Scoutmaster Minute: The only way to succeed is take the first step and embrace the risk of failure. Since school is about to being in a few weeks –shudder– and the Troop begin to prepare for new Scout leadership, I thought was point to make again. In our program we seek to provide an environment we a Scout can try new things and often the worst that happens a bad meal or that leaving boots outside is bad idea. Most important and more frequent are the small gains in confidence when they realize that will a little planning that they really can make things happen. There in lies the purpose of patrols developing meeting plans that define the what, the who and the how of a skills based activity.
Try a little taste of leadership, you might like it and surprise yourself. We are all here to serve one another as each other keepers…lets keep up the good work of pushing everyone forward.
You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.
– Winnie-the-Pooh, The Tao of Pooh
Rank Advancement
  • Ben Brock-Fuentes – Life (8/7)

1. This Week Aug 13 – Get Orienteered (Phoenix) @ Activity Field
Uniform – Class B
The Phoenix patrol will be offering guidance on critical survival skills and the basic of Orienteering. Many Scouts have started the merit badge this meeting and the campout will provide opportunity to complete several requirements. https://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Orienteering. BRING YOUR COMPASS.
This will also serve as the Shakedown meeting for the Aug 16-18 outing at Prince William Forest, so plan to finalize patrol menus, grubmaster assignments and tentmates. For those working on the camping or cooking merit badges I have attached some backpacking meal ideas that can be used when developing plans.
2.  Troop Campout Aug 16-18  @ Prince William Forest
Uniform – Class A & B
We will be at the Turkey Run Ridge camping area. All those attending will nede to bring the attached permission to the Troop assembly on Friday evening.
On Saturday, some members of the Quantico Orienteering Club will be offering support with orienteering activities as they are specialists in land navigation.
 
## Trailer – Need confirmation from an Adult(s) that can transport the Troop trailer to and/or from the campout ASAP.
3.  Next Week Aug 20 – TBD (Eagles) @ Activity Field
Uniform – Class B
 The Eagles are in the process of developing a plan related to Geochaching. 
4. Next Next Week Aug 27 – Troop 893 Back 2 School Picnic  @ Activity Field
Uniform – Class A/B
### We need volunteers to setup the activity field, run the bbq pit and grills plus a few other items like plates, cups ice. 
The back to school picnic is coming up on August 27th. This is a time for fellowship with all Troop families! All Troop members are welcome. Please plan to arrive by 6:45 pm at the CUMC activity field pavilion.
Possibility to also demonstrated your gaga ball skills if time permits. That means Class A with Class B underneath if you play to play…again time permitting.
The Troop will provide the hamburgers and hot dogs. Each family should bring soda/chips, side dish, or dessert as assigned by last name below:
A-L     Dessert  
M-R    Soda or other drink & bag of chips
S-Z     Side Dish

5.  Further Out Sept 3 – Leadership Elections (ALL)
Uniform – Class A
Father Time keeps on ticking and its time to prepare the next Leadership team for the Fall 19-20 term. The majority of Scouts are now at a rank level where they must also hold a position of responsibility to demonstrate leadership as a requirement to advance. Scouts in interested in running for SPL should see me this week or next.
In order to get credit for a holding a position the Scout must directly engage and participate consistently. Please review the attached Position Leadership Guide as you think about how you may serve your fellow Scouts in the next term, October 2019-March 2020.
6.  Key Dates
Aug 16-18: Prince William Forest Campout
Aug 27: Back 2 School Troop Picnic @ CUMC Activity Field
Sept 3: Leadership Elections
Sept 21-22:  Backpacking Paris, VA to Sky Meadows (planning in progress)
Sept 28-29: Junior Leadership Training
Oct 1: Fall Court of Honor