Scoutmaster Moment

I don’t know about you, but lately I feel compelled to wash my hands most times I pass a sink.  When I go out for errands (ie, out for milk or a walk in the park) I use sanitizer when I get to the car and wash my hands soon as I get into the house.  When I get to the office I wash my hands, and repeat the process when I get to the car and back home. Hand lotion has become essential. Keep maintaining social distance, keep washing your hands, take a walk around your neighborhood or park (keep away from others!).  Stay healthy.

 

manus manam lavat (one hand washes the other)
-Seneca the Younger

Out, damned spot! out, I say! …  
-Lady MacBeth (William Shakespeare)

Wash your hands
-Lady MacBeth (William Shakespeare)

 

TROOP MEETING OUTLOOK

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

However, that does not mean we can’t meet virtually using online tools. Last week’s meeting had a couple of hiccups getting worked through, but it was great for the scouts to interact again.  We will have another virtual meeting this week.  The idea is to continue to meet virtually even if we cannot meet in person. Why allow a little virus-induced world disruption impede our Scouting?

 

This Week – 3/24 – **VIRTUAL** Troop Meeting
Uniform: Class B
Location: Zoom App, meeting code: 760-623-607

We are trying a different platform for this meeting, hopefully it will go a bit more smoothly for everyone to enter the meeting this time.  You will need to download the Zoom App to your computer or phone or run it in your browser.  I’m told downloading is preferred method.
You can begin signing in at 6:30 to ensure it works for you and shake out any issues. Meeting starts at 7pm

First Aid was scheduled as topic, details are still getting worked on.

 

THINGS TO DO FROM HOME

Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI)  4/3-5

This event is normally held in the Fall in conjunction with Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) where Scouts can use radio equipment to talk with people around the world and computers to do activities online, but this year a special “JOTI” will happen April 3-5 to allow Scouts to meet up and still keep our social distancing. More info will become available at this link: https://www.jotajoti.info 

Merit Badges 

See my 3/21 email for info on how merit badges work, and the troop process for opening a badge 

  • 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 highly relevant topic one now (and perhaps appropriate to earn during a pandemic)
  • 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)  

Rank Advancement

Review your Scout Handbook, work on your skills so you can get items signed off.  You can discuss with other scouts too. 

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 29 – Leadership Training — POSTPONED
  • 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)