Scoutmaster Moment
This weekend we returned to camping, setting out tents and sitting around the campfire, certainly welcome after so long cooped up! The weather was sunny, part of the time, and a bit cooler than expected – but it was dry and we accomplished so much. I’m very tired, but quite happy to be back outside with everyone.  We packed in so much into a full day: scout skill stations all morning, lots of great food made by Scouts and the Big Dogz, plus opportunity for downtime that included a ball game (where 893B Scoutmaster was tagged out at first by 893G SPL), card games, practicing new-found skills and just getting to know each other. Some of the Big Dogz even hiked some of the park. I saw many smiles throughout the weekend. Saturday ended with a campfire, silly skits, and closed with a solemn flag retirement ceremony.  I want to have a special shout out to Joel Adames for the phenomenal Big Dogz Grubmaster job, we truly ate well.
A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room
– Lord Baden-Powell, founder of Scouting
Announcements
Medical Policy Information
As the troop is again getting into camping mode after a COVID-induced hiatus (yay), please be sure to review the Troop medical policy. https://troop893.com/unit-resources/unit-policies/
New Scout Troopmaster Login
The new scouts have been getting added into the system and login credentials are expected to be out soon.  Please look out for emails with that info and work with your Scout to get them into the app (if they have a phone).
Summer Camp Selections
Merit Badge & activity choices are due to Mr. Barnett this week. Please get that in so you have best options as later sign-up attempts may be full
All New Scouts will be registered into the Brownsea program.  This is a good option for Scouts who joined last year but missed summer camp, especially anyone who has not yet earned Second Class.  I’m happy to discuss if there are questions on which path you wish to go.  This program looks excellent and will get Scouts many needed rank requirements for the path to First Class.
893G Scouts in the News
Megan’s Eagle Scout Project was featured in Scouting Magazine’s Extreme Makeover Eagle project article.  Well done Megan!
Rank Advancement
Congrats to the 5 scouts who earned Scout rank and to the 2 girls who earned Tenderfoot!
TROOP MEETING/ACTIVITY OUTLOOK
 
This Week  – 4/20 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Parking Lot
We have a guest speaker coming to discuss our constitutional rights and obligations of a U.S. citizen (meets First Class 9.a), The Moon Archers will have some games ready too.
 
Note we are meeting in the parking lot this week due to the boys CoH.
Next Week  – 4/27 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field 
The Rascal Rabbits will run a Photo Challenge
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). 
4/20 – Guest speaker and a Games activity (Moon Archers)
4/24 – Conservation service hours
4/27 – Photo Challenge (Rascal Rabbits)
5/4 – Getting to Know Each Other (Moon Archers)
5/8 – Conservation service hours
5/11 – Hiking prep (Rascal Rabbits)
5/18 – Family Canoe Trip Tips & Water Activity Basics (Moon Archers
5/22 – Hike (location TBD)
5/25 – First Aid (Rascal Rabbits)
6/1 – PLC
6/8 – Pioneering (Rascal Rabbits)
Awards Opportunities – New Section
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
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
NEW STEM@Home – 4/17/2021, 1PM-3PM | Nova classes
• Up and Away! for Scouts BSA

• tour a virtual wind tunnel!
• learn about fluid dynamics and how it applies to things such as flight, skydiving, drains and spouts, and other things you might not suspect.
 
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)
Key Dates (mark your calendar)

Full calendar is also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar

APR 24 – Conservation Service Hours
MAY 8 – Conservation service hours
MAY 22 – Hike
MAY 28-30 – Shenandoah 893 Memorial Day Weekend Family Canoe Trip Campout
JUN 1 – PLC
JUN 20-26 2021 – Summer Camp at Summit Bechtel