Scoutmaster Moment

On Tuesday any US Citizen over 18 is eligible to do their civic duty and vote.  Election day is the day we put our Democracy in action by choosing those that will represent us.  This year is a relatively small election, but important nonetheless.  Presidential election years get lots of press (and ads!), but in many ways the small local elections are where the big work of caring for our communities is done.  County supervisors, school boards, bonds for school buildings are all on the ballot this year.  While our  Scouts are not old enough to vote, they are old enough to know what issues are in the community (and in fact awareness of these ties into the three Citizenship merit badges).  Discussing ballot initiatives with parents is a great way to gain a better understanding of the process, and what issues are in the community.

Somewhere inside of all of us is the power to change the world. 
– Roald Dahl

We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate. 
– Thomas Jefferson

Photos

Lashing activity and Scouting for Food bag drop
 
 Lashings SFF Collage

This 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

8:45am Meet at Pier 1 parking lot (shopping center at Rt 50 & Waples Mill) to pick up all the bags dropped off on 11/2 (hopefully all, and filled up) and bring them back to the school for sorting.  We will need at least one car with plenty of cargo room for each of the 3 sections like we did yesterday, an extra car would be useful for added space in the event of overwhelming generosity.

Parent help is needed for volunteers at the school and for drivers, and boxes for packing are also needed.

Scouts are encouraged to knock on doors since folks often forget to put items out but are typically very willing to contribution when reminded. This has made a huge difference in the past. Following collection, patrols will return to our sorting site at Centre Ridge Elementary to organize the goods before delivery to the Sully District.

Patrol Leader or Designee are reminded to take attendance and estimate of time spent. Be safe, dont run, look both ways when crossing streets, and use buddy system.

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.
  • Scouts are encouraged to knock on doors since folks often forget to put items out but are typically very willing to contribution when reminded. 
    • Never enter a home, wait politely on the front stoop
  • Patrol Leader or Designee are reminded to take attendance and estimate of time spent. 
  • Be safe, dont run, look both ways when crossing streets, and use buddy system.
  • On “bag pick up” day we will be at the elementary school once the bags are collected (or any families that have signed up to start there). Once the collected items are sorted and organized they will be driven to the Sully distribution point, some drivers will be needed for this (see sign up).
    • location: ManTech building at 14280 Park Meadow Drive, Chantilly (this is not far from the Chantilly Wegman’s at 28 & Westfield’s Blvd)
  • 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.

 

Next Week – 11/12 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Class A
Location: CUMC Chapel

Shakedown for Mission Impossible campout

  • meal planning, duty rosters…
  • final prep for MI afternoon station for Webelos

Next Week – 11/15-17 – Mission Impossible Campout
Uniform: Class A/B
Location: Izaak Walton League

Some of you attended as a visiting participant last year, now you get to help run it!  This is a campout that our linked troop looks forward to each year, this year you’ll get to experience the full campout.  Saturday afternoon area Webelos and other prospective 893 Scouts will come visit our camp to see what makes 893 Simply The Best.  In the evening the adults will run stations for 893 patrols to go through.

All scouts must bring the signed permission slip (attached) and provide to SPL upon arrival to the campout.

Adult support is needed for this campout!  Adults do not need to camp overnight if they don’t wish to, help will be needed with dinner and evening stations.  

 

Following Week – 11/19 – PLC
Uniform: Class A
Location: CUMC Chapel

Each scout should arrive with one or more meeting plan or activity ideas.  The QM can use PLC time to coordinate with QMs from boys troop if needed.  I would also like to tag up with the Den Chiefs.

(Heavily borrowed from Mr. Morley since it is good stuff) 
Since we may have Webelos attending some of the meetings over the next several weeks, activities should be oriented with their participation in mind, and meetings should include a gathering activity as introduction. The link below can help with meeting ideas that can make for combination of scout skills and fun. The attached meeting plan template will be used by ASM Programs and SPL for all meetings. If you can bring these completed to the PLC meeting, it will improve the flow and perhaps allow us to look ahead a little further to some other events.
http://www.programresources.org/activities/

Purposes of Troop Meetings:

• Prepare for outings. 

• Learn and practice Scouting skills. 

• Exercise leadership. 

• Strengthen patrols. 

• Promote advancement and personal growth. 

• Inspire Scouts. 

• Have fun. 

 

Meeting Outlook from September Planning

  • November Theme – Pets
  • December – January Theme – Klondike Skills
  • February – TBD
  • March – TBD

 

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/

 

Key Dates (mark your calendar)

also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar

  • Nov 9 – Scouting for Food (bag pick up)
  • Nov 15-17 – Mission Impossible
  • Dec 6 – Lock in (overnight inside)
  • TBD – Astronomy MB stargazing will be rescheduled