Scoutmaster Moment
We are full into our Fall recruitment for new scouts and we all have many hopes for success. At this point we don’t know how many interested families may come to this week’s event, always a bit of unknown for public events. Invite your friends, share the fun! We have fun activities planned, plus cake. I know each of you will do great on Tuesday!
The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention
– Oscar Wilde
This week – 9/24 – Troop Meeting & Recruitment Event
Uniform: Class A (tan shirt)
Location: CUMC Activity Field
Joint Troop 893 recruitment event with scouting activities to fit within meeting time. At the 9/17 meeting scouts decided on stations and what they would work on. Please bring any supplies as discussed then (noted below).
Station
|
supplies
|
supplies from
|
Fire starters/fire
|
saw dust, wax & crayons
string
egg carton
lint
|
Megan
Rowan
Christina
Everyone
|
Helium Stick game (Caitlin & Isabella)
|
stick
|
Caitlin
|
Night Crossing game
(Christina & Rowan)
|
string & toys
|
Mr. Schuetz
|
Knots
(Megan & Rai)
|
ropes and cord
|
Megan
|
Dutch Oven Cake
|
Oven & Cake supplies
|
Ms. Andrea
|
Next week – 10/1 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Class A (tan shirt)
Location: CUMC chapel
Mountain Man Rendezvous Seneca District Camporee Shakedown and prep. Some of the events planned for the camporee include:
Foosball
|
Agility Trail
|
Knife throwing
|
Giant slingshot
|
Signals and codes
|
Fire building
|
Knots and lashing
|
Map and compass
|
Tomahawk throwing
|
Archery
|
Lumberjack (caber) toss
|
Climbing wall
|
Blacksmithing
|
Trading post
|
Shelter building
|
Cooking
|
Branding
|
First Aid
|
2-man sawing
|
Trapping
|
Suggested prep from the organizers indicates these scout skills will be used and can be practiced in meetings ahead of time:
- Fire building
- Knots and lashings
- Semaphore signaling
- Bear bag hanging
- Backpacking meal preparation
- First aid
- Map and compass
Note: some leaders and scouts will attend the 893BT CoH during part of this meeting
Following week – 10/8 – Fall Court of Honor
Uniform: Class A
Location: CUMC Chapel
Court of Honor is the troop opportunity to recognize all that members of the troop have done since the Spring CoH. This is held inside the CUMC chapel at 7pm (normal meeting place and time). All 893GT scouts, family, and friends are invited and encouraged to attend. Scouts from 893GT will be recognized for the merit badges, ranks, and any other awards they have earned over the last six months. We will also induct new members of Troop 893, and induct the new youth leadership team into the new 6-month term. Scouts should dress in their “Class A” field uniform (tan shirt), merit badge sashes are recommended.
The Court of Honor is followed by a reception with snacks and fellowship. For the reception, each family is asked to bring something to share as designated by last name, noted below. When you leave, please plan to take leftovers of what you brought.
- A-P: beverage (such as 2-liter bottle)
- Q-Z: small dessert or snack
**Completed Blue Cards must be turned into Mr. Treat on 9/24 for inclusion in this CoH**
Fundraiser Booths
Uniform: Class A
The troops are selling popcorn, with two more booth dates on the calendar. Please support the troop and sign up for some time slots. Building our finances as a unit means we have more options for activities.
Both of the booths are located at the Chantilly Walmart (near Expo)
Meeting Outlook from September Planning
- September Theme – Leadership
- October Theme – Outdoor Skills
- November Theme – Pets
- December – January Theme – Klondike Skills
Merit Badge Opportunities
Merit badges can be earned outside of summer camp and Merit Badge University (MBU) held by the troop. Sometimes there are merit badge related activities going on all around us, including school coursework. A recent article lists some options based on school studies, while it lists 5, reality is that many of your studies, elective course, 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.
Link to Merit badges: http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Merit_Badges
Badges based on common school coursework & activities
- Scholarship
- Reading
- Theater
- Programing, Digital Technology
- PE & teams: Athletics, Personal Fitness
- Band: Music, Bugling
- Photography
- Arts: Art, Sculpture
- Chemistry
- Civics: Citizenship badges
- Clubs: Robotics, Chess, Astronomy, Entrepreneurship…
Ashburn Fire & Rescue Merit Badge Night – 10/25
Work towards Emergency Preparedness, Safety, and Fire Safety merit badges at a firehouse (pre-requisite work is needed in order to complete). Space is limited to 80 scouts – website talks about Boy Scouts (rather than Scouts BSA), however they indicated girl troop members have registered and are welcome. The event is a long evening, but includes dinner. I will need to provide blue cards for anyone going.
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. This section is to list any upcoming service opportunities that may help the Community, and progress in your trail to Eagle, this list is not inclusive and there are many other activities in the area that are also worthwhile. Activities listed here are Scoutmaster approved, if you have other activities you would like to do be sure to check with me if you would like them to count towards scout service requirements.
- 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
- More info can be found under Grace Ministries on the CUMC Food Ministries page: http://centreville-umc.org/serve-outreach/food-ministries/
- To sign up to help contact: pmohr@centreville-umc.org
Key Dates (mark your calendar)
also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar
- Sep 24 – troop 893 joint recruiting event at CUMC field
- Oct 3 – Sully District Troop Showcase
- Oct 6 – 893GT Klondike Sled Build (TBD, Camp Snyder)
- Oct 8 – Fall Court of Honor
- Oct 11-13 – Mountain man Camporee
- Oct 19 – Centreville Day
- Nov 2 – Scouting for Food (bag drop)
- Nov 9 – Scouting for Food (bag pick up)
- Nov 15-17 – Mission Impossible