Scoutmaster Moment
Over the past week our area has been hit with a serious of significant summer storms. Personally, I love a good summer storm show from Nature (admittedly much preferred from the safety of our covered porch than some of the places I’ve ridden out a storm). The storm that hit Tuesday night was another good show, I was excited when the power supply on our internet connection allowed us to rejoin the meeting. Yay preparedness! However, since our power is usually stable we were not aware that the battery was old and no longer sufficient. Preparedness has multiple components: having the supplies on hand, but also knowing they are in good condition for when you need them (and that you can actually find them). In this case we are now checking all our power options to ensure we have batteries we need for flashlights, lanterns, and Internet to cover brief outages. I’m sure we will see more storms, hopefully our new battery arrives first!
The better you’re prepared, the better chance you’ll have at staying on top of everything that is coming your way.
– Colin Adams
Announcements
Virtual meetings and cameras – Please be sure to have your camera on during meetings. Many of us use the gallery view which allows us to see everyone’s happy smiling faces during meetings. When so many cameras are turned off all we see are black windows. While we realize that some exceptions due to technical difficulties with cameras or connections that support video, we expect to see everyone else online as part of cheerful participation.
Congressional Award – did you know there is a congressional award that encompasses activities you do as a Scout? See the Bryan on Scouting article for more information. Important Tip: you must register for the program before working off items (this is not an “after the fact” submission)
National Hammock Day was July 22nd, were you ready? Did you know you can hang a hammock with no trees, even while camping? Check out this article about using hammock stands when out camping, these range from big back yard furniture to something that could be use backpacking. Next year’s Summer Camp has no trees near most campsites, now is a great time to experiment with options if you want to consider hammock camping next Summer.
TROOP MEETING OUTLOOK
This Week – 7/28 – **VIRTUAL** Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: Zoom App (meeting link info to be sent day of meeting)
Meeting has two activities lead by Rascal Rabbits (see email from Megan dated July 18)
893G Book Club – read The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker
Virtual Pet Show – see the Google form for sign up, make sure your camera works, practice your pet ricks, and practice what you will say
New Scout Campout at Prince William National Forest – 8/14-16
This campout will cover many activities normally done at our annual New Scout Campout in April, an outing designed to help scouts progress in their rank advancement.
Please indicate intent to participate (Scout/Adult): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4FA5AC2FA13-893campout
Your prompt response will assist in planning for the event, as well as planning and implementation of safety protocols.
Looking Ahead:
8/4 & 8/11 – shakedown for 8/14-16 campout (note this may become PLC and regular meeting if campout plans are impacted)
8/14-16 – Campout at Prince William Forest – this will serve as our New Scout Campout (usually held in April). We will do a sign up in advance of normal shakedown activities to get headcount of all Scouts and adults planning to attend.
In preparation of when we’re able to meet in-person
TBD – Camping Prep (Moon Archers)
TBD – Totin’ Chit (Rascal Rabbits)
SCOUTING FROM HOME
DelMarVa Council Scouting from Home Page
This page has Merit Badge info, but also has a great “Trail to First Class” Knowledge Library to help you work on rank advancement from home. These include links to videos on some of the requirements to help review.
Tread Lightly online course (free)
https://tread-lightly.teachable.com/p/tread-lightly-youth-online-course?fbclid=IwAR0D0cOBOtAUzrJbOAU4jbib93v_nlhecygX-kHktBJ0WyTHWFIqIVFbE-I
Merit Badges:
See my 3/21 email for info on how merit badges work, and the troop process for opening a badge
Finish open badges from MBU (or others)
Start a new badge (talk to me to formally open it).
Good candidates are those that include tracking activities over many weeks, such as Family Life Personnel Fitness and Personal Management
Public Health is a highly relevant topic one now (and perhaps appropriate to earn during a pandemic)
Our troop has many counselors available to work with you using technology, and across NCAC and further others are offering to assist scouts with badges to help keep everyone busy (not bored)
Online MB sessions
BSA Advancement Academy – updated periodically
NCAC MB offerings – these are updated periodically (there may be technology fees for at least some offerings)
Forwarded list of MB options:
National Capital Area
https://www.ncacbsa.org/merit-badges-at-home/Central Florida Council
https://scoutingevent.com/083-OnlineMBGulf Stream Council (Florida)
https://www.gulfstreamcouncil.org/raw2020Piedmont Council (North Carolina)
https://www.piedmontcouncilbsa.org/mbuonlineAndrew Jackson Council (Mississippi)
http://www.bsa-jackson.org/event/list/2535Mt. St. Helen’s Volcano Scouting
https://www.volcanoscouting.org/virtual
30 Day Brownsea Challenge
Attention Scouts, Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, & 1st Class! Keep your Scout Skills sharp with the 30 Day Brownsea Challenge. The challenge begins this Friday! Complete the challenge and earn the exclusive Scout On Patch! You must be registered to earn the patch! There is no cost to register. Registrations end April 9th at 11:55 pm. Register & learn more here: http://www.bsa-grc.org/registration/calendardetail.aspxRank Advancement
Review your Scout Handbook, work on your skills so you can get items signed off. You can discuss with other scouts too. See 30-day challenges for rank advancement ideas.
Read a book, so many to choose from! Here are some suggestions:
Lost on a Mountain in Maine, Donn Fendler – true story of a 12 year old scout lost for 9 days
My Adventures as a Spy, Robert Baden-Powell
List of books to read from Boys Life magazine
What books do you suggest??
Key Dates (mark your calendar)
also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar
Dates are dependent upon COVID-19 response
TBD – CUMC Clean Up Day
Aug 14-16 – Prince William Forest Campout
Aug 18 – Friend of Scouting presentation (parents are asked to participate)
Sep 8 – First Day FCPS