Scoutmaster Moment
Over the past week the news headlines that once were focused on COVID numbers have turned to stories of people turning out in their communities to protest injustice they have seen.  Democracy is sometimes complicated and messy, sometimes change doesn’t come easily. It is important to be well informed, to vary the sources where you get your news and to talk with your family to understand what you see.  Most importantly, it is important to remember the parts of the Scout Oath and Law in your life and interactions with others.  To be Kind, Helpful, Trustworthy, and more.  

Try and leave this world a little better than you found it, and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate, you have not wasted your time but have done your best.
– Lord Baden-Powell, founder of Scouting

The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of beauty is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, but indifference between life and death.
– Elie Wiesel

 

Announcements
SUMMER CAMP: 
Everyone should have seen the email from Mr. Taylor on 2 June about the troop cancellation of summer camp this year. We are moving the summer camp reservation to Summer of 2021 and look forward to a great experience then. Troop leadership is working on options for summer activities with Scouts once we are able to meet again.  We want to have fun with the scouts (I know I’ve missed seeing everyone!) and work on some rank advancement.  The time is coming, we want to ensure we have a safe plan in place.

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 – 6/9- **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

Next – 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-OnlineMB

Gulf Stream Council (Florida) 
https://www.gulfstreamcouncil.org/raw2020   

Piedmont Council (North Carolina)
https://www.piedmontcouncilbsa.org/mbuonline 

Andrew Jackson Council (Mississippi)
http://www.bsa-jackson.org/event/list/2535

Mt. 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) (moved to 2021)
Aug 14-16 – Prince William Forest Campout
Aug 25 – First Day FCPS