Scoutmaster Moment
Summer is wrapping up slowly.  Our last summer campout is coming up this weekend at Lake Arrowhead with activities planned by Scouts.  I’m looking forward to a successful campout! School is starting soon, our household has been prepping with supply shopping.  But before that begins we’re making the most of the rest of summer with time with friends, afternoons at the pool and watching for evening fireflies.
The fireflies o’er the meadow In pulses come and go. 
– James Russell Lowell
Photos
TROOP MEETING/ACTIVITY OUTLOOK
This 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 (finalize all menu planning, grub master selection, and duty rosters)
    • Bring copies of forms begun last week
This Week – 8/13-15 Lake Arrowhead Campout
Campout at Lake Arrowhead in Luray
At last week’s meeting the troop opted for a hike up to Mary’s Rock and for a service project at the park.  Both of these activities count towards requirements for Camping MB.
Campout details:
  • All campers must have the attached permission slip signed and turned into the SPL (or acting SPL) at the church on Friday.
  • We are not planning on bringing the Troop Trailer, we will transport needed gear via cars (cooktops, chuck boxes, action packs, tents…)
  • All campers should indicate by Tuesday’s meeting if they will use their own tent, or if they will use a troop tent
    • Current COVID protocols mean single person tenting unless parents of both scouts notify me that a tent can be shared
  • The menu and duty rosters from last week’s meeting should be brought to this week’s meeting for SPL and SM approvals
  • Transportation
    • All campouts begin and end at CUMC
    • Parents are asked to transport their scout to/from the campout.  Parents who wish to carpool must provide approval for their scouts to ride with another
    • Getting to Mary’s Rock trail head is a short drive from the campsite.  Carpooling for this short trip, with masks, is planned.
Next 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
Stamp Collecting MB Opportunity – 8/22
An adult leader is offering an 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, notify them, and me to ensure there are enough stamp packets.  I will open the badge up for anyone taking this.  They will send out a Zoom link.
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).
8/10 – Candle making
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 13-15 2021 – Camping at Lake Arrowhead
AUG 23: First Day of School
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)