Are you coming camping with Troop 511 this weekend? If yes, plan to be at the St Matt's parking lot at 5:30. Scouts should be in their Class A uniform (brown shirt), and should be sure to bring a filled water bottle for use all weekend. See this Campout Information form for more packing tips. The last page is a permission slip. It includes a request for your insurance (again), just to be sure we are prepared with the latest information. Scouts turn this in to the designated adult gathering paperwork when they arrive at St Matt's. This campout information and a link to the form are also available in the calendar entry where you RSVP'd. QUESTIONS? Please contact John Curry by phone: (512) 848-2346 or email: jdcatx@icloud.com.  

Please join us on Tuesday April 21 at 7 PM (usual meeting time) for our 2026 Swim Check meeting! We will meet at Balcones Woods Pool (near Duval and 183) and will have a certified lifeguard to run the swim check. Any Scout who or adult who may want to attend summer or winter camp or any aquatic activity like boating this year, should attend this meeting if at all possible. Based on the swim check, participating Scouts and adults are classed as Learner, Beginner, or Swimmer, which is required at summer and winter camp. Scouts can also complete a number of rank requirements at this meeting, if ready. Older Scouts who have done some of these, use this chance to demonstrate water rescue methods for the Second Class 5c signoff!

   Adults, you can learn more and help us run aquatic activities safely by taking "Safe Swim Defense!" It's a 25-minute course on MyScouting.org. Anytime the troop engages in a swimming activity, the troop needs adults familiar with Scouting guidelines for managing swimming safely. Adult leaders supervising a swimming activity must have completed the training within the previous two years. All swimming activities in Scouting are required to follow the eight basic principles known collectively as the Safe Swim Defense plan: 

Are you ready to move to the next rank in Scouts? You can get there quickly if you work to get a signoff or two at each meeting. Choose one and review the material in the Scout Book (each rank requirement has page numbers to point you at information in the Scout Book to help). Bring your book and a pen, and come talk to any Assistant Scoutmaster at the meeting to work on a signoff! If you are getting close to completing a rank, here are two troop resources that may be helpful: