The Scouts decided that there will not be a Troop meeting on November 25th, 2025!

This means that several things need to be done by the next meeting on December 2nd, 2025 - 2026 Winter Camp fees due and 2026 Annual Registration!

To date, only 50% of our Scouts and 25% of our Adults have completed their paperwork to complete their 2026 Registration. 

Please make arrangements to complete it by our December 2nd meeting!

All parents of current Scouts and Committee Members should have received an email with information and instructions concerning registration for 2026.

If you did not receive an email, please notify Mick Rost at oldbear451@gmail.com.

Yeti~Fest Winter Camp 2026 is coming up fast. What is winter camp? It's similar to summer camp but only half as long. In January you don't need to worry about snakes, bugs, mosquitoes, etc. You just need to deal with the cold (easy). This HOVC event is being held at the Cub Adventure camp and Camp T. Brady Saunders, January 16th–19th, 2026. This is a chance for scouts to earn a merit badge or 3, depending on those badges attempted by the Scout. Most badges sessions are held in heated spaces, however we do sleep in tents. Brush up on those winter camping skills!

The registration fee for Yeti~Fest Winter Camp 2026 is $ 55 for Scouts and $45 for Adults. The Scout registration fee has been reduced by $ 10 as part of the new HOVC Season Pass program. There may be additional program fees based on the Merit Badges that are taken. Scouts need to complete their registration as soon as possible so that we can sign them up for their Merit Badge classes. Some classes fill up fast! Payments should be made to Mr. Rost by December 2^nd so that we can sign up for the Merit Badges as soon as Council opens up the selection process.

There will be an additional fee collected later for food.

Please look over the merit badge listing as well as checking on the prerequisites for each. Make your selections and let us know what you want to take.

There is an online Merit Badge resource that has all the latest requirements! https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/all/

On November 7 / 9 (this weekend) we will be heading for the mountains with camping at Big Meadows campground. We will run with two groups of scouts. A hiking group will hike to Camp Hoover, on a day hike and a backpacking group will hike out of Big Meadows to Hawks Bill and camp along the trail. Scouts can pick what group they wish to join. More details of this outing will come at this Tuesday's meeting.

Scouts should watch the weather closely. Be sure you pack gear for the weather. Big Meadows runs about 10 degrees cooler than either side of the mountains. 

As the government is in a shutdown, we have been in contact with the park. It is open, but with certain amenities limited. We have been assured the campground is operational since it is run by a vendor (third party). Back country permits will be filled out so Park Rangers can find the backpacking group if necessary.  If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know.

Well, It wasn't what we planned but the October outing seemed to come off well. We camped at the Elmont Ruritan Clubhouse, had almost perfect weather and worked on bunches of merit badges. Everyone that attended earned Scouting Heritage, two completed Wilderness Survival (they started working on it at summer camp) and six started working on Cooking. Many advancement requirements were signed off and we had a movie night on Saturday, once we found a DVD that would play on the antiquated DVR player that was in the building. I hope everyone gave their family some good feedback. If anything negative comes up, please let Tony know. We want to address things ASAP when they happen.

Many thanks to Mr.s Call, Rapp, Beasley, Claiborne and Hatoum for making this event happen. And a special thanks to the Elmont Ruritan Club for the use of their facility.

Next month we will be heading for the mountains with camping at Big Meadows planned. We will run two groups. A hiking group will hike to Camp Hoover, on a day hike and a backpacking group will hike out of Big Meadows to Hawks Bill and camp along the trail. Scouts can pick what group they wish to join. More details of this outing will come later. Mark your calendars for November 7 thru 9.