Scoutmaster Moment
Saturday was a Troop hike through the Manassas National Battlefield, and I’m disappointed to have missed going with the Troop due to another Scouting commitment. This hike had been planned for later in the day, but weather was forecasted to be hot.  As we know a Scout is prepared, multiple people suggested an earlier start to mitigate overheating (and more comfort!), and scouts were encouraged to bring plenty of water.  Fortunately it was hot but not muggy.  From the reports I hear, and photos, everyone had a good time and had fun.  Many thanks to the adults who stepped in during my absence!

Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach. 

– Tony Robbins

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.
Paperwork Reminder 
Please be sure to turn in any missing forms for this week’s canoe trip and/or Summer Camp if you have not turned in everything
TROOP MEETING/ACTIVITY OUTLOOK
This Week  – 5/25 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field 
Lots going on this meeting! Please note that there is an activity that includes parents this week
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 and speak with scoutmaster.
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…
Scouts should bring their personal first aid kit and a camp chair

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.

Next Week  – 6/1 – Summer Camp Shakedown
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field 
Summer camp paperwork turn-in
Troop 893G Eagle Courts of Honor
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A), with merit badge sash
Celebrate the success of your fellow 893 Scouts.  These also count as Troop Activities for applicable rank advancement requirements.
Friday 6/4 – M. S. Eagle Court
7pm at the CUMC Activity Field
See the attached invite for details and RSVP info, RSVP requested by 5/30
Sunday 6/6 – C. A. Eagle Court 
2pm at the Izaak Walton Field House
Click link for details, RSVP requested by 6/1
Following Week  – 6/8 – PLC
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field 
This week there is no general troop meeting, we will have a PLC with limited roles attending (noted below), and the Troop Instructor will be on hand to assist any Scouts who want to work on some specific skills or to get some requirements signed off.
Each Scout does have a responsibility to respond to their patrol leadership and provide ideas for the good of the troop. This PLC will plan for meeting activities and outings through late July.
Ideas can be found within the Program Resources book (linked here, and will be physically present during discussion). Some upcoming meetings should include welcoming new scouts to the troop and helping them ramp up skills while polishing/advancing those of current scouts.
• Program Features (meeting plans by activity): https://troopleader.scouting.org/program-features/
• Meeting Activities (lots of games): http://www.programresources.org/activities/
Purposes of Troop Meetings
• Prepare for outings.
• Learn and practice Scouting skills.
• Exercise leadership.
• Strengthen patrols.
• Promote advancement and personal growth.
• Inspire Scouts.
• Have fun.

This PLC will be a limited group focusing on planning.  All participating Scouts should be in uniform, have something to take notes with. Roles expected to participate in this PLC:

SPL
ASPLs
Patrol Leaders
Scribe

JASM
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).
5/25 – First Aid (Rascal Rabbits)
6/1 – Summer camp shakedown 
6/8 – PLC
6/15 – Virtual meeting (due to pre-Summer Camp “quarantine” protocol
6/22 – **No Meeting** Troop at Summit for camp
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 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
For anyone looking to be Grubmaster for the weekend canoe trip, here is the troop’s menu planning and duty roster sheet that may help.