Welcome to the Scotland trip blog!
- Posted 8/14/2017 11:19:01 AM by Dan Turner Since we have been back in country, I have uploaded all of my pictures to the Troop website under Troop Photos. I tried to put them in blocks based on where we were on the trip. If for some reason, you cannot log on to the Troop website, please email webhelp@troop17.net for assistance. If you have pictures, please bring them on CD, USB drive, or your camera (with your USB cable) to the next meeting. I will be out of town this week but hopefully you can help one of the other OF upload them to the computer in the Scout office. See you soon! Mr. Turner PS If you have any Troop or other items that are not yours from the trip, please bring those back to Scouts also - I am sure someone is probably looking for them. DT
- Posted 7/21/2017 5:01:51 AM by Dan Turner On the way to JFK!
- Posted 7/20/2017 7:09:38 PM by Dan Turner Day 16 is officially upon us here in Scotland (its already past midnight here). This is our travel day when we get to move backwards in time as we cross the ocean. Our anticipated arrival is 6:00 pm. The JFK to DFW flight is full so there will be a lot of bags to collect at baggage claim A16 (as of right now). We have already handed off one Scout and are waiting for one more to be picked up tonight. Be sure to check the flight status for any gate changes (https://www.americanairlines.co.uk/travelInformation/flights/status/detail?search=AA|1223|2017,7,21&ref=search). It has been a fantastic trip but we are looking forward to getting home tomorrow. Mr. Turner
- Posted 7/20/2017 6:04:18 PM by Bill Peterson The group is coming home tomorrow on Flight 1223 from JFK. Landing at 5:39pm. Currently at gate A-18. Remember that it is always advisable to check gate information right before you leave home.
- Posted 7/14/2017 4:14:21 AM by Dan Turner Its Friday morning here, and yet halfway point in our trip. Hopefully you have been following us on Instagram (www.instagram.com/troop17) and have been watching what weve been up to. Something you dont want to see pictures of is the stomach bug that has been passed around the Troop. Its short lived but about half of us have had it at this point. We also took one Scout to the hospital to get his ankle x-rayed. Only a sprain. Boys were playing football and he got it twisted in a pile. Dont worry, its not your son - his dad is with us and his mom was promptly called. Weve already connected with our host Troop and will be meeting them this afternoon for several days of camping and Highland games. A big thanks to Mr. Plavidal for spending the first week with us - hes in the air on the way home.
- Posted 7/7/2017 6:31:38 PM by Dan Turner All is well here. No major issues. We have been on planes, trains, buses, and automobiles and even hiked a few miles to get here. Its been a long day (or has it been 2?). Follow the pictures on Instagram as long as I have battery. Mr. Turner
- Posted 7/6/2017 9:33:05 AM by Dan Turner We are meeting at gate A20. Departure gate has changed 3 times but we are meeting at A20. A20 A20 A20
- Posted 7/5/2017 4:35:10 PM by Dan Turner More reminders - PLEASE HAVE YOUR UNIFORM IN TIP TOP SHAPE. Scouting in Scotland is proud of their uniforming - we need to be proud of ours. NO KNIVES on the plane. No spring assisted or flip-open knives. No blades longer than 3 inches (check yours!). The UK has stricter laws on pocket knives so if in doubt, leave it at home. Be sure you have room in your backpack for some additional food or Troop gear once we get there. Lets all be sharp looking and smart. We are representing the Troop, Scouting, and the USA! See you in the morning, Mr. Turner
- Posted 7/5/2017 1:26:39 PM by Bill Peterson Tonight be sure your bags are packed, zipped up and ready to go to the airport. Also make sure your passport is somewhere that there is no way you will forget it. The name of the game is to BE PREPARED. As a reminder, our flight is AA1294 to JFK.
- Posted 7/5/2017 1:24:18 PM by Bill Peterson (Knock on wood) if there are any issues tomorrow morning. Please call Mr. Dan Turner (817) 239-0166 or Mr. Brent Johnson (817) 822-3414
- Posted 7/5/2017 1:23:50 PM by Bill Peterson WOW, its here. After 2 years of planning, tomorrow is the big day! We will be meeting at the ticketing counter near gate A20 (Upper Level) at 9:15am. This will be our meeting place even if there is a last minute gate change. As soon as everyone has arrived, the group will be going through security together. There is a tram (Skylink) on the other side which will allow for any gate change adjustments.
