Scoutmaster Moment

After some planning sessions for the lock-in, the overnight happened and was a smash hit.  I’m still a bit slow and recovering, but happy to have some sleep that night…  The grins on scouts’ faces makes the tiredness worth it!  There was hot cocoa, gingerbread houses made (and oh so much royal icing and candies!), late night pizza and lots of other snacks.  Many thanks to Mrs. Sengupta for arranging the food and icing!!  The hot sandwiches in the morning were especially welcome!  The Christas Carol karaoke was fun to have everyone singing (who knew there were hand motions to The 12 Days of Christmas??), plus movie fun, white elephant gift exchange and games played – oh yeah, and a bit of sleep.  I hope my fellow overnight adults have recovered as well (thank you Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Alvarez for the company!)

 

This 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!

Next 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!

Year End (close of 2019, start of 2020):

  • Dec 15 – Klondike Sled Build completion 
  • Dec 24, Jan 31 – Winter Break (no meetings)  
  • Jan 7 – Klondike Prep
  • Jan 14 – Klondike Shakedown / Fire building (on Activity Field)
  • Jan 17-19 – Sully District Klondike
  • Jan 21 – Patrol Night (no troop meeting)

 

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

 

OTHER NEWS & INFO

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.
  • 12/14 Wreaths Across America – this is a national event occurring at cemeteries across the country to lay wreaths on graves of our nations veterans. Their website lists various locations where this can be done (locally Arlington National Cemetery is one that many people volunteer at, and can be crowded at the start).
    • more info: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
  • Troop 1995 has an outing planned (with optional overnight) at Cheltenham, MD with their sponsor the American Legion, Mrs. Alvarez has a sign up if anyone is interested from 893.  This would not be a Troop event, but would count towards service hours.
  • 12/14 Eagle Project – CUMC Activity Field at 9am, Class B uniform.  893BT scout Ben Fuentes is seeking support from fellow Scouts to help build dog bed platforms for the Fairfax Humane Society (see attached) 
    • Please bring power drills along with drill bits and gloves if you have them. Donuts and drinks will be provided.  

 

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

  • 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)
  • May 22-24 – 893 Annual Family Canoe Trip
  • Jul 5-11 – Summer Camp (Summit Bechtel)
  • TBD – Astronomy MB stargazing will be rescheduled