Scoutmaster Moment
This weekend marks a major milestone for our Troop – the first Eagle Court of Honor.  While yesterday’s celebration was in celebration of Elena and Robert, and we have another two coming in the next few weeks, I see this as a celebration for the entire troop and all that has been accomplished since we started just over two years ago, going from a room of 7 scouts ready for adventure to 3 Eagles and a thriving group of Scouts carrying the torch forward.  Well done, all.
Announcements
COVID NOTE: While the federal and state mask mandates are changing, Troop 893 will continue to follow protocols set by our charter organization. Please plan to wear a mask to all events until notified otherwise.
Warm Weather and the Activity Field
The meeting this past week finally felt like maybe Spring is truly arrived. The sun stayed up a bit later, the grass is growing, and the bugs are out.  Remembering the Scouting Essentials may be a good idea for meetings, including bug spray.  Many thanks to the adults that were able to help mow the grass this weekend after the church’s mower was not working.
Canoe Trip Info 
Parents, interested in the canoe trip this month but have questions or are unsure how to make it work? We will have a prep discussion during the meeting this week to help interested families be ready for this fun campout.
TROOP MEETING/ACTIVITY OUTLOOK
This Week  – 5/18 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field 
The Moon Archers will have an activity on water activity basics.  There will also be a discussion with tips for the upcoming family canoe trip, parents are invited to come with questions for us too.
Words of advice from a wise scoutmaster:
“Tip #1 – don’t forget sunscreen. Tip #2 – Think twice about having a phone on the river, mine is somewhere below Compton Rapids.“
This Week  – 5/22 – Outing
Uniform: Activity Uniform (Class B)
Location: Manassas Battlefield 
The Troop will have a 5-mile hike through historic Manassas Battlefield National Park.  This hike is an opportunity to work on the Second Class requirement 3.b and requirement 6.d for Cooking MB (trail food that does NOT require cooking only due to park restrictions, get MBC approval for your menu). Please sign up so we know who is coming.
Meet location: Manassas Battlefield Visitor Center located at 6511 Sudley Rd, Manassas, VA 20109
When: 5/22 at 8am (this is a recent time change to beat the heat)
Next Week  – 5/25 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field 
Lots going on this meeting!
A. Cyber Chip – This is MANDATORY training for all Scouts, special emphasis on New Scouts and those attending summer camp. If you have a conflict please advise ASAP. Inform scoutmaster  if needed.
B. First Aid (Rascal Rabbits) – A First Aid activity to keep everyone up on their skills.  These are important, we hope to not need them ever but when you need them you really need them…

C. Friends of Scouting (Parents) – All parents are asked to join Charter Organization Representative Michael Adare in CUMC…yes inside…for a discussion about the importance of the Friends of Scouting program.

Following Week  – 6/1 – Summer Camp Shakedown
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field 
Summer camp paperwork turn in
Upcoming Activities per PLC
Patrols should plan ahead so meetings can be online (virtual) if necessary.  Alternatively, activities could be planned as a weekend outing outside.
Patrols Leaders are reminded that plans for meetings should be submitted to the SPL and Scoutmaster 2 weeks in advance (at minimum). Meeting plans should have details for what will happen.  Information for Troop News inclusion should also be provided (items Scouts should bring to the meeting, and short statement of what the meeting will be about).
5/18 – Family Canoe Trip Tips & Water Activity Basics (Moon Archers)
5/22 – Hike (Manassas Battlefield)
5/25 – First Aid (Rascal Rabbits)
6/1 – Summer camp shakedown (planned PLC is postponed)
6/8 – Pioneering (Rascal Rabbits)
893 Annual Canoe Trip
Troop 893 has had an annual Memorial Day weekend family canoe trip down part of the Shenandoah River going back to 1974, this has continued as both CUMC sponsored the 893 Crew and 893G.  The trip is great fun.  Scouts camp with their family (or arrange to be with a family that is going), and plan food with their family.  This is a great opportunity for Scouts who need to be Grubmasters (First Class requirements 2.a – 2.e).  Note that families can cooperate to form a joint “patrol”.  I’m happy to help with any questions you may have regarding this campout.
Awards Opportunities 
Religious Emblem Opportunity (Catholic emblem)
A note sent out on 3/23 mentioned BSA Religious Emblems program and an offer from Ms. Kris to mentor any Scouts interested in earning the Catholic emblem.  Please reach out to her if you are interested in this opportunity.  The religious knot is one of the few BSA recognition awards that transfer to the adult uniform when earned as a youth. The other two are Arrow of Light earned while in Cub Scout program and the Eagle rank.
EPA 50th Anniversary BSA Award
“To commemorate the agency’s 50th anniversary last year, the Boy Scouts of America and EPA signed a memorandum of understanding to create a special award, encouraging those in the Scouts BSA program to strive to protect the environment. The award, which features a patch, requires Scouts to earn environmental and community health-focused merit badges and participate in a service project.”
Can only be earned in 2021 (MB can be earned before 2021), requires:
  • 6 Environmental or Public Health service hours during 2021
  • Public Health Merit Badge
  • 1 Animal Study MB
  • 1 Outdoor Activity MB
  • 1 Earth Science MB
Congressional Award Recognition
Did you know there is a congressional award that encompasses activities you do as a Scout? You read that correctly, by being active in Scouting activities you could earn the Congressional Award.  See the Bryan on Scouting article for more information.  Important Tip: you must register for the program before working off items (this is not an “after the fact” submission)
Service Opportunities
All ranks require service hours, Life rank also requires at least 3 hours be Conservation related 
The Sully District Twilight Camp is looking for volunteers to help – both Scouts and Adults are needed.  This camp is a day camp geared to Cub Scouts that happens at Izaak Walton in June, this is a great way to provide service to the District, and to show local Cub Scouts what the 893G Scouts can do (good recruitment!)
When: June 21-25 5-9pm (same week as Summit summer camp)
Who: Mrs Shen is the camp director, let her know if you are interested
Camp Snyder Work Days – These are monthly days where volunteers are invited out to Camp Snyder to help keep it in condition to support the many scouting units and events in the Council.
 
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)
 
NCAC is holding its first Merit Badge Camp at Camp Snyder 
Camp is July 18-24, and can be done as a day camper or resident (overnight) camper
Key Dates (mark your calendar)

Full calendar is also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar

MAY 22 – Hike at Manassas Battlefield
MAY 28-30 – Shenandoah 893 Memorial Day Weekend Family Canoe Trip Campout 
JUN 1 – Summer Camp Shakedown 
JUN 4 – Eagle Court of Honor for M. S.
JUN 6 – Eagle Court of Honor for C. A.
JUN 20-26 2021 – Summer Camp at Summit Bechtel