A big congratulations to the Scouts who used last week's troop meeting to complete partials to finish up the Swimming Merit Badge! Here is a new report on Merit Badge Partials. Scouts, if you are ready to work on a merit badge partial, or want to tackle a new one, start with this list of Troop 511 Merit Badge Counselors! If we don't have anyone in the troop signed up as a counselor, talk to Mr Dolan or Ms Jennifer to have them help locate a counselor for you. You can always find the latest versions of these lists here on the troop website: Home » Files » Advancement Info for Scouts » Merit Badge Info. 

Winter Camp is a great opportunity to go earn merit badges and to enjoy Lost Pines at the best time of year to be in Bastrop! Younger Scouts, going to summer and winter camp while you are younger can make it easier to earn Eagle, as you earn at least 21 merit badges to reach Eagle rank. Troop 511 has reserved space at Session 2: December 27-30, 2026. If you are ready to join us, reserve a space here on the troop website and then mark your calendar. Online class registration will start on Monday, Nov 9, at 7 pm. The great folks at Lost Pines plan to offer a wide variety of merit badge classes. Program areas include:  Climbing, Living History, Nat-E-Con, Scoutcraft, Shooting Sports, and the Eagle Academy. Eagle-required offerings will include: 

 As we plan troop and patrol activities, we should ask this question: Is the activity appropriate for the age and for Scouting? Scouting has developed guidelines for age- and rank-appropriate activities based on many factors. Not every activity needs to be conducted. Take a look at the Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities, bookmark it, and check back when planning service projects, troop activities and patrol activities. 

Please RSVP (yes or regrets) for our September and October campouts! 

• The Ice Cream Campout, Bertram: Sept 18-20
• Backpacking at Lost Maples: Oct 23-25
• Service Activity - Trunk or Treat at First Presbyterian Sun Oct 25 4:00-6:30
• Shooting Sports at Lost Pines Scout Reservation: Nov 6-8
• Winter Camp at Lost Pines Scout Reservation: Dec 27-30
• Climbing at Reimers Ranch: Jan 29-31
• Bicycling: Feb campout location and exact date are being confirmed
• Scout Sunday, St Matthew's: Feb 7 10:30-11:30AM
• Tuesday Service Meeting/Pancake Dinner: Feb 9
• Camporee, Camp Green Dickson: Mar 5-7
• Lumberjack (Theme: Survival!): Apr 16-18
• Small Boat Sailing: May 7-9
• Summer Camp: June, location and dates to be confirmed

Our schedule for this year's campouts and major activities is coming together. We hope to see you at many of these! Once you know, please RSVP with a yes or regrets, so campout owners know who to expect! Also, as a reminder, sign up for Calendar Sync to see troop activities within your chosen calendar program.

 We want to hear your feedback so we can make plans for 2027 Summer Camp! So far, we have only 9 responses to our Summer Camp 2027 Survey. People expressed a strong interested in going someplace cooler this coming summer. Do you agree? Let us know what you think! 

Coming up in just a few weeks, as requested by the Scouts, Troop 511 is headed to Bertram for the Ice Cream Campout! Scouts will check out a tractor-driven ice cream maker, help make a couple of flavors of ice cream, and (after the ice cream has fully frozen) eat it. Scouts who have not earned the Scouting Heritage Merit Badge should make sure to ask Mr. Morris about his Scouting experience to help meet requirement #8 of the Scouting Heritage Merit Badge. Nightly lows in Bertram are expected to be in the 60s, too! Please RSVP (yes or regrets) after you check your calendar!  P.S. Since we are all about ice cream, here's a bit of ice cream trivia for you: WWII pilots stationed in Peleliu made ice cream in their planes.