Who Are We: A group of Scouts and Scouts bound together to have FUN and to learn some things along the way. We have currently 80 Scouts registered and about 55 very active Scouts. We also have 45 registered and Trained Leaders. We originally chartered the Troop in 1976 the year of the bicentennial. This is our 30th Anniversary.
Our Sponsor: We are sponsored by the Knight of Columbus Council #8376 and operate out of and are supported by the Catholic Church of St. Ann’s.
Where & When: We meet on Tuesday nights at 7:30 PM at LaSalette Hall behind the Church Office. St. Ann’s is located at Roswell Road (120 Highway) and Bishops Lake Road. One Tuesday of every month is Advancement night and the PLC Meeting. This is generally the Tuesday after we have a campout. These Meetings are held in the St. Ann’s classrooms.
What Do We Do: Being a Scout lead organization, we execute the program that is planned out by the PLC. Each ASM takes assignment to coordinate one weekend for the Troop a year. Working with the Scout Leadership of the Troop, we put together a program to help to develop good lifetime skills and values in our Scouts. Some of our highlights for the upcoming year are:
· Troop OA Homecoming/Webelos Weekend
· Wilderness Survival
· Backpacking
· Canoeing
· Caving
· Squirrel’s Nest & Tubing
· Spring Camporee and OA Tap Outs
· Whitewater Rafting
· Snow Skiing
· Bicycling
High Adventure: For 2003, we had Crews go Scuba Diving in the Keys, Sailing in the Keys, on a Keys Adventure trip and on a Horseback Cavalcade to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. For 2004 we had trips for a Keys Adventure, a Coral Reef Sailing trip, a trip to the Essex World Jamboree and for a Northern Tier Canoeing trip in the wilds of Canada. For 2005 we had two crews hike Philmont and we had 8 Scouts and 4 Adults going to the 2005 National Scout Jamboree. For 2006 we have our sister Troop from Great Britain coming to visit with us. For 2007, we had Crews going to Scuba at Sea Base and a Crew hiking and a Cavalcade Crew at Philmont. For 2008 we have two Crews sailing at Sea Base, another Crew going on Scuba and another Crew forming to go out backpacking in Yellowstone National Park.
Summer Camp: The highlight of the Scouting year is often the annual Summer Camp program. In 2008 we will camp again at Woodruff Scout Reservation for Week #3 June 15 - 21.
Advancement: We have an active Scout to First Class Scout program. Emphasis is placed on the Scouts taking ownership on the advancement program. ASM’s and Troop Guides are assigned to help and be responsible for this aspect of the program. Active participation will help to ensure a steady advancement in the Scout to First Class program.
Merit Badges: We have a complete slate of quality Merit Badge Counselors. But we are always looking for new talent. When your boy joins the Troop, at least one parent should volunteer their expertise (no matter what it may be) to be a Merit Badge Counselor. We are attempting to hold monthly Merit Badge Clinics throughout the year to assist the Scouts in working on the Merit Badge program. Troop 1776 has developed Merit Badge University in conjunction with Foothills District, for more information go to www.meritbadge.info
Life to Eagle: Our Life to Eagle program focuses on motivating Life Scouts to attain the ultimate rank of Eagle. Troop 1776 has 96 Eagle Scouts on its Honor Roll.
Community Service: Troop 1776 has long been a leader in the Scouting for Food program Annually the Troop, along with our Cub Scout Pack and Girl Scout Troops, have collected over 25,000 cans or units of food for the needy of East Cobb. In addition, we also do conservation projects on camping trips and at the Church. We participate in the Memorial Day Flag ceremony and the 4th of July parade activity. For Flag Day we annually collect and retire experienced American Flags that have seen better days. We have assisted with the US10K Classic Race. We are very visible in our support of the needs of our sponsor Church especially for their Apple Annie Craft Fair held every December.
Religious Aspects: Being sponsored by a religious organization, we are focused on offering the religious awards program. We have trained counselors for the Catholic Religious Award programs. We offer these programs not only for Scouts from our Troop, but for all Catholic Scouts in our area.
We target annually that we strive to earn the Pope Paul IV award from the Catholic Committee on Scouting. We have been previously awarded in 1995, 1999 and 2004 the Bishops Trophy and in 1996 the Chaplain’s Trophy from the Atlanta Archdiocese Catholic Committee on Scouting.
This year we had three Scouts that will earn the Ad Altare Dei award. We emphasize that Scouts of other faiths, also work to earn the Religious Awards of their own faith. In 2007 we have three Scouts that have earned their God & Church Award, and one that earned his Ner Tamid award.
Job Descriptions for each of the Troop Leadership positions
Leadership: Our current Troop Leadership is made up of the following:
Scoutmaster: Tom Morin, 770-973-6102, TomMorin@Aol.com
Committee Chair: Steve Harrison, 770-594-0073, Eagle70@bellsouth.net
Charter Rep: Ed Rousselot, 770-998-4760, edr12@bellsouth.net
For Visitation: Contact the Scoutmaster at least 2 weeks in advance.
Published Since April 25, 2004