Scoutmaster Moment
On June 14th of every year we celebrate a resolution made by the Second Continental Congress “Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”  The new constellation is our country, the great American Experiment.  A new way of governing in the New World, of the People, by the People and for the People. Not for a king or family monarchy.  Our flag is a symbol of our country, our optimism, the sacrifice of so many over the years we’ve existed, and of our optimism for a better future. Honor it as a symbol, a rich symbol to fly proudly, but don’t confuse the symbol with what it represents.  

Everyone knows the story about Betsy Ross designing our first flag – did you know our current flag was designed by a 17 year old Scout as part of a school project?  It was selected in a nation-wide contest as the final design selected by President Eisenhower. He got a B-, but revised to an A after winning (who knew winning a national contest might help your grade??)

 

Announcements
SUMMER CAMP:
Postponed to 2021 and already booked (see Mr. Taylor’s 2 June email).  Mark your calendars for the week of 20 June 2021 at SBR. 

 

Reminder: Don’t forget to update TroopMaster as you work of requirements and merit badges (and to then use the sync function). The adult leaders review this periodically to check on everyone’s progress.

 

TROOP MEETING OUTLOOK

 

This Week – 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
         

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.

NEW! Tread Lightly online course (free)
https://tread-lightly.teachable.com/p/tread-lightly-youth-online-course?fbclid=IwAR0D0cOBOtAUzrJbOAU4jbib93v_nlhecygX-kHktBJ0WyTHWFIqIVFbE-I 

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

Service Hour opportunities. All ranks have requirements for service, Scoutmaster approval is also require (any listed here are approved).

CUMC Food Ministries include monthly You Feed Others (UFO) and GRACE Ministries (which is more than just food).  Right now they are limiting the number of volunteers for COVID guidelines, but also doing additional ad hoc items given the needs of the community. Participation requires mask, and a signed permission slip for minors (ie all Scouts) – right now minimum age is 12.  
Sign up for the COVID Food Ministry – Week of June 15-19

Mask Making – There is still a need for cloth masks as the area begins to open up and more people are out and complying with guidelines to wear them in buildings or near other people.  If you are making masks and want to donate – or want to start, CUMC has a mask making ministry and I know a group of mask makers who are coordinating with groups who need them. (This also ties into the NCAC Scouting at Home badge)

 

 

Key Dates (mark your calendar)
also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar
Dates in gray are dependent upon COVID-19 response

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