Scoutmaster Minute
This past Friday was International Women’s Day, a day where the achievement of women as leaders, inventors, pioneers and more are celebrated. As this new troop enters its second month I place all of you firmly under the category of pioneers and leaders not just among women but within our Community in general. Continue to stretch, grow, and be inspired.
We do not need Magic to transform our world.
We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already.
– J. K. Rowling, author
Photos of the Week
Some pictures taken from yesterday’s Art Merit Badge participant field trip visit to the National Gallery of Art
This week – 3/12 – Troop Meeting (8-9pm)
Uniform: Class A (tan shirt)
Location: **New Location** CUMC chapel – this is now our primary meeting location, we’ll use upstairs as needed (or Church space may move us)
- Rope fusing and whipping (Elena, Megan, Christina to help teach)
- Tenderfoot Fitness wrap up
- Elections (see below for additional info)
- PLC process
- Court of Honor prep
- Outdoor Skills prep discussion
- New Parent orientation session – info on troop activities and gear (what to get, and what NOT to get), parents please plan to attend
Next week – 3/23 – Outdoor Skills Day (all day: 9am -8pm)
Uniform: Class A (tan shirt)
Location: CUMC Activity Field & Pavilion (across side street from church)
- Full day of outdoor skills
- Cooking demonstration with Scout assistance
- Camp kitchen clean up
- Practical knot use
- Respecting the Flag: folding, raising, & lowering
- Ax yard and safety
- Fire building & fire safety
- games
- Evening campfire program (including songs & skits)
Two weeks (Tuesday) – 3/26 – Troop Meeting (8-9pm)
Uniform: Class A (tan shirt)
Location: CUMC chapel
- First Court of Honor (CoH)
- celebration & refreshments
- Family welcome
Troop Elections – 3/12 troop meeting
- SPL and Patrol Leader position will be by troop vote and Patrol vote (yes, same thing at this time), other positions are assigned by SPL and Scoutmaster
- I have attached a copy of the 893BT position descriptions, we are not using all of them at this time and some info is not quite applicable for us yet, but this was a quick way to get out info for now 🙂
- Think about what positions you may be interested in holding
- Contact me beforehand if you wish to be considered for SPL
- SPL and PL candidates will be given given a few moments for their stump speach
- Positions to be filled:
- Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)
- Patrol Leader
- Quartermaster
- Scribe
- Historian
- Webmaster
- Chaplain’s Aide
Court of Honor – 3/26
Further details to be discussed during 3/12 meeting. Families are asked to bring drinks & refreshments, coordination support is requested so we don’t all wind up with packages of Oreos 🙂 Family are welcome to celebrate scout achievements.
Summer Camp: 6/23-29
Summer camp info was sent out last week, please register online via the troop link to attend and see Mr. Steve Barnett to pay. All scouts will take Swimmer and First Aid merit badges during summer camp, and the girls will help select at least one other to take together that can be completed that week. Remaining camp activities are Scout Choice, with recommendation that camp is a great time to take outdoors badges (camping, shooting, etc) as opposed to more studious or specialist (nuclear science, aviation…) Don’t forget this is summer camp, not school in the woods and to plan on fun activities too!
Troop Fundraising
As a new troop we are trying to go do fun stuff but also be fiscally responsible. We have an opportunity to raise some funds via “Camp Cards”. These cards are sold for $5, and half of that goes to the troop (and cool stuff we do). Cards can be used for discounts from local major retailers which are greater than $5 is just one use – so a good deal. Information was provided this past week. These will be available at our next troop meeting.
Scoutmaster “Office Hours”
I will be available most Tuesdays before our regular Tuesday night meetings at 7:30pm and on some non-meeting Tuesdays if you need to meet with me for conferences or just have anything you wish to discuss. Let me know if you plan to be there in case I have any planned work travel or other conflicts.
Upcoming Service Opportunities
Providing service is a key part of Scouting. Helping others often in turn helps ourselves with new experiences and opportunities for growth. This is built into requirements for most ranks. I’m adding a new section to the weekly notes to list any upcoming service opportunities that may help the Community, and progress in your trail to Eagle.
Thank you to both Isabella and Caitlin for helping at today’s Sully District Pinewood Derby, they are the first BSA Scouts in a Girls Troop in our District to have ever done this and set a great example!
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- CUMC Grace Ministries is a monthly program through our charter organization held on the 2nd Saturday of each month, with prep the Friday night before hand, help is needed at both the Friday set up and on Saturday morning to bring goods to cars
- More info can be found under Grace Ministries on the CUMC Food Ministries page: http://centreville-umc.org/serve-outreach/food-ministries/
- To sign up to help contact: pmohr@centreville-umc.org
- Benjamin Powers from 893BT will be installing a flag pole at the CUMC activity field on March 16 from 9am-Noon and March 24 from 1-4pm (see attached flyer)
- CUMC Grace Ministries is a monthly program through our charter organization held on the 2nd Saturday of each month, with prep the Friday night before hand, help is needed at both the Friday set up and on Saturday morning to bring goods to cars
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- CUMC Spring Cleanup, an annual Troop 893 Spring clean up of CUMC grounds: April 6…details forthcoming.
Key Dates (mark your calendar)
also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar
Mar 12: Troop Meeting (CUMC, chapel)Mar 16 & 24: Powers’ Eagle Project (CUMC Activity field)Mar 23: outdoor skills day, 9am – 8pmMar 26: Court of HonorApr 6: Service Project – CUMC clean upApr 9: Troop Meeting (CUMC)Apr 15-19: FCPS Spring BreakApr 26-28: “New Scout Campout” annual Boys Troop event, details pendingMay 24-26: Troop 893 Annual Family Canoe Trip campoutJune 23-29: Summer Camp at Goshen Scout Reservation, Camp Olmsted