Scoutmaster Moment
This past week I had the distinct honor of staffing one of the NCAC’s National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) at Camp Snyder. Even better, many Scouts from the 893 family were attending from both troops and the crew. It was amazing to watch the youth staff work with the Youth staff work with all the participants and see all of them grow during the week as they learned new skills. I greatly look forward to seeing those skills in action in the Troop. Staff was augmented by a recent participant for one part of class, thanks for helping out Megan! I understand that the patrols had fun at Clay Cafe and ZavaZone.
“I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” 
– Ralph Nader
“Average leaders raise the bar on themselves; good leaders raise the bar for others; great leaders inspire others to raise their own bar.” 
– Orrin Woodward
Announcements
Please use the sign up for the upcoming August campout.  We want to get a decent headcount in advance so we know how many Scouts and adults to expect, Summer planning is trickier with family vacations.  This campout is at Lake Arrowhead in Luray, Aug 13-15
TROOP MEETING/ACTIVITY OUTLOOK
This Week  – 8/3 – Troop Meeting (no longer PLC)
Uniform: Activity Uniform (Class B) unless seeking rank advancement
Location: CUMC Activity Field
PLC is delayed to 8/17
This week’s meeting will be
  • hearing about last week’s Patrol activities,
  • some activity planning for upcoming Lake Arrowhead campout,
  • Patrol Meeting
Next Week  – 8/10 – Troop Meeting 
Uniform: Activity Uniform (Class B) unless seeking rank advancement
Location: CUMC Activity Field
  • Candle Making
  • Shakedown for Lake Arrowhead campout (menu planning, grub master selection, duty rosters)
This Week  – 8/17 – PLC
Uniform: Activity Uniform (Class B) unless seeking rank advancement
Location: CUMC Activity Field
This week there is no general troop meeting, we will have a PLC with limited roles attending (noted below).
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 mid-September.

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, and have one meeting idea with completed plan with them (template attached). Roles expected to participate in this PLC:

SPL
ASPLs
Patrol Leaders
Scribe

JASM
Lake Arrowhead Options
The troop is planning a campout 13-15 Aug.   See the sign up (in announcements).  This will be an upcoming discussion item to finalize.
Some options:
  • Hike to Mary’s Summit (would take about 4 hours or so and satisfies 9(b)(1) of Camping Merit Badge)
  • Service hours at the park (2-4 hours, satisfies 9(c) of the Camping MB)
  • A scout working on Orienterring MB has offered to set up an Orienteering course for the troop to use
  • Use beach, kayaks/canoes.  This option will require all participant pas BSA Swimmers test as Swimmer.
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).
7/20 – Hiking Games – Rascal Rabbits
7/27 – Patrol Night 
8/10 – Candle Making
 
STEM Opportunities
 
Key Dates (mark your calendar)

Full calendar is also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar

AUG 13-15 2021 – Camping at Lake Arrowhead
AUG 23: First Day of School
OCT 22-24: Fall Ordeal @ Camp Snyder for OA Candidates
NOV 5 – 7: Mission Impossible @ Izaak Walton
NOV 6 & 13 – Scouting for Food (bag drop and pick up)