Scoutmaster Moment
May is here, celebrating the start of May began as an ancient celebration of Spring and now in the US we officially kick off Summer over Memorial Day.  Perhaps you have even begun the countdown to the last day of school?  This month we have the first Eagle Court of Honor (to be followed by others), plus outings for conservation hours, a hike, and then the Annual Canoe Trip. Lots to keep us all busy, lots to prep for – and much of it outside.
The world’s favorite season is the spring.
All things seem possible in May.
–  Edwin Way Teale
Announcements
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.
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.
Crew 893 Invite
Venture Crew is a BSA program for 14-20 year old to enjoy Scouting adventures and often centers around High Adventure activities. Crew 893 has invited Scouts from Troop 893G and 893B to come out for their meeting on May 7th and Court of Honor on May 22nd.  While Scouts must be 14 to join, visiting is still permitted…
Come check out Venture Crew 893 May 6th 8:30pm at the activity field for a night of fun!
Venturing is complementary to Scouting, but more focused on high adventure activities, and you are able to participate in both programs at the same time. There will be a campfire, S’mores, and plenty of fun! 
 
You are also invited to the Court of Honor on May 22 from 4-7pm. 
There will be games, food, drinks, and much more. 
Rank Advancement
Congrats to the 1 scout who achieved Life rank!
TROOP MEETING/ACTIVITY OUTLOOK
This Week  – 5/4 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field 
The Moon Archers are leading a team activity with a game and trivia
OUTING  – 5/8 – Conservation Service Hours
Uniform: Activity Uniform (Class B)
Location: EC Lawrence Park
We will work on a conservation project at EC Lawrence Park.  This is a great opportunity for anyone seeking conservation hours towards Life Scout or the ERA 50th Anniversary award.
10:00 – 1pm
Meet at the Walney Visitor Center, attached pavilion
5040 Walney Road
Chantilly, Virginia
Note: this is not the same location as the sports fields
Next Week  – 5/11 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field 
The Rascal Rabbits will lead the troop through hiking prep activities in advance of our five mile hike through Manassas Battlefield planned for 5/22.
Hiking boots are strongly recommended for any hike, and should be worn enough in advance to “break in” some before the hike (no one wants new shoe blisters on a hike).
Troop Activity  – 5/15 – Elena & Robert Taylor Eagle Court of Honor
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A) – wear your merit badge sash if you have it
Location: CUMC Activity Field 
The Troop is invited to celebrate 2 scouts both earning Eagle, this is the first Eagle CoH for an 893G Scout. Come out and represent.  This also counts as a Troop Activity for SC1.a.
5/15 at 2pm
CUMC Activity Field
Following 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.
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).
5/4 – Getting to Know Each Other (Moon Archers)
5/8 – Conservation service hours – EC Lawrence
5/11 – Hiking prep (Rascal Rabbits)
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)
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
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)
Key Dates (mark your calendar)

Full calendar is also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar

MAY 8 – Conservation service hours
MAY 22 – Hike at Manassas Battlefield
MAY 28-30 – Shenandoah 893 Memorial Day Weekend Family Canoe Trip Campout (more info soon)
JUN 1 – Summer Camp Shakedown (look for more info soon)
JUN 20-26 2021 – Summer Camp at Summit Bechtel