Greetings Scouts, Parents, and Leaders,
This week’s email is coming early because we have many upcoming events, including the spring Court of Honor, and because I have a special message I wanted to share in advance of that.
As I sit down to write this, my heart is full of pride and a touch of nostalgia. Very soon, I’ll be handing over the keys of leadership to Dustin Trute. This will be my final email to you as your Scoutmaster. It has been my greatest honor to serve as Scoutmaster of this wonderful troop over the last few years.
To the parents and leaders: thank you for your tireless support and for making Troop 380 one of the finest around.
To the Scouts: you are the reason we do this. My message to you remains simple—Aim high. Life will inevitably bring moments where you falter, but the true measure of a Scout is the ability to pick yourself up, dust off the dirt, and keep climbing toward the summit.
I ask that you extend the same incredible support to Dustin as he steps up to lead our troop into its next chapter. While I am stepping back, I’m not going far. I am honored to stay on as your Eagle Advisor, helping our young men and women reach that final, prestigious milestone.
Now, here a few things I want to mention about upcoming events and activities:
Spring Court of Honor – Monday!
We look forward to seeing scouts and their families this coming Monday for an evening dedicated to recognizing our progress and achievements from the past few months. Merit badges, promotions in rank, and other well-earned awards will be recognized.
When: Monday April 20, 6:00 PM
Where: Emmanuel Baptist Church
Wear: Class A and merit badge sashes (and your Mother’s pin if your scout is advancing a rank!)
Bring (details for all below):
- Dessert to share
- Money for raffle tickets
- Donation to Friends of Scouting
- E-waste for troop fundraiser
- Prizes to add to raffle
Before: Buy raffle tickets!
After: Dessert!
Before and after: Sign up for the following (details for all below)!
- Rim of the Bay Hike
- Pinewood Derby Pit Crew
- Fair Oaks Cemetery Memorial Day Service Project
- Meriwether Merit Badge selections DUE
The theme for this court of honor will be Earth Day! With that in mind, please bring a dessert to share. Also, we will be collecting E-waste for Earth Day, so bring that, too! Please, no batteries or lightbulbs; appliances, computers, cords, and electronics of all sizes are welcome.
We will also be holding a prize drawing at the COH, and we are looking for prizes! If you have something you can donate that would be wonderful. We already have some cool stuff, so please add any items you have that scouts, parents, and siblings would enjoy. Food, camping stuff, gift cards, and clothing are great!
Get there early to scope out the prizes on the prize table and purchase tickets! Each scout will get a free ticket, but everyone can increase their chances by purchasing more tickets:
1 Ticket – $1.00
10 Tickets – $5.00
25 Tickets – $10.00
Arm’s length of Tickets – $20.00
Finally, also at the COH, Jose Zavala, our Three Rivers District Executive, will present the 2026 Friends of Scouting (FOS) Campaign. FOS helps to fund the operation and maintenance of our council office, camps and properties, programs, training, and professional staff. The Golden Empire Council has a budget of over $3 million annually. Your contributions help to support this budget. Pledges can be made by credit card, check, or by billing in installments. Thank you in advance for your support!
Three Rivers District Pinewood Derby Championships – Next Saturday
We are headed for the R Street District for the annual Cub Scout Pinewood Derby Championships, and we need volunteers for the Pit Crew!
Saturday, April 25, 2026
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Next to the Twisted Track Gallery
Rock wall, t-shirt of the pit crew, lunch, and much more! Sign up to be part of the Pit Crew at the Troop Meeting.
See Michael or Dave for more information
Day Hike at Las Trampas Peak
The Rim of the Bay program was recently replaced by the Pathfinders program, which now offers 18 hike possibilities instead of the original 6, and this is one of the newly added options. This outing will be a great opportunity to participate in a brand-new hike that Troop 380 has never done before!
Saturday, May 2
Sign up at the troop meeting
See Isaac Andrews or Jon Traum for more information
District Roundtable Cook-off
The Three Rivers District is hosting a cook-off for all scouts and scouters at the May 21 District Roundtable. Patrols will cook as teams and compete during Roundtable and families are welcome to compete as well! More details to follow.
Fair Oaks Cemetery Memorial Day Service Project – SAVE THE DATE
Troop 380 has a long tradition of serving our community at this event. The troop even has its own bench in the cemetery to honor that! This year’s theme is “Celebrating the USO’s 85th Anniversary.” More details to come!
Saturday, May 23, 8:30-11:30
Fair Oaks Cemetery, 7780 Olive Street, Fair Oaks
Earn community service hours or money for their account
Please sign up at the troop meeting
Questions? See Theo Roth at the meeting, or contact Elizabeth Ruygt (goldrivmom@comcast.net)
Thank you all for the memories, the growth, and the friendship. It has been a privilege to lead you.
Yours in Scouting,
Michael Speer
Scoutmaster T-380
