We will be kicking off a Scouting for Food food drive this week to benefit the Westford Food Pantry.

Troop members will be provided with copies of the attached flyer, which describes the donation request, along with grocery bags.  They should distribute these flyers to Neighbors, Friends, and Family, asking them to participate by donating some needed food and personal items that the food pantry needs.  People wishing to participate can place their donations in the bag and leave it on their front doorstep on a day arranged by the scout.  There is a spot on the flyer for the scout to indicate when they will be picking up the donated items.

This is most successful when the scout puts on their uniform and goes and talks to the people they are asking for donations from!

1. Flyers should be distributed this weekend,  November 9th
2. Donations should be picked up on or before November 16th
3. The donated items should be brought to the November 20th Troop meeting to be delivered to the food pantry shortly thereafter

Our next Merit Badge Monday will be on Monday, November 10, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the McKeens' house, 29 Steeple Chase Circle in Westford.

Do you have an Arrow of Light Cub Scout? Does your teen (age 11-17) love outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and rafting? Troop 437 invites you to our AOL Invitational and Open House on Thursday, November 6, to learn more about our troop and Scouting!  (Note that the date has been moved from October 30 due to the rain forecast.)

Reminder:

Last year, Scouting America (BSA) revised its registration and re-registration process.  Scouting America will notify families directly when membership renewal is due and will collect the Scouting America membership fees directly.  As we are approaching the end of the year, many scouts and adults will be receiving re-registration e-mails.

What you can expect:

A couple of months before your registration expires, you will receive e-mails asking you to complete the re-registration process online. Re-registration must be completed before your membership expires so the Troop can continue including you in its activities and process advancement.  If a scout's or adult's registration expires, they will be automatically removed from the Troop roster by Scouting America, and we will not have any access to the records until the membership is renewed.

The Troop 437 Committee does not want any scout or adult to miss out on anything Scouting has to offer due to an inability to pay.  If any fee is a hardship for your family, there is assistance available. Please reach out to one of the Scoutmasters, Committee Chair, or Troop Treasurer to discuss available options. Any requests will be kept completely confidential.

We’re thrilled to announce two unforgettable high adventure outings for 2026! These trips will take our Scouts to two of Scouting’s most iconic destinations—Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and Sea Base in Florida. Both adventures include air travel and offer life-changing experiences in the outdoors.

Please review the details here.  Note that Troop 437 summer camp is July 26-August 1 so there's a week plus of down time. So start planning now!

Trip #1: Philmont Scout Ranch – Backpacking Expedition Dates: Departure window: June 28–30, 2026 | Return: July 14–16, 2026 (includes 2 additional travel days) Location: Cimarron, New Mexico Activities: Backpacking through rugged wilderness, team-building, conservation projects, and high-altitude adventure. Click for more details

Trip #2: Florida Sea Base – Aquatic Adventure Dates: Departure window: December 26–28, 2026 | Return: January 1–3, 2027 Location: Islamorada, Florida Keys Activities: Spend a week aboard a 40+ foot sailing vessel exploring the Florida Keys. You'll snorkel vibrant coral reefs—including parts of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary—and learn hands-on skills like navigation, astronomy, fish identification, and reef ecology. This Coral Reef Sailing Adventure combines sailing, snorkeling, and fishing into one unforgettable experience. Click for more details

Next Steps

• Reach out with any questions or to express early interest
• Submit the Registration Form and Deposit by October 31, 2025