Scoutmaster Moment
The troop had a very busy week! At our Fall Court of Honor the BSA Charter for 893 Girls Troop was officially presented to Pastor Will of CUMC, and as our first year notes we have been “serving youth for years” I look forward to the 2020 charter actually having a number in it. The CoH had the new leadership team was sworn in, and the many accomplishments of all scouts recognized. If anyone is tracking, since our start in February the original 7 scouts have: earned 22 rank awards and 62 merit badges – this is phenomenal! Over the weekend we also attended our first Camporee and enjoyed Seneca District’s hospitality for their Mountain Man Rendezvous. Scouts ate well, and enjoyed the many projectile-base activities such as archery, Giant Sling Shot, knife throwing, tomahawk throwing caber toss… They also did the two-man saw, branded objects, and much more.
This week – 10/15 – Astronomy Merit Badge
Uniform: Class A
Location: CUMC Chapel
Wrapping up Astronomy Merit Badge activities from this summer between this meeting, and star gazing at Mr. Adam’s home on 10/26.
5.b Using the Internet (with your parent’s permission), books, and other resources, find out when each of the five most visible planets that you identified in requirement 5a will be observable in the evening sky during the next 12 months, then compile this information in the form of a chart or table. (https://www.heavens-above.com/ is a great resource for this)
6.a Sketch the face of the Moon and indicate at least five seas and five craters. Label these landmarks.
6.b Sketch the phase and the position of the Moon at the same hour and place, for four nights within a one week period. Include landmarks on the horizon such as hills, trees, and buildings. Explain the changes you observe.
9. Find out about three career opportunities in astronomy. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you. (each scout should research 1 career and we’ll discuss all of them as a group).
Anyone who has not opened up a blue card with me can do so and then work to complete
This week – 10/19 – Centreville Day Parade & Booth
Uniform: Class A
Location: Centreville Day
Come support the scouting booth and march in the (short) parade! Parades are fun to watch, but even more fun to be in. The American Legion has donated a table to Scouting to use as community outreach – and has signed up the table for Trick or Treating. This means lots of kids will be coming by for candy. We are promoting local scouting as well as recruiting outreach to our troop.
Please use the SignUpGenius to sign up and read more details.
Coming Up – 11/2 & 9 – Scouting for Food (SFF)
Uniform: Class A
Location: 11/2 TBD, 11/9 Centreridge ES
This is an annual event where our council supports our local communities by collecting non-perishable goods. Last year the council collected 1 million pounds of goods, Sully District collected over 62,000 pounds. Sully district collects for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries food bank and provides support to many, this event stocks them for about six months of needed items – and is fun. In particular this event helps our immediate community to support those around us who are in need.
We need as many scouts as possible for dropping of bags at area homes and more importantly for picking up the filled bags on the 9th. The 893 units are part of the few who are authorized to pre-sort our collection before dropping off what we have collected. Please plan to participate, as many hands available as possible on the 9th makes this go quickly! This is a great family event too.
This is a recent photo showing the current state of WFCM food pantry, once SFF is over these will be filled – please come help.
Fundraiser Booths
Uniform: Class A
The troops are selling popcorn, with two more booth dates on the calendar. Please support the troop and sign up for some time slots. Building our finances as a unit means we have more options for activities.
Both of the booths are located at the Chantilly Walmart (near Expo)
Meeting Outlook from September Planning
- October Theme – Outdoor Skills
- November Theme – Pets
- December – January Theme – Klondike Skills
Merit Badge Opportunities
Merit badges can be earned outside of summer camp and Merit Badge University (MBU) held by the troop. Sometimes there are merit badge related activities going on all around us, including school coursework. A recent article lists some options based on school studies, while it lists 5, reality is that many of your studies, elective course, and outside activities such as clubs, sports, band, etc offer opportunities too. Study the list of available badges to compare against activities you currently do, then talk to me if you have a blue card you wish to open.
Link to Merit badges: http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Merit_Badges
Badges based on common school coursework & activities
- Scholarship
- Reading
- Theater
- Programing, Digital Technology
- PE & teams: Athletics, Personal Fitness
- Band: Music, Bugling
- Photography
- Arts: Art, Sculpture
- Chemistry
- Civics: Citizenship badges
- Clubs: Robotics, Chess, Astronomy, Entrepreneurship…
Ashburn Fire & Rescue Merit Badge Night – 10/25
Work towards Emergency Preparedness, Safety, and Fire Safety merit badges at a firehouse (pre-requisite work is needed in order to complete). Space is limited to 80 scouts – website talks about Boy Scouts (rather than Scouts BSA), however they indicated girl troop members have registered and are welcome. The event is a long evening, but includes dinner. I will need to provide blue cards for anyone going.
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. This section is to list any upcoming service opportunities that may help the Community, and progress in your trail to Eagle, this list is not inclusive and there are many other activities in the area that are also worthwhile. Activities listed here are Scoutmaster approved, if you have other activities you would like to do be sure to check with me if you would like them to count towards scout service requirements.
- 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
- Max Carper Eagle Project, Saturday October 26, 10:00am
- This project will construct cornhole sets for Westfield High School’s Senior Courtyard. The project will be hosted at 15447 Martins Hundred Drive. See attached flyer and talk with Max at the next meeting.
Key Dates (mark your calendar)
also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar
- Oct 19 – Centreville Day
- Oct 26 – Star Gazing (Astronomy Badge)
- Nov 2 – Scouting for Food (bag drop)
- Nov 9 – Scouting for Food (bag pick up)
- Nov 15-17 – Mission Impossible