Scoutmaster Moment
The last couple of months have been challenging to each of us in many ways, both great and small. The troop as a group has demonstrated great resilience in the pivot from in-person to on-line meetings, while showing continued caring for each other and enthusiasm for Scouting. This truly came together in this week’s meeting where everyone was involved with creating storyboards in each patrol and then as entire group. I hope everyone was having as much fun as it appeared from my screen. Well done all!
Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future.
-Walt DisneyIt’s kind of fun to do the impossible.
-Walt Disney
Rank Advancement
Isabella Pazos – First Class
Announcements
SUMMER CAMP:
Currently 893 Summer Camp is still on: Summit has delayed start of camp to 1 July – however we are due on 5 July and are set to go still. As we’ve all seen through this COVID response target dates and impacts can shift. We will certainly share what we know should anything change. Timing for doctor signed medical forms and completed swim tests prior to camp arrival are an acknowledged concern that camps are working on, again we’ll share what we know as we learn more.
Mr Adam is working on some options for social distancing Astronomy MB observations. Any scouts interested in completing, or starting, the Astronomy MB should reach out to me.
Reminder: Don’t forget to update TroopMaster as you work of requirements and merit badges (and to then use the sync function).
TROOP MEETING OUTLOOK
This Week – 6/2 – **VIRTUAL** Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: Zoom App (meeting link info to be sent day of meeting)
A Summer Camp planning discussion is planned for this meeting, please plan to participate
Parents: please listen into this for camp update
We have a guest speaker on the BSA Hornaday Award
The Rascal Rabbit patrol will lead an activity involving a scavenger hunt
Next Week – 6/9- **VIRTUAL** Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: Zoom App (meeting link info to be sent day of meeting)
The Moon Archers are planning an Art activity
Following – 6/16- **VIRTUAL** PLC
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: Zoom App (meeting link info to be sent day of meeting)
Each patrol leader should come prepared with multiple ideas for their patrol to run troop meeting activities suitable for virtual meetings.
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/
Meetings can include pre-recorded videos as demo that are then incorporated into discussion/activity (these short be short, and not the full meeting). Activities towards merit badge requirements can be used, but meetings devoted to rushing through a single merit badge is not encouraged. Similar is true of NOVA Awards. There are also 30-day challenges for rank advancement that could be leveraged.
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).
Scouts in leadership positions should be prepared to provide an update of their activities in that position supporting the troop (what is completed, what may be needed).
SCOUTING FROM HOME
NCAC Scouting at Home page
NCAC new Scouting at Home patch
NEW! DelMarVa Council Scouting from Home Page
This page has Merit Badge info, but also has a great “Trail to First Class” Knowledge Library to help you work on rank advancement from home. These include links to videos on some of the requirements to help review.
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 counselors 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)
- Online MB sessions
- BSA Advancement Academy – updated periodically
- NCAC MB offerings – these are updated periodically (there may be technology fees for at least some offerings)
- Forwarded list of MB options:
National Capital Area
https://www.ncacbsa.org/merit-badges-at-home/Central Florida Council
https://scoutingevent.com/083-OnlineMBGulf Stream Council (Florida)
https://www.gulfstreamcouncil.org/raw2020Piedmont Council (North Carolina)
https://www.piedmontcouncilbsa.org/mbuonlineAndrew Jackson Council (Mississippi)
http://www.bsa-jackson.org/event/list/2535Mt. St. Helen’s Volcano Scouting
https://www.volcanoscouting.org/virtual
30 Day Brownsea Challenge
Attention Scouts, Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, & 1st Class! Keep your Scout Skills sharp with the 30 Day Brownsea Challenge. The challenge begins this Friday! Complete the challenge and earn the exclusive Scout On Patch! You must be registered to earn the patch! There is no cost to register. Registrations end April 9th at 11:55 pm. Register & learn more here: http://www.bsa-grc.org/registration/calendardetail.aspx
Rank Advancement
Review your Scout Handbook, work on your skills so you can get items signed off. You can discuss with other scouts too. See 30-day challenges for rank advancement ideas.
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
My Adventures as a Spy, Robert Baden-Powell
List of books to read from Boys Life magazine
What books do you suggest??
OTHER NEWS & INFO
Key Dates (mark your calendar)
also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar
Dates are dependent upon COVID-19 response
TBD – Swim Test
TBD – New Scout Campout
Jul 5-11 – Summer Camp (Summit Bechtel)
Aug 14-16 – Prince William Forest Campout
Aug 25 – First Day FCPS