- Posted 7/4/2017 2:42:23 PM by Dan Turner 2 days away! Can you believe it? Remember that we will meet Thursday morning AT DFW airport. As of right now, the flight is leaving from gate A17 (how fitting!). We will meet OUTSIDE security until everyone is there. Please go through the checklist yet another time to be sure you have everything! Mr. Turner
- Posted 7/1/2017 8:43:50 AM by Dan Turner 5 Days!... One final reminder about the pack cover. Since rain gear would be good today, it will be good in Scotland. Be sure that you have rain gear for your backpack...a pack cover. They are available from $10-$40 online at Amazon, REI, or Campmor. Local stores like REI, Backwoods, or Mountain Sports (Arlington) should have a selection also. If you need Scout Socks, we will have them available today during the Eagle project (which is delayed until noon) and at Tuesdays meeting. Mr. Turner
- Posted 6/28/2017 11:21:28 PM by Bill Peterson 7 Days!... We had a good gear shakedown. Sorry, I am going to add another item to the list (my bad). Everyone will need a backpack cover. This slips over your backpack when it is raining. You can also bring a sleeping pad but needs to be able pad down really tight. If you do not have all of your T-shirts, please email Mr. Turner what you need (include size). We plan on having them to distribute at the meeting on Tuesday. -Mr. Peterson
- Posted 6/24/2017 10:30:12 PM by Bill Peterson 12 days... REMINDER This Tuesday during the regular troop meeting, we will be checking personal gear for the Scotland trip. This is the one and only time we will have a chance to do this. So please come. - Mr. Peterson (817) 201-8038
- Posted 6/18/2017 8:42:32 AM by Bill Peterson 18 days to wheels up. We have found a way to store our duffel bags while touring Scotland. So everyone should go ahead and purchase one large enough to put their backpacks in. - Mr. Peterson
- Posted 6/17/2017 12:57:14 PM by Bill Peterson 19 days and counting down I want to thank everyone who showed up at Tuesdays Parent meeting. There is still much paperwork to complete and things to organize, so your attendance helped immensely. There were a couple of items that I want to follow up on. 1) Please add a head lamp & extra batteries to the equipment packing list. Cant believe I left that off... 2) It was noted that some health insurance companies will not cover out-of-country expenses. Please check with yours to see if that is the case. Mr. Peglar is recommending IMG Patriot Group Travel Medical Insurance. The plan is designed to provide medical insurance starting at $50,000 with deductibles under $500 for eligible medical expenses for hospital, doctor and pharmacy. It also includes international Emergency Medical Evacuation up to $500,000 and Repatriation up to $50,000. all for about $17. Here is the brochure of the plan: https://producer.imglobal.com/ProducerDocuments.ashx?a=530859&documentId=1801 You can reach them at 1 (317) 833 1795 Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Mr. Peterson (817) 201-8038
- Posted 6/12/2017 7:42:35 PM by Bill Peterson JUST A REMINDER: We will be holding a Parent-Informational meeting tomorrow, during the regularly scheduled scout meeting. It will be in the Main Sanctuary at St. Stephens. We will be going over the packing list, trip details, paperwork, and go over the itinerary. Please plan to attend. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Mr. Peterson (817) 201-8038
- Posted 6/8/2017 6:41:37 AM by Dan Turner One word in my last post made it unclear what parents should attend. Sorry about that. We need parents of any Scouts going to Scotland at the Scotland meeting on Tuesday, June 13th. We will also need final payments at that meeting. Balances will be emailed individually later today. You can view your balance online at http://www.troop17.net/management/menunew.asp?page=mybalance. Be sure to click "show family" to see everyone in your family.
- Posted 6/7/2017 9:15:16 PM by Dan Turner We depart for Scotland in only 30 days! TUESDAY, June 13 at 7:30 we will have a REQUIRED parent meeting for all parents attending. Since this will be during the Troop meeting, your boys will not be attending so please make every effort to attend. We will meet in the Scout Lodge and go from there (depending on the weather). Email or call with any questions.
- Posted 6/3/2017 12:01:42 PM by Bill Peterson Summer has started and we are just a month away from our big trip to Scotland! The Airline tickets and Youth Hostel reservations finalized. We are in communication with two Scottish scout troops to coordinate camping. We have finalized the trip equipment list (poop sheet) and will be sending that out very shortly. The final anticipated cost for the trip (including airfare and troop contribution) is going to be $1,700. Mr Turner is updating the online database to reflect everyones current commitments. Tuesday June 13th, there will be a Parent-Informational meeting on during the regularly scheduled scout meeting. We will go over the itinerary, trip details, points of contact and finalized any paperwork. Tuesday June 27th, there will be an equipment shake-down. So bring all of the gear that you plan to bring on the trip. Thursday July 6th, The scouts Take Off! Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Mr. Peterson (817) 201-8038
- Posted 4/1/2017 6:06:16 PM by Bill Peterson JUST A REMINDER that we are having a Scotland Paperwork-Party this Tuesday (April 4th), during our regular Scout meeting. Please bring the following: 1. Passports of all those that are going. 2. Insurance cards. 3. BSA Medical Evaluation Form. 4. List of your scouts Meds & allergies. We also will need a notarized permission slip signed by both parents. We will have the permission slips, pens and even a volunteer Public Notary at this meeting! Again, if you havent applied for your Passports, please do that ASAP. The BSA medical forms are found here: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/680-001_ABC.pdf Thanks, Mr. Peterson
- Posted 3/11/2017 12:40:35 PM by Bill Peterson Hey World Travelers, We are having a Paperwork-Party on April 4th, during our regular Scout meeting. Please bring the following: 1. Passports of all those that are going. 2. Please bring your insurance cards. 3. Medical Evaluation Form. 4. List of your scouts Meds & allergies We have a volunteer(ed) Public Notary! So we will be signing of permission slips. If you havent applied for your Passports, please do that ASAP. I have been told that the State Department is being inundated with passport requests and that may affect the application processing time. And for the record, we do not need a Visa to tour in the UK. (https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa) Good day Laddies, Bill Peterson
- Posted 2/12/2017 4:49:47 PM by Bill Peterson February is a busy month. We will be nailing down our airfare costs, Scotrail passes and reserving rooms at the youth hostels & Scout Camps. We will also be sending home a list of the things that everyone will need to travel internationally. But the first thing we want you to procure are your passports. Passport applications can take up to 6 weeks to process. To apply for a passport you will need to fill out the following form. https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/212239.pdf You will also have to submit Proof of U.S. citizenship, Proof of Identity, a passport photo, and fees (the instructions explain it in detail). Photos can be taken at most post offices, FedEx Office Centers, Walgreens or CVS. If you already have a passport please check the expiration date. If it expires anytime in 2017, go ahead and get it renewed to avoid any issues. Mr. Peterson