it was announced that we had a few scouts that were participating in their first tree sales, and they were confused. We hadn’t properly told them about what shifts are, what counts as a shift, and how many shifts were needed to go on the ski trip. It was announced at the November PLC that the consequences for not working enough shifts may include no rank advancement for a year. It was also mentioned that most of the customers got their tree in the morning and after about lunchtime on Saturday, not many people came to buy a tree. There was also a communication breakdown because on Sunday morning, all scouts were required to work the cleanup shift. On the bright side, we worked hard, and we should continue that in following years.
We got right down to business with the meeting plan. On January 4th, we will be further instructed on Leave No Trace principles. Because the February trip will be focused around map, compass and orienteering skills, that will be the instruction for the 11th. Mr. Spisak said that the man running the February search and rescue program will expect us to know without question how to orient and use a map. We also have some pretty cool games planned for the following weeks. THERE IS NO MEETING JANUARY 18th. Troop elections will be on January 25th.  As for February 1st, we will have another PLC meeting.
For all who worked enough shifts for Christmas trees, the Ski Trip to Sugar Mountain will be from January 29th to the 31st. The Catholic Jamboree and Seals Training will be on the weekend of March 19th to the 21st. For a lucky group of older scouts, the trip to the Naval Academy will be from January 15th to January 17th.
One more thing: On Christmas tree weekend, we earned an estimated $8000! Wow! That money goes toward campouts, gear, summer camp for financially unfortunate scouts, and many other things. Also, that money could amount to approximately 35,000 merit badges!