Scoutmaster Moment
This has been a productive week for 893! The Patrol Leader Council met and made good progress planning meetings and activities through the end of October. Over the weekend the first Eagle Project got started painting the Westfield’s HS lecture hall and some scouts were able to work on aquatics requirements for rank advancement for Second Class and First Class. I may be tired just from writing this (wait, maybe also from being at all those activities…). Remember that “work” is in the mindset. A task can be fun when one is with friends and is focused on goals. It is not every day that we are allowed to mark up the walls of a school.
“Hello, old chap, you got to work, hey?”
Tom wheeled suddenly and said:
“Why, it’s you, Ben! I warn’t noticing.”
“Say — I’m going in a-swimming, I am. Don’t you wish you could? But of course you’d druther work — wouldn’t you? Course you would!”
Tom contemplated the boy a bit, and said:
“What do you call work?”
“Why, ain’t that work?”
Tom resumed his whitewashing, and answered carelessly:
“Well, maybe it is, and maybe it ain’t. All I know, is, it suits Tom Sawyer.”
“Oh come, now, you don’t mean to let on that you like it?”
The brush continued to move.
“Like it? Well, I don’t see why I oughtn’t to like it. Does a boy get a chance to whitewash a fence every day?”
– Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain
Announcements
Reminder : all who come into the Activity Field area will be asked some health screening questions, please check-in with the screener when you arrive.
To maintain social distancing bringing a camp chair is recommended as we can’t all sit at the picnic tables
Hand sanitizer and a face covering should be considered part of your uniform (right there with bringing your handbook)
Bring a water bottle, a flashlight may also be a good idea as it is getting dark when we dismiss and clean up
It is outdoors, and bugs can be about – bug spray is also good to have (note: be sure to apply away from other people)
We do not have access to the church restrooms, please plan ahead
Please read the previously provided 893 Activities guidance for how we expect to run all activities we have while under the COVID situation in order to better ensure everyone’s safety. Some key points to remember:
Sick individuals must stay home
Individuals must take their temperature the day of the gathering and may NOT attend if their temperature is greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
Face coverings are required for all individuals at any gathering and must be worn for the entire duration of the gathering.
No one with symptoms of COVID-19 or known exposure to COVID-19 in the prior 14 days is allowed to attend any gathering.
Blue Card Reconciliation
At the 8/18 meeting Ms. Kathy and Mr. Treat set up to discuss Merit Badges and ensure all records are clear. If you have not spoken with them regarding any badges begun since the start of February please get with them to make sure your records match Troop records. This includes all badges started during COVID and MBU. Needed items/info:
Completed blue card (either actual card, or digital card)
Evidence from MB counselor for any virtual sessions to transfer to a blue card (email, spreadsheet, etc)
If you have already emailed the info, please have email dates for easier follow-up if needed
If you started a badge during the COVID lockdown (not provided an actual card), but it remains a partial you will also need a card set up. Bring the info you have on the completed/open requirements
Once we have a list of needed cards and status (completed vs partial) we will work to ensure all needed cards are properly created and provided to you for your safekeeping – keep your digital records of completion or partial and add them to your Eagle binder. The blue card is the official record, electronic records are back up.
Summer Camp
Refunds for Summer Camp 2020 at Summit Bechtell Reserve have been processed. Families that paid money towards camp for 2020 should receive a check by the end of this coming week. If you have any questions, please contact Steve Barnett (sbarnett1066@gmail.com), Ernie Barreto (ernie_barreto@yahoo.com), or Knut Skare (kskare@kskares.com).
The Summer Camp Team will begin collecting Summer Camp money in Jan / Feb 2021 for Summer Camp 2021 (20-26 June 2021)
Rank Advancement
Rowan Causley Star (8/25/2020)
TROOP MEETING OUTLOOK
Fall Elections / ILST / CoH
We are coming up on the time for the next term to start. Tentative dates for key events in new leadership term as as follows, please let me know as soon as possible if your family schedule has a conflict that may impact your ability to attend these dates in person.
Troop Leadership Elections for Fall/Winter term: Tues 9/22/2020
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST): Sun 10/11/2020 (only for scouts in positions of responsibility for Fall/Winter term)
Fall CoH (covering everything since 2019 Fall CoH): Tue 10/13/2020
This Week – 9/1 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field
Rascal Rabbits will lead the troop in First Aid skills
Next Week – 9/8 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field
The Moon Archers and Pandas patrol from the Boys Troop will work with both troops to Get Oriented and help new scouts learn how to orient a map, develop a pace count and follow a simple course.
This is also an opportunity for Scouts to start or work on elements of Camping and Orienteering merit badges.
Following Week – 9/15 – Patrol Night this week (no Troop Meeting)
Uniform: Activity Uniform (Class B)
Location: To be Determined (TBD) by each Patrol
Each Patrol will decide on a Patrol activity to occur some time during this week, day/time/location is Patrol choice.
Plans for each patrol is due to Scoutmaster by 9/12, should include details of where, when and any COVID safety measures (in accordance with 893 guidance).
Looking Ahead
9/22 – Leadership Elections – any Scout interested in SPL or PL should speak with me
9/29 – Knots, Fire, and Knives (Rascal Rabbits)
10/6 – Catch Up (Moon Archers)
10/11 – Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) at Activity Field – all Scouts in Position of Responsibility must attend
10/13 – Court of Honor (all requested recognition due to Ms Kathy by 9/29)
10/20 – Campout Shakedown
10/27 – Halloween event meeting
SCOUTING FROM HOME
NCAC STEM-TASTIC Summer
The NCAC STEM Committee is offering STEM-tastic summer events like the Thursday night STEM@Home Speaker Series on incredible STEM careers. STEM Nova Saturdays and Why? Wednesdays on our STEM Facebook page every Wednesday at noon. Exploring the world of Data Science: This Data Science Lab has a program for youth to learn computer programming and apply their data visualization skills to community service projects! A STEMaTHON will be a cant-miss activity Labor Day Weekend activity with Scouts Building Bridges and Feeding the World through the lens and tools of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
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.
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-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??
Key Dates (mark your calendar)
Full calendar is also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar
Sep 8 – First Day FCPS
Sep 22 – Leadership Elections
Sep 29 – Cut-off for submitting for awards recognition at CoH
Oct 11 – ILST
Oct 13 – Court of Honor
Oct 23-25 – Campout (TBD)
Nov 6-8 – Mission Impossible Campout (Izaak Walton)