Final Countdown to Gilwell...

Kathy Brewer

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Sep 10, 2013, 2:31:07 PM9/10/13

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Well Folks,

The time has arrived and we are about 48 hours away from our arrival to Gilwell for our first Weekend. Now is the time to make those final preparations (if you haven't already) by going over your checklists and making sure everything this packed and ready to go. Don't forget your personal gear along with all of the course gear including all costumes, props, supplies, presentation note cards, Scout uniform, TARTAN neckerchief, woggle, course t-shirts and hats, Scout socks, Troop Guide binders, etc. Please don't wait until the last minute or I guarantee you will forget something and will be making a very late night trip home on Thursday to retrieve it.

Also, please make sure you review your presentations for the weekend. Stand in front of the mirror and give the presentation to yourself, give it to your dog, give it to your family...whatever works. These need to be polished to perfection when delivered to the participants because in the end, it is for the benefit of the youth that this program exists. I had the privilege, last night, of speaking with a youth I've worked with over the years. He's not in my home unit but I've worked with him on NYLT staff, other programs and most recently, Jamboree. There were times, over the years, I questioned how much common sense he might actually have but watching him grow and mature over the years, and in speaking with him last night, I realized what a change has occurred in him and how much Scouting has impacted his life and his choices. The strong group of leaders and mentors he has had over the years have certainly made a difference. As if I ever doubted, that conversation reminded me of why we do what we do and dedicate the hours we do to this program. Never lose sight of that and please center that in your mind as we progress through this weekend.

We are going to make mistakes, things will not go exactly according to plan and we will be forced to make adjustments along the way. That's life -- we are all flexible and have been in this program to understand that. The true sign of our progress as a high performance team is our ability to adapt and overcome. I know we are there and I know we are ready. Everybody with me?!?!?!

I am truly excited and stoked about what we are about to accomplish together. Breathe in every moment and let's make this Wood Badge the absolute best that we can!

Love you guys!

Back to Gilwell,

Kathy

Charlie Bunge

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Sep 10, 2013, 7:16:18 PM9/10/13

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I just thought of a question. Are we having a birthday cake for the Blue and Gold Banquet? It was mentioned, but I do not remember who was handling the cake.

Charlie

Kathy Brewer

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Sep 10, 2013, 7:20:12 PM9/10/13

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Snakes handle that.

Kris Hampton

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Sep 10, 2013, 7:30:07 PM9/10/13

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Is anyone planning on sleeping in the loft at the cabin?

kathy.brewer8

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Sep 10, 2013, 7:34:02 PM9/10/13

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Females have cabin to ourselves. Sleep where you want. No separate lights or bathroom up there. Only lights are in the living room...no outlet up there either.

From my Android phone on T-Mobile. The first nationwide 4G network.

Kristina Hampton

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Sep 10, 2013, 8:52:29 PM9/10/13

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do we all need to bring "critters" to put on the tables when they switch to a troop because they won't have anything yet? (Of course these critters are on loan to them for the first weekend)

Kathy Brewer

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Sep 10, 2013, 9:00:18 PM9/10/13

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Good question regarding critters. Trooo Guides, it would be nice if you had a critter or two for their tables on the troop side of the room. As Kris mentioned, these would be on loan for the weekend.

Regarding our own critters...even though we have our totems on our presentation slides, we really don't mention what critter we are until the second weekend. We will display our critters at that time.

Troop Guides: I'm sure clarissa has mentioned this already but you will need to write a letter to each of your patrol members (for the 2nd weekend) and present them with a small critter-associated gift. Thinking about that on the 1st weekend makes the process easier. Remind me, and we will discuss this further at our staff meetings.