Troop 48 Announcements for October 20, 2026

This weekend:

Natural Tunnel State Park Truck-in Oct 16-18 

Haunted Adventure weekends Oct 16-18 and 23-25.

Troop 48 Announcements for October 20, 2026

Sam Wojtas Congratulations! Sam is Troop 48’s newest Eagle Scout #197 We are so proud of this young man for all his accomplishments!!! Well done!!

LAST CALL :

2027 Calendar Preparations: Ballots were provided and voting started at the Oct. 6th meeting to select outings to fill the 2027 calendar of events. Scouts and Registered Adult Leaders are eligible to vote. Please follow the voting instructions and return your ballot by next Tuesday. Ballots with too many votes or no name will not be counted. Additional ballots are available from Mr. Browning. Initial votes will be tallied and a final vote held at an approved time by the PLC.

New information:

WINTER CAMP January 15-18, 2027

GRAB YOUR GEAR WINTER CAMP AWAITS.

REGISTER NOW to get your choice of classes – information sheets at troop meetings, see Mr. Hasler to register after paying $160 Scouts, $75 Adults (plus if any class fee) to Mr. Browning

We thank Aidan for his leadership and dedication to our Troop and officer Congratulations Grant as we welcome him to his new role as Senior Patrol Leader Looking to the future, Grant is focused on helping Troop 48 grow by expanding recruitment opportunities and reinforcing foundational Scout skills. He believes in taking pride in this knowledge to help the troop embody the core mission of the Scouting America: preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law and being prepared with scout skills 

The parent communication board can be checked in the gym during troop meetings for updated information!!

Seeking Merit Badge Counselors for Troop 48 – Please see Mr. Hasler to volunteer.  We have scouts interested in finishing up these:  Space Exploration, Law, Signs/Signals/Codes, Archeology, Forestry, Model Design, Bird Study, Chess, Coin Collecting, Exploration, Indian Lore (one or two requirements for this older MB), Inventing, Mining in Society, Reptile/Amphibian Study 

And new is Competitive Gaming (which is not only about playing)

October Duty Assignments

• Ceremonies: Panther  • Food Box: Flaming Arrow • Game Guides: Wolf • Troop Meeting Set-up: Fox (PLC 10/13)  • Service: Eagle (Clean up and leadership assistance)  • Can Recycling: Phoenix (check every week)  

The next Sea Base payment of $700 is due to Mr. Browning no later than 10/27. (See info on online payments below).  If you have any questions about Sea Base please see Tonya Lawrence 

Support Scouting America — 2026 Popcorn Fundraiser!

It’s popcorn time!  Our Scouts are hitting the trail once again with the 2026 Scouting America Popcorn Fundraiser, raising funds that help provide unforgettable adventures, leadership opportunities, camp experiences, and the skills that last a lifetime.  Every bag helps a Scout grow, learn, lead, and reach their next adventure. Support a Scout. Enjoy some popcorn. Help build tomorrow’s leaders!

Contact Popcorn Kernel, Patrick Monk, patrickmonk75@ gmail.com, if you have questions

Event Payment Changes: Based on requests by multiple adults, an online payment system has been established to pay for Troop 48 fees and donations. The platform used is Zeffy, which is geared specifically for non-profit organizations. It features an option for no transaction fee. You do not need to download the app. The payment link is on the bottom of each event registration page. 

1. Review the trip sheet for the event to determine the amount and due date for a specific fee.
2. Open Zeffy with the link or QR code. Troop 48 Zeffy Link
3. Below the Choose an Amount option, enter the fee in the “Other” field. Enter the amount of fees due.
4. Use the Choose a Fund drop down to select the event being attended and press Continue
5. Change the fee drop down (which defaults to %17) and enter 0.
6. Select and enter a payment method and hit “Donate” to complete the payment.

Another new payment option is to submit an application for scholarship assistance. Troop 48 benefactors have generously funded this scholarship fund so no scout should miss an event due to financial constraints. A link is provided on each event page to submit an application. Applications are reviewed and processed by a small group of Troop 48 Adults, and is handled in strict confidentiality. 

Service opportunities – Please Volunteer!!! 

Pumpkin Patch is open every day from 11 am to 7 pm

Trunk-or-Treat is Saturday, October 24th @ 5-6 pm

Goodwill National Recycling Day – Sunday, November 22 10am-6pm 

For volunteers at least 16 years old .  This service opportunity would be good for Citizenship in the Community* MB to get 8 hours  – and also appropriate for similar school scholarship or college/work application requirements. Online registration by October 30th or when all slots filled

National Recycling Days 2026 Registration – Goodwill Industries 

Upcoming events

October 31:  Community event: Cherokee Rod and Gun Club open shoot!!  See Ryan we need people to sign up for food planning 

November 3:  Patrol Elections / Switch to Class A uniform  Elect patrol leaders and assistants, then patrol level supporting roles for Quartermaster, Scribe, and Historian.  Patrol duties descriptions .  Each patrol should think about who to have as their leader and other duties for November through May.

