Scoutmaster Moment

This past week past week has been a whirlwind of news and activity not just within our community, but across the nation as a whole.  When we last met FCPS had announced a plan for next week in preparation of possible school closure to help enforce “social distancing”, our new term of the year, and decrease the incidence of COVID-19 before reaching critical mass for our health system.  By the weekend all local school systems, including FCPS are now closed until after Spring Break; joined by Broadway, the Smithsonian, Disney, professional sports and more. This is truly a historic time, and can feel unsettling. Talk to your family, check on your fellow scouts and friends.  A Scout is Kind

The troop will also be on break from in-person meetings until at least 27 March, but we have other ways of maintaining contact.

Please listen to official guidance, maintain your social distance (6 foot minimum) to avoid illness. A Scout is Obedient.  This doesn’t mean being a hermit with video games 🙂  You can play outside, the parks are open with trails and more (just keep that distance).  Many online resources are opening up, making themselves available for free during this time. Try something new, work on merit badges, keep up on your academic skills, read some books, learn a new hobby, write cards for nursing home residents (many are no longer allowed visitors for their protection).

Be sure to wash your hands often, wipe down frequently touched items (door handles, remote controls, your phone).  A Scout is clean.

 

We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.
― Herman Melville

Photos – Fire-building activity, receiving First Class neckerchief

 

TROOP MEETING OUTLOOK

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and compliance with the need for social distancing in-person meetings are on hold. Please see the 3/14 joint email from Mr. Morley for more details and 893 plans.

However, that does not mean we can’t meet virtually using online tools. There are currently plans for a scout meeting to occur using video chat tools for our regular meeting on Tuesday.  More details on this will come out shortly.  The idea is to meet virtually even if we cannot meet in person.

The new family orientation planned for the 3/17 meeting will still happen, but online via video.  Adults are asked to please join us for the presentation, bring questions if you have them 🙂  Information for linking in will be sent separately.

 

THINGS TO DO

  • Merit Badges: 
    • Finish open badges from MBU (or others)
    • Start a new badge (talk to me to formally open it).  
    • Good candidates are those that include tracking activities over many weeks, such as Family Life  Personnel Fitness  and Personal Management
    • Public Health is a relevant topic one now
    • Our troop has many councilors available to work with you using technology, and across NCAC and further others are offering to assist scouts with badges to help keep everyone busy (not bored)  
  • Read a book, so many to choose from!  Here are some suggestions:
    • Lost on a Mountain in Maine, Donn Fendler – true story of a 12 year old scout lost for 9 days
    • List of books to read from Boys Life magazine
    • What books do you suggest??

 

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 

 

Key Dates (mark your calendar)

also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar

  • Mar 17 – New parent orientation (please plan on at least one parent attending)
  • Mar 29 – Leadership Training
  • Apr 4 – CUMC Spring Clean Up
  • Apr 14 – Spring CoH
  • May 1-3 – New Scout Campout (New Date)
  • May 22-24 – 893 Annual Family Canoe Trip
  • Jul 5-11 – Summer Camp (Summit Bechtel)