Troop Elections on May 4: To earn the ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle, a scout must serve in a position of responsibility for six months (four months for Star rank). But not every position of responsibility applies. Assistant patrol leader, for example, is not considered a position of responsibility in this sense. But senior patrol leader is. To keep it all straight, here's a short guide, courtesy of Scouting Magazine, which shows which positions in a troop will count for advancement: patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, instructor, troop webmaster, or Leave No Trace trainer.
End of Year Party on May 11: Instead of a pot luck dinner, Troop 219 will have Sonny’s Barbecue cater this event, which will run from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Main Shelter, next to the Gulf Fishing Pier at Fort DeSoto County Park. Cost: $5 per child, $15 per adult. RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the number of people in your party. Please note, the troop will probably lose money on this venture, so donations to the troop account are welcome to help defray the costs.
Court of Honor on May 18: This is our final COH and our last meeting of the 2015-16 Scout Year. All merit badge blue cards must be turned in by May 4.
Clean up Fort DeSoto and Shell Key Preserve, June 5: Troop 219 has been asked to lead this event. We need an assistant scoutmaster or parent to work with the park to help organize our involvement. The cleanup will run from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
National Youth Leadership Training: If you are 13-years-old and at least First Class in rank, sign up for NYLT training, July 18-23, Flaming Arrow Scout Reservation, Lake Wales. The cost is $200 per scout which will be reimbursed by the troop upon successful completion of the course. E-mail Dave Nelson, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call (813) 293-7979.
Eagle Work Days: Troop 219 has five eagle work days scheduled for May; Kurban Ali, 5/7; Lliam Cobb, 5/14; Chris Canizares, 5/22; Simon Messen, 5/22; Will Hess, 5/29.
Order of the Arrow: Congratulations to Troop 219’s six new OA members – Christopher Canizares, Josh Jacobs, Lliam Cobb, Cooper Dano, Kai Whitten and Ethan Fajardo. Next up: Summer Conclave, June 3-5, Sand Hill Scout Reservation.
Summer Schedule
June 26 – July 2: Camp Woodruff, Blairsville, GA
Fall Camping: Sept. 16 – 18: Aquatics Weekend, Camp Soule, Clearwater; Oct. 21 – 23: Haunted Woods, Hillsborough River State Park; Nov. 18 – 20: Joint Camp Out with Cub Scout Packs, Fort DeSoto County Park; Dec. 16 – 18: Little Manatee River State Park.
Troop 219