November 7 (Saturday):  First Class Requirement 4a – Orienteering Course. The course will be set up at Warriors Path (Duck Island) from 9:00 am. – 12:00 am.  Let Mr. Browning know if you will attend.

November 10:  80th Anniversary banquet. Please register for this amazing event to provide an accurate head count and list of pot luck dishes. Registration will be closed on Nov. 5th to allow time to purchase food. The troop will provide the main entree based on the number of registered participants. To provide enough food, it is essential that all participants register, including family, friends, scouts, and adults. Walk-ins or last minute registrants may not be served the entree. We ask that you bring a potluck side selected at registration. This will be held at CHPC in the gym from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm. Please bring friends and family. Set up assistance will be required.

November 13-15: Fall Creek Falls Truck-In / Virgin Falls Backpacking 

The trip will consist of two contingents, truck in camping and day hiking as one opportunity, and backpacking as a second opportunity. The two groups will not meet at any point on the outing.  

The troop will need sufficient adult leadership and transportation to cover both options, so please register to indicate your availability. Please register early.

November 14 Artificial Intelligence (AI) merit badge 

9 AM–Noon at Memorial Park Community Center Crafts Room, 510 Bert Street, Johnson City. Online registration closes Nov 13. $10 per scout

November 17:  Eagle Court of Honor

Cut off for recognition to be presented is November 3rd.  

November 29 : Scout Mom’s DAY OUT

Come enjoy a little time for yourself!

CHRISTMAS TREE

CRAFT = and = COOKIE EXCHANGE

NOVEMBER 29TH 5:00 – 7:00

840 Cox Hollow Rd in Kingsport

$5 COST

Please RSVP to Mrs. Cox 

423-737-2430

TROOP 48 SCOUTS BSA / 2027 RENEWAL Most of the troop membership must renew their Scouting America registration in the next month. It is up to everyone to either pay and complete their renewal online or notify and pay the Troop Treasurer (preferred). Scout accounts may be used to pay these fees if renewed through the Treasurer.. The renewal fee is currently $150 for scouts and $100 for adults, a $15 additional fee for a Scout Life Magazine subscription (which defaults to ON), and a 3% convenience fee if using a credit card to pay online. 56% of the scouts have already renewed… How about you?

Additional Troop 48 fees are $42 for Scouts and $3 for Adult Leaders. These fees are due by Oct. 31.

Everyone needs a current medical form (Parts A/B) to participate in outings. Longer activities like summer camp, require Part C (medical exam). Medical forms should be given to Ms. Higgins.

All scouts must submit signed copies (parents and scouts must sign) 2026 form by Oct. 31:

Troop 48 Addictive – Illegal Substances (updated)

Maintaining Appropriate Scout Behavior (pending approval)

Appropriate Use of Electronic Equipment (updated)

Activity Consent Form (updated)

Mrs. Keeton will be in the parking lot to sign paperwork to help expedite getting this done 

Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) has a mandatory annual refresher requirement.  (See my.scouting.org for your expiration date and online training) Adults with expired training will be suspended from the roster and not allowed to participate on outings. Hazardous Weather and SM/ASM specific requirements are required to be fully trained for the ASM role. Refresher training for Hazardous Weather is required every two years.

Adult leadership!!!  Wood Badge

The Council is offering the premier course, Wood Badge, which is an advanced leadership and management course for adult leaders in Scouting. Dates are April 2-4, and April 17-18, 2027 at Camp Davy Crockett. You will not want to miss it!!! Registration is open.

PATROL planning: Want 2 weeks at camp? Plan a patrol outing with a week at camp see Mrs.White to discuss opportunities allowing your patrol or friend group to plan a week together 

Frontier Camp is a program rich in the traditions of the 1800s, reliving the life of a young Davy Crockett

COPE & Climbing programs for team building and personal challenge

June and July temperatures average a high of 82 and a low of 61.

Crockett’s Wild Frontier Marksmanship Program A fun filled experience while taking part in rifle, shotgun, archery, flu flu archery, knives, hawks, Cowboy Action Shooting and black powder shooting.

🆕 The Mountain Man is a weeklong experience for older Scouts who would like to experience the life of a Mountain Man in the fur trade era of the 1840’s. Participants will experience the primitive lives of men like Jim Bridger, Kit Carson, and Daniel Boone.

Any questions see Julieann White