Scoutmaster Moment
This week the troop embarked upon the Astronomy Merit Badge, with many thanks to ASM Adam Weisz for showing the way and his tools. The weather was stormy and therefore the stars were blocked from our view, but they’ll return.  A star watching evening will be planned for later this Fall when the skies are usually a bit more helpful (darker earlier, and clearer with the cool weather).  The heavens have captured humanity’s imagination for centuries with some cultures having origin stories that involve the stars, to physicists challenging status quo based upon their observations of celestial bodies, to geopolitics pushing the race to reach the moon and our current efforts to reach Mars. The simplicity of laying on a blanket at night and watching the stars wheel about never grows old.
 
Astronomy compels the soul to look upward, and leads us from this world to another
– Plato
 
To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit
– Stephen Hawking
 
Space is for everybody.  It’s not just for a few people in science or math, or for a select group of astronauts.  That’s our new frontier out there, and it’s everybody’s business to know about space.
– Christa McAuliffe
 
 
Photos 
 
This week – 7/9 – Troop Meeting (7-8:30pm) 
 
Uniform: Class A (tan shirt)
Location: CUMC
 
Due to most scouts out of town, or preparing for Philmont, this meeting will entirely be to work off any handbook sign off items, hold any needed Scoutmaster Conferences and Boards of Review.  Some games will be on hand too.
 
 
Next week – 7/16 – Troop Meeting (7-8:30pm) 
Uniform: Class A (tan shirt)
Location: CUMC
 
Work on Astronomy Merit Badge as follow up from the 2 July meeting (Christina and Caitlin)
 
 
Upcoming Meetings
  • 7/23 – continue with Astronomy Merit Badge or fun activity (many scouts still out)
  • 7/30 – work off open rank requirements – Elena & Megan
 
893 Summer Climbing Program
 
Uniform – Class B
Since we have trained climbing instructors and gear, ASM Adam Weisz, will be leading several climbing outings on the first Saturday of each month (see attached for dates, location and permissions). 
This is great opportunity and those with experience indicate Great Falls/Mather Gorge is a blast. Buzzard Rock was big hit will the Boys Troop group that climbed during their March campout.
  • FINAL DATE:
  • Saturday August 3 – 0800-1600 Buzzard Rock, VA
 
Upcoming Service Opportunities 
Providing service is a key part of Scouting, to do our daily good turn. 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.  
    • 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
    •  
 
 
 
Key Dates (mark your calendar)

also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar

July 20 – Troop outing: movie day (TBD)
Aug 4 – Troop outing: waterpark
Aug 16-18 – campout Prince William Forest