Scoutmaster Moment

This week’s photo is a victory photo of all the scouts on the very first 893G Klondike team, with the well-earned 2nd place trophy.  These scouts worked diligently at each station in “wintry mix” weather to execute puzzles, challenges, and demonstrate Scout Skills earning up to 10 points at each station (earning maximum points at over half the stations). Plus one point for having a skit at the awards campfire. Two scouts not on the team that day also were key in the building of the team sled – truly a troop-wide effort. Coming in second, out of 18 teams, on a first try is fantastic.  In competition every point matters, every team member matters, every attempt to do your best matters.  This is true in life as well. The final score for 893G was 104 points – the 3rd place team’s score was 103 points. That skit entry or extra team effort at a station for another point meant the difference between holding 2nd, and having a tie for 2nd.  Every effort counts.

 

TROOP MEETING OUTLOOK

This Week – 1/28 – Patrol Leader Council planning
Uniform: Class A
Location: CUMC Chapel

Each scout should  come prepared with at least two ideas for both meeting activities, and for outings.  In particular, we will discuss March campout weekend plans (as start making them).  See upcoming meeting themes listed below by month.

Ideas can be found within the Program Resources book (linked here, and will be physically present during discussion). Some upcoming meetings should include welcoming new scouts to the troop and helping them ramp up skills while polishing/advancing those of current scouts.
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. 

All scouts should be in Class A uniform, with their handbook, as well as paper & pen/pencil.  Leadership positions are asked to act on their area (any needed supplies from QM, Scribe taking notes on discussion).

This Week – 2/2 – Merit Badge University (first day)
Uniform: Class A
Location: Centreville Dance Academy

The MBU session sign up was sent out this week, if you have not signed up for badges yet then sign up soon –  time is running out.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/mbu2020

All scouts should: 

  • be dressed in class A uniform (tan shirt)
  • be on time (which is to say early) for the start of each session
  • bring paper and writing utensil
  • have their schedule and map
  • come with a clean camp chair (this is a working dance studio – mud will not be appreciated) 
  • bring a water bottle (popcorn will be available, you’ll want a drink) 
  • have read any emails and guidance from Merit Badge Councilors and be prepared with completed homework as needed
  • be prepared to help clean up at end, scouts will be dismissed when SPLs and Mr. & Mrs. Taylor are satisfied with studio condition

Next Week – 2/4 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Class A
Location: CUMC Chapel

Meeting details pending 1/28 PLC

 

Meeting Outlook from Fall Planning

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

 

OTHER NEWS & INFO

2021 National Jamboree – 21-30 July 2021, Bechtel Summit Reserve, WV

The BSA National Jamboree occurs every four years for 10 days and is held at the same location as our 2020 summer camp. As a national event there are scouts from all over the country, and some international scouts may participate.

  • Registration is now open, anyone interested must register as an individual and Jamboree Troops are formed by each Council.
  • A participating Scout must be at least 12 by the first day, and cannot be older than 18 by the last day.
  • Adults can register as leaders for a Council-formed troop, or to volunteer to help work camp.  Young adults (18-25) can register to volunteer as well.
  • There are past Jamboree participants in the 893 Boy Troop (including Mr. Treat and DJ Treat), I’m sure they would be happy to talk about their adventures
  • Jamboree is 10 days of friends, fun and adventure, 7/21-30/2021.  Cost for participant is $1,175
  • Official website: https://jamboree.scouting.org 

 

University of Scouting – 2/29 – training opportunity for interested adults

Our council has an annual training event early each Spring.  It is a full day of training for leaders, with different topics offered across 6 different sessions. Lunch is included with registration fee.  “U of S” is broken into different colleges for each program, participants can attend sessions in any “college” – there are way more interesting sessions that I saw this year than had time to sign up for.  Registration is open now, and some sessions will fill early.  More info: https://www.ncacbsa.org/training/university-of-scouting/ 

Feel free to talk with me if you have any questions and are interested in attending!

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 

Merit Badge University info will be coming out shortly, this is a topic for the 1/21 meeting

 

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.
  • Sully District Twilight Camp –  June 24-28  – The district has run a Cub Scout camp the past couple of years one week of the summer, in the evening.  This is volunteer run by both adults and scouts.  Organizers this year are particularly interested in some of the scouts from the two new Girl Troops participating.  There is an interest meeting planned on 1/23. 

 

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

  • Jan 28 – PLC
  • Feb 2, 9, 23 – MBU
  • Mar 20-22 – Outing (TBD)
  • May 1-3 – New Scout Campout (New Date)
  • May 22-24 – 893 Annual Family Canoe Trip
  • Jul 5-11 – Summer Camp (Summit Bechtel)
  • TBD – Astronomy MB stargazing will be rescheduled