Scoutmaster Moment
Today marks the first day of the last month of the year based on the Gregorian calendar, and beginning of the busy holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. 2019 is drawing to an end. As the first Sunday in December it marks the start of the Advent waiting period for Christmas for Christians. Students, meanwhile, are waiting for the start of Winter Break (and no school). Many faiths have holidays in this season of longer nights that shine light into the dark; advent candles and Christmas trees, Chanukah lights, Yule logs… Whatever your faith of the season and whatever your family traditions are, be sure to enjoy the lights, the smiles of strangers and the joy of the season as you study for classes, run errands, and help with the extra activity around the home. This season can be stressful as we try to get everything “just right”, remembering to enjoy the moment is important.
I like to compare the holiday season with the way a child listens to a favorite story. The pleasure is in the familiar way the story begins, the anticipation of familiar turns it takes, the familiar moments of suspense, and the familiar climax and ending.
-Fred Rogers
Photo – Troop meeting with Pet show (Pets MB support) and Vienna Metro jerky sales fundraiser
Rank Advancement
Scouts who have earned rank:
- Caitlin Schuetz. – Second Class (11/19)
- Rai Sengupta. – Scout (11/26)
This Week – 12/3 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Class A
Location: CUMC Chapel
- Preparation/shakedown and final planning for Lock-in
- Introduction to Klondike for Scouts who have not been before
- May include discussion on possible stations run by our troop
This Week – 12/6-7 – Lock-in
Uniform: Class A/B
Location: CUMC ROC
- Overnight at the CUMC “gym” (warmer than a tent!)
- Signed permission slip is required (attached below)
- sleeping bag, some kind of sleeping mat and water bottle are needed at minimum
- layers are recommended, the ROC can get cool at night
- All scouts should arrive after their dinner and are asked to bring food item to share (late night pizza and breakfast will be part of grub fee)
White Elephant Gift Exchange will happen during the lock-in event
- $10 gift, wrapped
- Something you might enjoy, not “gag” gift
- 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.
Next Week – 12/10 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Class A
Location: CUMC Chapel
- Preparation for Klondike: Knots run by Rai & Isabella
- This should be a welcoming activity for possible Webelos visitors to participate in
- Should include knots required for Tenderfoot-1st Class
- Look in Program Resources for ideas: http://www.programresources.org/activities/
- Should be fun!
Following Week – 12/17 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Class A
Location: CUMC Chapel
- Preparation for Klondike: First Aid run by Caitlin & Elena
- Should include 1st Aid skills required for Tenderfoot-1st Class
- Look in Program Resources for ideas: http://www.programresources.org/activities/
- Should be fun!
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
Fundraising
Our second Jerky Sales booth of the Fall is coming up, after this we will restart other fundraising in the Spring. All sales from these booths (and any “outside” sales by the scouts) will count towards their 2020 fundraising goals. Please check the sign up for open slots on our next booth on 12/9
Merit Badge Opportunities
Anyone interested in beginning on the Personal Fitness MB should speak with Ms. Kathy and Ms. Staton. We are discussing an opportunity to gather needed metrics starting after Winter Break, this would be outside our normal meeting time. This is an Eagle Required MB that requires keeping a log of your activities for 3 months. Knocking it out early is a great idea, having encouragement from others is even better.
More info on the badge: http://usscouts.org/usscouts/mb/mb010.asp
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 9 – Jerky sales booth at Vienna Metro
- Dec 15 – Klondike Sled Build completion
- Dec 24, Jan 31 – Winter Break (no meetings)
- -2020-
- Jan 17-19 – Klondike Derby
- Apr 24-26 – New Scout Campout (possible conflict may require date change)
- Jul 5-11 – Summer Camp (Summit Bechtel)
- TBD – Astronomy MB stargazing will be rescheduled