Scoutmaster Moment
This weekend we saw the passing of one of a sitting Supreme Court Justice. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg served on the court for 27 years and spent much of her career as an advocate for women’s rights and gender equality. She first applied to be a clerk at the Supreme Court in 1960 she was denied, because she was a woman. Of the 114 people who have been justices, she was the 2nd of 4 women to have served on the Court. This Troop is possible in some part due to the trailblazing she did, the cases she worked on, and the court decisions she was a part of to help forward the case that women are equal partners within society. I see her life as an example of what happens when you stand up for what you believe in and work hard to be prepared for what opportunities or potential pitfalls that may come your way. I like to include a relevant quote each week, and couldn’t decide on just one from her, so here are some I wanted to share:
Women belong in all the places where decisions are being made
Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.
When I’m sometimes asked ‘When will there be enough (women on the Supreme Court)?’ and my answer is: ‘When there are nine.’ People are shocked. But there’d been nine men, and nobody’s ever raised a question about that.
I would like to be remembered as someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability
Photos
Moon Archers designed their new flag during their Patrol Night, I can’t wait to see it created
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.
TROOP MEETING OUTLOOK
This 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.
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. NOTE – the Historian section has been updated since last week’s release.
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” was originally planned for the Activity field on 11 Oct for most of the day, the October campout dates have shifted due to campsite availability and we will be making some adjustments.
This Week – 9/26 – Conservation Service Hours (towards Unit Hornaday Award)
Uniform: Activity Uniform (Class B)
Location: E.C. Lawrence Park, Walney Visitor Center
5040 Walney Road, Chantilly, Virginia
At the last PLC dates were set for working toward earning the Unit Hornaday Award. Two adults have now been trained, and we can start work. The initial dates will be 9/26 and 10/3, we can schedule more dates if needed. Times will be discussed at this week’s meeting (9/22)
Next Week – 9/29 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class B)
Location: CUMC Activity Field
The Rascal Rabbits will host the Knots, Fire, & Knives activity reviewing skills for each of the areas
Campout Pre-Shakedown: This meeting is also pre-shakedown for the October campout. This includes who is planning to attend the October campout, any Scout needing grubmaster for rank or merit badge (Camping or Cooking) should step forward. Scouts should bring $15 for grubmaster.
Following Week – 10/6 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field
This will be a “catch up” meeting hosted by the Moon Archers to help with any lingering skill review and sign-offs.
Campout Shakedown: The October campout is at the end of this week, so this meeting will include final shakedown activities in preparation
Note that 893B will be holding their Court of Honor in the Activity Field as well.
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
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.
Christina Alvarez (893G): Oct 17-19:
Uniform: Class B
Location: Izaak Walton (see sign-up)
Insect and bee homes to attract beneficial insects. Flyer is attached, there are two signups. One for donation materials, one for volunteering during project. This counts as Conservation service hours.
Volunteers:
https://bit.ly/35Qqgq8
Materials:
https://bit.ly/35UEKVY
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