Big Trip to Martha's Vineyard
Friday, June 23rd - Sunday, June 25th
Troop 76 is returning to Martha's Vineyard for this year's Big Trip...the end-of-the-year fun outing to celebrate our scouting year.  Scouts and adults will leave Ridgefield around 8:00 a.m. on Friday June 23rd and return around 7:00 p.m. on Sunday June 25th.

There are lots of great activities planned.  Scouts will be sleeping in cabins and have all meals prepared for them by the adults.  There will be biking, swimming, alpacas (yes, they will get to visit some!), kayaking, banana boat rides and more!  The cost of the trip is $100/scout or adult.  In order for a scout to attend Big Trip, he must have met all of the troop requirements for fundraising and service hours. If you are unsure if your scout has met these requirements, please contact Troop Committee Chair, Jodie Francis.

We also need adults to chaperone.  We're required to have at least 2 adults per cabin so we will need a minimum of 12 adults to attend this trip.  If we don't get enough chaperones, the trip will can't happen.

If you would like to sign up for the trip, click here.  Any questions about Big Trip, please contact Ganesh Natarajan.

 

Training Opportunities for Adults
Scout Master/Assistant Scout Master
October 13th - 14th at Hoyt Scout Reservation in West Redding
Note: Outdoor leadership training is also offered yearly during our week of Sequassesn Summer Camp.  Please contact Kristine Keaveny for more information if you have any interest in these training sessions. 

Service Projects (Sign up for all troop-sponsored projects here)

ScoutsCAN for Food
Troop 76 will be participating in the months ahead to empty the bins at the recycling center of returnable plastic bottles and cans.  The bins must be emptied only during operation.  The exit gate is closed at 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.  There's no access after hours or on Sunday.  Here's a link to download instructions (.docx file).

Remember: a total of 12 hours of community service are required each scouting year.  Six hours are required between June 30, 2016 and mid February and another six hours from mid February to mid June 2017. Two out of the six hours each semester may be non-Troop sponsored, with prior approval from the Scoutmaster. 

For the troop to participate in a community service project, two adults are required to sign up and attend.  Boy Scouts of America policy requires two-deep adult coverage at all times.  We need everyone's help to enforce this policy.   If two adults don't participate in a service project, the troop will cancel the commitment we've made to the organization.  Important note for adults: when you sign up for log keeper, you must send Jana Hogan a list of scouts who participated and the hours they worked.

Read our service policy here.

2017 National Jamboree
Sunday, July 16th – Saturday, July 29th, 2017.  The Summit Bechtel National Scout Reserve, West Virginia
The National Jamboree happens once every four years and is the most awesome event a scout could ever attend!  It’s everything you can do in Scouting – and more – in one spot just for you . . . and about 40,000 of your friends from around the country and around the world!  It's 14 days of adventure and excitement that you don’t want to miss!  Space is limited.  Click here for information. 

Philmont Scout Ranch 
August 10th, 2017 - August 17, 2017
The troop was awarded reservations at the high adventure Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico from August 10 - 17, 2017.  We have two slots, each consists of a crew (group) of up to 12 people...scouts and adults.   Our slots call for arrival at Philmont on 8/10/17 and depart on the 17th.  The Troop last visited Philmont in the summer of 2012 (pictures) which was an adventure which the 10 scouts and 3 adults will never forget.

Several scouts and adults have already signed up.  If you're interested, there will be an informational presentation on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. before the regular meeting.  Sign up here.

Please note: 2017 Philmont scout participants must be 14 years of age on date of arrival OR have completed the eighth grade and be at least 13 prior to participation. Also, each crew (7-12 participants) must have a majority of youth and is limited to a maximum of four (4) adults over 21 years of age.

Preference will be given to Scouts (based on seniority) then Uniformed Leaders if space becomes an issue.
 

Class B Shirts

If you need a Class B shirt please contact Mrs. Francis. The cost of the shirt is $13.

 

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Our regional BSA office, the Connecticut Yankee Council, benefits when you shop at Amazon,

eBay, Cabelas, Eastern Mountain Sports, REI, and others. These retailers agreed to split some of

their income with Council. It's easy and costs you nothing. Help scouting by starting here then

choose your store.

Communications
Troop Texting
Stay informed with troop text messages. We encourage scouts, adults and leaders in the troop to sign up for this service.  It's free to sign up, but it does send text messages to your phone.  Please join one of the groups below by sending a text.  It's quick and easy. 

Scouts                                                                              Troop 76 Parents
Enter this number: (203) 403-2120                                Enter this number: (203) 403-2120
Text this message: @t76scouts                                       Text this message: @t76parents

Troop 76 Uniformed Leaders                                         Troop 76 Committee Members
Enter this number: (203) 403-2120                                 Enter this number: (203) 403-2120
Text this message: @t76leaders                                      Text this message: @t76comm

After you send your text message you'll receive a confirmation text that you're signed up.  That's it!