Scoutmaster Moment

The day before the 4th Thursday in November is the highest volume of road and air traffic as people migrate around the country and gather for a single dinner together.  This seems like a great deal of hassle to travel, fight traffic, all the preparation of cleaning and cooking for just one meal. Except it isn’t just one meal.  It is setting aside hectic lives of work, school, & activities and choosing to be with those you love to share a meal and be thankful for the many blessings you have. It is making memories that you will have for the rest of your life, and share stories of with your own children.  This week be sure to take a moment to savor the time with family and friends; and to be thankful for the blessings of having them, of a table full of food, and a warm home to be in.

We must find the time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.
– John F. Kennedy

Reflect upon your present blessings — of which every man has many — not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.
– Charles Dickens

Merit Badge University Survey

Now is your chance to let the MBU coordinators know what merit badges you want to see.  
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LV5TB8H

Info on different badges can be found at: http://usscouts.org/meritbadges.asp 

2020 Summer Camp

5-11 July 2020  – Troops 893 will be going to summer camp at the James C. Justice Scout Camp at Bechtel Summit Reserve. A canvas of various options shows this camp has some of the most program areas and merit badge opportunities.  This is the location of the 2019 World Jamboree, and both recent and upcoming 2021 National Jamborees.  Check out this video for more information about the camp and what it offers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgefzciGZN0&feature=youtu.be 

Recharter

We are now rolling into our “recharter” period. At our last Court of Honor we presented our official charter certificate to Pastor Will.  Each year we will renew this document and pay fees (dues) to BSA National, this is our official first re-charter as a Troop. Please look out for emails from Mr. Taylor on this and what the related due dates are (and what is due).

 

This Week – 11/19 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Class A
Location: Centreville Dance Academy

This week is the Pet Show for those working on the Pets Merit Badge, Megan has provided a note for this meeting.

This week we will be holding a pet show to satisfy a requirement for the Pets merit badge. Our show will be held at Centreville Dance Academy and will feature our scout’s pets. Scouts will talk about their pet, sharing what it’s name is, how they take care of it, and show any tricks they might have. All pets should be either on a leash, in a carrier, or otherwise restrained. There are grassy areas for pets to use along the sidewalk outside the studio, the closest one is outside the pet hospital at the end of the building. Come ready to have fun and learn about our furry (or scaley) friends! 
After the pet show there should be ample time to get requirements worked on, signed off and even start building out meeting plans based on the planning done at last week’s PLC.

Next Week – 12/3 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Class A
Location: CUMC Chapel

  • Preparation/shakedown and final planning for Lock-in 
  • Introduction to Klondike

Next Week – 12/6-7 – Lock-in
Uniform: Class A/B
Location: CUMC ROC

Overnight at the CUMC “gym” (warmer than a tent!)

White Elephant Gift Exchange will happen during the lock-in event

What is a “white elephant exchange”? Gift becomes part of a game where each participant is given a number and based on that number chooses a new gift to open or to “steal” an opened one.  Anyone who is “stolen from” can then pick another new or opened gift.  Gifts can only be “stolen” so many times before locked down.

  • $10 gift, wrapped
  • Not “gag” gift, something you might enjoy

Meeting Outlook from Fall Planning

  • November Theme – Pets
  • December – January Theme – Klondike Skills
  • February – Scouting Through Time
  • March – Fun with Fire
  • April – Back 2 Basics

 

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/
  • Camp Snyder Work Days – Camp Snyder is located in Haymarket and has two work crew days each month where volunteers can help with camp maintenance doing carpentry, painting, trail maintenance…  This can be done as an individual or as small groups.  Let me know if you are interested  in providing service (or if a group wants to go together) and I can provide recent announcements.

 

Key Dates (mark your calendar)
also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar

  • Dec 6 – Lock in (overnight inside)
  • Dec 15 – Klondike Sled Build completion
  • Dec 24, Jan 31 – Winter Break (no meetings)
  • Jan 17-19 – Klondike Derby
  • Apr 24-26 – New Scout Campout
  • Jul 5-11 – Summer Camp (Summit Bechtel)
  • TBD – Astronomy MB stargazing will be rescheduled