Scoutmaster Moment
I searched about looking for something inspiring for this week’s SM Moment, and since I covered Thanksgiving in last week’s note I turned to “this day in history” topics.  One website entry kept tugging at me.  On this day, Nov 29th 1942 coffee rationing started in the US. Other foods rationed out due to World War II at that time included butter, milk, and sugar (and many more items).  Coffee rationing ended the following summer, but sugar remained as a rationed item until 1947 – two years after the end of the war.  I will note that we had a nice Thanksgiving with our immediate family with a table well laden with yummy food containing many of these same rationed items, and had an “isolated potluck” where we exchanged some prepared dishes with local family members so we all had the same meal just in our own homes.  This is not the family feast I have been used to for a long time and perhaps felt a bit of that let down due to COVID restrictions.  And then I stumbled on that “on this day in history” site where I learned the coffee was restricted (note, coffee is a morning requirement for me, and most Troop ASMs. Rationed coffee? the horror…)  This is the weekend many families have a refrigerator fully stocked with holiday leftovers, and pivot to baking piles of Christmas cookies heavy on both sugar and butter. And yet this site reminded me that my grandparents once did without coffee, butter, sugar, and many other items (with family often far away) and adjusted – as we have continued to adjust to the restrictions of 2020.  The good news is that the headlines are now filled with stories about the coming COVID-19 vaccines, another item to be thankful for as we close out Thanksgiving Weekend.
Announcements
COVID & Activity Field 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 dark when we meet
    • 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
    • Temperatures are falling, please check the forecast and dress for weather
News on returning to meetings inside the church:
Last week the Key 3 leaders from the troops met with members of the CUMC Healthy Church Team (HCT) for a productive discussion on how both 893G and 893B can return to holding meetings inside.  They have been supportive of us and want us to be able to meet inside, safely.  We expect to be able to resume inside meetings next month, please note there are a number of protocols required to enable this, including some changes to how we meet.  We are still allowed to meet back in the Activity Field under the rules we have been using, these adjustments are for indoor meetings only.
  • Indoor meetings will be no longer than 45 minutes, 7-7:45pm no exception.
  • Scouts should be there 5-10 min early to check in.
  • Parents will be asked to remain in their cars due to 25 spot limit under current Virginia guidelines
  • Adult leaders needed for coverage will be coordinate ahead of time to ensure the scouts have priority spots at meetings.
  • Our first event is Dec 1st.  This is a trial, the church staff have worked hard to make this work for us, so we need everyone to 100% on safety.
  • we will stick to the same rooms each week: new scouts 212-214, GT 213-215, remaining BT in the fellowship hall.
  • Adult leaders will be needed to clean after scouts are released,  cleaning supplies supplied by CUMC.
 
TROOP MEETING/ACTIVITY OUTLOOK
This Week  – 12/1 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Activity Uniform (Class B)
Location: CUMC Activity Field
Patrol Olympic Competitions hosted by the Rascal Rabbits
Next Week  – 12/8 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Classrooms 213-215
If all goes well, this will be our first meeting inside the church since March.  Please read the protocols in Announcements
Game Night – Moon Archers (pending discussion with SPL and PL team in follow up with last week’s meeting cancellation)
Following Week  – 12/15 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Classrooms 213-215
Gift Exchange – Moon Archers
Upcoming Activities
12/1 – Patrol Olympics – Rascal Rabbits
The following original meetings will be discussed with senior troop leaders to confirm meetings
12/1 – Game Night – Moon Archers
12/8 – Gift Exchange – Rascal Rabbits
12/19 – Holiday Lights & Photography Challenge
12/22 & 29 – No Meeting during Winter Break
— 2021 — 
1/5 – Intro to Fishing
1/12 – PLC
1/19 – Jeopardy! – Rascal Rabbits
1/26 – Scavenger Hunt – Moon Archers
Patrols Leaders are reminded that plans for meetings should be submitted to the SPL and Scoutmaster 2 weeks in advance.
Service Opportunities
All ranks require service hours, Life rank also requires at least 3 hours be Conservations related
Key Dates (mark your calendar)

Full calendar is also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar

Dec 19 – Holiday Lights (location TBD)
Dec 22 & 29 – FCPS Winter Break (no troop meetings)
JUN 20-26 2021 – Summer Camp at Summit