Scoutmaster Moment
I hope that everyone had a successful start to a great school year!  It was great to hear stories about seeing friends, exciting classes and new schools this week. Be Prepared is the Scout motto, nd this applies to many aspects of your life, not just Scouting. Today a massive hurricane hit the Louisiana coast, people in that region prepared for a number of days in advance (and likely even longer).  Did you know many of their prep items are part of the Emergency Prep MB?  Similar to what our region does for big storms like hurricane, nor’easters or winter snow.  Did you also know that many requirements for merit badges, and even some rank advancement, are similar to items that are in your classes?  You may be able to leverage activities around you, you just need to Be Prepared.
Important Notes
Sign-up for upcoming campouts
September Horsemanship Campout – Sep 17-19
We have an opportunity to camp and do the Horsemanship Merit Badge, as well as a trail ride.  Slots are limited and sign up closes on 8/31. Working on the badge, or doing the trail ride are not required as there are other activities (hiking, fishing) also available.  There is a $5 for the badge lesson and additional trail ride fee of $48.  See details in the sign up.
October Mountainman Rendezvous Camporee – Oct 8-10
Group size is limited, we need anyone interested to sign up quickly before slots are filled.  We attended this event 2 years ago, while it is a new location this year I expect Seneca District to host a fantastic event again.  Last time there was a giant catapult, knife throwing, puzzles, 2-man saws, and much more. Final cutoff for this sign up is 9/28
Order of the Arrow Fall Candidate Ordeal – Oct 22-24
Candidates from our Spring OA election and callout who have not been through Ordeal yet and are interested in participating in the Fall Ordeal should discuss this with Mr. Causley (causleyconcepts@gmail.com, cc’d on this message). More information and details will be coming.
Merit Badge Afloat with Sea Scout Ship 1492 – 9/11-12
This is an opportunity to earn 3 badges in one weekend (not an overnight event): Smallboat Sailing, Oceanography, and Weather. See the attached flyer.  Scouts must see me to open badges before this event.
Troop Meeting/Activity Outlook 
This Week  – 8/31 – Troop Meeting 
Uniform: Activity Uniform (Class B) unless seeking rank advancement
Location: CUMC Activity Field
Rascal Rabbits will lead the troop in activities with paracord and origami
Next Week  – 9/7 – Troop Meeting 
Uniform: Activity Uniform (Class B) unless seeking rank advancement
Location: CUMC Activity Field
After Leadership Elections for the Fall term, ASPL for New Scouts and Troop Instructor will review advancement requirements.
Leadership Elections
It is time to select the troop’s Scout Leadership Team for the coming term.  How will you serve the troop for the Fall/Winter term, and give back to those who have helped you advance?
We hold elections each Spring and Fall, with leadership training and Court of Honor to recognize the incoming team (and many other individual recognitions). Positions above First Class have advancement requirements that include holding a position of responsibility to demonstrate leadership.  As a small “young” troop we currently also have an opportunity for all registered scouts to hold a position, regardless of their current rank.
SPL is selected by troop-wide election, Patrol Leaders are chosen from patrol election. Patrol Quartermasters are also needed at the Patrol level.  All other positions require interested scouts to place their name on sign-up sheets on Election Day (ranking your choices is advised) for consideration by incoming SPL and Scoutmaster.  Not all positions listed are needed in a troop our size (such as not all 4 ASPL), final positions are part of SPL decision with SM after elections are held.
In all cases you must be present to be considered.  If for some reason you are unable to attend that day, please see me ASAP.
Anyone interested in SPL or PL must talk with me prior to election.
We have a request for Den Chief support from a local pack, if you may be interested in this talk with me to discuss further.
If you are interested in a position, speak with someone in that position now to understand it better.
The 893GT Leadership Position description document is attached.
Anyone holding a leadership position is expected to attend leadership training (interchangeably called Junior Leadership Training or Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops). Our “ILST” is tentatively planned at the Dance Studio on 3 Oct for most of the day pending any new COVID restrictions.
Following Week  – 9/14 – Troop Meeting 
Uniform: Activity Uniform (Class B) unless seeking rank advancement
Location: CUMC Activity Field
Shakedown for the Horsemanship Campout, get ready for fun weekend of
Horsemanship Campout – 9/17-19
Location: Fort Valley Ranch, Fort Valley, VA 
Scouts have an opportunity to work on the Horsemanship MB.  See sign up for more details (space is limited)
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).
8/31 – creativity with Paracord & origami -Rascal Rabbits
9/7 – Leadership elections, Advancement review – ASPL for New Scouts and Troop Instructor
9/14 – Campout shakedown and Gaga Ball – Rascal Rabbits
9/21 – Movie night – Moon Archers
9/26 – Forgotten Basics – NewTrons
Start of School and Related Merit Badge Opportunities
Merit badges can be earned outside of summer camp and Merit Badge University (MBU) held by the troop, and this year many online opportunities. Sometimes there are merit badge related activities going on all around us, including school coursework. A Bryan on Scouting article lists some options based on school studies, while it lists 5, reality is that many of your required studies, elective courses, and outside activities such as clubs, sports, band, etc offer opportunities too. Study the list of available badges to compare against activities you currently do, then talk to me if you have a blue card you wish to open.
How to Complete a Blue Card – good tutorial on how they are used and who fills out what when: http://www.scoutmasterbucky.com/documents/SMBWorkbooks/Scoutmaster%20Bucky%20-%20How%20To%20Fill%20Out%20A%20Blue%20Card.pdf
Badges based on common school coursework & activities (list is not all-inclusive)
  • Scholarship
  • Reading
  • Theater
  • Programing, Digital Technology
  • PE & teams: Athletics, Personal Fitness
  • Band: Music, Bugling
  • Photography
  • Oceanography
  • Arts: Art, Sculpture
  • Chemistry
  • Civics: Citizenship in the World / Nation / Community
  • Clubs: Robotics, Chess, Astronomy, Entrepreneurship…
 
Service Hours Opportunities
 
CUMC Service Ministries have opportunities that Scouts can participate in. These provide services needed in the community and can be personally rewarding to participate in.
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)