Scoutmaster Moment
Next weekend marks the time for us to adjust our clocks and “fall back” one hour. Remembering the time change, and adjusting all those clocks, can be challenging (I’m told electrical tape works wonders until it is removed in March to reveal the proper time again). As a parent I admittedly relish the extra hour of sleep the fall time change affords me… This week is All Hallows Eve, or as more commonly known: Halloween. Enjoy your festivities, costumes, sweets in moderation. Do be careful while out trick or treating, dark costumes are hard to see by many drivers.
An extra yawn one morning in the springtime, an extra snooze one night in the autumn is all that we ask in return for dazzling gifts.— Winston ChurchillAlternate view also presented as Daylight Savings is not without some controversy…Daylight time, a monstrosity in timekeeping.— Harry S. Truman
This Week – 10/29 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Costume (Scout appropriate please)
Location: CUMC Chapel
Scouts can come in costume this week
Lashings activity run by Elena and Rowan
Scouting for Food bag prep & bag drop date/time selection
Mission Impossible station planning (as needed)
This Week – 11/2 – Scouting for Food (SFF) Bag Drop
Uniform: Class A
Location: TBD
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.
The 893 Scouting for Food (SFF) coordinators have requested that the Sign Up link for support on back pick up day (11/9) be shared out. Parent help is needed for volunteers at the school and for drivers, and boxes for packing are also needed.
Other practical SFF tips:
- All scouts should be in Class A (tan shirt) for both bag drop off and pick up – it is a good idea for adults with the scouts to also be dressed in uniform if they have one (this is a great help when approaching anyone’s home).
- Dress for weather, layers! Long sleeve shirts underneath allow the uniform to show, a scout hat and visible neckerchief help if the weather requires a jacket.
- On “bag pick up” day we will be at the elementary school for the morning. We are outside the entire time – dress for weather, including gloves if needed. The building is usually not open, which means there are no bathrooms available – please plan appropriately.
Scouting for Food is one of my personal favorite community activities Scouts does, in a relatively short time we have a massive impact on our community. We will discuss how both weekends work at this week’s meeting since many families may be new to this. I look forward to working with everyone on this great program.
Next Week – 11/5 – NO Meeting
FCPS are closed for end of quarter teacher day and Election Day. I’m a firm believer that all kids should see their parents vote so they are familiar with the process when they are eligible. Parents: bring your kids to the polls, Scouts: support your parents and watch the process. Voting is our right, and civic responsibility, as Citizens.
This Week – 11/9 – Scouting for Food (SFF) Bag Pick-up
Uniform: Class A
Location: Centreridge ES
Meet at the elementary school to pick up all the bags (hopefully all, and filled up) and bring them back to the school for sorting
Meeting Outlook from September Planning
- October Theme – Outdoor Skills
- November Theme – Pets
- December – January Theme – Klondike Skills
Merit Badge Opportunities
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
- CUMC Holiday Bazaar
- Robert Taylor Eagle Project
Key Dates (mark your calendar)
also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar
- Nov 2 – Scouting for Food (bag drop)
- Nov 9 – Scouting for Food (bag pick up)
- Nov 15-17 – Mission Impossible
- TBD – Astronomy MB stargazing will be rescheduled