Scoutmaster Minute
This week focused on preparation for our first campout experience. By preparing well beforehand we ensure we are ready for what faces us during the activity.  While I missed this meeting due to work travel, reports are that it went well and that the Historian and Webmaster met to learn about the website before the meeting.
 
A Scout is never taken by surprise; he knows exactly what to do when anything unexpected happens.
     – Lord Baden-Powell
 
Photos of the Week
New Scout Camp out Shakedown
 
 
Rank Advancements
Scouts who earned rank this past week:
 
None this week
 
This week – 4/15-19 – FCPS Spring Break (no scouts)
Enjoy your spring break!
 
Next week – 4/23 – Troop Meeting (8-9pm)
 
Uniform: Class A (tan shirt)
Location: CUMC chapel
 
Camp out final prep: follow up on shakedown.  Grubmaster menu approvals and food money collection. Activity discussion
 
Scouts who did not bring gear for shakedown on 4/9 should bring it this week
 
Following week – 5/7 – Troop Meeting (8-9pm)
 
Uniform: Class A (tan shirt)
Location: CUMC chapel
 
This meeting will be for activities discussion
 
New Scout Camp out – 4/26-28
 
Any scouts who did not bring their gear last week should come with gear on 4/23 for their Shakedown. This will address Tenderfoot requirement 1a. The packing list for the upcoming camp out is below, the troop has tents for scouts. Grubmaster duties will also be finalized.
 
We will travel to camp in class A uniform, but can change to Class B once there (and same for return trip).  Pack for the weather: “there is no bad weather, merely poor clothing choices”
 
Reminder – parents are highly encouraged to join us at the New Scout Campout, either as a camper or a day visitor. We have gear to loan if you need it.  Adults will camp as their own patrol to model the Patrol Method to the scouts.  This includes grubmaster as role for campouts, this can be an individual or a shared role.  We will need a headcount for planning, let me know if you are interested in helping. Any adults joining for the campout should complete Youth Protection Training.
 
Please bring a first aid kit to the campout (Tenderfoot 4.d), this is listed as one of the items in the packing list. We’ll use it for working on requirements.
 
A completed BSA Medical Form, parts A & B,  are required in order to camp for any scouts or adults (Part C with doctor physical is NOT required for weekend campout – is is required for summer camp).  Please see Mr. Taylor for any outstanding forms.
 
A signed permission slip is required for all Scouts to camp and will be turned into the SPL or Acting SPL on Friday before departing. Form is attached to this message.
 
Summer Camp Swim Test – May 5 

ALL SUMMER CAMP PARTICIPANTS (ADULT & YOUTH) ARE EXPECTED TO ATTENDWe have swim lanes reserved at Cub Run Rec Center with a number of local troops from 1-4pm.  Please use the sign up link to register for the test, the girl troop has 2:45-3pm blocked off just for us (be sure to note 893GT in comments along with name). If this block doesn’t work we can discuss other options. We may need parental support in monitoring swim lanes during our block. Swimmers should be ready to enter the water at the indicated time.

If you haven’t been in the water in awhile, it might be a good idea to go for a visit.  The BSA swim test is located on page 168 of the Handbook in the Aquatics section.  Both Second Class and First Class ranks have aquatics requirements.  Any camper at Goshen, adult or youth, who wishes to participate in waterfront activities must take the swim test.

 
Annual Troop 893 Canoe Trip – May 24-26 (plan ahead)

WHAT:  The Troop’s biggest, most fun-filled event, the 46th Annual Memorial Day Family Canoe Trip, May 24-26, 2019.

WHERE:  South fork of the Shenandoah River, near Bentonville, Virginia with the Downriver Canoe Company.

WHO:  All Troop 893 registered Scouts (girls troop and boys troop), former Troop members, all Venturing Crew 893 registered Venturers, their families, and friends.  This is a family event, but because it is also a Scout event, ALCOHOL IS NOT ALLOWED.

Transportation, camping, grubmaster duties, cooking, cleanup, and canoeing or kayaking are done by families (or arranged by families), not by the Troop or by patrols.

WHEN:  Set up camp before nightfall Friday, eat, sleep, canoe, and be home on Sunday evening.  Families from the Boys Troop may informally meet in the parking lot of CUMC at 5:30 Friday evening (or any other target time you arrange) if you need to go with others.  We can arrange to meet there too as well.

Registration details will be forthcoming.

 
Upcoming Merit Badge Opportunities
Groups around the area occasionally have merit badge activities open to local Scouts, these can fill up quickly so if you are interested sign up soon.  Here are a few recently advertised events:
  • Troop 7369 MBU (note this conflicts with our April Campout)
  • Good News! Troop 7369’s Merit Badge University is being held on April 27th.  Registration opens Saturday, March 30th  and ends April 20th.  

    The registration document link containing registration requirements and merit badge pre-requisites can be found on the meritbadge.info website.
    Don’t miss the opportunity to earn some exciting and hard to find merit badges.  Classes always fill up quickly.
    We look forward to seeing everyone again or meeting you for the first time.
    Please email troop7369mbu@gmail.com with questions.

  • Weather MB at the National Weather Service Open House
    As one of the activities at the NWS Open House on May 4, 2019, the Weather Merit Badge will be offered.  We will have 2 classes during the day, one from 10 am – 1 pm and one from 12 pm – 3 pm.  From 12 – 1 pm, I will take the classes on a tour of the NWS Data Center and they will get a chance to view the Science on a Sphere (5’ globe with full view of the world’s weather in motion).
    Due to limitations of the classroom, I can support 25 scouts in each class and I am asking those interested to sign up for an available slot.
    The classes will be held at:
        NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction
        5830 University Research Park  (Room 1450)
        College Park, MD, 20740
    Please fill in your information in the Sign-Up Genius and I will look forward to seeing you in the class.
        Here is the link to the Open House website:  https://www.ncep.noaa.gov/openhouse/
 
Upcoming Service Opportunities
 
Providing service is a key part of Scouting, to do our daily good turn. Helping others often in turn helps ourselves with new experiences and opportunities for growth. This is built into requirements for most ranks. I’m adding a new section to the weekly notes to list any upcoming service opportunities that may help the Community, and progress in your  trail to Eagle.
 
    • CUMC Grace Ministries is a monthly program through our charter organization held on the 2nd Saturday of each month, with prep the Friday night before hand, help is needed at both the Friday set up and on Saturday morning to bring goods to cars
    • CUMC Spring Cleanup, an annual Troop 893 Spring clean up of CUMC grounds: April 6…details forthcoming.
    • Eagle Project (Jacob Major, 893BT)  April 27 & 28 @ Lanier Middle School
 
 
Jacob is seeking support from Scouts (14+yrs) and other in the community to do some painting and install related artwork @ Lanier Middle School.
This will be a 2 day operation, April 27, 10am-5pm and April 28, 10am-until done.
Register at https://forms.gle/UnhEeSmDfdhFsqu28
 
 
Key Dates (mark your calendar)

also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar

Apr 15-19: FCPS Spring Break – no scout events
Apr 23: Troop Meeting
Apr 26-28: “New Scout Camp out”
May 5: Summer Camp Swim Test
May 7: Troop meeting
May 24-26: Troop 893 Annual Family Canoe Trip camp out
June 23-29: Summer Camp at Goshen Scout Reservation, Camp Olmsted
July 2 – first meeting we begin meeting every Tuesday 7-8:30pm