Scoutmaster Moment
This weekend was a great campout at Lake Arrowhead in Luray.  A first time visit but I think we’ll be back. The Scouts hiked Mary’s Rock to the top and were rewarded with great views and cooling breezes.  In the afternoon they provided the park with conservation service hours digging out rocks that were negatively impacting water flows into the lake. The Virginia Falconry Club rewarded hard working scouts with some cookies from their neighboring pavilion. Even after that busy day, Scouts also had fun on an orienteering course designed by a fellow Scout for the Orienteering MB and had some downtime for whittling and wood carving.  A full night’s sleep was definitely welcome after a busy day – but elusive when passing storms pushed us to the pavilion for shelter where new ASMs Megan and Elena regaled the troop with scouting stories and high energy until the storms passed.
Thank you to the many adults who helped make this weekend a success! I had a delayed arrival so the support is especially welcome.
TROOP MEETING/ACTIVITY OUTLOOK
This Week  – 8/17 – PLC
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC (inside is requested, but not final yet – please stay tuned) 
This week there is no general troop meeting, we will have a Patrol Leader Council (PLC) with limited roles attending (noted below).
For new Scouts: a PLC is when troop leadership work on troop business, and track plans for meetings and outings. As the troop has grown and we have coped with COVID limitations our PLC attendance has also evolved. All scouts help with PLCs by providing ideas for troop meetings to their patrol leader, this should also be an item for discussion during weekly patrol sessions during troop meetings.
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. 

Scout Skills considerations for upcoming events:
Fire building
Knots and lashings
Bear bag hanging
Backpacking meal preparation
First aid
Map and compass
Water purification

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
Stamp Collecting MB Opportunity – 8/22
Online Stamp Collecting MB session on 8/22 from 1-4pm.  He has supplies to provide to scouts for pick up at the meeting on 8/17 (note this is a PLC, but anyone can pick up supplies).
If you are interested, please notify an adult leader.
All supplies will be picked up at the 8/17 Troop meeting (can be picked up at Activity Field if not attending the PLC).
 
Next Week  – 8/24 – Troop Meeting 
Uniform: Activity Uniform (Class B) unless seeking rank advancement
Location: CUMC Activity Field
TBD in this week’s PLC
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).
8/17 – PLC
Conservation Service Hours opportunity 9/4:
Eagle Scout Project pulling invasive plants at Difficult Run in Oakton
The first part of my Eagle Project, we will be pulling invasive plants at Difficult Run Stream Valley Park. There are a couple types of invasive plants that will be pulled, which will be explained further at the site. We will pull as much as we can within the time frame.
Please bring a mask, good work gloves, water (no plastic water bottles please), bug repellent, and long sleeves and pants (recommended). Some plants will have thorns, make sure that the gloves can handle these, and there are bugs, so be wary. Water will be provided for refilling, but you will need to bring your own bottles. Lunch will be provided at the end of the second shift (11am-1pm).
Location: Difficult Run Stream Valley Park (near 3119 Miller Heights Rd, Oakton VA)
 
Key Dates (mark your calendar)

Full calendar is also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar

AUG 23: First Day of School
SEP 17-19 Equestrian Campout
OCT 8-10: Mountain Man Rendezvous Camporee
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)