Scoutmaster Moment
An optimist’s view of success can include anytime a lesson is learned, new knowledge obtained, some benefit absorbed by an activity. Some success is easily observed; a sprinter crossing the finish tape, a high mark on an assignment. Few things in life are so clear, many events that may appear to go without a hitch likely have people in the background working hard to deal with bumps that they hope no one else sees, this is true for theatrical presentations, conferences, parties, and even meetings. There are usually “bumps’, how one deals with them becomes important. Coordinating between groups can be challenging, yet it is a skill that will serve well. This past meeting went off well, or had many bumps depending on your perspective. I’ve heard that the meeting was different from how many of our troop meetings have been run. What I saw was two groups that had not coordinated often before this hold a meeting where scouts had a set of objectives and were able to achieve many of those. Scouting is an opportunity to learn to overcome these challenges; working with other groups, organizing an activity with a large number of people – not simple tasks. The simple question is: did you have fun, did you learn anything new from the experience as a skill or other lesson?
I have not failed. I have found 10,000 ways that don’t work.
— Thomas Edison
Photos
A busy week with Orienteering joint meeting with the boy troop, continued Eagle Project at WHS and some siblings at the 893B fishing trip – an 893G fishing activity may be a good thing to work on
Announcements
Activity Reminders
All who come to any Troop related activity will be asked some health screening questions, please check-in with the screener when you arrive.
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.
Activity Field Considerations
Camp chairs or waterproof blanket for sitting (such as Tyvek pieces) are recommended
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
Award Recognition Deadline
Our Fall (now Year Recognition) CoH is scheduled for Oct 13th, all submissions of award recognition (completed blue cards, STEM awards, rank advancement, etc) must be turned into Ms Kathy two weeks in advance so everything can be prepared. Due date: 29 Sept
For the past couple of weeks blue card status has been getting reconciled to ensure actual cards exist for badges worked over COVID lockdown, and all MBU cards have been sorted out. If you have not completed this or have outstanding blue cards, see Ms Kathy asap. Incomplete (“partial”) blue cards that you physically hold are not included in this.
Summer Camp
Refunds for Summer Camp 2020 at Summit Bechtell Reserve have been processed. Families that paid money towards camp for 2020 should have received a check this past 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)
TROOP MEETING OUTLOOK
This 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 COVID safety measures (in accordance with 893 guidance).
Next Week – 9/22 – Troop Leadership Elections
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field
It is again time to select the troop’s Scout Leadership Team for the coming term. How will you serve the troop for the Fall/Winter term, and give back to those who have helped you advance?
We hold elections each Spring and Fall, with leadership training and Court of Honor to recognize the incoming team (and many other individual recognitions). Positions above First Class have advancement requirements that include holding a position of responsibility to demonstrate leadership. As a small “young” troop we currently also have an opportunity for all registered scouts to hold a position, regardless of their current rank.
SPL is selected by troop-wide election, Patrol Leaders are chosen from patrol election. All other positions require interested scouts to place their name on sign-up sheets on Election Day (ranking your choices is advised) for consideration by incoming SPL and Scoutmaster.
In all cases you must be present to be considered. If for some reason you are unable to attend that day, please see me ASAP.
Anyone interested in SPL or PL must talk with me ASAP if you have not done so yet.
If you are interested in a position, speak with someone in that position now to understand it better.
The 893GT Leadership Position description document is attached, read through and see what position you may be interested in.
Anyone holding a leadership position is expected to attend leadership training (interchangeably called Junior Leadership Training or Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops). Our “ILST” will be held at the Activity field on 11 Oct for most of the day.
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
Upcoming Meetings
9/22 – Leadership Elections – any Scout interested in SPL or PL should speak with me asap
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
Start of School and Related Merit Badge Opportunities
Merit badges can be earned outside of summer camp and Merit Badge University (MBU) held by the troop, and this year many online opportunities. Sometimes there are merit badge related activities going on all around us, including school coursework. A Bryan on Scouting article lists some options based on school studies, while it lists 5, reality is that many of your required studies, elective courses, and outside activities such as clubs, sports, band, etc offer opportunities too. Study the list of available badges to compare against activities you currently do, then talk to me if you have a blue card you wish to open.
Link to article: https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2018/08/20/top-5-merit-badges-scouts-could-earn-while-completing-assignments-for-school/
Link to Merit badges: https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/advancement-and-awards/merit-badges/
How to Complete a Blue Card – good tutorial on how they are used and who fills out what when: http://www.scoutmasterbucky.com/documents/SMBWorkbooks/Scoutmaster%20Bucky%20-%20How%20To%20Fill%20Out%20A%20Blue%20Card.pdf
Badges based on common school coursework & activities (list is not all-inclusive)
Scholarship
Reading
Theater
Programing, Digital Technology
PE & teams: Athletics, Personal Fitness
Band: Music, Bugling
Photography
Arts: Art, Sculpture
Chemistry
Civics: Citizenship in the World / Nation / Community
Clubs: Robotics, Chess, Astronomy, Entrepreneurship…
Service Opportunities
All ranks require service hours, Star rank also requires some hours be Conservations related
Eagle Scout Projects
Megan Staton (893G): Sep 19, 20, & 26
Uniform: painting clothes
Location: Westfields HS
Paint the WHS lecture hall (see attached flyer). Multiple dates are planned in part due limited numbers permitted the building. If the project goes quickly, the later slots may not be needed – sign up early to get a slot (especially if you need service hours!)
Sign up link for Megan’s project: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a4da4ab28a2fa7-megan
Peter Ahn (893B): Sep 19:
Uniform: Class B
Location: CUMC Activity Field
This project will involve two sessions to build and install a Information Kiosk for Bull Run Mountain House (just past Camp Synder). See flyer for details.
On Saturday Sept 19 @ 10am building of the kiosk will begin at the Activity Field.
On Saturday Sept 26 @ 11am, volunteers will go to the Bull Run Mountain House (17405 Beverley Mill Drive, Broad Run, VA 20137) to install the kiosk.
Jonathan Lee (893B): Oct 03:
Uniform: Class B
Location: Union Mill ES
Build a butterfly garden at Union Mill Elementary School (see attachment), October 3rd, at 9am until finished, no later than 2pm
This is an excellent opportunity to earn conservation service hours.
What to bring: a shovel/rake, water bottle, work gloves, and a mask.
SCOUTING FROM HOME
NCAC Scouting at Home page
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
Key Dates (mark your calendar)
Full calendar is also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar
Sep 22 – Leadership Elections
Sep 29 – CoH recognition submission deadline
Oct 11 – ILST
Oct 13 – Court of Honor
Oct 23-25 – Campout (tentative)
Nov 6-8 – Mission Impossible Campout (Izaak Walton)