Bahamas 2003

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1. General comments:

Well, our trip is just around the corner!! Hope you’re all ready! Sailing the Bahamas

Here are some details:

Everyone should have made the final payments by now. As far as we know our budget is good.

The planning committee is finalizing the menu and doing the food shopping. Our three “lead” Scouts will determine a duty roster for each boat for the trip (duties: food preparation/cleanup; general cleanup; head cleanup). Everyone will likely have a duty each day. Each boat will also need a Scout Quartermaster to be in charge of food, supplies, etc.

Remember that this is a Troop activity-- the Scouts will plan the menu and duty roster as on our regular trips, and will also help determine who is on which boat. (Adults, realize that you will have to be ready to go with the flow on some things that you would have control over on a family vacation!)

Behavioral expectations. Both Scouts and adults will be expected to live by the Scout Oath and Law during the trip (among other things, working as a team, having a good attitude, not using alcohol or tobacco, etc.), and to follow the directives of the Captain and of the troop leaders. This includes a commitment not to bring or use tobacco, alcohol, firearms, junk food/drink, electronics, etc.

Emergency contact information:
The charter company is Fun in the Sun Yacht Charters, 940 NE 20th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale FL 33304. Owners, Larry/Scott Shaffer. Ph. 954-463-7911 or 800-327-0228. They would be able to contact our boats via the Coast Guard if needed.

We need up-to-date medical and permission forms for each participant.

Beneteau 43: Bear Boat Captain: Justin Preyer	Beneteau 46: Jan Jan Captain: Gene Timpson	Beneteau 44: Chinook Wind Captain: Greg Matthews
Jim B. (lead adult) Tom B. John B. Ross K. (lead scout) Andrew P. Clayton S. Dennis S. Matthew S.	Paul B. Amrey H. (Lead adult) Trey H. (lead scout) John M. Tyler M. Jeremy T. Shawn T. Sam W.	William D. Coulter H. McKinley H. Kim H. Paul M.(lead adult) John Mc. (lead scout) Andrew N. Don N.

2. Itinerary

Saturday, May 31. Meet at Atlanta Airport, Delta counter. We have two groups. Group 1 (3 captains, Paul M., Amrey H., Shawn T., Ross, John Mc, Trey, and Jeremy) will meet by 7:45 a.m. Flight 1127L, leaves 9:50 a.m. Arrives in Ft. Lauderdale 11:37 am. Group 2 (everyone else) meets 12:00 noon, Flight 1887L, leaves 2:20 pm, arrives 4:04 pm.

Don’t forget your IDs!

We will take taxis to Fun in the Sun from the airport.

Inspect and load boats; final grocery shopping. Leave in the afternoon. By morning, be in Bimini Harbor.

Sunday morning, clear customs; snorkel and sail. During the rest of the week, snorkel, sail, fish, and explore. Spend Thursday in Alice Town, Bimini.

Friday morning, leave for the U.S. Arrive at port in Ft. Lauderdale Friday night.

Saturday morning, June 7. Pack, clean boats, check out. Return flight 1157T, leaves 12:45 pm, arrives in Atlanta 2:39 pm. Arrange own transportation back home.

3. Budget:

Our estimated cost is $700. Airfare cost variations may change this final amount.

4. Menu:

We will be basing our menu off of last Bahamas trips menu, which was successful in terms of cost and good eating. (We will, however, make sure that we have PLENTY of food this time for the big eaters!) If you would like to help with the menu planning and/or shopping, please let our Bahamas planning committee know.

5. Packing list

Packing information. Note: We have very limited space, both traveling to Ft. L. and once we’re on the boats. Please don’t bring unnecessary gear! PUT YOUR NAME ON YOUR THINGS!

NOTE: Please pack in no more than two small duffel or other soft-sided bags (one to check, one to carry). You may also need to “check in” a troop gear bag or box of food.

Scout Uniform (wear while traveling; will store at charter company while on boats)
Bathing suit (1 or 2)
Shorts (1 or 2)
1 week’s underwear and socks if desired
Deck shoes or sandals (pref. not dark soles), plus old sneakers or water shoes if desired
Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins) (may also want socks to protect feet from fin straps)
4-7 shirts or t-shirts, including troop-issued Bahamas shirt
Personal toiletries (NOTE: Any prescription medication must be in original, labeled bottles)
Sunglasses with strap
Wide-brimmed Hat with strap
Beach towel (charter company provides a bath towel)
Light jacket or poncho
Lightweight long-sleeve shirt/pants for sun protection
Clothes pins, so your stuff stays put while it dries
Sea-sickness medication (Bonine or the patch)
Sunscreen (high SPF, ideally non-greasy), Lip balm
Passport (or Birth Certificate/Voter Reg. PLUS state-issued photo ID)
Camera & film (may want a disposable underwater camera)
Deck of cards &/or book to read
Optional: Salt-water fishing gear and tackle (we will consolidate transporting them)
If you are under 90 lbs. you need to bring your own life jacket
Spending money. This depends on your spending habits but should include enough to buy souvenirs and to pay for one meal in Bimini, and meals on both Saturdays, as well as misc. expenses.
The boats probably have CD players. The Lead Scout is responsible for covering the music selections—appropriate and a relatively limited number.
Lead adult on each boat should bring first aid kit and will keep up with documents

Do NOT bring: (You know the list!) Electronics (including CD players, GameBoys, cell phones, etc.); unScoutlike stuff; junk food; too much gear. (This goes for adults, too.)

6. Remember you will need:

Swimming Merit Badge must be completed.
Passport or birth certificate plus state-issued (not school) photo id for entry into the Bahamas (and back into the US!). Make sure ahead of time you have these!
Up-to-date copy of Class III Medical Forms (like what we use for Philmont/high adventure).
You will also want to have (buy or rent) mask, snorkel and fins; and possibly fishing gear.

7. We need some assistance with:

T-Shirts: We would like to have some special troop Bahamas t-shirts made. If you would like to help pick the design/layout, and/or would like to help defray shirt expenses, please let us know.

Pool party: We would like to give people the chance to work on their snorkeling skills at a troop or Bahamas pool party before we go. Any thoughts?

8. More information:

Expect another newsletter and at least one meeting later this fall and next spring.